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Lincoln Electric is the best-known manufacturer when it comes to welding products. An industry-favorite, they produce and design anything from arc welding products to various cutting systems and, of course, their top-of-the-line Lincoln welding helmets. It’s no wonder that welders continuously support the brand.
But, with the hundreds of products being produced by Lincoln Electric, the search for the best welding helmet can get a tad bit overwhelming. Rest assured that most, if not all of them, are made from high-quality materials, but which one suits your needs the most? Luckily, we’ve reviewed the top 5 best Lincoln welding helmets you should buy this year.
The Lincoln 3350 welding helmet is the best pick out of the five on the list. Why? Because it is the ultimate blend of optics, comfort, and versatility. The Lincoln Viking welding helmet has a massive 12.5 square inches of viewing, which gives you maximum clarity in your weld. There are digital controls inside the helmet, which lets you adjust shade levels from 5-13.
The Viking 3350 has a rating of 1/1/1/1, which is the perfect optical classification. The TIG sensitivity is outstanding, down to 2 amps and below. It also boasts quick lens reaction time and paramount comfort and ease of use according to its many users.
Its lightweight feature is due to the evenly distributed mass around the head at six different points. The safety gear also comes with an external grind button and an internal green light indicator that reminds you to switch back to welding mode. Lastly, it has a solar-rechargeable watch battery. Overall, it’s a great helmet that’s perfect for both novice and professional welders!
The K3320-2 Eliminator is a comfortable headgear that comes with a sweatband and hard hat compatibility. Users were pleased with the optical quality of this particular helmet and quick 1/25,000th of a second reaction time. It is lightweight, has an auto-darkening feature that can be adjusted from 7 to 13 in shade level.
The external dial for the shade level can also be used as a grind mode selector. It’s also easy to adjust even when you’re wearing gloves. Solar power is one of the popular features of this helmet, along with AAA batteries that don’t add much weight to the helmet. However, some reports state that the headgear is difficult to tighten; still a pretty good unit if you overlook this minor flaw.
If you want a high-quality Lincoln auto-darkening welding helmet, the Lincoln K2933-1 is an ideal pick. It has a 6.6 square inch viewport that allows a wider view than the competitors. The graphics are also reasonable considering the harsh welding environment. Weighing in at 17 ounces, this helmet is lightweight, allowing for a more convenient welding experience. Moreover, it offers a fast 1/25,000-second reaction time at an affordable price.
As in other Lincoln helmets, this model is powered by solar energy. It is hard hat-compatible and comes with a sweatband. The only issue users report is that it has two arc sensors, compared to the usual four.
The Viking 1840 also boasts 4C natural color technology, a viewport of 6.9 square inches, and a 1/1/1/1 optical rating—basically a Viking 3350 that’s more affordable. Its external grind mode can be adjusted to shade level 3.5, while its internal digital control can be adjusted to 9 - 13.
Users love its reaction time of 1/25,000th seconds and sensitivity you can adjust down to 3 amps. Other users stated how comfortable and lightweight the design of the headgear. The Lincoln Viking 1840 has similar features to our top pick, making it a great purchase.
For an affordable price, the Lincoln 3419-1 has two arc sensors, a 1/25,000-second reaction time, a 6.6 square inches viewing area, and an infinitely dial-adjustable shade level between 7 to 13. The dial also comes with a level 3 grind mode shade. It’s only right for this unit to be our Lincoln welding helmet top budget-friendly pick.
The helmet is best for TIG welding down to an amperage of 5. The headgear is also hard hat-compatible and comfortable to wear. While some users report a lesser quality build, it is still a good helmet that delivers its function for an affordable price.
Welding produces light in three wavelengths:
A Lincoln electric welding helmet prevents the IR and UV from hitting the skin on your face and neck, reducing sunburn and skin cell tissue damage. A welding helmet with a darkened glass also helps filter out harmful visible light. Since filter glass is rated by number to indicate the shade level, pick the one with a higher number for better coverage, but not more than 10, so you still get good visibility.
Auto-darkening helmets react to the flashing glare of an arc by darkening instantly. In that way, you can complete excellent welds without ever lifting the hood.
There are several things to put into mind when purchasing a welding helmet. To help you in your search, here are some factors that you may want to consider.
Check if the unit has enough coverage to protect your neck, ears, and scalp. You want to choose a helmet that will shield you from harmful UV and IR wavelengths during a weld.
Since you’ll be wearing the welding helmet for several hours, it needs to be lightweight and comfortable enough to wear. A heavy welding helmet will strain your neck more, giving you muscle fatigue. Choose a lightweight, padded helmet that fits your head well and barely needs adjustments.
The size of your viewing area is crucial when you weld out of position or need to see a wider area. Helmets that are greater than 4″ x 3″ in size offer a wide viewing area, but it all depends on you and the project you are working on.
It’s nice to have a welding helmet with features you can control in a jiffy. An instantly or easily adjustable brightness setting can be extremely useful when you’re working at low amperage or when there are other welders and arcs within range. You can simply increase or decrease the sensitivity and avoid it being triggered by your co-worker’s arc.
Aside from sensitivity control, lens shade is also important. This allows you to choose among a range of shades for the type of work you are going to do. A shade level 9-13 is standard, but 6-13 may be a better option if you’re welding on low amperages with minimal visibility.
The lens reaction time is how fast the lens changes from light to dark after the arc triggers it. The best professional lenses have a speed of up to 1/20,000 a second. Since you’ll be working in an environment where your eyes are easily exposed to the arc’s light, having a lens that quickly changes from light to dark greatly helps.
The optical class indicates the clarity of images seen through the helmet’s glass. All welding helmets are graded from 1 to 3, with 1 as the highest. Hence, a grade of 1/1/1/1 is optimal. As for the arc sensors, these help detect flashes while you work, instantly darkening the helmet to protect your eyes.
The least expensive ones have two sensors, while the advanced models have three or four. Having two arc sensors can be enough and can complete short welds; however, there’s a greater risk of the helmet not catching the flash. Welders using such a helmet should proceed with caution.
A welding helmet can have either of the three main power sources: lithium batteries, solar energy, or both. Some battery-powered helmets have replaceable battery units, which are ideal. If you want to be cost-effective, choose a welding helmet with solar energy capabilities.
Of course, your welding helmet should adhere to the safety standards set by ANSI. The helmet must provide full and adequate protection during the entire welding process.
The price of a welding helmet can range from $40 to $800. We recommend purchasing a welding helmet that is a little bit on the expensive side because it provides the best materials and features. However, you can still find an affordable welding helmet that offers just as many pros.
Whatever industry you’re part of, it pays to have protection. Minimize workspace accidents with a Lincoln helmet that’s perfectly suited for your welding needs. Choosing the wrong helmet can lead to more costs and safety risks. We hope you find this guide helpful in your search.