Welding Goggles Buyer’s Guide
Before you go out and buy any old pair of welding goggles, there are a few things which you need to be familiar with. Let’s take a look at the main features to keep in mind when purchasing the best pair of welding goggles for your needs.
The Style and Design
The first thing to determine is what type of welding goggles you want. There are 4 different styles to look for: classic welding goggles with separate eyecups; mask-style welding goggles with one large section for both eyes; safety glasses-style goggles; and full size welding helmets or masks. For more information on the top rated full face welding masks [Read Ou Full Guide]
Welding masks might not be goggles per se, but they fall into the same category. Which one you go with comes down to the level of protection you require and what features you are looking for.
Simple eyecup welding goggles are the most basic. They are small, lightweight, often have decent shading levels, and provide great protection from the sides. Generally speaking, these will be the most affordable, plus the lenses can often be changed for different ones.
The mask style is ideal if you need to wear glasses under the goggles, if you need something comfortable, plus these often come with auto darkening features. These often feature flip-up lenses for versatility, and most also have interchangeable or replaceable lenses.
If you are looking for something simple that you can easily put on and take off, safety glasses-style welding goggles tend to be best, although they usually provide limited protection. These are lightweight and comfortable, and provide good protection from the front, although not from the sides. They also tend not to be the most securely fitting.
If you are looking for the most protection and the most features possible, a full welding helmet is called for. Yes, they are big, heavy, and cumbersome, but they also provide an unmatchable level of protection.
Shade Rating
One of the most important things to look for is the level of shade which the welding goggles provide you — the shade rating. Shade ratings for welding usually start at #3 and go up to #13. The higher the number, the more protection it will provide for your eyes.
For basic welding, such as gas welding, #5 should do fine. However, for high light intensity welding applications, such as MIG or TIG welding, you will want to go for a higher number.
Of course, the more protection they provide, the more they will cost, but of course, your eyesight is priceless. It’s wise to do some research on the type of welding you are doing in relation to the adequate shade level. For information on how to shield non welders from harmfull welding arcs [Read our Buyers Guide Review] on the best welding curtians.
Auto Darkening, Sensors, and Power Supply
Another feature to look for with welding goggles is an auto-darkening feature; this allows for a great degree of versatility. Welding goggles without auto darkening are only good for specific applications, whereas auto darkening goggles are ideal for many types of welding.
Most of these will be able to automatically sense the level of light being released by your welding, and they will then automatically darken to the most appropriate degree of shading. Keep in mind that some of these use batteries, some are solar powered, and some feature a combination of both.
If you plan on using the goggles a lot, a combination of solar power and battery power is recommended. The other thing to look for is response time. The faster the goggles can darken and lighten, the more protection they will provide.
An Adjustable Fit
Something you always want to look for, no matter the style or type of welding goggles, is an adjustable fit. If you are looking for a custom welding helmet, it should have adjustable internal headgear. For single-eyecup welding goggles and for the masks, you will want an adjustable headband.
If you are going for safety glasses-style welding goggles, it is wise to look for those with adjustable ear pieces. You need a snug and secure fit to make sure that no light gets in and to be as comfortable as possible. You always want adjustability.
The Weight
Although the weight of the welding goggles is not the primary concern, it is still worth considering. Simply put, lighter goggles are more comfortable to wear and will cause less strain on the neck.
However, generally speaking, heavier goggles will be more durable and usually feature better protection too. Also keep in mind that the heavier the welding goggles are, the better the headband or strap needs to be to prevent them from slipping or falling off.
Ventilation
The other important feature is ventilation. With good ventilation, welding googles will not fog up and will be cooler. Welding goggles without ventilation run the risk of fogging up due to body heat and moisture.
Best Places to Purchase Welding Goggles
There are several places to buy safety gear. For worry-free return policies, transparency in product quality and customer service, and fast shipping, head over to Amazon.
When you browse on Amazon, you can see what previous buyers thought of the product they bought and everything about material quality, protective features, weight dimensions, and design before adding anything to your shopping cart. You don’t need to go out to compare prices or features.
If you have any sort of problems with your sheet metal brakes, you can also quickly and easily return them hassle-free.
