Stay Safe With the Best Welding Helmets

Top 10 Best Welding Helmets 2023

1. Best Overall Welding Helmet Lincoln Electric Viking 3350

Protection
Lincoln make some of the best welding helmets on the market, and this hood really shows their expertise. You’re buying a helmet like this primarily to protect your eyes and face, and in terms of protection, there’s absolutely nothing to criticize here.

The lens runs from a 5 to 13 shade range, which is the full standard range of shades, although doesn’t encompass every shade you can get. That means this helmet is suitable for every type of welding and at all levels of amperage. Whatever you’re facing, the Lincoln Viking will take it.

The built-in 4th generation technology means that, when an arc is detected, this helmet switches shades at an astoundingly fast 1/25,000th of a second, which is basically the fastest on the market. Whilst a lower switching speed is generally fine, if you spend a lot of time striking arcs or moving between jobs, you’ll know as well as we do that you can end up with eye strain even wearing a hood. This helps to minimise that issue.

It has a full suite of controls, including customisable shade, sensitivity and delay. One smart feature we love was the fact that the grind mode has an internal alert light, reminding you that it’s not going to activate if you strike an arc.

Comfort
Lincoln’s professionalism extends to fit and comfort. Their X6 headgear system spreads the weight across 6 points on your head and contours to your head shape. This gives you a completely personalised fit with lots of flexibility, no matter how big your head is.

In use, it’s intuitive and simple. The large external grind button is incredibly easy to use even with gloves, and the rest of the controls make sense in placement and use.

The only real issue is that rigging it to hard hats can take a little bit of work.

Viewing screen
Again, there’s nothing to complain about. Lincoln’s 4C lens technology offers 1/1 optical clarity, with no blurriness or distortion, no matter the working angle. The working area is huge, with a 12.5 sq. in. lens, almost twice the size of some standard lenses.

Whilst this means replacement lenses aren’t the cheapest, it comes with 5 external and 2 internal lenses, and when you buy Lincoln, you’re paying for quality.

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2. Best Budget Welding Helmet Antra AH6 Auto Darkening Helmet

Protection
For such a budget helmet, the Antra AH6 has a great suite of features. The lens has the full list of shades, running from 4-9, and 9-13. The auto darkening system is powered by Antra’s Interference Suppression Technology, which is far better at differentiating an arc from natural light, cutting down on false triggers.

The lens itself has a double layer LCD shutter and passive UV/IR filter. The whole system is also incredibly easy to adjust, with an intuitive control system. The helmet itself is well-built, with good coverage of your face and neck, protecting you from both spatter as well as radiant heat and glare.

Comfort
Once it’s on, the hood is excellent. Light and well-spaced, it weighs a breezy 1 lb. The external switch for grinding mode is incredibly easy to reach and placed in a natural position.

In terms of fit, the headgear is comfortable and has several points of adjustment, but our favorite design choice is the adjustable lower limit, meaning that the helmet will drop into the same place every single time.

If necessary, the Antra AH6 can be adapted to fit hard hats, meaning this can match industrial standards, but you do have to buy the hard hat kit separately.

Viewing screen
The AH6 only has an average sized screen of 6 sq. in. but the lens itself is good clarity, offering an unimpeded view of your workspace.

The lens switches are powered by 4 premium grade arc sensors, which are both solar powered and can run on replaceable batteries for when it’s uncharged. One thing that’s impressive, especially on a hood this cheap, is the auto shut off, which powers the hood down after 10 minutes of inactivity, saving battery life.

Lastly, it comes with 6 external and 1 internal spare lens, saving money in the long run and giving you enough lenses to last for a decent amount of time.

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3. Best Premium Welding Helmet Sentinel A50

Protection
Off the bat, it’s obvious why you would choose the Sentinel A50. Protection. The rounded, almost bike helmet design offers excellent full face and head coverage, and the high impact, damage and temperature resistant nylon is incredibly resistant to damage.

The lens has options for shades 5 through 13, with very high clarity throughout. Everything is simple to control through the built-in color touchscreen. There’s also a memory setting, allowing you to switch instantly between 8 different pre-saved work settings, which saves a huge amount of time on site.

As a hat built with protection in mind, the A50 is also compatible with the vast majority of hard hats straight out of the box.

Comfort
For a full-coverage hood, the Sentinel A50 is incredibly comfortable. Sentinel’s 5-point headgear adjusts to all head sizes and shapes. Despite the size and relative bulkiness, it also sits at a deceptively light 1.4lbs.

The helmet doesn’t park up when pushed, but that’s only a minor issue, especially considering it has a shade 4 grind option. The only real issue in terms of comfort is how hot the helmet can get, especially if you’re working in cramped conditions, so this might not be suitable for people expecting to use it throughout the day.

Viewing screen
Looking at this hood, it’s hard to see the size of the viewing area behind the safety lens. It’s a large 9.2 sq. in. which is a good mid-level size.

What does impress is the clarity. Sentinel’s lenses are excellent, with a very clear visibility across all shades. What’s doubly impressive is how natural the color balance is. Unlike a lot of hoods, when looking through the A50’s lens the arc is a very visible and natural blue rather than green, and the puddle is very visible throughout.

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4. Yeswelder True Color Welding Mask

Protection
In terms of protection. YesWelder’s hoods meet every standard you need them to. The solid polypropylene and nylon build and wide coverage will keep your head and neck safe whilst working, no matter the angle you find yourself at.

The auto-darkening system runs from shades 5 to 9, and 9 to 13, which is every standard shade, as well as having a grind option. Reaction times are on the lower end, at only 1/10,000th of a second response time, but this is still more than good enough.

However, the lenses themselves are high quality, with near perfect clarity and True Color technology, reducing the green tint you find from cheaper lenses, giving you a much more true-to-life view of your puddle and work area.

Comfort
YesWelder’s helmets run a little on the bulkier side, with this model sitting at a reasonably weighty 2.2lbs. However, once it’s on, it’s hard to notice the extra weight, considering the pivot style headgear and oversized comfort cushion that spread the weight across your entire head. The headgear itself is heavily padded, and is also easy to adjust, ensuring you’ll be able to find a comfortable fit.

One minor downside is YesWelder’s headgear has a slightly higher than standard failure rate, but if that happens it’s simple to fix and/or replace. The control suite is simple and easy to access, even when in bulky gloves.

Viewing screen
If there’s one thing that YesWelder’s hoods stand out on, it’s their lens. This hood has a massive 14 sq. in. viewing screen that, despite the size, sits at 1/1/1/2 optical clarity, which is almost as good as you can get.

The lens is also backed up by a True Color system, giving you much better visibility when you’re looking at your workspace, and a more accurate arc color and puddle.

4 sensors surround the screen, giving the helmet a high arc detection rate. This is all powered by the replaceable battery and a solar system, contributing to a long battery life of 3000 hours.

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5. Dekopro Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

Protection
Despite the budget price tag, this Dekopro hood’s auto darkening systems and visual performance are surprisingly good.

The shade range only runs from 9 to 13, but that’s exactly what a good welding helmet needs and covers all types of welding, from TIG to flux core. Switching speed is a fast 1/15,000th of a second, and there’s a built in safety circuit that defaults to an ultra-dark shade 16 if power systems fail. It also goes from dark to light in as little as 0.1 seconds, saving time waiting for your helmet to readjust or having to lift it back up.

Battery powered, the solar charger gives it around 5000 hours battery life. Finally, the shade 4 grinding mode rounds out a solid feature list.

Comfort
Looking at the Dekopro and comparing directly with a more expensive brand name, you can see the slight variations in build and comfort, but once it’s on and you’re working, there’s actually very little difference.

Sitting at a lightweight 1 lb with multiple fit options. Like the rest of the helmet, the headgear is basic in terms of features, and nothing particularly stands out in terms of comfort, but it does the job you need it to do.

The controls are intuitive, with large, easy to understand and simply labelled buttons. Externally, there is a large control knob that’s easy to use with gloves.

Viewing screen
The Dekopro has an average sized 6 sq. in. viewing screen. However, despite running on the smaller size, it’s very high clarity, meeting DIN4 standards. It might not be as clear or sharp as a more expensive helmet, but you’re also paying less than one quarter the price of a top-level hood.

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6. Miller Digital Elite

Protection
Miller know what they’re doing when it comes to protection, and the Digital Elite is no exception.

The helmet has the full range of shades, running from shade 5 for cutting, all the way to shade 13 for high amp MIG welds. The reaction time is high, at 1/20,000th of a second, which is better than most other brands.

Obviously, there’s a grind mode. But unlike a lot of other helmets, Miller set their grind at a slightly lighter than standard shade 3.5, which makes it a little easier to see your working area.

One thing you might not see elsewhere is Miller’s X mode. This sets the helmet to adjust to natural light without triggering the lens, making welding outdoors or in bright sunlight so much simpler.

Comfort
Miller helmets tend to all be generally comfortable, which is what you would expect from a high quality brand, and the Digital Elite follows the pattern.

The headgear has extensive settings, and is easy to set up. Miller’s headgear also tends to remain in place a little better than cheaper brands, saving you time spent readjusting for comfort or visibility.

Unfortunately, the Digital Elite isn’t the lightest helmet. It’s not heavy enough to be an issue, but it is noticeable, especially if you’re used to anything under 1lb.

Viewing screen
Like everything else with the Digital Elite, the screen is high quality. It sits at a 9.2 sq. in viewing area, which is slightly larger than average.

The lenses themselves are also good quality. Miller’s Clearlight Lenses are designed to let through more natural light, reducing eye strain and giving you a much better view of your work area and puddle.

Another thing that stands out are the sensor systems. Like most good helmets, the Digital Elite has 4 arc sensors. But Miller sensors have fantastic sensitivity, detecting arcs down to 5A or lower.

Finally, there’s an auto on-off, which triggers the lens when it detects an arc, even if it’s powered down, and switches back off after a few minutes of non-usage, saving you loads of battery life in the long run.

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7. Best Basic Helmet for Pipe-Welders Fibre-Metal Pipeline Fibreglass helmet

Protection
Firstly, unlike every other helmet in this list, the Fibre-Metal Pipeline isn’t auto darkening, doesn’t have a wide range of shades, and doesn’t have any technology built in.

It’s far more old school than that, and resembles an old-time welding helmet, built out of new materials.

So what does it offer? Simple. Absolute protection. The Pipeline is designed specifically for pipe welders and others who work in extreme situations. It’s made from Superglas Plus, which is resistant to almost everything.

For starters, it’s impervious to moisture, meaning you can work in the elements, or, probably more specifically, under damaged pipes without worrying about liquid damage to your helmet.

Second, it’s impact resistant, and the simple, curved shape and lack of built in tech means there’s almost nothing that can go wrong, no matter how hard you hit this.

Lastly, the smooth surface is self-extinguishing, which means that no matter how much kickback you’re facing, or how many sparks are falling, your helmet will shrug it all off.

As for the eye protection, the lens is shade 10, a mid-range shade which is sufficient protection from all arcs. Non-adjustable, the lens also filters out 100% of UV and IR radiation, eliminating eye strain at the end of the day.

Comfort
One major advantage of a basic helmet like this is comfort. Despite the fact it’s almost impenetrable, the helmet weighs just over 1 lb. The provided headband is also excellent, with multiple points of adjustment that contour to your head, and free floating arms that reduces individual pressure points. Both of these things mean that, even after long days of wear, you’re going to be comfortable.

Designed for use in tough environments, this helmet has also been created to work specifically with hard hats. Unlike a lot of helmets, you don’t need anything extra to fit this mask to a hard hat, and it snaps on and off in seconds.

Viewing screen
The screen is like the rest of helmet. Simple but effective. A 2” x 4” screen gives you ample viewing size of your work area. If necessary, the shade 10 lens can be removed and replaced with a lens of your choice, which takes a few minutes work.

Lastly, there’s an option for after-market cheater lenses, just in case that’s something you need.

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8. Jackson Safety Insight

Protection
Safety’s in the name, and the Jackson Safety Insight certainly delivers. The first thing to point out is how this meets all industry standards. That means no matter what worksite you’re on or the regulations you have to meet, you can trust that this helmet is suited.

In terms of shades, the lens can adjust from 9 to 13, which is a relatively low number of shades, but covers everything you might face in a standard working day. There’s also the option of a grind mode at shade 4, saving time on swapping covers. In terms of speed, it switches in 1/15,000th of a second, which is a good mid-range speed, far faster than entry level helmets.

The helmet has a built in Auto Darkening Filter, which lets you adjust to outside situations. This changes the arc sensitivity based on ambient light and outside conditions, which can cut down on false arc readings and save you time struggling with a visor that’s dark for no reason.

Comfort
One thing that Jackson do very well is comfort. The Jackson 370 headgear system is widely recognised as one of the best on the market. With a wide range of adjustable options, it will fit any head shape comfortably. The weight of the helmet is well balanced so you don’t end up with pressure marks or headaches after a long day’s work.

The 370 system is also designed to be widely compatible with Jackson’s range of covers. This means if you decide in the future to pick up a second helmet, or something more specialised, you can switch your headgear between the pair without having to change any settings.

In operation, Jackson’s digital controls are easy to understand and simple to use, making switching settings easy. The helmet itself is incredibly easy to adjust, even when gloved up. With the full range of movement settings, you can find a fit that’s perfect. Ratchet the helmet up and down, adjust chin depth for respirators or easy breathing, and even change the angle the whole hood sits at, so you can get a better view of your work area.

Viewing screen
Jackson make good hoods, and this helmet doesn’t disappoint. The screen is a large 9.2 sq. in. with good visibility throughout.

The layout is also nice, with a large solar bar set up beneath the helmet, and the 4 arc sensors around it. One nice touch is that all 4 sensors are completely independent of each other, which gives the hood good coverage and a high arc sensitivity overall.

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9. FooWoo Auto Darkening Helmet

Protection
For an entry-level helmet, the specs on this hood are impressive. Polypropylene construction keeps the helmet tough, whilst keeping it light and flexible.

The screen itself has options for shades from 9-13, as well as a low shade grind function. There’s a secondary layer of UV and IR protection built in that’s switched on even when the rest of the hood is powered down, giving you shade 16 protection against light spectrum hazards. This helps to save your eyes from strain and glare, cutting down on end of day aches.

Switch time is also good, at less than 1/10,000th of a second, with an admirable 1s switchback time from dark to normal operation.

Comfort
Despite the budget price tag, the FooWoo has a lot of options that make it comfortable, especially over long periods of wear.

First off, it’s reasonably light, at just over 1.7lbs. The weight is balanced across the full head gear, standard in adjustable helmets of this type. What isn’t standard is the huge amount of cushioning spread across the harness, which spreads the load very well, especially once you’ve set the balance correctly.

Viewing screen
The only real downside to this helmet is the screen. The clarity is good, it is incredibly high for the price, almost matching the biggest brand names.

The issue is the size. At just over 6 sq. in. the screen is what’s considered industry standard, but compared to other options it’s noticeably small. But don’t let this deter you. A 6 sq. in. screen is perfectly serviceable, especially if you’re only using it for short amounts of time or if you need a helmet as a hobbyist.

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10. Tacklife Welding Helmet

Protection
This helmet excels when it comes to its protective systems.

For starters, it has a huge shade range, from 3 to 13, which is a full shade range, unlike a lot of other helmets. The lens is of the highest level optical clarity: 1/1/1/1, giving you the best view possible of your work area. Even when it’s not switched on, the passive filter with permanent shade 13 keeps your eyes safe. There’s also a built in UV/IR shield, reducing eye strain from environmental light bleed.

Most impressive is the speed. This helmet switches shades at an absurdly fast 1/25,000th of a second, matching or beating any other helmet we’ve looked at.

The build itself is also great. The polyamide construction is tougher and more resistant than standard polypropylene helmets, and it’s smart moulding design extends downwards, protecting the face and neck from spatter and glare.

There’s also a grind mode, which is standard for all quality helmets.

Comfort
Tacklife’s smart design choices extend to the construction of the helmet. As already mentioned, the mould shape is great, offering excellent coverage and good protection, but it’s also deceptively light at just over a pound.

However, the headgear is legitimately fantastic. The headband has multiple points of adjustment rather than the standard one or two, multiple points of padding and clings in areas that other helmets don’t touch. The helmet itself is also designed to sit lower on the head when flipped up, lowering the centre of gravity of the helmet and reducing strain on your neck. For a long helmet, it also has surprisingly good ventilation, helping you stay cool when you’re working in tougher conditions.

The controls are as good as you might expect, with all the standard options. Delay, sensitivity and shade are all controlled via easy to use dials, and the grind mode is accessed through an external, simple to find switch.

Viewing screen
Like the rest of the features on this hood, the screen is also high quality. It’s big, with a generous 11 sq. in. screen surrounded by 4 premium sensors.

Unlike a lot of brands, Tacklife’s helmets use a DIN3 light state, which lets through 14% of the light rather than the industry standard of just 5%. This, paired with the a built in color filter that cuts off blue light, works to reduce eye strain and gives you a clear and uninhibited view of the puddle.

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