If you are involved with welding, then the first thing you need to ensure is safety. In this article, you are going to get detailed information on the best welding helmets that are important to your safety. You can never ignore the importance of it.
There are many things to implement to ensure your safety. The paramount important safety gear is a welding helmet.
Protecting your eyes, face, and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet lights, sparks, and other similar elements a welding helmet plays an important role.
That’s why it is highly significant for you to make sure that you are picking one of the best welding helmets as it is the thing that remains in between you and possible disaster.
Don’t worry! We have done all the hard work and we have enlisted the 10 best welding helmets on the market today.
Our detailed study on the 10 best welding helmets will be helpful for you to make your selection process easier, faster, and more trouble-free.
Our full review is honest, 100% valid, and reliable as it is completely based on our deep research & personal experience with these products.
Standard Features of Best Welding Helmets
Before diving into the deep, let’s figure out the standard features of the best welding helmets that you would like to know before buying.
Let’s take a look at the 10 standard features you need to know.
- Auto Darkening Protection
- Battery or Solar Power
- Helmet Weight
- Grind Mode
- Lens Clarity
- Shade Variability
- Cheater Lens
- Size of Viewing Area
- Price Range
- Comfort
Although all welding helmets may not contain all of these features, you need to ensure most of the features are available in your preferable ones.
Now, the most exciting thing is coming! Let’s go and find the best welding helmets that suit your needs perfectly.
10 Best Welding Helmets
Table of Contents
1. 3M Speedglas 9100 Welding Helmet (Overall Best)
3M Speedglas 9100 is one of the best welding helmets available on the market. It is best because of its comfortable, clean, stylish look.
If you are working in a busy welding environment, the visibility of your surroundings is important. That’s why the 3M Speedglas 9100 is one of the most effective ones.
So we prefer its visibility. The visibility of this helmet is top drawer. You will get excellent clarity. Honestly speaking, the large viewing screen windows will also give you added peripheral vision.
Besides, the helmet’s mounting system will also bring you close to the lens to help maximize your visibility. It has variable dark shades and a light shade 3 with the external button.
It is also designed for comfortable use. Its lightweight and two adjustable head straps will make it more comfortable and secure.
Its “self-adjust” quality is easily adjustable to your head so you need not tighten it at all.
Moreover, there is an additional ventilation facility on the side that allows your helmet to let the airflow and remove the heat from the hood to avoid sweating.
This is also helpful in decreasing fog and creates a lot less stuffy in there if you are welding more times.
But it is a bit more expensive than other welding helmets. Besides, it has a slightly lower space for those who have a big head.
Believe me! If you want to buy a 3M Speedglas 9100, you will get back all that you pay for.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of 3M Speedglas 9100.
Advantages
- Exceptional true clarity
- Good color combination
- Peripheral vision
- Comfortable, lightweight, and adjustable
- 3 grinding mode
- Large field of view
Disadvantages
- A bit expensive
- Slightly lower specs for some people
2. Esab A50 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet (Second Best)
Are you looking for a premium welding helmet with a matching price point? Esab A50 Auto Darkening is one of the best welding helmets in this regard.
If you are concerned about warping, then it is also an effective one. Many users may argue that an alternative high heat cover is the most impressive thing.
But our opinion is different. In our opinion, the design and the clarity are the things a welder should prioritize.You will get a “sporting shell design” on this welding helmet that is similar to what you see on racing helmets. It is also constructed from high-impact resistance nylon.
Besides, it has excellent clarity with a true color lens to provide you with a blueish arc color.
Honestly speaking, it has a low-profile, 5-point design and a central pivot point that will allow for maximum head clearance. For adjustments, there is a full-color LCD touchscreen panel, similar to your smartphone.
This touchscreen panel allows you to set eight separate memory settings so that you can easily recall them at any time.
Moreover, we also prefer this LCD touchscreen panel but it may sometimes be tricky to operate with big hands and gloves.
It is quite a bit more expensive than most of the welding helmets, but it is fully worthy of every cent.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Esab A50 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- Looks like the sporting helmets
- Color touchscreen control panel
- True lens
- Externally shade 4 Grind Button
- Comfortable
- Super cool design
Disadvantages
- Very expensive
- Smaller viewing area
- Slightly heavier than other helmets
3. Optrel VegaView 2.5 Welding Helmet (Premium)
Optrel VegaView 2.5 Welding Helmet is our next pick for the best welding helmets. When it comes to masking visibility, it is always leading the pack.
With a 4x lighter view, the VegaView 2.5 holds the world record of having the lightest ADF out of some other welding protective caps as of late. You can see everything clearly between welds and in grind mode.
Besides, it is extremely lightweight compared to other helmets on the market. We were surprised a bit by how light it was at first as we expected it to be bulky.
The Optrel VegaView 2.5 weighs about 17oz and it is much lighter compared to other similar helmets on the market.
Moreover, the lightweight of this head protector likewise makes it more agreeable for extended periods utilizing while at the same time dealing with a venture.
The helmet shell has also ended up having an excellent shape. The unique design makes the VegaView 2.5 perfect for overhead welding.
Unfortunately, you may find Optrel VegaView 2.5 to be inadequate. Besides, the grind indicator light may be annoying from time to time for some people.
Moreover, the high price tag on this helmet may not be affordable for many people.
Overall, it is one of the best welding helmets offering everything like features, clarity, and overall quality you may hope for.
Though it is a bit expensive, don’t worry, it will be well worth investing in this welding helmet.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Optrel VegaView 2.5 Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- Mask visibility
- Lowest light state shade level of 2.5
- 4x lighter view
- Lightweight
- Unique and cool design
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- Bit Expensive
- It may be inadequate for high welding tasks
- Only goes up to shade level 12
4. Antra Welding Helmet (AH6-260-0000) (Affordable)
Are you looking for an affordable welder helmet? Don’t worry, Antra Welding Helmet (AH6-260-0000) is one of the best welding helmets at a super affordable price. It is also an auto-darkening helmet.
It is famous for its adaptability and marks a lot of boxes as far as quality, with a decent optical glass, focal point response time, and a 5-13 shade range.
The clarity and color of Antra (AH6-260-0000) are very good and the circular segment has a green color. It has likewise now a grind mode and movable affectability choices.
Besides, it has a solar-powered feature. It means that you do not have to worry about battery levels before getting to work constantly.
With variable shade levels from 5-to 13, you will be able to work in any light conditions, with any type of welding.
It is also lightweight, that’s why it is great for welding for long periods. It is also adjustable, you can adjust it easily for extra comfort.
But it is not the best option for durability, so we do not recommend using it for heavy welding applications or hardwearing. Another downside of it has the relatively small viewing area.
Overall, the Antra Welding Helmet (AH6-260-0000) is one of the best welding helmets at an affordable price. We recommend that this helmet be a perfect choice for beginner welders or hobbyists.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Antra Welding Helmet (AH6-260-0000).
Advantages
- Affordable
- Eight shade levels
- 4 sensors
- Solar-powered, auto-darkening lens
- Really cheap
- Lightweight
- Cool design
- External grind mode
Disadvantages
- Shorter lifespan
- Not that durable
- Small viewing area
5. Hobart 770890 Welding Helmet (Mid-Premium)
Are you looking for a decent mid-premium-level welding helmet? Hobart 770890 (Auto-Darkening) is one of the most suitable welding helmets for both beginner welders and professionals alike.
It is generally equipped with three arc sensors to control the auto-darkening functionality.
Besides, it also consisted of market-leading LCD technology to keep your eyes protected whenever the arc begins to flash.
It provides you the excellent low-light capability for any type of welding with adjustable shade levels from 8 to 13.
This welding helmet is known for its ultra design of this mask combined with the extra comfortable headgear.
Honestly speaking, it is super comfortable, and you will still be able to breathe. Your sweat is not going to be dripping into your viewing lens while you work. Isn’t that exciting?
But, the incredible adjustability of the headgear may be turned into pretty complicated to get it to fit your head.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Hobart 770890 Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- Excellent shade variability for any light conditions
- Great ventilation
- Market-leading LCD technology
- Low-light capability
- Super comfortable
Disadvantages
- It might be complex to set up headgear properly
6. Jackson Safety 46129 Welding Helmet (Traditional)
Do you want a traditional welding helmet?
Our next recommendation for the best welding helmets is Jackson Safety 46129 which has a long history in the welding industry.
Honestly, it is a solid build and a durable welding helmet. It is built to last. Its bad side is that it is quite heavy. Despite the weight, it is quite comfortable and adjustable.
It is a dark helmet and you can generally change shades between 9 and 13. It also has a grind mode available with digital controls to switch between sensitivity and delay.
Besides, it is also very responsive and has four sensors to help pick up the arc and reduce eye strain.
Let’s see the other side of the coin! The overall area of view is comparatively small, however, the slim shell will make it a good choice if you need to weld in some tight spaces.
Besides, many people do not prefer it for long use as it is quite heavy.
We recommend this traditional reliable helmet which is getable at a pretty affordable price.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Jackson Safety 46129 Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- 4 sensors
- Grind mode with digital controls
- Slim shell for tight spaces
- Solid build and durable
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- Heavy downside
- A small field of view
7. Miller 280045 Black Digital Infinity Welding Helmet (Expensive)
The Miller 280045 Black Digital Infinity is one of the best welding helmets that feature ClearLight lens technology.
This innovation will offer you a splendid, clear perspective on the weld puddle with more practical shading tints in both light and dim states.
That’s how you will get the largest viewing area of any auto-darkening welding filter in the industry.
The Miller 280045 Black Digital Infinity generally operates in the weld, cut, and grind with 13.4 square inches of the viewing area.
Besides, Miller’s X-Mode protects all kinds of sunlight interference and low-amp lens flashing from obstructed sensors.
Miller’s AutoSense consequently sets the protective cap affectability by detecting your welding climate. It is great for welders who are working in various welding conditions.
Moreover, Miller’s Info Track displays and tracks arc time. It will also allow users to set time, alarm, and timer on the helmet.
But apart from its price issue, it has also been an issue with its lens. It is considered a weak link. It generally breaks after only a few lens changes.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of the Miller 280045 Black Digital Infinity Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- Great visibility
- Digital controls
- Miller's X-Mode
- Miller's InfoTrack
- Miller's AutoSense
- Good Design and comfortable
Disadvantages
- Lens reliability issues
- Lens latch is a weak link
- Expensive
8. Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 Welding Helmet (Balanced)
If you are looking for a welding helmet that perfectly balances comfort and exceptional clarity at an affordable price, Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 is the right one for you.
The optical clarity of Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 is unbelievable. It is an ideal 1/1/1/1 and it highlights 4C lens technology to make a genuine nature view.
The lens (variable for shades 5-13) features an external grind button to quickly switch between weld and grind mode.
It generally provides you with a taller viewing area of overall window size (12.5 square inches) which is amazing for seeing directly what’s in front of you.
It is combined with a super-fast lens reaction time and 4 arc sensors to ensure great visuals.
Besides, it is also a very comfortable and lightweight helmet. It has six headgear contact points to eliminate discomfort and pressure on the head.
You will get a lot of adjustment points if you need them to ensure the most comfortable fit.
It is also getable in different custom designs including Stars and Stripes, Steampunk, and Zombie.
But you do not get that much peripheral vision.
We recommend that if you are okay with less peripheral vision, it will be a great deal for you.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- True color clarity
- 4 sensors
- Grind mode
- Lightweight and adjustable
- Comfortable
- Large and tall field of view
- 3-year warranty
Disadvantages
- Not much peripheral vision
9. SÜA Welding Helmet (Largest Viewing Area)
If you are looking for a Welding Helmet that has the largest viewing area, the next pick SÜA Welding Helmet will be perfect for you.
SUA welding helmet is offering you the largest viewing area (4″ x 4″) so that you can get the true color, clear and high-definition welding action.
It has a photovoltaic and battery-powered filter with four darkening sensors for added safety.
It also protects your eyes and face from unexpected arc flashes by accurately darkening every time. You get to observe every single control that is situated external to the helmet for a simpler and more ergonomic change of the obscuring boundaries.
Besides, it is delightfully planned as it comes with a battery, prepared to weld out of the case.
Don’t worry! SÜA Vector helmets normally accompany the most agreeable headgear, with repetitive and adjustable head support.
But few customers sometimes complain about the forged lens, and the largest viewing area may be a little bit cloudy for a long time using.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of SÜA Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- Largest viewing area
- True & clear color
- Four darkening sensors
- Beautifully designed
- Comfortable headgear
Disadvantages
- Fogged lens sometimes
- Maybe a little bit cloudy
10. Pyramex WHAM3030FM Welding Helmets (High-speed lens)
Are you looking for a welding helmet that has a “High-speed” lens? Then we have chosen the Pyramex WHAM3030FM. It is one of the best welding helmets with advanced technology.
It has one of the industry-leading high-speed lenses with a 1/30,000 second response time. Its rugged nylon suspension generally provides a superior fit.
Besides, it has also 4 arc sensors that will automatically activate the auto-darkening filter to switch from light to dark arc response.
Truly, the auto-darkening filter will decrease the need to flip the welding helmet all over between torch placements to support its usefulness.
It also has advanced solar technology with a lithium battery to ensure peak performance.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Pyramex WHAM3030FM Welding Helmet.
Advantages
- High-speed lens
- Rugged nylon suspension
- 4 arc sensors
- Auto-darkening filter
- Solar technology
Disadvantages
- It may not darken that much sometimes
Final Thoughts
We recommend 3M Speedglas 9100 and Optrel VegaView 2.5 as the overall best welding helmet for a few reasons. They both hold the perfect mask visibility for welding, they are very comfortable and well worth every penny.
Antra (AH6-260-0000) is one of the most affordable welding helmets with good optical glass and a 5-13 shade range. It is also very comfortable because of its lightweight compared to other helmets.
Jackson Safety 46129 is one of the most traditional welding helmets and it has a long successful history in the welding industry. It is a solid build and a durable welding helmet with 4 sensors and digital controls.
If you’re looking for a balanced welding helmet, Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 will be the right pick for you. It generally offers you a large viewing area with great optical clarity.
If you are looking for a premium branded welding helmet, Miller 280045 Black Digital Infinity is the best option for you. It consists of different advanced technologies like Clear Light lens, X-Mode, AutoSense, InfoTrack, etc. It’s fact that it is expensive because of its different technologies.
SÜA offers you the largest viewing area (4″ x 4″) with a photovoltaic and battery-powered filter with four darkening sensors to ensure your safety.
Pyramex WHAM3030FM is also known for its high-speed lens in the welding industry. Its 4 arc sensors automatically activate the auto-darkening filter.
Esab A50 and Hobart 770890 welding hamlets are by far the most impressive gloves in our picks. The quality and design of them are unbelievable. Both helmets are using market-leading LCD technology, comfortable. If you want to look for a durable one, then you can pick one between these two best welding hamlets without any hesitation!
