Tips for Choosing a Welding Helmet 

A career in welding can take you to many places. But your safety equipment should be a top priority whether working in a railroad yard or for a jeweler. Many welders understand that investing in a quality welding helmet makes a difference in their comfort and provides better eye safety.  

But welding helmets come in various price ranges and designs, often making the decision more challenging to find the right one. You want to ensure your comfort and safety during the work day, so follow these tips for choosing a welding helmet. 

Essential Tips for Choosing a Welding Helmet

Before choosing a welding helmet, consider each factor to narrow down your choices. 

Viewing Area 

Welding helmets have several options for viewing areas. Wider areas increase the visibility of the weld and weld area, while smaller viewing areas give you a more focused approach. If you're considering a helmet with a more significant viewing area, remember that the helmet's weight may create issues.   

Sensors 

The sensor count typically ranges from two to four in a welding helmet. More sensors provide better coverage, especially when welding out of position and potentially blocking one. Three sensors may be sufficient for manufacturing or when you have a good view of the work. However, four sensors are the ideal number.   

Price 

Better technology adds more features to the helmet, which benefits any welder. But it may add to the overall cost of the safety gear. In contrast, wearing a lower-quality helmet with fewer features may cost more money in the long run due to it needing repairs or resulting in increased time to complete a job because of stress and discomfort. 

Weight 

A heavy welding helmet can strain your neck after wearing it all day. Although they cost more, modern, lighter helmets weigh approximately 20 oz, making it easier to stay in your gear without worrying about discomfort. 

Lense Shade Options 

The primary role of the lens shade is to protect your eyes from the bright welding flame. A helmet with more lens shade options will make you more versatile. Helmets with 9-13 shades are standard, but some have a 6-13 shade that provides additional griding modes, meaning you don't have to change helmets between projects.  

Some helmets are equipped with an auto-darkening feature that adjusts to the various brightness of flashes. This feature gives additional protection against UV rays from welding. 

Check out the complete selection of welding helmets from Bemidji Welders Supply. Contact us to purchase yours today!