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Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmets

Updated November 2021
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Jackson Safety Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Jackson Safety
Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Uses multiple auto dimming sensors to determine the proper shade setting. Has a wide viewing area.

Pros

Uses an auto darkening filter so welders can match the shade of the lens to the environment in which they're working. Viewing area measures 3.93 inches by 2.36 inches. Easy-to-use controls. Complies with both ANSI and CSA standards. Trusted brand name among welding helmets and safety products. Shade adjustment from 9 through 13.

Cons

Helmet may feel too tight for some people, making it uncomfortable at times.

Best Bang for the Buck
Antra AH6 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Antra
AH6 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Variable shade that covers common welding needs. Includes 4 sensors to determine shade.

Pros

Primary shade adjustment from 9 through 13, as well as 5 through 9 in some modes. Viewing area measures 3.86 inches by 1.73 inches, which ranks ahead of most helmets in this price range. Versatile helmet will work on grinding, cutting and welding work. Battery will charge via solar. Includes knob to adjust sensitivity quickly and easily.

Cons

May not fit well for some people. Sometimes will not darken quickly enough.

TEKWARE Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
TEKWARE
Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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Grind Protection
Bottom Line

A cool-looking, auto-darkening welding helmet that is best for light duty/shorter tasks.

Pros

This model combines battery power with solar power (obtained from the light of the welding process) to operate leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint. The design allows you to breathe normally, even in lower temperatures, without fogging up the surface.

Cons

This model is best for tasks that can be performed quickly – it might not be suitable for all-day work.

DEKOPRO Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
DEKOPRO
Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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For Occasional Use
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An affordable option for individuals looking for a backup helmet or who need something for occasional use only.

Pros

This model is able to switch from light to dark in 1/25000 of a second. If there is an electrical failure, the helmet protects against UV and IR radiation at shade 16. It also has manual controls to adapt to different workplace demands.

Cons

This option is not as durable as higher-priced models, and the tightening mechanism may loosen over time.

YESWELDER Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
YESWELDER
Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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True Color
Bottom Line

A high-quality, durable, auto-darkening welding helmet that features an impressively large viewing screen.

Pros

The screen on this model reduces the green tint to improve visibility and reduce eye strain while retaining its optical clarity rating (1-1-1-2). The size of the screen is 3.93 inches by 3.66 inches, which gives the wearer full view of the welding area.

Cons

A few users found this helmet to be less comfortable than other models of comparable price.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for best auto-darkening welding helmets

Auto-darkening welding helmets offer all the usual eye and face protection that welders need, with one major improvement: the lens you look through isn’t permanently dark, so you can check your work without taking off the helmet.

Although auto-darkening welding helmets have been around for a while, they’re still frequently misunderstood. How they work, how safe they are, and how fast they react are all common questions. And rightly so, with the safety of the welder’s eyesight at stake!

BestReviews was set up to answer those kinds of questions so buyers have the information they need to make an informed choice. We’ve been looking at all the latest models so we can help you pick the best auto-darkening welding helmet for the way you work.

welding helmet1
Auto-darkening welding helmets are activated by exterior arc sensors. Cheap models might have one or two. Better helmets have four, offering increased protection. Should one or more sensors fail, the helmet still darkens as normal.

Key considerations

How it works

As you probably know, the lens on standard welding helmets is simply a piece of dark glass. On auto-darkening models, that glass is replaced by a liquid crystal display (LCD). When an electrical current passes across the display, the crystals darken.

That means when the helmet is turned off, the welder can see through the lens relatively easily, meaning you don’t have to remove your helmet to look at your work. This is particularly beneficial when starting the weld, because you can see what you’re doing without risking your eyes by leaving the helmet up or having to fiddle around in the dark! Sensors on the outside of the helmet detect the moment the arc is struck, and everything goes dark in a fraction of a second — so fast your eyes are protected instantly.

If your auto-darkening welding helmet has replaceable batteries, they should last a year or more. It’s worth keeping some spares on hand, though. You know they’ll run out in the middle of an urgent job!

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Features

There are lots of different models on the market, so to help you choose the best we need to look at function, convenience, and comfort.

Function

Darkness: The darkness of the welding lens is defined by a shade number. 

  • 0: This is clear glass. 
  • 2 to 4: Even when off, most LCD lenses are not clear. They usually have a resting shade of between 2 and 4. 
  • 4 to 5: These shades are for grinding. On many helmets, going from welding to grinding mode is via a single button.
  • 6 to 9: These shades are for less-intense light, like when oxy-fuel welding. 
  • 9 to 13: Although at first some auto-darkening models were a fixed shade (commonly 10), almost all can now be adjusted between 9 and 13.
  • 14: This is the darkest shade. It’s only used for carbon arc welding, so it’s quite rare. 

Speed: Lenses darken at varying speeds. Entry-level helmets might react in 1/10,000 second. Top models are as fast as 1/25,000 second. However, speed isn’t everything. In some cases, you might want to reduce sensitivity. If you’re working in close proximity to other welders, their arcs might set off your lens. You might also want to vary the speed for different types of work, such as when tack welding in short bursts. A few of the very best models offer these features.

Solar-powered: Solar-powered auto-darkening welding helmets are popular because they save on batteries, but there are a couple of misconceptions about them. First, these helmets still have batteries, but they’re usually just used for backup (or initial start), so they last much longer. Second, these helmets don’t actually need sunlight. The solar cells are powered by the UV light generated by the welding arc. In all other senses, these helmets operate exactly as non-solar models.

Convenience

Lens size: This has a big impact because it defines the area you see. The lens itself is quite expensive, so it can be quite small on cheap auto-darkening helmets. Better models have larger areas, giving you not only a better view of the work but also a degree of peripheral vision. 

Optical clarity: This also needs to be taken into consideration. Low-cost lenses may show mild distortion at angles and under different lighting conditions, whereas high-end models will be near perfect. EN379, the European standard, is often quoted. You can check actual ratings online.

Flip-front: Traditional welding helmets were mostly the flip-front type, because welders needed the protective hood out of the way to examine their work. While it’s not strictly necessary with the auto-darkening type, most welders still prefer this feature. In most cases, the whole front lifts up, but a few are designed like motorcycle helmets in which just the lens portion lifts up. Some also have a protective clear visor underneath. It’s a matter of personal preference, but some find the latter more convenient, particularly if you’re moving around a lot as you weld.

Controls: Shade and other controls are mounted either externally or internally. External controls can obviously be operated with the helmet on, but they’re then exposed to the working environment, which can lead to grit and dirt getting into them and reducing their working life. Internal controls are largely protected from this, but you need to take the helmet off to make adjustments.

Battery: All auto-darkening helmets have a battery. Though no longer common, some can’t be changed — they are charged in situ. The life expectancy of these helmets is about five to seven years, after which the only option is a complete replacement. 

Most helmets now have replaceable lithium batteries, which last a year or more. This type of helmet, if undamaged, has been known to last over a decade. Some helmets have an auto-shutoff to save battery life if you forget to turn it off. An alarm tells you if the battery is running low, so you won’t try to use the helmet without the auto-darkening function.

welding helmet2
DID YOU KNOW?
The auto-darkening lens was invented by Swedish company Hornell International in 1981 and first introduced on the Speedglas helmet. They’re now part of 3M. Though much has changed, the Speedglas brand is still sold today.
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Comfort

Adjustment: All auto-darkening welding helmets have a degree of adjustment for fit. On low-cost models this is usually a ratchet knob at the back of the head, much like you find on hard hats. Some have quite a complex harness to spread the load of the helmet.

Ventilation: More advanced models offer venting to get rid of the air you breathe out and prevent fogging inside the helmet. 

Ear protection: It’s possible to find models with built-in ear protection

Brow band: It’s nice to have a browband to soak up perspiration, too.

Weight: A lighter helmet is always going to give you less neck-ache at the end of a long day, especially if you frequently have to change the angle of welding so your head isn’t upright.  Modern plastics and fiberglass composites are much lighter than older metal helmets, which are now quite rare. However, you need to be careful. In reducing the weight, some helmets can go too far and lose structural strength. It’s difficult to assess without holding the helmet, but checking owner feedback online can be a good indicator. If there are numerous complaints about a particular model being flimsy, you probably want to look elsewhere.

Size: Don’t forget that you want as much physical protection as possible from your helmet, so your face and neck don’t get burned by spatter. A compact model might look like a good idea, but it isn’t always best from a safety point of view.

Having a solar-powered lens doesn’t mean you have to do your welding outdoors! It gathers the necessary light from the welding arc.

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Auto-darkening welding helmet prices

Inexpensive: The cheapest auto-darkening welding helmets are in the $30 to $40 range. Shade shouldn’t be a problem, but these usually have a relatively small lens, lack much comfort adjustment, and can be quite fragile. That said, many people who don’t weld regularly find them perfectly adequate.

Mid-range: Most amateur welders and quite a few pros will find what they’re looking for between $50 and $120. You have lots of choices, wide apertures, multiple sensors, and good fit. There are lots of funky graphics, too! Care is needed, though, because some of these can still be quite heavy.

Expensive: The very best auto-darkening welding helmets cost anywhere from $250 to $350. These are light but strong, with plenty of adjustment for the perfect fit. They have high sensitivity, excellent optics, and even touchscreen control. It seems like a lot of money when some people will spend just a tenth of that, but if you’re wearing one for most of the day, it is worth the investment.

welding helmet3
Lighter fiberglass and plastic helmets tend to be more comfortable, but they need to be treated with a little care. The thinner material can be prone to cracking if dropped.

FAQ

Q. Is there a safety standard for auto-darkening welding helmets?

A. In the United States, all welding helmets should conform to ANSI Z87.1+, which states that auto-darkening helmets must provide infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) protection even when not darkened. However, the standard is voluntary, and auto-darkening helmets don’t need to comply to be offered for sale. Needless to say, we strongly recommend only buying a helmet that conforms to the standard.

Q. A lot seems to be made of auto-darkening speed. Is it really that important?

A. If you’re a hobby welder, it’s probably not an issue. If you’re welding day in, day out, then the cumulative effect of a slower darkening speed could have an impact in terms of personal comfort. Fatigue and headaches are recognized side effects. Many professionals choose faster helmets for that reason. Having said that, as mentioned above, there are also helmets that can be deliberately slowed down, so personal preference plays a part.

Q. Does my auto-darkening helmet need any maintenance?

A. Not much. There can be a fair amount of dust and grit in welding environments, so it’s a good idea to wipe down your helmet with a damp cloth. A dirty lens is going to affect visibility. If an ordinary cloth doesn’t clear the particles, you can try an optical lens cleaner or the wipes used for computer and TV screens. As a last resort, try a soft-bristled brush (a soft toothbrush, for example). On most helmets, the batteries will need replacing eventually.

 

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