Protection and safety that’s what comes in our mind when we are welding. Well, for that, you’ll need the best auto darkening welding helmet!
One of the most important personal defensive gear a welder can have is an auto-darkening welding helmet. It is unlike any other helmets used in the last 10-15 years.
Time has brought a lot of significant changes and also brought fewer risks for the welders. With an auto-darkening helmet, comes the best auto-darkening welding lens as this is the primary key feature that will shield you from all the risks involved.
So, without further ado, let’s get started with all the necessary auto darkening welding helmet reviews that you’ll need to reach your self-satisfaction.
Benefits of Using Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Auto-darkening welding helmets are entirely designed to guard your eyes, your face, and your skin from the spark, ultra-violet light radiation, harmful infrared light and spatter that you will face while welding.
These helmets are not only designed for safety, but it is also made to fit securely on your head. This leaves your hand free for welding, enabling you to move more freely and as a result, work more effectively.
It lets you easily adjust the preferred level of shade at the touch of one single button, something you can’t do with normal welding helmets. In other words, you no longer have to go through the time-consuming process of manually changing the protective lens.
What’s more? You’ll always be able to see your working environment clearly because auto-darkening helmets only switch from light to dark when the arc ignites.
Although it is an entry-level model, this helmet features an impressive five adjustable dark shades ranging from 8 to 12. You can quickly change shades at a push of the button.
Our Top 10 Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Review
Getting the best auto darkening welding helmet for the money is not an easy task. It requires a lot of navigation through the web or personal suggestions from friends or family.
Fortunately, we have made this task very lenient for you. We have dedicated ourselves to weeks of research through the market reviews and have brought down to the list of the best 3.
If you are considering getting the best value auto darkening helmet, we would suggest you go through these three helmets.
Let’s get down to it!
1) Jackson Safety 46131 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
At number two, comes this welding helmet from JACKSON SAFETY. Indeed, from its name, you can classify it. It comes loaded with a variety of safety features to protect the user entirely.
If you have been considering safety as the primary factor when choosing the welding helmet, then the Jackson Safety 46131 is for you. As it is always security should be the main factor to consider.
The Jackson Safety 46131 helmet comes with smart fitters that can allow the user to operate in a different environment or with irregular timings. The incorporation of delay and sensitivity adjustment makes this product an ideal safety headgear.
Additionally, the four premium sensors with easy to adjust controls render this helmet highly effective.
Furthermore, the Safety 46131 helmet comes equipped with super performing lenses and high–grade components. What is more impressive is that, with all these features, the helmet costs lower than its counterparts.
It also has auto-darkening features. So, you will get perfect optical clarity even if the work is done. This also makes the helmet workable for both hobbyists and professionals.
Indeed, if you have been on the lookout for the best and affordable headgear for your welding errands, then Jackson Safety 46131 ought to be your choice.
Pros
- Perfect lens and its auto-dimming controls
- Very easy to control and made for light industrial use
- High-quality accompanied by a low price
- Auto-darkening feature and delay controls for different uses
- Lightweight thus no risk of fatigue
Cons
- Uncomfortable for a long time due to its weight of 2 pounds
- Flimsy plastic material employed in making
2) DEKOPRO Welding Helmet Auto Darkening Solar Powered Wide Viewing Field
At number five, find a helmet that is suitable for those partaking in different types of welding. The DEKOPRO solar-powered helmet comes in an attractive and beautiful design that not only looks perfect but is meant to protect.
The DEKOPRO solar-powered helmet features optimal eye protection. It is designed to automatically switch from light to dark if there is any welding arc. It is a shade 16 kind of helmet that protects the welder even on power blackout.
Furthermore, this helmet has a manual adjustment. It also has high sensitivity and delay settings. This makes it ideal in different working environments.
With its 7 square inches of clean view, your welding experience will be positive. The welder will also be able to see from different angles as it has an angular view capability.
It also has an inbuilt intelligent and practical auto-darkening feature. This implies that it can quickly protect the user from instant light or rays. Furthermore, it comes fitted with a solar panel that can be used to charge its long-lasting batteries that have a lifespan of up to 5,000 hours.
So, in summary, this solar-powered helmet is lightweight that is easy to wear, or underwear. It is also free of fatigue or discomfort and made to protect against UV/IR rays. Thus, it is the perfect purchase for those partaking in maintenance, repair, and other operations that involve the welding process.
Pros
- Larger view size that is comfortable
- High-speed auto-switching between light to dark
- Works best for plasma processing and MIG
- Suitable for a different type of welding
- Gives oblique view unlike some of its counterparts
Cons
- Weak design that is a doubt to long-lasting
- Value is somehow lower than its price
3) Antra AH6-260-0000
The Antra AH6-260-0000 finds a second-last place on our welding helmet list because of its fantastic features, customer feedback, and the value for the price.
Well to start, its look is what can make you spend your savings. It is a small helmet. However, very stylish too. Honestly, it is more like a small tool than what it is as a welding helmet.
It is designed for full protection against UV and IR. It will protect against flash burns. With these features, I don’t see the reason why you should not consider this helmet. Furthermore, this welding helmet can do well with MMA, TIG or MIG and plasma application.
It also comes equipped with a grinding feature at a lower price. So if you have been on the lookout for an under the budget helmet, the Antra AH6-260-0000 should be your immediate option. In addition to that, it also arrives with a compatibility magnifying lens that will help easily work over the details.
I know you have been looking for a helmet that is impact-proof, and this one can’t miss on you as well. It has an inbuilt impact resistance feature that can protect against heavy impacts.
For a better experience, the helmet has sensitivity settings in addition to a tension adjustment feature that you can use to adjust the lens.
Furthermore, the helmet accompanies a spare lens cover that can be applied to protect the exterior of the helmet. It also accompanies a durable battery that can be charged with a solar panel on the helmet. The performance of the battery is good, and you will work for long hours without the forced stop due to power.
So, if you have been on the lookout for the best helmet for your personal use, the one that is cheaper, durable, and with a sensor, then the Antra AH6-260-0000 should be your final consideration. It also has a reasonable price sticker.
Pros
- The protective lens makes this helmet comfortable and safe
- Made to last than its counterparts
- Minimal design makes it lightweight and comfortable to use
- Affordable with the quality compared to its counterparts
- Wide viewing lenses that can suit different welding errands
Cons
- Does not support overhead welding
- Thin plastic is a doubt to its durability
- Does not meet industrial standards
4) Jackson Safety Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
When you have a safety welding helmet, it means you are more concentrated on your work. This will result in greater quality or outcome. So, if you need to see yourself producing quality outcomes, then buy the Jackson Safety Insight with the auto-darkening feature. This helmet protects and performs like a top-notch helmet can do.
The helmet is highly versatile as it provides an option to choose from welding to grinding modes. Furthermore, the Jackson Safety Insight with the auto-darkening feature is designed with variable shades thus making it suitable for different types of welding materials.
It provides a wider viewing area that can allow the wearer to see a wide range with higher optical clarity during the welding errands. Moreover, this protective unit has easy to use digital settings and independent sensors. So the welder will be able to work effectively.
Safety Insight Variable Auto-Darkening helmet is designed with safety standards in mind. So if you are worried about UV and IR rays, this helmet should be an option. With this helmet, your eyes are protected and safe. And if you have any skepticism, read its name again.
Also, one thing that you will appreciate about this helmet is its comfort-ability. You will be able to do your welding tasks without feeling tired or fatigued around the neck. You can adjust the straps that can be adjusted to give a perfect and comfortable fit thus you will weld smoothly.
Pros
- Impressive instant lens darkening ability
- Cool graphics that is very comfortable
- Adjustable straps that offer a comfortable fit
- Protects against UV and IR rays
- Design conforms to safety requirements
Cons
- 2 pounds of a pound can be uncomfortable for long time use
- The very thin strap makes it unsuitable for heavy welding tasks
5) ArcPro 20704 Auto-Darkening Solar Powered Welding Helmet
What makes the ArcPro an effective and efficient helmet? The list goes on, but we will break down the major ones which help you make decisions whether you want to get the ArcPro 20704 or not.
Firstly, it can auto darken at 1/25000th of a second which is equivalent to a 0.00004 reaction time, and it also clears the shade as soon as the welding stops. This aids in welding as the fast auto-darkening shields your eyes from ultraviolet lights.
Secondly, this helmet consists of two modes, weld, and grind. The grinding mode mechanically adjusts for grinding use. This is a plus point as there is another helmet brand that doesn’t have any grinding mode. Which means you won’t have to make adjustments manually.
The variable shade is also another option in the helmet which has an adjustment between shade DIN numbers 9 and 13 for welding works and DIN 4 for grinding works.
Comfort is another key feature of this helmet. With a measurement of 3.78” by 2.07” it consists of a large viewing space that will allow you to focus on your workspace. This also provides assistance in dangerous fields where you might feel like there are risks involved.
A padded headband with a two-way adjustable option provides more comfort as you can do work more leniently.
For beginners, the ArcPro 20704 is highly recommended, and it is also beneficial for them because of its easy and safe adjustments, which concludes the fact that it is very user-friendly.
User-friendly is not the only term that will define the helmet; it’s also an environmentally friendly tool due to its solar power.
In the case of looks, there is no doubt the helmet has one of the unique designs. The title ‘’Alien Design” says it all as it is unlike any other helmets. There are no chances of mistakes and the ArcPro’s helmet design will be always standout.
Pros
- Great for Grinding
- User-friendly controls
- Large viewing field
- Exclusive Design
- Prodigious for oxy-fuel burning
Cons
- Difficulty in finding fitting lenses
- May not be good for TIG welding
6) Pro Welding Helmet by TACKLIFE
Tacklife pro welding helmet keeps our rundown life by finding its position at number seven. To start, this helmet comes with an optical class of 1/1/1/1. This will offer both you and your eyes the required protection.
It also equips an extensive range of shades. With a range of 9-13/ 3/4 -8, this makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. On the other hand, it also comes with a super and large viewing area spanning 3.9 by 2.87 inches. This will guarantee better welding precision.
Furthermore, it is also fitted with four premium sensors that give a clearer and brighter field of view on top of good ventilation
This Tacklife pro welding helmet has a delay, sensitivity, and step-less adjustment knob for added protection. It has a highly designed magnifying lens for compatibility.
Another thing that you will also appreciate about this helmet is the easily adjustable and responsive headband designed in an up and down turning way. The design is vital in reducing fatigue around the neck thus guaranteeing comfort.
Also, you will appreciate its fast auto-darkening speed of about 0.00004 seconds. Its body is made of PA material known to be fire-proof and corrosion-resistant. The materials are also light and make the helmet lightweight last long compared to their counterparts.
The Tacklife pro welding helmet accompanies a black carrying case and 6 pcs lenses. The bag is an added advantage for easy storage. It also accompanies a sustainable CR2450 lithium battery that is eco-friendly.
Pros
- Cheaper compared to its counterparts
- Comes with long-lasting batteries
- Has multiple ways of adjustment
- Very light and suitable for long continuous use
- It has a very clear lens
Cons
- Difficult to use the reset button
- The headband is very flimsy and weak
- Hard to access the battery
7) DEKOPRO Welding Helmet Solar Powered
To open our list, we start with the welding helmet from DEKOPRO that is solar-powered. This helmet has some features that made their way to this rundown.
One feature that the DEKOPRO welding helmet has is the auto-darkening capability. It has auto-switching of 1/25000 from light to dark.
Furthermore, it is a shade 6 kind of helmet. This implies that the user will be protected from AR and UV radiation even if the electrometric fails.
It has a rating of 1/2/1/2, which confirms with the ANS121287/1-2010 and EN3794/913 standard requirements. This is a confirmation that you will be sure when it comes to protection and safety.
DEKOPRO additionally comes with a 3.62 by 1.65 inches of standard and clear view area. These will guarantee a comfortable and clear view to the user.
On the other hand, the capability to vary the luminous transmittance, regular dependence, and diffusion of light will make it possible for the welder to see different angles.
Moreover, the DEKOPRO welding helmet is lightweight. This will allow the user to work for many hours without feeling fatigued or uncomfortable.
It also has the ADF Dx-500s auto-darkening lens filter that is adjustable. This can allow the welder to work in different environments by just controlling the lens schedule.
One last feature that makes this helmet stand out among others is the fitted delay and sensitivity settings. This will facilitate the user to adapt to various task duration and environment.
Furthermore, it also has a highly enhanced color and visibility recognition.
Pros
- Design can suit different working environment
- The view is very comfortable and clear
- Ultimate eye protection that it offers
- Enhanced color visibility and recognition
- Perfect darkening screens and vivid looking graphics
- Accompanies a manual guide for the user
Cons
- Sometimes fails to flip
- Problematic adjusting knobs
- Dims when welding overhead items
- Requires staying in light before first use
- The smaller band will require enlargement
8) Lincoln Electric Welding Helmet, Black, 3350 Series
From all of the above products, you haven’t yet made your mind, right? I know welding is a tasking job and you need to be keen when buying protective gear such as a helmet. You don’t have to buy the one that will be uncomfortable and not well-fitting.
However, the Lincon 3350 being last on our last doesn’t imply it is last in everything. It is a helmet you must consider when looking for a well-fitting and comfortable experience. It is also an option when looking for a cost-effective welding helmet. This is the reason why we can’t close our review without mentioning it.
The Lincon 3350 is one of the safest helmets for welding that you can get on the market. It comes with unique features and that are professionally designed. You will have maximum safety and protection of the eyes against harmful rays such as UV and IR.
It offers high-quality optical clarity from its superb 4c lens technology. You will agree on this rare feature in most of the helmets. This is a very advantageous feature. It clears off the green tint that comes about after dark lenses.
Moreover, it has a larger viewing area that will allow free head movement. Its auto-darkening feature and a big front panel are heatproof as other things I will not forget to mention about this helmet.
Honestly, this helmet is more than professional as apart from protecting the eyes, it protects the head against injury via the firm shell. The helmet will also protect against physical harms that can happen in the workshop.
Pros
- Unique design with auto-darkening feature
- Offers the best clarity with its 4c technology
- Can be powered by solar and it has batteries
- Designed to give full head protection
Cons
- Heavy compared to its counterparts
- Expensive compared to its counterpart
9) TACKLIFE Welding Helmet with Top Optical Class PAH04D
Are you looking for the best helmet that can offer optical clarity and meet safety standards? Well, the Tacklife PAH04D should be your favorite on this rundown of the welding helmet reviews. Honestly, the Tacklife PAH04D is incomparably a top-notch welding helmet that was designed with safety standards in mind.
Again, if you have been looking for the best helmet for the TIG, MIG, or MMA welding, then the Tacklife PAH04D should also be something to factor down.
Moreover, if optical clarity is what you are looking for in addition to versatile use, this helmet still has a position. Additionally, it comes equipped with sensors for an excellent viewing experience.
It also arrives crafted to give great ventilation and clear viewing for better results during the welding process. Being made from Impact proof PA material, this helmet is lightweight and will not poses any risk of fatigue or feels tiring during the welding process.
Its design was to support the user’s head to reduce fatigue and the feel of tiring around the neck. Apart from safety, optical clarity, and weight, which makes this helmet worth a purchase is its capacity to reduce eye-strain.
It also protects against UV/IR rays. This is not the usual feature that you can easily get in any welding helmet.
Pros
- Made to be corrosion and flame resistant
- Lightweight helmet weighing about 14.1 ounces
- Durable and additionally eco-friendly
- Design meets the safety standards
- High optical clarity at a lower price
Cons
- Requires flipping up and down which can be annoying
- Not good for hobbyists as it lacks professional electronics
10) Forney 55678 Fire Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
With a switching speed of 1/16000th second, the auto darkening helmet provides one of the perfect presentations for home.
Decency is guaranteed at your workplace due to its confirmation of ANSI safety standards because the helmet provides a shade selection range of 9-13.
Pricing is highly affordable even though the auto-darkening welding helmet is quite robust enough to maintain a side hustle.
Being lightweight provides another advantage as there will be less pressure on the shoulder area and it will be lenient while welding.
The Comfortability and flexibility part of this helmet is unmatched as you can use it at any angle or position making it less stressful for you to weld. The size of this helmet is also adjustable if others want to use it so it won’t get out of place.
Just like the ArcPro, Forney 55678 also has the grinding mode, so there is no need to worry about manually making changes in the auto-darkening feature.
Speaking of not worrying, this helmet is also very user-friendly as the sensitivity and adjournment can be quite effortlessly adjusted.
Fast and receptive is another key feature of this helmet, as a lot of users have noticed the fact that the Forney is extremely adaptable with auto-darkening.
Lastly, comes forth the looks and it is just exceptional. The Fire design in this helmet completely makes it unrivaled from the rest of the helmet brands out there.
Pros
- Grinding mode
- Flexible and comfortable
- Aesthetic design
- Swift and responsive
- Lightweight
Cons
- No constant manual darkening mode
- Viewing space is not large enough
- Requires more brightness adjustments
Before You Buy Welding Helmet, What to Look For
Considering what are the things you should look for getting an auto-darkening helmet is a very challenging task. Luckily, we have narrowed down some of the most significant points to look out for.
Price
Affordable price is always a treat for everyone, but it’s not always the case. A low price could bring high risks which could lead up to severe life-threatening injuries. So make sure to always check the product precisely to get the budget helmet.
Type of Lens
Based on the type of lens, you choose either auto or passive. The auto lens is usually dark and comes coated with infrared and ultra-violet protective materials. You can get them in different varieties and ratings. In most cases, are rated as three or four.
On the flip hand, the passive lenses that are commonly available come in 10 dissimilar shades.
Herein, the auto lenses are preferred over passive ones because they give various quality work. Also you can learn more about these types of welding helmet at Phoxband.com
Power Supply
A power source is also another thing that is risky and tricky. There are some power supplies of helmets that cannot be replaced. When you are buying a helmet, ensure the fact that there is a replaceable power foundation.
Fitting
Perfect fit, this is a major factor when looking out for an auto-darkening helmet. If a helmet doesn’t properly fit with you and if there are any chances for your skin to get exposed, it will burn your skin badly from Ultra Violet Rays. Then there is also the comfort factor.
Helmet Weight
Heavy helmets are very tiresome to work with. They also accompany the high risk of fatigue. So when choosing your helmet, always go for the lighter one. This would be a step to comfortability and long working hours without feeling fatigued.
Warranty
Just like an affordable price, a warranty period also represents the quality of an auto-darkening welding helmet. The longer the warranty period, the better the superiority of that particular helmet.
Rating
1/1/1 rating is what you always have to look at while buying an auto-darkening welding helmet as that rating is the reflection of optical quality.
Number of Sensors
A number of sensors can be a lot, or it can be few but that’s not a big issue, and it shouldn’t bother you that much. But what you should look for is whether the lenses of a helmet is sensitive enough.
The rating of sensitivity has to rate down under 1 amp because slight mistakes in adjustments can be vital.
Wider Viewing Space
Moving on to the viewing space of an auto-darkening welding helmet, although it won’t bother you that much in the very beginning due to all helmets being somewhat very obstructive, later you’ll be grateful for that extra viewing field.
But you are looking to trade the large viewing area for a better quality range, then trust on us; it’s just not worth it, you might just end up being blind.
Helmet Color
The helmet’s color doesn’t play much of a big role, but it can have a significant role. A silver-colored helmet will assist in fending off some of the heat away. This will help out a lot in the long summer days.
Helmet Design
This brings us to the helmet’s design, you might probably think that this doesn’t really matter, but sometimes an aesthetic texture can play a massive role in motivation.
If you look at a plain colored helmet before wearing it, it won’t provide you much confidence but when you look at a unique design, that’s quite the confidence booster.
Ventilation
The ventilation system is a critical factor in an auto-darkening welding helmet. You wouldn’t want to feel suffocated while wearing a helmet, proper air circulation is required for adequate work under harsh conditions.
Just like ventilation should be able to adapt and adjust itself in hot and cold conditions.
Type of Rays
When considering the type of rays, you will have to decide between varying or fixed rays. They are very vital determinants of the usage of your helmet.
If you are going to handle different materials, go for one with varying rays. With fixed rays, you will be required to purchase another helmet when you want to work on different materials. This is not the case with varying rays, as they adjustable to suit different materials.
Lens Switching Speed
The lens switching speed determines how fast your helmet lens will auto adjust as per the rays it is receiving. There are many different helmets with different lens switching speed.
During your selection, it will be good to choose one with the fasted lens switching speed. However, it can cost you higher.
Number of Sensors
Different helmets have a varying quantity of sensors. Therefore, you better plan to grab a helmet with the most sensors possible. The quantity of sensors determines the coverage of your helmet.
You will get different helmets with a different number of sensors. For the safe side, always opt for one with the highest number of sensors.
National Safety Standards
Do you know some of the national safety standards a welding helmet should have? There are certain safety requirements when it comes to lens darkening, lens switching mode, and material.
Each nation has its set standards. So when choosing your helmet always guarantees that you go for one that confines with set standards of your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the perfect type of helmet for different welding types of materials?
Ans. For different types of materials, it is better to choose a helmet with variable shade. You will then be changing the shades to suit different materials.
Q. What is the lens switching speed?
Ans. This is an indicator of how fast the lens will be back to its natural state of light absorption.
Q. How do I store a helmet?
By keeping it in storage, a temperature should not exceed 120 F. It should be kept inside in its original packaging. Lastly, it should be held where there are no chances for its fall and cause an impact.
Q. What if there is a crack in my lens?
This usually means that now is the best time to use that warranty of yours and replace it as soon as possible. Otherwise, there will be major risks involved if you work with a cracked lens.
Q. What is an auto darkening welding helmet?
This particular yet very famous product consists of a unique lens that has liquid crystals. The darkening procedure occurs automatically, but all of it depends on the settings.
In general, there will be a ton of options available, and you will be able to adjust it in your terms when it comes to auto-darkening welding helmet. But do make sure it is in proper settings.
Conclusion
Overall, there will be risks involved in everything you go on to buy, starting from price ranges to weight. This article has all the requirements and guidance you’ll need to get the best auto darkening welding helmet.
But it’s up to you to minimize those risks and work things out accordingly.
