Welding helmets not only protect from welding sparks but also assist in proper and accurate welding. A good welding helmet is a must for almost every type of welding. Let’s find out some of the best best welding helmet for beginners.
Most types of welding procedures produce extremely bright sparks that could harm the user’s eyes. Welding helmets prevent that and let you see better by lowering the amount of light that reaches your eyes.
There are different types of helmets out there—each with varying perks over the others. There are budget ones as well as top of the class ones. It depends on which one you’re looking for. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, we’re here to help you decide which one is the best for you.
Here are some of the best welding helmets that can surely keep you safe from sparks.
- 【Safety & Protection】Meets ANSI Z87.1 Standards and Engineered for Industrial Use; Passive FULLTIME UV/IR Filter, combined with double-layered auto dimming LCD shutter, providing sufficient and accurate shade range within 5-13 to visible lights; Full neck and face coverage
- 【Reliability & Productivity】POWER OFF DELAY to avoid flashes in the low ambient environments; Stable on DC TIG extremely LOW DC TIG Rating (> 2 A)
- 【Performance】4 Premium redundant arc sensors, with highly responsive detecting and controlling units providing super-fast switching time and accurate shading, eliminating harmful radiant bypass, avoiding eye stress; Very low power consumption with ZERO battery reverse charge; Optimized high output solar panel helps to extent the battery life efficiently.
- 【Comfort & Convenience】Fully automatic lens eliminates flipping hood; Super light weight greatly reducing neck stress
- 【Versatility】Can be used in many applicaitons: Plasma Cutting, abrasive wheel cutting/grinding, DC TIG, AC TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA/Stick welding, which are popular in metal fabrication industry, welding schools, welding shop, auto manufacturing and repair industry, ship factories as well as DIY hobbyists projects
Why do we like it?
This is the top pick in our list because it is one of the best welding helmet for beginners. It’s a mix of low price and excellent features. The Antra AH6-260-0000 uses an auto-dimming LCD that has a wide, accurate range of dimming visible light. It also has full neck and face protection that protects the user form welding spatters. It’s lightweight and weighs only a pound.
The LCD darkens automatically in the presence of extremely bright light; hence, it removes the need to flip the hood up and down. There is also a switch to change modes from welding to grinding.
There are four sensors built into the helmet that accurately detect any changes in light and adjust the darkening of the LCD. These sensors are less sensitive to sunlight and only work best on welding lights.
It can handle other grinding tasks besides welding. It’s great for plasma cutting, abrasive wheel cutting, DC TIG, AC TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA/Stick Welding, and many other types of welding and grinding methods.
It’s available in two different screen sizes and multiple color options. The one with the larger screen size offers better viewing angles and area but costs a bit more. It runs on battery and solar power for better efficiency.
The passive permanent UV and IR filter work even without battery power, while the visible light filter works on battery power. The pack comes with six additional exterior lenses cover plates and one interior lens cover plate.
Pro Tip
It’ll be an excellent fit for workshops or hobbyists who come across different welding operations in their daily lives. Protection while welding is a must, and this helmet provides the best for the small price tag.
And now for some pros and cons of this welding helmet to help you decide if it’s perfect for you or not.
Pros
Comes with a permanent UV and IR filter.
It has four built-in sensors for detecting light changes.
Runs on battery and solar power.
Available in two different lens sizes and multiple colors.
Cons
Some people had trouble with built-in sensors and the display.
The weld sparks may leave a mark on the outer plastic layer.
If you find it malfunctioning in any way, we recommend you immediately contact the manufacturer.
- Revolutionary shell design - high impact resistance nylon.
- Halo headgear - ergonomic, infinitely-adjustable 5 point head gear provides extreme comfort and balance. Low-profile design, central pivot point allows for maximum head clearance while helmet is in the up position.
- 3.93 x 2.36 in. (100 x 60 mm) viewing area. 1/1/1/2 –5-13 ADF.
- Color touch screen control panel with 8 separate memory settings and externally activated shade 4 Grind Button.
- Hard hat adapter option available for use with ESAB hard hat (excluding Canada).
Why do we like it?
This item in the runner up in our collection of the best four welding helmets. It costs significantly higher than our top pick, but it comes with a number of advantages and perks that justify that huge price tag.
The helmet comes with a low-profile design with a central pivot point, which makes it one of the best welding helmet for beginners. The central pivot point allows for maximum clearance when the helmet in the up position.
It has a large viewing area of 100 x 60 mm of darkening lenses. The interface is touch and has eight separate memory settings.
There is also an external switch that changes the darkening lenses to shade or grind mode. It weighs 1.4 pounds and requires two lithium batteries to operate. It has a unique design, and the touch screen capabilities make it quite effective.
It’s made for people who look for quality and are willing to make a little compromise on the budget side.
This welding helmet by Sentinel certainly provides the best quality available on the market these days. You’ll definitely be investing your money in a great product if you choose to buy this.
But like everything else, it does come with some pros and cons when compared with other helmets. Let’s take a look at the summarized pros and cons of this helmet.
Pros
It comes with a touch screen panel for easier control.
It’s made from impact-resistant nylon.
It has a unique ergonomic design.
It has a wide viewing angle.
Cons
The repairs are expensive and hard to find.
The cover lens may deform if brought too close to extreme heat.
- UPDATED MODEL – This Jackson Safety lightweight Insight welding helmet with a Stars & Scars design is built with 4 sensors to reduce possible blockage; newly updated with industry-leading 1/1/1/1 optical clarity and True Color
- BEST VIEWING – This ADF helmet has a viewing area of 3.94" x 2.36" and offers optimal vison during all stages of the welding process, without having to lift its hood; it also has a lightweight HLX 100 shell that has a narrow shape for working in tight spots
- DIGITAL CONTROL – With variable shades from 9 to 13, this helmet has user-friendly digital controls for sensitivity and delay adjustments for different tasks and durations; this enables welders to enjoy enhanced visibility and color recognition
- MULTI-USE WELDING – This variable auto darkening face mask allows you to use it for MIG, TIG, STICK, and ARC welding processesl; also features our premium 370 Speed Dial easy grip/turn headgear system
- SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS – Auto darkening welding helmet provides protection to the user's face and eyes from during welding; Jackson Safety welding helmets are efficient and economical, meets ANSI Z87.1 2010 standards and is CSA compliant
Why do we like it?
This is another great item in our list of the best four welding helmets. This welding helmet by Jackson is unique and costs a lot less than the previous one. While it does still cost more than our top pick, it certainly comes with a ton of advantages.
It has a variable 9 to 13 shade that can dim almost all types of visible light. The product also has a wide viewing area of 3.93 x 2.36 inches that allows for accurate welding, and the user is able to see most of the surroundings without lifting the helmet.
It has easy to use digital controls to control all the sensor adjustments making it one of the top considerations for the best welding helmet for beginners. It’s equipped with four independent sensors that have delayed controls to adjust for different types of welding conditions.
All the controls are inside the helmet, unlike most others that have a control switch on the outside.
It can also switch between the grind and welding modes. This is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists who are looking for a fairly good designed helmet with a reasonable price tag.
Now for some pros and cons of this product.
Pros
It has a wide viewing area.
This product has delayed sensor adjustments for various tasks.
It has four independent sensors.
It’s lightweight and easy to use.
Cons
The protection at the neck area is not enough, and you may get accidental burns.
It uses old coin style batteries.
The lens cover is tough to replace.
- 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
Why do we like it?
This welding helmet from YESWELDER is our budget pick in the list of best welding helmet for beginners. It comes in 5 different options. One with a wider screen and a slightly larger price tag. One with matt black finish. And 3 with different color options.
It’s viewing size is 3.64” x 1.67” inches with two built-in sensors. Most other helmets have more sensors for better light-detecting, but this is a budget pick, so it’s understandable. All the options ship with two sensors except the one with the larger viewing screen.
It has increased battery life and provides superior comfort due to the pivot style headgear.
The design is optimal and provides enough protection from sparks, and the neck region is sufficiently protected as well. The true color technology in these helmets helps reduce the strain on eyes while working.
The built-in sensors have a wide shade range of DIN4 / Din9~13 and a response time less than 1/10000 of a second. The design is lightweight, and the headgear design is unique that reduces the strain on the head and neck.
It’s a good value pack for the low-price tag it comes in. Any beginner or a hobbyist can find it easy and comfortable to use. Before we move on, let’s describe some pros and cons of this budget welding helmet.
Pros
It comes with multiple options and a low-price tag.
The product had true color technology that gives better clarity.
It can be fitted with a magnifying lens.
The included battery has a better life.
Cons
The battery cannot be replaced.
It’s decent for light usage only.
Sensors may have trouble with DC TIG welding.
The research on the best welding helmet for beginners
Should I go for the one with fewer sensors or the one with more?
Can the batteries be replaced?
What kinds of loads can these helmets handle?
Who should get this?
Welding helmets are needed mostly by people who are involved in the line of welding work. It can be TIG, MIG, MMA, or any type of welding. You can also use a welding helmet if you’re grinding something.
It provides protection against physical shards as well as extreme light. You should have one if you’re involved in any type of welding tasks.
Why should you trust us?
We gathered all the available data from the manufacturers and sellers and compiled them in the form of a comprehensive review that can be easily understood by everyone. If you go through these reviews, you’ll find the helmet that best suits your needs.
How did we pick the best welding helmet for beginners?
Several things need to be considered before choosing a welding helmet.
- Material: The material type is essential. Not because it helps in blocking any light but because it helps against the red hot welding shards and sparks. They can penetrate any regular plastic helmet and expose you to burns and cuts.
- Build Quality: The build quality defines the ease of use of the helmet. The more compact, lightweight, and easy to use a helmet, the more people will buy it. Welding helmets with a superb build quality last a long time and don’t wear and tear quickly.
- Battery: Most modern welding helmets are equipped with solar cells and rechargeable batteries. This saves a lot of energy and makes the helmet more efficient. Some batteries cannot be replaced but only recharged.
- Viewing area: The viewing area refers to the area that let the light in and dims it before it reaches the user’s eyes. Small viewing areas don’t allow for accurate welding as it’s quite difficult to see around, and the user has to remove the helmet every time.
- Cost: Since this is a piece of safety equipment, cost should be one of your last concerns. It’s not worth it to buy a cheap welding helmet and end up hurting your eyes. Always go for the best ones or the ones that offer the best value for a reasonable price.
How we tested?
We gathered all the information from the sellers and the manufacturers and matched their claims with the customer reviews, pictures, and videos.
Moreover, we contacted several safety officers and experts to narrow down our options.
But still, we wanted to include only those helmets that can perform in real-time. Our team subjected all the helmets to on-field testing and carefully evaluated the performance of each product.
Care and maintenance tips
There are some things you need to take care of when handling the best welding helmet for beginners.
Don’t get too close to the welding area, and the high temperature may damage the cover lens. Remember to test the helmets before using them to avoid any accidental failures.
In case the helmet does not work, refer the manual for proper procedures or contact the manufacturer.
Should I go for the one with fewer sensors or the one with more?
Sensors help detect the presence of bright light. While two can work best under normal conditions, they may not be able to detect all types of bright light. So, four sensors are a better option, and it comes with more perks as well.
Can the batteries be replaced?
Most of the welding helmets have batteries that are soldered in place and can only be recharged. There is the option of solar charging on these helmets too. Some manufacturers might offer the option of battery replacement.
What kinds of loads can these helmets handle?
They can handle most types of welding, including TIG, MIG, MMA, ARC welding, Plasma cutting, and grinding.
Conclusion
Working without a welding helmet can be lethal to your eyes, neck, and face. Yes, it is as dangerous as it sounds. We recommend our readers to wear all the protective gear before indulging themselves in such tasks.
And there you have it, a comprehensive list of the four best welding helmet for beginners. Ranging from high quality and expensive ones to reasonable quality and budget ones, you can choose whatever suits you.
