10 Best Welding Goggles to Keep Your Eyes Safe in 2023
Whenever you are attempting any DIY jobs at home, you’ll need to pay extra attention when it comes to safety, especially if you don’t do that particular task for a living, and therefore lack any formal training.
For example, if you have a hobby that involves lots of welding, you’ll need to take plenty of precautions to make sure no one (especially you) gets burned, electrocuted, or blinded, in which case protective gear like welding glasses are an absolute must.
Given their importance in offering eye protection, these are an essential part of any welder’s arsenal, with the mask itself being so iconic that even those that never toucher a plasma cutter or a flow torch in their life know what they are.
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What Are Welding Goggles?
Welding goggles are a type of protective gear that provides eye shielding whenever you are doing any welding or metal cutting. However, they don’t just protect the eyes from the heat and the intense light (electric arcs produce massive amounts of UV radiation), they also offer physical protection from sparks and debris.
In fact, if you’re about to perform some arc welding where sparks and debris will be flying around everywhere, it’s recommended that you go for a full welding facemask instead.
Where Can I Get Great Welding Goggles?
Safety gear can be bought from many places, both physical shops and websites, but if you’re interested in having your welding goggles delivered to you as fast as possible, or if you’re interested in complete transparency and unbiased reviews, then Amazon is the best place to start looking.
Amazon filled a wide range of products to choose from, but you can also take a look at what other users thought about particular items. More so, you may even come across extensive reviews where the users highlighted the product’s pros and cons, and even reviews where they include the occasional mini-tutorial.
Besides, even if you do encounter issues with the product (having issues with safety gear is not something you should take lightly), you can just take advantage of Amazon’s extensive return policy.
Which Are the 10 Best Welding Goggles To Buy in 2021?
1. Miller Electric Welding Goggles
The first product on our list is a pair of protective welding goggles called the Miller Electric Welding Goggles, and the first thing you’ll notice about them is that they come with a replaceable silicone skirt designed to fit comfortably on varied face profiles.
Besides, this protective skirt is made from flame-retardant materials, so you’re protected not only from radiation but also from flying sparks and debris.
Besides, the soft material makes it easy to wear under other protective gear, like the standard protective helmets that you would see on construction sites.
One great feature is the fact that it has a battery-powered adjustable shade rating feature, although it isn’t automatic. That being said, the goggles come with presets that allow for shade ratings of 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, making them ideal for gas welding, cutting, MIG, TIG, Stick, etc
Not only that, but the goggles provide lense magnification features, and both magnification and the shade settings can be adjusted from the control panel placed on the left side of the goggles.
The overall weight of the entire system is very light, and the straps that make up the goggles themselves are made to hold on firmly to the wearers face, making these goggles very comfortable to wear, even over long periods of time.
All in all, we think that these safety goggles have everything you could ever ask from such a safety device, and that is why we think it deserves the #1 spot.
For those of you that are interested in buying them, you can find the Miller Electric Welding Goggles on Amazon at a special price.
Specs:
- Size: 12 x 4 x 9 inches
- Weight: 1.5 Pounds
Pros:
- Light sensor
- Tight-fitting design
- Adjustable headband
- Magnifying lens frame
- Adjustable shade rating
- Replaceable silicone skirt
- Can be worn under hardhats
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Battery-powered control panel
- Suited for almost all types of welding
Cons:
- The price tag
2. Yeswelder Auto-Darkening Welding Goggles
The next pair of welder goggles on our list is perfectly designed for TIG, MIG, MMA, and plasma applications, and they are called the Yeswelder Auto-Darkening Welding Goggles.
They provide excellent viewing clarity thanks to the 4.82 x 1.37-inch visor with True Color View technology that provides 1/1/1/2 optical clarity that reduces eye strain by minimizing the traditional lime green coloring that is usually associated with traditional welding goggle lenses.
More so, the visor’s electronics are very advanced, as they include 2 premium light-detection sensors and an auto-darkening feature that support a shade rating between 5 and 13, depending on the model.
However, with so many electronic features, your main concern now is probably the power supply, but you mustn’t worry since these goggles come with a high-capacity battery that will allow you to work continuously for hours on end.
Also equipped with a side control panel on its left side, this pair of welding goggles allow the wearer to adjust the sensitivity and shade rating of the goggles depending on what task they are performing.
Because of the shape of this mask, it can fit perfectly under a hard hat, without having to use an adapter, and the inside of the goggles and shield is wide enough for the user to wear protective glasses.
If the list of specs were enough to catch your attention, know that you can buy the Yeswelder Auto-Darkening Welding Goggles from Amazon.
Specs:
- Size: 9.49 x 8.46 x 4.45 inches
- Weight: 7 ounces
Pros:
- Light sensors
- Auto-darkening feature
- Electronics control panel
- Compatible with hard hats
- True Color View technology
- Long battery life (3000 hours)
- Suited for almost all types of welding
- The spacious interior allows the user to wear glasses
Cons:
- The nose strip is not very comfortable
3. Lincoln Electric CO KH976 Brazing Goggles
The next welding goggles on our list are the Lincoln Electric CO KH976 Brazing Goggles, and they are much simpler compared to the first two in that they have a simple protective glasses-like design.
However, despite being designed like protective glasses, they are made to offer a very snug fit around the wearers face, providing extra protection against dust, dirt, and debris.
Fortunately enough, this snug fit doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to breathe with these goggles, nor will you have any issues with the lenses fogging up, since the design provides you with a good ventilation system and air circulation throughout the inside of the goggles.
Thanks to the simple and compact design, these welding goggles are also extremely lightweight, and comfortable to wear even for an extended period of time, and the materials that make up both the lenses and the frame and headband make them suited for welding processes such as brazing.
Speaking of the lenses, they offer a shade rating of 5, making these goggles great for the average metalwork that you may encounter around the house.
Specs:
- Size: 15 x 3 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.8 Ounces
Pros:
- Offers protection against dust, dirt, and debris
- well-made straps offer a comfortable fit
- Lightweight and portable
- Good inside ventilation
- Shade rating of 5
- Great for brazing
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer any feature that protects anything besides the eyes
4. Ram-Pro Welding Cup Safety Goggles
The fourth item on our list is the Ram-Pro Welding Cup Safety Goggles that provide a complete range of eye protection features, some of which even welding helmets fail to provide.
These goggles will protect your eyes not only from heat and optical radiation (arc welding) but also from debris and sparks while welding and cutting jobs are being.
Sporting a classic welding goggle design with separate eyecups, this piece of protective eyewear weighs just 2.5 oz, and has a full width of 6.75 inches, although they are adjustable to fit a much wider variety of sizes thanks to the quick strap elastic that lets them stay firmly on your face without being too tight.
The eyecups’ body is made up of rigid and very durable plastic, providing the wearer’s eyes with protection against several environmental hazards, including car burns, chemicals, dust, debris, fumes, sparks, lasers, UV and IR radiation, and more.
They also provide all users with full eye coverage for a comfortable snug fit on the face, and the ventilation holes provide improved fog control.
The lenses themselves are circular, clear, and dark, having a shade rating value of 5. As for what they are made of, they are crafted from impact-resistant non-breakable acrylic glass covered with an anti-fog layer.
Due to their unique design, they are not only ideal for Arc MIG, TIG Welding or plasma cutting but also good for gas welding or sawing.
Finally, if you’re not keen on buying them for their practicality, you can go ahead and customize them a bit to be used as a prop or costume accessory for costume parties, such or during special occasions like Halloween.
Those of you that are interested in buying a pair can find the Ram-Pro Welding Cup Safety Goggles on Amazon at a special price.
Specs:
- Size: 6.75 inches (Adjustable)
- Weight: 2.5 oz.
Pros:
- Work great as motorcycle goggles as well
- Great protection against heat
- Good UV and IR protection
- Good ventilation features
- Shade rating value of 5
- Easily adjustable
- Great design
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- The headband isn’t very durable
5. KwikSafety Welding Goggles
The KwikSafety Welding Goggles come with lenses that provide a shade rating of 5, providing good eye protection against the hazardous effects of UV light, and the front side has a flip-up feature in case you ever need to have a non-shaded view.
Since both the frame and the lenses are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they are not only very resistant to both physical impacts and heat, they are also very lightweight, even though they look very bulky at first glance.
Because of their build and design, these welding goggles are very versatile, and you can wear them while performing a wide variety of welding jobs, including plasma jet welding, soldering.
However, despite being so focused on protection, these goggles do not underestimate the importance of being comfortable, and the KwikSafety Welding Goggles provide a very snug-fit lip to maximize comfort during long hours of welding.
This is all thanks to the high-quality elastic band that can be adjusted based on each individual’s needs. Not only that, but the goggles’ framework allows users to also wear eyeglasses under the goggles as well.
Ventilation is yet another aspect that KwikSafety thought of when designing these goggles, as they designed them with 6 indirect vents and an anti-fog coating that prevent the goggles from fogging up no matter the circumstances.
Besides, ventilation is further enhanced by the presence of pressure equalizers that provide the goggles with maximum airflow, making your job a lot easier even when you’re sweating from the heat.
If you’ve got your eyes set on these welding goggles, visit their Amazon page for more details.
Specs:
- Frame material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Lense material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Size: 3.4 x 3.8 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 8.01 ounces
Pros:
- Shade rating of 5
- Good UV protection
- Comfortable tow ear
- Anti-fog lens coating
- Adjustable headband
- Excellent goggle ventilation
- Good for a variety of welding jobs
- Flip-up front panel for non-shaded view
- PVC frame that is both durable and lightweight
Cons:
- The rubber headband may seem a bit loose
6. Yarrkc Auto Darkening Welding Goggles
If you’re looking for a pair of professional welding goggles, another great choice to start your browsing with are the Yarrkc Auto Darkening Welding Goggles.
These goggles are solar-powered, so you no longer need batteries to benefit from an auto-darkening feature.
Made from high-quality PC and ABS material, these goggles are both sturdy and durable. However, not all the materials that make up these goggles are hard, since they also include soft rubber that makes them very comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
As for the lenses, they provide effective protection against ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and the anti-glare feature adds an extra layer of protection for your eyes while you are welding and looking at intense sources of light.
The Auto-darkening filter acts automatically, immediately changing from a light state to a dark state as soon as an arc is struck returning to a light state just as fast when the welding stops.
This auto-darkening feature provides the lenses with a shade rating between 4 and 13, making them ideal for a wide variety of jobs, including gas welding, steel welding, cutting, welding, etc.
You can learn more about this product if you visit the Yarrkc Auto Darkening Welding Goggles’ Amazon page.
Specs:
- Frame material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- Lense material: Polycarbonate
- Size: 7.48 x 5.94 x 2.24 inches
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
Pros:
- PC lenses that are resistant to UV rays
- Suits almost all types of weldings
- Shade rating between 4 and 13
- Strong abrasion resistance
- Auto-darkening lenses
- Impact resistance
- Antishock lenses
- Solar-powered
- Durable build
Cons:
- Sensitive to water and moisture in general
7. Yeswelder LYG-Y200L Auto-Darkening Welding Goggles
Yeswelder makes great products, and because of that, it is only natural that yet another one of their products makes its way on our list.
The Yeswelder LYG-Y200L Auto-Darkening Welding Goggles are specially designed for TIG, MIG, and MMA thanks to their enlarged viewing size (4.29 x 1.28 inches).
Not only that, but the lenses also benefit from the same True Color Viewing Technology that reduces eye strain by reducing the lime green coloring of regular welding goggle lenses.
They also protect your eyes against high levels of UV and IR radiation thanks to the auto-darkening feature, and since these goggles are solar-powered, you can pretty much charge them while you are arc welding.
Speaking of auto-darkening, these goggles offer a shade rating of anywhere between 3 and 11, making them ideal for a wide range of welding jobs where you would otherwise need multiple goggles.
Their design is very compact allowing you to weld in places where something bigger like a welding mask would not fit through.
Besides, this traditional protective glasses-type design makes them very easy to wear and lightweight, while also making it easier for you to wear hard hats and respirators while on construction sites.
For more information about the product, check out its Amazon page and see what other users have to say about these goggles.
Specs:
- Frame material: Plastic
- Size: 8.4 x 5.6 x 2.3 inches
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
Pros:
- Solar-powered
- Increased battery life
- Wider panoramic view thanks to lense size
- Works well with hard hats and respirators
- Brighter colors due to True Color Viewing technology
- Auto-darkening that provides a shade rating between 3 and 11
Cons:
- Protective features are only limited to the eyes
8. QHRM Welding Glasses
If simplicity is what you have in mind, then you can’t get any simpler than with the QHRM Welding Glasses.
These welding glasses have the typical protective glasses design, making them incredibly easy to put on and to remove, and the lightweight yet sturdy materials used to build them make the lenses glare-resistant, and both the lense and the frame are impact-resistant.
However, don’t be fooled by the apparently simple exterior, since the lenses have an auto-darkening that allow them to automatically change from a bright state to a dark state as soon as the first welding arc is generated, and returning to a bright state as soon as the welding is over.
This system is powered via an internal battery that you can charge via the built-in solar cells, allowing the glasses to charge passively while in sunlight, or even while working due to exposure to the plasma arc.
The auto-darkening feature gives these glasses a shade rating between 4 and 13, making them ideal for most welding activities, such as electric welding, gas welding, steel welding, cutting, welding, etc.
The frames incorporate soft rubber components and an ergonomic design, so not only are they durable, but they also fit firmly onto your face, allowing an ideal grip regardless of what position you’re in.
In fact, the temples can be adjusted in length, making them a one-size-fits-all kind of deal.
On last amazing feature about this product is that you won’t just get the glasses in the package when you order them, since you’ll also receive 5 eye protection lenses, a glasses case, a replaceable elastic band, and a pair of gloves.
Take advantage of this complete package by checking out the QHRM Welding Glasses’ Amazon page.
Specs:
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Size: 10.39 x 6.1 x 3.15 inches
- Weights: 8.4 ounces
Pros:
- Shade rating between 4 and 13
- Anti-scratch lens coating
- Auto-darkening feature
- Polycarbonate lense
- Solar cell powered
- Anti-shock build
- Anti-glare lenses
Cons:
- Needs to be left out in the sun to charge up the very first time
9. Holulo Auto Darkening Welding Goggles
If you’re not looking for something too simple and love gadgets that have all manner of tools and extra features, you’ll like what the Holulo Auto Darkening Welding Goggles have to offer.
Made from a high-quality mix of PP and ABS, these welding goggles are both sturdy and durable to use. However, they also incorporate imported soft rubber elements that make them very comfortable to wear during the long hours you will be spending welding at work or home.
The lenses are of the highest quality, granting you 99.9% UV-AB protection as well as100% reflection of all UV and IR radiation.
Not only that, but the lenses have a much needed auto-darkening feature that lets them switch light to dark almost instantly, granting these goggles a shade rating of 3 – 11. This is further enhanced by the liquid crystal filter.
Both the auto-darkening feature and the liquid crystal feature are powered actively by the goggles’ built-in solar panels, allowing them to charge while you work, especially with welding jobs that produce very bright lights, like gas welding, steel welding, cutting, welding, etc.
Keep your eyes protected and visit the Holulo Auto Darkening Welding Goggles’ Amazon page now for more details about the product.
Specs:
- Lens material: Polypropylene
- Frame material: ABS
- Size: 7.8 x 4.1 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 8.7 ounces
Pros:
- Has soft rubber elements for a more comfortable and snug fit
- Blocks and reflects almost all forms of UB and IR radiation
- Comes with an auto-darkening feature
- Made from high-quality PP and ABS
- Has a shade rating of 3 – 11
- Liquid crystal filter
- Solar cell powered
Cons:
- Ventilation isn’t all that good
10. Servore Auto Shade Darkening Welding Goggles
Last but not least is the Servore Auto Shade Darkening Welding Goggles, a pair of welding goggles with advanced electronic features that will make your welding jobs easier and keep your eyes safer.
These goggles offer excellent visibility thanks to the big visor, and the lens isn’t tinted either, allowing your eyes to see everything in a more natural color, thus reducing long-term strain.
Speaking of eye strain, you don’t have to worry about looking into the bright light while welding while using these goggles, since they come with an auto-darkening feature that gives the goggles a shade rating between 3 and 13.
You can also activate light-detection sensors that so that the auto-darkening feature changes by itself dynamically, turning to dark mode the second you start welding and switching back to light mode as soon as the job is done.
This entire system is powered by a 3V Lithium battery that has a lifetime of 1000 hours, and it’s controlled by the side panel located on the left-hand side of the goggles, allowing you easy access to the goggles’ protective features.
These welding goggles’ design allow them to work well with hard hats, respirators and other forms of eye protection, such as wearing eyeglasses underneath the goggles themselves.
All in all, these welding goggles are ideal for all kinds of welding jobs, including grinding, gas welding, and gas cutting, as well as ARC, MIG, and TIG welding.
If you want more information, or are just interested in seeing how much these goggles cost, go to the Servore Auto Shade Darkening Welding Goggles’ Amazon page.
Specs:
- Frame material: Plastic
- Size: 7.5 x 3.5 x 3 inches
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
Pros:
- Works well with hardhats and respirators
- Shade rating between 3 and 13
- Good for all kinds of welding
- Non-tinted lenses
- Spacious interior
- Long battery life
- Auto-darkening
- Light sensors
Cons:
- May not fit well on larger facial structures
Why Do I Need Welding Goggles?
All welding and cutting processes, such as arc welding and cutting produce high levels of radiation, including:
- Ultraviolet (UV)
- Infrared (IR)
- Visible light wavelengths.
Since neither UV nor IR wavelengths are visible, they can lead to severe eye injury without you even realizing it (imagine looking straight into the lamps of a tanning salon).
To counter the effects of this radiation, you’ll need to use extremely dark filters with certain properties if you as a welder will need to look at the incandescent glowing metal that you will be welding.
That’s where welding goggles come into play since they have one or more filters for optical radiation protection and, depending on the model and design, can offer additional protection against sparks and flying debris.
Since UV radiation is unavoidable regardless of what type of welding you’re performing, welding goggles are considered a primary protective feature. On the other hand, sparks and debris aren’t always a must, so having a big bulky face shield or welding helmet is usually treated as a secondary form of protection.
Thanks to welding goggles, your eyes are still protected even when the face shield or helmet is lifted.
Types of Welding Goggles
We talked at the beginning of the article about welding glasses and full facemasks that are also used for welding, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg if you’re interested in knowing what are the various types of protective eyewear.
As you noticed from the products listed earlier, welding goggles come in a variety of forms, with 4 categories being most common:
- Welding goggles with one large visor for both eyes designed like a mask
- Traditional full-size welding helmets or masks
- Typical welding goggles with separate eyecups
- Goggles that look like simple safety glasses
Welding masks
While not exactly welding goggles, they do serve a similar purpose, with the added benefit of providing extra protection against flying sparks and debris.
Although they are heavier and not all that comfortable to wear, the added protection makes them ideal in certain situations.
Sure enough, if you’re looking for protective eyewear for welding and you’re interested solely in being as secure as possible, then a full welding mask is your best choice.
Welding goggles with one large visor
This is a great form of protection if you’re planning to wear regular seeing glasses underneath. Besides, they are generally made to be comfortable, and most models come with an auto-darkening feature.
Not only that, but the lenses can usually be swapped out separately for ones with better filtering, and they can also be momentarily flipped up if you just need to see without the visor.
Goggles with separate eyecups
These are the most basic form of protective eyewear available, as they are light, allow the skin to breathe, offer decent shading, and, most importantly, are very affordable.
Besides, most models allow you to swap out the lenses without changing the entire set of goggles, which is something that can be very useful if you’re not satisfied with the current shading levels.
Safety glasses-style googles
Safety glasses trade safety for being extra easy to use since they essentially look like regular glasses. They are even lighter and easier to remove than the classic safety goggles, and because of their design, they offer ideal protection against radiation coming from the front.
However, since they are designed to look like glasses, they offer next-to-no protection from the sides, and they usually have issues staying securely on your face in certain positions.
What to Look for in Welding Goggles?
Sure enough, we listed several pairs of welding goggles and showcased their specs as well as whatever unique features they may have had, but for those of you that aren’t exactly used to certain terms, it may all seem like gibberish.
Because of that, we compiled this small list of things you should look for when buying a new pair of welding goggles, and we will also be explaining why each feature is important.
After that, it’s all up to your personal preferences and features you’ll prioritize, but the bottom line is that a good pair of welding goggles will have them all, even if to a lesser degree.
Shade Rating
Since welding goggles are meant to filter out all manner of visible and invisible radiation, one important factor you’ll need to take into consideration is the shade rating.
Shade rating is usually represented by a numerical value, ranging from 1 to 14, where higher numbers mean a higher level of radiation protection.
When choosing your goggles, look at the shade rating best suited for your job. For example, if you’re interested in torch soldering, a shade rating of 2 will suffice, but if you’re interested in high-intensity metalworking, such as carbon arc welding, you’ll need a pair of goggles with a shade rating of 14.
Note: Shade rating is one of the factors that have the most impact on a pair of welding goggles’ price, so the more protection they provide, the more they will cost.
Auto-Darkening
In case you couldn’t tell from the name alone, auto-darkening is a feature that allows the welder goggles’ shade rating to adapt depending on the levels of radiations that you are looking at.
Needless to say that this feature allows a single pair of protective welding eyewear to be used in a wider range of welding activities, rather than be limited like simple goggles with a standard shade rating.
However, this is not something that the goggles does passively, as it requires electrical energies to work, so make sure your power source is reliable before using goggles with auto-darkening.
Fit
The last thing you want to happen while you’re welding something is your safety goggles to fall off, or for them to squeeze your head and make you feel uncomfortable, so, ideally, you look for a pair of welding glasses that fit well.
That is why you must always look for welding goggles that have an adjustable fit.
In the case of welding masks, this means that they should have adjustable internal headgear or padding, but if you’re talking about goggles, they need to have an adjustable headband.
Those of you that go for the much easier to manage protective glasses should look for models that have adjustable earpieces instead.
Weight
If you’re interested in how the welding goggles fit you, then you’ll probably be interested to look for eyewear that is as lightweight as possible too, especially if you’re welding for a living and you’re wearing your protective gear 8 hours a day, every day.
However, don’t go and buy the lightest goggles either, since the reason they may be so light is that they are made from cheap materials, and cheap is the last thing you want when talking about your protective gear.
Another thing to consider is that if you do decide to buy goggles or a mask that are a bit heavier, make sure that their headbands, straps, and earpieces are enough to hold their weight and prevent them from falling off your face.
Ventilation
Welding involves a lot of heat, and high temperatures can make breathing a nightmare, so the last thing that you’ll want is to be inches away from a jet of plasma burning away at hundreds of degrees with a mask that restricts your oxygen intake.
Not only that, but poor ventilation can also cause your goggles and lenses to fog up from the sweat and moisture which isn’t something you’d like to happen.
While this may not be the case with protective glasses or classic goggles, those of you that opt for full facemasks must look for models that provide you with the best ventilation possible.
Best Welding Goggles: Closing Thoughts
One thing you need to remember is that no matter what particular welding activity you’re planning to start, you will need a pair of welding goggles.
Once you’ve realized the importance of having high-quality safety gear, only then can you finally go ahead and browse for goggles that are comfortable, lightweight, etc.
All in all, the products that we chose were carefully selected, since we looked at all of the criteria mentioned above, while also considering their price.
If you know of any model of welding goggles that deserve a place on our list, let us know by leaving your submissions in the comments section below, and we’ll proceed to update our article accordingly.