Top 10 Welding Helmets for the Beginner

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.

The cool looking paint schemes won’t do much for your welds but they shouldn’t hurt them any, either.

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.

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.

Remember, this list was researched and created for the beginner. Someone who may or may not enjoy welding as much as he or she thought after a month or two has gone by.

The price on these helmets ranges from $26.99 to $236.99.

The viewing area on these helmets ranges from 5.15 to 12.49 square inches.

As one might surmise, the 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.

Buy the best you can afford!

Number 1

Antra AH6-260-0000

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/5-9/9-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.86” x 1.73” or 6.68 square inches
8. Extra Lenses – Yes

Pros: Lower Cost, Lots of features including replacement lenses

Cons: Small viewing area

For a more detailed review check here.

Number 2

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.62” x 1.65” or 5.97 square inches
8. Extra Lenses – No

Pros: Tied for lowest cost in the group, good features

Cons: Small viewing area, No replacement lenses included

Number 3

Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 4C Lens Technology

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 3.5/5-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.74” x 3.34” or 12.49 square inches
8. 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

Click here for video from Lincoln Electric helmets.

Number 4

Antra AH7-360-0000

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/5-9/9-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.86” x 2.07” or 7.99 square inches
8. 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

Number 5

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 3/5-8/8-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.8” x 1.9” or 7.22 square inches
8. 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

Number 6

Z ZTDM Welding Helmet Pro Racer Mask

1. Auto Darkening – Yes
2. Grinder Shade Setting – Yes
3. Adjustable Shade Range(s) – 4/9-13
4. ANSI Certified – Yes
5. Adjustable Delay – Yes
6. Adjustable Sensitivity – Yes
7. Viewing Area – 3.66” x 1.69” or 6.19 square inches
8. Extra Lenses – No

Pros: Tied for lowest cost in the group, good features

Cons: Small viewing area, No replacement lenses included

Number 7