Overview
A welding helmet is one of the most important items you'll need to protect your eyes from the arc. If you don't wear a helmet, the UV rays emitted by the arc might cause serious eye problems.
We've put together a list of the top 5 welding helmets on the market right now, in a variety of pricing ranges. These welding helmets are all auto-darkening, which is our preferred style of the welding helmet. We've also developed a buying guide to show you how we came up with our top 10, which you can see below to assist you in finding the best welding helmet for your needs.
Users’ Picks
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Best Overall: Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING
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Best Bang For The Buck: YESWELDER Large Viewing M800H
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Best Low-Cost: Antra Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13
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Best Lightweight: 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100
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Best High-end: Optrel Crystal 2.0 Auto
In-Depth Reviews for Top 5 Best Welding Helmet
1. Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING
Reason to buy
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The lens is extra big.
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Excellent color accuracy and clarity
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Controlled precision
For good reason, the Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 receives top marks from users and independent evaluations. Its outstanding lens, which is among the largest available, is rated optically flawless at 1/1/1/1 and employs 4C Technology from Lincoln Electric to reproduce absolutely vivid color. It auto-darkens in a fraction of a second. There are controls for sensitivity and delay, in addition to the vast shade range, that provide a high level of personalization and fine control. To avoid accidental activation, the simple grind mode button on the side of the helmet should be pressed for 3 seconds.
2. YESWELDER Large Viewing M800H
Reason to buy
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Feature set that is extensive
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Controls that are simple to use
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Affordably priced
Yeswelder welding products are well-known for being cost-effective. This welding helmet contains several of the features seen on more expensive versions, as well as the widest viewing area of any of the models we looked at. Colors are excellent, if not remarkable, and while the 1/1/1/2 optical clarity isn't ideal, it's still acceptable.
The auto-darkening speed is 1/10,000 second, and it's a little slower than some, but completely safe. Shade, sensitivity, delay, and grinding mode controls are all located on the outside of the helmet and are designed to be operated while wearing gloves.
3. Antra Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13
Reason to buy
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Cheap
Beginners and those who don't weld on a daily basis but yet desire the convenience of auto-darkening will appreciate Antra's low-cost welding helmet. It's a flexible helmet with a grinding mode, wide shade range, and sensitivity and delay adjustments, yet it can't match with high-end models on some levels. 1/25,000 second is a good reaction time.
The lens is on the tiny side, with an optical clarity of 1/1/1/2, and while welding, there is a perceptible green tint. The majority of users believe Antra's headgear to be comfortable.
4. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100
Reason to buy
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Very light and relaxing.
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Excellent peripheral vision
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For cooling, there are exhaust vents.
The 3M Speedglas welding helmet has a unique design that includes a huge screen as well as side windows for superb all-around visibility. It is possibly the most comfortable of our top options because of its small weight and extensively adjustable helmet and exhaust vents.
It contains all of the features you'd expect from a high-end welding helmet, including customizable sensitivity and delay, as well as an external grind mode button. The 3M Speedglas also has an auto-on feature that turns on when the helmet is picked up, as well as a memory function that remembers the previous settings.
5. Optrel Crystal 2.0 Auto
Reason to buy
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Excellent color and clarity
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Controls from the outside
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Paint that reflects heat
The term comes from the helmet's extraordinary clarity. It has a 1/1/1/1 rating and is frequently cited in independent evaluations as the clearest lens on the market. The color reproduction is really excellent. The fact that the lens isn't as large as some others has no bearing on use. The reaction time is 1/10,000 of a second.
Shade, sensitivity, delay, and grind mode controls are located on the outside of the helmet for convenient access without removing the helmet. The Optrel Crystal 2.0's shell provides additional neck protection and is coated with heat-resistant paint for cool comfort. A particle filter is also built in to protect the user from smoke and dust.
FAQs
1. What is the average lifespan of a welding helmet?
If properly cared for, non-replaceable batteries should last roughly 7 years. Those with changeable batteries should last for roughly ten years.
2. What is the purpose of welding helmets?
The infrared and ultraviolet light emitted by the welding arc can cause eye injury if you don't wear a welding helmet. A helmet also protects the face from welding sparks or molten metal flashes, which can cause burns.
3. What is the ideal shade for welding?
It all depends on the welding procedure, which is why the best welding helmets come in a variety of shades.
You should be well equipped to select the best welding helmet for you after reading this article. You know what factors are vital, and you know how the top masks on the market compare to one another after reading our reviews.
Hopefully, by now, you've made up your mind about which welding helmet is best for you. We've sifted through all of the relevant data to help you make the best decision possible. Now it's time to choose the best welding helmet for you and start fusing steel!