7 Best Budget Welding Helmet Models This Year: Our Top Picks Under $100

We understand that you need the best budget welding helmet when working with strong electrical arc discharge that can damage your sight at an instance. 

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Welding, cutting and grinding, iron manufacturing, and metal fabrication are some of the everyday activities that involve the emission of light at a very high frequency. 

All of these activities cause light particles (which are harmful to the eyes) to travel within a very short period, and to avoid damaging your pupil, you need headgear.

Another important reason why you need the best budget welding helmet is to improve your work. Exposing your naked eyes to a welding process can cause a temporary blackout, which implies that you’ll have to wait and recover before proceeding with your work each time you’re exposed to light discharge. An auto-darkening system is used with a welding helmet to detect any light emission and automatically adjust to intercept that emission. With this, you don’t need to worry about damaging your eyes.

Whether a professional or amateur welder, we understand your need to get the best budget welding helmets under $100. You need to also know that getting a cheap helmet doesn’t mean you are sacrificing quality for cost. 

Helmets are one of the most common pieces of safety gadgets used when burning metals. As a result of this, you need to be sure you’re getting nothing below par. When seeking to invest in a budget helmet, it’s easy to get lost in the myriad of promises by most brands. 

Don’t worry; we’ve come up with a list of the top 7 best cheap welding helmets for you in 2021. Let’s dive in.

Best Budget Welding Helmet Under $100 Ranked and Reviewed

YESWELDER EH-091XL

OVERALL TOP CHOICE

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Starting our list of helmets at an affordable price is the YESWELDER EH-091XL. This helmet comes as a significant upgrade to the traditional YESWELDER line of products because its “large view” feature allows you to have a more detailed view of your work. In essence, this option has excellent features that most amateur welders will be able to make use of.

Easy Control

The display on the EH-091XL is connected to an external control for easy use and improved functionality. For most of your welding tasks, you’d love to have less to worry about taking your headgear as this product presents you with top-level control that allows you to maximize your assignment with push-button and dial activation always at your disposal.

Clarity

If you have a flair for high-definition displays with true color, you can beg this product will deliver well for your grinding, welding, and cutting job. Secondly, the EH-901XL is rated with 1/1/1/1 optical clarity, which means that you’ll have a crisp and sharp view of the objects you’re working with.

Spending a little below a hundred dollars could minimize, to a reasonable extent, the lime green color that you’ll find on the viewing screen of a conventional helmet. This feature works with True Color Technology to reduce eye strain and improve visibility while maintaining clarity.

Comfortable Headgear

Similar to other best budget helmets on our list, the EH-901XL has an oversized cushion to assure you maximum comfort, extensive adjustability, and setting to improve support to your head, especially when carrying out a grinding activity. The pivot design on this welding helmet makes it super comfortable for any welder to use.

You may have this welding helmet warped out of the box due to its material, but you can have it recover after subsequent use or by using a hairdryer.

Automatic On/Off System

The YESWELDER EH-901XL does not have an on/off button, but this best welding helmet adopts the automatic on/off system, which turns on once you put it on and goes off when you simply put it off. This is not a good idea when conserving energy, as the sensor has to maintain power to detect whether you’ve put on the helmet or not. However, this feature can save you a lot of time pushing the on/off button when working on multiple welding projects.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Better clarity
• Supports large view
• Auto on/off system

Cons

• Users noticed the lens going off after few days
• Low helmet quality

Specifications

• Dimensions: 12.01″ L x 9.84″ W x 7.72″ H
• Weight: 2.12 Pounds
• Viewing area: 4.0″ x 3.7″ (101*94mm)
• Battery life: 3000 Hours
• Wide Shade Range: DIN4/5~9/9~13
• Response time: <1/30000 seconds
• Material: PA

YESWELDER LYG-M800H

BEST DISPLAY QUALITY

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Stellar Optical Clarity

Good news you can now have a better display when working on your projects; all thanks to YESWELDER for including the True Color Technology on this welding helmet. The 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating complements this fantastic feature, which allows you to have more visibility on your work with reduced eye strain (lime green color elimination). Because of the unconventional technology adopted on this budget, welding helmet has gained due recognition in the online market space. 

Grind & Cut Mode/Durability

You won’t find much of the best budget welding helmet with dual-color mode to support cut and grind mode. The manufacturers of this product also assure consumers of durable material, ready to take on any cutting or welding activity. While this is the case, some users have noticed the headgear failing after a few days of use. For an inexpensive welding helmet, you’ll find the material of this headgear fit for any cutting job (if you treat it well).

Traditional Helmet Upgrade

This welding helmet is sure to be a significant upgrade to most units within its price range as it offers a brighter display and accurate color owning to its quality lens. Critical to welders is the activation rate of the lens. The lens on this unit has a quick auto-darkening activation that exempts your eyes from taking electrical welding arc discharge when working.

Comfort

This welding helmet is easy to wear and has relatively decent headgear that keeps it in place no matter how often you shake or nod your head when working. TIG welders will love to have headgear like this because of the simplicity of the design and its easy function. Experts can conveniently make use of this unit for serious projects, except that it lacks more professional functions.

Pros

• Good value for your money
• A bright lens with true color
• Comfortable and easy to use
• Firm head strap

Cons

• Weak headgear
• Fastened bolt loosen more often
• Flickers on grind mode after few days

Specifications

• Dimensions: ‎12.5″ L x 7.9″ W x 9.75″ H
• Weight: 2.2 Pounds
• ‎Viewing Size :3.94″ L X 3.66″ W
• Battery Life: 3000 Hours

Tsinglax

BEST VIEW AREA HELMET

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Large View

The Tsinglax welding helmet is rated as one of the best budget welding helmets under $100 with a large field view of 3.9″ L x 3.7″ W. This view is generous enough for you to have eyes on whatever it is you’re doing. Asides from going a step ahead of the traditional small view on conventional welding helmet models, this product improves your productivity and ensures comfort.

There’s only one replacement lens (right out of the box) for this budget welding helmet, possibly because of the odd size, so you have to be extra careful when handling this product as you may not get another lens once you’re caught up.

True Color

One thing you’d quickly notice with a typical budget welding helmet is the lime green illumination on the viewing screen. With True Color Technology, you don’t get the distracting illumination as your display will reflect in a more enhanced way. One other advantage to this innovation, apart from increased visibility, is the noticeable relief from eye strain as a result of the lime green coloring you get on most budget welding helmets.

Generous Eye Care

Thanks to Auto Transform Technology for making it possible for the best budget welding helmet manufacturers like Tsinglax to take advantage of the automatic darkening effect. This addition on welding helmets helps protect the eyes from sustaining injury due to instant electricity discharge. 

In addition to getting eye protection, you also get to enjoy a substantial amount (over 90%) of protection from UV light and infrared rays, with a DIN13 protection rating on this budget welding helmet. Although this protection is subject to light emission at a higher frequency, you can still enjoy the value it presents for your money.

Comfort at Its Very Best

What do you think of a budget welding helmet under $100? If I guessed right, you’d probably be thinking about a headgear with little or no consideration for comfort (at any level). This welding helmet is ergonomically fashioned to give you a comfortable time when working. With simple twist-and-turn/press-button control, you can easily adjust the headband to either loosen or grip better to your head. The forehead sponge is also made thick and comfortable, with an enhanced grip to protect you from injury or the helmet slipping off your head.

Durable

Durability is one feature that defines the best budget welding helmets. The EH-901XL is made from a soft PA material that professional welders may find inferior to other expensive welding headgears on the market. Still, this texture is durable enough to handle hobby welding, cutting, and grinding tasks, applicable to food manufacturing, transportation, repair, metal fabrication, and so on.

Pros

• The fantastic design suits various welding task
• Large screen view enhances productivity
• 180-degree view
• Ultraviolet & infrared light sensitivity
• Smooth and easy control
• Comfortable adjustment

Cons

• The screen starts flickering on subsequent use
• The headband is too flexible
• Some users complain of True Color being absent

Specifications

• Dimensions: ‎12.4″ L x 9.61″ W x 7.68″ H
• Materials: PP/PA
• Weight: 500 g
• View Area: 3.94″ x 3.66″/100 x 93 mm
• Optical Class: 1/1/1/2
• Light States: DIN 5
• Dark States: DIN 9~13
• Response Time (Bright to Dark): ≤1/10000 Seconds
• Package Includes:1 x Welding Helmet, 1 x Adjustable Headband, 1 x User Manual, 1 x Replacement Lens

TOOLIOM TL-M800D

BEST EASY-CONTROL WELDING HELMET

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Window Glass Display

In a bid to maintain quality production of the best budget welding helmet, TOOLIOM follows suit with the addition of True Color Technology on this headgear. The window glass display (as it is often called) eliminates any lime green illumination. It promotes a much clearer grinding vision to see what you’re doing and ensure the exact location of welding points.

Inexpensive Game Changer

For amateur MIG welding, the biggest challenge is keeping an eye on what you’re doing. The darkness adjustment feature lets you dial in the best shade for seeing the path and watching the puddle with this product. This is also an excellent choice for people who needs correction in their vision.

However, the downside to this welding helmet is the minimal input comfort, as the cushion on this product is low compared to other budget welding helmets. This won’t be a problem if you’re an ironworker with more concern about the accurate display.

Smooth Controls

Great helmet for an affordable price. Controls on this welding headgear are simple and very easy to adjust. The only downside to this feature is that you may have to take the controls apart to eliminate the warp that sticks to the outside of the glass.

Ultra-fast Reaction Time

The TOOLIOM welding helmet is adaptive and works perfectly for those that have no experience using it. The lightning-fast reaction to strong light makes it stand out from the bunch of other budget helmets. This feature rightly complements the large, adjustable window view and won’t drop when you nod your head.

Pros

• Bright display
• Large view area
• Easy controls
• Firm grip
• Quick response to intense light

Cons

• Helmet instructions in Chinese
• Too many sharp comers
• Low-quality suspension system

Specifications

• Dimensions: ‎11.89″ L x 9.96″ W x 7.76″ H
• Weight: 2.14 pounds
• Super Large View Area: 3.94″x3.27″ inch (100 x 83 mm) with 4 Premium Sensors
• Material: PA/PP
• Optical Class: 1/1/1/2
• Internal Features: Sensitivity/Delay Settings/Power test knob
• UV/IR Protection: DIN 16
• Dark Shade: DIN5~9/9~13
• Lithium Batteries Capacity: 600mAH
• Application: MMA/MIG/TIG/CUT
• Switching Speed Time: In 1/10000 seconds

YESWELDER LYG-17800F-ST

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Better Clarity

As the tradition of the manufacturers of YESWELDER welding helmets, the quality of the display is non-negotiable as it gives you a real color visual on whatever it is you’re welding. The optical rating on this product is an upgrade to the EH-901XL, with a 1/1/1/2 clarity rating to help get rid of any lime green color and improve visibility.

Wide-screen View

With a wide-screen view of 3.9″ x 3.66″ and a 180-degree angle display complemented by True Color Technology, you will not only see better but also have a detailed view with welding, cutting, and grinding to increase operational control.

Comfortable Welding Helmet

Common with the YESWELDER line is the comfortable oversized cushion to provide adjustability, improved support, and settings. For more flexibility, this headgear works perfectly with eyeglasses, having clips for magnifiers for older users that need more eyes on their work.

Serious-hobby Helmet

This helmet is the best choice for serious welders who want flawless action and comfort as it allows you to see through the un-darkened lens without going dark. Secondly, if you love flash burns, this welding helmet is one you should go for as it goes on/off constantly without affecting your eyesight.

One downside to this helmet is that it doesn’t give you enough illumination to carry your work under a moderately lit environment. Some users complain of not getting light enough for their heads, even with a hat on. One other defect to this product as far as stability is concerned is that it doesn’t stay in place, so you may need to consider purchasing a firmer band.

Feature-packed Helmet

This welding headgear provides beginners with features that you’d find on more expensive helmets. In addition to these features, there’s a control that allows you to adjust the sensitivity. Also, there’s a setting for grinding and welding (more like the dual functionality on the YESWELDER LYG-M800H). The battery life is sufficient to run for a standby time of an hour while carrying on with your work.

Lightweight

Welding doesn’t have to be more demanding than it already is, which is why the manufacturers of this product have considered the use of lightweight plastic material. While some users are not pleased with this quality, it is assured to promote maximum comfort and ease your work. Whether you’re a hobby welder or a professional at it, this helmet is sure to bring out the best in your work ethic.

 Pros

• Lightweight
• Adjustable light sensor
• Auto-darkening system
• Dual functionality

Cons

• Breaks down after a couple of use
• Too heavy
• Doesn’t fit well

Specifications

• Dimensions: 13.86″ L x 9.61″ W x 7.87″ H
• Weight: 2.33 pounds
• Batteries: ‎1 Lithium-ion battery required. (included)
• Style: LYG-17800F-ST

Monster & Master MM-WH-001

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Established in 2019, it did not take long before the Monster and Master brand secured a good spot among the best budget options. To ensure that consumers are provided with the best choice of a helmet with an improved user experience, the manufacturers have come up with the MM-WH-001 unit.

True Color

The presence of true Color Technology is not left out in the manufacturing of this unit as it allows you have a clear view of your activity. This will drastically reduce eye strain by reducing the conventional lime green color you’ll find on traditional helmets and no doubt improve your visibility.

Comfortable Headgear

Second to last on our list of best affordable welding helmets is the MM-WH-001. This headgear is very easy to wear as its design is constructed to follow ergonomic design principles. It also provides you with ample space for easy operation.

Protection

If you’re concerned about enhanced protection, the MM-WH-001 is the best budget welding helmet to put your money on. This helmet is made with a soft textured material but is strong and very durable. Tested by several users, this helmet proves to be resistant to light, flame, high/low temperature as well as corrosion. This helmet is engineered with high-quality liquid crystal to protect your neck, face, and ear.

The optical coating on this headgear shields you from infrared and ultraviolet rays with DIN16 level protection.

Auto-transform Technology

The design of automatic transform technology on this helmet makes it possible for the goggles to easily detect intense light and be ready in 1/10000s to intercept the emission. As a result of this incredible feature, you are assured of safety from being injured due to sudden arc discharge.

Ergonomic Design

Complex surroundings may not allow you to visualize your work clearly, which is why the design of the MM-WH-001 features an anti-interference technology that constantly switches (almost immediately) to enable you to see the objects you’re welding. This product is also designed for multiple purposes, suitable for construction, automotive, fabrication, food manufacturing, metal production, transportation, and lots more.

Pros

• Resistant to corrosion and high temperature
• Ideal for TIG, MIG, and MMA
• High flexibility
• Sensitivity control
• Low volume alarm
• LCD protection plate
• Breathable cushion

Cons

• Wears out easily

Specifications

• Dimensions: 11.93″ L x 9.8″ W x 7.8″ H
• Weight: 2.12 pounds
• Battery: Lithium Manganese Dioxide

YESWELDER LYG-Q800D

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More Visibility

With the best budget welding helmet, more visibility is one luxury that you get to enjoy. This feature helps you visualize welding or grinding objects while eliminating the lime green color from the lens. It also boasts a super large view area of 3.93″ x 3.23″ with a DIN5, non-auto-darkening side view, which gives you a wide range of vision as applicable to the welding area. This will not just enhance your productivity but also increase operational control.

Versatility

You can now switch, more effectively, between the different modes when working. The “Weld” mode automatically configures the helmet functionality to achieve the purpose of welding while the “Cut” and “Grind” mode does what they say. The grind mode disallows the lens of the welding helmet from responding to any arc discharge. This mode allows for the purpose of grinding only. Always remember to set it back to “Cut or Weld” mode once you’re done grinding to injury to your eyes as a result of accidental flash.

Functionality

Because this budget welding helmet lacks an auto-darkening feature often found on an expensive helmet, the manufacturers have decided to add a shade dial instead, giving users more control over how they like to use the headgear. Once in “Cut” mode, you have access to the shade dial within the range of 5 and 9. When in the “Weld” mode, the shade dial works from the range of 9 and 13.

Comfort

Nothing else beats comfort when searching for the best budget welding helmet. The LYG-Q800D comes right from the box with an oversized cushion that gives you all the support needed. In addition to comfort, the Ultraviolet/Infrared light filter on this welding helmet operates continuously (independently), with or without power, to ensure that the lens is fully operational and provides consistent performance.

Pros

• Highly versatile
• Support three (3) different modes
• UV/I filter system
• Enhanced optical clarity
• Ergonomic design
• Improved battery life

Cons

• Lacks instant system found on other Auto-darkening helmets

  Specifications

• Dimensions: ‎8.5 x 7.8 x 12.8
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Great For TIG MIG MMA, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature
• Super Large Viewing Size 3.93 “X3.23” with Side View (non-auto-darkening)
• Better clarity, True color view – 1/1/1/2 Optical Clarity
• 4 Premium Sensors
• Superior comfort with the pivot style headgear
• Increased battery life
• Wide Shade Range DIN4~5/9~9/13

Our Buyer’s Guide To Getting the Best Budget Welding Helmets under $100

You’re here because you’re ready to decide which best budget welding helmet you wish to purchase for your welding tasks. But before you proceed to pick a product just yet, we have put together a list of general features that makes a welding headgear stand out. Be sure to carefully go through this section.

Clarity

For the best budget helmet, clarity is an essential part that needs to be ticked. From user experience, most people love a welding helmet with a beautiful and crisp display (regardless of the price tag). If you’re willing to up your welding experience by a sizeable factor, then we recommend the YESWELDER LYG-M800H as this product will give you a 1/1/1/2 rating display with the best quality. Other budget welding helmets on our list are also suitable for this feature, but the EH-901XL is our recommendation for a clear display. Auto-darkening helmets are also a great choice as they allow you to think about one less thing as they enable the helmet to go from light to dark instantly.

View Area

On the one hand, the need for clarity has to be clearly defined, and on the other hand, a sufficient view area needs to be in place when going for the best budget welding helmet. A product like the Tsinglax welding helmet will provide you with a view area of 3.94″ x 3.66″, which is okay enough to have better eyes on your grinding, cutting, and welding tasks.

Design

We love products that comply with ergonomic design principles, which is why we have compiled our list of the best affordable welding helmets to suit this category. For better performance and enhanced productivity, going for the pivot design on a budget welding helmet is crucial to ensure that you get maximum comfort when working on a grinding or cutting project.

Below are few boxes you should tick when choosing the perfect construction of a welding helmet;

• Ease of control (the TOOLIOM welding helmet will serve a great deal in this regard)
• Versatility
• Weight of the helmet

Is It Comfortable?

Because of the numerous budget helmets on the market, you need to be watchful when choosing a unit to purchase. The MM-WH-001 is our best helmet for comfortable use, and you’ll enjoy the flexibility of this product, especially when grinding.

Another essential thing to note is how well the helmet grips to your head and the breathability of the cushion. For other low-budget helmets, you only get an oversized cushion with no breathable material or vice versa. Still, with a helmet like the MM-WH-001, you’ll get a firm grip and quality strap material. You will also need one that reduces neck strain.

How To Make Your Welding Helmet Last Longer? 

No matter the pros and cons of the product, you will still need to take appropriate care of it to get the most out of the product. We will be discussing some measures you can take to prolong the lifespan of your welding helmet.

Use The Storage Bag To Protect The Headgear

The first step to prolonging your welding helmet lifespan is using the storage bag to protect the headgear. This is to prevent wear and tear. 

Aside from using the storage bag to elongate the product’s lifespan, it also helps to prevent it from theft. 

Wipe The Lens With A Clean Fabric

Before putting the helmet in the storage bag, wipe it clean with a clean fabric to remove any debris from the lens. Make sure that the material you are using is not stained; otherwise, in no time, you’ll find traces of unwanted marks in your lens. Also, avoid adding water or any liquid to the fabric before cleaning. Only use clean and dry material.

Remove Particles As Soon As You Spot Them

Remove all slags and tiny particles which could harm the helmet and cause eye irritations for the operator. When utilizing the helmet in all metal cutting and Grinding tasks, check for metal slags, particles, debris, and industrial dirt which may lodge in the helmet. 

Make Sure You Have Replacement Parts Around You

This is in case of any emergency. You should get replacement parts for the product at all times to avoid disappointments. Always change the lens and battery when necessary to ensure it keeps performing optimally.