If you work with metal, you need welding goggles. They protect your eyes from the bright light of welding torches, which can cause serious damage to your vision if viewed without protection. Welding goggles also filter out ultraviolet (UV) light emitted by the flame, which can be damaging over time.
Welding goggles are available in a range of styles and price points. The right pair for you depends on how often you weld and what kind of work you do. If you're just starting out as a hobbyist welder, it's best to start with a low-cost pair to test the waters before investing in higher-quality goggles that may be more than what you need right now. On the other hand, professional welders who use their equipment every day need more durable and reliable welding goggles that will stand up to repeated use.
When shopping for welding goggles, consider style factors like weight, fit, viewing angle, and lens type and color because they all affect usability. It's also important to get models made of materials like polycarbonate or thin resin film that block UV light but don't block visible light so that you still have good visibility when using your tools.
How We Choose
We looked at a variety of factors when choosing the best welding goggles, including comfort, lens clarity, light filtration and protection from harmful UV rays. We also considered the type of work that you'll be doing most often (for example, if you mainly focus on automotive or structural steel projects, you'll want different types of goggles than if you do more general fabrication work) and what features would be most helpful for your needs (such as adjustable straps for a comfortable fit or tinted lenses for improved visibility in darker environments). Finally, we made sure to find models available in a range of price points so you can find one that fits your budget without sacrificing quality.
True Color Auto Darkening Welding Goggles
When it comes to durability, the Auto Dark Welding Goggles with Mask are hard to beat. This is down to their solid construction and sturdy design which means they can handle the punishment you put them through when welding without breaking or becoming damaged.
The goggles themselves are made from a combination of plastic and rubber which makes for a comfortable fit that doesn't push your face too far back into your head causing discomfort. The only real downside here is that the lenses can get scratched easily but we've found this happens less often than other models we tested.
KwikSafety PIT VIPER Family Welding Goggles
The KwikSafety Piper VIPER is a great option for beginners looking to learn welding. These goggles are comfortable and easy to use, with plenty of features to help you stay safe while working.
The eyeshades are made from a thermoplastic rubber material that's both durable and lightweight, making them ideal for people who want something they can wear all day long. The straps across the top and bottom of the frame ensure air flows freely through the goggles, so you don't get any buildup on them over time like you might with some other options on this list. And at $22 per pair, these are reasonably priced too.
We were disappointed by the lack of anti-fog lenses though - even when we tried putting them in their bag after each use they would still fog up quite easily throughout our testing period.
Miller Electric Welding Goggles
The Miller Electric Weld-Mask is a great choice for welders who are looking to protect their face from the heat and sparks that welding generates. It also works well for other types of cutting, such as with a plasma cutter.
The Weld-Mask is designed to be compact and lightweight so it's easy to wear while working in tight spaces. The look is no nonsense but minimalistic, which makes this an attractive option for those who want protection without unnecessary frills. It features a flame retardant head cover and an auto darkening lens that adjusts automatically depending on light conditions.
We found the Weld-Mask was comfortable to wear during long shifts thanks to its slim design and small profile. However, we noticed some users complained about it digging into their cheeks due to how close the face guard was fitting over them.
Hobart 770096 Welding Oxy-Acetylene Goggle
The Hobart Acetylene Welding Helmet is a full-face welding helmet that was built with beginners in mind. It's super easy to use, and it comes with five different shade options so you can work comfortably no matter what your vision needs are.
The Hobart Acetylene Welding Helmet also has dual 50mm cups for protection, and the sturdy design makes it ideal for working on anything from cars to bikes to motorcycles. The price point of this product is also very reasonable considering its full-face construction and safety features.
However, we do have some issues with how well the goggles fit on this helmet, which is why we don't give this product our highest rating out of all of these beginner welding helmets.
Welding Goggles FAQs
Welding is an essential part of many different projects, but not all goggles are created equal.
We've compiled a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about welding goggles to help you make an informed purchase. With this information, you'll be able to confidently choose the best pair for your needs.
Which Goggles Is Used For Welding?
Welding goggles protect your eyes from the bright light and sparks that occur when you weld. They should have a filter to block out the intense, high-energy rays that can damage your vision over time. Many welding goggles are specially designed with a wraparound lens so you don't need to tilt your head or look away when you're working on a project.
Welding goggles also let you see what you're doing while keeping out smoke and other debris. If you're using a flux core or self-shielded wire, go with an ultraviolet (UV) protection rated 100 or higher, like the 100+ UV Protection Welding Goggles we recommend in our welding accessories guide.
Do Welding Goggles Work?
While it's true that welding goggles are not 100% UVA/UVB rated (and therefore don't offer complete protection), they can still provide some level of protection. The lenses in welding goggles protect your eyes from the bright flashes of light produced by the arc welder, which is what causes the majority of welding-related eye damage.
When choosing a pair of welding goggles, it's important to select ones with lenses that block out as much visible light as possible. This will help prevent eye fatigue, which can lead to headaches and blurred vision while you work.
Some manufacturers claim their products offer infrared protection, but this is somewhat misleading; while they may block some IR rays, full-spectrum goggle lenses do not filter completely across the entire infrared range. Still, even blocking some IR rays can be beneficial because these types of rays have more energy than UV and visible light rays.
How Do You Protect Your Eyes From Welding Lights?
When you're working with a high-output, direct-current arc welder, the UV rays are strong enough to damage your eyes if you're not paying attention. With this in mind, it's important to use eye protection whenever you're welding.
You should wear safety glasses specifically designed for welding when handling the materials and setting up your work area. After that, put on a face shield or helmet that provides additional protection from intense light and sparks.
What Is The Best Thing For Welders Eye?
Welders' eyes can be affected by exposure to UV light, which is emitted from the flame of a welding torch. For this reason, it's important for welders to wear protective eyewear while working. Welding goggles or glasses with 100% UV protection should always be worn while operating any type of welder.
UV blocking lenses protect your eyes from severe damage caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays (which can lead to cataracts and other eye conditions). Welders who don't want their vision obstructed may also choose clear lens goggles or glasses with at least 95% UV protection. These options let you see better through the bottom part of your welding mask, as long as you're careful not to look directly into the sun or any other source of intense heat/UV radiation.
What Is The Best Thing For Welders Eye?
Welding is a challenging job that requires a lot of focus, so it's important for welders to take care of their body and health in general. This includes protecting their eyes from the various hazards involved with welding, such as flying sparks and intense UV light.
There are several different types of welding masks available on the market, including traditional face masks and full-face respirators. These masks should be used in conjunction with proper eye protection to ensure welders' eyes are safeguarded against UV light and other dangers.
What Happens If You Weld Without Goggles?
Welding without eye protection can result in a variety of injuries. Some welders may be tempted to skip the safety glasses, thinking they will just look away when the arc is struck. However, it only takes 0.12 seconds for vision to be damaged by an intense burst of light, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Welding generates flashes of extremely bright light lasting less than one second. Even if you close your eyes immediately after striking an arc, that's not quickly enough to protect your vision from harm.
Exposure to extreme brightness for even a few seconds could lead to flash burns on the surface of the eye and possibly temporary or permanent loss of vision - especially if welding goggles are missing lenses or don't fit properly.
How Long Does It Take To Get Eye Damage From Welding?
You can get eye damage from welding if you're exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by your welder's flame. UV rays can cause what's called photokeratitis, or "welder's eyes," which is basically a sunburn of your cornea. Symptoms include eye pain and sensitivity to light as well as blurred vision. You can usually treat welder's eyes with over-the-counter pain medications and artificial tears, but you may need prescription drops depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Most welders are designed to minimize UV exposure, so it takes quite a bit of time for photokeratitis to develop: about two hours according to NIOSH. It also depends on how close you position yourself relative to the flame – farther away decreases exposure time while getting closer increases it.
Does Welding Damage Your Vision?
While the long-term effects of welding on vision are still uncertain, it's generally agreed that short-term exposure to intense light and smoke can cause eye damage, such as cataracts or flash burns. It's important to wear proper safety equipment and take breaks during your work session.
While many people choose welding caps for protection against UV radiation, experts from the Welding & Cutting Academy say a standard baseball cap with a mesh back is sufficient. If you're concerned about potential eye damage caused by smoke, you can purchase special face masks designed for welders and other tradespeople.
Can You Get Metal In Your Eye From Welding?
Metal particles in your eye are a common problem for welders, but it can happen with any type of metal work. Using proper personal protective equipment like a face shield, goggles and respirator can help prevent metal particles from entering your eyes. But sometimes no matter how careful you are, some metal will get into your eyes.
The good news is that having metal in your eye isn't as serious a problem for welders as it used to be because modern welding rods contain much less metallic filler material than they did in the past. Modern welding rods use ceramic fillers that melt at a much higher temperature than the metals used in classic welding applications.
Metal particles that do get into your eye while you're working should be flushed out immediately using clean water or an eyewash station if one is available near where you're working. Even if you don't have time to flush out the particle before it causes damage, flushing afterwards may still help reduce long-term complications such as loss of vision or more severe conditions like glaucoma.
Conclusion
The best welding goggles are essential for protecting your eyes from harsh ultraviolet rays and other potentially harmful elements associated with welding. They come in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points so you can find the pair that meets your needs. Investing in a quality pair of welding goggles will help ensure your safety while working on projects around the home or in the workplace. With proper care they can last for many years to come!
Thank you for reading our blog post about The Best Welding Goggles! We hope this article was helpful and informative when making your decision on which welding goggles are right for you!
