As you can see from the featured photo above, there are still a lot of old-style helmets working every day, day in and day out. For some people, old habits die hard. And, to a certain degree, I understand where they are coming from.
However, the welding helmet and its lenses for filtering out the brilliant light and UV rays created by the welding arc is the most important piece of equipment a welder uses. The modern welding helmet has many advantages over the helmets used just 25 years ago.
Modern helmets have features that will allow the beginner to weld with much-improved accuracy and enjoyment. Since space-age electronics and larger viewing areas have been introduced, there is no going back for most us.
For those of you looking for quick information, here are my top three welding helments for beginners.
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopTOP QUALITY |  | Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet | Check price |
| BEST VALUE FOR MONEY |  | Antra AH7-360-0000 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet | Check Price |
| BEST ON BUDGET |  | YESWELDER True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet | Check Price |
For this review, I have taken into consideration that a beginner may rapidly be making several high-cost purchases in order to get started welding. Meaning, the budget may be a little tight at the moment.
However, a good investment in a helmet now will pay huge dividends for many years. The right helmet will greatly improve your welding experience.
1. Antra AH6-260-0000
The Antra AH6-260 welding helmet offers a lot of features at a reasonable price. It’s difficult not to take a closer look at it because it has several characteristics found in much more expensive helmets.
It has a variable shade lens that varies from 4 to 13 to cover almost any welding, cutting, or grinding work without having to change hoods or goggles between jobs. The ability to filter light at the optimal level for welders improves job quality and decreases eye strain. Usually, more expensive helmets have a wider shade range that can be adjusted.
While the Antra has extra inner and outer lenses, there are a few add-ons and replacement parts that may be useful, including:
- Exterior lens covers
- Inner lens covers
- Head Gear
- Hard hat adapter
- Sweat Band
- Auto Darkening Lens
- Cheater Lens
Antra AH6 welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/5-9/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.86” x 1.73” or 6.68 square inches
- Extra Lenses – Yes
Pros: Lower Cost, Lots of features including replacement lenses
Cons: Small viewing area
I wrote a more detailed review about Antra AH6-260 welding helmer, you might find interesting
2. DekoPRO welding Helmet
DekoPRO welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.62” x 1.65” or 5.97 square inches
- Extra Lenses – No
Pros: Tied for lowest cost in the group, good features
Cons: Small viewing area, No replacement lenses included
3. Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 Welding Helmet
Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 3.5/5-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.74” x 3.34” or 12.49 square inches
- Extra Lenses – Yes, plus helmet bag and bandana
Pros: Largest viewing area of group, all the best features including replacement lenses, bandana and helmet bag, well known manufacturer
Cons: Most expensive in group
4. Antra AH7-360-000 Welding Helmet
Astra AH7 welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/5-9/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.86” x 2.07” or 7.99 square inches
- Extra Lenses – Yes
Pros: Lower price, Slightly larger viewing area than the Anthra AH6-260, Lots of features including replacement lenses
Cons: Smaller viewing area but getting there
5. Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Auto Darkening welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 3/5-8/8-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.8” x 1.9” or 7.22 square inches
- Extra Lenses – Yes, with Helmet Bag
Pros: Most of the best features including replacement lenses and helmet bag, well known manufacturer
Cons: Smaller viewing area, second highest priced in group
6. iMeshbean Pro Welding helmet
Imeshbean Pro welding helmet features
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.8 x 1.9 inch
- Extra Lenses – Yes
Pros: low cost , good features, 2 extra lenses included
Cons: Small viewing area
7. Miller Electric Welding Helmet
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – No
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 8-12
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 5.15 square inches
- Extra Lenses – Yes
Pros: Decent features, Middle of the road cost, Includes replacement lenses
Cons: Small viewing area, No grinder shade setting
8. DEKOPRO with Wide Lens
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.2” x 3.9” or 12.48 square inches
- Extra Lenses – No
DEKOPRO welding helmet features
Pros: Virtually same sized viewing area as the largest in the group, Decent pricing, Good features
Cons: No Replacement lenses included
9. YESWELDER True Color Welding Helmet
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 3.64″X1.67″
- Extra Lenses – No
Pros: Low Cost, Great features
Cons: Smaller viewing area, No replacement lenses included
10. Jackson Safety Insight
- Auto Darkening – Yes
- Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
- Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
- ANSI Certified – Yes
- Adjustable Delay – Yes
- Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
- Viewing Area – 2.36” x 3.93” or 9.27 square inches
- Extra Lenses – No
Pros: Middle of the road cost, Good features, Larger than average viewing area
Cons: No replacement lenses included
Keep in mind that with a larger viewing area coupled with a wide shading range, you may be able to use the one helmet to perform most all grinding, cutting, and welding jobs. This reduces the need for and therefore offsets the cost of needing tinted goggles for cutting and face shields for grinding and buffing.
In most cases, a welding a helmet with the largest viewing area also costs the most, has all the top features, comes with a couple of extra goodies and is manufactured by a well-established company.
