Lincoln Electric is probably the best-known name in welding.
Lincoln Electric welding helmets deliver enough features to suit just about any welder. They offer helmets in five auto-darkening series and one passive series.
I’ll recommend a model from each auto-darkening series and provide specification tables. You can quickly compare helmets head to head.
It’s an easy way to ensure you get the best welding helmet for your money.
Best Lincoln Welding Helmets
Here are 5 of the best Lincoln welding helmets.
1. Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 ADV
Best Lincoln Welding Helmet Overall
WeldGuru Rating: 5/5
The Viking 3350 series is Lincoln’s best-selling welding helmet. The latest 5th-generation “ADV” adds more advanced features such as a Bluetooth mobile app that operates the digital controls and tracks maintenance needs and a modular work light that attaches to the helmet.
| Weight | 1.38 lbs |
| Price range | $$$$ |
| Viewing Area | 3.74 x 3.34 in – 11.8 in² |
| Side Windows? | No |
| No. of Arc Sensors | 4 |
| Optical Class | 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity |
| Lens Reaction/Switch Time | 1/25,000 second |
| Shade Range | 5-13 |
| Grind Mode? | External, low profile |
| TIG Amp Rating | DC ≥ 2 AmpAC ≥ 2 Amp |
| Digital Screen? | Yes |
| Controls | Digital, with buttons |
| True Color? | Yes |
| Memory Settings | Yes |
| Hardhat Compatible | Yes |
| Replaceable Batteries? | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
The Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 ADV is a top-of-the-line professional helmet and is my go-to choice. The 3350 helmets have 12.5 square inches of 4C True Color viewport which make viewing your work easy, and include the lightweight X6 Headgear which is easy to adjust.
The light shell weight and the comfortably padded headgear combine with a big view, creating a legion of loyal fans. It’s well worth its price.
Lincoln recently released the 3350ADV (K3034-5), the 5th generation of this popular, best-selling, hard hat-compatible welding helmet.
A Bluetooth app, improved True Color optics, and an optional headlight are professional upgrades in the 3350ADV series that probably now best the Miller Digital Elite.
Related: Viking 3350 vs Miller Digital Elite
It’s not yet available in the usual wide variety of graphic styles, but the 4th gen 3350 helmets (K3034-4) are still available at a discount and are an outstanding choice.
Pros
- One of the best-selling helmets
- Thoroughly tested with a proven track record
- Excellent optical clarity
- External grind mode button for easy switching
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Big viewport with digital display
- Downloadable performance tracking
- Long-lasting batteries with up to 300 hours of use
- Excellent 3-year warranty
Cons
- A little bulky
- Expensive
- No side windows
2. Lincoln Electric Viking 3250D FGS
Best Flip-Up Helmet for Grinding & Cutting
WeldGuru Rating: 5/5
The Viking 3250D FGS is the best choice for fabricators and production welders who need to quickly switch between tasks while welding, such as grinding, cutting, and measuring. With an excellent-size viewport and optical clarity, you’re getting one of the best flip-up helmets on the market.
| Weight | 1.75 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$$ |
| Viewing Area | 2.95 x 4.25 in – 12.5 in² |
| Side Windows? | Yes |
| No. of Arc Sensors | 4 |
| Optical Class | 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity |
| Lens Reaction/Switch time | 1/25,000 second |
| Shade Range | 5-13 |
| Grind Mode? | Yes |
| TIG Amp Rating | 2 amps |
| Digital Screen? | Yes |
| Controls | Digital, with buttons |
| True Color? | Yes |
| Memory Settings | Yes |
| Hardhat Compatible | Yes |
| Replaceable Batteries? | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
The 3250 series is the most technologically advanced helmet series offered by Lincoln Electric.
Like the 3350 series, these helmets offer advanced technology like replaceable solar batteries, Bluetooth apps, and multiple settings memories.
These helmets target fabricators, production welders, and service trucks. This is your helmet if you need to maximize productivity with minimal wasted movement.
The Lincoln Electric Viking 3250D FGS is a flip-up welding helmet, great for welders who frequently need to switch between welding and grinding or cutting, and it’s hard hat compatible.
An integrated flip-up visor exposes a clear grinding shield for instant task switching, maximum safety, and a good view of the work. Side shields improve visibility to nearly 180 degrees while welding.
The Bluetooth app for remote settings and performance tracking improves productivity. A huge 12.5 square inch viewport with a Lincoln 4C True Color lens is the icing on the cake.
Pros
- Smooth flip-up design makes switching tasks quicker
- Great view port size
- Excellent optical clarity
- Comfortable headgear
- 4C auto-darkening lens
- Excellent 3-year warranty
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
- Heavier than other welding helmets
- Flip-up helmets are bulkier
- More moving parts to break
3. Lincoln Electric Viking 2450 ADV Series
Best Lightweight Lincoln Welding Helmet
WeldGuru Rating: 4.5/5
The Viking 2450 ADV is the lightest Lincoln helmet. Designed for those wanting to improve comfort, minimize fatigue and increase maneuverability. It’s the second best selling helmet after the 3350. The ADV is the latest upgrade to the 2450 series.
| Weight | 1.5 lbs |
| Price range | $$$$ |
| Viewing Area | 3.82×2.44 inches = 9.32 in² |
| Side Windows? | No |
| No. of Arc Sensors | 4 |
| Optical Class | 1/1/1/1 |
| Lens Reaction/Switch time | 1/25000 |
| Shade Range | 5-13 |
| Grind Mode? | External |
| TIG Amp Rating | 2 amps |
| Digital Screen? | Yes |
| Controls | Buttons |
| True Color? | Yes |
| Memory Settings | Yes |
| Hardhat Compatible | Yes |
| Replaceable Batteries? | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
The Lincoln Electric Viking 2450 ADV is a premium, professional welding helmet designed for lightweight and comfortable workdays.
It’s perfect for DIYers, craftsmen/artists, and lighter-duty jobs instead of overhead welding on thick material. The shell is as thin and light as possible, so it isn’t intended for high heat or thick slag.
The Viking 2450ADV has the same 4C True Color auto-darkening lens, digital controls, and X6 padded adjustable headgear as the 3350ADV series.
It has a smaller viewing area than the Viking 3350ADV but is still a very large viewport at 9.3 square inches. Another difference from the 3350ADV is that this helmet doesn’t have a Bluetooth mobile app.
Like the 3350ADV and 3250D, the 2450ADV includes the adjustable LED modular work light with the external low-profile grind button.
Also like the 3350ADV, the 2450ADV isn’t available yet in the graphic choices in the rest of the 2450 series, but the older version still sells at a price savings over the 2450ADV. It has a wide choice of paint jobs and remains an excellent choice.
Pros
- Excellent auto response times and performance
- Lightweight Lincoln helmet
- The second largest lens size after the 3350
- ADV comes with a handy modular worklight
- 4C auto-darkening lens
- External on/off and grind mode buttons are super handy
- Excellent 3-year warranty
Cons
- Narrower viewport than 3350
- Too lightly built for some jobs
- No Bluetooth app like 3350
- Expensive
4. Lincoln Electric Viking 1840
Best Mid-Range Helmet
WeldGuru Rating: 4/5
The Lincoln 1840 is a mid-range helmet with a good balance of features, price, and comfort. It’s perfect for new welders and students. The Pivot Headgear isn’t as advanced as the adjustable X6 Headgear. However, the 1840 does have an external low-profile grind mode button, and it’s hard hat compatible.
| Weight | 1.25 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
| Viewing Area | 7 in² |
| Side Windows? | No |
| No. of Arc Sensors | 4 |
| Optical Class | 1/1/1/1 |
| Lens Reaction/Switch time | 1/25000 seconds |
| Shade Range | 7-13 |
| Grind Mode? | External |
| TIG Amp Rating | 2-5 amps |
| Digital Screen? | Yes |
| Controls | Buttons |
| True Color? | Yes |
| Memory Settings | Yes, No |
| Hardhat Compatible | Yes |
| Replaceable Batteries? | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years |
The Lincoln Electric VIKING 1840 is a mid-range welding helmet from Lincoln. It’s a good helmet when you must balance price with features—for instance, for students or entry-level welders.
It also features a 4C True Color auto-darkening lens, but it’s only 7 square inches compared to the 9.3 square inches found on the 2450ADV. However, that’s still a pretty wide viewing area.
The Lincoln 1840 helmet is hard hat compatible. This helmet uses the comfortable Pivot Headgear instead of the X6 Headgear found in the 2450ADV.
The low-profile external grind button and digital controls add to its overall value, but other brands have competing choices at this price point.
At 1.25 pounds, the Viking 1840 is surprisingly light for the cost, even lighter than many helmets that cost much more.
Pros
- Great value
- Comfortable fit
- Lightweight
Cons
- Headgear isn’t the X6
- No Bluetooth app
- Smaller viewing area than 2450ADV
5. Lincoln Electric Viking 1740
Most Affordable Lincoln Welding Helmet
WeldGuru Rating: 3.5/5
The Viking 1740 is a good-value helmet, perfect for basic welding. This helmet is good for hobbyists and new welders. The headgear is less advanced than the 1840’s Pivot system, but the 1740 is very light at 1.2 pounds and hard hat compatible, with replaceable batteries.
| Weight | 1.125lbs |
| Price Range | $$ |
| Viewing Area | 6.3 in² |
| Side Windows? | No |
| No. of Arc Sensors | 2 |
| Optical Class | 1/1/1/1 |
| Lens Reaction/Switch time | 1/25000 seconds |
| Shade Range | 9-13 |
| Grind Mode? | Internal |
| TIG Amp Rating | 5 amps+ |
| Digital Screen? | Yes |
| Controls | Buttons |
| True Color? | Yes |
| Memory Settings | Yes, No |
| Hardhat Compatible | Yes |
| Replaceable Batteries? | Yes |
| Warranty |
The Lincoln Electric Viking 1740 is the most affordable Lincoln Viking welding helmet. It’s a good choice for welders on a budget, doing weekend DIY, and beginning welders.
The Viking 1740 helmet has a 4C True Color auto-darkening lens with a smaller viewing area than the 1840 but still a wide viewing area. At this price point, a True Color lens with 1/1/1/1 optical clarity and digital controls is a great deal.
It also has a light, adjustable, comfortably cushioned headgear, but it’s a step down from the 1840 series Pivot Headgear to trim the price some.
Other features include a weight just over a pound, a little less than the 2840.
The Lincoln Electric 1740 includes variable 9-13 Shade, Delay, and Sensitivity Controls, and it’s also got a Grind Mode control.
Pros
- Auto-darkening lens
- 1/1/1/1 optical clarity
- Hard hat ready
Cons
- Not as durable as the 1840
- Plain headgear instead of Pivot type
- Smaller viewing area
Wrapping It Up
The Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 ADV is the best Lincoln welding helmet.
The Bluetooth app and the LED modular work light are worthy upgrades to a long-term market leader.
The 3250D FGS is unbeatable for fabricators and production line welders who do a lot of grinding or cutting.
If you need a lightweight helmet for long days, the Lincoln 2450ADV is a good choice.
The Lincoln Electric VIKING 1840 is hard to beat for a mid-range helmet, and the 1740 is a good budget choice.
It’s worth comparing the 1740 and 1840 to competing helmets on the market. However, they’re both great ways to own the Lincoln name and dealer network.
Looking At More Brands?
If you’re still deciding which brand of professional welding helmet is right for you, check out these Weld Guru Best Welding Helmet Reviews: