Do-it-yourself welding is a rewarding skill that can allow you to tackle projects others cannot. While there are many factors to consider when building a welding shop, your vision and how you will protect it are the most important. The best auto-darkening welding helmet is what you want.
The auto-darkening helmets offer incredible protection and usability.
We have reviewed some of the most well-respected auto darkening helmets available to help you find the right one.
Our Top 5 Picks For The Best Auto Darkening Welding Headwear
Speedglas Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Welding Helmet
The 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet is a top pick. It is a high-quality helmet which protects your eyes within 0.1 milliseconds of detecting a welding arc.
The M3 was designed to replicate the shape of the head. The M3 features multiple adjustment options and padded straps to improve comfort and stability. You can adjust it while wearing gloves by using slightly larger knobs.
The main viewing window measures 73x107mm. The main viewing window provides great views of your work and protects your eyes from infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation.
Side windows on the M3 can be tinted in a variety of ways to increase peripheral vision while protecting your eyesight. To reduce heat buildup and fogging, the M3 is fitted with an exhaust vent.
This helmet can be used for MIG or TIG welding. It can run for up to 2500 hours on two Cr2030 3V lithium batteries. You can lock it in either constant light or dark.
This well-constructed helmet has one negative. It is quite expensive. For many hobby-weavers, it may be a bit too expensive.
What We Like
- Time to switch: 0.1 milliseconds at 23C
- Head suspension designed ergonomically
- For easy adjustment, large knobs are available
What we don’t like
- Expensive
Miller Electric Digital Elite
Miller Electric Digital Elite is the lightest helmet available for welders. You can work for longer periods without feeling tired because it is lightweight.
The viewing screen measures nine by nine inches. This allows you to see your entire work area. Clearlight lens technology is featured on this new model. It detects a welding arc automatically and darkens to protect your eyes.
The Digital Elite has four modes of operation. These modes allow the helmet to perform better in various welding situations. You can choose from Welding, Cut, Grind and X.
You can adjust the tint by using Weld, Cut or Grind. This will allow you to apply a tint of any amount, from 3 for grinding to an extremely dark 13, for welding. The X mode can be used to eliminate sunlight interference, low-amperage lenses opening from obstructed sensor, and hidden/cavity welding.
Digital Elite uses easy-to-read digital controls. The helmet comes with five additional lenses on the outside and two lenses inside.
The included Lithium battery can power the helmet for several hours. The helmet also includes a magnifying lens holder as well as a protective storage bag.
What we don’t like
- Some users believe that headgear should be adjusted constantly
Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Jackson Safety BH3 Auto Darkening Welding Headgear is made of lightweight, high-density plastic. It is designed to protect the face, neck and ears from weld sparks. This helmet can also be used with a hard hat.
The BH3 safety lens with auto darkening is the highest EN379 rating for Accuracy, Vision, Diffusion, Shade and Angular Dependence. This allows the welder to see as clear as possible, even from an angle.
Jackson safety has a range of shades from 9 to 13, and can be adjusted to adapt to different environments.
It measures just over 7 inches in square. This model is big enough to see all of the area in front. The dark filter makes it great for MIG and TIG welding.
The helmet has three knobs that allow you to control the delay, sensitivity, and shade. To reduce heat and fog, the front cover plate has a slight curve.
The solar-powered helmet eliminates batteries. It is lightweight at less than a pound and half, and has a head strap that can be adjusted using a knob on one side.
What We Like
- 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- This is suitable for various welding jobs.
- Solar Powered
What we don’t like
- Costly
Hobart Impact Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
The Hobart770756 helmet can respond to a weld arc in less than 1/25,000th of an second. It also features the most recent LCD lens technology for high-quality protection. The helmet also has an adjustable delay that allows you to control how quickly it reacts.
The helmet is protected from debris and splatter by a durable, impact-resistant polyamide shell. The helmet has adjustable straps that allow for a snug fit, and an outside knob to raise the helmet from your head.
It has a viewing area of just over 7 inches and provides a large viewing area. The number 3 light shade is included, as well as a variable shade that can be adjusted from 8 to 11. You can also adjust the sensitivity to adapt to different ambient light levels.
Three arc sensors inform the helmet when there is a welding torch and when it is darkening. There are two modes of operation: a grind and a welding mode.
The Hobart Auto-Darkening Helmet is powered by a lithium battery. It can be used for many hours without the need to replace it.
You can adjust the fit of your headgear with ease using the sophisticated ratcheting system.
What we don’t like
- It can be difficult to ratchet headgear
Instapark Solar Powered Auto Darkening Helmet
Although the Instapark ADF Series GX990T Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet may be the last entry in our list, it is still a great helmet.
Four sensors are included in the GX990T to detect and react faster to a welding arc. At 1/30,000th of second, the helmet switches from dark to light at an incredible speed.
The helmet has a #4 resting shade. You can adjust the filter manually from a #5 up to a #13, which is dark enough for you to see the sun.
The lightweight helmet weighs in at one and a quarter pounds. It can run on three volts solar power and one rechargeable CR2450 lithium battery. A low voltage indicator is included to indicate if your battery needs to be replaced.
This helmet is made from a lightweight, durable composite material and features an ergonomically designed headband. The interior is padded for comfort and support for long periods of time.
The GX990T can be used for Stick, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and TIG(Tungsten Inert Gas). It also features one of many colorful designs, including an American Flag and a skull with flames. This helmet will stand out.
What we don’t like
- The controls are extremely small
Here Are Some Tips To Help You Choose The Right Welding Helmet
You might be surprised at how the helmet has evolved to become a high-tech piece of equipment, whether you are a veteran welder or a novice. Before you make a purchase, there are many things to keep in mind.
Safety
Safety is the main concern. Safety is the main concern.
Arc welding’s ultraviolet light can quickly cause skin burns. It is very similar to sunburns and has all the same cancer-causing side effect. It can be much worse for your eyes. Even a tiny amount of light passing through the filter can cause a condition called welders flash.
It is crucial to use the correct filtering for the type and level of welding you are doing. A filter that is too weak can allow radiation to penetrate the lens, causing damage to your eyes.
Viewscreen Size
Our viewscreen is our window into the world. A larger viewscreen allows us to see more clearly and more naturally. The viewports of helmets that cover the whole head are larger than those with masks.
To filter out light, auto-darkening helmets employ LCD screens. The larger and more expensive the screen, the more technical and expensive it will be.
There are many models with large viewports on our list, some measuring more than seven inches in size.
Light Sensitivity
An auto-darkening welding helmet offers many benefits. It allows you to work while it is still on its side.
Light sensitivity refers to how fast the filter reacts when you strike an arc, and how fast it lights up again after you stop.
Once you begin welding, the filter must darken extremely quickly. The arc reaction time of one of our filters is 1/30,000th of an second. Other filters take a little longer and are generally in the range of 1/20,000th of seconds.
Arc Sensors
An arc sensor, as the name suggests, is the way the helmet detects when an arc has been struck. Additional sensors in your helmet can eliminate blind spots at various angles and help the helmet respond faster to changes of light.
Look for a helmet that has at least three sensors. A few helmets on this list have four sensors, which will give you the most reliable and fastest response.
Relay Controls
We can adjust the speed of the filter’s reaction once we have stopped welding.
The delay range is typically.1second to.1second. If the filter has changed to a lighter color, you may add a delay.
Optical Clarity
Optical Clarity refers to the EN379 standard which measures how transparent a filter can be. It’s a four-number system, which looks like this. This is what the numbers are going left to right.
Accuracy in Vision
Accuracy of vision tells us how much the filter has affected the image as it passes through the lens. Poor vision accuracy can cause images to bend, especially around edges.
Diffusion of Light
Diffusion of Light is a measure of the glass’s ability to diffuse light. A low rating in this category can cause blurred or foggy filters.
Consistent Shade
Consistent Shade refers to the uniformity of the shading across the lens. Poorly made lenses will appear lighter around the edges.
Angular Dependence
Angular dependence is a consistent view, regardless of how you look through the lens. The image should not be distorted or telescoped.
Each lens is given a rating and a score, one being the best. The higher the score, the more valuable the lens.
Power Source
These helmets are powered by rechargeable or replaceable lithium battery, but more manufacturers are switching to solar power.
Solar-powered helmets can be charged by the sun, or from the ultraviolet radiation from the arc.
FAQ
Why do you need a welding helmet?
A welding helmet is necessary to protect your eyes from arc eye. Arc eye is a condition where the UV and IR radiation from an arc welding machine causes damage to the retina. Your skin is protected from hot splatter, flying objects and other hazards.
What does the Welding Shade Numbers mean?
A fixed-shade lense’s shade number tells the user how dark it is. These numbers range from a number 3 (which is darker than a pair of sunglasses) to a number 14 which is bright enough to see the sun.
What is a Passive Welding Helmet and How Does It Work?
The traditional type of helmet is the passive welding helmet. This helmet does not require power and uses a fixed-shade lenses. The #10 fixed-shade lens is the most common, but it can also be swapped with fixed-shade lenses in different dark tints.
Are Auto Darkening Welding Helmets safe?
Yes, the autodarkening helmets have an LCD screen that quickly darkens and filters out harmful light.
Auto-darkening helmets increase safety by eliminating the need to raise the mask with your head.
What are Auto Darkening Welding Helmets and How Do They Work?
The new high-tech helmets that auto-darken welding helmets offer many benefits over traditional passive models.
These devices are made up of computerization, batteries and multiple sensors. They can also adjust to provide the best filtering possible in real-time.
Wrapping Up
The 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet is our choice for the best auto-darkening welding helmet. It has a super-fast response and a comfortable ergonomic design that will be comfortable on your head for hours.
The M3 boasts one of the biggest view screens on the market. The M3 also has #5 tinted sides screens, which expand your peripheral vision. The batteries are able to last for 2,800 hours before they need to be replaced. It also has large knobs at the sides of the helmet that can be adjusted easily.
The Instapark ADF Series GX990T Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is a great alternative to the M3. This helmet is comparable to the M3 in many aspects and will not disappoint.
The GX990T is our runner-up because of its fresh graphics, four arc sensors and super quick response time. You can adjust the helmet while it is on by using variable filtering and solar power. It is half the weight of the M3 and weighs in at just a pound. Which one will you choose? Comment below.
