TOP 6 Best Masks for Welders

The best chameleon welding masks: review based on testing results
Today, few welders use traditional masks with a replaceable light filter. Everyone switched to “chameleon” masks with automatic light filters. Such masks are very convenient to use, they do not distract and help protect your eyesight.

What can we say about novice welders, for whom chameleon masks turn out to be simply an indispensable means of personal protection. Thanks to their use, a beginner quickly adapts to various working conditions and does not have to be distracted by unnecessary things.

However, even automatic chameleon masks are distinguished by their quality. Not only the design, but also the speed of operation of the light filter, the ability to adjust and turn it off, and much more. Therefore, we have prepared a review of chameleon masks, both budget and high-end, which have received a quality mark and recognition from professional welders.

Which brand of welding mask is best to choose?

Such accessories are produced mainly by the same companies that produce welding equipment. The list of the most reliable of them includes the following companies:

Resanta is a brand recognizable on the Russian electrical equipment market, whose tools and products have become the standard for the ratio of high quality and optimal cost. It sells welding equipment and accessories for it, including chameleon masks.
Fubag Ultima is a specialized German manufacturer of products for construction and renovation. His offers are interesting because of the packaging; the sets always come with additional lenses. The company's masks provide ideal protection from emitted light and are recommended for both short-term and long-term welding work.
ESAB is a company dedicated to providing comfort, safety, convenience and efficiency when working with welding equipment. To this end, it provides chameleon masks and shields to protect the face and head. Among them there are models with a large viewing area, a folding screen, and an air supply unit. The products provide reliable protection against infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
Zubr is a Russian manufacturer of a wide range of power tools and equipment. He has a series of masks and shields with folding glass, auto-darkening, and a fixed light filter. There are models with adjustable lightening speed and the ability to work with a welding machine in grinding mode.
Interskol is one of the 5 leaders in this rating of the best manufacturers of equipment and accessories for welding. They have few masks for operators, but they are versatile - they are used to protect against splashes of hot metal, bright flashes, sparks, UV and IR radiation arising from an arc or plasma.

Most of the companies producing the best welding helmets are Russian.

Light filter

The light filter is the main part of any welding helmet. Modern filters vary in size and degree of shading. The design depends on the mask model, as well as on the features and types of welding process.

The classification of welding glass is simple:

permanently dimmable glass;
changeable tinted glass;
diopter lenses for welding equipment.

Constantly dimming filters

A classic that many welders are familiar with. Nickel or copper is added to such glasses to darken them. It is these two metals that best reduce the light transmittance of glass. Another option is a mirror surface to reflect light rays.

Constant dimming filter

There is the following dependence of the degree of darkness on the current strength: the greater the ampere (current strength), the higher the degree of darkness of the glass. Despite these kinds of shortcomings, these masks really protect well. In addition, they are durable and inexpensive.

Important! Fixed-darkening filters come in two levels: Western (DIN) and domestic (C).

Color filters with replaceable dimming

Chameleons are a new generation of glass. They were invented to get rid of the main disadvantage of models with non-replaceable glass - the need to manually lift the glass outside the welding process, when it is necessary, for example, to remove slag or clean a seam. Chameleons with automatic dimming a split second before igniting the electric arc are a completely different matter.

Light filter with replaceable dimming

The chameleon has an additional screen film for protection against UV and IR radiation. In addition, an additional polymer layer is designed to protect against drops of molten metal.

Important! Today, in modern helmets you can often find “chameleons” rather than classic light filters with constant darkening.

Diopter lenses

This option is quite rare. These lenses are designed for special work with small parts or thin metal. They are most often prescribed to construction workers with vision problems. Diopters will enlarge the image of objects for convenient control of the welding process.

Diopter lens

Rating of the best masks for welders

The appearance of this rating was made possible as a result of a thorough analysis of existing offers on the market and reviews of them from welders themselves. When studying them, attention was paid to the following points:

Type – mask, shield, helmet;
Visibility through glass in original lightening;
Sensitivity of sensors to light flashes and their number;
Operating temperature range;
Method of nutrition;
Mechanism for fastening on the head and adjusting for size;
Ability to breathe normally during welding;
Weight and feeling of heaviness according to reviews;
Viewing area and dimensions of protective glass;
Case material;
What types of welding is the shield suitable for?
Operating modes;
Availability of suitable lenses on the market;
Glass darkening range;
Price.

The Best Automatic Chameleon Welding Helmets

Such models of protective equipment for metal welding independently regulate the degree of glass darkening, reacting to each new flash of light thanks to sensitive light filters. When working in them, there is no need to remove the shield when the electric arc dies out. They are medium in cost; This category features two of the best welding masks.

Resanta MS-4

The Resanta MS-4 65/34 welding helmet is liked by customers because of its reliable protection of the eyes and face from sparks, splashes of molten metal and bright flashes. It is comfortable to work in it thanks to the automatic darkening of the glass with a reaction time of 0.1 ms due to the “chameleon” filter and its high sensitivity. It quickly returns to the initial state of lightening and does not distract from the process. Powered by a solar battery and easy to replace, this personal protective equipment is versatile.

The welder's mask is partially open at the back and has a strap for a firm fit on the head, on which he sits very comfortably. The fastening force can be adjusted to suit your individual size. The product is not heavy, weighs just over 400 g and does not cause discomfort. The window has good viewing angles and is quite wide; if necessary, the screen can be easily replaced.

Advantages

High degree of shading of the viewing window (11th);
Wide temperature range for operation – from -5 to +50°С;
Withstands high temperatures well;
Reliable protective properties;
Automatic dimming adjustment;
It is not hot to work in it in summer.

Flaws

Plastic bolts at the head mount;
It darkens greatly, the surgical field is not visible.

Average price : 1240 rub.

Fubag Ultima 11

The Fubag Ultima 11 welding mask took its place in the ranking due to automation. It independently switches from one dimming mode to another, which makes work more comfortable and safe. The filter in this model operates in 0.04 ms and reacts within 0.35 ms. The personal protective equipment reacts accurately and quickly to sparks, UV and IR rays, which prevents negative effects on the retina.

The protective mask does not fall off the head at a critical moment and is suitable for people with a wide variety of sizes. This is made possible by an adjustable swivel mount. The basis of the product is durable plastic, but it can still be damaged under significant mechanical stress. The decent screen size of 100x49 does not interfere with the view of the work area.

Advantages

Good sensitivity of the sensor to changes in light level;
Two sensors for the welding arc;
Suitable for use in MIG-MAG, TIG, MMA welding;
Powered by solar panel and lithium battery;
Reliably protects against small metal splashes;
Not heavy, weight 425 g;
The highest filter rating in the rating is 16 DIN.

Flaws

Possible damage to integrity upon contact with heated surfaces.

It is not recommended to use a helmet for welding with laser and oxy-acetylene equipment.

Average price : 1700 rub.

What to look for when choosing

When you have already decided which type of mask is closer to you, it is time to choose it according to the main parameters. Below we will tell you how to choose the right Chameleon welding helmet. Focus on the following important details:

Certificates

Certificate TR CU 019/2011 “On the safety of personal protective equipment” must be supplied with each mask. There are several types of certificates: CE, DI, DIN plus.

Optical filter class

Affects the price and speed of eye fatigue. Indicated by numbers separated by a fraction, for example, 2/2/1/2.

the first digit is the transparency coefficient;
the second is radiation scattering;
the third is the degree of uniformity of darkening.

The most optimal thing is if the first three digits are ones.

Primary filter darkening intensity and protection level

Visibility will be better if the filter is light enough when not in use. Regardless of the operation of the filter, the degree of protection against harmful radiation should be 9DIN or higher.

Range and smoothness of dimming adjustment

Ideally, you need to have two shade ranges: 5-9DIN and 9-13DIN (9-13DIN is most common). The 5-9DIN range is used for welding at low currents, which are typical for TIG welding. The dimming adjustment should be smooth.

Adjustment of response sensitivity (protection from light radiation)

It should be just as soft. With rough adjustments, the filter will either flicker due to glare or will not work. Adjustment of the opening delay time at the end of welding work.

At the end of welding, the glow of the hot metal remains, so a delay is necessary when returning the filter to its original state.

Filter response time

This value should not exceed 1 millisecond. In cold weather, this figure can be increased.

Visible area size

Keep in mind that the larger this size, the more fragile the filter itself will be.

Welding type

If the Chameleon mask showed good results when working with TIG welding, then it will work no worse when working with other types of welding.

Climatic conditions

A way to test a mask is to check the sensitivity of the filter in cold weather. If the mask’s light filter works well at minus 20 degrees, this means that the mask can confidently be used in all other conditions. The Chameleon type mask most often withstands temperatures down to minus 10 degrees.

Ability to independently replace discharged batteries
Overall dimensions of the mask

Dimensions, weight, shape must suit you personally. Therefore, you need to take time to choose the right mask.

The best chameleon welding helmets with manual adjustment

This type of mask also has an automatically darkening glass, but there is also the possibility of manual adjustment. This feature makes work even safer, more efficient and more comfortable. For this reason, these products are higher than the average price. Worthy options are the models included in this category.

Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black

This is the undisputed leader of our TOP in terms of quality and price. This model is innovative; it has a large viewing area, 93x100 mm, which makes it easier to work in difficult conditions. Its value lies in the ability to weld in several modes - TIG, MMA, MIG/MAG. Safe operation is facilitated by 4 optical sensors with increased sensitivity to light and smooth adjustment of the degree of darkness in the range from 5-9 and from 9 to 13 DIN. Due to this, you can choose the appropriate option, depending on the environment.

The inclusion of the “Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black” welder’s mask in the rating was facilitated by the fact that it accurately and without deviation reacts to flashes of light, even at sub-zero and high temperatures. Its protection is effective within the range from -5 to +55°C. The product has initially darkened 4 DIN glass, despite the presence of a “grinding” mode. This may not be very comfortable when sharpening seams, as you may need to open the window.

Advantages

Comfortable distance from the viewing window to the eyes;
Filter delay 0.15-0.80 sec;
It's easy to find custom-made safety glasses;
Copes with high currents;
Comfortable head mount;
Excellent range of adjustments;
Impact-resistant plastic housing.

Flaws

External dimming adjustment;
A weight of 0.5 kg is felt on the head.

The Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black model is successfully used for both low and high current welding.

Average price : 3990 rub.

ESAB Sentinel A50

The personal protective equipment looks similar to an astronaut’s helmet and, above all, stands out from other participants in the rating due to its resistance to chemical and mechanical influences. It is made of durable nylon and there is enough space inside for comfortable work. The open back does not interfere with normal ventilation during welding.

It’s hard to argue that this welding helmet is one of the best due to its comfortable shape and ergonomic 5-position adjustable headband. This does not put strain on the neck and eliminates the need to constantly adjust and hold the shield. The ESAB Sentinel A50 model has a wide range of applications; it can be used for all types of welding - MIG/MAG Pulse, MMA, TIG, as well as for stripping, grinding, plasma and air-arc cutting of metal.

Advantages

Completely covers the neck;
Replacement external lenses included (3 pcs.);
Powered by solar panel and battery;
Impact resistant material;
Dimensions of the viewing window: 60×100 mm;
Good protection from UV and IR rays;
Touchscreen.

Flaws

Weight 640 g;
Clearance time from 0.1 to 1 s.

The ESAB Sentinel A50 shield can be darkened in the ranges from 5 to 8 and from 9 to 13 DIN, due to which the mask can be used in any lighting, including outdoors. The grinding mode is activated by a button on the outside of the protective equipment.

Average price : 16,900 rub.

Interskol MS-400

The peculiarity of this welding helmet is that it can be used not only for electric, but also for gas welding. It reliably protects your eyes, face, and neck from burns. There are replaceable lenses that can be easily purchased and replaced if necessary. The screen automatically darkens or brightens in 0.06 seconds, depending on the lighting conditions. The lightening time settings can also be changed. It is convenient that, if necessary, the degree of sensitivity of the filter can be adjusted manually.

The visible area dimensions of 42x92 mm are sufficient for a good overview of the working area. Interskol MS-400 was also included in the rating of welding helmets for its external and internal control sensors, which work in coordination with each other, sending timely signals to the light filter when an arc appears. The second sensor is necessary in order to prevent radiation harmful to the eyes if the main sensor is accidentally closed. They protect the cornea of the eye, preventing it from getting burned and catching “bunnies”. It's easy to navigate without raising the window.

Advantages

Impact resistant material;
Weight 460 g;
Possibility of replacing protective glass;
Quick detection of the start of welding;
You can adjust the distance from the eye to the mask;
There is no plastic in the base;
Good location of control sensors.

Flaws

Insufficient range of shade levels;
Excessive neck protection, which can cause discomfort.

According to customer reviews, by choosing the desired mode, you can clean seams, grind, and plasma cut efficiently and safely.

Average price: 1500 rub.

Criterias of choice

Before buying a welding helmet, pay attention to its technical parameters:

Size of viewing window;
Darkening degree;
Chameleon response speed;
Type of food;
Material of manufacture;
Self-test function.

The size of the viewing window directly determines visibility. For most models, this figure varies from 90x32 to 110x93 mm. The most popular masks are those with a window of 96×47 or 98×43 mm. Devices with a large window are called panoramic.

For cheap classic masks, the degree of darkness is indicated in units, ranging from 2 to 5. Models with maximum darkness can be used outdoors. It will not be possible to work indoors in them, since it will be difficult to see what is happening. For work in dark conditions, masks with a protective element marked 2 are used.

For chameleons, the degree of darkening is indicated in the range, for example, 5-13 DIN. The larger the specified range, the wider the list of tasks to be solved. So, for manual arc welding with a current of 100-125 A, the light transmission level should be 9-10 DIN. When igniting the arc, it should be higher - up to 13 DIN.

The response speed indicates how quickly the mask reacts. The transition to the dark state usually takes no more than 0.0001 seconds. Return to the enlightened state – 0.2-0.8 seconds. It is worth noting that in low temperature conditions the response speed may increase.

A classic welding helmet with a glass filter does not require a power source. It is only necessary for chameleons to operate the sensors and LCD screen. Welding helmets are usually powered by a battery, which requires periodic replacement, or a solar panel.

Masks can be made from various materials. The most inexpensive models are made of pressed cardboard. They are lightweight (about 1 kg), but due to high humidity they can swell and become deformed. Plastic masks are bulkier and heavier. However, such models also last longer.

The best shields for welders

The shield differs from masks in that it is equipped with a viewing part that does not have flash response sensors, which means it cannot independently adjust the darkening of the glass. In this case, if necessary, you have to remove it from your head or open the viewing window. Only one winner was determined here.

Bison Master 11072

This is a cheaper and simpler version of welding helmets and masks for workers who do not expect to weld metal often. The shield is equipped with protective glass for the eyes with a non-adjustable light filter; on the DIN scale, the degree of shading is 11, so the manufacturer made the window folding. This allows you not to remove personal protective equipment during the break between arc extinction. Equally important is the possibility of replacing it with a more or less light element.

The budget welding shield “Bison Master 11072” is made of heat-resistant plastic that can withstand work at elevated temperatures. Adjustment of the headband is smooth and simple, it is provided by a ratchet mechanism, and in height - using a step-by-step rack mechanism. A high-density light filter reliably protects your eyes from light flux.

Advantages

Best price;
There is a head mount;
Reliable protection against splashes of molten metal, UV and IR rays;
No need to hold it in your hand;
Suitable for different head sizes;
Weight 0.4 kg.

Flaws

The protective filter is not very large in area;
High degree of dimming, which is not adjustable;
Not intended for use in grinding mode.

Average price: 470 rub.

Which welding mask is best to buy?

For professional welders who weld on a regular basis, it is best to choose helmets and masks with a “chameleon” function, which automatically adjust the degree of shading of the protective glass based on the strength of the luminous flux. For one-time work, an ordinary shield with a removable light filter with unregulated dimming will be quite sufficient.

Here are the best welding helmets to choose and when:

For outdoor work, you should pay attention to the Resanta MS-4 personal protective equipment;
To reliably cover not only your eyes, but also your neck, you can choose Fubag Ultima 11.
To work in grinding mode, you may need Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black;
Non-consumable electrode welding can be done with the ESAB Sentinel A50.
During gas welding, the safety of the cornea and skin will be ensured by Interskol MS-400.
Those who need something simpler and inexpensive can be satisfied with the “Bison Master 11072” shield with a fixed degree of darkness.

There are many good welding helmets on the market, but you can count the best ones on your fingers. We hope this rating will significantly narrow your search area.

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