Welding can get dangerous, so you need the best helmet you can get for protection. Choosing a welding helmet can get difficult and choosing a welding helmet under $100 can even get tougher.
Many manufacturers offer different budget welding helmets to choose from. Some are great and others less impressive, but many are worth their price.
In this welding helmets under $100 review, you get a list of these top budget helmets in the market. And you also get a buying guide that shows you how to make a perfect choice.
What To Check Before Buying Welding Helmet Under $100?
The following paragraphs show you what to look out for when choosing the best auto-darkening welding helmet under $100. Each of these considerations is important and varies from helmet to helmet, but the final decision remains yours.
1. Passive vs Auto-darkening Helmets
This is a major difference between helmets you must consider first. Traditional helmets needed you to nod your head to close them and begin welding, but this came with so many accuracy problems.
To maintain precision and start welding from where you measured, auto-darkening helmets use an LCD layer to darken to helmet’s display and save your eyes. They also feature extra filters for ultra-violet and infra-red rays.
Keep in mind that passive helmets work without electric power, while auto-darkening models need the power to work.
2. Power Source
The power source is only important if you’re interested in an auto-darkening welding helmet. There are two major sources of power for welding helmets, and they are batteries and solar.
Battery-powered helmets use replaceable or rechargeable batteries to check for a welding arc before dimming the view. Most helmets use lithium metal batteries that you replace when they die, while very few come with rechargeable batteries.
Most new models feature a solar module that converts daylight to the needed power. Very few helmets come with only a solar module, however, because most helmets combine the solar module with a battery for redundancy.
3. Lens View
Helmets come with different lens sizes, so it’s left for you here to know what you prefer. You’ll find offers with 6 sq-inch views for hobby and shop use, and helmets with up to 9 sq-inch views for industrial use.
Ask yourself if you’ll be making out-of-position weldings because that’s when a larger lens view offers more advantages.
4. Lens Shading
Auto-darkening welding helmets offer different shade levels up to shade #13. This means that shade #13 is the darkest, while a #3 or #4 shade, for instance, is light.
Many passive helmets come with a #10 shade, which is okay for most welding jobs. With auto-darkening helmets, however, you often get to adjust the shade level.
Variable shading levels are important because it helps you to get the optimal performance for each welding job. You could set a darker shade for higher-Amp welds, and a lighter shade for lighter-Amp welds on thin plates, allowing you to see as much as possible.
So, if you select #12 for instance, the helmet will stay at its light setting, which is maybe #4 until its sensors detect an arc. One an arc gets detected, the lens will shade to that #12 level.
5. Switching Speed
An auto-darkening welding helmet’s switching speed refers to how long it takes the helmet to darken its view once you weld. Keep in mind that each helmet will come with sensors that detect the welding arc and then trigger the darkening.
Whether you’re dealing with a MIG, stick, or the best TIG welding helmet, you want this switching to happen as quickly as possible every time, to protect your eyes in the long run.
Switching speeds start from 1/3,600 of a second, up to 1/25,000 of a second. Newer helmets, however, hover around this 1/25,000 second mark. Keep in mind that a faster switching speed reduces eye fatigue if you have to weld the entire day.
6. Weight & Comfort
You should keep in mind that a lighter helmet is better than a heavier one because a lighter helmet disturbs you less when welding, especially if you’re doing it for hours on end.
Most welding helmets weigh between one and three pounds, so the weight difference is not much, although it matters when working for many hours. So, monitor this too.
10 Best Welding Helmets Under $100 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Antra AH6-260 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Dekopro XG9 (Practical & Best Budget) |
|
 | 3. Antra AH7-360 (Auto-darkening Helmet in 4 Styles) |
|
 | 4. Honeywell 110WH (Fiberglass Pipe Welding Helmet) |
|
 | 5. Yeswelder LYGL500A (True Color View) |
|
 | 6. Tanox ADF-206S (With Gloves) |
|
 | 7. Dekopro DP-33 (Amazing Artwork Auto-darkening Helmet) |
|
 | 8. Yeswelder LYGM800H (With Extra Large View) |
|
 | 9. Dekopro XG30 (Stylish Design in Four Colors) |
|
 | 10. Antra AH7-860 (Heavy-duty) |
|
1. Antra AH6-260 – Best Overall
- Power Supply: Battery & solar
- Viewing Area: 3.86 x 1.73 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
- Weight: 1 pound
Combining many features to make it one of the best auto-dimming welding helmets in the market, this Antra AH6-260 is a great choice for anyone who wants the best overall welding helmet under $100.
It’s lightweight at just 1 pound, features a permanent shade #13 UV and IR filter, plus an adjustable auto-darkening shade from 5 to 13.
You also get 4 arc sensors and a fast 1/25,000-second switching speed. The system works with either the included solar module or the CR2032 lithium batteries for redundancy.
The downside is that the solar module won’t recharge the batteries, and you only get this helmet in black. It features a test button, however, power-off delay setting, and a 1-year warranty from Antra.
Pros:
- Sensitive & affordable auto-darkening helmet
- Switches in just 1/25,000
- Offers variable shading from #5 to #13
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It’s only available in black
- The batteries aren’t rechargeable
2. Dekopro XG9 – Practical & Best Budget
- Power Supply: Solar & battery
- Viewing Area: 3.62 x 1.65 inches
- Arc Sensors: 3
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
- Weight: 1.21 pounds
If you are on a budget and want the lowest-priced welding helmet with good quality, then Dekopro’s XG9 is something that you may want to inspect.
Featuring the lowest price on this list, it offers full-face coverage with impressive artworks and is available in two versions.
You get a 9-13 shade setting, solar and battery power for redundancy, and 1/25,000-second switching speed. Where it lacks it its 3.62 x 1.65 viewing area, which is smaller than what many other helmets offer.
If you can get over that, then you’ll get the cheapest welding helmet with features like enhanced visibility, an adjustable headgear, and 180° rotation to get the perfect fit.
Pros:
- Practical helmet design with full-face coverage
- The low price makes it more attractive
- Features an impressive design with artwork
- Fast 1/25,000-second switching
Cons:
- Many helmets offer larger viewing areas
- Its full-face design raises fitting issues
3. Antra AH7-360 – Auto-darkening in 4 Styles
- Power Supply: Solar & batteries
- Viewing Area: 3.86 x 2.09 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
- Weight: 1 pound
Here’s another Antra helmet, and this one is for lovers of style and artworks. It comes in four designs, so you can choose between the black, the skull, green ghost, and the flag & eagle.
Asides from style, it’s a reliable helmet with an auto-darkening view, passive UV and IR filters, a lightweight design, and complete adjustability.
For cons, the solar cells don’t recharge the batteries, so you must replace them when they die. Antra backs this AH7-360 auto-darkening helmet with a 1-year warranty to make it one of the best budget welding helmets around.
Pros:
- A solar and battery-powered auto-darkening helmet
- Available with four different artworks
- Uses 4 arc sensors and switches in 1/25,000 second
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It has two shade adjustment ranges
- You must replace the batteries when they die
4. Honeywell 110WH – Fiberglass Pipe
- Viewing Area: 2 x 4 inches
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
For a professional welding helmet that’s designed for pipe welders, this Honeywell 110WH is all you need. It’s a passive welding helmet with a fixed #10 shade.
It’s compact and made from fiberglass, making it lightweight and tough. Furthermore, it fits beautifully into tight spaces. The helmet features 2 x 4-inch viewing area and is available with either a ratchet headgear or a rubber headband.
Keep in mind that this is a passive helmet and not auto-darkening. It also comes in this plain white color only. Asides from that, it’s one top-rated welding helmet under $100 that will neither crack, chip, nor split.
Pros:
- Simple fiberglass welding helmet
- Ideal for pipe welding with 2 x 4-inch viewing area
- Offered at a low and attractive price
- Permanent #10 shade with UV and IR filters
Cons:
- It’s not auto-darkening
- You can only get it in white
5. Yeswelder LYGL500A – True Color
- Power Supply: Solar & battery
- Viewing Area: 3.64 x 1.67 inches
- Arc Sensors: 2
- Switching Speed: 1/10,000 second
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
Yeswelder offers you a special welding helmet here, which features True Color technology. True Color is a system that lets you view your welding material with as much color details as possible, so you can work better.
It also includes headgear with comfort-cushions and extensive adjustments to make the helmet as comfortable as possible.
This helmet comes with two sensors, offers shading adjustments from #9 to #14, and is available in black or with different artwork options, such as black, eagle artwork, lightning, and fire artworks.
Where it lacks, however, is its relatively smaller viewing area and 1/10,000-second slower switching speed. It comes at a great price though, and this makes it one of the best welding helmets for the money.
Pros:
- Auto-darkening welding helmet with True Color view
- Includes a rechargeable lithium battery
- Offered at a very low and attractive price
- Available in black or with different artworks
Cons:
- Its 1/10,000-second speed is slower than most others
- It also has a relatively smaller viewing area
6. Tanox ADF-206S – Welding Helmet Package with Gloves
- Power Supply: Solar & battery
- Viewing Area: 3.86 x 1.73 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
This Tanox ADF-206S is one of the best welding helmets under $100 that offers you something extra that’s valuable for a welder.
The package includes a solar and battery-powered auto-darkening helmet, with fire-retardant safety gloves that feature kevlar stitching. These gloves have long sleeves and are pliable and comfortable.
Highlights include a 9-13 auto-darkening adjustments, a 1/25,000-second switching time, and a 3.86 x 1.73 inches viewing area.
For downsides, you can only get it in black. But, it comes at an attractive price for a helmet and gloves package. You get a set of extra lens covers in the package.
Pros:
- Auto-darkening helmet with safety gloves
- Gloves are fire retardant with Kevlar stitching
- Features 4 arc sensors and 1/25,000-second speed
- Large 3.86 x 1.73 viewing area
Cons:
- It’s only available in black
- It offers two shade ranges from 5-9 to 9-13
7. Dekopro DP-33 – Stylish Artwork Auto-darkening Helmet
- Power Supply: Solar & battery
- Viewing Area: 3.62 x 1.65 inches
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 second
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
For lovers of style and beautiful artworks, Dekopro makes a good offer here that features three helmets with three unique designs and artworks.
One features the flaming skull artwork, the other is a modern silver design, while the third is an amazing full skull concept that truly stands out, making it one of the best welding helmets under $100.
This helmet features a fast 1/25,000-second switching speed and is shade-adjustable from #9 to #13. It has a viewing area that measures 3.62 x 1.65 inches and multiple adjustments that make it a very comfortable helmet.
Surely, you’ll find many other helmets with larger viewing areas, but they’re hardly so stylish and so nicely priced.
Pros:
- Beautifully styled helmets for art lovers
- Available in silver, flaming skulls, and skull design
- Offers shade adjustments from 9-13
- Comes at an attractive price
Cons:
- Other helmets have larger viewing areas
- One of its options only offers a 1/15,000 second speed
8. Yeswelder LYGM800H – Extra Large View
- Power Supply: Solar & battery
- Viewing Area: 3.94 x 3.66 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
While the Dekopro DP-33 above offered a relatively small viewing area, this Yeswelder helmet offers a larger view with 3.94 x 3.66 inches, for those who want it.
It’s an auto-darkening helmet powered by solar and CR2450 rechargeable lithium batteries. This makes the batteries last longer and the package even includes a replacement battery. The package includes a carrying bag and 3 replacement lenses.
The downsides of this helmet include its relatively slow response time and being one of the heaviest helmets on this list. On the positive side, you can get it in any of its 8 style variants.
Pros:
- Comes with an extra-large 3.94 x 3.66-inch view
- Includes True Color technology for realistic views
- The package includes a bag, 3 replacement lenses and 1 battery
- Includes a comfortable and very adjustable headgear
Cons:
- Relatively slow response time at 1/10,000 second
- It’s one of the heaviest helmets on this list
9. Dekopro XG30 – Good Looking in Four Colors
- Power Supply: Solar & batteries
- Viewing Area: 3.9 x 3.2 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Switching Speed: 1/25,000 Second
- Weight: 2 pounds
This offer also combines a stylish design with a very large viewing area that measures 3.9 x 3.2 inches. There are four colors on offer here: blue, orange, red, and blue-black.
The helmet is both solar and battery-powered. It uses CR2450 batteries, which are rechargeable and replaceable if they die completely.
For downsides, you can get cheaper helmets such as the Antra AH7-360 and the Honeywell 110WH.
This helmet, however, meets ANSI Z87.1 and EN379 safety standards, offering shading adjustments from 9 to 13, with full UV and IR protection.
Pros:
- Stylishly designed welding helmet under $100
- Available in blue, red, orange, and blue-black
- Comes with a very large viewing area
- Fast 1/25,000-second switching
Cons:
- One of the heaviest offers on this list
- You can get cheaper helmets
10. Antra AH7-860 – Heavy-duty
- Power Supply: Solar and batteries
- Viewing Area: 3.86 x 3.5 inches
- Arc Sensors: 4
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
Designed for toughness and durability, this Antra AH7-860 welding helmet also features a generous viewing area that measures 3.86 x 3.5 inches.
It has a 13-shade UV and IR filter that is permanent, plus a 2-stage adjustable shading range from 5 to 13. You can use it for many welding types and it’s compatible with both hard hats and cheater lenses.
What it lacks though, is style. It’s neither impressively stylish nor available in any color other than black.
On the positive side, it comes with a flexible headgear, includes sensitivity and delays controls, plus Antra backs it with a 1-year warranty, making it one of the best welding helmets for MIG, TIG, and stick welding.
Pros:
- Rugged welding helmet for heavy-duty use
- Comes with a large viewing area
- Compatible with hard hats and cheater lens
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- It’s not a stylish or beautiful helmet
- The solar doesn’t charge the battery
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of this welding helmets under $100 review and you’ve seen all the budget offers out there, including the auto-darkening and passive models.
You can easily go with the best overall helmet or choose the best budget helmet based solely on price. You can also choose Yeswelder LYGM800H if you want the largest view.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Welding Helmet Under $100?
- 10 Best Welding Helmets Under $100 Reviewed
- 1. Antra AH6-260 – Best Overall
- 2. Dekopro XG9 – Practical & Best Budget
- 3. Antra AH7-360 – Auto-darkening in 4 Styles
- 4. Honeywell 110WH – Fiberglass Pipe
- 5. Yeswelder LYGL500A – True Color
- 6. Tanox ADF-206S – Welding Helmet Package with Gloves
- 7. Dekopro DP-33 – Stylish Artwork Auto-darkening Helmet
- 8. Yeswelder LYGM800H – Extra Large View
- 9. Dekopro XG30 – Good Looking in Four Colors
- 10. Antra AH7-860 – Heavy-duty
- Conclusion