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Best Welding Helmets
Welding is a significant part of many different industries. Fusing two or more metals to form a single product is essential in everything from construction and manufacturing to art. However, it’s often considered a dangerous job. Welding requires exceptionally high temperatures that can lead to severe injuries. Daily, welders are exposed to sparks, heat, and rays that can cause damage to their eyes.
As such, proper safety equipment is essential when working with welding. A high-quality welding helmet is a necessary tool to protect yourself and stay safe on the job. If you’re looking to purchase a new welding helmet, here are some tips to help guide you in making your decision.
Best Welding Helmets in 2023:
What should I look for when buying a welding hood?
When choosing a welding hood, there are several factors to remember. The first is the size of the viewing area. This is typically measured by the length and width of the viewing window, with bigger sizes offering a wider range of visibility and making it easier to work on large projects.
Another important factor is comfort. Look for lightweight helmets with soft padding to prevent irritation or discomfort as you work. A welding helmet should be comfortable for many hours at a time.
You’ll also want to consider the level of protection offered by the welding hood, mainly how it filters out harmful radiation. Most welding hoods offer protection against ultraviolet and infrared radiation, but you may also want to look for one that protects against other harmful elements.
We consulted with our community of metallurgists who use welding helmets daily and evaluated the latest customer sentiment data to identify the very best welding helmets on the market:
1. YESWELDER – LYG-L500A
One of the best welding helmets on the market is the YESWELDER True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet. This helmet features a large viewing area, giving you plenty of space to see your work clearly and easily. At 3.93 “X1.67” in size, the viewing area is large enough to accommodate TIG, MIG, and Stick welding.
As far as comfort goes, this helmet is incredibly lightweight and portable. It won’t weigh you down as you work, allowing you to stay focused on your task at hand. A pivot-style headgear also makes it easy to adjust the helmet to fit perfectly on your head. You can even fine-tune the position of the shell to ensure that it sits perfectly in front of your eyes and provides optimal protection.
With a response time below 1/10,000 of a second, this helmet also delivers next-level protection against harmful UV and IR rays. Thanks to its advanced solar-powered auto-darkening feature, the visibility is always crystal clear, so you can work with precision. Two premium arc sensors also help you to quickly and accurately detect the arc, even in tough welding environments.
The shade range of this welding helmet is also incredibly versatile and can be adjusted from a dim state of DIN4 to a high level of 13. And with a powerful lithium battery, you won’t need to stop working to recharge this helmet. Finally, this helmet is as stylish as they come. Lightning, flames, eagles, and skulls adorn it, making it an excellent accessory for any welder.
Features
- Weight: 1.92 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.8 x 12.8 inches
- Power source: Lithium Ion battery, solar cells
- Battery life: 3000 Hours
- Great For TIG MIG MMA
- Viewing Size 3.64"X1.67" with 2 Premium Sensors,switches from light to dark in 1/30000 sec
- Better clarity, True color view - 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- Cheater Lens / Magnifying Lens Compatible Design
- Increased battery life,Superior comfort with the pivot style headgear
2. YESWELDER – LYG-M800H
The LYG-M800H welding helmet from YESWELDER is a step up from the previous model in many ways. For starters, the viewing area is increased to 3.93 “X3.66”, giving you more space to work and making it easier to see your project clearly. As a result, the shape of the shell has also been enlarged.
That makes the helmet slightly heavier than the previous model, but it is still extremely lightweight and portable. In addition, four premium sensors help you to quickly and accurately detect the arc, compared to the two on the previous model. It further helps to improve visibility and protection while you are welding.
Like the previous model, this helmet also features a super-fast response time of less than 1/10,000 of a second. True color reduces green tinting, providing more natural light for better visibility. The shade range of this helmet is also adjustable, with a dim state of DIN4 and a high level of 13. The lower state is suitable for grinding, while the upper state is ideal for welding. Use anything in between for cutting jobs.
More space also means more cushioning, as the shell of this helmet is lined with premium foam padding. It protects your head from impact while also providing a comfortable fit that won’t slip, even during long shifts. Finally, while the previous model had a non-replaceable CR3450 battery, this model features a replaceable one.
Features:
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Power source: Lithium-ion battery, Solar cells
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 7.9 x 9.75 inches
- Battery life: 3000 Hours
- Great For TIG MIG MMA, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature
- Super Large Viewing Size 3.93"X3.66" with 4 Premium Sensors
- Better clarity, True color view - 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- Increased battery life
- Superior comfort with the pivot style headgear
3. GoGonova – GT001
Next is the GoGonova auto-darkening welding mask, which is packed with features. With a large viewing area of 3.94″ ×3.82″, this helmet is comparable to the Yeswelder helmet in terms of size. Over 15 square inches of space have True-Color, providing clear, natural light while you are welding.
Four premium arc sensors and a 1/1/1/2 lens further enhance the optical clarity. In addition to auto-darkening, the mask also comes with manual blackout options. That means you can quickly switch between different levels of darkness to suit your needs, whether you are grinding or cutting.
This helmet is also solar-powered, meaning it will recharge as you weld, providing you with long battery life. As for comfort, the shell is lined with sponge padding to keep your head protected and cushioned. Sweat-absorbing material and a fully adjustable strap are designed to keep you cool and comfortable even during long shifts. It’s also anti-slip, so it won’t accidentally shift while you are working.
Finally, the mask itself is made from high-quality PA materials, so it is durable and long-lasting, even under extreme conditions. The GoGonova comes with an extra battery and replacement lens, so you can keep your welding helmet in excellent condition for years to come.
Features
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Power source: Lithium Ion battery, Solar cells
- Large Viewing Screen - Amazingly widen lens only with GoGonova today! 3.94”×3.82” (15 sq in) wide viewing powered by the updated True-Color technology restore every details of working conditions. This welding mask features 1/1/1/2 Optical Clarity. Improved visibility and reduced your eye strain.
- Smart Darkening Filter - 4 independent smart sensors provide auto-darkening function in millisecond. No matter what grinding or welding applications, like SMAW, MIG, TIG, GTAW, etc, GoGonova welding hood is specially designed to resist 99% of harmful light and prevent your face from injury.
- Unique Rechargeability - In addition to sensors, it offers the manual function to adjust both sensitivity and dark shade upon your need. Din 4 on light state, and din 5-9/9-13 on dark state. GoGonova welding mask is featured by rechargeable Li-battery and rechargeable solar battery, dual power supply support longer use time.
- Comfortable Headgear -The welder helmet adjusting the tightness of headband by the knob and gear, making you feel more comfortable to wear. The inside of our welder mask is made of premium sponge, and the surface is covered with sweat-absorbing material, which is anti-slip and more breathable.
- Safety & Long Life - This true color welding hood is made of high-quality PA materials, strong and durable, protecting you from injuring while cutting, welding, polishing, etc. Integrated built-in battery with solar panel ensures your smooth welding experience without power-of disruption. Package included: welding hood*1, Replacement lens*2,Type-C charging cable*1, Manual.
4. YESWELDER LYG-Q800D
We return to YESWELDER for our next pick with their LYG-Q800D auto-darkening welding helmet. This model features a view area of 3.94 “X3.23”, slightly smaller than the previous model. However, it makes up for this in other ways.
For starters, the helmet features side viewing so you can easily see your work from different angles. This is particularly useful when working on larger equipment or if your work requires a lot of movement. Note that the side views are limited at DIN5 and do not darken automatically. The front view is still fully auto-darkening, with an adjustable range of shade levels from DIN3 to DIN13.
It has the same four premium arc sensors that help you detect the weld more quickly and accurately. And like most YESWELDER products, it also has a fast response time of less than 1/10,000 of a second. It’s also just as comfortable as the other models on this list, with extra padding and a fully adjustable strap.
Cheater lenses, or magnifying lenses, are another feature this model offers. With its durable PA materials and rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this welding helmet is one of the best on the market.
Finally, this product also comes in various colorful designs or traditional black, so you can find the one that best suits your style. It’s also worth mentioning that all YESWELDER products meet ANSI Z87.1 / EN379 CE / CSA Z94.3 safety standards, so you know that you are getting a safe, high-quality product.
Features:
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Power source: Lithium-ion battery, Solar cells
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.8 x 12.8 inches
- Great For TIG MIG MMA, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature
- Large Viewing Size 3.94"X3.23"With SIDE VIEW(DIN5,non auto-darkening) ,4 Premium Sensors,switches from light to dark in 1/30000 sec
- Better clarity, True color view - 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- Increased battery life
- Superior comfort with the pivot style headgear
5. DEKOPRO – MZ224
The DEKOPRO welding helmet is a solid choice for anyone looking for a quality mask at an affordable price. With a view area of 3.62″ x 1.65′, it’s on the smaller side but still provides adequate coverage. It meets ANSIZ87.1-2010 and EN3794/9-13 standards, so you know that it’s safe and reliable.
The auto-darkening lens has a shade level of up to DIN13, so you can choose the optimal setting for your work. It also features a quick response time of 1/25,000 of a second. It’s one of the lighter welding helmets on this list, weighing in at only one pound. This makes it easy to wear for long periods and reduces the strain on your neck muscles.
Aside from these features, this helmet stands out with its many eye-catching designs. The Blue Eagle design is popular due to its patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme. A more basic option is the traditional Flaming Skull with contrasting orange and black colors. The Innovative Design is black with a touch of blue but has a futuristic shape that gives it a modern feel.
Last but not least, the skull design is one of the most unique welding helmets you’ll ever see. The skull shape of the mask upstages the flashy red colorway. It is complete with teeth and a nose, so you’ll look like a badass.
Features
- Weight: 1.67 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.59 x 7.48 x 8.97 inches
- Power Source: Lithium-ion battery, Solar cells
- ULTIMATE EYE PROTECTION — Auto-darkening filter switches from light to dark in 1/25000 sec, in event of electric failure, the welder is protected against UV and IR radiation according to shade 16.1/2/1/2 rating meets ANSIZ87.1-2010 and EN3794/9-13 standards. A smart choice for safety.
- ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS — Our auto darkening welding helmet is equipped with sensitivity and delay settings to suit different environments and tasks. Enjoy enhanced visibility and color recognition. Light level of the filter is DIN4 and the time from dark to bright state is within 0.1s to 1.0s.
- DESIGNED FOR COMFORT — This welding helmet comes with the standard 3.62’’ x 1.65’’ clear visor viewing area, which allows the welder to see clearly at different angles. Weighing only 1 lbs, our welder helmet is comfortable over extended work periods. Balanced with an adjustable and fatigue-free comfortable headgear.
- INTELLIGENT, PRACTICAL AND COST-EFFECTIVE — The Auto Darkening Filter (ADFDX-500S) enables welders to adapt to various working environments by controlling the shade of the lens. Sensitivity adjustments from ambient lighting sources to maintain the best viewing conditions at all times.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — This solar power auto darkening welding helmet is battery powered, but is fitted with solar panel technology to allow for effortless charging. Simply place your welding helmet within a naturally lit environment when not in use so it’s ready to go when you are.
6. YESWELDER LYG-17800F-ST
Finally, if you’re looking for a high-quality welding helmet but want something with more space, then the YESWELDER Large Viewing Screen Welding Helmet is the ideal choice. This model has a large viewing area of 3.93 “X3.66”, much like the LYG-M800H model. It’s great for larger pieces of equipment or if you have a lot of movement while working. Plus, the glare guard helps protect your eyes from debris and sparks.
You can use head knobs to adjust the auto-darkening lens’s dimming level and shade setting. This helps ensure that you always have complete control over your view. Another feature worth noting is the four premium sensors found on most YESWELDER products. These sensors help minimize the chances of a misfire or inaccurate response, so you can always be sure that it’s calibrated correctly.
When it comes to style, this helmet is highly customizable to fit your personality. The LYG-17800F-ST is a steampunk-inspired option with a cool design featuring gears and mechanical parts. The brown and gold colorway is quite striking, so it’s sure to turn heads no matter where you take it. If a more traditional look is more your style, the LYG-17800F is your standard black option that does the same job.
Features:
- Weight: 2.29 pounds
- Power Source: Lithium Ion battery, Solar cells
- Great For TIG MIG MMA, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature
- Super Large Viewing Size 3.93"X3.66" with 4 Premium Sensors
- Better clarity, True color view - 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- Increased battery life
- Superior comfort with the pivot style headgear
What kind of welding helmet is best?
There are a few different types of welding helmets on the market, each with its own set of pros and cons. The main categories are fixed shade, variable shade, and auto-darkening.
Fixed-shade helmets are a common type of welding helmet. These helmets have a fixed number corresponding to the specific shade needed for the welding process. They are generally quite affordable, but they may not provide adequate protection if the welder needs to change shades multiple times throughout the day.
Variable shade helmets offer much greater flexibility and are a better option for most welders. These helmets have a dial on the outside that allows you to adjust the shade level depending on the welding process easily. While they may require a bit more investment, variable shade helmets are an excellent choice for most welders’ needs.
Auto-darkening helmets provide the highest level of protection and flexibility. These helmets have a sensor that automatically changes the shade of the visor as soon as it detects welding activity. Not only do these helmets protect your eyes from harmful welding radiation, but they also allow you to see clearly and work efficiently.
What shade is the darkest for welding?
Welding hoods come with a range of different shade options. They generally range from 4, the lightest shade, to 13 or even higher. The darker the shade of your welding hood, the more protection it offers from harmful radiation.
Which is better, fiberglass or polycarbonate helmet?
It’s a matter of personal preference, as fiberglass and polycarbonate helmets are both high-quality options. A fiberglass helmet may be better if you want something lightweight and durable. However, a polycarbonate helmet may be better if you want superior impact and scratch resistance.
How much do welding helmets cost?
The price of welding helmets can vary significantly, depending on the features and level of protection offered. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $37.99 to $99.99 for a high-quality welding helmet. Of course, prices may be higher or lower depending on the specific model and brand you choose.
To get the best value for your money, it’s essential to do some research and compare the different features and prices of various welding helmets.
Be sure also to check out which is the best MIG Welders and TIG Welder, as we recently published a study of those machines that we think are the best available to buy as of 2023.