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Ever seen the masters on the track?
He's that old guy who welds patiently to keep the team in the game. He was calm and efficient amidst the chaos and thunder.
Stare at the old guy. When the car is back on the track, take a peek in his tool cabinet. You might be surprised to find an old, low-tech passive welding helmet inside.
There's a reason old-timers love passive helmets, and it's not just because they're stubborn.
When the pressure is on, the guy simply can't handle failure. Old-fashioned passive helmets still have their place in stores.
Modern electronics are incredible, but auto-dimming helmets can stop working or malfunction just when you need them most.
At times like that, remember the old guy in the pits, quietly doing his job while everyone else was freaking out.
Passive helmets are cheap. If your ADF ever breaks or the battery needs recharging, it doesn't hurt to have it with you.
Let's take a look at the best passive welding masks to see what's right for you.
in a hurry?
Here's our pick of 3 products that you might be interested in depending on your budget…
best choice
Jackson HLX 10
This helmet is specially designed for welding in tight places. Owners love the huge viewing area, solid construction and premium feel.
best value
Jackson 14535 Hunter
Comparable to the Miller in this review, but for professionals who weld all day, the gold lenses give it an edge.
best budget
Jackson Security HSL 100
For hobbyists, students, and occasional production work, here's a pack of four passive helmets for the price of a single entry-level auto-dimming helmet.
Find the right passive welding mask for you
1. Jackson HLX 10 Passive Welding Helmet
- light
- Hard hat is adaptable
- High-quality construction at an affordable price
- Shade Class 10 Polycarbonate Filter
advantage
- Large viewport allows welds to be viewed from an angle
- strong and light
- Cozy Jackson Headwear
- solid structure
shortcoming
- Very thin shell is not suitable for continuous electrode welding
overview
Jackson Safety is a staple in the welding world, known for quality construction and comfortable headgear. If Made in the USA is important to you, Jackson still makes them here.
One of the most mentioned advantages of the Jackson HLX 10 is that it holds up well. It locks into place at the top of the pivot, but drops easily with a slight nod. Most users prefer high-quality optics. The large field of view allows you to view your work at an angle when you can't fit the helmet into the work area.
Naturally, as a Jackson icon, the headgear was praised for its comfort. Some veterans who have used Jacksons throughout their careers feel that the new helmets are not as strong as the old ones. Want proof that this is a professional grade welding mask? Some welders report that the helmets have been in use for decades, and in some cases up to 40 years.
The helmet has also been praised for its lightness, a factor that helps minimize fatigue after long hours wearing the hood.
2. Jackson 14535 Huntsman Passive Welding Helmet
- Ultralight Hydraflex 6 oz shell
- Hard hat is adaptable
- Upgradeable to Jackson ADF filter
- ANSI Z87.1 Compliant and CSA Compliant
advantage
- Ultralight case weighs only six ounces
- Hard hat is adaptable
- Meets ANSI Z87.1 and CSA standards
- Gold lenses are perfect for TIG
shortcoming
- Some car owners said that the shell is too thin
overview
Between its ultra-light 6-ounce shell and gold lens color, this helmet is worth the money. Some owners feel that it is too thin and may not be suitable for hot rod soldering. Others have reported that they have done overhead electrode welding and flux cored MIG without issue.
This lightweight shell has a clear advantage when you look at passive helmets. Nodding all day can really put a heavier helmet on your neck.
Users rave about the optics of this helmet. Not only is the filter glass ultra-clear, it also uses the coveted gold filter instead of green for truer colors. The icing on the cake? You can upgrade this helmet to an automatic darkening filter. It's as easy as swapping out Jackson's True Sight and NextGen auto-dimming systems.
The Jackson 370 Helmet is often praised in welding shops as the most comfortable design of any welding helmet. When you combine that with ultralight and gold lenses, it's hard to beat.
3. Jackson Safety HSL 100 Welding Helmet
- Lightweight design for comfort
- Hard hat is adaptable
- Extended front for added neck protection
- Complete with cover plate and shade 10 filter
advantage
- Extended front for added neck protection
- Narrow housing for working in tight spaces
- Lightweight design is for comfort
shortcoming
- Some owners say the headgear is cheap quality
overview
This is a great deal. For the price of an inexpensive ADF helmet, you can have four nice passive helmets. This makes it possible to have different levels of shade on different helmets. Shade 10 is the most common, but for stick welding over 60 amps you do need more shade 13.
You can put a gold filter in there instead of a green filter for excellent true color clarity, especially when using a TIG. Since the Jackson passive helmet is upgradeable, you can also equip it with an auto-darkening filter. Then you can have two greens, one gold and one ADF.
This is a very good idea for novice welders. When you're just starting out, it's only a matter of time before you put the helmet on the new welds and burn a hole in them. If this happens to you, you're ready to replace the case in no time.
Owners report that the optical clarity is excellent, and of course the Jackson headgear is probably the best overall design in the store.
Lastly, this helmet design extends down nicely to protect the neck area.
4. Miller MP10 Passive Welder Helmet
- 15.7 square inch viewport
- heavy structure
- Ratchet knob headband adjustment
- good neck coverage
advantage
- Large viewport for easy welding
- sturdy headgear
- Slim profile for tight spaces
shortcoming
- Some users say the helmet has sharp edges
- Polycarbonate lenses should be replaced with glass
overview
Miller is another giant in the welding industry. However, Miller is known for his welding machines rather than his safety equipment. It's a passive helmet with a huge viewport, and users love the optics.
Reports on the headgear have been mixed. Some welders love its secure fit, while others complain about sharp edges. Some people have replaced their helmets with Jackson 370's. Miller also offers a Gen III upgrade helmet with thick padding.
Some users have reported that the helmet bumps against the head when the hood is raised. Because this helmet is designed to be so slim, these clearance issues may not be an issue for smaller welders.
Miller is known for his solid construction. Most reports indicate that this helmet is definitely heavy duty. Some users feel the case is too thin.
Miller offers an accessory lighting kit that attaches two flashlights to the helmet. This makes it easier to see what you're doing before you draw the arc. This is a great idea that negates some of the advantages of the auto-darkening filter.
5. ArcOne H-0300 Black Hawk Passive Helmet
- very light helmet
- Wide coverage
- Comfortable enough for all day use
advantage
- Comfortable headband with ratchet adjustment
- Replaceable polycarbonate lens cap
- Controlled descent when nodding the hood
shortcoming
- cheap quality headgear
- Curved cover plate bothers some welders
overview
The ArcOne Black Hawk is a lightweight helmet. Owners report that it's well-balanced for all-day use and feels good when nodding the hood down. It holds up well without dropping suddenly when you don't expect it.
Some users dislike the curved filter cover due to glare issues. This is a pretty common complaint with any helmet that uses a curved shield. If you're interested in a helmet with a curved lens cap, it's best to try the helmet on before buying.
Most users find the helmet comfortable enough, but too cheap to last. Many welders recommend replacing the Jackson 370 helmet. Due to the slim design, this helmet can be a little too tight for the comfort of larger users.
Rod welding overhead can be a problem with such a thin case. Some owners find it fine for occasional stick welding, but not for that type of steady work. Generally, users rate it highly for its professional work in production environments.
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.