If you have a small budget but want quality protection, these 8 Best Budget Welding Helmet Reviews are for you. Because let’s be real! Not everybody has several thousand grand laying around. (And if they do, it would be better spent on welding school.)
In this article, you’ll find thorough reviews of good cheap welding hoods that still have good quality.
Table of Contents
What is the Best Welding Helmet? Tips for Buyers
The 8 Best Budget Welding Helmet Reviews for 2019
More Discount Welding Supplies Online: Reviews Worth Your Time
Finding the Best Cheap Welding Helmet: Buyer’s Guide
While performing these best cheap welding helmet reviews, we took a number of factors into consideration.
After all, it’s dangerous to weld without first making sure you have the best welding possible hood. For example, a sub-par welding helmet could lead to permanent skin damage. Even worse, improper protection leaves you vulnerable to arc eye and retina burns.
Therefore, we’ve judged each helmet according to factors like cost, weight, size of viewing window, standard lens vs auto darkening lens, and special features. For a detailed explanation, see “What is the best welding helmet?”
The 8 Best Budget Welding Helmet Reviews of 2019
To sum it up in two points, the best welding helmet for the money must be durable and easy to use.
Specifically, it should have a good viewing area, be lightweight, and have user-friendly features. And of course, it needs to be crafted from strong, robust materials.
Yes, it’s true that we often recommend slightly premium welding helmets if your wallet can afford it. However, it’s possible to find almost-premium products without premium prices. Sometimes, as the welding hood reviews below will show you, cheap is just fine.
#1. Antra AH7-860-001X Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Jumbo Viewing Size
Top Large Screen Welding Helmet for the Money
Antra Welding Helmet Specs:
- Color: Black
- Weight: 907 g
- Dimensions: 33 x 20.3 x 22.9 cm
- Viewing lens size: 3.78″ x 3.5″
- Shade range: Light State: Shade DIN 4 – Dark State: Shade DIN 5-9/9-13
- Reaction Time: 0.00003 (130,000) seconds
- Warranty: Request from customer service
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Sensitive, adjustable, step-less delay knob
- Has a grinding feature
- Very good for different welding processes – Arc, TIG, MIG, MMA and Plasma
- Large window with a viewing size of 3.78 x 3.50″ and 4 Premium Sensors
- Compatible magnifier/cheater lens
- Solar powered, with an interchangeable battery
- Conforms to ANSI standard
- Auto Darkening Lens
- Dual-mode shade settings
- Lightweight
Special Considerations:
Although it’s a great budget welding helmet for the price, the headband is a bit flimsy and settings may be hard to see because the imprint is very tiny.
Also, the knobs placed on either side may need some readjusting to keep the helmet in place.
Overall Assessment:
This large screen welding helmet is, as one customer put it, ‘a good deal for the money’. It offers very fast response time, is sturdy and comfortable, and it has an auto-darkening lens. Furthermore, it gives you good breathing room, and it’s consistent and affordable. You will definitely be pleased with this purchase.
#2. Tacklife Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Best Auto Arc Welding Helmet Under $50
Auto Arc Welding Helmet Specs:
- Color: Black
- Weight: 1.93 pounds
- Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 11.6 inches
- Viewing lens size: 98mm x 43mm / 3.86″ x 1.69″
- Shade range: 3/4 – 8/9 – 13
- Reaction Time: 0.00004 (1/25,000) seconds
- Warranty: 24 months’ warranty
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Made from high impact, durable and lightweight polyamide nylon
- 4 premium sensors
- Responds very fast – <1/25000 seconds
- Knob is sensitive and adjustable
- Has step-less delay
- Corrosion and flame resistant
- 6 protective pieces over lens
- Powered by solar cell and a CR2450 Lithium battery
- Great for most welding/cutting applications, including Plasma, TIG, MIG and Stick applications
- Grinding feature
- Has full auto-power on and off
- Battery can be tested and has an indicator
- Has permanent ultraviolet and infrared protection
- Lightweight with a chin skirt design
Special Considerations:
According to some reviewers, the Tacklife leaks a bit of light from the top. A few complaints have mentioned that it rejected false triggers from LED and fluorescent lighting.
Overall Assessment:
Since this best budget welding helmet comes at an unbeatable price, the complaints aren’t surprising. Overall, it does a good job for the price. In our opinion, you should use the Tacklife as a temporary welding helmet while you save for something longer-lasting.
#3. Arc One Professional Welding Helmet with Carerra Shell
Best Welding Hoods for Sale
Welding Hood Specs:
- Welding Helmet Designs/Color: Blue Doom Skull, Black, Crocodile, Carbon Fiber, Fighting Tiger, Rockstar
- Weight: 1.76 pounds
- Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.8 x 9.3 inches
- Viewing lens size: 110 x 90 mm
- Shade range: Light state: 4 and Dark state: 9 – 13
- Reaction Time: Variable
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Made from Dupong tough anti-flame nylon
- Has variable shades with a filter of 1000FCF
- Dust-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Spacious interior, which reduces accumulation of carbon monoxide
- Super lightweight with a good balance to reduce stress
- Solar-powered
- Two sensors
- Very sensitive with good delay and grind
- Sturdy enough for extreme weather conditions
If you’re interested in the Blue Doom Skull welding helmet, you’ll love these Badass Welding Skull Caps & Hoods Reviews.
Special Considerations:
The most important thing to remember about this Arc One welding helmet is its purpose. Since it’s so cheap, it isn’t meant for heavy-duty use on a daily basis. If you expect to use it a lot, be prepared for it to wear out after several months.
(But hey – for less than $150? Sold!)
Overall Assessment:
This Arc One welding helmet is perfect for occasional welders.
Combine its good safety features with how portable and lightweight it is, and you have a great deal. If you’re looking for the best welding helmet under $150, you’ll be thrilled will this deal.
#4. Dekopro Solar Powered Welding Helmet
Best Welding Helmet for the Money
Welding Mask Specs:
- Color: Orange Black & Blue Eagle Design
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.5 X 10 X 10 inches
- Viewing lens size: 3.62″ x 1.65″
- Shade range: 4/9-13
- Reaction Time: 1/25000 seconds
- Warranty: Request from customer service
- Welding Helmet Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- It is solar-powered
- Has an adjustable shade range
- Headgear is very comfortable and stress-free
- Lightweight, well-balanced and can be worn for long
- Provides adequate protection from ultraviolet and infrared radiation even when there is an electric failure
- Very sensitive and adapts well in different environments and tasks
- Great color recognition
- Auto-darkening lens
- Can be used in a variety of welding processes like TIG, MIG, MMA, as well as for grinding
- Power is automatic
- Diffuses light at different angles
- Very easy to assemble and has a wide range of adjustments
- Since it has the quality Dekopro consistently provides, you know it’ll last.
Special Considerations:
The adjusting knobs and head band system of this welding helmet do not work properly.
Overall Assessment:
This best budget welding helmet is beautifully designed to offer great comfort and protection without causing fatigue. It is lightweight, very sensitive, adaptable and can be bought at a price that, as a customer put it, ‘won’t hurt your pocket’.
#5. Arc One Python Welding Helmet with Shade Master
Top Rated Arc Welding Helmet Under $50
Specs:
- Color: Spirit
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 11.1 x 11 x 9.3 inches
- Viewing lens size: 7.25 square inches
- Shade range: 4/9-13
- Reaction Time:
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Made with anti-flame nylon
- Has 5 auto-darkening filters for welding
- Sensitivity control is fixed
- Lightweight
- Solar powered
- Has a perma-lok ratchet to give a secure lockdown
- Protects the ears, head and neck very adequately
- Front is loaded with polycarbonate replacement
- Offers exceptional protection of up to 16 for UV and IR
- Very roomy
- Has 2 sensors that work independently
- Designed to channel fumes away from welders
- Has nice delay and is lightweight
- Very comfortable and adjustable
- Well-gapped between the inner and outer lenses to prevent heat transmission
- Has auto-darkening filters
Special Considerations:
Really, the only downside is that the paint job wears off over time.
Want more badass full face helmets with unique designs? Then you’ll love Badass Welding Hoods: 8 Awesome Welding Helmet Designs.
Overall Assessment:
There are a lot of helmets but this one happens to have a lot of awesome features that could make your welding experience totally awesome. It has the major advantage of channeling fumes away from the welder’s face. Lightweight, adjustable, roomy and with a nice delay, this best welding helmet under $200 is sure to give you exceptional protection and comfort.
#6. Save Phace 3010288 Chameleon Gen-X Series Welding Mask
Best Fixed Shade Welding Helmet
Specs:
- Color: Black
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 10 inches
- Viewing lens size: 23 square inches (3.62″ x 1.42″)
- Shade range: 3/10
- Reaction Time: 0.4 seconds
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Has the World’s 2nd largest viewing area of 23 square inches
- With a weight of 2 pounds, this is the lightest welding mask in the world
- Made from high heat and impact Nylon
- Headband absorbs sweat and is replaceable
- Halo headgear is adjustable
- Has a mask that keeps out fumes
- Its lens anchor set is well packaged and assembled
- Simple and very comfortable
- Design is easily customizable
- It meets and exceeds ANSI, CSA, CE, AUS/Nz standards
- Comes with free welding hood bag
Take a Peak: Save Phace Welding Helmet Review
Special Considerations:
The auto tint should be a bit faster and the graphics should not be so grim when an arc is struck.
Overall Assessment:
This cheap welding mask/hood performs many awesome tasks; it is very beautiful, comfortable, lightweight, customizable, offers you protection from UV/IR, and has easy-to-change lens. It is definitely a great buy as it is the lightest helmet in the world and also has the 2nd largest viewing area.
#7. Hobart 770756 Impact Variable Auto-Dark Helmet
Best Cheap Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Welding Hood Specs:
- Colors: Black, Orange
- Weight: 2.16 pounds
- Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 13 inches
- Viewing lens size: 7.05 square inch (3.81 x 1.85 in)
- Shade range: 8-13/3
- Reaction Time: 1/25,000
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Has extra lenses
- Quite large and stylish
- The helmet’s shell is made from polyamide that is very durable and lightweight
- Very versatile and offers great shade range
- Great for TIG, welding and grinding
- Provides excellent comfort and protection
- Uses the most up-to-date LCD lens technology
- Automatically comes on and goes off
- It has three independent arc sensors
Special Considerations:
The only issue with this Hobart welding helmet is that a small amount of reviewers have described bands across the window. A
Overall Assessment:
This very affordable welding helmet is basically an average helmet that may not offer you 1st grade features but will do its work quite effectively. The features it does offer are functional, comfortable, and once you get used to it, this best budget welding helmet will give you very good value for your money.
#8. Nesco 4656 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Bomber WWII Graphics
Cool Welding Hoods Designs Under $125
Specs:
- Weight: 1.85 pounds
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 11.5 x 8 inches
- Viewing lens size: 4.5″ x 3.5″
- Shade range: DIN 9 to DIN 13
- Reaction Time:
- Warranty: 1 year limited warranty
- Price Rating: Check Current Discounts
Notable Features:
- Comes with 2 included 3V lithium batteries
- Makes use of solar cells that have very high performance
- Filters provide excellent protection from ultraviolent rays and infra red rays.
- Automatically changes shades from mild to dull when you strike the arc
- Retards flames and resists corrosion very effectively
- The headband mechanism is a unique turnover one that will make you more comfortable and reduce stress
- The WWII Bomber graphics are very beautiful
- Great for grinding and welding
- Has extra large viewing area
- Very effective outdoor sensitivity feature that gives a very clear view
Special Considerations:
The lens may not always darken while grinding and the decal wrap may not be as straight as you may prefer.
Overall Assessment:
As expected from Nesco, this best budget welding helmet is uniquely designed to offer world class performance for professional welding indoors and outdoors at a very affordable price. This convenient welding helmet, with its crystal-clear view, excellent protection, unique headband mechanism, corrosion resistance and anti-flame features, will give professional welders and fabricators the quality and performance they need.
Happy Shopping!
With all of the welding helmets on the market, it’s very important to do your research well. Sometimes a budget-friendly price really does mean it’s a crappy product. But when you look carefully, you’ll see plenty of decent welding helmets that won’t break the bank.
So, if you’re on a budget, relax. It’s hard to go wrong when you shop from the list of the 8 Best Budget Welding Helmets reviewed above. Happy Shopping!
More Discount Welding Supplies Online
Welders who read these Cheap Welding Helmet Reviews also enjoyed:
- How to Find the Best Cheap Mig Welders Under $500
- Best Cheap Stick Welders Under $200 (Exclusive Reviews)
- Top Rated Mig Welders Under 1000 Reviews: The Top 9 in 2019
