The most crucial piece of your work uniform is your helmet.
This device protects you from the brilliant light of your welder, and it can not only keep your eyes safe from going blind but also protect against sparks.
In the old days, welding helmets had a particular shade level that you used for various jobs. These days, however, the best welding helmets adjust the shade automatically.
Auto-darkening helmets are much more practical and efficient for today’s workforce. No longer will you have to remove your helmet to see clearly when you’re not welding.
With these devices, you can work much faster and get more done simultaneously.
Review contents
Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmets Reviews
Jackson Safety W40 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
When talking about workplace safety, no brand is quite as synonymous with high-quality equipment as Jackson Safety.
I have used Jackson products in the past, and I have to say that they are some of my favorite pieces of work gear I’ve used.
The W40 Insight Welding Helmet is a testament to the attention to detail that imbues all Jackson Safety products.
The wide viewing area is one of the best things I love about the W40. When I’ve worked with single-shade helmets, I always lament that they have much more room to see than most auto-darkening models.
Thankfully, the W40 bridges the gap with a 3.93” by 2.36” view screen. I can see more of what I’m doing and get the job done much faster.
As far as adjusting your shade levels, the W40 has you covered. Not only does the unit switch from light to dark insanely fast (a fraction of a second), but you can preset your shade numbers to match your preferences. This means you don’t have to keep fiddling with the knobs as you go.
Overall, this auto-darkening helmet is one of the gold standards in the industry.
Pros
-
- Durable construction
- Variable shade adjustment between #9-#13
- Resting shade of #4
- Easy-to-use controls
- Perfect for MIG, TIG, and Plasma welding
- Four sensors for better performance
- Wide viewing area• Cost effective
Cons
- In rare cases, the helmet may flash
- A helmet can feel a little tight on some people
- It can be hard to adjust settings with gloves on
Jackson Safety Insight Auto Darkening Welding Helmet - Ultra Lightweight Protective Welder Helmet with Digital Variable Auto Darkening Filter and HLX100 Shell for Men and Women, Universal Size
$199.32 in stock
JACKSON 46131 SAFETY INSIGHT DIGITAL VARIABLE ADF WELDING HELMET- HALO X BLACK
$207.84 in stock
Jackson Safety Welding Helmet, 46129 - Digital Variable Auto Darkening Filter, Lightweight Protective Welder Face Mask for Men and Women, HSL-100 Shell, Universal Size, Black
$161.99 in stock
Wakrays Professional Arc Tig Mig Auto-Darkening Welding Solar Helmet
Next, we have the Wakrays Professional Auto Darkening Solar Helmet.
When comparing this to some of the other models on this list, you may wonder if this particular unit can be as high quality, given the low price tag.
Thankfully, the phrase “you get what you pay for” doesn’t apply here, and you can get a top-quality helmet for much less than you would with other brands.
I haven’t used Wakrays, but I have heard plenty of good things about them and this helmet.
For starters, the auto-darkening feature on this device is top-notch. While it doesn’t come with as many sensors as the Jackson Safety (two compared to four), they work remarkably well and can switch from light to dark in a fraction of a second. You can’t even tell the difference between the two.
However, the one thing that I will remark on is that the view window is a bit thinner, so you can’t see quite as much. However, that’s a personal preference, and you may feel differently.
Finally, this helmet is as durable as can be. The material is shockproof and flame retardant, meaning that if you drop it by accident, you don’t have to worry about the integrity of the shell or damaging the components of the control panel.
Now I cannot say that it will withstand all forms of abuse, but as long as you aren’t throwing it around, it should last you quite a while.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Easy-to-use controls
- Super fast auto darkening
- Variable shade adjustment
- Resting shade of #4
- Wide viewing area
- Shock resistant
- Flame resistant
- Ideal for most welding jobs
- Sixteen levels of UV protection
- Built to last at least ten years
Cons
- With only two sensors, this helmet has a slightly higher likelihood of flashing.
- It feels a bit flimsy at first.
- Controls can be a little hard to use with gloves on
YESWELDER Large Viewing Screen True Color Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, 4 Arc Sensor, for TIG MIG Arc Weld Grinding Welder Mask LYG-17800F
YESWELDER Large Viewing Screen 3.94"X3.66" True Color Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4~5/9-9/13 for TIG MIG Arc Weld Grinding Welder Mask LYG-M800H
Instapark ADF Series GX-350S Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Another brand that instantly comes to mind when talking about welding equipment is Instapark. While I still hold Jackson Safety in a bit higher regard, I have used plenty of Instapark models in my day to know that this is a company you can trust.
The GX-350S is one of the best helmets offered by the brand, and when you use it, you can see why.
The first thing to mention about this helmet is that it is part of the GX series. While this model is not the top level of the GX series, it is still more than worthwhile.
Instapark has improved optics on all GX helmets, and the 350S is designed for an optimal rating of 1/2/1/3, which is almost perfect. That, coupled with the wide viewing area, means you can see better with this helmet than with most. I would prefer it if it were a little thicker, but overall the clarity is top-notch.
Much like the Wakrays helmet, the GX-350S is both durable and cost-effective. Part of the reason the price is so low is that it is straight solar powered, meaning that it’s not ideal for covered or dark working environments.
While I haven’t experienced flashing with an Instapark helmet, I recommend you recharge the solar cells regularly to avoid that from happening. I’m a bit on the paranoid side, however, so take my advice with some salt.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Variable shade adjustment
- Solar powered
- Easy to use
- Wide viewing area
- Improved optical clarity
- Ideal for most welding applications
- Lightweight design
- It comes with extra lenses
- Super fast darkening feature
- Automatic on/off
Cons
- It can feel a little flimsy for some folks
- In rare instances, flashing may occur
- The helmet is not quite as durable as other models on this list
Geelife Solar Powered Welding Helmet Auto Darkening Hood with Adjustable Shade Range 4/9-13 for Mig Tig Arc Welder Mask (Blue Eagle)
Antra AH6-260-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Moving along, we come to the Antra AH6-260-0000 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet. When comparing helmets on this list, the AH6 comes in a close second to Jackson Safety regarding quality and performance.
While the Instapark and Wakrays models are ideal for people who want a cost-effective option, the AH6 is best for anyone who wants something of an upgrade.
That isn’t to say the others are bad, just that this is slightly better. Part of the reason the AH6 is of higher quality is that it comes with four sensors.
While two are fine for most applications, high-end welders need four sensors to get the best results. What I like about this helmet, however, is that it’s compatible with a cheater lens.
As I’ve gotten older, my eyes are not what they used to be, and a magnifier is crucial to ensuring that I maintain the same quality in my welds. The fact that I can use that lens with this helmet is ideal.
Finally, what separates the AH6 from the competition is the level of personalization you can get. With most welding helmets, you can choose from a limited number of solid colors.
With this, however, you can choose various designs and styles to match your personality. Also, all black helmets tend to get mixed up on the job site, so getting a custom look means you can find your helmet much more accessible.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Many designs to choose from
- Easy-to-use controls
- Four sensors
- Rapid shade adjustment
- Resting shade of #4
- Cheater lens compatible
- Wide viewing area
- Ideal for most welding applications
Cons
- In sporadic cases, flashing may occur
- It can be hard to operate with gloves
- The Control panel may have a learning curve with some people
- A helmet can feel a bit heavy
DEKOPRO Welding Helmet - Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet - Adjustable Shade Range 4/9-13 for Mig Tig - Arc Welder Mask (Blue Eagle)
Antra True Color Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet AH6-260-0000 TIG MIG/MAG MMA Plasma Grinding, 6+1 Extra Lens Covers
Antra True Color Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-14 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet AH6-260-001X TIG MIG/MAG MMA Plasma Grinding, 6+1 Extra Lens Covers
AUDEW Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Finally, we come to the AUDEW Auto Darkening Helmet. As far as welding helmets are concerned, this model has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
While this particular unit doesn’t have anything truly remarkable, the price and the list of features are more than enough to earn it a spot on both my and yours.
Two sensors on either side help this helmet switch from light to dark in 1/30000th of a second. While this is not as fast as other models, the human eye can’t tell the difference. The viewing area on this helmet is standard, measuring 3.66” x 1.86”. I prefer a bit more width, but overall it shows you everything you need to see.
What I like about this helmet is that it’s both solar and battery-powered. That means you can increase your battery life when working in a sunny environment, and you don’t have to worry about flashing or the helmet turning off if you work in the dark.
Speaking of turning off, the helmet automatically turns on and off, meaning that the battery is saved even further.
Overall, this is a fantastic helmet for the price, and I even like the badass skull design on the outside.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Rapid shade adjustment
- Wide viewing area
- Optimized clarity
- Automatic on/off
- Solar and battery powered
- Ideal for most welding jobs
Cons
- In rare cases, flashing may occur
- Cannot replace batteries when they die
- Only one design to choose from
WELDSAMURAI Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, True Color Solar Power Welding Hood, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4/5-8/9-13 Welder Mask Shield with Grinding for TIG MIG MMA Plasma
TEKWARE Ultra Large Viewing Screen True Color Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, Hemispherical 4C lense, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4~5/9-9/13 for TIG MIG Arc Weld Grinding Welder Mask
iMeshbean® Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Arc Tig Mig Grinding Mask with Test Function & Low Battery Alarm Function American Eagle Design USA (Red)
How to choose the fitting welding helmet
When it comes to auto-darkening welding helmets, there are many factors that you need to take into account to choose the right one. Here are some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind:
The first thing that you need to consider is the type of welding that you will be doing. There are different helmets for different types of welding, so you need to ensure that you get one specifically designed for the kind of welding you will be doing.
Another essential factor to consider is the level of protection that you need. Some helmets offer different levels of security, so you need to ensure that you get one that provides the level of protection you require.
You also need to take into account the size of the helmet. You need to ensure that it is comfortable to wear and does not obstruct your vision.
Finally, it would be best if you also considered the helmet’s price. You want to ensure that you get a good quality helmet at a reasonable price.
Final Verdict
When trying to find a fitting helmet, I am more of a fan of higher quality than the lowest price. If you’re looking for something cost-effective, I highly recommend the Instapark or AUDEW models.
However, if you want the best performance possible, the AH6 and the Jackson Safety Helmets are my top picks. Overall, each model is highly rated for both safety and reliability.
