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 allow the beginner to weld with much-improved accuracy and enjoyment. Since space-age electronics and larger viewing areas have been introduced, most of us have no going back.
For those of you looking for quick information, here are my top three welding helmets for beginners.
| Image | Features | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Lincoln Electric Viking Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
| 9.3 | Check Price on AmazonCheck Price at Walmart |
Best Value for Money  | Antra AH6 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
| 8.9 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best on a Budget  | YESWELDER Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
| 7.4 | Check Price on AmazonCheck Price at Walmart |
For this review, I have considered that a beginner may rapidly make several high-cost purchases to start 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.
Read through my instructions on how to use a welding helmet if you are a beginner.
Table of Contents
1. Antra AH6-260-0000
- Full Face and Neck Protection
- Highly Responsive Arc Sensors
- Extremely Lightweight Design for Reduced Muscle Fatigue
- Sonar Panels Extend Battery Life
The Antra AH6-260 welding helmet offers many 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 ranging from 4 to 13 to cover almost any welding, cutting, or grinding work without changing 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
- Auto-darkening filter switches from light to dark in 1/25000 sec
- Protects against UV and IR radiation
- Sensitivity and delay settings
- Comfortable and adjustable headgear
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 the lowest cost in the group, good features
Cons:
Small viewing area, No replacement lenses included
3. Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 Welding Helmet
- Most Expensive Option
- 12.5 square inch viewing area
- Includes replacement lenses, bandana, and helmet bag
- Reputable manufacturer
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 the 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
- Upgraded Version of the Antra AH6
- Power Off Delay
- 4 Premium Redundant Arc Sensors
- Suitable for Plasma Cutting, Grinding, TIG, MIG, Stick Welding
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, and Lots of features, including replacement lenses
Cons:
Smaller viewing area, but getting there
5. Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Includes replacement lenses and helmet bag
- 7 square inch viewing area
- Unique Flame Graphic Design
- Ratchet Headgear
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 include replacement lenses and helmet bag, from a well known manufacturer
Cons:
Smaller viewing area, second highest priced in group
6. iMeshbean Pro Welding helmet
- Affordable Alternative
- Can be used for Arc, Mag, Mig, Mma, Stick & Tig Welding, or Plasma Cutting
- Includes Two Extra Lenses
- Stunning Graphic Design
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, two extra lenses included
Cons:
Small viewing area
7. Miller Electric Welding Helmet
- Leading Manufacturer Of High-Quality Products
- Middle of the Road Cost and Features
- Smaller Viewing Area
- Includes Replacement Lenses
Miller Features
- 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
- Up to 5000 hours Battery Life
- 12.5 square inch viewing area
- No replacement lenses included
- Affordable price tag and reasonable features
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 – 3.2” x 3.9” or 12.48 square inches
- Extra Lenses – No
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
- Suitable For TIG, MIG, MMA
- 8 Square Inch Viewing Area
- Comes with Replacement Lenses
- Comfortable Pivot Style Headgear
YESWelder 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 – 3.64″X1.67″
- Extra Lenses – No
Pros:
Low Cost, Great features
Cons:
Smaller viewing area, No replacement lenses included
10. Jackson Safety Insight
- True Color and 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- Digital Control
- 9.3 square inch Viewing Area
- Middle of the road cost and features
Jackson Safety Insight 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 – 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
Frequently Asked Questions
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 almost all grinding, cutting, and welding jobs. This reduces the need for and therefore offsets the cost of tinted goggles for cutting and face shields for grinding and buffing.
In most cases, a welding 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.
