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Whether you're a welding student, professional, or weekend fanatic, you probably recognize the name Jackson Safety.
Jackson offers a wide range of welding masks from inexpensive passive masks to high priced premium models at the high end of the market.
Jackson welding helmets are known for outstanding optics, high quality advanced technology and market leading comfort.
They are also known for their durability and can last for years or even decades in demanding professional environments.
Welders using other helmet brands often recommend retrofitting Jackson helmets, a testament to their legendary all-day comfort.
If you insist on a reliable, comfortable helmet that won't break down or make you regret your money, check out our five best Jackson welding helmets.
in a hurry?
Here's our pick of 3 products that you might be interested in depending on your budget…
best choice
Jackson BH3
The Jackson Safety BH3 is a professional auto-dimming helmet featuring Balder True Color technology, 1/1/1/1 optics, lightweight, very comfortable, and comes with a 5-year warranty.
best value
Jackson Smart Tiger
The SmarTIGer offers some of the same features as the BH3, great helmet and Balder technology at a great price. Superior optical clarity, all-day comfort and a 5-year warranty can't be overlooked.
best budget
jackson insight
Jackson Insight helmets can be found on every welding site and factory floor. They feature exceptional durability, outstanding optical quality, light weight and an industry leading helmet. What's not to like?
Best Jackson Welding Helmets, Reviewed
Here are our five best picks to help you find the one that's right for you.
1. Jackson BH3 welding helmet
- 1/1/1/1 optics are the best you can buy
- ADF has a variable shade range from 9 to 13
- Lightweight, high-density polymer hood
- Pneumatic curved front cover
- Head strap can be adjusted for mask height and eye distance
advantage
- Internal infinite dial adjuster
- hard hat compatible
- Lightweight and great helmet
- Excellent neck and face coverage
shortcoming
- Glare on curved lid bothers some users
overview
One of Jackson's top professional helmets, the BH3 is designed for light weight and impact resistance. Jackson gave this helmet a curved front panel to reflect heat and reduce fogging. The tapered and outwardly curved base makes it easier to use the helmet when you need to lower your chin to see. The rounded corners of the BH3 make it easier to fit into tight spaces and improve impact resistance.
Reflections from the curved lid bothered some users. The filter has dial-style internal adjusters for shade level, sensitivity, and delay time. Solar power extends the life of off-the-shelf AAA batteries. The Jackson 370 helmet is lightweight and comfortable to wear.
The BH3 features Jackson's Balder technology, which provides a better field of view than typical green ADFs. Optical clarity grades of 1/1/1/1 are the best you can buy. The last number stands for angularity, which means you'll get excellent visibility even if you're looking at an angle.
Jackson Safety backs the BH3's quality with a 5-year warranty, propelling this helmet to our top spot.
2. Jackson SmarTIGer
- Balder technology for better vision
- torch dancer graphic
- Variable shades ranging from 9 to 13
- Headgear adjusts for eye distance and mask height
- Solar power extends battery life
advantage
- Two-piece housing is easier to clean
- The Jackson 370 headgear is super comfortable
- Light weight reduces neck pressure
- Wide coverage in the neck area
- Digital controls are inside so they won't get damaged
shortcoming
- Batteries are not replaceable
- no grinding mode
- light can come in from behind
overview
The SmarTIGer is a professional welding helmet featuring Balder technology and 1/1/1/1 optical rating. It also has a sleek round design and a curved front cover. If you like these features of the BH3 but can't justify the price, the SmarTIGer offers better value. The tradeoffs are a smaller viewport, no grind mode, and a non-replaceable battery. On the plus side, the SmarTIGer also comes with the same 5-year warranty as the BH3.
As with most helmets with curved hoods, some users experience glare or reflections. Some people dislike the non-replaceable batteries, while others report that the batteries extend the life of the helmet. The SmarTIGer is a very lightweight helmet that users rave about for its all-day comfort.
The Jackson 370 helmet is fully adjustable for height, head size and eye-to-viewport distance. It's hard hat compatible and has a solar panel to keep the battery charged. The ADF filter is infinitely adjustable from 9-13 shades using the inner button. Sensitivity level and reaction time are also fully adjustable.
3. Jackson Insight Welding Helmet
- Variable shades ranging from 9 to 13
- Welding and grinding mode
- solar lithium battery
- ultra light shell
advantage
- large viewport
- ADF filter fits HLX100 and HSL100 housings
- Digital button control
- Four position height adjustment
- rechargeable battery
shortcoming
- too thin to wear a respirator
- Some users feel neck coverage is insufficient
overview
Jackson Insight offers top-of-the-line optics with digital shades, sensitivity and reaction time buttons, and a solar-powered rechargeable Li-Ion battery at an affordable price.
Insight ADF filter settings are interchangeable between HLX100 and HSL100 series housings. HSL series skirts curve outward. If, like some users, you find that the neck coverage is too thin, you can buy an HSL series case and move to that design without breaking the bank.
Users love the large viewport on this helmet and the digital display that indicates shade level at a glance. The shade level is fully adjustable from 9-13 levels. Jackson has provided this welding helmet with a swivel adjustment feature to set the angle of the hood to your liking. The comfortable helmet has four height adjustments.
Some users have reported that this enclosure is too narrow to fit a respirator. If you need rebreathers and want Insight lenses, you may prefer a larger HSL housing. In addition to all the other features of the Insight HLX, Jackson backs this helmet with a two-year warranty.
4. Jackson Next Generation
- NexGen 3-in-1 Digital Auto-Dimming
- Variable shades from 9 to 13
- Auto power off function
- low battery alert
- Meets ANSI Z87.1 safety standards
advantage
- Amber lenses enhance melt pool vision
- Digital sensitivity and delay adjustment
- big field of view
- Solar rechargeable lithium battery
shortcoming
- Some reports of light bouncing from behind being reflected on the viewport
overview
The NexGen filter on this helmet is the real star. Amber lenses are one of the most coveted options for professional welders on any helmet. This feature can have a huge impact on weld quality as it gives you a clear view of the weld pool that green filters can't match.
Typical Jackson comfort and durability have earned them a loyal following. NexGen runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and solar power. Grind, Weld, and Torch modes give NexGen filters a three-in-one tag. One potential issue is that some users have reported a lot of light coming in from behind.
Digital controls for shade level, delay time and sensitivity are located inside the hood for protection. The shade level is fully adjustable from 9-13 and the shell is lightweight, flexible and durable.
The NexGen is equipped with an automatic power off function and a low battery indicator. Sensitivity down to 5 amps is sufficient for TIG and sheet metal work. Jackson backs the NexGen helmet with a 2-year warranty.
5. Jackson Truesight II Welding Helmet
- Optical Clarity 1/1/1/1 Excellent
- Variable shades for 5-8 and 9-13
- Balder True Color Technology for Clearer Vision
- Welding, grinding and torching modes
- Uses standard AAA battery sizes
advantage
- Huge 13 square inches of viewing area
- well balanced and light weight
- True color view of melt pool
- Auto off and auto on
shortcoming
- Protective lenses $4-5 each
overview
TrueSight II is Jackson's top-of-the-line premium auto-dimming helmet. Balder True Color Technology combined with Jackson's largest viewport, possibly the largest on the market at 13 square inches, gives you an unrivaled view of your weld. 1/1/1/1 optical clarity is best.
The HLX series shell only weighs 6 ounces, but the huge viewport and two AAA batteries instead of watch batteries make this helmet weigh more than a pound. It's still light, and when it hangs from the Jackson 370 headgear with four-position adjustment, you can wear it all day without getting tired. TrueSight II has welding, grinding, and torch modes, and the AAA batteries are solar rechargeable.
Some users have reported light coming in from behind and insufficient neck coverage on the HLX case. Another problem for some people is the high cost of lens caps, nearly $5 each. This helmet has a number pad for variable shades of 5-8 and 9-13. It's an expensive helmet, but with the largest viewport, Balder technology, industry-leading comfort and 5-year warranty that Jackson offers, it's probably justified.
About Jeff Grill
Jeff Grill hails from Long Island, a 118-mile stretch of land that stretches from the shores of Manhattan to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. He was interested in welding from an early age, as evidenced by the scars on his body when he started working with various metals.