If you are looking for the best Miller welding helmets, this guide is a must for you. We have reviewed, compared and analyzed five of the best miller welding helmets, and we have listed their pros and cons below.
We are going to find out why sensitive eyes need special attention during welding, and why the particular welding helmets are one of the best ways to protect them. Our top recommendation, is the
In the list below, we have researched and found 5 of the best Miller welding helmets that are going to help you protect your sensitive eyes efficiently. Below, we have reviewed 5 auto darkening Miller welding helmets, plus one fixed shade (passive) helmet.
Best Miller Welding Helmets
01 – Miller Digital Elite
- ClearLight Lens Technology allows more colors of...
- Four arc sensors and four modes: weld, cut, grind...
- Headgear provides extensive adjustability settings...
- Digital controls easily allow welder to adjust...
- Meets ANSI Z87.1+, CSA (Cat–CE, AS NZ)...
For sensitive eyes, acquiring a magnificent welding helmet model like the Miller Digital Elite is more than a choice, it is a necessity. Miller Electric guarantees maximum safety for your eyes and head, making it their job to provide the essential shading for eyes with visibility issues.
The particular helmet, is claimed to have one of the largest viewing areas in the industry of welding. In addition to the above, it has a crispy clear lens, high definition optics that offer extreme quality as far as optical clarity is concerned, and adjustment features for time response and modes that allow the welder to work efficiently no matter the methods he uses.
What is more, convenience is another great advantage of the Miller Digital Elite which you can check out here. Due to its design and high quality materials, the helmet is very flexible, and we recommend it for difficult project that tend to last for more hours than usual. Great value for money.
02 – Miller Digital Infinity
- ClearLight Lens Technology allows more colors of...
- Maximizes visibility with 13.4 sq. in. viewing...
- Four independent arc sensors provide superior lens...
- Four Operating Modes - Weld, Cut, Grind, and...
- Redesigned Headgear - Oversized comfort cushion...
The Miller Digital Infinity which you can find here, is a great protection choice for your eyes. When ordered, it comes completely assembled in the package, which means that you don’t have to spend time figuring how to put everything together.
Apart from this, it has one of the fastest Auto Darkening Filters in the market, which provided the appropriate shading instantly after detecting the arc. This way, you can rest assured that your eyes won’t be exposed to accidental arc flashes at any time.
The super fast response of the ADF is what makes the Miller Digital Infinity more special than other welding helmets of the same price range. What is more, the buttons are very easy to configure, which means that the adjustments are going to be very simple to make.
The headgear sits comfortably on the head of the user, enhancing the workflow. Finally, the viewing area of the helmet is large enough for any type of welding process, leaving no room for mistakes and inaccuracies.
03 – Miller T94
One unit with fairly extended viewing area, the Miller T94 (check it out here), utilizes the special features of the grinding shield which many welders find pretty helpful. This way, the optical clarity and they eye protection can be enhanced significantly no matter the process, without additional effort.
In the interior part of the helmet, you can find adjustment controls, for instance grind mode, which are going to allow you to use the helmet properly for your specific projects. The universal fit and the wearing comfort, make this welding helmet ergonomic and offer convenience to the welder.
The viewing area of the Miller T94 is very optimizable. By using the adjustment knobs which you can find on the welding helmet, you can make the viewing area as large or as little as you want, so that you work under the appropriate conditions.
The convenience levels offered by the helmet are amazing. The flip-up grind shield is the star of the show here, since it allows the welder to start grinding without having to switch to a different grind shield, saving lots of time and effort
04 – Miller Classic Series
- Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, Metalwork's
- Package Dimensions: 27.94 H x 23.495 L x 25.4 W...
- Package Weight: 0.974 kilograms
- Country of Origin : United States
If you like welding helmets that offer the ability to replace their batteries, then you will be happy to know that the Miller Classic Series which you can find here, uses replaceable lithium batteries that are easy to change when appropriate.
Regarding sensitive eyes, this welding helmet has 2 powerful arc sensors with additional variable control, which you can use to adjust the sensitivity or the level of shading. This way, you can set the helmet to protect your eyes, according to how sensitive they are to the arc light.
The Miller Classic Series (click here for more info) is a very lightweight welding helmet, sits nicely on any type of head and has a very affordable price, especially when compared to the other Miller welding helmets.
It has a very simple yet elegant design, a very auto darkening filter, and it comes with extra lenses if you need to replace a dysfunctional one. Adjustments on the darkness of the lens can be easily made by using the knob on the exterior part of the helmet.
05 – Miller Digital Performance
- Lens Shade: 3, 5 to 8 / 8 to 13
- Plate height: 1-9/10", plate width: 3-4/5"
- Viewing area: 7-1/10 square inches
- Headgear: Ratchet
- Series: Digital Performance
Regarding Miller auto darkening welding helmets, the Miller Digital Performance is also known for its amazing eye-catching design, which looks highly professional and is perfect for every type of workplace.
The helmet, has a variable shade at a range of 8 to 13 and a light state of 3, which pretty much guarantees that it can be used for all types of welding methods. It comes with the batteries installed and ready to be used instantly, after you unpack it.
The Miller Digital Performance utilizes batteries which you can charge by letting the helmet sit under the sun, since it is solar powered. The price of the helmet is pretty standard, being a very affordable welding helmet for any type of budget.
A Fixed Shade Miller Welding Helmet
06 – Miller MP-10
- Lens Shade: 8 to 12
- Plate height: 3-2/5", plate width: 4"
- Viewing Area: 15-7/10 square inches
- Headgear: Ratchet
- Construction: Nylon
If you are into fixed shade or passive welding helmets, then the Miller MP-10 might be the perfect option for you. It is a very beautiful passive welding helmet, with a simple design and very little weight for more convenience.
The lens has an 8 to 12 shade, and it comes with head gear and lens holder, which are nice additions to the final package. The structures looks very sturdy and solid, and it is very comfortable to wear since it fits nicely on the head.
Regarding the price, since passive welding helmets are almost always cheaper than auto darkening ones, the Miller MP-10 is a lot more affordable than the ones mentioned above too. You can acquire this highly effective fixed shade welding helmet for around $50.
Are Miller welding helmets safe?
When it comes to welding, sensitives eyes might be an issue for welder since they can be very easily damaged and cause pain or dysfunctionality visibility-wise. Having accurate visibility is essential for every welder, and this is why learning how to protect your sensitive eyes is necessary.
Although eye protection is one of the first precautions welders learn to take when they are at the beginning phase, having sensitivity issues makes it an urgency. You have to be extra careful, and acquire a high quality welding helmet in order to make sure your eyes are protected at all times, no matter the welding process you apply.
As far as Miller welding helmets are concerned, the passive model is not recommended for sensitive eyes, because of the manual operations involved. Miller auto darkening helmets on the other hand, offer the required automation due to their ADF, which when adjusted properly, guarantees that sufficient shading will provided to your eyes.
Why protect your eyes as a welder?
Besides being one of the most important parts of your body and head, your eyes are a necessary tool for welding properly. You need accurate vision for your joints, since most welding projects require dealing with details and small metal parts.
There are many dangers involved in welding. Most of them are a threat either for your eyes, your face or your respiratory system. Regarding the eyes, smokes, fumes, heat, fire and debris are only of the few dangers that you have to be concerned about when welding, grinding or cutting.
Most of the times, such dangers can cause only minor issues, although there is always the possibility of becoming more serious and resulting into heavy health problems. The best way to avoid this, is by using high quality welding helmets, which will help you protect the entire head, including your eyes.
In order to take all the necessary precautions and think about eye protection seriously, you have to consider your eyes as the main tool for your job, especially if welding is your profession and your main source of income.
How to protect sensitive eyes with a Miller helmet
Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your eyes while welding, no matter their level of sensitivity. Of course, my first advise would be to invest in a good auto darkening such as the Miller Digital Elite welding helmet, which will keep your eyes protected automatically even in case of a mistake.
For example, in an occasion where you somehow misuse your stick or torch during the welding process, the Auto Darkening Filter of your welding helmet will function automatically, and protect you from potential arc flashes.
In addition to the above, you can acquire extra gear for the head which are going to increase the levels of safety, both for your head and eyes. For instance, safety goggles, face shields and hard hats can help you avoid debris, heat and smoke from getting into your eyes.
Which Miller welding helmet to choose?
Getting into the profession of the welder, makes it inevitable that at some point you will have to spend some serious time into deciding what welding helmet to get. Your decision, depends on a number of factors, such as the welding methods you are going to use, the money you are able to invest, the specifications you are looking for from the head gear, and the amount of comfort it can offer.
If you are looking for a quick solution regarding which welding helmet to get, here are 3 models that we recommend due to their excellent functionality levels:
- Miller Digital Elite
- Miller Digital Infinity
- Miller T94
Eye, face and respiratory protection comes first. Nothing is more important than you own health, and this is where you should focus. Being able to rely on your welding helmet for safety, will help you work more efficiently, without having to worry about potential injuries or arc flashes that could damage your eyes.
Below, we dive into some of the priorities you should focus in order to help you decide which welding helmet is the right for you. Make sure that you take into serious account all of them, and follow the ones that are essential for you regarding your requirements from a welding helmet.
What kind of welding helmet should I get?
The answer is simple: You should get the welding helmet that will allow you to work efficiently, fast and safely. These 3 factors are what makes a welding helmet a useful and mush-have tool for every welder, no matter the years of experience.
Do not just go for a fancy helmet model. You should always try and test the one that you like, so that you can make sure that it does what it is supposed to do. There are many welders, usually beginners, that choose a welding mask according to its design or just the reputation of the manufacturer.
Although choosing a trustworthy welding helmet manufacturer like Miller Electric, will always guarantee that you are going to purchase a high quality model, it is necessary that the helmet will be able to provide the right specifications for the process you need it.
For example, not all welding helmets comes with built-in respirators in case you need them for a workplace where fumes or smoke are produced. Or, you have to keep in mind that not all welding helmets have grind mode, which you might need for your projects.
To sum up, you have to take tour time when it comes to deciding on the appropriate welding helmet. No matter how good a helmet is, you need to make sure that it is the right one for you, test and try it to make sure that your money is going to be well spent.
What specifications to look for
When you are about to purchase a new welding helmet, there are some specifications you should look for. These specification requirements change depending on the type of welding methods you are going to use it for. For example, plasma welding requires slightly different lens shades than TIG or MIG, so you should look for a welding helmet with a variable shade lens within that specific range.
Also, the modes included or the viewing area play an important role when it comes to productivity, especially for very specific welding projects, or obscure welding positions. For grinding for instance, you are going to need a helmet with grind mode, which not all welding helmet models come with.
Let’s find out what specifications you should look for in a welding helmet:
- Optical clarity. The optical clarity of your welding helmet is extremely important, since it defines your workflow and the accuracy of your metal joints.
- Viewing area. A large viewing area is a major advantage for every welder, because it enhances their visibility and allows them to work conveniently in tight places and difficult welding positions, such as overhead.
- Light diffusion. This is especially helpful for welders that work outdoors. Pancake welding helmets for example, utilize the balsa box to eliminate or reduce dramatically reflections from the sunlight, to provide a clean view for to the user.
- Variable or fixed shade. All passive welding helmets comes with a fixed shade lens. As far as auto darkening helmets are concerned, you can choose between variable or fixed shade, which is going to help you weld within various shade ranges in case you work with different welding methods.
- Durability. The durability of the welding helmet you are about to choose has to be top-notch, since it is the way you are going to stay protected from debris, fumes, heat or arc flashes. Go for a welding helmet which has been OSHA and ANSI approved, as it indicates that it has passed all the necessary durability and safety test required.
- The weight. You should go for the lightest welding helmet model possible. A lightweight helmet guarantees that you are going to work conveniently, even after several hours of continuous welding.
- Auto Darkening Filter. The ADF makes sure that your eyes stay safe during welding. It is the main advantage of auto darkening welding helmets over passive, because it works independently, protecting the eyes of the welder from accidental arc flashes, in case of misuse of the stick or the torch. Especially helpful for beginners.
- The lens. The lens is obviously among the welding helmet parts that matter the most. Working with a high quality lens, guarantees that the accuracy, the visibility levels and the eye fatigue are not going to cause any problems during the welding process.
- Auto darkening vs Passive. Although this debate is almost insignificant nowadays due to the technological evolution of the auto darkening welding helmets, you still have to decide between these two options. Auto darkening helmets offer great protection and comfort to the welder, however if you are an oldschool welder handling your helmet manually could be more convenient and familiar with your style of welding.
How much should you spend on a welding helmet?
Although the specifications and requirements of a welding helmet are the most important factor that should determine your purchase, money always play an important role. Every person has a different available budget, and you should act accordingly.
The price range that I found works best for the majority of welders, is between $100 and $200. This price range, allows most people to get a fairly affordable protective helmet, without having to worry about its quality or whether it will keep them safe or not. Fortunately, there is a large number of highly functional helmets in the particular price range, more than capable of keeping you productive and safe at the same time.
As you can see, the kind of welding helmet you should get depends on a number of factors. All of them are reasonable and essential, since they determine the quality of your work, and the ability to stay protected by your welding helmet every time you use it.
Make sure that you prioritize them according to which of them are more important to you and the type of your work, do your research and choose wisely.
How to give the right maintenance to your welding helmet
In order to ensure that your welding helmet is able to protect you, you need to make sure that you protect it properly first. Learning how to maintain your helmet is essential for the proper functionality of this essential headgear, which keeps you safe from accidents and health dangers while welding.
The rough working conditions of welding are known to the majority of experienced welders. The environments that the process takes places tends to become hot from the high temperatures produced by the weld joints, and dirtiness is an everyday phenomenon causes by the debris and fumes.
Adding to that, humidity is another factor that makes the working place of welders difficult to work in, which along with the sparks and smokes produced by the procedure can have a negative impact both to the productivity and the well-being of the tools used.
From the above facts, you can understand that the maintenance of your welding helmet is a necessity. In order to allow your welding helmet to protect you properly, you need to adjust your schedule and start maintaining your welding helmet as regularly as possible.
Why is the maintenance of your welding helmet important?
Scheduling a regular and proper maintenance for your welding helmet, not only will guarantee that your helmet is capable of protecting you, but it will also improve the overall performance of this essential tool that will enhance your workflow during welding.
Cleaning your welding helmet is the first step you should to make sure that it is safe to use the helmet in your working environment. Adjust your schedule, and make sure that you clean properly your welding helmet after every use (ideally).
For my welding helmets, I often use the Clear Gear Disinfectant Cleaner and Deodorizer for Protective Gear, which is a very efficient cleaner for all kind of headgear. I have seen that it does an amazing job with my helmets, it is doesn’t cause corrosion and makes your gear smell nicely afterwards.
Another reason why maintaining your welding helmet regularly is important, is because it is going to save you lots of money in the long term. What I mean with this, is that you are not going to need any replacements soon if you take care of your helmet, until some parts get really old and you are going to need to change them.
If you are on a limited budget and you need to control your expenses, then this is a very important reason to give some extra attention to your welding helmet, as you get to keep it functional and protective for your health for free.
Last but not least, working with a non-functional welding helmet will cause problems to your workflow, and as a result to your welding projects. If for example, you don’t take good care of the lens, you are not going to have the necessary visibility for precision and inspection on your projects.
How to take care of the lens
The most important part of maintenance for a welding helmet is the cleaning of the lens. After every welding process, the lens receives lots of dirtiness and gets filled with dust and particles from the materials of the joints.
What is more, you need to clean the lens properly in order to keep it from fogging. During the welding, various fumes are produced from the penetration of the metal. These fumes stick on the surface of the lens, and make it dirty and blurry.
You need to thoroughly inspect the lens for dirtiness, and clean it at least after every use. I prefer cleaning it before and after use, and I try to regularly clean it during periods of no usage. This way I prevent corrosion and dust from damaging the surface of the lens.
In order to clean the lens properly, the first thing I do is to wipe it with lens wipes. My favorites are the Care Check Lens Wipes, which are very soft and pre-moistured. You need to be gentle and cautious when cleaning the lens to avoid damaging it. The wipes are going to collect the dusts and any minor particles.
After that, I usually go with a lens cleaning spray or cream. I usually go with a spray, more specifically the Zeiss Lens Care Pack as I find that it does a better job regarding spray spots on the lens. What is more, it comes with microfiber cleaning cloths, which you can use to wipe the excess liquid after you let it stay about an hour.
Lastly, if you want to do a detailed job with the edges and the small, hidden parts of the lens, you could use a brush and make gentle moves into those spots. For better results, try spraying on the brush small amount of the lens cleaner. Use dry wipes or a cloth at the end of the process to dry the lens.
Inspect the cover lens for damages
Regarding auto darkening welding helmets, there is a cover lens applied in the inside and outside of the auto darkening lens. The cover lens is used to protect the lens, to make sure that they keep functioning as they should in order to protect the face of the user.
On the auto darkening lenses, there is always placed a coating which you can distinguish from its darker color, usually purple or blue. This coating is the UV and IR filtering of the lens and is used to protect the welders eyes from Ultra Violet and Infra Red rays.
The only light that is allowed to pass through this filtering, is the light that is necessary for the user to work with, such as the arc light. You can control the amounts of this light by adjusting the light sensitivity controls and by selecting the appropriate shade (done automatically by the auto darkening welding helmets).
It is common sense, that the coating is of critical importance when it comes to the functionality of the welding helmet, and as a result to the effective protection of the user’s eyes. If the coating gets damaged, the filter stops functioning properly, and lets harmful rays pass through the leans and damage the welder’s vision.
Aside from cleaning the lens and the coating of the lens regularly, make a case of changing them as often as possible, acquiring newer and more functional lens that will protect you better. You are advised to buy them from the same manufacturer of your welding helmet, so that you can fit them nicely on the helmet and avoid potential issues.
Maintain the respirator
If you are working with an auto darkening welding helmet which has respiratory protection, such as the
JACKSON SAFETY 40839 AIRMAX ELITE, then you need to take care of the respirator system too. The respiratory filters need to be changed on a regular basis with newer suitable filters from the same manufacturer.
The consumables of the respirator are also an important part of its maintenance. You need to change them frequently, and make sure that you always have a spare part in case something goes off during the welding process.
Welder that work with high quality welding helmets that have respirator systems, like for example the 3M 34-0905-SGX Powered Air Purifying Respirator System, need to inspect them regularly for gas filters, particle filters, spark arrestor and pre-filter to make sure that they work properly.
It takes some time to get used to taking care of the respirator system, but using them welders make sure that work under maximum health protection.
One thing welders, especially beginners, should always remember, is to never clean their Adflo filters using compressed air which is a common mistake inexperienced users do. Compressed air has the tendency to make holes in the filter, which may lead to allowing particles and fumes to pass through the filtering.
Take care of the respirator filters
Welding helmet respirators come with 3 basic filters: the pre-filter, the particle filter and the gas filter. All three filters are essential for the effective protection of the welder, and need regular attention and maintenance in order to perform properly.
Many respirator systems come with a particle indicator, which helps keeping track of potential damages and problems regarding your system. That said, it is always best to perform manual inspections, in case there is something that the indicators have missed. Inspecting manually your system, will help you learn better the ways that it works.
In case you spot an issue or a damage regarding your particle filter, make sure than you change it as soon as possible. Replacing is absolutely necessary, because it can harm the air respirator which is essential for keeping the health of the welder protected.
What is more, you need to regularly change the pre-filter of your respirator. This way, you can avoid damaging the particle filter by just being cautious. In addition to this, it is going to save you a lot of money because pre-filters are far more affordable than particle filters.
The pre-filter and the particle filter are necessary parts of the respirator. They are used in order to collect the particles, and produce clean air for the welder. The pre-filter collects the majority of particles, and the particle filter catches the leftovers and maintains the air supply clean.
If welding is your profession, and you want to take all the necessary precautions in order to keep yourself protected at all times, I recommend that you acquire an all-in-one kit such as the Complete Welding Powered Air Purifying Respirator Kit.
It is quite an investment, but in the welding world health protection and productivity go a long way and you need to pay careful attention if you want to have them both.
Examine the rest of the parts
Taking the time to make thorough inspections of all the parts of your welding helmet and gear is a must to make sure that everything works properly. Especially in periods of no usage, make a case of checking all of your welding equipment for breakdowns and damages.
It is best to examine all parts at once, so that you can make bulk replacements. When it comes to welding helmets and respirators, if you have one part that is non-functional, then most likely all other parts won’t do a proper job too.
In order not to compromise your safety, check your welding helmet for cracks, dents or corrosion. Cracks on the lens are especially dangerous for a number of reasons. They might break at any time and the glass might hurt your eyes, or they might allows UV and IR rays to pass through the filter.
Along with the above, debris and harmful fumes produced by the welding might pass the protective lens in case it is damaged, and endanger your face and vision. In addition to these, check for lost screws or headbands, that may affect the position of the welding helmet on your head.
A welding helmet should provide stability and appropriate positioning to the user, so that he doesn’t have to reposition it while working. What is more, right position of the helmet ensures nice visibility, which is essential if the welder wants precision for his projects.
Clean the battery section
Auto darkening welding helmets work with batteries. In order to keep them functioning properly, you need to clean the battery section with caution regularly.
The first thing you need to do before cleaning the battery section, is to remove the battery. It is the safest way to go, so that you can avoid damaging the batteries or their connection with the welding helmet.
For even better results, after the cleaning of the section is complete, it is best to remove the old batteries and replace them with new ones. This way, you are making sure that you are not going to face any problems powering your helmet during welding.
Last words on maintenance of a welding helmet
The maintenance of a welding helmet is essential if we want to achieve maximum functionality. We need to inspect it thoroughly, and create a regular schedule for cleaning it and examining it for damages on the lens, its surface or the respirator.
Use the steps and ways provided in this article to keep your welding helmet in good condition. It is the best way to keep it functional and protective for your health at all times. No risks are necessary during welding.
Conclusion
Sensitive eyes are an issue which should be taken into serious consideration by the all the welders, no matter their experience level. Miller welding helmets provide the best protection possible, leaving no room for dysfunctionalities or arc flashes.
Acquiring a Miller auto darkening welding helmet with a high quality protective lens (we re commend the Miller Digital Elite) is going to be more than essential, and it is going to offer the desired protection for your eyes.
Make sure that you test every helmet you are about to purchase, to determine whether it can protect your eyes sufficiently.