To find the best budget welding helmets we did research on several models in the market. We assessed each helmet after considering its features like view area, shade range, sensors quality, optical clarity, protection, durability, and comfort. The helmet series that we are going to highlight below includes the best cheap welding helmets with the highest customer rating. So, without any confusion, you can buy any helmet from the list according to your requirements.
Best budget helmet under 50$ is best for those who do a welding job as a hobby. Overall these helmets are of good quality but not durable enough for heavy-duty industrial applications. If you are a professional welder then you should invest some more in the helmet for your safety and comfort. I categorized best budget helmets under 50$ and 100$. Helmets under 100$ are really good for the safety of professional welder.
Contents
Best Budget Welding Helmet
In a hurry? we have picked the following two helmets in the range of 50$ and 100$. These are overall best in every aspect and are selling in huge quantities.
If you are a new buyer then keep the following points in your mind as a guideline before purchasing the best budget welding helmets.
List of Qualities the budget welding helmet must have:
Large view area
The view area is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing a welding helmet. A large view area provides optimal visibility. So, you don’t need to move your head to keep track along the welding joint A Large view area enhances welder productivity.
Lightweight
Helmet lightweight help to minimizes neck strain and make helmet very comfortable to wear for long working hours.
Adjustable headgear
The Head retention system of every welding helmet plays an important role in the comfort level of the user. Lack of comfort level affect the welder efficiency and result in a poor quality of the weld.
Maximum optical clarity
Top optical clarity ensures a clear view and a secure welding process. The desired outcome of welding quality can only be achieved with a crystal-clear view. The top rating of optical clarity is 1/1/1/1. There is not much difference between 1/1/1/1 and 1/2/1/2, but for the professional worker, it is taken into consideration.
Good quality of the sensor
There are 2 or 4 arc sensors to detect arc light and then change the shade of the auto-darkening lens. Good quality sensors are very responsive with a sensitivity speed of 0.00004 seconds. Sensitivity determines the amount of light required to activate the auto-dark filter of the helmet.
And delay time or dark to light shade shifting speed (delay time) can be within 0.1-1 s. A good helmet has excellent control over the sensitivity and delay setting.
Wide shade range
A good quality helmet offers a wide shade range from DIN4-13 which makes it versatile for TIG, MIG, stick & plasma welding, grinding, and plasma cutting. The number after DIN indicates darkness. Number 4 is used as a light shade and number 13 is used as a dark shade.
Battery and solar power source
Helmets are usually powered by solar power, lithium batteries, or both. It is quite good to have both types of power sources
Comparison table of the best affordable Welding Helmets
Antra AH6-260-0000 is the best welding helmet for the price.In fact, it provide full face and neck protection by meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards. Moreover its dimensions and lightweight minimize neck stress. This equipment shade range designed for great industrial applications.
Its auto-darkening speed 0.00004 sec due to 4 premium arc sensor protect your eyes from intense light of welding. Its sensitivity is also adjustable. You can shut off the auto-darkening system for grinding. Moreover replaceable, lightweight, and solar power battery with indicator makes it unique.
Its adjustable lower limit, when dropping the helmet makes sure the helmet fall the same place every time.Moreover it come with spare protective lens covers outside and inside of auto darkening lens. The helmet tightening system also works very well. It can also adjust over a solid safety helmet. Thus, you can combine a solid safety helmet with Antra AH6-260-0000 according to the situation.
Pros
Affordable
Lightweight and comfortable
Wide shade range (usable in MIG, TIG, MMA & plasma)
No power failure due to solar battery
Wide view area
Adjustable sensitivity and delay setting
Possible to turn off auto-darkening
Provide permanent UV & IR protection
Cons
Made of thin plastic not suitable for heavy industrial application
Not recommended for overhead welding
Solar voltage to battery voltage has a minor effect on sensitivity
MZ224 is the best budget auto-darkening welding helmet. Its sensitivity (darkening speed 0.00004 sec) and delay setting (dark to light speed 0.1-1 sec) are adjustable for different working conditions. This helmet is a good choice for MMA, plasma, MIG and TIG welding. Its optical clarity 1/2/1/2 meets with ANSIZ87.1-2010 and EN3794/9-13 standards. As a result, the welder remains protective against UV/IR radiation according to shade DIN 16.
MZ228 come with standard clear view area 3.62” x 1.65”. Diffusion of light, the variation of luminous transmittance and angular dependence allows the welder to see clearly.
Lightweight (1.6 lb) and multiple adjustments for headgear, makes it comfortable to wear for a long time working. The auto-darkening system makes it convenient to use in a complex working environment. Moreover, Its provided with a long-life battery (5000 hr) and an adjustable headband. Hence all these features make MZ224 the best budget welding helmet.
MZ236 is one of the best budget welding helmet under 50$. its auto-darkening switching has sensitivity speed 0.00004 sec, which ensure the protection of welder’s eyes against intense lighting. Lens shade ranges DIN 4/9-13 with optical clarity (1/2/1/2) enable welder to do TIG, MIG, and arc welding. Moreover welder remains protected against UV/IR according to shade 16.
Adjustable sensitivity and delay settings allow us better control over sensors to work in bad weather conditions. Lightweight and adjustable headgear allows welder to long time work with comfort. Moreover, chargeable lithium battery, powered with solar-assist, have long life up to 5000 hrs.
MZ236 meets technical and safety standards ANSIZ87.1-2010, EN3794/9-13. which make it fit in a safety point of view. Helmet material has properties like chemical & heat resistant with high impact mechanical stability.
4. YESWELDER True Color Auto Darkening (LYG-L500A)
Specifications
Dimensions: 8.5″ X 7.8″ X 12.8″
Weight: 1.9 pound
Front View area: 3.64″ X 1.67″
Darkening speed: 0.00001 sec
Light to Dark speed: 0.1 to 0.8 sec
Optical clarity: 1/1/1/2
Battery: Solar cell+ replaceable CR2450 battery
Battery life: 3000 hrs
Material: polypropylene and poly-amide thermoplastic
Color: bright black
Temperature range: -5’C to 55’C
Shade Range: DIN 4 / DIN 9-13
Warranty: 2 year
Features
LYG-L500A is the best budget welding helmet under 50$ with true color technology. As described earlier, true color technology improves visibility and minimize lime green coloring. View area 3.64*1.67 with shade range DIN4 make it good for TIG, MIG & MMA welding.
Moreover optical clarity 1/1/1/2 with true color technology minimizes eye strain and fatigue of welder. Technical and safety standards ANSI Z87.1 / EN379 CE / CSA Z94.3 rank this product fit to use. The welder also remains protected against UV/IR according to shade 16.
Due to lightweight and luxury headgear, welder can work comfortably for a long time. Moreover Updated headgear allows frequent re-adjustment to better fit and comfort. Furthermore lithium battery with solar assist provide long working life around 3000 hr.
Material: polypropylene and poly-amide thermoplastic
Color: black
Temperature range: -5’C to 55’C
Shade range: DIN4/DIN9-13
Warranty: 2 year
Features
LYG-S400S is the best affordable welding helmet with true color technology, which helps you to see better and clear. Hence true color technology improves visibility and reduces eye strain by minimizing lime green coloring.
Unique anti-fog design makes sure the view area remains clear during breathing in high humid environment. The main view area with two side views gives a full range of vision during welding. Also provide full face and neck protection by meeting ANSI Z87.1 / EN379 CE / CSA Z94.3 safety standards. Shade range DIN 4/9-13 is great for TIG, MIG, MMA, plasma application, and grinding feature.
Moreover, auto-darkening speed 0.00001 sec with 4 premium sensors make sure your eye are not exposed to intense light. In general Its a great working and comfortable helmet, available in very affordable price.
Pros
Large view area with two side view
True color technology in affordable price
Anti-fogging unique design
Shade range 4/9-13 great for TIG, MIG, MMA, plasma application, and grinding feature.
High auto-darkening speed 0.00001 sec
Increase battery life with 2 lithium CR2450 battery with solar assist
Dark to light speed also very good
Cons
Complain about headgear as it does not work with a hard hat
Not suitable for oxy-fuel welding and cutting, usually done with shade 5 lens
Tacklife PAH03D is the best value welding helmet which come with top optical grade 1/1/1/1 and wide shade range 3/3-8/9-13. Top optical clarity ensures a clear and secure welding process along with best eye protection. Moreover Shade range can allow us to handle plasma cutting, TIG, MIG, MMA, and Stick welding.
its lightweight, large view area, and comfortable headband, make it comfortable to the welder.
From safety point of view, PAH03D provides full face and neck protection by meeting ANSI and CSA safety standards.
Moreover delay control and sensitivity adjustment allow us to have a better control over auto darkening system. As a result our eyes can never be exposed to intense light that comes from welding.
Pros
Best cheapest welding helmet with top optical grade
Wide shade range 3/3-8/9-13
Lightweight
Comfortable headgear
Sensitivity and delay adjustment knob
Din 3 shade for light mode
Convenient to use
Offer UV/IR protection
Cons
Sensitivity and delay control don’t work efficiently sometime
110WH is the best cheap welding helmet that provides everything a pipe welder needs in a helmet. Its unique dimensions and light weight allows the welder to access small areas.
Easily set-able overhead band along with ratchet headgear, as a result frequent re-adjustment of the helmet possible. Overhead band along with free-floating arms help in balancing and stabilizing the helmet by minimizing pressure points.
View area 2″ x 4″ with permanent shade DIN 10 lens; ensure 100% UV/IR radiation filtration. Highly durable and impact-resistant fiberglass material makes it free from cracks, chips and splits in the harshest environment. Helmet material properties like; a smooth surface, moisture & impact resistant are very helpful.
Pros
Best as a pipe welding helmet
Compact design allows to access small space
Lightweight & tough material
Smooth surface to deflect welding spark
Shade DIN 10 lens filter out 100% UV/IR radiations
Ratcheting headgear allows frequent re-adjustment
Overhead with Free-floating arms help in balancing of the helmet
Cons
Other shade lenses are not provided in accessories
4. YESWELDER Solar Powered Auto Darkening (LYG-Q800D-A)
Specifications
Dimensions 8.5″ X 7.8″ X 12.8″
Weight: 2.2 pound
Front View area = 3.94″ X 3.23″
Side view area: 4.3/1.96″ X 4″
Darkening speed: 0.00001 sec
Light to dark: 0.1 to 0.8 sec
Optical clarity: 1/1/1/2
Battery: Solar cell+ replaceable CR2450 battery
Battery life: 3000 hrs
Material: polypropylene and poly-amide thermoplastic
Color: Black
Temperature range: -5’C to 55’C
Shade Range: DIN4~5/9~9/13
Warranty: 2 year
Features
LYG-Q800D-A is the best budget welding helmet under 100$ with true color technology. Wide view area 3.94* 3.23 with optical clarity 1/1/1/2 enables us not only see better but also more. Side views with DIN 5 permanent shade give us a full range vision of the welding area. As a result all these qualities improve welder visibility and reduce eye strain.
Its true color technology, shade range, sensitivity, and optical clarity enable it for grinding, TIG, MIG, and MMA welding. It also comes with comfortable headgear that provides adjustability settings with better fitting.
LYG-Q800D-A meets all technical and safety standards of ANSI Z87.1 / EN379 CE / CSA Z94.3. As a result you are going to get a high-quality helmet for the price.
Pros
Large viewing area with side view
True color technology
Wide shade range DIN4~5/9~9/13
Best for TIG, MIG, MMA and plasma applications
4 premium sensors with the best response
Increased battery life with solar assist
Comfortable headgear with extensive adjustability setting
Cons
Little less durable material as compare to other expensive helmets
Lens shade number indicates the amount of darkness that provided by it against intense lighting. Lens shade comes with DIN 3-5/8-13 range. DIN stands for Deutsches Institute fur Normung means German institute for standardization. The number after DIN indicates the darkness, higher the number, darker the shade will be. DIN 3 shade used as maximum light shade and DIN 13 used as a maximum dark shade. As more intense the spark light, the darker the shade lens you need to protect your eyes.
What does optical clarity mean in a welding helmet?
Optical clarity is the accuracy of the vision. Welding helmets have EN 379 1-3/1-3/1-3/1-3 optical clarity rating. These ratings depend on 4 tests,Optical class /Diffusion of light class/ Variations in luminous transmittanceclass/Angle dependence on luminous transmittance class. All these tests give number 1 to 3. 1 for best and 3 for worst results.
What is the best welding helmet for the money?
A list of 8 best budget welding helmet we found
YESWELDER (LYG-S400S) Anti Fog Up True Color Solar Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Antra AH6-260-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
YESWELDER Large Viewing True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening (LYG-Q800D-A)
DEKOPRO Welding Helmet (MZ236)
YESWELDER True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet (LYG-L500A)
Conclusion
It’s a hard job to select the best out of many but I did it. I carefully selected these 8 best budget products. Every product has its unique specifications. Whatever you choose according to your working condition and personal preference, will be a good decision. You can trust on these items. If you properly utilize them according to their specifications, thus you will get the best results. This article helps you to choose the best budget welding helmet.
All products described with features have strong and weak points. As a rule, nothing is perfect in this world. In short, every product has some drawbacks. However, as a wise man, our choice must be such products which suit us well and does not affect our work. In conclusion, if I share my experience with you, my favorite helmet is YESWELDER Anti-Fog Solar Powered Auto Darkening LYG-S400S.
I hope you have found your best budget welding helmet under 50 or 100$.
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