Those who have any experience with welding know that those kinds of operations require full face protection because of high light intensity, sparkles that can cause burns on your face, or even potential eye injury.
That is precisely why welding helmets came into existence. Their function is to give you, or more accurately your face, the protection it requires during this kind of work.
Taking into account just how advanced this kind of metal fabrication has become, you have to be careful when buying your helmet.
Here are some of the best welding helmets of 2020:
| Model Name | Auto Darkening | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| YESWELDER LYG-M800 (Editor’s Choice) | Yes | $$ |  |
| YESWELDER Auto Darkening | Yes | $ | |
| Antra AH6-260-0000 | Yes | $ | |
| Fibre-Metal Pipeliner Fiberglass | No | $ | |
| Lincoln Electric K3034 | Yes | $$$ | |
| DEKOPRO Welding Helmet | Yes | $ | |
| TACKLIFE PAH03D | Yes | $$ | |
1. YESWELDER LYG-M800 – High-End Best Welding Helmet
This is a perfect choice for you if you are an amateur/home welder, or if you want to try out this kind of trade and don’t want to spend a lot of money on equipment.
First of all, with it on your head, you will look more like a Mandalorian than a construction worker. But we know that the performance is much more critical than its futuristic design
It has an auto-darkening option, which, together with a large viewing screen, is perfect for protecting those whose eyesight had already suffered enough because of welding.
The only downside of this product is that the headgear eventually gives up, but you can replace it with a good-quality one.
Pros
Auto-darkening
Great design
Extremely comfortable
Cons
Failing headgear
2. YESWELDER Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Welding Helmet For Beginners
This is a perfect choice for beginners in this business, or you want to teach someone welding.
Another product by YESWELDER, here we are presented with another helmet with auto-darkening.
Unlike the previous one, it doesn’t have that many options for adjusting it.
It has two separate auto-darkening sensors, inside it has adjustment controls for UV/IR sensitivity levels, and it’s all powered by a lithium battery and solar cell panel.
Another thing you also get with it are replacement lenses, and that is a rarity when it comes to buying helmets. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a grind option, but costumers report that sensitivity, delay, and shade are more or less flawless.
Pros
Affordable
Great design
Comfortable
Cons
Low battery life
Failing headgear
3. Antra Welding Helmet AH6-260-0000 – Affordable Welding Helmet
Another cheaper option for those who have just begun familiarizing themselves with this trade, only this time the company is Antra.
With more than an affordable price, you will get a helmet that has an adjustable lower limit, so mask falls to the same place every time.
It also has an adjustable sensitivity. Another one of its features is a grinder mode, so when you are working outside, you can disable auto-darkening mode so that the Sun can’t trigger it.
It comes with O-ring for better vision adjustment, which is an important consideration you should remember.
When a helmet has a stop, it’s not so critical, but without it and the adjustment slipping, you’re going to have a wrong time.
The helmet is very light, so it’s not going to be industrial rated since it’s made out of thin plastic. It’s great to use at home, but not to make a living with it.
Pros
Affordable
Grinder mode
Light
Cons
Not for industrial practice
4. Fibre-Metal Pipeliner Fiberglass Welding Helmet – Best Welding Helmet With Simplistic Design
Another one of the affordable helmets, this product has maybe one of the most straightforward designs, but don’t let that fool you that this product is not right.
It is made out of rugged superglass material, so it is impervious to moisture and impact-resistant to avoid cracks and chips, and also do deflect sparks.
Its ratcheting headgear secures a comfortable fit and comfort.
Another quality of the superglass is that it is very light, so you will feel more like you’re wearing a hat.
It is specially designed for pipe welding so that you can access small places and tight clearances where a standard helmet couldn’t fit.
Pros
Affordable
Light
100% protection from UV/IR
Cons
Lack of front flip
5. Lincoln Electric K3034 – Best Welding Helmet For Professionals
Now, here’s a product for those who make a living out of welding, a high price for serious work. Viking 3350 is no toy. It features the exclusive 4C lens technology to create a crystal clear, true-color view.
The 12.5-inch auto-darkening lens will provide you with a large view so that you can handle any application along the way.
It also allows you to quickly switch between the weld and grind modes using the low-profile external grind button so that you don’t have to remove helmet or gloves to do that.
The helmets from the 3350 series are no joke. They are very durable, and as a testament to that with each one, you buy you get a three-year warranty from the day of the purchase to protect your investment. Excellent for industrial welding and working on big projects at home.
Pros
Premium optics
Extra-large lenses
Super comfortable
Three-year warranty
Cons
Problems with headgear might occur
6. DEKOPRO Welding Helmet – Best Welding Helmet For DIY Enthusiasts
Another product for a beginner or amateur welders, but just this one has the most impressive design so far on this list. If you are already working with high-temperature equipment, why not have flames drawn on your helmet.
It has protection from UV and IR radiation, and its equipped with sensitivity and delay settings adaptability for different environments.
Its auto-darkening filter enables you to adapt to various working environments and conditions by controlling the shade of the lens. It is battery powered with solar panel technology for longer life, which is up to 5000 hours.
It is recommended for automotive, construction and food and beverage manufacturing, metal production, etc.
Pros
Affordable
Great design
Designed for different environments
Cons
Some products won’t darken all the way
Headgear might fail
7. TACKLIFE PAH03D – Best Welding Helmet With Interesting Features
Last but not least, on this list, we come across Tacklife, another great manufacturer, whose products are used by welders all around the world. And with the more than affordable price, you can too with just one click. And why would you want to buy it?
Well, it has a passive filter with permanent shade combined with an LCD shutter for best eye-protection, along with full face with neck protection, disabling those pesky sparks from leaving burns, except if you want to weld shirtless.
It also features a large viewing area (100x73mm), providing a clear and comprehensive view with proper ventilation.
It also has built-in switches to avoid taking your helmet off when you want to switch from welding to grinding and vice versa. All these features make it great for both industrial usage or DIY projects.
Pros
Affordable
Great protection
Clear view
Cons
The lens might wear out quickly
Best Welding Helmet Buyer’s Guide
Helmet Weight – Comfort
You have to consider weight because if you find the bulky one, it may lead to strains on your shoulders in case of a long shift. Using a lightweight model is a much more convenient solution and you will be able to enjoy convenience and comfort.
Viewing Area
Viewing size is the most important consideration because you will be able to find six square inches for light-duty helmets, while industrial and heavy-duty helmets have nine square inches.
Optical Class
Even though the US hasn’t adopted the requirements for design, you should have in mind that most auto-darkening helmets require optical clarity as necessity. Therefore, you should check out ratings depending on what you wish to handle with it.
Arc Sensors
When it comes to affordable models, they have max two sensors, while industrial ones can have up to four. The more sensors helmet has, the better coverage will be, and you will be able to handle everything along the way.
Helmet Power Source
Remember that battery-powered helmets require plenty of charges, which will affect your utility bills in case you use them frequently. On the other hand, you can find solar-powered helmets that come with built-in solar panels as well as non-disposable lithium batteries just in case.
Sensitivity Control
You can find the ones with adjustable sensitivity control, which means that you will be able to adjust brightness that will trigger the auto-darkening feature.
Lens Shade Options
You will be able to choose between variable and fixed shade options. Fixed ones can provide you the possibility of auto-darkening, which is perfect if you weld materials that have similar thicknesses. If you use different processes and you should adjust amperage based on the content, it is way better to choose variable shade instead.
Lens Reaction Time
This particular feature is adjustable, and it will allow you to see how long you need to remain in the dark until you finish with the ark. The short reaction is excellent for tracking the entire process. If you’re handling high-amperage welding, prolonged reaction time is useful to avoid harmful radiation from molten metal.
Adjustable Fit
This is a prime consideration if you wish for multiple people to use a single welding helmet. It will provide you peace of mind when it comes to adjusting it with ease.
Safety Standards
When it comes to safety standards, there are numerous things you should consider. The most important one is EN 175 that will protect your eyes and face against optical radiation. Others include EN 166 for eye protection and EN 379 for auto-darkening filters.
Knob Placement
Knob placement is an essential consideration because you can choose the helmet that features knob outside or inside of it. Interior knobs are convenient during the operation, but you won’t be able to operate it without putting the helmet off. On the other hand, exterior knobs are more convenient because you can manually handle them during the operation.
Knob Size
The knob size can determine the efficiency of the operation. If you choose a small knob, you won’t be able to operate with welding gloves. Therefore, it depends on how you wish to handle the welding process.
Extra Padding
Extra padding means that it will fit your head so that you can enjoy additional comfort. You need to ask this particular question beforehand so that you can wear it without any other problem.
Reaction Time
Reaction time is essential for preventing flashes and other health issues. It is a period the lens requires to switch from light to dark. Have in mind the quicker reaction time; the safer will be for you to operate with it.
Auto Darkening
Auto darkening feature comes with high-end models that are more expensive than regular ones. Remember that these helmets have sensors that will automatically darken depending on the heat received by them.
Conclusion
You can find numerous examples of good welding helmets, but you must not forget that you are not buying a coffee maker, but a protective gear and that it would be in your best interest to choose carefully since the consequences of lousy purchase can be rather dire.
So choose carefully, consider everything, and think right before you reach the decision which one to buy.
If you have any questions regarding welding helmets, you should ask us in the comment section below, and we will answer you on short notice.
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