We Found the Best Welding Helmets After Weeks of Testing
PAMELA BONDURANT FOR FAMILY HANDYMANBest Overall
Miller Classic Series Welding Helmet
Pros:
- Good field of view
- Easy modes with no setup
- Easy-read display
- Solar assist
- Memory feature
- Includes a tote bag and replacement lenses
- Economical
Cons:
- Small buttons require gloveless hands
- Tricky lens replacement
The best welding helmet offers good features and a reasonable price tag, among other things. The Miller welding helmet checks all of those boxes. It arrives fully assembled and ready for use. It even includes a tote bag for storage and lots of interior (ADF) and exterior replacement lenses.
At just over $100, the Miller welding helmet is an economical choice. When compared to pricier helmets, our tester Pamela Bondurant found few noticeable differences. “The band material is not as beefy and the knobs are not as strong,” she explains. “Also, the lens replacement part was difficult to pull on and off.” She also found the buttons to be on the smaller side. “The buttons are small and maybe not great for large fingers and definitely not usable with gloves on,” she says.
However, there’s plenty to like about the Miller welding helmet. “The display was very easy to read and adjust and the automatic setting for grinding, cutting and welding were nice,” she raves. “It was easy to see while welding and had a good field of view. It also transitioned quickly and the vision was clear during welding.” Bondurant also liked the helmet’s memory feature, which allows you to store up to two settings.
All things considered, we think this is the best choice for metalworking hobbyists, as it provides the best balance between features and affordability.
Auto-darkening: Yes | Weld mode: Yes | Cut mode: Yes | Grind mode: Yes
PAMELA BONDURANT FOR FAMILY HANDYMANBest Budget
Hobart Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Pros:
- Affordable
- Auto-darkening
- Easy to adjust settings
- Weld/grind setting with alert
Cons:
- Non-ratcheting tilt
- Fragile plastic tongs to change lens
Bondurant calls the Hobart welding helmet the best entry-level helmet. It boasts all of the features you need to get the job done without spending a small fortune.
This helmet features a variety of settings and controls that are easy to adjust. “The delay, sensitivity and shade controls are dials, which is nice if you don’t like trying to press small buttons. It might be easier to move them with gloves on,” says Bondurant. “The weld and grind setting is an up/down toggle switch.”
While Bondurant found the screen difficult to read because of its extra-small font, she appreciated the helmet’s strength indicators. “All of the dials are low on the left and high on the right so once you know your settings, you can eyeball it,” she explains. “Also, a small light flashes when you have the helmet on grind mode. This serves as error reduction as well as a safety feature.”
Auto-darkening: Yes | Weld mode: Yes | Cut mode: No | Grind mode: Yes
PAMELA BONDURANT FOR FAMILY HANDYMANBest Splurge
Lincoln Electric Viking 2450 ADV Series Black Helmet
Pros:
- Large viewing area
- Beefy headband
- Grind mode
- Test button
- Includes carrying case
Cons:
- Grind setting on outside of helmet
- Tricky setting for shade
A comfortable fit, sturdy construction and easy-to-reach controls are just a few features that make the Lincoln Viking helmet one of the best welding helmets on the market. “The headband is the beefiest of all the helmets and probably the most comfortable with the most padding,” raves Bondurant.
In addition to being comfortable, Bondurant also found the helmet to be one of the best looking. “The plastic is shiny and the black with red accents make it pop,” she says.
What really makes the Lincoln Viking helmet stand out, however, are the unusual settings. Bondurant points out that the grind button is on the outside of the helmet with an electrical connection to the ADF. “This seems to be an obvious afterthought but it works,” says Bondurant. She also found the shade setting unusual.
Auto-darkening: Yes | Weld mode: Uses shades | Cut mode: No | Grind mode: Yes
How We Found the Best Welding Helmets
In order to find the best welding helmets, we began by researching the best-selling models and brands. We considered a wide range of factors, including settings, auto darkening and comfort. We also consulted with industry experts to better understand the key considerations for hobbyists and professionals alike. After narrowing down our list, we sent five welding helmets to our dedicated product tester, Pamela Bondurant. During testing, Bondurant paid careful attention to the comfort of each welding helmet as well as its overall performance, safety features and ease of use.
Other Welding Helmets We Tested
- Jackson HSL2 Welding Helmet: The Jackson welding helmet is the most basic helmet we tested. It doesn’t have any settings and is not auto-darkening. Bondurant described this helmet as old-school thanks to its flip-up lens and the need to tilt the entire helmet down when it’s time to start welding. “Flipping down the shield can be tricky. Timing and starting with the shield down can be tricky as well,” says Bondurant. “Of course, people did this before auto-darkening helmets, so it can be done.”
- 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet: While Bondurant initially liked the on/off button on this helmet, she ultimately found that it wasn’t helpful in determining whether or not the power was actually on. “The only way to confirm your settings is to press the buttons and see where they light up,” she says. And while the controls were easy to use, Bondurant did not feel that the quality matched the price tag.
What to Look for When Buying a Welding Helmet
According to Torrey Alexis, welding program director at Fortis College in Smyrna, Georgia, there are several things to consider when buying a welding helmet. Most importantly, you need a helmet that fits properly. Alexis recommends choosing a helmet that provides comfort and visibility under the shield. “Consider the size and weight of the shield on your head,” he says.
In addition to a comfortable fit, Matt Carfo, owner of Collector Car Services in Danbury, Connecticut, recommends choosing a helmet with auto-darkening capabilities. “The lens of a welding helmet has to be very dark to protect your eyes. It’s pretty much black under normal lights,” he explains. “Auto-darkening allows you to see as normal with your helmet on until you start welding. Then it automatically darkens. This makes setup so much easier and improves your weld quality.”
Carfo also recommends blue lenses over green. “For a long time, green lenses were the industry standard,” he says. “The newer blue lenses provide a much better view. I can easily see what I’m doing while still protecting my eyes.”
FAQ
How often do you need to replace a welding helmet?
With proper use and maintenance, the best welding helmets can last a long time. “If the user takes good care of the shield, no replacement would be needed,” says Alexis. “I have had one of my shields for over twenty years.”
How do I choose a good welding helmet?
“The main feature I look for is auto-darkening,” says Carfo. Alexis emphasizes the importance of choosing a helmet that feels good on your head. In addition to a comfortable fit, you should have good visibility under the shield.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we have personally tested dozens of the best tools to help you through all of your projects. From budget-friendly picks to splurge-worthy tools, we’ve covered it all. And not just because testing products is an awesome gig (it is, by the way), but because our goal is to help you make the most informed shopping decisions based on real-life testing. We will never recommend a product that does not meet or exceed our expectations.
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