A welding helmet generally called a hood, is one of the most significant pieces of personal safety and shielding equipment. A requisite helmet protects the eyes and skin not only from severe unpredicted and harmful sparks but also from potentially vision-damaging ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted by the arc.
Auto-darkening welding helmets work basically by sensing the light from the arc and electronically activating a liquid crystal filter within the lens to darken to a preselected shade and protect the welder’s face and eyes from ultraviolet and infrared rays that’s why you should go up for the best welding helmet according to your budget. The welding helmet must protect the welder from sparks, spatter, and flying metal debris, but also from UV and IR rays.
It is the most difficult and troublesome job to choose a worth-spending welding helmet, as some of them may even cost up to $600 and this cost is extremely high! And this is comprehensible – there are many low-quality welding helmets out there, and some of them are engineered low, which may cause serious injurious incidents to you.
I’ve put together the 6 best budget auto-darkening welding helmets you can buy for under $100. Each has its pros and cons, which are also listed under each so you can see a more balanced review overall.
Table of Contents
YESWELDER LYG-M800H Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- 13.4 square inch viewport
- 1/1/1/2 optical clarity
- True colors view
- External settings control for good access
- Shade, sensitivity and delay settings are virtuous
- Great For TIG, MIG and Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature
- Marvellous comfort with the pivot-style headgear
This helmet provides a super large viewing area of 3.93’’×3.66’’ with 4 Premium Sensors. The Yeswelder MH800HP auto-darkening welding helmet True Color View conforms to the true-life colors for a display rather than the usual green color found in most welding helmets. 1/1/1/2 optical rating makes it an exceptional clarity offering welding helmet. It is best for TIG MIG MMA plasma applications with marvellous grinding features and increased battery life. A very compatible magnifying lens adds to the wonders!
The Yeswelder M800HP auto-darkening welding helmet gives the reaction time from bright to dark in 1/10,000 seconds under normal temperature conditions. This product is designed with gloved hands and external settings control for good access. It has a high-ranking comfort with its first-rate pivot-style headgear. The power supply to it is a solar cell with a replaceable battery and a fully automatic on/off system. Sensitivity that is welding based on current size is adjustable from low to high.
Its storage temperature is 20-70 degrees centigrade and the working temperature is 5 to 55 degrees centigrade. The shade levels range from 4 to 13. Light states: DIN 4 and Dark states: DIN 5-9/9-13 with free adjustments. The Yeswelder package includes an auto-darkening welding helmet, a user’s manual, a storage bag, a headgear, two replacement lenses and one replacement battery.
Antra AH6-260 Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- A passive filter gives accordant performance even when not powered
- Easily adjustable delay and sensitivity controls
- Engineered for DC TIG, MIG, MAG, Flux Core, MMA and plasma cuttings
- Viewing size is 3.86″ x 1.78″
- Shade levels range from 4/5-9/9-13
- 4 arc sensors
- Response time for auto-darkening is 1/25,000 second
- 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating
With very light in total weight and reducing head and neck stress, the Antra AH6-260 is the finest choice in exhibiting all the comfort and convenience features for the users. It has a fully automatic auto-darkening lens and for good safety and protection, it encounters a passive filter with a permanent shade of 13 to UV/IR, so that when not powered, you can work in even down batteries. Its versatility is greatly designed for handling multiple processes of plasma cutting, grinding, DC TIG, AC TIG, MIG/MAG, MMA and stick welding processes.
It provides full face and neck coverage protecting the welders from splattering and harmful radiations. Shade levels range from 4/5-9/9-13 to visible lights that furnish an efficient and good range. This auto-darkening welding helmet under $100 meets the ANSI Z87.1 Standards and 4 arc sensors with highly responsive detecting and controlling units that give fast-rate switching and auto-shading, avoiding eye stress by reducing the bypass of harmful radiations.
The headgear is super adjustable when wearing thus eliminating flipping up and down the head. It has good access to an external grinding switch for easy switching from welding and grinding. The response time for this helmet is 1/25,000 seconds which is standard for even far more expensive and cost-bearing helmets. It stays powered on for 10 minutes before going to sleep and above all the 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating makes it stand out as a good choice in this price range!
Deko Pro DX-800S Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- Auto-darkening filter (ADF DX-980N)
- 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating
- Meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 and EN379 4/9-13 standards
- Battery-powered with solar technology
- Viewing size of 3.85’’ x 3.15’’
- Shade level ranges from 4-9/9-13
- Light in weight (1lb)
- Auto-darkens within 1/25,000 second
With auto-darkening features, this helmet switches from light to dark in 1/25000 of a second. It meets the ANSI Z87.1-2010 and EN379 4/9-13 Standards which makes it a smart choice to go for! It is equipped with sensitivity and delay settings adaptable for various environments and duration of tasks. The user can enjoy enhanced visibility and color recognition. It switches from a dark to a light state within 0.1 to 1.0 seconds.
The viewing area for it is 3.85’’×3.15’’ which is equipped with a standard. The welder can see clearly at different angles through this helmet as it exhibits diffusion of light, variations of luminous transmittance and angular dependence properties. It is light in weight (1lb) and allows a long time to work while wearing it. It is also balanced with adjustable and tiredness-free comfortable and acceptable headgear.
Its battery is powered with solar panel technology for working longer life even up to 5000 hours and this marvellous feature projects it out among all the helmets in this cost range. Extremely practical, intelligent and cost-effective this auto-darkening helmet enables the welders to work in various environments by just controlling the shade of the lens and auto-darkening filter (ADF DX-980N). Moreover, it has rounded edges making it accessible to adjust in tight and light spaces. It extends downwards for good neck coverage and this makes it easier to use.
Tanox ADF-206S Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- Optical clarity rating of 1/1/1/2
- 4 separate arc sensors
- Shade level settings from 4-9 and 9-13
- A 16-inches pair of welding gloves
- Meets the ANSI Z87.1 and EN379 Standards
- Auto-darkening response in 1/25000th
- The weight of the product is 2 pounds
- Viewing area of 3.86’’×1.73’’
With an optical class rating of 1/1/1/2, equipped with a large viewing area of 3.86 inches by 1.73 inches, it is one of the top-of-line welding headgear under $100. The Tanox auto-darkening welding helmet ADF-206S is one you need for a professional project like DIY welding, Arc, TIG, MIG, MMA or plasma projects. It is equipped with a fast response time with adjustable shade levels ranging from 4-9/9-13. It has adjustable sensitivity knobs and yes, the additional pair of 16 inches welding gloves in the box, makes it a wonderful product among all helmets in this range!
It is accomplished with complete eye safety and meets the ANSI and EN379 safety and technical standards for simple to harder welding jobs. It responds to the auto-darkening feature in 1/25000 seconds. It protects the welder against UV/IR radiations in case of an electric failure due to its 1/1/1/2 optical class rating. It is very easy to use because of the simple interface. This auto-darkening helmet is padded with a hard head adapter and usually comes with an automatic on/off power for grinding. It has 4 premium arc sensors.
It includes an ADF self-check and solar cells with a 2-year lifespan lithium battery. It includes an extra set of lens covers and a pair of top-quality Grade A 16-inch welding gloves that fit most of the hands and are made of a thick double layer of leather with long sleeves protecting the user’s hands and arms most finely. The total weight of this welding helmet is 2 pounds. Thus, Tanox is a pliable product on this list to be considered!
Lincoln Electric K3419-1 Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- Its lens is tiny at 3.82”x1.73”
- The tint is green
- The shade level ranges from 7 to 13
- This welding helmet only has 2 arc sensors
- Headgear is rachet type
- The optical clarity rating is 1/1/1/2
- Auto-darkening response time in 1/25000
This black glossy helmet is a solar-powered auto-darkening welding helmet and has an auto-darkening hood for safety and protection. The adjustable rachet-type headgear fits well on the user’s head to go on! The shade levels range from 7 to 13 and it also includes two independent arc sensors to help avoid blind spots. It has variable delay and sensitivity controls.
An optical clarity rating of 1/1/1/2 makes it a good choice when choosing a welding helmet under the $100 range. It has grind mode capability and continuous variable external control for shades. The package includes 2 extra inside and outside polycarbonate impact-resistant clear lenses.
Another good feature of this helmet is its considerable viewing area which is 3.82’’×1.73’’ and self-check ADF. The headgear is rachet type and the shell is glossy black. Lincoln Electric K3419-1 switches from light to dark shade in 1/25000 seconds. which is an extremely good response time. TIG ratings for it are less than or equal to 5 amps. The power supply includes solar cells with battery assistance and comes on the market with a warranty of 2 years. It has 2 arc sensors, but nothing to worry about because it is worth enough given the size of the lens.
An amazing feature is the reliability of sensors as they have a quick reaction time and never seem to fail unless you’re out of battery. It is used for projects like stick processes, TIG, pulsed TIG, MIG, pulsed MIG and flux-cored processes.
SUA Auto-darkening Welding Helmet
Quick Features:
- Four independent darkening arc sensors
- Largest viewing area 4’’×4’’
- Adjustable shade ranges from 4 to 13
- Average battery life of 3000 hrs.
- True real-life colors rather filter with purple and green shade
- The total weight is 2.05 pounds
- 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating
This welding helmet has the largest viewing area in the market, 4’’×4’’=16 square inches. It has a high-definition welding action with real-life colors and good clarity. The four darkening sensors added for safety, protect the user’s face and eyes from unpredicted harmful radiations, arc flashes and worst splattering.
All the controls are located outside the helmet for approachable and easy adjustment when needed for darkening parameters. The shade levels range from 4 to 13 with Grinding Function. Attractively engineered, this product comes wholly mustered with an insulated battery, all ready! It has the easiest and most comfortable headgear as it is adjustable and has swivelling joints for an ideal head fit. The package also includes some accessories like an extra battery, internal and external filter protection and an extra sweatband.
It provides a better color accuracy than the one found in other ‘True Color’ filters with a purple or green shade. It has an optical clarity rating of 1/1/1/2 and yes stepless grinding function. The power supply is a solar cell and CR2450 Lithium Battery with an average life of 3000 hrs. making it a worth-spending product.
It operates in the temperature range of 10 to 60 degrees centigrade and is used for MIG, TIG, stick, plasma and grinding processes.
Conclusion:
When wrapping it up, welding without a helmet is a danger to your eyes, and it’s entirely impossible to weld without this important equipment. The best model has a clear viewing area, good optical clarity rating, ideal auto-darkening response time and accessible or approachable external setting controls. Hopefully, from this article you read, you must have been aware to choose the best budget welding helmet under $100. You can also check some top leather welding hoods.
When choosing one of these 6 best auto-darkening welding helmets, the Yeswelder LYG M800H Auto-darkening welding helmet is the best of all because of its features and easy interface. Now It’s up to you how you end up selecting but, be sure to take the maintenance part seriously to keep it well functioning for all welding purposes.
FAQs:
Which is the best auto-darkening welding helmet to buy under $100?
The YESWELDER is the most reliable auto-darkening welding helmet with the most features that a welder can buy easily. It has a perfect clarity welding helmet with a true color display. The four arc sensors of this welding helmet are very reliable and have a quick reaction time.
What is the clearest welding lens?
All the listed welding helmets have a great optical clarity rating and have a clear lens that prevents eye strain from blurriness.
Also Check: Best Cold Welding Machines
James is a welding expert, accomplished author, and trusted guide with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With his in-depth knowledge and engaging writing style, James has become a true authority in the field, offering readers and clients invaluable expertise and insights to take their welding skills to new heights.