The best masks for welders

Welding metal will only be safe and productive when using the best welder's mask. It will help protect your eyes, face and neck from ultraviolet and infrared radiation, high temperatures, sparks, and burns. The models proposed in the rating are designed to exclude damage to the retina and inflammation of the cornea (ophthalmia), to prevent loss of vision. These personal protective equipment may be required for all types of work. The TOP describes chameleon products and ordinary shields.

Which welding mask is better to choose

Such accessories are mainly produced 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 in the Russian market of electrical equipment, the tools and means of which have become the standard of the ratio of high quality and optimal cost. Welding equipment and accessories for it, including chameleon masks, are sold under it.
• Fubag ultima Is a specialized German manufacturer of goods for construction and renovation. His proposals are interesting because of the package bundle, there are always additional lenses in the sets. The masks of the company provide ideal protection from the emitted light and are recommended for both short-term and long-term welding jobs.
• ESAB - the company aims to provide comfort, safety, convenience and efficiency when working with welding equipment. To this end, she provides chameleon masks and visors to protect the face and head. Among them there are models with a large viewing area, a folding screen, an air supply unit. The products provide reliable protection against infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
• Bison Is a Russian manufacturer of a wide range of power tools and equipment. It has a series of flip-up face masks and shields with auto-dimming, fixed light filter. Models are available with adjustable flash rate and the ability to work with the welding machine in grinding mode.
• Interskol - 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 that make the best welding masks are Russian.

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Rating of the best masks for welders

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

• Type - mask, visor, helmet;
• Visibility through glass in original lighting;
• Sensitivity of sensors to light flashes and their number;
• Operating temperature range;
• Food method;
• Head attachment and size adjustment mechanism;
• The ability to breathe normally during the welding process;
• Weight and feeling of heaviness according to reviews;
• Viewing area and dimensions of the protective glass;
• Body material;
• For what types of welding is the shield suitable;
• Operating modes;
• Availability of suitable lenses on the market;
• Glass shade range;
• Price.

Good chasers

Best Automatic Chameleon Welding Masks

Such models of protective equipment for metal welding independently adjust the degree of glass darkening, reacting to each new flash of light thanks to sensitive light filters. Working in them, there is no need to remove the shield when the electric arc decays. They are average in value; This category features two of the best welder masks.

Resant MC-4

Customers like the Resanta MC-4 65/34 welding helmet because of the reliable protection of 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 response time of 0.1 ms due to the "chameleon" light filter and its high sensitivity. It quickly returns to its original state of lightening and does not distract from the process. Solar powered and easy to replace make this PPE versatile.

The welder's mask is partially open at the back and has a strap for a firm fixation on the head, on which he sits very comfortably. The fastening force can be adjusted to 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 darkening of the viewing window (11th);
• Large operating temperature range - from -5 to + 50 ° С;
• Withstands high temperatures well;
• Reliable protective properties;
• Automatic dimming adjustment;
• It's not hot to work in it in summer.

disadvantages

• Plastic bolts at the head mount;
• Strongly darkens, the surgical field is not visible.

average price: 1240 rub.

Fubag Ultima 11

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

The protective mask does not fly off the head at a crucial moment and is suitable for people with a wide variety of sizes. This is made possible by the adjustable swivel mount. The basis of the product is durable plastic, but nevertheless, with significant mechanical stress, it can be damaged. The decent screen size of 100 × 49 does not interfere with the view of the work area.

Advantages

• Good sensor sensitivity to changes in lighting levels;
• 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 splashes of metal;
• Not heavy, weight 425 g;
• The highest filter indicator in the rating is 16 DIN.

disadvantages

• Integrity violation is possible upon contact with heated surfaces.

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

average price: 1700 rub.

Best manual chameleon welding masks

This type of mask also has an automatically darkening glass, but there is also a possibility of manual adjustment. This feature makes work even safer, more efficient and more comfortable. For this reason, these funds are above the average price. Decent options are models that fall into this category.

Fubag Ultima 5-13 Panoramic Black

This is the undisputed leader of our TOP in terms of quality and price ratio. This model is innovative, it has a large viewing area, 93 × 100 mm, which makes it easier to work in difficult conditions. Its value lies in the possibility of welding in several modes - TIG, MMA, MIG / MAG. Safe operation is facilitated by 4 optical sensors with increased sensitivity to illumination and smooth adjustment of the degree of dimming 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.

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

Advantages

• Comfortable distance from the viewing window to the eyes;
• Filter delay for 0.15-0.80 sec;
• It is easy to find custom-made protective glasses;
• Copes with high currents;
• Convenient head mount;
• Excellent adjustment range;
• High impact plastic housing.

disadvantages

• External adjustment of the degree of shading;
• 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 like an astronaut's helmet and, above all, stands out against the background of other participants in the rating for its resistance to chemical and mechanical stress. It is made of durable nylon and has ample space inside for comfortable work. The open back does not interfere with normal ventilation during welding.

It is hard to argue that this welding helmet is one of the best due to its comfortable shape and ergonomic headband adjustable in 5 positions. This eliminates stress on the neck and eliminates the need to constantly adjust and hold the visor. 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 cleaning, grinding, plasma and air-arc metal cutting.

Advantages

• Covers the neck completely;
• Replaceable external lenses included (3 pcs.);
• Powered by solar panel and battery;
• Impact resistant material;
• Sizes of the viewing window 60 × 100 mm;
• Good protection against UV and IR rays;
• Touchscreen.

disadvantages

• Weight 640g;
• Clearing time from 0.1 to 1 s.

For ESAB Sentinel A50, dimming is possible 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. 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 mask is that it can be used not only for electric, but also for gas welding. It reliably protects eyes, face, neck from burns. There are interchangeable lenses that can be easily purchased and replaced if necessary. The screen automatically darkens or brightens in 0.06 seconds, depending on the ambient light. The lightening time settings can also be changed. It is convenient that, if necessary, the degree of sensitivity of the filter can be manually corrected.

The size of the visible area 42 × 92 mm is sufficient for a good view of the working area. Interskol MS-400 also got into the rating of welding masks for the external and internal control sensors working in coordination with each other, sending timely signals to the light filter when an arc appears. The second sensor is required to prevent radiation harmful to the eyes if the main sensor is accidentally closed. They protect the cornea of ​​the eye, prevent it from getting burned and catching "bunnies". It is easy to navigate in it without raising the window.

Advantages

• Impact resistant material;
• Weight 460g;
• The ability to replace the protective glass;
• Fast detection of the start of welding;
• The distance from the eye to the mask can be adjusted;
• There is no plastic in the base;
• Convenient location of control sensors.

disadvantages

• Insufficiently full range of shade levels;
• Excessive neck protection, which can cause discomfort.

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

Average price: RUB 1,500

The best shields for welders

The shield differs from the masks in that it is equipped with a viewing part that does not have flash response sensors, which means that it cannot independently adjust the dimming 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 helmets and masks for welding workers who do not intend to weld metal often. The visor is equipped with a protective glass for the eyes with a non-adjustable light filter, according to the DIN scale, the degree of shade is 11, so the manufacturer has made the window tiltable. This allows you not to remove personal protective equipment in between the extinction of the arc. No less important is the possibility of replacing it with a more or less light element.

The budget welding shield "Zubr Master 11072" is made of heat-resistant plastic that can withstand work at elevated temperatures. The adjustment of the headband is smooth and simple, it is provided by a ratchet mechanism, and in height - using a rack and pinion step mechanism. High-density light filter reliably protects eyes from light flux.

Advantages

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

disadvantages

• Protective filter, not very large in area;
• High dimming that is not adjustable;
• Not suitable for grinding.

Average price:RUB 470

Which mask for the welder is better to buy?

For full-time professional welders, it is best to choose helmets and masks with chameleon function, which automatically adjust the shade of the protective glass based on the luminous flux. For one-time work, an ordinary shield with a removable filter with unregulated dimming will be quite enough.

Here are the best welding helmets and when to choose:

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

There are many good welding helmets on the market, but the best ones can be counted on one hand. We hope this ranking will significantly narrow your search.