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Posted on: 2 May 2022

The right protective equipment is essential when it comes to welding safely. A welding helmet is one of the most basic types of personal safety equipment you will purchase when you start to weld. There are many different types of helmets available on the market today. These options can make it challenging for a novice welder to determine which helmet will work best.

Focus on the following three features when shopping for your welding helmet to ensure you strike the right balance between safety and affordability.

1. Lens Type

Modern welding helmets are equipped with one of two lens types — a fixed lens or a variable shade lens.

Fixed lenses offer the same level of protection no matter how many amps are generated during a weld. Most helmets that have fixed lenses are affordable, but they do require that you master the art of flipping the helmet down while holding your welding torch in the right position.

Variable shade lenses are more versatile. A welding helmet with a variable shade lens automatically adjusts to the amount of light in your welding space. As the amps produced while you weld increase, the variable shade lens becomes darker to protect your eyesight. A variable shade lens can eliminate the need to manually manipulate your welding helmet while you are working.

2. Weight

You should pay close attention to the weight of each available helmet before you finalize your purchase.

Some welding projects take a significant amount of time. The heavier your helmet is, the higher your risk of developing neck fatigue or other physical problems as a result of wearing a heavy helmet.

If you don't plan to weld for long periods, then helmet weight won't play as significant of a role in your helmet selection. It is advised that you invest in the lightest welding helmet to help ensure your personal safety and comfort.

3. Power Source

If you do decide to invest in a welding helmet with a variable shade lens, you will need to consider the type of power source that will be most convenient for your helmet. Standard power options for welding helmet lenses include solar and battery. Some helmets even allow for both types of power sources.

You will be able to choose whether your helmet comes equipped with a replaceable battery or an internal battery that can be recharged as needed. Solar assist panels can help extend battery life, but require that your helmet be exposed to sunlight on a regular basis.