The 10 Best Welding Helmets of 2023

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Welding arcs are dangerous for the eyes and the welding process itself can get dangerous. That’s why you need the best welding helmet you can get.

A welding helmet protects your eyes from the brightness and harmful effects of ultra-violet (UV) and infra-red (IR) emissions that result from welding arcs, but different helmets do this in different ways.

This welding helmets review will show you the best offers in the market. It also includes a buying guide that explains the important features to watch out for when deciding.

10 Best Welding Helmets – Review

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Lincoln Electric K3034-3 (Solar Powered & Auto-darkening)	Solar-powered and auto-darkening welding helmet Features a 3.74×3.34 viewing area Includes 4 arc sensors and a 1/25,000 second switching speed The package includes a 3-year warranty
	2. Antra AH6-260 (Budget Price & Auto-darkening)	Low and attractive budget price Auto-darkening welding helmet Provides full coverage for the face and neck Covered with a 1-year manufacturer warranty
	3. Antra AH7-360 (Lightweight & Auto-darkening)	Lightweight auto-darkening helmet Dual power from solar and CR2032 batteries Offered at an attractive price
	4. Honeywell 110WH (Rugged Fiberglass Welding Helmet)	Simple fiberglass welding helmet Designed specifically for pipe welding 100% UV and IR filters for safety Comes at a low and attractive price
	5. Tanox ADF-206S (Auto-darkening Welding Helmet Package with Gloves)	Auto-darkening helmet for TIG, MIG, & plasma Fast 1/25,000 second switching with 4 sensors Comes with a pair of gift gloves Large 3.86×1.73 viewing area
	6. Esab Sentinel A50 (True Color Auto-darkening Helmet)	Auto-darkening helmet with true color Large 3.93×2.36 viewing area Modern and stylish design Backed by a  3-year warranty
	7. Dekopro XG30 (Practical & Cost-effective Auto-darkening Welding Helmet)	Auto-darkening welding helmet Fast 1/25,000-second switching speed The shade is adjustable from 8-13 Available in four colors including red, orange, blue, and blue-black
	8. Hobart 770756 (Auto-darkening with Cool Design)	Stylishly designed auto-darkening helmet Fast 1/25,000-second switching time Features 8-13 shade adjustment Hobart backs it with a 2-year warranty
	9. Miller Electric 2240089 (Digital Elite Top Quality Nylon Helmet)	Top-quality nylon helmet with high-definition optics Four operating modes, including weld, cut, grind, and x-mode Comes with a convenient carrying bag Covered by a 3-year warranty
	10. 3M Speedglass (High-performance with Extra-wide View)	High-performance helmet for professionals Offers a wider view than most other helmets 2-year warranty coverage from 3M

1. Lincoln Electric K3034-3 – Solar Powered Auto-darkening Welding Helmet

Photo: Lincoln Electric

• Power Supply: Solar
• Viewing Area: 3.74 x 3.34 inches
• Arc Sensors: 4
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
• Weight: 3.2 pounds

This Lincoln Electric K3034-3 has many standard features, such as 4 arc sensors, a 1/25,000-second switching speed, and a solar and battery power combination.

What makes it the best auto-darkening welding helmet on this list, however, is its availability in a range of colors and artworks, including ‘Zombie’, ‘Motorhead’, and ‘All American’.

It offers a 3.74 x 3.34 viewing area, features 4C Lens technology, and adjustable shading from #5 to #13.

For its cons, you have its relatively high price, which isn’t a surprise, when you consider its many features, artwork, and the included 3-year warranty.

Pros:

• Auto-darkening welding helmet
• Solar-powered with lithium battery
• Features 4 arc sensors and 1/25,000 second speed
• Comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty

Cons:

• The battery isn’t rechargeable
• It has a relatively high price

2. Antra AH6-260 – Budget Auto-darkening Welding Helmet

Photo: Antra

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.86 x 1.73 inches
• Arc Sensors: 4
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 seconds
• Weight: 2 pounds

Antra offers something here for those who want a more affordable helmet. So, while the previous Lincoln Electric K3034-3 offer costs hundreds of dollars, this helmet costs just about fifty and still offers important features.

It’s auto-darkening at a 1/25,000-second speed, weighs about 2 pounds, and properly covers the face and neck, to make it one of the best budget welding helmets in the market.

For disadvantages, this helmet is only available in the same style and color and you can only choose between 5-9 and 9-13 shading adjustments.

In its defense, it comes at an attractive price, features 4 arc sensors, a fast switching speed, works for all welding types, and manufacturer-backed by a 1-year warranty.

Pros:

• Auto-darkening welding helmet with 4 arc sensors
• Covers the full face and neck
• Offered at a low and attractive budget price
• Backed by a 1-year warranty

Cons:

• There’s no choice of color or style
• Only two shading levels

3. Antra AH7-360 – Lightweight Auto-darkening Welding Helmet

Photo: Antra

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.86 x 2.07 inches
• Arc Sensors: 4
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
• Weight: 1 pound

Here’s another Antra welding helmet, but it comes with more features. This one is more lightweight and comes with different colors and artworks, so you can choose what suits you best.

It features four arc sensors and an interference suppression technology that minimizes false auto-darkening triggers. The viewing area measures 3.86 x 2.07 inches and it has a fast 1/25,000 reaction time.

The package includes the CR2032 lithium metal batteries, which you must replace when they die. Plus, it only offers two shade ranges of 5-9 and 9-13.

But the included solar module is there to make the batteries last longer and Antra also backs it with a 1-year warranty to make it one of the best lightweight welding helmets.

Pros:

• Lightweight auto-darkening helmet
• Powered by solar and CR2032 batteries
• Offered at an attractive price
• Comes with a 1-year warranty

Cons:

• Batteries are not rechargeable
• It only offers two shade ranges of 5-9 & 9-13

4. Honeywell 110WH – Rugged Fiberglass Pipe Welding Helmet

Photo: Honeywell

• Viewing Area: 2 x 4 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds

Designed for strength and the needs of pipe-welding, this helmet features a fiberglass construction that’s compact and rugged. It offers a 2 x 4-inch view and filters out 100% of UV and IR rays.

You can either get it with an adjustable ratchet headgear or with a constant-fit rubber headband option. It offers a permanent #10 shade view and is moisture and impact resistant.

What makes it the best welding helmet for the money here, is the compact design that lets it fit into most small and tight spaces, and it also comes at a low and attractive price.

Pros:

• Simple and rugged fiberglass welding helmet
• Custom made for pipe welding
• Features 100% UV and IR filters
• Comes at an attractive price

Cons:

• It’s not auto darkening
• It has a fixed #10 shade lens

5. Tanox ADF-206S – Auto-darkening Welding Helmet Package with Gloves

Photo: Tanox

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.86 x 1.73 inches
• Arc Sensors: 4
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
• Weight: 2 pounds

Whether you’re looking for the best welding helmet for MIG, TIG, or stick welding, one thing you’ll also have to consider is safety gloves.

So, Tanox offers you a package here that includes an auto-darkening welding helmet and safety gloves. This is especially beneficial for first-timers, who may not already own gloves.

The helmet offers a 3.86 x 1.73 viewing area, weighs just 2 pounds on its own, includes 4 arc sensors, and has both shading and dark to light adjustments, although there are only 5-9 and 9-13 ranges.

For the gloves, you get long-sleeved double leather layers with Kevlar stitching that’s both safe and comfortable to wear.

Pros:

• Auto-darkening helmet with adjustable shades
• Fast 1/25,000 second switching with 4 sensors
• Comes with a pair of gift gloves
• Large 3.86 x 1.73 viewing area

Cons:

• It only offers two shade ranges of 5-9 & 9-13
• The included batteries aren’t rechargeable

6. Esab Sentinel A50 – True Color Auto-darkening Welding Helmet

Photo: Esab

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.93 x 2.36 inches
• Weight: 1.4 pounds

Esab’s Sentinel A50 helmet is a helmet in an entirely different class of its own. It comes with so much technology and an impressive design that stands out from the rest.

You can set its shade from 5 to 13, its viewing area measures 3.93 x 2.36 inches, and its exterior features a sleek and cool design.

Its downsides include its complexity, which comes from too much technology and its relatively high price, which makes it one of the costliest offers in this review.

On the positive side of these tech features, it comes with an impressive color touchscreen control, plus memory locations to save your different settings, and these make it one of the best auto-dimming welding helmet.

Pros:

• Auto-darkening welding helmet with true color
• Large 3.93 x 2.36 viewing area
• Modern and cool design
• Comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty

Cons:

• It’s one of the costliest helmets on this list
• Too much tech makes it complicated

7. Dekopro XG30 – Practical & Cost-effective Auto-darkening Welding Helmet

Photo: Dekopro

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.85 x 3.15 inches
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
• Weight: 2 pounds

This cost-effective and practical welding helmet from Dekopro offers many valuable features such as its unique and stylish design, lightweight, and availability in four colors, including blue, orange, red, and blue-black.

It gets powered from solar and battery and is ideal for different environments, including automotive, oil and gas, mining, and lots of hobby welding situations.

For downsides, similar products, such as the Antra AH6-260 are cheaper and the battery isn’t rechargeable, so it needs a replacement when it dies.

On the positive side, you can control the shade from 9-13 for mos welding sessions, including TIG, MIG, and stick welding. It reacts in just 1/25,000 second and will switch from dark to light between 0.1 and 1 second.

Pros:

• Practical auto-darkening welding helmet
• Features a fast 1/25,000 second switching speed
• Adjustable shade from 9-13
• Available in four colors including red, orange, blue, and blue-black

Cons:

• The battery isn’t rechargeable
• Similar helmets such as the Antra AH6-260 are cheaper

8. Hobart 770756 – Auto-darkening Welding Helmet with Cool Design

Photo: Hobart

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 3.8 x 1.8 inches
• Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
• Weight: 2.5 pounds

If you like stylish or trendy stuff, then this Hobart 770756 helmet might catch your fancy. It’s an auto-darkening helmet with a 3.8 x 1.8 inches viewing area, and lots of stylish curves.

Power comes from both a CR2450 battery and the integrated solar module. You can adjust its variable shades from #8-13, and its sensitivity and delay times too. Its light mode is #3 and it offers a nice grind mode.

For downsides, it’s one of the heaviest helmets in this review, although the difference isn’t that much. Similar helmets, such as the Tanox ADF-206S are also cheaper.

It’s still a good option is you’re looking for the best TIG welding helmets, because it’s additionally CE and CSA certified, comes with 2-year warranty coverage, and is also available with artwork, such as ‘Bonehead’ and ‘Patriot’.

Pros:

• Stylishly designed auto-darkening helmet
• Fast 1/25,000-second switching time
• Features #8-13 shade adjustment
• Hobart backs it with a 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Other helmets are more lightweight
• Some helmets like the Tanox ADF-206S are cheaper

9. Miller Electric 2240089 – Digital Elite Top Quality Nylon Welding Helmet

Photo: Miller Electric

• Power Supply: Solar & battery
• Viewing Area: 9 sq. inches
• Arc Sensors: 4
• Switching Speed: 1/20,000 second
• Weight: 2.8 pounds

Miller Electric combines many good features in this offer to make it one of the best welding helmets in the market. It features a high-quality headgear with flexible adjustments for comfort and support.

There are also intuitive digital controls with large buttons for easy settings and adjustments. It comes with four arc sensors and four operating modes for welding, cutting, grinding, and an X-mode that reduces sunlight interference.

This is the second-costliest helmet in this review. But when you consider its many features, including its nylon construction material, 1/20,000-second reaction time, its large 9 sq. inches viewing space, and 3-year warranty, then it seems worth it.

Pros:

• Top-quality nylon helmet with high-definition optics
• Features 4 operating modes of; weld, cut, grind, and x-mode
• The package includes a carrying bag
• Backed by a 3-year warranty

Cons:

• It’s the second-costliest helmet in this review
• Only offers two shading adjustments of 5-9 & 9-13

10. 3M Speedglass – High-performance Welding Helmet with Extra-wide View

Photo: 3M

• Power Supply: Batteries
• Viewing Area: 4.2 x 2.8 inches
• Arc Sensors: 3
• Switching Speed: 1/10,000 second
• Weight: 2 pounds

If what you want is a professional welding helmet, then you may want to look closer at what 3M is offering here. This helmet offers many innovations, such as its extra-wide view with 4.2 x 2.8 inches and the nine adjustable helmet angles.

You get flexible and easily adjustable straps for stability and comfort. The helmet fits heads from size 6.25 to 8 and allows you to select shades from grade 5 to 13.

It features only 3 sensors, costs the most on this list, and switches in 1/10,000 second, making it slightly less responsive than most other helmets. Its quality fit, extra-wide view, and 2-year warranty, however, make it worth it.

Pros:

• High-performance welding helmet for professionals
• Offers a wider view than most other helmets
• Comfortable and easy-to-adjust design
• Backed by 3M’s 2-year warranty

Cons:

• Other helmets are faster than this 1/10,000-second speed
• It’s the costliest helmet on this list

How to Buy the Best Welding Helmets

Photo: oleancecollege.co.za

If anything about welding helmets confuses you, the following paragraphs will throw some light on the issue, so you’ll make the best decision and choose the best welding helmet.

1. Passive vs Auto-darkening Helmets

Before anything else, know that there are two types of helmets. The first is the standard or passive helmet. This helmet features a viewing lens with infra-red (IR) and ultra-violet (UV) filters to protect the eyes. The shade here is usually a #10 and they are also cheaper.

Auto-darkening helmets go dark immediately they sense a welding arc. This solves the many problems experienced with passive helmets, such as an unsteady torch or wrong position when you nod to close the helmet.

2. Power Source

You’ll find auto-darkening helmets with different power supply systems, so it’s left for you to choose what you’re most comfortable with.

Some come with replaceable AAA batteries, while others come with non-replaceable ones, and others with the costlier Lithium-ion batteries. Some run on batteries, while others come with integrated solar modules.

3. Lens View

This is another issue that’s also completely up to you to decide. The view refers to how much space and visibility the helmet offers and it can range from 6 sq. inches for normal use to 9 sq. inches for industrial helmets.

The major issue here is if you’ll be making out-of-position weldings, how much you’ll be making, your comfort level, and personal preference.

4. Lens Shading

There are different levels of shading for welding helmets and they all correspond to how many Amps are getting used. So you need a darker shade if you’re doing high-Amp welds and a lighter shade for low-Amp welds.

Some helmets are fixed-shade and will darken to #10, which is a perfect shade for most welding operations. Variable shade helmets offer shades from #9 to #13 and allow you to properly protect your eyes while providing the best vision.

5. Switching Speed

Auto-darkening helmets need some time before they darken and this is as small as 1/3,600 of a second for entry-level helmets, while industrial-grade helmets can get as fast as 1/25,000 of a second.

Faster switching speeds are important if you have to weld all day because it reduces eye fatigue and you want as little of it as possible.

6. Delay Adjustments

Asides from how long a helmet takes to switch, how long it remains dark after welding is also important. Tack-welding, for instance, is better with shorter delays, while high-Amp welding is better with longer delays because it takes longer for the materials to cool.

7. Weight & Comfort

Helmet weight and comfort also matter a lot, especially when you have to weld all day. So, if you know you’ll be doing lots of welding, then just get the most lightweight helmet for your budget. This will cut down on neck strain and fatigue.

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of this welding helmets review and you’ve seen all the great offers out there and as you can imagine, there’s something for everyone on this list.

From simple and affordable helmets like the Honeywell 110WH to best overall offers like the Lincoln Electric K3034-3, it’s up to you now to choose what best suits you.