Best 3M Speedglas welding helmets enlisted here no need to see further than the 3M Speedglas welding helmet if you’re looking for a high-quality welding helmet.
In 1981, 3M became the first company to design an auto-darkening welding helmet, and they continue to develop cutting-edge helmets to this day.
You’ve most likely tried cheaper welding helmets in the past and are now ready to upgrade to the best.
While keeping you secure, the Speedglas makes no compromises in terms of viewing quality.
For your consideration, we’ve created a list of the top best 3M Speedglass welding helmets.
Best Speedglas Helmets With Reviews
Here’s a list of the best 3m Speedglas welding helmets:
- 3M Speedglas 9100 FX Welding Helmet
- 3M Speedglas 9100 XX Welding Helmet
- 3M Speedglas 9100 V Welders Helmet
- Speedrglas 9100 X Helmet
- 3M Speedglas 100 Trojan Warrior Welding Helmet
Best Speedglas Helmets Reviewes
The following are the Top best 3M Speedglas welding helmets:
1. 3m Speedglas 9100 FX Welding Helmet
Highlights
Overview
The “FX” in the title alludes to the flip-up front cover. You can raise the front visor and still be protected while grinding. Aside from that, it’s the same helmet as the Speedglas 9100 XX, which means it has the largest and best filter glass of the 9100 series. Some customers have problems with the flip visor, such as accidentally raising it or attempting to raise it but instead triggering the auto-dark.
These issues may appear minor, but one of the aims of welding helmets is to boost productivity. These things slow you down and waste time. Glare concerns on the curved front glass have also been reported by certain owners. This is especially common with curved glass covers. It bothers some welders, while others are unconcerned.
The Speedglas 9100 FX comes with a head cover that deflects sparks from above or to the sides, protecting even the interior of the helmet. This is a fantastic feature because most welders in shop situations are surrounded by grinding and welding. It comes with a hard hat adaptor that works with both passive and powered air 3M respirators.
Pros
- The ready and park pivots are easily adjustable.
- As an alternative, four magnification plates are offered.
- Shield for grinding that can be flipped up
- The controls are friendly to operate with gloves.
- headcover is included.
Cons
- The flip cover adds weight to the front,
- Replacement lens covers are expensive.
- It’s easy to raise the front cover by unintentionally.
2. 3m Speedglas 9100 XX Welding Helmet
Overview
The 3m Speedglas 9100 XX Welding Helmet has three sensitivity settings for MIG, TIG, and stick welding. The auto-darkening can be adjusted from 8 to 13 shades, and the digital grinding controls are easy to use with gloves. With 12.5 square inches of viewport, the “XX” designation denotes that the viewing area is double that of the 9100 X.
Peripheral vision is improved by large side windows with a shade level of 5. This not only eliminates accidents, but it also keeps you from being disoriented while running beads on long structures like car frames. The battery has a life expectancy of up to 2000 hours.
This 3m Speedglas 9100 XX Welding Helmet is made for professional welders. These users have only a few complaints, but they are all constant. The first is that the swivel doesn’t always do a good job of keeping the hood in place, and it can swivel down at inconvenient times. This irritation has the ability to detract from productivity. Another minor concern for some welders is fogging the lens with exhaled breath. This only seems to last a few seconds. If you’re worried about this, the 9100 FX features enhanced exhaust vents that solve the problem.
Pros
- Designed to fit most 3M respirators
- Lightweight and easy to wear all day
- Easy-to-use shade and sensitivity controls
- Locking headgear adjustment
- Tack Mode intermittent darkening
Cons
- Your breath can fog the lens temporarily
- Included carry bag is too cheaply made
- Some users report the hood lowers too easily
3. 3M Speedglas 9100 V Welders Helmet
Overview
We’ve looked at a lot of helmets, and they’re all made for professionals. The 9100 Series’ strongest characteristic is its modular construction. The same basic helmet shell can be upgraded with better headgear, larger or nicer filter glass, attached to a hard hat, or fitted with a respirator. The 9100 V is the most basic model with the smallest viewport. Because there is less glass on the front, there is more room for a solar panel, which helps to improve battery life.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money all at once, you can upgrade 3M Speedglas 9100 V Welders Helmet to the larger X or XX filter glass in stages. The one thing you can’t replace is the FX’s flip front cover, which has a different shell. You can buy the FX shell and move everything to it when you’ve finished the rest of the upgrades.
The shade level 5 side windows of the 3M Speedglas 9100 V Welders Helmet are the same as on its higher-priced siblings. Like the rest of the series, the auto-darkening filter glass is rated for MIG, TIG, and stick welding, with sensitivity levels as low as 1 amp.
Pros
- Users love its all-day comfort
- Roomy interior for easy breathing
- High-quality auto-darkening
- Controls are easy to operate
- Auto-shutoff saves your batteries
Cons
- The lightest grind mode is shade level 5
- Needs a button to freeze the filter on grind mode
- Viewport area is on the small side
4. Speedglas 9100 X Helmet
Overview
The Speedglas 9100 X welding helmet’s glass is smaller than the more expensive XX and FX varieties. It occupies a 30% bigger space than the 9100 V. The XX and FX don’t have a front-mounted solar panel, so this is still a viable option. The optics’ clarity and high-quality auto-darkening are praised by professional welders, but many say it is excessively hefty for all-day use. Others contend that the weight is offset by the comfortable headgear.
The Speedglas 9100 X welding helmet’s features customizable sensitivity down to 1 amp for reliable auto-darkening even when TIG welding. The shade level of the main lens can be changed from 8 to 13. Some welders are dissatisfied with how much light from the outside is allowed into the helmet, but this appears to be a minor issue.
Speedglas welding helmets are well-known for their long-term durability, with many welders wearing them for ten years or more. This heritage is preserved in the 9100 X, which also offers a modular upgrade route for larger glass, enhanced headgear, and add-on respirators.
Pros
- Plenty of helmet angles to choose from
- Rides low on the head while raised
- Fits well with the Miller LPR-100 Respirator
- Roomy interior stays cool longer
- Owners love Speedglas durability
Cons
- Lens covers are expensive.
- The silver cover is susceptible to scorching.
- The top straps are made of a low-cost material.
- Many individuals believe it is overly heavy.
5. 3M Speedglas 100 Trojan Warrior Welding Helmet
Overview
The 3M Speedglas 100 Trojan Warrior is a step down from the no-compromise approach of the 9100 series, yet it still offers professional quality and features. The auto-darkening can be set to 10 amps, which is still sensitive enough for TIG welding but less responsive than the 1 amp auto-darkening on the 9100 series filters. This is a cost-cutting strategy that helps to keep prices down.
Owners praise the Speedglas 100’s optical clarity, outstanding comfort, and lightweight, which costs nearly the same as the 9100 XX. Some people complain that welding overhead makes it difficult to see out the windows. The lack of an auto-on feature when you first pick up this helmet is a huge flaw; you must remember to turn it on before striking an arc or you risk flashing yourself.
The 3M Speedglas 100 Trojan Warrior upholds 3M’s reputation for durability and longevity. The shell is incredibly impact resistant and can easily sustain a full day’s use. Because of its modest weight and effective filtration, this is a good first helmet to use full-time.
Pros
- selectable dark shades 8 through 12
- Users love the comfort
- Lens is easy to change
- Easy-to-operate controls
- Relatively light
Cons
- Hard to see in the overhead position
- Auto-darkening has to be turned on before use
- Cheap headgear doesn’t last long
3M Speedglas Buying Guide
The top 3M Speedglas welding helmets are focused on three primary objectives.
Industrial Strength
More than merely impact resistance and long-term durability are included in this category. According to 3M, Speedglas helmets are built on high-tech solutions to workplace difficulties. Swedish technology is known for its high quality, precision assembly, and long-term durability.
The entire Speedglas process is technologically based. Engineers chose materials, shapes, and even colors to address safety, cost, and quality. Because of its color and design, the 9100’s silver front plate, for example, reflects heat away from your face.
Ergonomic Design
For more than 35 years, ergonomic design has been at the heart of the Speedglas project. On a regular basis, 3M checks for ease of use and strategies to increase safety.
The side windows on the 9100 improve visibility and reduce crashes and mistakes. However, the additional light bothers some welders. If you’re concerned about side windows, 3M sells panel inserts that block them. This finding was reached after ergonomic testing.
When creating its headgear, 3M prioritized weight balance and comfort. To make the helmets even lighter, no compromises were made in terms of durability and protection.
Welding Helmet Modular Systems
Most components, with the exception of the helmet shell, can be switched across these helmets. The Speedglas 100 V uses the same filter glass and headgear as the 9100 V. The modular design allows you to choose the helmet that best suits your needs. You can buy upgrade components one by one later on.
With a 9100 shell, your Speedglas 100 V becomes a 9100 V. Replace the filter glass on the 9100 V to convert it to the 9100 X and XX. Once you’ve met that goal, get the 9100 FX shell for the flip visor. The 9100 XX and FX variants are compatible with the new XXi filter glass. By substituting the green tint with a more true-color gold tint, this filter improves the optics.
The Best 3M Speedglas Helmet Is Yours
Through innovation, clever technology, and high-quality construction, the Speedglas series has earned a place in top fab shops for over three decades. Any professional welder will be happy to have a 3M Speedglas welding helmet in their tool cabinet.
Conclusion
Best 3M Speedglas welding helmets will enhance your work and general performance while also allowing you to protect your head, face, and eyes. These are my recommendations for selecting suitable welding helmets for a range of jobs. The collection that Speedglas was able to put together, in my opinion, has genuinely shocked everyone.
Don’t be a snob and always wear the same helmet; this is what I like about my helmet. I advise you to give one of these a try to discover how much they can truly assist you.
With 8 years of experience a senior welding instructor and safety equipment researcher and writes articles, reviews and guidelines on helmets and other welding and safety gears at Welder Choice, and other written works have been published in various publications.