Best Welding Helmet Under $150

Tekware is the most stylish welding helmet with exceptional features and it’s not so pricy as well. This helmet has a unique hemispherical enclosure protection solution that shields damage from all sides.

It has got an auto-darkening filter that enables light from dim to dark in 1/10000 seconds, which is very fast. In the case of electric failure, you will be sheltered against IR and UV radiation due to its auto-darkening feature.

Let’s talk about the comfort level, this welding helmet is equipped with fatigue-free and comfortable 4-way adjustable headgear that allows the helmet to fit on your head during long welding hours. 

It is provided with an ultra-large viewing area (3.94” × 3.27”) that allows convenience in welding. If you want to work for a long time, the double liquid crystal layer on the screen and true color technology give extra protection to you.

The best part of this welding helmet is the presence of a sensitivity probe combined with 4 premium arc sensors that emit a signal and make the screen darker in case of high-intensity light.

The batteries are powered with solar technology which not only provides a longer life but it’s good for the environment too. It is great for MMA, MIG, TIG, and plasma applications with grinding features. You will get an extra replacement lens and replacement Lithium battery.

Features

• True color technology
• 1/1/1/2 Optical Clarity rating
• Large solar cell area
• Sensitivity probe
• Solar operated batteries
• Grinding features
• Adjustable headband
• Exterior cover lens
• Lightweight and comfortable

When selecting a budget welding helmet, there are many options to choose from. It is difficult to understand the price differences of many helmets since they look very similar yet have different specifications. 

Aspects such as viewing area size, sensors, and optical class should all be taken into consideration. The following list gives a breakdown of the key things you should look for in a welding helmet, as well as how we picked out our top 10 welding helmets under $150.

1.     The view area

It’s crucial to have a large viewing area if you frequently weld out of position or need to see over a large area. Any helmet with a viewing area of more than 4′′ x 3′′ is considered to have a large viewing area, and anything with 3.5′′ x 1.75′′ is considered to have a small viewing area. 

Choosing the right helmet comes down to personal taste and the project at hand. If you are working in a tight space, you will need as large a viewing area as possible, since otherwise, it is very difficult to keep your body in a proper viewing position.

In addition, a larger view means the welder can easily gauge the welding process without having to remove his helmet.

2.     Weight of the helmet

Welding helmets need to be light enough to be worn for several hours at a time. Heavy welding helmets will make your neck feel quite sore in the long run, even though they don’t feel very heavy at first. Additionally, worn for very long periods, lighter helmets reduce the risk of stress injuries. 

3.     Clarity of vision

Welding helmet lenses with auto-darkening are tested for quality and are rated according to their optical class. It is a measure of how clear the vision is when looking through the glass. 

Depending on the level of clarity of a darkening lens, it is given a number between 1 and 3 and rated as either a 1, 2, or 3. The number 1 is the best of all these, which is why we have the best optical rating of 1/1/1/1. 

In terms of clarity, a 1/1/1/1 is not easily distinguishable from a 1/2/1/2, but an experienced welder will notice the difference immediately.

4.     Comfort level

You should consider your general comfort when choosing a welding helmet. A lightweight, padded helmet is likely to make welding more enjoyable for you. Try to find one that fits snugly around your head. When you weld, a helmet that is too loose will move around, much to your dismay, and need to be adjusted. 

5.      Sensors

When choosing a welding helmet, arc sensors are something to consider. Flashes are detected by sensors during your work, and your helmet darkens momentarily to protect your vision. In modern welding helmets, multiple sensors are used to detect and darken the helmet quickly when the arc occurs, even under challenging working conditions. With four sensors, the helmet is less likely to miss a flash, meaning more sensors help to increase welder safety.

6.     The auto-darkening feature 

 This feature means that the helmet darkens quickly when it detects an arc. Welders are also able to work comfortably because their helmets will darken so they do not have to adjust their headgear to observe their work.

7.     Source of power in a helmet

Solar or lithium batteries can power welding helmets, or both charging simultaneously. It is generally recommended to have both of these power sources since that way your welding helmet will have a longer battery life as well as you’ll have a backup power source when one runs out.

8.     Range of shades    

A welding helmet lens that auto-darkens will provide a range of shades. Having a larger range of shades will make your applications more flexible. The normal shade is 9-13, but if you are working with low amps and you have difficulty seeing the arc, a 6-13 shade would be better.

9.     Adjustment of sensitivity

Welding helmets with auto-darkening capabilities allow you to set a minimum brightness threshold for automatic darkening. The manual option may be useful for welders working at low amperages when sensitivity is needed. Additionally, it is beneficial if your workplace is full of other welders and arcs. By decreasing the sensitivity here, you can prevent its activation by other people’s arcs.

10.     Helmet’s cost

Helmets range in price from $40 for the cheapest to $800 for the most expensive ones. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can make a better selection. 

Our list includes helmets under 150$, and we feel that each of them is a good value and among the best in this price range.

11.     Adaptable to multiple use cases 

 Welding helmets today are ideal for TIG, MIG, MMA, or plasma welding. They make it easy to adjust the shade depending on your welding needs, and the grinding mode can be turned on as well.

12.     Safety

To help ensure your safety, you should purchase ANSI Z87.1 – 2003, as that is the current national safety standard. Helmets for welding must meet ANSI standards to guarantee the wearer’s full and adequate safety. To meet ANSI safety standards, welding helmets must undergo rigorous testing including UV protection, infrared protection, impact protection, and temperature.