As a professional welder, you already know how difficult it can be when it comes to finding the best welding lenses for you and your needs. There is such a wide variety to choose from. If you are new to the welding industry, you may not even be sure about what exactly you should consider when choosing auto-darkening welding helmet replacement lenses.
We are here to help you with your buying journey by reviewing some of the best replacement lenses that are available. We will also help you determine what would suit you best for your particular welding needs and aspirations.
What are Auto-Darkening Helmets?
These are welding helmets that come with a lens that will automatically adjust itself based on the amount of available light. The welding helmet is one of the most important pieces of gear for a welder because it protects the eyes and skin from sparks as well as the ultra-violet and infrared rays emitted by the arc that can ultimately damage their vision.
Characteristics of Auto Darkening Helmets
When choosing an auto darkening helmet, there are several things to consider.
Weight. If you are welding full time (eight or more hours per day) then having to wear a heavy and cumbersome helmet all day can really take its toll on your body. A lighter weight helmet can help reduce neck pain and strain and minimize fatigue.
Comfort. The headgear should be easily adjustable and comfortable for long term wear. Padded front strap covers are always a good feature to look for in a helmet.
Lens Size. If you are working at awkward angles and in tighter spots, then the lens size will prove to be very important. The bigger the lens you have, the more you will be able to see which can also help improve the overall quality of your work.
Lens Clarity. When you look at lens clarity, you are considering the accuracy of vision, the diffusion of light, consistent shade, and angular dependence. The rating to look for is 1/1/1/1. However, there aren't many that achieve this perfect rating.
Shade Range. With auto-darkening helmets, the resting state is three or four, which means you can prep your weld and start where you need to. The shade range greatly differs based on the type of welding you will actually be doing.
The following are a few of some of the best auto darkening replacement lenses you can purchase for your welding helmet:
LESOLEIL Welding Helmet Replacement Lens, Auto Darkening
This lens has been designed with lithium battery power and a solar backup. It allows for plenty of mask space and includes sensitivity control via a dial knob. Its variable shade can be adjusted with the shade knob, and it offers UV and IV protection and allows for fully automatic darkening. If you weld at high temperatures, then this is a suitable replacement lens for your welding helmet.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Fits into existing helmet
Cons
- Batteries are not replaceable
- Delay and sensitivity may be off slightly
- When striking an arc, there's a flash before the lens darkens
Baisidai Solar Pro Auto Darkening Lens Automation Filter Shade
This auto darkening replacement lens is suitable for most welding modes and offers the user full protection against both UV and IR radiation during their entire welding process. There is sensitivity adjustment as well, so you can adjust according to the working conditions you currently have. It is fully automatic, and the power supply is solar, so there is no battery change required.
Pros
- Offered a perfect fit for the welding helmet
- Economical and effective lens replacement
- Easy to install replacement
Cons
- May be slow to recover to light
- Some reported low clarity and vision
WS-1000 Welding Helmet Lens, Auto-Darkening
This auto darkening replacement lens is a suitable replacement for most welding helmets and for most welding modes. The delay time on this lens can be selective, and it offers the user full protection against both UV and IR radiation during the entire welding process – even when in the clear state. The delay time for this lens is less than one second, and it is fully automatic.
Pros
- No battery change required
- Economical choice
- Offers full protection
Cons
- Some reported that it needed modifications to achieve a good fit
KKmoon Solar Energy Auto-Darkening Lens
This lens will fit in most standard welding helmets viewing windows. It is solar powered, and the power can turn on and off automatically. It offers a high clear filter with a high-quality LCD with multi-layer optical filter interference. The variable shade of this replacement lens can be adjusted accordingly, and the solar charge allows for fully functioning automatic darkening.
Pros
- DIN15 levels of UV and IR radiation protection
- Uses both solar and lithium batteries
- Fully automatic
- Adjustable sensitivity
- Daylight doesn't trigger it
Cons
- May not always darken evenly
Iljin Display Auto Darkening Replacement Lens
This auto-darkening lens offers a large viewing size with four sensors that offer the best visual effects to help reduce fatigue while welding for long periods of time. It is great for arc, MIG, and tig plasma cutting applications and offers internal variable shade, sensitivity, and delay control with permanent and complete UV and IR radiation protection.
Pros
- Good color and good sensors
- Affordable price
- Suitable replacement for stock lens
- Light sensitivity control
- Fits most helmet models
Cons
- Unclear about its longevity
Final Thoughts
While it can be difficult to find the best auto-darkening lens replacement for your welding helmet, these are all viable options that offer a great fit and outstanding protection. You can continue your welding projects with little to no downtime when choosing one of the auto-darkening lens options above to replace your stock lens.
When purchasing lenses, you will find that the typical and standard size is 2″ x 4″ and the bigger the lens, the more you can see. Keep this in mind when choosing a replacement lens because your projects might require that you can see a lot more of your work while welding.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Auto-darkening lenses detect the power, heat, and brightness of the arc and will then adjust the tint level of your lens accordingly. They offer much more for a welder in the way of protection and quality when compared to standard lenses.
