If your job requires you to weld, then you need to purchase protective gear. Though there are several types of welding helmets and goggles for you to choose from, a common question asked by newbies and experienced pros is which is better; welding goggles vs. helmet.
It’s very important that you have the best helmet available. Both welding helmets and goggles work well where they are needed.
But with advanced technology, modern helmets provide much more protection than traditional goggles.
Just what are the main differences between welding goggles and helmets? Which is better? That is the question that I will be answering in this article. You will also learn what other factors you should consider when choosing which type to buy. Keep reading!
Welding Goggles Vs. Helmet
The primary difference between welding goggles and a helmet is that helmets are designed to protect your entire head. Welding goggles are designed to protect just your eyes, so they’re smaller and lighter. Welding helmets have more coverage, and they usually have a visor that protects the eyes from sparks and ash.
The main advantage of using welding goggles is that they can be worn with other safety gear, such as respirators or earplugs.
If you want to know more about welding helmets & welding goggles, their pros & cons, and functionality, keep reading!
Similarities Between Welding Goggles & Welding Helmets
The most obvious similarity between welding goggles and welding helmets is that they both protect your eyes from the bright light created by the welding process.
However, there are some other similarities you might not have considered:
| No. | Similarities |
| 1 | They’re both made of plastic. |
| 2 | Both welding goggles and welding helmets are worn to protect the welder’s eyes from extremely bright light. |
| 3 | In addition, both welding goggles and welding helmets are designed to help keep out dust, and other particles that could otherwise cause damage to a welder’s eyes. |
| 4 | Both welding goggles and welding helmets have been designed to protect the wearer’s eyes from extremely bright light by using lenses that block ultraviolet rays while still allowing visible light through. |
| 5 | Both welding goggles and welding helmets can be worn over prescription eyewear if necessary. |
What are Welding Goggles?
Welding goggles are safety glasses designed specifically for use in a welding environment. They are made of plastic and have a design that is optimized to protect the wearer’s eyes from sparks and hot metal.
Welding goggles are generally worn when welding or grinding, as these activities produce sparks and other particles that can damage the eyes if they enter.
The lenses of welding goggles are made with special coatings that absorb light, preventing it from reflecting off the surface of the lens and back into the eye. These coatings also help prevent damage to the eyes caused by UV rays emitted by arc welders.
Safety Level
Welding goggles are a type of eye protection that have many different uses. They can protect the eyes from high-intensity light, such as sunlight and welding sparks, as well as from toxic gases and particles in the air.
They are particularly useful when working with high-temperature metals, which can cause burns to the eyes if not protected.
Welding goggles are available in many different styles and levels of protection. Some provide only protection to the eyes, while others offer full head coverage with an attached visor or hood.
In addition to sunglasses, welding goggles also come in prescription versions so that they can be used by people who wear glasses or contacts already.
Ease Level
The most important thing to look for in a welding goggle is a lens that’s made of a material that won’t melt under extreme heat or break if you drop it. This will help ensure that your vision isn’t compromised if something happens during your work day.
Welding goggles should also have dual lenses, which allow you to see clearly at different distances. This ensures that you’ll be able to see what’s going on both up close and far away while working on projects like auto repair or construction.
Visibility
Welding goggles are the best protection for your eyes when you’re welding. They block all UV light, preventing damage to your eyes, and they allow you to see clearly while working.
Most welding goggles have a clear lens with filters that block out dangerous UV rays, but they are still clear enough to give you good visibility as you work.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Welding Goggles
Advantages
- Welding goggles are not only a requirement for anyone who is involved with welding, but they also provide a lot of benefits that you may not know about.
- Welding goggles provide a wide field of view, which makes them easier to use than most other types of protective eyewear.
- Welding goggles are lightweight and comfortable to wear, so they don’t get in the way of your work or make you feel uncomfortable.
- Welding goggles can help protect your eyes from ultraviolet light and infrared radiation, which are both potentially damaging to your vision.
- Welding goggles protect against glare coming off of the metal being welded or melted by the flame, which can be extremely uncomfortable and distracting.
- They can help reduce eye strain when making repetitive motions for extended periods as well as when you need to focus on close objects for long periods of time.
Disadvantages
Welding goggles are an important piece of safety equipment that can be used to protect your eyes while working.
They usually consist of a frame and lenses that must be worn in order to keep your eyes safe from harmful ultraviolet radiation while welding or cutting metal, which can cause intense discomfort and damage if it’s not blocked out by the goggles.
However, welding goggles have some disadvantages as well:
- They only protect your eyes, not your face.
- They don’t fit everyone well and may not be comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
- If they’re not worn properly, they can cause problems with vision as a result of light reflection off the lens surfaces or poor eye alignment due to improper positioning on your face. This means you could accidentally cause yourself damage if you don’t take care when wearing them!
- They may not block out all harmful UV rays because some rays can penetrate through certain materials such as glass and plastic–which would mean that your eyes could still be damaged even if you wear these glasses!
How To Clean Dirty Welding Goggles “Right”?
Welding goggles are an essential part of any welder’s arsenal. However, they can get dirty and foggy after some time. Therefore, it is important to clean them regularly in order to keep them in good condition.
I will provide you with some tips on how to clean dirty welding goggles properly:
- Remove the lens from the frame by pulling down on each side of the lens until it pops out of its groove.
- Clean the lenses with a soft microfiber cloth or paper towel moistened with water. Do not use window cleaner or any other chemicals because they can leave streaks on the lens, which will reduce visibility while working.
- If your goggles have a removable foam pad between the lens and your face, remove it and wash it separately under running water; do not wash it with your goggles!
- Use mild soap or dishwashing liquid if necessary (only when absolutely necessary!), but avoid using any harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia because they may damage the lens coating over time.
- Rinse both sides of each lens thoroughly with clean water and let dry completely before replacing back into their grooves on their respective frames!
What are Welding Helmets?
Welding helmets are full-face masks that protect the wearer from the intense heat and light of welding torches. They’re made to fit snugly on the head, with an adjustable band that goes around the back of your head and can be tightened or loosened as needed.
The helmet should also have a clear visor that covers your face and protects you from sparks or any other flying debris, as well as an auto-darkening feature that adjusts its tint based on how much light is hitting it.
Welding helmets are more effective than goggles because they offer more protection without sacrificing visibility. Due to safety and protection complications, I suggest you to use a welding helmet for better protection.
Goggles only cover one eye at a time and require you to look through two different lenses at once—one for looking at your workpiece and one for looking at what’s going on around you.
Welding helmets are designed to give you full face protection without obscuring your vision or making it harder for you to see what’s going on around you as well as your workpiece itself.
Safety Level
Welding helmets are a must-have for anyone who’s working with welding equipment. They offer the highest level of protection by protecting your entire face, not just your eyes and nose.
You might think that goggles would be enough to protect your eyes, but they aren’t. Goggles only cover the top half of your face, leaving the rest exposed to dangerous UV rays that can cause serious damage over time.
Plus, goggles don’t offer any protection against sparks or flying debris, which is why they’re no match for a full-face helmet.
Ease Level
Welding helmets are the most convenient way to protect your eyes and full face while welding. But they are not as comfortable as goggles, but they are more convenient.
In addition to protection, they also provide a clear view of the weld area and allow you to see your work clearly.
Welding helmets are heavy and bulky, making them difficult to wear for extended periods of time.
Visibility
Welding helmets are the best way to protect your eyesight while welding. Welders use them to shield themselves from the intense light and heat that comes from welding materials, which can damage your vision over time.
Auto-darkening helmets automatically darken when they sense light, so they’re always protecting your eyesight. That means you don’t have to worry about manually adjusting them as you work.
These helmets are also easier to use than non-auto-darkening ones because they’re more hands-free.
Non-auto-darkening helmets have a fixed shade that doesn’t always adapt to changes in lighting conditions or eye position. They require manual adjustment by turning a dial on the front or back of the helmet.
This makes them less convenient than auto-darkening helmets because it requires more attention from the welder during their work session. So, I personally recommend you go for an auto-darkening welding helmet.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Welding Helmets
Advantages
Welding helmets are the best way to protect your face and neck from the heat of welding. They’re also great for when you want to take a nap under your car or if you just want to look like a space alien.
It’s important to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, but sometimes it’s hard to find a good cover for your face. That’s why welding helmets are so awesome!
They’re made specifically for protecting your face and neck from the intense heat of welding, so they cover all the places that need protection: your ears, nose, mouth, cheeks, and even your neck!
And if that weren’t enough, most welding helmets come with an auto-darkening feature that allows you to see clearly while working on projects without having to worry about getting blinded by the light—or having an epileptic fit.
Disadvantages
Welding helmets have some drawbacks, but they are still the most popular choice for welders.
The main disadvantage of welding helmets is that they are expensive. You can spend anywhere from $200 to $500 on a good helmet, and that doesn’t include any additional accessories or repairs you might need later on, except auto darkening helmets.
Another disadvantage is that they can be heavy and uncomfortable, especially if you’re working in an area where you have to move around a lot. If you’re only going to be working in one spot, though, this isn’t much of an issue.
Finally, welding helmets can fog up when exposed to extreme heat. This means that if you’re working in an environment where there’s a lot of heat or humidity—like near a fire—it may take longer for the fogging to clear up after each break than it would for someone who doesn’t wear a welding helmet.
How To Clean Dirty Welding Helmet “Right”?
If you’re a welder, you know how dirty and grimy your helmet can get. You’re constantly cleaning it, but it never seems to stay clean for long. And if you’ve ever tried to clean the inside of your helmet, then you know that’s no easy feat.
But there’s an easier way!
Here are some tips on how to clean a dirty welding helmet:
- Start by taking off all of the parts of the helmet, starting with the headband and moving down from there.
- Get a bucket full of water and mix in a few drops of dish soap (a little goes a long way).
- Put all of the pieces of your helmet into the bucket, making sure that all parts are submerged in water.
- Let them soak for about 30 minutes—just enough time for them to get nice and dirty!
- After 30 minutes, take everything out and wash it all with warm water and dish soap.
- Be sure to rinse everything thoroughly once more before putting everything back together again!
Welding Goggles or Welding Helmets: Which One is Better for you?
If you’re wondering whether to buy welding goggles or a welding helmet, I am here to help.
Welding goggles are typically lighter and more comfortable, but they don’t offer quite as much protection as helmets do. Welding helmets have greater visibility, but they can be heavier and less comfortable than goggles.
You should also consider what kind of welding you’ll be doing and how often: if you’re just starting out and want to make sure your eyes are protected during the learning process, go with goggles.
If you’re an experienced welder who needs something durable and reliable that will last for years to come, I request you to go with a helmet.
So which one should you choose? That depends on your personal preferences! If you like having glasses that fit more snugly over your face without feeling like they’re going to fall off while wearing them (like goggles), then go with those; if you prefer having better peripheral vision (like helmets), then go with those instead.
And remember: there’s no wrong answer here—it’s all about what feels best for YOU!
How to Choose Best Welding Goggles?
Choosing the best welding goggles can be a real challenge, especially when it comes to finding the right pair for your specific needs.
Welding goggles are an essential piece of safety equipment that all welders should have, but they have to be chosen carefully because they can be expensive and ineffective if they don’t fit properly or are not suited to your particular type of welding.
Here are some tips for choosing the best welding goggles for your needs:
Consider your needs – First, consider what you will use your goggles for. If you’re just starting out and plan on doing basic welding, you might need something more basic than someone who is going to be making a lot of high-pressure applications or specialized tasks.
Fit – The next thing to consider when choosing welding goggles is how they fit on your face and head. You want them to fit snugly enough that they stay on while working but not so tight that they cause pain or discomfort while wearing them all day long.
Lens Material – The lens material in the goggles can also vary widely depending on what kind of work you do, so this should be considered when choosing which ones are right for your needs!
Some materials are better suited for certain types of welding than others are, so make sure you know what kind of work you plan on doing before buying any particular set of goggles!
Look for a wide field of view – The wider the field of view, the better! You want to be able to see what’s going on around you while you’re working so that you don’t get distracted or injured by other people nearby.
Choose lenses that filter out harmful UV rays – Welding produces significant amounts of UV light, and this can cause damage over time if it isn’t filtered out by your lens. Look for a lens that has 99% UV protection in order to protect your eyes from long-term damage.
Consider a model with an anti-fog coating – Most welding goggles have some kind of anti-fog coating applied at the factory so that they don’t become foggy while you’re working; however, there are some models available without this feature.
How to Choose the Best Welding Helmet?
Welding isn’t just a hobby, but it’s also a profession. If you are planning to become a professional welder, then you should have the best welding helmet to protect your eyes. It is not only essential for your health and safety but also for the quality of your work.
So let’s take a look at how to choose the best welding helmet for your needs.
| No. | Things to Consider | Description |
| 1 | Welding Project | First of all, what kind of welding do you plan on doing? Some helmets are designed for certain types of welding, like MIG and TIG welding, while others are more general-purpose. |
| 2 | Think about Budget | Second, think about your budget and how much money you want to spend on an expensive helmet versus an inexpensive one. |
| 3 | Go for a Comfortable Helmet | Look for one that fits well and is comfortable but doesn’t pinch or squeeze your head. |
| 4 | Quality Level Lens | Find a helmet with a clear lens that allows you to see clearly while you’re welding. |
| 5 | Go for Auto Darkening Model | Choose an auto-darkening lens model so that it can darken automatically when it senses light—this way, you won’t accidentally damage your eyes or face while wearing your welding helmet! |
| 6 | Consider Safety Features | Finally, look for safety features such as an adjustable headband and vents on the side so that air can flow freely through the helmet without compromising its UV protection. |
How to Choose Filter Shades for Different Welding Projects?
When you are choosing welding lenses, the most important factor is the radiant energy intensity produced by the arc. The lens filter number should be chosen so that there is no loss of contrast even in full daylight conditions.
Lens filters can be categorized into standard and reflective.
Flame-cutting glass produces much less radiant energy than most welding processes and generally requires a dark shade number.
Considering the background lighting intensity will also help you choose appropriate lens shading when flame cutting or flame working glass.
Welders should always use their own judgment in the selection of the appropriate number of filtering lenses for any welding activity.
The lens numbers shown in the following table are according to the welding project. If two numbers exist, then one is standard, and one is reflective:
| No. | Welding Project Type | Indoor Work | Outdoor Work |
| 1 | Flux core welding | 12 & 11 | 11 & 10 |
| 2 | Gas tungsten arc welding | 11 & 10 | 10 & 9 |
| 3 | Gas metal arc welding | 11 & 10 | 10 & 9 |
| 4 | Plasma arc welding | 11 & 10 | 10 & 9 |
| 5 | Carbon arc cutting | 12 & 11 | 11 & 10 |
| 6 | Flame cutting | 4 | 3 |
| 7 | Gas welding | 5 | 4 |
| 8 | Plasma cutting | 11 & 10 | 10 & 9 |
| 9 | Torch brazing | 9 | 2 |
| 10 | Shielded metal arc welding | 11 & 10 | 10 & 9 |
| 11 | Torch soldering | 2 | 2 |
Final Words!
When choosing between welding goggles vs. helmet, there are several things you should keep in mind.
Overall, it is wise to consider which welding methods you want to use. After looking at your intended method and project, take a look at the precautions and guidelines for each type of safety equipment.
That way, you are prepared for success on whatever project you choose. I would recommend a helmet. You can get both, but I see welding helmets being used for a longer time frame.
FAQs:
Can you see through welding goggles?
When it comes to welding goggles, nothing is more important than clear vision. So, you can see through welding goggles.
What can you use instead of a welding helmet?
If you want to start welding, you should know that a good and sturdy helmet is key to protecting your eyes. A lot of people ask us what they can use instead of a welding helmet, and our answer is: that you may use a lighter shade lens filter with goggles.
What are goggles used for in welding?
Goggles are used in welding because they protect the eyes and provide a better view of the task at hand. Welding goggles help protect against UV, IR, and bright light, including secondary sources such as sparks or splashback.
What happens if you weld without goggles?
Some welders can go for years without wearing protective eyewear. If you are one of them, you are at serious risk for a variety of eye injuries. These include corneal abrasions and infections, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), photokeratitis (temporary inflammation from the ultraviolet component in sunlight), welding-related cataracts, lens opacities, and retinal burns.
