Best 3M Speedglas Welding Helmets
Reviews, Comparisons & Buyer’s Guide
Many of the helmets are fairly similar in terms of specifications, so often your choice will come down to design and external appearance. In that sense, it’s a good thing that Speedglas helmets are some of the most stylish, sleek, classic welding helmets money can buy!
5. 3M Speedglas Trojan Warrior Welding Helmet 100
Pros: This helmet comes fully assembled and ready to go, so as soon as you get it home you can take it out and start welding. It features three different sensitivity settings – not as many as some other helmets, but still enough variation that there’s likely to be a setting to suit your needs.
The lens features a wide range of variable dark shades (8 to 13); the fixed shade is light shade 3. This helmet is suitable for a wide range of applications including MIG and TIG welding, as well as certain jobs that require respirators. Furthermore, this is a really comfortable helmet to wear, that will reduce fatigue and neck strain after a long day!
Cons: None
4. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100V
Pros: The awesome (and most noticeable) thing about this helmet is that it’s made with side windows. Set at shade 5, these allow you to use your peripheral vision to give you a superior view of your work. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear, thanks to the ergonomically designed headgear and the aerodynamic exhaust vents. These draw hot air out of the helmet and away from your face, reducing fogging and heat build up, keeping you cool and fresh the whole time. There is a magnifying lens holder, but the standard lens that’s supplied guards against Ultraviolet and Infrared radiation, as well as visible light.
The lens has been made with variable shades 8 to 13, with a super fast switching time of 0.1 milliseconds – so fast that you won’t even notice it, which is exactly what you need for the ultimate protection. Suitable for a variety of applications including MIG, TIG and stick welding, this helmet can be snapped into nine different angles depending on what’s comfortable, and whether you’re wearing any other welding equipment or accessories.
Cons: Speedglas have packed an awful lot into this helmet, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that it’s quite expensive. Although it’s money well spent, unfortunately this prices it out of the realms of possibility for many welders.
3. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100X
Pros: Whether you’re wearing any other welding accessories or not, this is an incredibly comfortable helmet to wear, even for long periods of time. Not only does it come with ergonomically designed headgear and a padded headband, but it can also be snapped into nine different angles, in order to accommodate safety glasses (or whatever you choose to wear).
The fact that you’re able to use your peripheral vision when wearing this helmet is fantastic, as it gives you even better visibility of whatever you’re working on. This comes about through side windows, which are fixed at shade 5. The main lens features variable shades 8 to 13; there are three arc sensors which trigger a lightning fast 0.1 millisecond switching time. However, if you so choose, then it is possible to ‘lock in’ any one of the shades (so they won’t auto-darken or lighten), which gives you greater flexibility to use the helmet to suit your exact needs.
The controls are really simple to use, so you don’t have to spend a long time getting to grips with anything complicated before you can begin. In addition, this helmet protects against visible light, Ultraviolet and Infrared, whether you’re using it for stick, TIG or MIG welding applications.
Cons: None
2. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100XX
Pros: This Speedglas helmet features a fantastic range of specifications, including dedicated grinding and torch cutting modes, three arc sensors, Ultraviolet and Infrared protection, and a 0.1 millisecond switching time. As soon as you put it on you’ll notice that the ergonomically designed headgear and padded headband make this helmet really comfortable. It gets even better, because it keeps you cool and comfortable all day, thanks to the exhaust vents which draw hot air out of the helmet and away from your face. This also reduces humidity and fogging of the lens.
This helmet’s main lens has variable dark shades 8-13, but it also comes with side windows. These are fixed into shade 5 and give you really clear visibility that’s absent in other helmets, by allowing you to use your peripheral vision. With a long 2,000 hour battery life, this helmet can keep you going with TIG, MIG and stick welding jobs for an impressive length of time, which is ideal as there’ll be no need for stopping and starting. You can position the face shield of this helmet at nine different angles, which gives you the option of wearing it with certain respirators if you’re working in an environment with lots of particulates in the air.
For a helmet that’s very light in weight, one extra bonus is that all the parts are very quick, easy and cheap to replace, so you can carry on welding in comfort in no time at all.
Cons: This is a Speedglas helmet, so it does come with a rather hefty price tag. That said, you certainly do get a lot for your money. Some people say that it’s heavy and awkward to wear all day every day, but this is something that will get easier with time.
Detailed review of the speedglas 9100XX helmet
1. 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100 FX
Pros: The flip-up feature is this helmet’s really attractive feature. This ingenious design feature means that the helmet comes with both an auto-darkening filter and a protective visor, giving you the best of both safety and clarity. In addition, there are fixed shade 5 side windows which allow you to use your peripheral vision while welding. As a result, the visibility is brilliant; you get a crystal clear view of whatever you’re working on.
The auto-darkening lens has a speedy 0.1 millisecond switching time and variable dark shades 8-13, as well as added protection against Ultraviolet and Infrared. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using it for MIG, TIG or stick welding – this helmet is just as comfortable in every situation. This is down to the padded headband and ergonomically designed headgear which ensure that it always fits snugly and comfortably, as well as the exhaust vents which draw hot air out of the helmet. This reduces heat, humidity and fogging, keeping you fresh and cool all day. The battery should give you around 2,500 hours of welding time, which should be enough to complete a great deal of welding, whether for work or pleasure!
Cons: Firstly, it isn’t possible to wear over-the-ear protection for your ears with this helemet. If you do want to do something to protect your hearing, you’ll have to opt for in-ear buds instead, which is not everybody’s first choice. Secondly, the air filter does not come supplied with the helmet – this is just the housing, so you’ll have to buy a filter cartridge separately.
