Welding helmets are mostly considered a safety item, but that doesn’t mean you can't have to look the part with some badass welding helmets. Be safe and look baller at the same time. Here are our 2021 picks for the most badass welding helmets around.
It wasn’t that many years ago and you were limited to pretty boring hoods. While many of the top manufacturers’s still only offer plain-Jane models, others are catching on. Save Phace was the pioneer in this arena. They still continue to manufacture the coolest welding helmets on the market, but others are slowly catching up.
With today’s advanced printing techniques just about any design is possible. So, make a bold statement! Just make sure to select a quality helmet approved by all the safety agencies. As there are a lot of cool looking helmets that are junk.
If you are looking for just a great all-around helmet, regardless of looks check out our buying guide. For everyone else, keep on reading.
Here are some of the most badass welding helmets available today (that still offer great quality!
Top End Welding Helmets
1. Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 Mojo
Make a bold statement with this helmet from Lincoln Electric! With its huge viewing area and 4C lens technology this will quickly become your go to hood.
2 3M Speedglas 100 Welding Helmet Tribute 07-0012-31TB, with ADF 100V
Check Pricing on Amazon
Check Pricing on AmazonWhile 3M Speedglass helmets are some of the most awesome functioning available, they tend to lack in creativity on the design. But if you want a change from the plain old regular flames, This 3M is one of the coolest welding helmets around. A USA proud American theme, to stand out from the crowd.
4. ArcOne 7000VX-1171 Python Welding Helmet with 7000VX Shade Master Filter, Fighting Tiger
While the design has been around a while, the 7000VX is a newer bigger view model. Nothing says badass like a “Fighting Tiger!”
5. Lincoln Electric “The Graveyard Shift”
Check Pricing on Amazon
Looking for a quality helmet that is a bit more subtle? This helmet from Lincoln Electric is for the badass that doesn’t need to shout it loud.
6. Esab SENTINEL A50 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
Esab helmets offer amazing clarity. And looking like you just stepped out of “Halo” is just plain badass!
It doesn't just look cool. It incorporated some badass technology to it too. This Esab A50 has a touch screen allowing you to adjust the shades. It will even remember your preferred settings.
For those working in extreme environments. The A50 also has a hard hat adapter option.
7. Optrel Panoramaxx Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Black #1010.000
Sometimes keeping it simple, just says “BAD!” This is a state of the art helmet that has to be tried to be believed!
Helmets under $200
8. Antra AH7-X90-6403
While not a 3M or 4C, this helmet from Antra stands out!
9. Hobart 770751 Impact Bonehead2 Variable Auto-Dark Helmet
One of the most popular helmets available today and one of our personal favorites. This sweet looking helmet from Hobart is sure to meet all your needs.
10. Save Phace 3011322 Gate Keeper Gen-Y Welding Helmet
Another lightweight, huge view area and total badass helmet from Save Phace!
11. Antra AH7-X90-7333
Let your inner demons out with this Antra helmet.
12. Jackson Safety Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet (46101) STARS AND SCARS
Jackson Safety doesn't offer much in the way of designs, but nothing says badass like good old American stars. This design is available in a few different Jackson styles from the middle of the road to their top of the line.
13. Save Phace 3012435 E – Series Dod
These striking graphics plus it offers 180 degree vision!
Sweet Welding Helmets under $100
14. Antra AH6-260-6218 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
This lightweight helmet by Antra is perfect for the budget minded welder looking to make a statement!
15. Save Phace 3011629 Dead King
The King has returned! Well, his mask is at least. Save Phace's Dead King Welding Helmet is all the same great features that you loved before with some added improvements. The Dead King has an extra lightweight design which means you won't wear yourself out during those long days at work.
16. Antra AH6-260-6104
Antra has a few models listed in our most badass welding helmets review. Antra makes some great beginner helmets that function nearly as well as more expensive models.
17. Save Phace 3011674 Kannibal 40-Vizl2 Series
One of the most popular Save Phace helmets available.
In Summary
And there you have it. Our picks for the most badass helmets of 2021. We love custom designs and hope that more of the top end models follow suit. If you know of a designer please have them reach out. We will be featuring custom designs in our next post.
Some of the coolest designs out there are on cheap knockoff models and didn't make our list. Going cheap on any piece of safety gear is just crazy. As a reminder, here are some things to look for when shopping for a new helmet.
Today's auto-darkening helmets are so well made that they are more common than finding a passive helmet. For this reason, we have only focused on auto-darkening helmets. Nearly all helmets today offer variable shades, we recommend only buying helmets with variable shades. In addition, the reaction time of today's quality helmets is quite fast and is generally not an issue. However, you should always check that the helmet you select is in line with industry standards.
Nearly all levels of today's helmets will offer both sensitivity controls and delay controls. Sensitivity controls adjust how much light it takes for the lens to darken. Delay controls allow the user to adjust how long it takes for the lens to lighten again.
Considerations when selecting a helmet:
1. How long will you be wearing it?
If you are doing some project welding at home, you can probably get by with a heavier helmet. Whereas if welding is your career and you spend most of the day welding, a lighter helmet is a big priority. Remember that the heavier the helmet the more strain it will put on your neck throughout the day.
2. How variable are the shade options and how many sensors does the helmet have?
Nearly all new helmets will come with 4 sensors. This is optimal for catching flashes from all angles to ensure your eyes are best protected. The sensors are what triggers the auto-darkening feature of the shades.
The lens shades protect your eyes from flashes when welding. A helmet that has more shade options will be more useful in various situations.
Some helmets come with grinding modes as well as options for cheater lenses that magnify small weld joints. All of which should be considered when looking for a new helmet.
3. How does the helmet fit?
A good fitting helmet will be comfortable and won't move around on your face as you work in different positions. Some brands are known for having poorer headgear than others, reviews are a good place to look for these. In some cases, aftermarket gear can be added to compensate. It is essential that a helmet fit well and not be a constant battle. Also, a good-fitting helmet won't leave any open skin. We all know that spatter has a way of finding these places, not to mention burns from UV rays.
In addition, many professional welders work on job sites requiring hard hats. Some helmets accept hard hats some don't make sure you select one for your needs.
4. How large is the viewing area and how much do you need?
Today there is a wide variety of views available. Some welding helmets offer nearly as much view as without a helmet on at all. When working on larger objects it's useful to be able to see as much as possible. In addition, working in awkward positions it is often easier with a larger field of view. For smaller projects having the largest view possible might not be as critical. This can be as much of a personal preference as anything.
For more functional, but less badass welding helmets, check out our post on our best-reviewed welding helmets for this year!
