Welding helmets are an inevitable accessory for any workshop. You need to wear it to prevent any injuries on your face and eyes.If you consistently weld without any helmet, permanent damage might happen to your cornea which leads to blindness. Moreover, the fumes from welding are also irritable and harmful to your nostrils and lungs.
Better to have a good welding helmet to protect you from harm during welding works. Here, we have an easy and comprehensive guide in choosing the best welding helmet for 2020. We also included an in-depth product review for the top 10 best welding helmet 2020 so you don’t have to hover over hundreds of items.
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BEST Welding Helmet (January 2022) – Top 10 Reviews
| MODEL | PRICE | OVERALL |
| Antra AH6-260-0000 | check price | |
| Lincoln Electric | check price | |
| DEKO PRO XG9 | check price | |
| DEKO PRO DP-33 | check price | |
| Hobart 770286 | check price | |
| Honeywell 110PWE | check price | |
| DEKO PRO XG105 | check price | |
| DEKO PRO Auto darkening | check price | |
| DEKO PRO XG30 | check price | |
| URCERI A03FE8FF-QJJUS-M2 | check price |
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Welding Helmets
To ensure you’ll choose and buy the best welding helmets, we’ll cover the important features and respective benefits you need to look for.
1. Optical Class
If you’re looking for the ADF lens cartridge rating, then ask or find the optical class of that welding helmet.
High-quality hoods have an optical class rating of 1/1/1/1. The four ratings stand for optical quality, light scattering, homogeneity and angular dependence rating of the welding helmet.
Note:
High-quality hoods or helmets have a low number of optical class ratings.
2. Shade
There are two types of auto-darkening helmets based on shade shifting:
• Fixed shade
- This type allows only one specified dark shade shift level.
- Benefits: Auto-shade switching and low-cost technology
- The hood shifts from light shade to a fixed shade level of 10.
- Ideal when working with constant amperage for welding and same material worked on
• Variable shade
- Shade options: 8 to 9
- Better variability for work condition
- Ideal for welding process with varying amperage and materials worked on
3. Viewing Size
- For light welding works, ideal viewing size of the lens must be 6 square inches.
- For heavy-duty welding conditions, an ideal lens viewing size must be 9 square inches.
4. Light Sensors
- Entry level welding hoods: Two light sensors
- Industrial-grade welding hoods: Four light sensors
5. Lens Reaction Time
We know that auto-darkening welding helmets have light sensors which change the opacity of the lens in a quick span of time. Check if the welding helmet you’re eyeing has a quick changing time for the lens to shift from light to dark state.
The average time for an auto-darkening helmet to switch shade is around 1/3600 of a second. In contrast, industrial-grade ones have a quick switch shade in 1/20000 of a second.
Preferred lens reaction time for short or track welding is around 1/20000 of a second.
6. Light Sensitivity Control
The light sensitivity level of an auto-darkening helmet can be adjusted manually or the unit has an automatic changing system.
7. Delay Control level
The delay control function refers to how long will your auto-darkening helmet switch back to its normal shade or inactive state. It is preferable to have a hood where its delay control function can be manually adjusted to fit current working needs.
For short or track welding, it is ideal to have a short delay to supplement fast work. Meanwhile, for high-amperage welding conditions, a long delay will be suitable considering there’ll still be few radiation emissions after the arc.
8. Power Source
There are three options for the power source: (1) disposable batteries, (2) rechargeable batteries, and (3) solar powered paired with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery.
9. Weight and Adjustability
Welders often work for long hours and even going through narrow spaces. A convenient and lightweight welding helmet must be chosen to avoid any discomfort for the neck and shoulder of the user. The preferable weight of the hood for convenient working will be around 50 ounces.
10. Magnifying Lens Function
Several modern ADF welding helmets use a magnifying lens to improve work accuracy. The lens can have a 1x or 2x magnification power.
11. Hardhat feature
Combination feature of hardhat and a welding helmet at the same time.
12. Grind Mode
This function refers to the ability of the ADF hood to have a manual on/off switch for its switch shade feature.
Top 10 Best Welding Helmet ?reviews
1. Antra AH6-260-0000 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.86” x 1.73”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 5-13
- Purpose: tig, mig, MMA
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 1.9 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Great auto darkening system | • None so far |
| • Reliable tightening mechanism | ? |
| • Lightweight and solid construction | ? |
Best Choice
There are a lot of features to love about this helmet. First, nothing beats the price out from the benefits you get from it. This helmet has an adjustable lower limit when dropping it. Likewise, it has adjustable sensitivity and grinder function. You would also be amazed by the tightening mechanism of the helmet.
2. Lincoln Electric Welding Helmet 3350 series
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.74” x 3.34”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 5-13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Rigid construction | • None so far except for price fluctuations |
| • Reaction time is accurate | ? |
| • Grind setting works really fine | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
This helmet fits flawlessly into your face without any hassle. The tightening mechanism is smooth and the auto darkening duration is really fine. The ability to see into the puddle is much better than the traditional one. It has a rigid construction which can resist a certain amount of pressure.
Nothing serious so far, prices just fluctuates over time.
3. DEKO PRO Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Blue Eagle Design
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.62” x 1.65”
- Sensors:
- Shade: 4/9 – 13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 1.21 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Solid built | • None so far |
| • Lightweight | ? |
| • Easy to wear and take off | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
The features for this helmet is simply amazing but you need to do a few things to make it really perfect. First, ensure the headpiece is attached properly in your face so it doesn’t fall off. Next, set the shade on 10 with the delay and sensitivity level at maximum. Overall, adjustments are smooth and easy. The grinding function works properly.
No serious negative complaints about this unit.
4. DEKO PRO Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Flaming Skull Design
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.62” x 1.65”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 4/9 – 13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 1.65 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Comfortable to wear | • None so far |
| • Quick darkening transition | ? |
| • Smooth adjustment settings | ? |
Amazon’s Choice
The auto darkening mechanism is fascinating. It immediately darkens in seconds when an arc is produced. The solar power mechanism also effectively works. The helmet has enough strength to resist pressure from accidental falls.
Overall, good quality for an affordable price.
5. Hobart 770286 Flip Front Welding Helmet
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 4.5” x 2”
- Sensors: n/a
- Shade: 10
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: n/a
- Weight: 15.2 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Very affordable | • No advance innovations |
| • Solid construction | ? |
| • Easy and comfortable to wear | ? |
Best Budget
This helmet is practically useful for small and medium works. If you want a regular and very affordable welding helmet, this is the best option. It is easy to flip the mask up and down. The tightening mechanism works really fine.
It is a basic welding helmet but it gives enough protection for welding.
6. Fibre Metal Pipeliner Fibeglass Welding Helmet
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 2” x 4”
- Sensors: n/a
- Shade: 10
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function:n/a
- Weight: 2 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Affordable price | • Lack of flip front |
| • Effective UV filtration | ? |
| • Very lightweight and comfortable tightening straps | ? |
Fiber glass material
This helmet is lightweight and fits comfortably in the face. You can cut the front lens and replace it with a flip front to make it more versatile. The round bottom part of the headgear fits perfectly in the chin which prevents any fumes from coming into your face. It has an effective UV ray filter so you really get much of its quality.
7. DEKO PRO Welding Helmet Orange Black
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.62” x 1.65”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 4/9 – 13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 1.55 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Durable and good price | • No issues so far |
| • Quick auto darkening system | ? |
| • Lightweight and comfortable to wear | ? |
Solar Powered
I love the headband of this headgear for it is comfortable and easy to put on. Once you receive the package, take out the clear shipping protection label as it blocks visibility. You can adjust the angle of the helmet by adjusting the three pin holes on both sides of the headgear. The auto darkening feature works well and overall construction is sturdy.
8. DEKO PRO Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.7” x 1.73”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 9 – 13
- Purpose: arc, tig, mig, smaw, gtaw
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 1.65 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Rigid and durable headgear | • None so far |
| • Reliable auto darkening mechanism | ? |
| • No fumes can go inside with this mask | ? |
The auto darkening system of this helmet can stay for long hours of work. It is pretty much comfortable when you wear it and the strap is reliable in holding the gear towards your face. No fumes can pass at the round bottom of the mask. The overall construction is tough enough to resist cracking for accidental drops.
No serious negative issues so far.
9. DEKO PRO Auto-darkening Welding Helmet Solar Powered
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.85” x 3.15”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 4/9 – 13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
| pros | cons |
| • Reasonable price | • Some experienced technical issues with the shade adjustment |
| • Durable and comfortable to wear | ? |
| • The fast reaction for auto-darkening function | ? |
This helmet has a wide viewing area which is great for working so you can see various angles of work. The auto darkening mechanism serves really well, it takes milliseconds to go dark mode. It is easy to wear and adjustments are smooth. Reasonable price for a good quality helmet.
Some experiences technical problems with the auto darkening feature. They should call customer service for assistance.
10. URCERI Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
check price on amazon
Features:
- Size: 3.94” x 2.21”
- Sensors: 4
- Shade: 5 – 13
- Purpose: tig, mig, arc
- Grind function: yes
- Grind function: yes
| pros | cons |
| • Affordable price | • The headband is slightly hard to adjust |
| • Sturdy construction | ? |
| • Easy and comfortable to use | ? |
| • Quick reaction time for the auto-darkening mechanism | ? |
The overall construction of the headgear is strong and comfortable. It has a large viewing area. Adjustments of the mask angle are easy and smooth. The grinding function works well and you can see the workpiece. Quick reaction time for its auto darkening mechanism.
It looks flimsy but it is actually strong and reliable when you use it.
