Welding helmets protect the welder from sparks, spatter, and ultraviolet rays, which can damage eyesight.
These helmets also protect other people around you from any toxic fumes and debris that may be emitted.
When I was just starting out in welding, the safety gear we had was pretty crappy. As a matter of fact, I don’t even remember there being any!
All the information about welding helmets I’ve learned since then came from my time using them.
With that said, I’ve been using some pretty high-quality gear for a few years now, so I thought it would be worthwhile to list the different types of welding helmets.
This article provides a breakdown of these classifications, so you’ll know exactly what the differences are between each one.
7 Types of Welding Helmets Explained with Pros & Cons
- Passive Welding Helmet
- Pancake Welding Helmet
- Variable Shade Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Fixed Shade Welding Helmet
- Leather Welding Mask
- Solar Powered Welding Helmet
- Battery Powered Welding Helmet
Here are 7 welding helmets types explained with pros & cons so that you can make an informed decision on which one matches your needs:
1. Passive Welding Helmet:
A passive welding helmet is a simple piece of equipment that shields your eyes from the intense light emitted by an arc welder.
The helmet uses a dark visor to block the light and keep it from hitting your eyes directly, allowing you to get a clear view of your work and make sure it’s free from mistakes.
These helmets are very affordable, with most costing less than $100. They’re also fairly lightweight, making them comfortable to wear for longer periods of time and easier to transport.
They don’t offer much in terms of protection from sparks or other debris falling into your face during use, but they’re great for beginners who want a simple way to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays without spending too much money on a more expensive model.
Here are the pros & cons of passive welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| Inexpensive | Not very durable. |
| Lightweight | Not very effective at blocking out all UV light. |
| The easy-to-use design makes this ideal for beginners. | They have a fixed shade number. |
2. Pancake Welding Helmet:
The pancake welding helmet is one of the most popular types of helmets. This is because it is affordable and provides great protection.
The helmet is made up of two pieces, a front and back plate, that are connected by a hinge in the center of the helmet.
The front plate has a lens that protects your eyes from harmful UV rays and particles, as well as from sparks that can fly into your face when you are welding.
The back plate protects your neck and ears from heat, sparks, and other dangerous particles that can cause damage to these areas if exposed for too long.
I have a pancake welding helmet, and there are three different types of lenses available for this type of helmet: clear glass, tinted glass, and auto-darkening lenses (ADF).
The balsa box, which can be found in many pancake helmets, is a piece of wood with a hole cut out to allow for the wearer’s face to pass through. This allows you to see better while wearing your helmet because there are no obstructions blocking your view.
Here are the pros & cons of pancake welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| They’re lightweight, so you can see the arc better. | Only used for outdoor and pipeline welding projects. |
| They’re made from balsa wood, so they won’t burn your head or catch on fire. | Not to be made for indoor welding. |
| Comfortable and soft to wear. |
3. Variable Shade Auto Darkening Welding Helmet:
If you’re looking for a welding helmet that is going to keep you safe and comfortable, then the variable shade auto-darkening welding helmet is the right choice.
This helmet has many features that make it unique, but one of the most important ones is its ability to adjust to different light conditions.
The ability of this helmet to adjust automatically means that you don’t have to worry about manually changing settings when you move from one area or job site to another.
The auto shade function will allow you to see clearly no matter what kind of light there is in your work environment.
Another thing that makes this welding helmet stand out is its versatility. This helmet can be used by people who are doing any kind of work related to welding because it has an adjustable headgear system that allows users to customize their fit depending on their needs at any given time during their day-to-day activities.
This helmet also comes with an anti-fog coating on its lenses which prevents fogging up while working outdoors on cold days (when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit).
It also comes with a built-in LED lighting system, so it can be used even during night shifts without compromising safety or comfort level – making it perfect for those who work shift hours throughout each week.
Here are the pros & cons of variable shade auto-darkening welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| Variable shade welding helmets are the most versatile. | It can be very expensive. |
| Variable shade welding helmets are also very easy to adjust. | Battery replacement issues. |
| Variable shade welding helmets tend to have a higher level of protection. | LCD wants more power to work. |
| Such helmets can be used for any type of welding. | It takes time to charge such helmets from solar power charge. |
4. Fixed Shade Welding Helmet:
A fixed shade welding helmet is a type of welding helmet that comes with a fixed shade. These helmets are designed to be used in low-light environments, such as when you’re working at night or in dimly lit areas.
This type of helmet is typically recommended for people who are new to welding or for those who are working on projects that require them to use low-voltage equipment.
This type of welding helmet typically comes with a glass window that has a shade that filters out ultraviolet rays and infrared rays from the light source, which helps to reduce glare so you can see more clearly.
The shade also prevents harmful light from entering your eyes and causing damage to your vision over time.
Here are the pros & cons of fixed shade welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost-effective and cheap. | These helmets can be heavy. |
| No need to replace shade strength. | They also do not offer as much protection as variable shade helmets provide. |
| The most affordable type of welding helmet. | Requirement of various lenses for various welding projects. |
5. Leather Welding Mask:
A leather welding mask is a type of welding helmet that protects your eyes and face from flying sparks and hot metal particles. It has a visor made out of leather, which is known for its durability and resistance to heat.
Leather welding masks are typically used by welders who work with stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and other materials that are prone to creating sparks when heated.
This type of welding helmet is ideal for people who do not want to wear goggles or use glass lenses because it is more lightweight and comfortable than other types of masks.
However, these masks can get hot during long periods of use, so you may want to limit their use to short bursts of time if you plan on wearing one all day long.
Here are the pros & cons of leather welding masks:
| Pros | Cons |
| Protect against heat, sparks, and contaminants. | Uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. |
| Lets you see what you’re doing. | They aren’t as durable as other welding helmets. |
| Made from leather and metal, which makes it is durable. |
6. Solar-Powered Welding Helmet:
Solar-powered welding helmets are the most popular type of welding helmet for home and professional use. They use rechargeable batteries that can be charged via solar power, so there is no need to replace batteries as often as in other models.
Solar-powered welding helmets are lightweight and comfortable, which makes them perfect for long periods of time working with them on your head. They have a wide range of features that make working in difficult conditions easier than ever before.
Here are the pros & cons of solar-powered welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| They are light, comfortable, and easy to use. | Solar-powered welding helmets can be expensive. |
| They have a smaller battery size which makes them easier to transport. | They also require more maintenance than other types of helmets. |
7. Battery-Powered Welding Helmet:
Battery-powered welding helmets are the most common type of welding helmet on the market. The battery is usually in a separate compartment at the back of the helmet, and it provides power to the internal light source.
Many people choose this style of a helmet because it can be used with different types of welding guns and torches, and they don’t require any cables or wires to be attached to the welder itself.
Battery-powered helmets can also be used for other industrial applications besides welding, such as brazing, cutting, and grinding.
Here are the pros & cons of battery-powered welding helmets:
| Pros | Cons |
| They are lightweight, so you can move your head around more freely. | The battery tends to run out quickly, especially if you’re using it for long periods of time. |
| They are usually more affordable than others. | They are typically more expensive than solar helmets, as they require a battery and charger. |
| Battery-powered helmets offer a constant and reliable source of power. |
What is a Welding Helmet Called?
Welding helmets, also known as welding shields, are tools used by welders to protect their eyes from the light created by the welding process.
Welding helmets are typically made of glass or plastic and have a number of different features, such as filtration and magnification.
A welding helmet is a type of personal protection equipment (PPE). It is designed to protect the user’s eyes from the bright light produced by the welding arc, which can cause temporary or even permanent blindness if exposed directly.
For welding helmet detailed discussion of welding helmet types, you should have to read the full article because I will explain each type in detail with pros and cons.
What do Welding Helmets Provide Protection From?
Welding helmets are designed to protect you from the heat, light, and glare that come from the welding process.
Welding helmets have a shade that protects your eyes from the intense light emitted from the arc of electricity when you’re welding.
Welding helmets also have a face shield that protects your face and head from any sparks or metal slag that may fly off during the process.
Welding helmets are designed with a neck ring that helps keep the helmet in place while you work.
I personally recommend you to perform a welding job or project by using a quality-level welding helmet.
Deconstructing Welding Helmets: Materials at the Core
Welding helmets are made of a number of different materials. The helmet itself is usually made of plastic or fiberglass, and the visor is often made of glass or Lexan. But what about the face shield?
The face shield is also made of glass or Lexan, but it’s coated with a special type of paint that absorbs light.
This makes it look like there’s a dark spot in front of your eyes when you look through the face shield, which helps you see clearly while welding.
What to Consider When Buying a Welding Helmet?
If you are looking for a welding helmet, I suggest you some things to consider.
- The first thing to consider is whether you need a transparent or dark welding helmet. If you work in a well-lit area, then the transparent welding helmet will be suitable for you. But if you work in an area with poor lighting, then it is advisable that you purchase dark glasses.
- The second thing to consider is whether your weld has a glass lens or polycarbonate lens? Glass lenses are more expensive than polycarbonate lenses, but they last longer and have more protection from UV rays.
- The third thing that should be considered when buying a welding helmet is the type of material used in making it. There are two different types of materials used in making helmets: fiberglass and Kevlar fiber. Fiberglass helmets are cheaper than Kevlar fiber helmets, but they do not last as long as Kevlar fiber helmets.
Wrapping Up!
Regardless of the type of helmet, a welder looks for, and he should always be able to find a helmet that fits him properly and is compatible with other personal protective equipment he wears to ensure his safety in case there is an incident.
Every professional welder needs a quality welding helmet to protect their eyes while they work.
There are seven main types of welding helmets, and I discussed all these types in detail along with their pros and cons in this article.
Understanding all these options can help you choose the best safety equipment for the work you do.
