Best Welding Helmet – Guide & Reviews

When it comes to welding, nothing is more important than having the best welding helmet for your needs.

Being able to see what you’re doing while also being protected from blinding lights and sparks is crucial to ensuring your health and safety on the job.

I’ve been welding and grinding for years, and I’ve had plenty of experience with various helmets, and I want to share my expertise with you today. Whether you’re a novice welder or a veteran like me, you can find what you’re looking for here.

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best helmets you can find anywhere and created a handy guide to help you discover the perfect helmet for your work site.

Choosing the Best Welding Helmet

In the old days, choosing a helmet was a much simpler process. Most welders had a unit with a single shade that they used for all jobs.

However, modern technology has made the average welding helmet much more sophisticated, meaning that you need to pay a little more attention to the features offered.

That being said, here are five things to consider when picking out your helmet.

Standard vs. Auto Darkening

When I started my welding career, I used a hand-me-down from my dad. His was an old-school, standard-shade helmet. It worked fine for most of my jobs, but once I got a taste of automatic, I knew I could never return.

An auto-darkening helmet is a device that senses when you are working and adjusts the shade level accordingly. That way, you can see what you’re doing when not welding and set everything to your preference. Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Manual

• Cheaper
• Never have to worry about flashing
• Larger screen
• I can’t see when not working
• Not ideal for all jobs

Automatic

• Customize your settings
• Work non-stop without having to flip up
• Perfect for a broader range of jobs
• Sensors may not always work correctly
• Higher risk of flashing

Overall, the trend is moving towards automatic helmets, but they are imperfect. That being said, I have compiled a list of primarily automatic helmets, as most modern work sites require them.

View Screen Size

One of the more crucial aspects of a welding helmet is the viewing area. If you can’t see what you’re doing, then what’s the point? I prefer to have a more comprehensive view screen so I can see more of everything, but unfortunately, most automatic helmets have a narrow window with which to work.

Part of the reason is that a smaller surface area requires less power for the sensors, so you will get less screen space than a standard shade model.

Nonetheless, certain helmets have more expansive viewing areas than others, so find ​the best welding helmet that fits your eyesight ​and go with that.

Welding Rating

As I mentioned above, people consider automatic helmets the best welding helmets today because they can be adjusted to work on a broader variety of job sites than a standard model. Thus, when choosing your helmet, ensure it is rated for the work you’ll be doing.

Most helmets are designed for Stick, MIG, and TIG welding, but not all are suitable for laser or plasma welding, not to mention grinding.

Depending on your work, get a unit that can handle all of it.

Design and Color

At one of my first job sites, they issued everyone a helmet when they got hired. Since they were all standard, everyone got an all-black design. To help us keep track of them, they had to spray paint big numbers on the side, so we didn’t get them mixed up.

Thankfully, with my current job, we can use our helmets, meaning I can pick out a design and color scheme that matches my style.

Depending on the brand you get, you may be able to choose from various helmets, which also means that you can stand out from everyone else. You don’t have to worry about anyone accidentally taking it (although intentionally is another story).

Compatibility

Finally, the last thing you should look at for your helmet is whether or not it is compatible with a stiff hat or a cheater lens.

Depending on your work, a hard hat may be necessary, so your helmet has to accommodate the larger size. Most welding helmets can be customized to fit a hard hat, but not all of them.

Similarly, cheater lenses may be necessary for your work (or if you prefer to work with a magnifier like me), which means you need a helmet that can hold an extra lens. Many higher-end models can do this, but if you get a cheaper version, you may not be able to.

Recommended Welding Helmets

 

Antra AH6-260-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

As one of the best manufacturers of welding helmets on the market today, I have to say that I have tremendous respect for all Antra products.

This brand has a flair for attention to detail, and most of the products they make are top-quality. The level of detail is prevalent on all Antra helmets, so we should be kicking off the list with the AH6-260-0000 Auto Darkening Helmet.

As I mentioned above, I always prefer an automatic helmet over a standard model, and the AH6 is a gold standard for this helmet type. I consider it one of the best welding helmet models for a reasonable price.

When talking about auto-darkening features, what’s important is the number of sensors. The bare minimum you can get away with is two (one on either side), but the AH6 has you covered by providing four. That way, flashing is less of a concern overall, and you can get the most precise shade adjustment possible.

What I also like about the AH6 is that it comes in various colors and designs. When working on a big job, helmets can easily get misplaced or used by multiple people, so it’s always nice to pick out a plan that matches your personality and helps your helmet stand out from the crowd.

Some notable features of this helmet include a wide 3.86” x 1.78” viewing area, a manual shade adjustment knob on the outside, cheater lens compatibility, and a lightweight frame that weighs less than one pound. Overall, this is an ideal helmet for any welder, so we ranked it in our short list of the best welding helmets available today.

AUDEW Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

If you want more bang for your buck, our next helmet, the AUDEW Auto, is for you.

While this is not quite at the level of the Antra AH6, I have to say that I am still impressed by the performance of this model. As a bonus, I even like the skull design that comes with it.

I would prefer if AUDEW had other styles to choose from, but that’s ultimately a minor complaint, given the quality of this unit. It deserves a high spot in this selection of the best welding helmet brands available on the market.

As I mentioned, when talking about auto-darkening helmets, you must pay attention to the number of sensors. While this particular model only has two, they do work remarkably well. I’m always paranoid about flashing, but this helmet does the job as well as anything with four sensors, so you don’t have to worry.

Like most welding helmets, the AUDEW uses solar power and batteries to keep everything running. I wish they would change one aspect: you can’t swap out the batteries when they die. Thankfully, however, they do last for a long time, and given the price point of the helmet itself, that’s another minor inconvenience.

Other notable features of this helmet include a 3.62” x 1.66” view screen, welding and grinding selection modes, and an external shade adjustment knob. The helmet also turns on and off automatically to help preserve the battery. A good choice! For many welders, this is the best welding helmet to go for. 

Urparcel Welding Helmet – Flames / Skull – Auto-Darkening

Editor Rating:

Much like the AUDEW helmet above, our next item is made for the thrifty welder who wants both high performance and a small price tag.

For many things, the phrase “you get what you pay for” is an accurate statement. Still, thankfully the Urparcel Welding Helmet is so good that you don’t have to worry about performance issues just because it’s cheaper than the competition.

The first thing I should mention about this helmet is that it is rated to work for up to 5000 hours. Many welders swear by it as the best welding helmet to go for. For sure a good choice!

While this is not as long as some more high-end models, it is enough to make this one of the most valuable helmets for the price. That, coupled with the remarkable auto-darkening feature, means that this helmet is ideal for most welders.

When discussing the auto-darkening aspect of the helmet, it’s important to note that this is a two-sensor model. Again, I haven’t experienced any flashing with this unit or heard anything from people who have used it, but I am still a bit paranoid overall. Thankfully, the sensors work great, and there is a manual knob on the outside to adjust the shade level so you can tweak it how you want while you work.

Finally, this helmet comes with a solar-powered battery, welding or grinding work modes, a 3.75” x 1.75” viewing area, and a badass skull and flame design outside. You can get this unit in all black, but where’s the fun?

TR Industrial 88024 Shade 11, ANSI Z87.1 MIG/TIG Flip-Up Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

Thus far, we’ve only looked at automatic helmets. For the most part, modern work sites like to use auto-darkening helmets because they speed up production and allow for more precise work conditions.

However, there is still a place for standard shade helmets, which is why our next model is the TR Industrial 88024 Flip-Up Welding Helmet.

For the most part, this helmet works well with TIG and MIG welding, but the tradeoff is that you have to flip it up to see anything while you’re not working.

One of the best things I like about standard shade helmets (which I miss on automatic models) is the gigantic viewing area. Comparatively speaking, wearing this unit is like wearing a set of safety goggles, whereas, with auto-darkening versions, you have a narrow slit out of which to see.

The view screen on this unit is a whopping 4.5” by 5.25”, which is enormous compared to most of the other helmets on this list. What I also like about the view screen is that it can flip up, meaning that you can work a little faster, and it’s straightforward to swap out when the time comes.

Otherwise, there’s not much else to say about the TR Industrial helmet other than that the standard shade is #11, which is ideal for most jobs and meets all federal safety requirements. The headband is also quite comfortable, and the entire thing is very lightweight. Finally, it comes with a one-year limited warranty. Can it be your best welding helmet?

 

Instapark ADF Series GX-350S Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

As far as welding products go, Instapark is another high-quality brand with which I have had nothing but great experiences.

What’s cool about this particular model is that it has been optimized for better vision and performance so that you can do your best work.

One of the most significant issues with welding helmets is how well you can see them, but the GX-350S is one of the best regarding clarity and optics.

Even more impressive about this helmet is its excellent performance, even though it only has two sensors. That is yet another testament to Instapark’s commitment to excellence in that it can create a high-quality auto-darkening helmet without needing four sensors like some other models.

The optics on this helmet are top-notch, measuring 1/1/1/2, which is almost as good as it gets. Additionally, the large 3.5” x 1.375” viewing area means you can see everything brilliantly all the time.

Additional features of this helmet include settings for both grinding and welding, a knob on the outside to adjust the shade manually, and an automatic on/off function. Also, this particular model only runs on solar power, so get a full charge before you start working. Thankfully, if the battery dies on you, the helmet automatically switches to shade #16 to prevent flashing.

AUDEW Adjustable Auto Darkening Solar Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

Next on our list of the best welding helmet ​models is the AUDEW Adjustable Auto Darkening Helmet. When comparing this with the other AUDEW model, there are a lot of similarities.

However, the most significant difference is the design. While the other helmet has a more traditional shape, this unit is a bit more modern, with sleek curves and more protection overall. In short, this is an upgrade to the previous model, and in terms of design, this is probably one of the best welding helmet models to look at.

As far as the auto-darkening feature goes, this helmet performs admirably. Like most units in its class, this helmet can go from light to dark remarkably fast, measuring just 1/12,000th of a second. Even with just two sensors, you still get high-quality performance. The viewing area on this model measures 3.62” x 1.66”, which is the standard for all AUDEW products.

This helmet has other features, such as a wicked black flame design, a manual shade adjustment knob, a super comfortable headband, and even replacement lenses. The battery is also replaceable and runs on solar power. Finally, this helmet also includes a one-year limited warranty.

OEMTOOLS 24357 Automatic Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

Our next best ​welding helmet choice is something of a cross-model. While you could use the OEMTOOLS 24537 on a professional work site, it’s more designed for hobbyists and amateurs rather than hardcore welders.

If you’re starting your welding career and still learning the ropes, I recommend getting this model as a starter.

The price point is relatively low and has all the necessary features you need, so it’s a perfect addition for any new or casual welders.

Regarding specifications, the 24537 is as standard as they come. The helmet has two independent sensors, which go from light to dark blazingly fast. Like all the other helmets on this list, it has a resting shade of #4, and the variable shade adjustment is between #9 and #13. The view screen on this model measures 3.5” x 1.37”, and it also comes with a replacement lens for the cover.

The 24537 has some other handy features, including an external knob for more precise shade adjustment, a solar-powered battery that is reportedly rated to last up to 2000 hours, and an automatic on/off function to help further preserve battery life. Finally, this model does include a one-year warranty.

Jackson Safety W40 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

For your convenience, I’ve saved arguably two of the best ​welding helmet models for last.

First up is the Jackson Safety W40 Insight Welding Helmet, which is one of my top choices overall. I currently use a Jackson Safety helmet at work, so you could say that I’m a little biased.

Regardless of my leanings, however, I have to say that this brand has a proud history of making top-quality gear, and the W40 is no exception.

As you may notice, the price point on this particular helmet is a bit higher than most others on this list, but the quality is much more excellent. First, this helmet has four independent sensors, so you don’t have to worry about flashing. The view screen on this helmet is also bigger than most, measuring 3.93” x 2.63”. I love that I can see more of what I’m doing so that I don’t lose productivity on the job.

Overall, this is an excellent model for almost all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, Stick, and Plasma. Other notable features of this helmet include compatibility with most hard hats, digital controls that are incredibly easy to use (even with gloves), and settings for grinding and welding. You can customize the shade adjustment and delay to meet your needs, making this one of the most valuable helmets.

Antra AH7-860-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Editor Rating:

Finally, we come to the Antra AH7-860-0000 Auto Darkening Helmet. Like the AH6 model, this helmet has everything you’re looking for.

Comparing this to the Jackson Safety Insight, both helmets have a lot of similar features, which is why they are my top picks.

First, this helmet has four independent sensors, which means that flashing is less of a concern, and you can go from light to dark amazingly fast.

The view screen on this model measures a whopping 3.78” x 3.5”, one of the largest I’ve ever seen on an automatic helmet. What I also like about the AH7 is that it’s compatible with cheater lenses, not to mention that the headband also adjusts to fit most hard hats.

Other features of this helmet include easy-to-use digital controls, a step-less delay system, customizable shade settings, and a solar-powered rechargeable battery. The batteries are also easily replaceable and built to last up to 5000 hours before needing to be changed. ​This is one of my favorites when picking ​out the best welding helmet for my job.

Final Verdict

When trying to pick out the best welding helmet can be challenging to choose. Overall, however, my top picks would be anything with four sensors and the ability to work with a cheater lens. I highly recommend the Jackson Safety Helmet, Antra Models, and the Instapark ADF helmet.

That’s not to say that the others are less quality or will not work correctly, but given my years of experience, I know what I like. However, if you’re starting, you may find that certain features are more important than others, depending on your work and personal preferences.

If you need more information to make up your mind, read our in-depth welding helmet reviews on your site.

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Thank you for visiting BestWeldingGear.com!

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