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Certain types of welding produce dangerous fumes or occur in toxic environments
Welding Fumes Can Cause Harmful Conditions
Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) systems solve this problem.
PAPR welding helmets have integrated powered air purification for breathing safety.
These systems have important components and many details to consider.
We've checked out the best PAPR welding helmets to bring you a great list of helmets.
quick comparison
product | |||
---|---|---|---|
image | product | detail | |
overall best choice |
3M Speedglas Adflo |
reconfigurable airflow redirection bluetooth controllable |
check prices |
value for money |
Allegro with Easy Air Max |
clamshell Integrated grinding guard Neck guard for more protection |
check prices |
Adjustable fade in and fade out |
Optrel Crystal E3000 |
perfect optical clarity gradually brighten High-end professional helmet |
check prices |
flip shield |
Miller T94i-R |
true color filter Flip up the front panel large viewport |
check prices |
industry leader |
Lincoln K3930-1 PAPR |
high impact resistance 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity 12.5" viewport |
check prices |
light |
Jackson BH3 Airmax |
three layer filter Best Optics Available Adjustable height, eye distance |
check prices |
Best PAPR Welding Helmets with Reviews
Here is a list of the best PAPR welding helmets we found on the market:
1. 3M Speedglas Adflo 46-1101-30i PAPR Helmet
- 3M's Natural Color Technology
- 2.8 x 4.3 in2 viewport
- Reconfigurable G5-01 Helmet
- automatic switch
- Airflow direction adjustable
advantage
- Variable Chroma 5, 8-13
- tack welding mode
- Modular PAPR filter
- altitude respirator
- heat reflective finish
shortcoming
- A bit expensive
- helmet not available separately
overview
The G5-01 helmet is the latest update to the 3M Speedglas line, updating the design of the 9100 series. This model also includes a 3M Adflo PAPR powered respirator system for top-to-bottom top kit. Adflo Internal Respirators feature a stackable filter design that allows you to customize your gear to your environment. You can run minimal fresh air filtration that removes only particulates, or you can stack different types of filter elements for different vapor and chemical hazards.
The 3M Speedglas Adflo 46-1101-30i continues the design of the 9100 with minor changes. This is one of the most respected names in the industry, making it the favorite helmet of the pros. This helmet offers automatic on/off and 3M's Natural Color technology to bring your creations to life in true color. Some owners have complained that the curved front shroud creates distracting reflections in certain store lighting.
The 3M Speedglas Adflo 46-1101-30i offers a Spot Weld Mode that allows you to vary the reaction time of the color grade. TheAdflow PAPR redirects airflow for greater comfort throughout the working day. Documentation, statistics and settings are available via the phone's Bluetooth connection.
2. Allegro Welding Helmet with EZ Air Max
- DuPont Flame Retardant Nylon
- Well-balanced flip-up front sun visor
- One-piece large field of view grinding guard
- 45 inch snorkel
- Power button for turning on and off
advantage
- Can withstand extreme cold/heat without cracking
- Low profile blower, only 4 inches thick
- 8-speed fan increases or decreases airflow
- Runs up to 6 hours at maximum blower speed
- 4-6 hours of charging with the blower unit on or off
shortcoming
- Manual switch
- Viewport can be bigger
overview
The Allegro welding helmet with EZ Air Max provides a constant supply of fresh filtered air to the user's face. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 6 hours at maximum blower speed and 8 hours at low speed. This helmet complies with ANSI Z87.1+ and CAN/CSA Z94.3 standards.
The Allegro welding helmet with EZ Air Max offers full particulate protection by installing a HEPA filter. It has an auto-darkening filter with a flip-up front cover and an integrated internal grind guard. The nylon shell is lightweight and super tough. There's also a drawstring and lower gloves to cover any exposed areas around the neck.
The Allegro welding helmet with EZ Air Max pressurizes the helmet to APF 25 to actively protect the helmet from any leaks. The air hose is 45 inches long, allowing for some adjustments depending on how you wear it, and the extra length is perfect for larger folks with this helmet. The headset could use a larger viewport and auto on/off features to improve productivity, but overall it gets good marks for quality design and build.
3. Optrel Crystal 2.0 e3000x PAPR Helmet System
- Spherical crystal 2.0 welding helmet
- autopilot
- twilight
- 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity
- hard hat adapter
advantage
- ShadeTronic automatically adjusts shadow levels
- FadeTronic adjustable fade speed
- SensorSlide adjustable sensor angle
- IsoFit Advanced Headband
- TH3 security level
shortcoming
- Some reports of arc flicker
- Easy to damage the grinding button
overview
The Optrel Crystal 2.0 e3000x PAPR system combines Optrel's excellent Sphere range of Crystal 2.0 and e3000x PAPR systems into a high end professional package for welding in hazardous environments. The Crystal 2.0 is beloved by the aerospace industry for its compact design, which lets you get into some pretty slim spots. The IsoFit helmet has a highly advanced design similar to the inner liner of a bicycle helmet. These ventilated helmets have been praised for their light weight and high level of comfort.
The lithium-ion battery pack has a rated run time of 18 hours. The e3000 PAPR system on this helmet has a TH3 safety rating, the highest you can get in a PAPR. A TH3 rating means the system can filter out viruses in the atmosphere, which is worth considering in today's COVID-19 aware environment. The Optrel Crystal 2.0 e3000x PAPR system is equipped with a blower unit that weighs less than 3.5 lbs.
The Optrel Crystal 2.0 e3000x PAPR system features Optrel technologies such as FadeTronic (changes time to return light state) and ShadeTronic (dynamically adjusts shadow level on the fly). This helmet has a perfect 1/1/1/1 optical clarity rating.
4. Miller T94i-R Pneumatic Welding Helmet
- Top of the line T94i helmet with respirator
- Quick release lens cap
- Designed for Harsh Environments
- Clearlight True Color Filter
- Dualtec Manifold Design
advantage
- Flip up mask to grind
- 9 square inch viewport
- Built-in grinding guard
- low power lamp
- 4 operating modes
shortcoming
- Helmet quality problem report
- Difficult to tighten hard hat adapter
overview
The Miller T94i-R combines a state-of-the-art welding helmet with a state-of-the-art PAPR system. The helmet has a true color filter. The T94 is designed with a statistical system called InfoTrack 2.0 that records timing events for accurate timing. The helmet included here is the T94i, which has a panel that can be flipped up without removing the helmet.
Miller's Dualtec design is a six-way air delivery manifold that passes targeted air for cooling. There is a spark guard in the intake system. The system uses a lithium-ion battery rated for 8 hours per charge. The Miller T94i-R is designed with a low-profile attachment point on the snorkel to minimize obstructions and make it easier to maneuver inside the helmet for better viewing angles.
The Miller T94i-R features a helmet design with four contact points and an oversized rotatable pad at the rear for better weight distribution. This is an important method when you add parts to the system. The PAPR drivetrain also features shoulder straps for better weight distribution. The T94i-Ri front viewport design has side windows for a 180 degree viewing angle.
5. Lincoln K3930-1 PAPR helmet
- HEPA filter system
- Lincoln 3350 helmet
- 0.3 micron filtration
- power management system
- Six point X6 headgear
advantage
- 12.5 square inch filter
- very comfortable helmet
- Perfect 1/1/1/1 optical grade
- light
- Intelligent fan control
shortcoming
- too narrow for some welders
- Light can enter the interior of the helmet
overview
The Lincoln K3930-1 PAPR system pairs the industry leading Viking 3350 welding helmet with an industrial grade HEPA filtered powered air cleaning unit. The system is certified to remove more than 99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. At that size, even odors are filtered out. The multi-point air supply system is designed for adjustable airflow direction. The power system features LED lighting, vibration, audible alarms and automatic power management.
This helmet has one of the largest viewports with a filtered viewing area of over 12.5 square inches. This helmet features a perfect 1/1/1/1 optical clarity rating and uses True Color technology, Lincoln's branded "Natural Color" technology. The helmet is specially designed for TIG welding with current sensitivity as low as 2 amps. Lincoln K3930-1 PAPR is known for its comfortable helmet with X6 six-point harness design.
The Lincoln K3930-1 PAPR is pivoted so that when it's raised, the front shield is positioned above your line of sight. This helmet features an internally located digital control and solar rechargeable battery system. Lincoln set the industry standard. It's a nice helmet.
6. Jackson Safety Airmax Elite PAPR System with BH3 Helmet
- Two-speed blower for power management
- State-of-the-art 1/1/1/1 Optics
- Adjustable mask height and eye distance
- Top BH3 welding helmet
- Flame Retardant Face Seal
advantage
- hard hat adapter
- Internal Dial Adjuster
- Industry Favorite Headwear
- Flame retardant fresh air supply hose
- Sound and Vibration Alerts
shortcoming
- Air supply is not directional
- Some complaints about glare from the curved glass
overview
Jackson Safety's Airmax Elite PAPR System and BH3 Welding Helmet are a carefully engineered combination of components. The PAPR airflow of the BH3 is sealed with a fire face. The air supply hose is flame retardant. The Airmax Elite PAPR has a two-speed blower that delivers a constant volume of clean air regardless of battery charge. The Airmax Elite features a three-layer air filter and a lithium-ion battery that lasts 8 hours per charge.
There is an intelligent battery charging system that does not overcharge. It has audible and vibrating alerts when the battery is low or when the filter needs to be replaced. The Jackson Safety Airmax Elite PAPR system uses the supplied air BH3 helmet. Its shape is designed for tight spaces and is rounded to minimize and deflect impact. The outward curve at the bottom of the helmet makes it easier to look down and see what you're doing.
The Jackson Safety Airmax Elite PAPR system with the BH3 helmet has best-in-class optical clarity and is rated 1/1/1/1. The BH3 helmet features a large 10.2 inch square viewport with an infinitely adjustable dial located inside the helmet.
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.