Choosing the Best Welding Helmet

Welders have many different options for choosing the best welding helmet. Selecting the correct type of helmet is vital because welding is dangerous work concerning skin, face, and lungs. Facial and eye injuries are prevalent among welders who don’t wear proper protection. Eye injuries from the sparks and flashes from welding torches are one of the main reasons for choosing the best welding helmet.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Welding Helmet

You must read and study reliable information and ask for the advice of experienced welders to select the best welding helmet. It is essential to know that the helmet meets industry standards. Always buy a welding helmet that meets ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards.

It is difficult to call anyone welding a helmet the best. However, some brands are known to be good, such as Hobart, Aces High, Miller, ArcPro, and 3M Speedglas.

• Hobart: The Hobart 770753 Pro is designed for the professional welder. This lightweight helmet is comfortable to wear. It has a large viewing screen, making it easy for the wearer to see a more extensive section of the area they are working on. This helmet has an LCD screen that makes it simple to change the level of darkness and light on the viewing glass to suit the job. Check out our lineup of Hobart welding helmets.
• Miller: The Miller helmets weigh only two pounds, so they are comfortable to wear. The auto-darkening lens appeals to wearers, as fixed lenses are less efficient. The miller has a solar-powered component, meaning that if the battery dies, it can still be used for a while. The Miller will last a long time if cared for properly.
• ArcPro: The ArcPro is another technological helmet appealing to younger welders. The ergonomic design makes this helmet comfortable and easy to wear. This solar-powered helmet has an auto-darkening lens and a wide viewing area.

Factors to Consider

The best welding helmet should ideally offer a combination of safety and comfort. Also, look for a lens that quickly transitions between dark and light so you can work safely and examine your work. The helmet is one of the most essential tools in a welder’s arsenal.

• Cost: This factor should not be used to determine which welding helmet to buy. You’ll likely pay at least $100 for a decent beginner welding helmet. You will find that the highest-rated welding helmets can run closer to $1,100, but they offer ventilation and other bells and whistles.
• Durability: The last thing you want to do is replace a damaged or uncomfortable helmet every few months. That will eat into your profits fast. Purchase the best helmet you can afford each time you replace an old one.
• Level of Protection: Look for a helmet that offers the best protection you can afford. The helmet should protect your face, neck, and ears; everything else is a bonus.
• Weight: The weight of the helmet is significant as well. The wearer needs to be comfortable, and the lighter the helmet, the better. This also enables the wearer to work longer without neck or upper back fatigue.

The Best Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets

The average welding helmet does not automatically darken to protect the eyes or lighten so you can inspect your work. Auto-darkening helmets are trendy because of the added functionality they provide. The darkening lens is well worth the extra price.

The viewing window of the auto-darkening helmet doesn’t have a fixed shade amount. They’re generally set at a three or four when not in use. The lens darkens to an eight to 13 as soon as it senses an arc. It fades back to the standard shade when the arc is finished so you can inspect your work. This keeps you from having to snap your head back and forth to raise and lower the helmet while you’re working.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when narrowing your options.

• Viewing Lens Size: The viewing lens is measured in square inches. The larger your lens, the better. Light-duty helms generally have a six-square-inch lens, whereas industrial helmets have nine square inches.
• Sensors: The number of sensors on the helmet will determine its coverage level. A helmet with two sensors is good, but four is better.
• Lens Reaction Time: The reaction time of the lens is significant because you need the lens to snap to dark as soon as the arc hits. A primary helmet for a fabrication shop or light-duty welding has a 1/3,600 reaction time, whereas an industrial helmet will have a 1/20,000-second reaction time. The type of helmet you choose needs to match the kind of work you do.
• Adjustable Sensitivity and Delay Controls: Low amperage welds like TIG don’t require such a dark lens to protect your eyes. Make sure your chosen helmet allows you to adjust the sensitivity to match your work type. The adjustable delay control works in much the same way. High amperage welding requires a higher sensitivity and longer delay before returning to normal.

Ventilation in Welding Helmets

Welders need to avoid breathing fumes as often as possible. You may wear a mask or respirator, but a ventilated welding helmet is also an excellent option. This type of helmet pulls fresh air from behind you into the helmet, so you’re breathing fresh air and not welding fumes.