Any type of welding job requires wearing a welding helmet that will protect the face, eyes, and neck from sparks, splatter, flash burn, ultraviolet light, heat, etc.
But is it enough to buy less expensive protection? Let’s take a look at the best budget welding helmets.
For this reason, a welding helmet is a piece of welding equipment where you don’t want to make compromises.
With the new technological advancements, there are numerous helmets, both cheap and expensive.
For comfortable wear, they’re offering an increased vision field, great padding, and adjustable head straps while working.
Depending on the type and frequency of welding, not everyone needs the best and most expensive welding helmet on the market.
Some of the welders are doing occasional welding jobs, while others weld every day.
Before making a decision, you need to consider several important aspects such as:
- The helmet should be lightweight so it doesn’t cause fatigue and neck strain;
- The helmet should have several shade options/sensors including auto-darkening features so it can provide additional protection to your eyes.
We made a list of welding helmets that are safe, durable, feature-packed, reliable helmets that are made from trustworthy brands such as DEKOPRO, Jackson, YESWELDER, Hobart, and Tekware.
A List of the 5 best budget welding helmets
DEKOPRO Welding Helmet Solar Powered
This helmet is great for MIG, TIG, MMA, MAG/CO2, and Plasma Welding.
It has the ultimate protection of the eyes with an auto-darkening filter that switches from light to dark in 1/25000 seconds.
The Auto-Darkening Filter (ADF DX-500S) with its feature for controlling the shade of the lens will enable you to adapt to different working environments and task durations.
This means better color recognition and enhanced visibility.
DEKOPRP helmet has a standard viewing area with a 3.62’’ x 1.65’’ clear visor.
Thanks to this, and to the angular dependence, diffusion of light, and a variation of luminous transmittance, you will be able to clearly see at different angles.
It is very lightweight at only 1.6 lb and it has fatigue-free and adjustable headgear.
However, some of the users are complaining of the headband constantly loosening up and slipping off.
Many potential users are being skeptic about its rechargeable battery. Actually, there is no need for worrying.
By using solar panel technology, its battery is charging using sunlight which compliments the battery’s long life of up to 5000 hours.
Tip: In order to make the lenses darker, go in grind mode and turn the knob either left or right.
Jackson Safety Fixed Shade
This helmet is perfect for protecting your eyes, neck, and head. Its narrow shell design makes this helmet great for working in tight spaces.
Thanks to the extended front, your throat will have additional protection from sparks, fumes, slag, or various physical hazards that might arise from MIG welding, TIG welding, or Arc welding.
The shield comes with a standard shade 10 polycarbonate filter plate and cover plate.
Also, it can be adapted to upgraded Jackson Safety ADFs such as NexGen, Insight, TrueSight II, etc.
The design of the helmet offers a large viewing area that allows a clear and unobstructed view of the weld paddle.
An adjustable headband is an additional part of the helmet is that adds to its comfortable wear. Also, there is enough space for wearing a half-face respirator.
Tip: This helmet doesn’t fit the wf60 NexGen auto-darkening lens, but it’s good for NexGen EQC auto-darkening lens. Additionally, the front lens can be replaced with a 5 1/4 x 4 1/2 auto-darkening lens.
YESWELDER Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
This helmet is suitable for both long and quick and it’s great for TIG, MIG, MAG, MMA, CO2, Plasma Cutting, etc.
The helmet weighs almost 2 lb, which makes it very comfortable to wear. It has very unique headgear.
Its headband can be modified so you can have a better fit for your head when longer jobs are in question.
The size of the viewing window is 3.93”x1.67” with two auto-darkening sensors.
The helmet is upgraded with True Color technology which preserves the 1/1/1/2 optical clarity and allows you to have better clarity, increased visibility, and reduced eye strain.
However, some welders prefer larger viewing windows for longer jobs.
According to them, this helmet is suitable for small and quick jobs.
The Power source of this helmet is both batteries and solar charging.
Lithium-Ion batteries are required. The average life of the battery is around 3000 hours.
The only disadvantage of this helmet is that it doesn’t have grind mode.
Tip: The helmet needs to charge in the sun for a couple of hours so it can function properly.
Hobart 770866 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
Even though it’s the cheapest option on this list, it’s a pretty good choice for the occasional welders.
This helmet is simple, with no auto-darkening features, just a dark welding mask that is functioning as it should.
The viewing area is a standard 4-½- by 2” viewing area. It has a practical flip front that allows you to view your work through an inner clear lens.
Also, this flip front will fit over eyeglasses. The shade of the outer lens is #10.
This helmet is covering the entire face, keeping the welding slag and sparks away from your eyes and face.
Additional protection from delayed spatters or random splatters is provided by the inner lens.
Actually, this helmet is perfect for people around the welder who will be staying around 10’ away from the welding work.
The headband is very adjustable with band knobs for both directions that are around the head, as well as up and down for tightening.
Tip: This helmet doesn’t come with clips for a hard hat. You can check some of the distributors, such as Millers’ for hat adapters.
Tekware Welding Helmet Solar Powered
This is a great helmet at a reasonable price. Its lightweight is suitable for any type of welding job and for longer jobs.
This helmet has a standard 3.66”x1.69” clear viewing window. The auto-darkening filter is switching from light to dark in 1/25000 seconds.
If there is an event of electric failure, you will remain protected against harmful UV/IR radiation.
The large solar area will supply enough power to prevent harmful arcs by changing the screen instantly.
Additionally, professional dark shade DIN 9-13 will effectively protect your eyes.
The solar panel technology is powering the battery, which guarantees using this helmet for daily work for a long period of time.
The headgear is completely adjustable and makes this helmet really comfortable to wear. You can even wear safety glasses under this helmet.
The only disadvantage of this helmet is that it doesn’t have grind mode.
Tip: If you need a replacement for your harness, the best option is Tekware 10 Pcs 4.5” X3.8” Clear Cover Lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a cheaper and a 100$+ helmet?
There are different opinions regarding cheaper and expensive helmets.
Usually, the $100+ helmets have a better lens which allows for better clarity. After all, you get what you pay for. Next, there are differences in the shade sensors and grinding mode.
Auto-darkening features are considered a huge plus, but nowadays there are a lot of cheaper helmets like some of the previously mentioned helmets. that are offering this function.
The expensive ones tend to have a quicker response time from light to dark.
However, not all expensive helmets offer comfort and head support, whereas cheaper ones can offer better head support.
Almost everyone can agree that cheaper helmets are great for quicker daily jobs, and the $100+ helmets are great for longer, more professional welding jobs.
Are these helmets still safe?
Yes, they are. Even though they have low prices, they still have ANSI standards.
ANSI Z87.1-2010 is a standard for personal Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices.
This standard ensures that the face and eye protection equipment is providing the necessary protection from different impacts, liquid splash exposures, and non-ionizing radiation.
Sometimes these helmets might incorporate cheaper lenses, so it’s really important to be aware of that and take the needed precautions.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned before, welding helmets are one of the most important pieces of equipment.
If you are an occasional welder who welds a few times per year, there are great welding helmets under $100 that will protect your eyes and face from falling metal and sparks.
