Jackson Safety Digital Variable Auto Darkening Filter Darkening Welding Helmet

Last updated date: March 16, 2023

DWYM Score

8.5

Jackson Safety Digital Variable Auto Darkening Filter Darkening Welding Helmet

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We looked at the top Welding Helmets and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Welding Helmet you should buy.

Update as March 16, 2023:
Checkout The Best Welding Helmet for a detailed review of all the top welding helmets.

Overall Take

This welding helmet offers optimal vision with a large viewing area. It has digital controls for shades of darkness. The helmet meets ANSI Z87.1 2010 standards and is CSA compliant.


In our analysis of 24 expert reviews, the Jackson Safety Digital Variable Auto Darkening Filter Darkening Welding Helmet placed 4th when we looked at the top 9 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

UPDATED MODEL: This Jackson Safety Lightweight Insight Welding Helmet with an Arc Angel design is built with 4 sensors to reduce possible blockage; It’s been newly updated with industry leading 1/1/1/1 optical clarity and True Color BEST VIEWING: It provides a viewing area of 3.93″ x 2.36″ and offers optimal vison during all stages of the welding process without having to lift the helmet’s hood DIGITAL CONTROL: With variable shades from 9 to 13, it has user-friendly digital controls for sensitivity and delay adjustments for different tasks and durations; This enables welders to enjoy enhanced visibility and color recognition MULTI-USE WELDING: The variable auto darkening allows you to use it for MIG, TIG, STICK, and ARC welding processes; SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS: This helmet provides protection to the user’s face and eyes from during welding; It’s efficient and economical, meets ANSI Z87.1 2010 standards and is CSA compliant

Expert Reviews

Expert Summarized Score

10.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.2
1,519 user reviews

What experts liked

Trusted brand - uses multiple auto dimming sensors to determine the proper shade setting. Has a wide viewing area.
- BestReviews
Owners who are impressed by the performance of this product consider it the best auto-darkening welding helmet for the money for home and light industrial work. They like its compatibility with several shells and lenses, multiple settings to fine-tune the output, and the varied, flexible settings for the headgear especially the large adjustment dial that is convenient when wearing gloves. Source: https://houseandbeyond.org/best-welding-helmet
- House & Beyond
Reaction time is 1/15,000 second, and there are accurate digital controls for all major functions including delay and sensitivity. It would be a good choice for both hobbyists and general-purpose professional welders.
- Bob Vila
Jackson Safety W40 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is equipped with some incredible features that make it the best option for professional workers. It has various dark and light shades, a large viewing area, and easy controls
- Welding Helmet Tips

What experts didn't like

Helmet may be too tight for some people, making it uncomfortable at times.
- BestReviews
Short hood. Flimsy material
- House & Beyond
Unfortunately, while a grind mode is provided, there is no shade range for cutting. Some also feel the Jackson Safety Insight welding helmet offers less neck protection than other models.
- Bob Vila

An Overview On Welding Helmets

Having the right welding helmet can make all the difference at your job. From safety to comfort, there are a lot of different elements to consider when trying to find the best welding helmet for you. Start with fit, as it must be both comfortable to wear while providing the necessary protection. The helmet should protect your head, face and neck from burns and UV rays so ensure it fully covers you. In addition, having adjustable features makes it easier to customize the fit for your head and neck. How can you check that the fit is right? He’s a pro tip. If you move your head up and down in your helmet, the helmet shouldn’t tilt with your movement. Instead, it should stay in one place.

Another key aspect to consider is the size of the viewing area. Your field of vision can vary from helmet to helmet. Some people prefer a large field of vision which allows you a better view of the workpiece. Some people prefer smaller viewing areas, especially if they don’t weld very often. A smaller viewing area allows you to have a concentrated look at what you’re working on. Large views allow you to see the entire work environment.

In addition to the size of the viewing window, you have to look at the clarity of the lens. It must be as clear as possible otherwise you will end up with vision fatigue and decreased productivity. Welding helmets typically have a rating system for lens clarity. A rating of 1/1/1 means that the lens has perfect clarity and an undistorted view.

The Welding Helmet Buying Guide

  • If you wear glasses to see things better close up, you can actually get a welding helmet that has a built-in magnifiers in the lens. This way you don’t need to wear your glasses while wearing the helmet.
  • If you often weld in a humid environment, then it’s possible your welding helmet will get foggy as a result of your sweat and breath. Some welding helmets have anti-fog features so you can continue to have a clear view.
  • Welding helmets have tinted lenses, but you often need to be able to see the real colors of the weld pool and metal. Opt for a welding helmet that provides high color perception. This way, you’ll be able to see the real color of objects even through a tinted lens.
  • You can choose between passive lenses and auto-darkening lenses. Passive lenses stay the same shade no matter what, regardless of how bright your environment is. Auto-darkening lenses, as the name suggests, darken when your environment becomes brighter, such as when you start welding or hit an arc.
  • If you need to perform any overhead welding, keep in mind that the majority of helmets on the market today are not approved for overhead welding. When gravity becomes a factor in your safety, it’s very important to choose the right helmet for this process and not one that is not approved for overhead welding.
  • If you frequently deal with neck strain and pain, then it’s important to choose a lightweight welding helmet. The heavier the helmet, the more weight your neck has to support. Keep in mind how long you wear the helmet for at a time and how often you wear the helmet when figuring out the right weight for you.