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Whether you’re a beginner, a weekend warrior, or a professional, you’re probably familiar with the brand Hobart as they produce some of the best welding equipment on the market.
Today, I’ll be taking a closer look at Hobart welding helmet reviews to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Kicking off this list with a helmet made for professionals, the Hobart 770753 Pro Variable Auto-Dark helmet is a member of the Pro series suitable for more complex and challenging jobs.
This helmet is high on comfort just as much as it’s high in performance. It weighs under 2 pounds to reduce stress on the neck, and it’s equipped with a headgear piece that you can adjust to fit comfortably around and over your head.
The 770753 has adjustable controls for both sensitivity and delay. This means you can actually tune the sensitivity of your helmet based on the light surrounding you, not just have the helmet detect sunlight and change the shade consequently.
Speaking of shades, this helmet offers variable shades ranging from #8 to #13. The 4 built-in sensors are there to provide superior light detection and overall monitoring of arcs.
As for the reaction time of the lens, it takes only 1/30,000 seconds to make the switch from light to dark for enhanced protection and comfort.
The 770753 helmet also features a large 9.02 square inch viewing area so you don’t miss out on any detail.
Combining reliability with value, the Hobart 770756 Impact Variable Auto-Dark helmet offers a lot of the advanced features you can typically find on the Pro series helmets, yet the price is much more affordable.
The shell is made from durable polyamide to provide dependable protection against impacts and traumas while working on active sites.
The solid black design coupled with the orange logo offers a sleek look that’s a favorite among many welders.
The 770756 has an integrated grind mode to shield you from sparks and light as you prep and finish your weld. It has a reaction time of 1/25,000 seconds which is still impressive when compared to other welding helmets under the same price point.
This helmet is equipped with 3 arc sensors and sensitivity controls to let you make adjustments according to the available ambient light. It also comes with a ratcheting headgear to keep the helmet in place and make sure it fits comfortably on your head.
Designed to include all the essentials you’d need for adequate protection during welding jobs, the Hobart 770286 Flip Front welding helmet is an excellent choice for quick tasks as well as occasional projects or as a backup helmet.
This model from Hobart is exactly what you’d expect a basic helmet to be. It’s a reliable welding mask that’s approved by the ANSI, so it’s safe to use for a wide range of simple tasks.
Obviously, this isn’t an auto-darkening helmet, but it’s has a fixed shade lens #10. The helmet is also true to its “Flip Front” name since you get to easily flip it up and down from the front side.
The 770286 weighs less than 2 pounds, which makes it a breeze to work with. The viewing area is a standard size of 4.5 inches × 2 square inches, so it’s nothing to brag about.
As for the fit, this helmet is actually adjustable. However, you may still be unable to make it sit perfectly around your head due to the lack of extra comfort pads.
The Hobart 77051 Impact Bonehead 2 helmet is built specifically for more serious welders and fabricators who are looking for a unique yet highly reliable helmet.
The first thing that caught my eye, and probably yours too, is the bad-ass design featured on the exterior of the helmet. The sharp and dangerous vibes, along with the attractive color scheme, will surely help you stand out on your construction site or workshop.
It also makes it easier for other welders to spot you in case of any emergency.
This model comes with a 7.05 square inch viewing area that provides decent visibility of the weld and weld area. It’s also equipped with 3 independent arc sensors to detect ambient light and respond accordingly at an impressive reaction time of 1/25,000 seconds.
The lightweight polyamide shell construction prevents overheating while being durable enough to handle impacts and blows like a champ.
One of the less commonly known series of Hobart welding helmets is the Endeavour series. However, I personally think they did a pretty great job manufacturing the 770820 Endeavour helmet to deliver outstanding value for money.
This helmet seems like it has something to offer for every level of welding out there. Starting from its impressively large viewing area of 9.02 square inch, the 770820 ensures that you get a clear, wide view of the weld and weld environment so you can better inspect your work.
It’s also very comfortable to wear even for extended periods, thanks to the multi-adjustable ratcheting headgear and lightweight of no more than 2 pounds.
Another handy feature is the grind mode that provides protection against light and sparks during grinding your weld.
The 770820 also includes 4 arc sensors for a professional performance when it comes to light detection. The only improvement I’d like to see on this helmet is a shorter reaction time than the existing 1/15,000 seconds.
Choosing the best welding helmet can surely get quite confusing. However, I’m confident that today’s Hobart welding helmet reviews can help you find your perfect match.
That being said, if I had to recommend only one helmet of the top 5 candidates I reviewed, then it’d have to be the Hobart 770753 Pro Variable Auto-Dark Helmet.
The 770753 has everything you’d need in a welding helmet. From its durable yet lightweight construction that ensures you don’t overheat or get strained, all the way to its incredible reaction time and wide viewing area.
Granted the 770753 not the most affordable option, but it’s certainly a worthy investment.
When shopping for the best Hobart welding helmet, there are a few points you need to take into account so you can land the perfect helmet for your specific requirements:
The most important factor to consider when looking at welding helmets is the amount of protection they offer based on their degree of compliance with national and international safety standards.
In the USA, reliable welding helmets should meet ANSI standards, while in Canada, welding helmets need to be CSA certified.
The purpose of such standards is to ensure that the helmet is capable of providing proper protection against eye damage. This includes filtration of harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays regardless of the shade setting.
An auto-darkening helmet has multiple shades integrated into its construction to let you select your most preferred setting depending on the welding application at hand. Typically, such helmets offer shade settings between #8 to #13.
When the helmet is in the down position, you get clear visibility through a light lense. But once you strike the welding arc, the helmet will automatically darken to your chosen shade.
As for fixed shade helmets, they don’t have numerous shades. Instead, they’re equipped with a dark lense of constant shade (usually #10).
When the helmet is in the down position, as well as when the welding arc is struck, the lens will remain dark-tinted. So unlike auto-darkening helmets where you can inspect the weld while wearing your helmet, you’ll have to remove your fixed shade helmet to view the weld.
As the name suggests, the viewing area determines how much space you can see while wearing your helmet.
A larger viewing area allows you to have a wider view of the weld and the welding environment, but a smaller viewing area will give you more focused visibility of the weld and weld surrounding.
No matter your choice is, always make sure you’re wearing safety glasses under the helmet. Also, keep the outer cover of the lens clean and free from splatter to maintain good visibility.
The more arc sensors your helmet has, the more reliable light detection you’ll receive. You’ll also get a larger view as well as improved control over your welding project.
Beginners and hobbyists often go for two-sensor helmets to serve their average requirements, while helmets with 3 sensors work well for basic production jobs.
As for helmets with 4 arc sensors, they’re designed for more complex jobs such as industrial purposes.
Hobart manufactures a variety of welding helmets to accommodate different levels of skills and budgets. They also offer several degrees of protection and sensitivity so you can decide what suits you the most.
Hobart welding helmets come in 6 common series for the auto-darkening style, in addition to 1 series for the fixed shade style. The following is a break down of these series:
Helmets of the Impact series offer some of the largest viewing areas out of all the classes right after the Pro series. They’re designed to provide adequate support through any part of the fabrication process.
Impact series helmets are typically equipped with 3 arc sensors to give you professional performance during various welding projects.
Helmets of the Discovery series offer a standard size when it comes to the area of the viewing lens.
They also have dual arc sensors with a grinding mode installed to provide decent light detection and protection. There’s an external shade control to allow for adjustments according to what you’re working on.
Similar to the Pro series, helmets of the Inventor series offer the largest viewing area for better visibility.
They’re equipped with 4 arc sensors, sensitivity and delay control, grind mode, as well as an impressive shade range of 8 – 13 settings. These helmets are more suitable for high-performance welding jobs rather than hobbyist tasks.
A standard version of welding helmets, Pillar series offers an extended battery life to allow for all-day performance. Here, you’ll find duals arc sensors but with limited sensitivity controls. These helmets are better suited for occasional or entry-level welders.
Helmets of the PRO series are the premium line of Hobart welding helmets. They feature the largest viewing area to provide the greatest visibility for professional-grade use.
These helmets are loaded with impressive features for improved light detection and safety, such as 4 arc sensors, shade settings of 8-13, and sensitive controls.
Helmets of the passive series don’t feature auto-darkening, they’re fixed at shade setting #10. These helmets are lightweight, easy to adjust, and comfortable to wear.
