7 Best Budget Welding Helmets – Buyers Guide [2022]
On a tight budget? Are you taking in some freelance welding jobs to make some extra money on the sideline? Or perhaps you are constantly working hard as a professional welder? Whatever the case may be, you really do need to use the best eye and face protection when you are taking on these dangerous jobs.
Welding isn’t the safest of jobs in the least and a good welding helmet is essential if you don’t want to end up with painful arc eyes and especially if you want to avoid permanent retina damage to your eyes.
It is important to use a good welding helmet even if you are only planning on doing a quick weld on a small project.
There are quite a few brands on the market that create wonderful welding helmets at very agreeable prices. With the low price and exceptional technology of these helmets there just isn’t an excuse for you to put your eyes at risk.
If you are shopping a welding helmet on a tight budget then you can certainly consider the following 7 helmets for under $100.
In a Rush? Here is our top pick
If you don’t have the time to consider the bells and whistles of all of our top welder picks for this list then you can definitely consider the Antra AH7-086-001X. This helmet ranges supreme in its price class because it offers a very fast switch speed, is solar operated, allows you to adjust the sensitivity or delay the sensitivity and it is a sturdy helmet that is suitable for a variety of welding and cutting tasks.
RANK | PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
№1 |  | The Jackson Classic Safety Welding Helmet - The best for working in tight areas | 90% Fill Counter |  |
№2 |  | The Instapark ADF GX990T Series Welding Helmet | 88% Fill Counter | |
№3 |  | The Miller Electric Welding Helmet | 88% Fill Counter | |
№4 |  | The Antra AH7-860-001X Welding Helmet - The overall best | 86% Fill Counter | |
№5 |  | The Fibre-Metal 110PWE Welding Helmet - The best for pipe welders | 86% Fill Counter | |
№6 |  | The YesWelder LYG-M800H Welding Helmet - The most advanced for its price | 84 Fill Counter | |
№7 |  | The iMeshbean Pro Cool 1034 Welding Helmet - The budget friendly | 80% Fill Counter | |
Details Information chart
If you want to take a quick look at the leading specs on all of the top welding helmets for under $100 then we welcome you to have a look at this chart where we compared all the best and most needed features of every helmet. These features allow you to instantly make the best pick for your unique need.
HELMET | WEIGHT | LENS SHADING | VIEW AREA | SWITCHING SPEED | SOLAR POWER | ARC SENSORS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Antra AH7-860-001X | 1 lbs | 4-13 | 3.86 x 3.5” | 1/30,000 sec | Yes | 4 |
YesWelder LYG-M800H | 2.2 lbs | 4-13 | 3.93 x 3.66” | Cell | Yes | 4 |
Instapark ADF GX990T Series | 1.3 lbs | 5-13 | 3.94 x 3.86 | 1/30,000 sec | Yes | 4 |
Miller Electric | 2 lbs | 3 & 8-12 | 3 ¾ x 1 2/5” | 1/10,000 | No | 2 |
Fibre-Metal 110PWE | 2 lbs | 10 | 2 x 4” | Cell | No | Cell |
iMeshbean Pro Cool 1034 | 1 lbs | 9-13 | 3.8 x 1.9” | 1/30,000 sec | ||
Jackson Classic Safety | 10 | 4.5 x 5.25” |
The top 7 budget welding helmets for under $100
A lot of time and consideration went into selecting the 7 best helmets for under $100. We considered quite a few helmet aspects to identify the 7 that offer the best value for money in terms of quality and features. Here are the 7 best welding helmets to consider if you are looking for something cheap that will offer you great protection for a long time to come.
The Antra AH7-860-001X Welding Helmet is the best helmet on our list because it offers the most and best function and safety features.
It is one of the safest helmets you can buy because it is compatible with a hard hat, offers a full face and neck cover to shield you from sparks and heat and the permanent shade offers UV protection. It has a quick responding auto shade function of 4-13 and at 1 pounds it certainly won’t contribute to neck and shoulder pain.
The helmet is very comfortable to wear because it is light, fully adjustable and has a large 3.86 x 3.5” lens. It features 4 arc sensors and is designed with interference suppression technology to eliminate false triggers created by sunlight.
The helmet can be used for a number of projects including plasma cutting, grinding, TIG, MIG, MMA and stick welding.
Specifications
Pros
Lots of safety features
4 arc sensors
Very light weight
Hard hat compatible
Large view
Suitable for a variety of tasks
Cons
Switching speed is not as fast as more expensive models
Battery operated (auto off)
Simple headgear assembly
This helmet doesn’t offer any flashy gadgets and yet it does look very stylish and modern thanks to its shiny black design.
The helmet is very functional for various welding and grinding tasks because it is fitted with a shade of 4-13. It is auto darkening and solar power operated. The helmet offers a rather large screen of 3.94 x 3.66” and has 4 arc sensors to instantly identify arc sparks so your eyes can enjoy the best protection.
The helmet offers True Color lens technology which allows you to see much better in dark areas or distinguish better between colors. It weighs only 2.2 pounds and is fully adjustable for a comfortable fit.
The helmet is also made of strong materials and offers sufficient protection to your head, eyes and neck areas.
Specifications
Pros
True Color Lens Technology
Light weight
Beautiful design
Comes with accessories such as a storage bag and replacement lenses
Large view area
Solar power operated
Affordable price
Cons
Head straps are not as strong as other brands
If you are an American Patriot that loves welding helmets with gorgeous graphics then the Instapark ADF GX990T Series is the right pick for you. This helmet has the iconic eagle with American stars featured all over the helmet.
The helmet is solar-powered which is a big plus. It has 4 arc sensors, fast switching time of 1/30,000 sec, and comes with a low voltage indicator to tell you when it is time to replace the C2450 battery or seek sunlight to recharge.
It offers a shade range of 5-13 and has a large 3.94 x 3.86 view area. The helmet is also very light at just 1.3 pounds which will prevent fatigue and reduce pain in the neck and back.
The helmet is suitable for a number of welding projects such as TIG, MIG and sticks welding and can also be used for grinding.
Specifications
Pros
Very light weight
Gorgeous design
Large view area
4 arc sensors
Suitable for welding and grinding
Solar power
Cons
Switching speed isn’t the fastest
Can be challenging to manipulate controls
Helmet isn’t very large
This matt black helmet by Miller Electric is a good investment if you are in need of something affordable and functional.
The helmet is solar operated and functions with regular AAA batteries that can last for up to 2,000 hours. It is also adjustable to fit your head perfectly.
At just 2 pounds, it is very light and prevents fatigue and shoulder or neck pains. The helmet offer a shade of 3 and 8-12 which is quite versatile. The switch speed of this helmet is quite impressive at 1/10,000 sec. It has a lens size of 3.3/4 x 1.2/5” with auto darkening feature and 2 electromagnetic sensors.
Specifications
Pros
Solar and battery operated
Very fast switching speed
Light design
Suitable for all welding projects
Cons
View size isn’t particularly large
Only 2 arc sensors
This helmet reminds you of astronauts in those retro sci-fi movies. The helmet is made of fiberglass and features a very wide white casing. But don’t let the funky look of this helmet put you off. It is actually one of the best helmets in terms of safety, especially when you consider its price. The helmet is fitted with a Superglass plus screen and 3M technology that automatically extinguishes any sparks that land on the helmet. It is also moisture-resistant won’t crack when it gets wet.
The helmet is very comfortable to wear thanks to the light weight and design that reduces impact should you get hit. A rubber headband also allows you to strap on this helmet for a very comfortable fit.
The helmet is fitted with a 2” x 4” view that offers UV protection. A shade of 10 makes it perfectly suitable for MIG and TIG welding that most pipe welders usually do. The shield also offers UV and IR protection.
Specifications
Pros
Excellent for pipe welders
Offers great protection from arc flashes, UV rays and impacts
Fits comfortably
Offers protection for face and neck
Moisture resistant helmet
Cons
Small view
No shading adjustment
Not very flexible with a single shade level of 10
Not solar operated
If you like funky helmets with a scary and unique design then you will love the look of the iMeshbean Pro Cool 1034 Welding Helmet. The helmet features graphics that makes it look like your head is the mouth of an alien, much like the type found in the popular game ‘Aliens VS Predators’.
The helmet offers a 3.8 x 1.9” lens and comes with two extra protective lenses. The lense offers a shading of 9-13 and has a quick switch speed of 1/30,000 sec. It is solar panel operated and functions with one replaceable battery.
It is a very practical welding helmet that can be used for a number of projects such as Arc, Mag, MIG, MMA, Stick, and TIG welding as well as for plasma cutting.
At just 1 pound the helmet is very light and an adjustable strap makes it very comfortable for wear.
Specifications
Pros
Very light
Suitable for a great variety of welding jobs
Very cool design
Solar panel and battery operated
Offers UV and IR protection
Cons
Switch speed is not as quick as some better models
View area is rather small
If you are not particular about looks then this might just be the right helmet for you. The Jackson Safety doesn’t look like much with its square design but it is available at a good price and it does feature a very large view of 4.5 x 5.25”.
The helmet offers sufficient protection for your neck and face and meets all ANSI Z87.1 - 2010 standards. It offers a shade 10 filter and is hard hat adaptable.
It is a good helmet if you prefer something with a wider view that allows you to work in tighter areas with great ease.
Specifications
Pros
Narrow design makes it ideal for working in narrow spaces
Offers good face and neck protection
Affordable price
Clear wide view
Can withstand radiant heat o up to 350 degrees
Cons
Not very attractive
Single shade filter level
Not suitable for all types of welding jobs
Not solar operated
Final verdict
These helmets are all good picks, especially when you consider the features you get for helmets well under $100. If you still find it hard to pick the best helmet then you can also consider the following quick buyers guide.
The overall best - The Antra AH7-860-001X is considered the overall best because it offers a large view area, is incredibly light, has 4 arc sensors and it is very versatile thanks to a wide shading level.
The budget friendly - If you are shopping on an extremely tight budget then the iMeshbean Pro Cool 1034 is a good pick. This helmet is affordable, light in weight and is suitable for a variety of welding and grinding jobs.
The most advanced for its price - If you are looking for lots of features at a good price then choose the YesWelder LYG-M800H Welding Helmet. This welding helmet is affordable yet above all the rest in terms of tech. It features TCT that allows you to distinguish between colors and has a very large view.
Flashy designs - Love a helmet with a flashy design? Then you can consider the Instapark ADF GX990T Series or the iMeshbean Pro Cool 1034 Welding Helmet since they feature beautiful graphics and a lot fo extras at an affordable price.
The best for pipe welders - If you focus on TIG and MIG welding alone then the Fibre-Metal 110PWE or the Jackson Classic Safety are the best picks since they are designed for these welding tasks specifically.
The best for a tight fit - Are you always working in tight areas? The Jackson Classic Safety is a good pick with its narrow design and larger view.
We hope this guide and review served you well on your journey to find the best possible welding helmet at under $100 so you can work in style and stay safe while doing these dangerous tasks.