A comfortable yet durable welding helmet is all that you require while working on a welding job. However, you know that welding is one of those overwhelming tasks which require you to work for long hours and in a sultry heat? It means good quality and the best welding helmet is a must for comfortable working.
Also, it must come with easy adjustments and worn easily. We suggest welding helmets with auto-darkening technology for better performance and efficiency. To know more about the best welding helmets, read the incredible helmet review posted on our webpage by experienced construction workers and industry specialists.
Top 5 Best Welding Helmet Recommendation
- Jackson Safety SmarTIGer Welding Helmet
- 3M Speedglas Black Welding Helmet 100
- 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100
- Antra Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Safety Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Understanding How Important For Getting The Best Welding Helmet Is Worthy Investment.
Welding helmets are the most important safety gear that every welder must possess, otherwise, they will not be safe in the workplace. Thousands of people each year get injuries or diseases from work-related incidents that involve welding. Many industrial fire accidents have been caused by improper welding and safety procedures.
It is important that every welder must know their social responsibility and their responsibility to keep themselves safe not only for their families and loved ones but also to protect the reputation of the company that they are working in – a company with many injuries and fatality counts can have a decrease in sales and trust ratings.
Quick Table Contents
| 1. Comparison | 2. Welding Helmet Brands | 3. Buying Guide |
| 4. Best Care Tips | 5. FAQs | 6. Conclusion |
What is an Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet?
An auto-darkening welding helmet is a revolutionary helmet that automatically darkens when you light up the spark of your welding rod to protect your eyes from flashing. It is a new innovation and can help welders to save time in having to flip their traditional welding helmets back and forth.
Comparison Review for Professional Welders Professional welding helmets is different from entry-level ones not just because they are pricey but also because they are a lot more durable, have a wider range of features, and also work better for industrial purposes. We picked four of the finest best welding helmets below: Jackson Safety W70 BH3
1. Jackson Safety W70 BH3
Sticking to international work standards such as ANSI and ISEA, the Jackson Safety W70 BH3 professional auto-darkening welding helmet is a must-buy for any person who works on the harder side of industrial welding. Both its auto-darkening lens and air filtration can help protect your eyes and lungs, promoting better health for any welder.
Some helmets don’t work with some safety welding gloves, but this one is surprisingly great and compatible. This solar-powered welding helmet is also powered by solar energy, making it more environment-friendly and energy-efficient. Because of all of these awesome features though, the Jackson Safety helmet costs more than most welding helmet models, so you better prepare some cash!
2. 3M Speedglas 9100
Because the 3M Speedglas welding helmet has a variety of user-friendly features and functionality, both amateurs and professionals alike will be thrilled to use this auto-darkening welding helmet. Using lithium batteries, it may not be solar-powered but if you’re going to look forward to using it for hard labor such as heavy industrial application, a lithium-powered helmet is more practical because it does not run out of battery quicker compared to solar products.
It may also be pricey like the Jackson Safety helmet due to its extensive features, it is still the best buy for any welder who wants to make the most out of quality welding.
Comparison Review For Amateur Welders
If you are an amateur or hobbyist welder who only works small-time or part-time or doesn’t have the right budget to go for an expensive auto-darkening helmet, there are many cheaper alternative brands and models that you can choose from. We picked four of the finest best welding helmets below:
Short Review of some Note-Worthy Auto Darkening Helmet Models
Miller 251292 Classic Series 8-12 Shade Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
With a 2 year warranty period, the Miller 251292 Classic Series is a great welding companion for those who want a lightweight helmet.
One advantage of this model is that it can still be used for tight spots and its light sensitivity and other parameters are user-controllable and customizable.
However, its major drawbacks include the fact that because it’s solar-powered, it needs to be constantly recharged in the dark when not in use, and is not practical for heavy use such as industrial purposes, e.g. for the hobbyist or home welders.
Feature of The Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Brands
If you are having trouble trying to choose between the many welding helmet brands out there, here is a quick guideline for each brand:
1. Miller Helmets: Multiple Digital Advantages
A company based in Appleton, Wisconsin, Miller or also known as Millerwelds, is a long-time running manufacturer of welding and industry products since 1929, founded by Neils Miller. Their products were also the first to get the ISO 9001:2000 standard within the U.S. and offer a variety of other products.
Aside from welding helmets, they also manufacture and sell the following: plasma cutters, fume extraction, generators, welding stick, guns and torches, induction heating, spot welders, oxy-fuel equipment, wire feeders, and so much more.
Their company also not just focuses on the manufacturing and industrial field – they can also go as far as racing and automobiles and even farming and ranching, or anything that involves machinery, heavy equipment, and such.
The following are the most recognizable features of any Miller brand digital welding helmet:
- Perfect for a variety of industrial welding purposes.
- Anti high-heat specially-designed auto darkening lenses.
- Very sleek helmet designs.
- Digital Elite series offers a variety of light states and shades.
2. Lincoln Electric: Environment and Friendly Helmets
Their range of products includes welding equipment, guns and torches, welding accessories, automation, fume control, welding gear, and tools, cutting equipment, and a variety of consumables such as stick electrodes, MIG wires, TIG cut lengths, submerged arcs, stainless and nickel alloys, aluminum MIG and TIG products, metal-cored and flux-cored wires, hard facing and much more.
Not to be confused with Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States, the Lincoln Electric Company is a wide-ranged manufacturer of industrial products, standing strong for more than 120 years. Founded by John C. Lincoln and James F. Lincoln in 1895, the company has ventured into a lot of things, one of which is the foundation of a Lincoln Electric Welding School in 1916.
Aside from welding, Lincoln Electric Company covers a lot of industries such as pipeline, thermal energy, shipbuilding, nuclear energy, power generation, automotive and transportation, offshore, LNG, pressure vessel, wind power, and much other construction, maintenance, fabrication, and repair industries. Their website is also available in many country divisions.
As a well-respected and a forerunner when it comes to welding supplies, here are some of the most distinguished features that you can get from any Lincoln Electric auto-darkening welding helmet:
- Digital but runs on solar energy so it’s environment-friendly.
- Comes with a system that purifies the air to avoid lung problems.
- Solid metal designs that provide safety and comfort.
3. 3M Speedglas: Best Helmet Coverage
Another well-respected and long-timer in the manufacturing and building industry, 3M, also known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is a U.S.-based and now an international corporation that was first founded in 1902 by Dr. Danley Budd and company. Their main headquarters are now in Maplewood, Minnesota.
Their welding gear is only a part of their safety, security, and protection division. Along with this, they also offer fire protection, floor and surface care products, food service products, and matting products. In the manufacturing and industry division, they also have additional products such as automotive (car) tint, abrasives, and building films.
Other industries and products they have ventured into include office supplies, health care, home and leisure (including Scotch-Brite), electronics, communications, electrical and graphical displays such as LCD products.
- In general, here are the features of the 3M Speedglas welding helmet that stand out:
- Covers not just the head but also the neck area for better protection.
- Has a wider view for the welder along with the auto-darkening feature.
4. Optrel: Auto Darkening Filters
Focusing more on eye and lung protection for welders of any occasion and level, Opel AG is a Swiss company whose welding technology was first conceptualized in 1986. Despite their young age, they have already qualified to the ISO 9001 standard, making them go along the competition of the best welding helmets.
Their products are divided into three main sections: the eye protection, respiratory protection and welding accessories.
The Eye Protection products are the following: expert, pro, basic, weld cap, and special ones for grinding and cutting. For those who want to focus on respiratory protection, they have e3000 and e2100. Each of these products also have special accessories available.
Optrel’s auto darkening welding helmets have the following features:
- Supports overhead welding.
- Includes a grinding mode for the best welding experience.
5. Jackson: 75 Years of Quality Welding Helmets
Jackson Safety is a special division brand of the Kimberly-Clark Professional company. It focuses more on welding and workplace safety.
The Jackson Safety division has the following featured items: Jackson Safety helmet (WH70 series), the Kleenguard safety overalls for pathogen protection, and also a Kimberly-Clark electronic tissue dispenser.
Kimberly-Clark’s other brands include: KC Professional, Kimtech, Kleenex, Kleenguard, Scott, Smith & Wesson, Wilson and Wypall. Their industry range covers aerospace, office work, general maintenance and hospitality.
They have a wide range of home and industrial products, including but not limited to the following: bathroom tissues, facial tissues, paper napkins, and towels, dispensers, air fresheners, PPE and scientific PPE, work zone apparel, welding, washroom accessories, wipers, surface disinfectants, and skincare products.
In their Jackson Safety helmet division, they have the following auto-darkening helmet features:
- Comes with durable safety caps.
- Auto-darkening is top-notch among other brands.
- Quality of vision during welding is better than most brands.
- All helmet lenses are given 5 years of warranty.
6. Hobart: Economically Friendly Products
Founded in 1917, Hobart Welding Products, based in Troy, Ohio, USA, manufactures and sells a variety of welding equipment, from accessories to auto-darkening helmets to other tools needed for industrial application.
Hobart also has a unique and user-friendly website that encourages e-learning and ‘weld talk’, in which welders can share their experiences and learn from each other as a big welding community helping out each other from their past mistakes and encounters. True enough, it’s not safe to assume that if you have the best welding gear, you’ll be safe – you’ll need to educate yourself better first to be a successful welder.
Their range of welding products include the following: welding helmets, welders and generators, wire feed welders, spool guns, TIG welders, stick welders, and a variety of cutting products such as plasma cutters and oxy-acetylene and propane. They also have stick electrodes, welding wire, cables and connectors, and many other welding accessories and gear.
Hobart welding helmets have the following main features:
- Most models are sold at a cheaper price.
- Quality Auto Darkening feature.
Quick Buying Guide For Choosing A Quality Auto Darkening Helmet
- Know the Nature of your Welding Work. Do you work on a small-scale project or a big, skyscraper workplace? Don’t buy just any other auto-darkening welding helmet – go for one that will be the best fit for your needs. In addition, know what the auto-darkening helmet will be used on. For instance, if you are only a home welder, amateur, or hobbyist welder, do not go for an expensive professional helmet if you don’t need all of the features because it can take its toll on your budget! If you only intend to work in a small amount, save money by only opting for cheaper but still efficient welding helmets.
- Get Ideas from Reviews. You can try to shop and browse online for the best quality welding helmets if you want to save on transportation and going to the mall. Just make sure you are shopping from legitimate websites and reliable sources. Don’t get reviews from manufacturers, rather, get reviews from external or shopping websites like Amazon. It may also be a good thing to go to an offline store, hardware, warehouse, or authorized dealer if you want to test out the helmet yourself before buying.
- Don’t Exceed your Budget. Even if you really want a good helmet with digital features but you can’t afford as much, try to go for the lesser-priced ones but still retain quality. Not every welder has the right budget, but every welder has the right to protect himself/herself from dangerous fumes and extensive ultraviolet light that can damage their eyes. So instead of going for a helmet that has tons of features, always take into consideration the safety features first before the other added features.
Best Care Tips For Any Welding Helmet
So you finally have your welding helmet and working 24/7 with it. The problem is that you might not be taking care of your helmet in the right way and that’s the reason why it could get damaged a lot sooner than you think. To avoid having to spend more time, money, and effort again for repairs or replacements, here are some of the best care tips you should do for your welding helmet:
- Clean Helmet Only With Recommended Products – In the usual case, the welding helmet you purchased comes with a product manual. Always consult that manual or ask the manufacturer or seller of the helmet for cleaning instructions. This is because some materials could have different cleaning methods to prevent rusting and easily break apart.
2. Inspect Helmet Regularly – check for cracks on the lenses or on other important parts. Remember that a damaged welding lens can take its toll on your eyesight so make sure to inspect it before and after a welding job. A small crack or dent in any part of the helmet, especially in the helmet lens, must not be overlooked and should be repaired as soon as possible so that during work time, you don’t have to be stressed and frustrated and it can lead to fewer accident instances.
3. Replace and Repair as Needed – If you can, repair as much as possible and if not, get it replaced as soon as needed. Again, consult your manual or the manufacturer/seller for instructions on how to replace welding helmet parts.
4. Protect your Gear – don’t hesitate to get your own gear pack or a big bag that can house your welding gear, especially your welding helmet. There are many bags on sale that can even come along if you purchase a new helmet or a multi-purpose bag in which you can also fit in your overalls and other accessories.
5. Prepare Welding Lenses for Emergency – you don’t know when an accident might happen in the workplace so it’s best to prepare for the worst-case scenario by slipping in a few welding lenses in your bag pack in case the current one gives in. The lens is your only protection against the UV rays and the slightest error could lead to unwanted problems in the workplace, so make sure you have spare lenses just in case.
The welding helmet is one of the most essential precaution and safety accessories in the welding industry. The modern helmets are usually fitted with an auto-darkening system which will allow the operator to be able to work comfortably without exposing your eyes to the various hazards. Ideally, the lens will shield your eyes from the harmful infrared and UV rays. There are so many features that are attributed to the helmets and the only way to make the most of them is to fully understanding their functionality. There so many different welding helmets that you can choose from and they vary in terms of shapes, sizes, and so on.
We have picked some common questions that consumers usually ask in reference to their welding helmets. We truly hope that you will find your answer in this section, but in the event that you do not, we will be glad to address it directly.
Frequently Asked Questions Best Welding Helmet (FAQs )
1. What is an Auto Darkening Helmet?
A: An auto-darkening helmet is one that has a special lens with liquid crystals and filters. The darkening process will happen automatically depending on the settings that you have preferred. In general, you have the option of adjusting the shade, sensitivity, and delay settings on your welding helmet..
2.Q: Any Benefits Of The Auto Darkening Helmet?
A: Unlike the traditional welding helmets, the auto-darkening helmet has a number of benefits that you can enjoy. One of the advantages is the fact that you can be able to see your work surface without flipping it. The helmet will automatically prevent the arc radiation from affecting your eyes. The other benefit is that the tin is created electronically, which will allow adjusting the lens so that it can suit different types of welding.
3.Q: How Much Chin Movement When Operating My Lens?
A: There is minimal chin movement that will be involved when you are using your welding helmet. The lens will adjust itself automatically depending on the type of job that you are undertaking. As a matter of fact, there are tons of welding helmets that have significantly reduced cases of jaw fatigue even in extreme welding operations.
4.Q: How Many Light Sensors are in the Welding Helmet?
A: There are so many different types of welding helmets and as such, the number of sensors may vary depending on how advanced they are. However, the standard welding helmet has two light sensors that will automatically darken the lens. The advanced models have up to 4 light sensors and are commonly used for industrial purposes.
5.Q: What Is The Ideal Lens Size For My Welding Helmet?
A: Most of the helmets on the market will have dimensions of 3.5 by 1.75 inches, in terms of length and height, respectively. This is considered to be sufficient for ordinary welding jobs. However, if you often d under-car welding, you might want to consider a larger lens, preferably the one that measures 3.5 by 2.5 inches. This will give you a larger view and will make welding much easier for you.
6.Q: When Should I Replace the Battery?
A: With the welding helmets, it is quite difficult to estimate how long the battery will last. This will mainly be influenced by factors like how often you use the helmet and the features it supports. There are helmets that will have solar cells in addition to the batteries and this will facilitate the darkening of the filter when you are working under the sun.
If your lens is not working as required, this might be the perfect indicator that it needs to have your batteries replaced. The batteries are readily available at the stores, but you should ensure that you have the right model. Ideally, a good battery should last for about 3 years when being used constantly for welding purposes. Most of the helmets will have batteries that are quite easy to replace.
7.Q: Is There An Adjustable Tint?
A: The adjustable tint feature is common in most of the brands of welding helmets that are available on the market. This is a feature that will vary depending on the particular type of helmet that you have. Most of the helmets with this tint feature can be adjusted from as low as 3 all the way to 13.
8.Q: Can I find Replacement Parts for Protectors and Lenses?
A: Yes, you can easily find replacement parts for your welding helmet. In most welding stores, you will find them for the various models available. It is advisable to carry the part that you need to replace so as to ensure that you find the right replacement for your welding helmet. The first option, though, should be contacting your manufacturer so as to get authentic replacement parts.
9.Q: Should I Reset My Welding Helmet When I Am Done?
A: The auto-darkening lens will revert to the initial settings once you are done with the welding work. Most of them will go back to the non-dark mode, which is the default setting. You, therefore, do not need to worry about resetting the adjustments that you had done on your controls.
10. Q: Can I Use The Welding Helmet For Grinding?
A: There are several helmets that will have an option to activate the grind mode when you are using an angle grinder. This may also be ideal for plasma cutting as it will offer a shield to the face. You should be specific when you are buying your helmet so as to find one that has all the features that will suit your needs in the best way possible.
Conclusion
Auto-darkening welding helmets can be well-worth their money if they are taken care of in the best way. It doesn’t really matter what brand you buy, as long as its features are exactly the features you need in your welding workplace. Any best welding helmet has pros and cons, and only actual testing and honest reviews from people who tried them are reliable sources of information.
These are some of the frequent questions that we gathered from various consumers. If you did not get your issue addressed in the questions above, you can talk to us directly and we will be glad to assist you to the best of our knowledge. We will keep updating this page with the most pressing issues so as to be able to accommodate all the customers who might be facing some problems with their welding helmets. Keep checking this page for the latest updates.