Clearest Auto Darkening Welding Helmet 2018
Eyes are the windows of the soul, they say. For a welder, it’s his most important asset. That’s why an autodarkening welding helmet is a treasure trove. You could weld without it but what a waste of time will it be.
To recap the history of welding gears, the head gear wasn’t really something you’d want to put on every time. Decades ago, this piece of equipment was as heavy as a knight of old’s helmet. And that’s putting it lightly.
You certainly will look worse than Darth Vader in full costume with these old-school head suits for welders. It may have helped those welders of long ago survive but you need not go through the same predicament.
Lucky for you today’s helmets are a lot less heavier. And they offer your eyes more protection than ever. It’s a no-brainer. Without the faculty of the eyes, a welder is like a fish out of water.
For many, welding seem like an easy job. What’s so hard about making metals stick? Anybody can do that.
But you could say the same thing about those who use cement. What’s so hard about mixing all that cement?
It’s easy when you just want to get it done without looking at quality. But when you want to build a 50-storey building, cement has to be done as accurately as possible. And that takes years and years of experience.
Same goes true with welding. To put two metals together maybe easy but if you want to build a scaffold or a work of art, it’s a different story.
Plus, not all welding is equal. You have TIG welding which is different from ARC and which is also different from MIG welding.
And in all these, you need good eyesight. You may not be a Picasso or a Van Gogh but you need to be all eyes to be successful at welding.
Just imagine how hard it will be for someone to do TIG welding. You hold a TIG gun on one hand while you hold a filler rod on another. To top all that, you need to control the voltage source using your foot via a foot pedal. It’s like juggling 5 glasses if you’re a beginner.
Thankfully, an autodarkening welding helmet can make the job worth your while. Not only does it save time, you’re eyes are protected all the time - giving you total protection.
When you get the best rated auto darkening welding helmet, you give your eyes layers of protection: from UV rays to harmful radiation.
Now all these can certainly confuse anyone. Especially if you’re a newbie worker who’s just starting to make a living out of welding. Or taking the craft as a hobby.
The good news is we have worked the field and done our homework. Here you will find a list of the best rated auto darkening welding head gear. What’s more we’re giving you a lowdohwn on what makes each of these product tick.
So you can make a more intelligent decision. Read on.
Jackson Safety BH3 Helmet
This Jackson helmet may make you look like you’re from Mars but it certainly has come of age. It’s a lot sleeker than old-school models. Best of all, it comes with the comfort and protection you need to perform your welding job as efficiently and effectively as possible. Of course, don’t expect this one to be cheap.
And you should understand. This represents technology at its finest. First stop, you’re looking at a very lightweight product that comes at a high-density shell made up of plastic. That gives you the protection you need in a harsh environment as welding. You may not realize it but welding flares aren’t the best way to get your skin burnt.
Note you’re not just protected whole face, you have your forehead and even ears out of harm’s way. And yes, this is an ADF (auto darkening filter) lens so you should be able to cut your work in half the time. Add the head gear adjustment and you will be seeing your work done with pride. Thanks to the clarity.
Welding Helmet 3350 Series
This Jackson helmet may make you look like you’re from Mars but it certainly has come of age. It’s a lot sleeker than old-school models. Best of all, it comes with the comfort and protection you need to perform your welding job as efficiently and effectively as possible. Of course, don’t expect this one to be cheap.
And you should understand. This represents technology at its finest. First stop, you’re looking at a very lightweight product that comes at a high-density shell made up of plastic. That gives you the protection you need in a harsh environment as welding. You may not realize it but welding flares aren’t the best way to get your skin burnt.
Note you’re not just protected whole face, you have your forehead and even ears out of harm’s way. And yes, this is an ADF (auto darkening filter) lens so you should be able to cut your work in half the time. Add the head gear adjustment and you will be seeing your work done with pride. Thanks to the clarity.
3M Speedglas Welding Helmet
Ah, the protection this one gives is superb. We won’t be surprised if this 3M product is going to be your #1 ally in your welding work. Whether you’re an avid DIY enthusiast who wants to give your abode a timely make-over or a consistent worker who doesn’t stop until the welding job is done, this head protection should be looked into seriously. No kidding! Looking at everything it offers, this one’s a steal. And to think this isn’t the cheapest.
Just imagine how fast the ADF transitions into dark from a ligher shade is enough to tell you this is a serious candidate for a buy. At 0.1 milliseconds transition, you’re getting things as fast as can be. That fast to get the UV protection you need. And Infrared protection too. And don’t fret, the ergonomic design should give you all the comfort you need.
Welding Helmet
Talking about fast transition, here’s one that should make your head spin. That’s because this Miller Electric ADF helmet changes to dark in just a split of a second. To be precise, 1/10,000 lens speed. Yes, it’s fast.
Well, if you’re particular about the price, this model is perfect. It’s as affordable as can be. At just 2 pounds, you have a manageable head gear here. May not be the sleekest or glitziest of designs but at the price that it offers, this one is a treasure find.
Rhino Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Now, you might faint seeing the price of this product. This sure offers auto darkening (ADF) but its biggest come-on is its affordability. At the quality it offers, you might regret not having this one available on your workshop.
Yes, the Rhino boasts of more than 10 square-inches of welding window. That’s a lot considering many are offering less. Even better, you have a 2-year warranty for greater support. Really awesome for a lightweight less than 1.2 lbs. gear protection.
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Detailed Comparison List
Product Name | Price | Product Dimension | Total Review | Product Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackson Safety BH3 Helmet | 12.5 x 9.8 x 9.6 inches | 2.1 pounds | ||
Welding Helmet 3350 Series | 13 x 10.5 x 10 inches | 3.2 pounds | ||
3M Speedglas Welding Helmet | 12 x 11 x 11 inches | 2.09 pounds | ||
Welding Helmet | 11.1 x 10.2 x 9.4 inches | 2 pounds | ||
Rhino Auto Darkening Welding Helmet | 13.2 x 9.2 x 7.8 inches | 1.75 pounds |
Jackson Safety BH3 Helmet
Short review
First on our list is an amazing Jackson product. This guy right here is known to be one of the best in town. And that’s all thanks to its unique features. Let’s briefly take a look at these features.
First, this welding helmet offers optical clarity. Which makes it very easy for you to see while cutting the iron. At the same time this makes it easy for you to get accurate results while you do your work.
Also, it has a great angular dependence. With this you would be able to see clearly at any angle with which you are working. That way there wouldn’t be any mistakes while you do your work.
That’s one of the many reasons why this is one of the best rated auto darkening welding helmet.
Similarly, this auto darkening head gear provides for a shade range. This provides protection to the eyes depending on the intensity of the light. It ranges from 9 to 13.
This way the eyes is being protected even at the highest degree of radiant energy bothering the eye.
At the same time this welding helmet is able to adapt well in any situation. It also works well in any environment it is being placed.
The good thing is that this product offering offers optimum protection while working. It protects the face, ears, forehead and even neck while you work. That way you can be sure that you wouldn’t get injured while you do your work.
One other interesting feature is its headgear adjustments. This helmet is built with three different adjustments. With this adjustments different people can use it comfortably and it would fit in well.
At the same time it makes it easy for this helmet to adjust well to any kind of environment.
It is also very durable. Easily, this unit withstands a lot of stress and external force. And with this it lasts for a very long time.
One thing though is that this welding gear is quite expensive. It’s more expensive than most other types out there. But the thing is that it is worth every penny.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Welding Helmet 3350 Series
Short review
Mere looking at this product you would know that isn’t the regular welding helmet you come across. This one is simply unique in its features. And with this so many customers are raving about it.
First, this helmet has a strong build. Which is why it’s very strong as a whole. And with this it’s able to withstand a lot of stress. That’s why it’s very durable.
With this it lasts for a very long time.
So if you’re looking for an auto darkening welding helmet that wouldn’t need a replacement anytime soon this is a good option to opt for.
At the same time it has a clear glass that gives you a great optical visual while working. That’s why using this helmet is very easy. You get to see all that you’re working on.
And with this you would be able to get accurate results.
Also, it has different lens shade that helps protect the eye. It ranges from 5 to 13. So depending on the intensity of the radiant energy you can easily make the necessary adjustments.
Similarly, this helmet is known for providing optimal protection. It protects all the parts of the head. That way you remain safe while you work.
One good thing is that this helmet is very comfortable so you can wear it all day. The comfort it provides makes it easy for you to work with it.
Also, buying this helmet is very easy. It’s very affordable. So you wouldn’t have to break into a bank just to have this helmet in your home.
It’s also lightweight. So you wouldn’t have a problem wearing this for a long period of time. You wouldn’t feel burdened putting it on.
This is one of the many reasons why it’s one of the best rated auto darkening welding helmet in town.
One other good thing is that this helmet fits in well perfectly when you put it on. That way it wouldn’t move so much as you carry on with your work.
This is indeed one of the best auto darkening welding helmet that you can ever use. It’s just that the head support isn’t optimal for the user.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
3M Speedglas Welding Helmet
Short review
Next on our list is another amazing product. And this unit has gained wide recognition among many customers and even competitors. Its features are simply the bomb. Even though it’s little very simple it’s does a great deal of work.
One good thing about this auto darkening welding helmet is that it functions really fast. Its transition from light to dark shade is very fast. It happens within milliseconds. Once it detects the welding arc the transition process occurs.
At the same time the helmet helps protect you while you work. It protects the face, ears and eyes from UV light, infrared light and any other radiation. That way you’re not at the risk of being directly exposed to the radiation.
Similarly, it has a great optical quality. With this you would be able to have a clear view of your working area. At the same time it allows for you to make accurate cuttings while doing your work.
That way the output is of higher quality.
At the same time the design of this helmet allows for you to easily wear it. It fits well and is also very comfortable to put on. That way you can have it on for a very long period of time without feeling uneasy.
Similarly, it has side windows that allow you to have a wider view. With this side windows you would be able to have a better peripheral view. And with this working with the helmet on would be a lot easier.
Also, this helmet is also very versatile. It can be used for three different types of welding. And with this you can use just a single auto darkening welding helmet for different works.
That way you wouldn’t have to waste so much money buying different helmets for different work types. It helps save a bit of your money.
Also with this you can maximize the use of the helmet. That way every penny spent on it would be put to use.
With these features using this helmet is very easy. And you wouldn’t have to stress yourself just to operate this helmet.
That’s why it’s one of the best rated auto darkening welding helmet.
One thing can that be improved is its adjustment knob. Some customers have complained about having issues with it. And this in turn can delay your work.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Welding Helmet
Short review
Looking for something affordable of good quality? Then count yourself lucky to be going through this review. This next product we’re about to take a look at might just be what you’re looking for. It doesn’t compromise its quality with its price.
If you’re to make a list on all the helmets in town, this is one of the most affordable. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t perform well like other expensive ones. In fact this particular auto darkening welding helmet is known to perform better than some average helmets.
At least you wouldn’t have to spend so much and you would still be able to get the desired result.
Talking of quality, this auto darkening welding helmet is well-structured with a strong build. And with this strong build this helmet is very durable. It withstands stress and external force well.
Which is why it lasts for a very long time. So if you’re looking for a helmet that you wouldn’t have to replace anytime soon this is a good option.
Also, when it comes to optical clarity this unit also offers great optical clarity. With this helmet you would be able to see clearly while you carry on with your work. At the same time great optical quality allows for great precision.
Which is why using this auto darkening welding helmet provides great output. The outcome of using this particular helmet is usually great.
Similarly, it has features that are easy to access. This way you wouldn’t have a problem handling this helmet. At the same time you would be able to easily use this helmet for your work.
It also offers optimum protection to you while working. You wouldn’t be exposed to UV light, and infrared light. That way you can remain safe even while you still do your work.
Also, this helmet fits in well so it wouldn’t remove by mistake while working. Likewise, the fact that it fits well allows for you to feel comfortable. So while wearing it you would feel at ease.
And with this you wouldn’t have a problem putting this on for a very long period of time.
That’s what you need if you work for a very long time in your workshop.
But you also have to be careful on how you use. Using it for a very long time without allowing it to rest can cause it to start malfunctioning. So you would have to let it rest after some time of using it.
With its great features it still remains one of the best rated auto darkening welding helmet.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Rhino Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Short review
This is the last product on our list but is certainly not the least. Mere looking at this product you can tell it’s made from high quality material. Well, your guess is right. It’s made with some of the finest materials in town.
With that it is known to be highly durable. Being able to withstand a lot of stress is its expertise. And with this it lasts for a very long time.
This is one of the many reasons why customers are raving about this product.
Its first feature is that it’s lightweight. With its lightweight you wouldn’t have a problem putting this on. And its lightweight is all thanks to its quality nylon shell.
With its lightweight you would be able to feel comfortable while wearing this helmet.
You can also wear this helmet for a long time. And with this you wouldn’t feel fatigued since it’s not heavy. That’s a great advantage of lightweight auto darkening welding helmet.
One other unique feature is its viewing windows. Its windows are about twice the size of regular windows. And with this a wider range of view is offered. So you get to view each angle while working.
That way getting more precise and accurate results wouldn’t be a problem for you. And that way the output would be a lot greater and of higher quality.
It also has a great sensitivity. So once it detects the light it immediately switches from light to dark. That way your eyes is protected.
Not only does it protect your eyes it also protects your face, ears and other parts of your head.
That’s why most reviews in town has this unit on their list for the best auto darkening head gear in town.
The plastic material used in making this helmet does not make it as strong as other types out there.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Top 5 Reasons Why an Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is Simply the Best!
Top 5 Reasons Why an Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is Simply the Best!
If you’re familiar with auto darkening glasses then auto darkening welding helmets wouldn’t sound strange to you. It actually uses the same principle. The only thing is that the glasses uses a lens while the helmet uses sensors.
Anyway if you’re not familiar with any we would give you a brief. An auto darkening welding helmet would automatically adjust from light to dark as soon as light is detected.
That way your eyes are protected from the rays of light.
The interesting thing is that the adjustment takes place within the twinkle of an eye. But with the auto darkening glasses it takes a while. About 30 minutes to an hour.
That’s why we’ve come up with 5 reasons why this welding helmets are simply the best. And with this you would see reasons why you need one in your workshop. Right on.
Versatile
One great advantage of auto darkening welding head gear is that they are highly versatile. Just one single helmet is able to do a lot of things. And this way you wouldn’t need different helmets for different projects.
That way you get to save some money.
For these helmets it helps protect you from different degrees of light. So if you have low light energy it uses the low protection and the same goes for the high light energy.
It simply makes comfortable for you to work in it.
Similarly, some helmets have unique features. And with these helmets you can carry out other actions like grinding. That means you can carry out more than two functions with just a single tool.
Also, most helmets have adjustments bands. That way different people can use the helmet. So depending on how tight or how loose you want it to be you can easily adjust it.
Accurate results
One other thing you can achieve with this helmet is accurate results. You can be asking “what does a helmet even have to with this?” Well, it actually has a lot to do with it.
When using a helmet it’s important that you are still able to see what you’re doing while working. And that’s because you not having a clear vision can lead to mistakes.
With this helmet immediately light is detected it switches to dark vision. That way you would be able to see your work properly. And with this the mistakes you would make would be limited.
That means you would have accurate results. Which in turn would increase the quality of your work.
Less stressful
One thing that every worker always wants to avoid is being too stressed out. That’s because it could affect how well you would work the next day. Which is why so many people now use equipment and tools that would make their work a lot easier.
For a welder one of those tools is a welding helmet.
With a good helmet you wouldn’t have to stress yourself while working. And with this your work is made a lot easier.
The good thing is that most auto darkening helmets are usually lightweight. So you wouldn’t be weighed down by the weight of the helmet while working. Thus it reduces fatigue.
Similarly, with a lightweight helmet you would feel all comfortable while working. And once you’re comfortable doing your work would be a lot easier for you.
One other thing you would enjoy is that you wouldn’t have to keep removing it every now and then. And with that you wouldn’t stress yourself putting it back on every time you remove it.
This is one of the many reasons why so many professionals opt for it.
Once you don’t stress yourself out every day, working the next day wouldn’t be a problem for you and with that you would be able to attend to more customers.
And more customers automatically implies that you would have more money in your pocket. That of course is the joy and prayer of everyone that works hard every day.
Complete protection
One main purpose of using a welding helmet is for protection. With the regular arc flashes you get while working and also the light rays you’re been exposed to protection is key.
And at its best a welding helmet helps protect.
First, it protects the eyes, face and even the ears from the arc flashes. That way you wouldn’t get burned or get injured while working.
One sensitive part of the body is the eyes. And without the eyes there’s a lot you wouldn’t be able to do. But all thanks to the welding helmet your eyes remain safe and still function well.
At the same time it protects you from light rays. That includes both UV rays and also infrared rays. Constant exposure of the eyes to those rays can be very dangerous.
But with welding helmets you’re guided from the effect of the light rays on your eyes.
Saves time
With so many projects at hand the last thing you would want to do is waste any more of your time. And one tool that can help you not to waste your time is your welding helmet.
It has high sensitivity so once it detects the light rays it switches to the dark mode. And with that you can easily place the electrode in the right position. That way you save a bit of your time.
Also, since it’s usually very comfortable you wouldn’t have to remove it while working. You could wear it throughout your work. That way you also get to save a bit of your time.
At the same time with this helmet on you would make little or no mistakes. And with little or no mistakes you wouldn’t have to make any adjustments on the project you’re working on.
This and many more also helps you in saving a lot of time while you do your work.
Tips You Need To Bag Yourself the Best Welding Helmet in Town
Knowledge isn’t something accumulated in a day. With experience and things we learn on a daily basis we become better as the days go by. That’s simply how we are as humans.
And we can’t learn unless there’s a teacher. To even understand better we need to ask questions.
Have you noticed that people who ask a lot of questions are usually very wise? That’s because the gather knowledge from different sources. That sure isn’t a crime.
But the crime there is not asking at all.
As a welder on important equipment you need is a welding helmet. But there’s a problem you don’t know how you would get the best welding helmet. Well, the appropriate thing to do is to ask people that know how to.
But to save you from all that stress we have asked the questions on your behalf. And we’ve done a lot of researches. We have here tips that would help you get the best welding helmet without stressing yourself.
Let’s quickly dive into these easy to follow tips.
Consider cost
When you want to get your welding helmet it’s important you put into consideration the cost. Well, for any product that factor is very important. That’s of course after you set a budget.
You would have to set a budget so that you wouldn’t spend more than you plan on spending. With the budget you would have to indicate the maximum amount you would be able to afford.
That way your choices are a bit limited.
You must also know that a welding helmet doesn’t perform well based on the price at which it is bought. For instance someone gets to buy a welding helmet at a regular price while the other buys it when there was a discount.
Are they both using the same product? Well, the answer is obvious. It’s yes. But one person spent more on the same product.
So you have to look out for products that are affordable and have high quality. Is that even possible? Well, it is. As long as you search well and ask around.
You could also wait for seasons when products are sold at a discounts. That way you would be able to afford it.
Viewing area
For a welder the viewing area is very important when using a welding helmet. And that’s because it would determine how well your work would go. With a good viewing area you would be able to get accurate and precise results.
So how do you know if the viewing area is good enough? Well, you could try it on if you’re buying it in a shop. And you could also check the description of the helmet.
What if you are ordering it online? Well, you would have to take a risk. That’s of course after you take a look at the reviews and also ratings. With that you can tell if the viewing area is good enough.
As long as people don’t complain about the viewing area then that tell you that it’s good enough.
Type of job
The type of projects that you carry out would also tell on what type you have to get. For some projects just a simple welding helmet would do. But for some a helmet with double protection is needed.
Once you know the types of projects you would be getting you would have to get a welding helmet to suit that need.
That way you wouldn’t waste your money buying something that wouldn’t end up being useful.
Easy to access controls
You also have to make sure that controls are easy to access. And this is because this would determine how well you can use the helmet.
With controls that are difficult to access and use you would have a hard time using the helmet. At the same time it would also waste your time. Because most of the time you have you’re always battling with the controls.
Also you have to make sure that you can easily make adjustments. That way you can save yourself a lot of time.
At the same time you wouldn’t have to stress yourself when you want to do your work.
Lightweight
Never make the mistake of getting a welding helmet that is heavy. This is because it lets you get tired easily. And is also very stressful to use. At the same time you wouldn’t feel comfortable using a heavy helmet.
But with a lightweight helmet that’s not the case. You would be able to move freely while working. Also, you wouldn’t get tired easily. And it’s also less stressful for you.
One other thing you can be sure of is that you would feel very comfortable. With this you can wear it for a long period of time.
CONCLUSION
Helmets are a must for a welder. Without eye protection a welder could be in a lot of traboule. And we’re not kidding.
Welding may look easy for everyone. What’s hard about connecting pieces of metal via a hot rod. That may be true for an untrained eye.
But welding is as diverse as there are people in the state of New York. Each welder will have his distinctive style. Add to the confusion is there are 3 major ways to weld: via ARC, TIG or MIG.
You may still be able to weld without an auto darkening helmet but what a waste of time can it be. Worse, it’s going to put you in harm’s way.
On the other end of the spectrum, manufacturers may not be the most reliable source to ask how good their products are. Chances are they could get their figures bloated just to jumpstart their monthly sales.
In this area, consumers are the most reliable source of information. People who have used the product have first-hand information on what works and what doesn’t.
It’s for this reason that we tip our hats to Rhino Auto Darkening Welding Helmet. Not only is the product reliable, it has passed the test of time.
And perhaps most importantly for most, this one’s the cheapest of the bunch, costing but a fraction of the prize of the others.
Even after years of use, people are still shouting praises of the model. That speaks volumes on the kind of product you have here.
You may not take heed on what manufacturers put in their marketing brochures but you can’t ignore what consumers say. So you can make the most bang for your hard-earned buck.
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