Which welding helmet to choose in 2022: TOP 13 best models

How to choose the right welding helmet

To avoid regretting a poorly chosen welding helmet, you need to consider many factors. But the most important are:

1. The filter response speed, the lower the value, the better.
2. Location of adjustment - most users believe that models where the levers are located on the outside are more convenient.
3. Type of power supply – from batteries, from the sun or combined.
4. Weight – the less it is, the better, as long as it doesn’t compromise strength.

This concludes our TOP 10 best masks for welders. In it, experienced experts listed the most successful models, relying both on the parameters declared by the manufacturers and on reviews of ordinary users to ensure maximum objectivity.

The best welding helmets for professional use

Professionals have completely different requirements for protective equipment than amateurs and beginners. They are willing to spend large sums of money to get a truly high-quality mask that guarantees complete protection for their eyes and face. They also often require additional features, which cause the cost of masks to skyrocket. However, no reasonable person will work regularly and extensively with welding and skimp on eye protection. Therefore, it is definitely worth considering several of these models in the review.

Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black

The TOP 5 opens with the best professional mask, which is made of high-strength material and has 4 optical sensors, which increases the accuracy of responses. Everything is perfectly balanced in it. Start with at least a fairly large viewing window - as much as 100x67 mm, which provides maximum comfort when working. The headband is very comfortable, carefully designed - thanks to it, the already light weight of the mask is distributed evenly and does not cause difficulties even during prolonged work. True, not all users like that the blackness range of the viewing window is changed by a slider located inside the mask - many masters prefer to be able to adjust this indicator without removing the protection.

Advantages:

• large viewing window;
• reliable fastening;
• excellent equipment;
• sits well on the head;
• impact resistant material.

Flaws:

• internal dimming adjustment.

Aurora Sun-9 Max Expert

Users who do not know which masks are best suited for performing different types of work, that is, protecting not only from UV and IR radiation, but also from mechanical damage, should pay attention to this model. The minimum shading when the power is off is only 3 DIN, making the mask perfect for both welding and for working, for example, with an angle grinder - it won’t be too dark. At the same time, the darkening is easily adjustable up to 13 DIN - no welder needs more.

This mask can be used together with a respirator and a construction helmet, which makes the model more versatile. The device receives power from a lithium battery, the charge of which can be easily checked - you just need to press a special button that lights up the indicator.

Advantages:

• flexible settings;
• quality of workmanship and materials;
• high optical class;
• very large viewing window;
• high response speed.

ESAB Warrior Tech

A very successful chameleon with manual adjustment, capable, despite its high cost, of pleasantly surprising even the discerning user. It is unusual and very convenient that the adjustment sensors are located both outside and inside. This allows each owner to customize the mask in a way that suits them. The high response speed combined with a high level of protection against mechanical damage makes this model a good purchase for people who work with welding a lot and often. It is important that you can work with it at temperatures down to -10 degrees. And the high-quality layout is complemented by the possibility of installing dioptric lenses.

Advantages:

• duplicated tuning sensors;
• increased viewing angle;
• low latency;
• excellent protection;
• Diopter lenses can be installed.

Flaws:

• quite high cost.

Fubag Blitz 9-13 Visor

Perhaps this is the best welding helmet in combination of price and quality. Yes, the price is quite high. But a quality item cannot be cheap. But the mask is very comfortable - the ergonomics are well designed. In addition, there is protection not only from metal splashes, but also from fogging. How many analogues can boast of this?

When choosing a mask, find out whether the batteries can be changed - in some models (most often inexpensive) they are simply soldered into the body.

The material is impact-resistant, so it will last for many years even to the least careful owner. An excellent light filter that works amazingly quickly and is easily customizable to the needs of a specific user.

Advantages:

• anti-fog protection;
• chic ergonomics;
• ease of maintenance;
• strength and reliability.

Flaws:

• the price is frankly stinging.

Aurora SUN-7

The mask looks frankly futuristic - the developers took a creative approach to the design development process. The functionality will pleasantly surprise even the most picky owner. There is a self-testing option, a grinding mode, and you can also install a protective glass or diopter lens. The settings are very flexible, and mostly the levers are located on the outside - inside there is only a button for checking the battery charge and a lever for adjusting the delay time. A good overview is provided by a window measuring 55x99 mm.

Advantages:

• grinding mode;
• large window;
• convenient criminal;
• self-test function;
• Possibility of installing diopter or protective glass.

Flaws:

• There is no smooth delay adjustment – ​​only three modes.

Rating table

* Prices are for August 2022

Adviсe

To choose the best option for yourself, you need to know the nuances:

• The reliability of eye protection is the degree of darkness of the mask screen, which is expressed in DIN and varies between 3-15 units.
• Additional work mode - after the metal has cooled, the darkening is removed, the glass for the shield becomes transparent, which allows you to continue working without removing the mask.
• The effectiveness and quality of retinal protection depends on the response speed of light filters, which is considered optimal at a value of 0.1 s. Some Chinese experts underestimate this parameter, so you need to focus on average values.
• Welders often work in poorly ventilated areas, so it is worth choosing a mask with forced ventilation to avoid breathing toxic fumes of molten metal and smoke from burning electrode coatings.
• The weight of a helmet or mask plays a big role - if the headband is adjusted correctly, the product does not put pressure on the performer’s head. Lightweight polymer models will not be able to protect the welder from the mechanical impact of a fallen part or improvised tool.

What to look for when choosing

Due to the fact that the range of products is very large, difficulties may arise when purchasing a welding helmet for private use. The choice will be much easier if you first weigh your needs and the main offers on the market. First of all you need:

• Decide on the manufacturer. Branded products certainly meet the required quality standards. It’s more difficult with less famous manufacturers. If you purchase a mask from a little-known company, you need to pay attention to the certification information. The accompanying documents must indicate the warranty, as well as the numbers of certificates of conformity. The absence of such information, or a pronounced smell of plastic, indicates poor quality of the specimen.
• Number of settings. Modern professional models have three degrees of adjustment. The user can change the dimming, sensitivity and response speed of the light filter. Some masks have a dimming option. They are suitable for working with grinders and other potentially dangerous tools. The location of the settings control panel can be internal or external. In cases where adjustments to the settings are expected to be made during operation, it is better to choose masks with external controls.
• If the description of a professional mask states that it can be used for working with argon welding, this means that it is suitable for working with other types of welding equipment: inverters, manual welding, semi-automatic and automatic.
• It is better to choose models with the largest filter range.
• The shield should be convenient for the welder - light in weight and of appropriate size.