4 Best Gold Welding Lenses- The Very Best in Eye Protection

Looking for the best gold welding lens that works better for you?

Then, this review can help you a lot.

Having the right eye protection during welding operation is a safety priority. For reducing eye fatigue and improving protection, a gold-coated lens plays a vital role. This PPE provides optimal protection from welding radiation to ensure your safety and eye health. Plus, it offers extra protection to your eye from visible light and infrared radiation.

However, it is significant that you research and acquire enough information regarding the specific model before purchasing.

I hope this comprehensive list, review, buying guide and related information will help you make an informed decision.

Green vs. Gold Welding Lens

Welding masks, helmets, and goggles all rely on glass safety lens to protect welder eyes and face. A standard lens should provide optimum protection along with a clear view of the task.

Different types of replacement welding lens are available. Some lenses only shield eyes from debris and sparks while others provide additional protection from ultra-violet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays for particular welding applications.

Green and gold-coated lens are the two best lens options currently available on the market.

Green Welding Lens:

The green color of the green lens reduces scattered light and dims bright flares. Thus, it helps decrease eye fatigue. This type of lens provides visual acuity and extreme optical clarity. They are available in different shades.

Gold Welding Lens:

This lens is made of a standard green lens that features a gold mirror surface or coating.

So, why are gold welding lens best?

Gold lenses offer all the benefits of the green lens plus extra protection from IR radiation. They reflect the light rather than absorbing it like other lens colors. It restricts light coming through as well as giving you a more lifelike view.

Due to the gold coating surface, this type of lens reflects 90% of infrared radiation and reduces eyestrain to a greater degree.

This reflective coating reverts both the UV and IR spectrum at a higher rate than the green lens.

Comparison Chart of 4 Best Gold Welding Lenses

If you are short on time, check this quick chart below:

Product Name	Size (inch)	Material	Installation Method	Shade	Price
Forney 57061	2 x 4.25	Plastic	Tig-welding	10	Check Here
TW SUPPLY , 1024090	2 x 4.25	Glass	Mig & Tig-welding	10	Check Here
Phillips Safety, ‎WLD-G11-WFS	2 x 4.25	Schott German Glass	-	11	Check Here
US Forge 99078	4.5 x 5.25	Glass	-	10	Check Here

Best Gold Welding Lens Reviews- 4 Top-Picks

From the plethora of options, it is not easy to find the best one that will offer excellent eye protection.

However, we’ve done the hard part for you.

After extensive research and testing, I’ve explored and short-listed the 4 best welds gold lens. All of these units are excellent in terms of performance, effectiveness, and of course, price.

Read our gold welding lens reviews and find the right one for you.

#1 Forney 57061 Shade 10, 2-Inch-by-4-1/4-Inch– Best Gold Welding Lens for TIG

Highlights

• Size: 2″ (50.8mm) x 4-1/4″ (107.95mm)
• Shade: 10
• Materials: Plastic
• Installation Method:‎ Tig-welding
• Special Features: ‎Meets ANSI Z87.1 Safety Standards
• Warranty: 90 days against manufacturer defects

Forney 57061 gold-coated welding lens is beloved by many DIY and professional welders. It is one of the best offers on the market for shade 10 welding glasses.

This lens replacement is 4-1/4-Inch (107.95 mm) by 2-Inch (50.8 mm) 10 Shade “Gold Coated” Welding Lens. It fits Forney 55663, 55666, and 55680 welding helmets.

The strong and durable plastic construction of this lens offers protection from weld spatter, dust and impact. It also lets you see the true flame arc and puddle color.

This lens replacement gold welding filter is perfect to protect your eyes during prolonged periods of welding. It provides 99.9% UV/IR protection. Its gold surface reflects 90% of radiated heat for less eye fatigue and cooler welding operation.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Provides IR & UV-AB Protection
• Fits Forney welding helmets of model 55663, 55666 and 55680
• Affordable

Cons

Nothing for the price

It’s good to know that Forney offers Gold Welding Filter in several variations of size, shade, and tint color. Therefore, you can easily find the right one for your welding helmet.

Forney 57060, Size: 2-inch (50.8mm) x 4-1/4 inch (107.95mm), Shade-9

Forney 57070, Size: 4-1/2-Inch-by-5-1/4-Inch, Shade-9

Forney 57071, Size: 5-1/4″ (133.35mm) x 4-1/2″ (114.3mm), Shade-10

#2 TW SUPPLY 1024090-2 EACH Shade 10 Glass GOLD Welding Hood Lens Helmet Filter– Best for MIG & TIG Welding

Highlights

• Size: 2″ (51mm) x 4.25″ (108mm)
• Shade: 10
• Materials: Glass
• Installation Method: ‎ Mig & Tig-welding

This 2″ (51mm) x 4.25″ (108mm) replacement lens fits a variety of welding goggles, lens hoods, and helmets that accept this size.

It is made of optical quartz fiber and features enhanced gold-tinted glass that reflects high-frequency UV light. It reduces eye fatigue and allows for longer periods of use without eyestrain or headaches.

This Shade 10 Gold Lens also offers the best visibility making it perfect for the general-purpose welder as well as both MIG and TIG welders. It allows the welder a clear and high-definition view of the weld pool.

Pros

• Perfect for both MIG and TIG welding
• Very clear clarity
• Incredibly durable
• Nice and neat packaging

Cons

• No complaints from the users

TW SUPPLY Glass GOLD Welding Hood Lens Helmet Filter is also available in various shades.

2 EACH glass gold welding lens Size: 2″ x 4.25″, Shade: 12

2 EACH glass gold welding hood lens helmet filter,  Size: 2″ x 4.25″, Shade: 9

2 EACH gold welding lens filter, Size: 2″ x 4.25″, Shade: 11

#3 Phillips Safety Gold Coated Green Welding Filter, 2″ x 4.25″ (Shade 11)– Best for Quality

Highlights

• Size: 2″ (51mm) x 4.25″ (108mm)
• Shade: 11
• Materials: Schott German Glass
• Special Features: ‎Meets ANSI – Z87.1 and CSA Z94.3

Phillips safety gold welding lens is a high-quality product. It is HD quality glass welding lens.

Top-quality German Schott glass makes this lens highly durable. You won’t find any typical color variations, bubbles, striations, or other defects commonly found in most lower-grade welding glass.

This shade 11 gold welding lens offers clear views. The gold surface provides excellent clarity in welding puddles.

Most importantly, it is heat resistant and acts as a safeguard against UV and IR radiation. It also reduces eyestrain.

This 2″ by 4.25″ gold-coated green welding lens fits in any standard welding helmet.

On the negatives, it’s a bit heavier than plastic lenses and not the cheapest gold welding lens you can find.

Overall, it’s one of the best glass lenses for the price!

Pros

• Heat resistant mirror coating
• Top-quality construction
• Good visibility

Cons

• Heavier than glass lenses
• Somewhat expensive

Phillips Safety Gold Coated Green Welding Filter is available in shades 9 thru 14.

Phillips Safety Gold Welding lens Shade 10

Phillips Safety Gold Welding lens, Shade 12

Phillips Safety Gold Welding lens, Shade 14

#4 US Forge 99078 Gold Cover Plate, Shade 10

Highlights

• Size: 4-1/2-Inch x 5-1/4-Inch
• Shades Available: 10
• Materials: Glass
• Warranty: 90 days

If you’re looking for a large and high-end replacement welding lens at an affordable price, US Forge 99078 is a perfect option for you.

It is compatible with a wide variety of welding helmets that uses 4.5 x 4.25-inch lenses.

The gold coating reflects heat and, it remains cooler. It absorbs yellow light and transmits the blue light of the welding arc. It also protects the eyes from infrared radiation. Of course, it allows the user to see the puddle more clearly.

Notably, the hardened glass construction makes it very durable.

Although this particular item is shade 10, you can usually find the same model for shade 9 and shade 11.

Pros

• Made of hardened glass
• Performs well enough
• Great visibility
• Originated in the USA

Cons

• Poor packaging

Best Gold Welding Lens Buying Guide

These are the best gold welding lens available on the market right now.

But which one is right for you?

It’s not wise to buy a welding lens before you consider some factors.

Below, I’ve covered the most important ones.

• Consider Your Type of Welding

Before buying a welding lens, the first thing you should consider is to decide what type of welding (TIG, MIG, or Stick) you need the lens for.

You know different types of welding produce different arcs with different levels of wavelength and brightness. So the type of welding lens you require largely depends on the type of welding you will be doing.

• Select Lens Shade Number

Gold welding lenses come in different shades. The shades are expressed in number – from shade 9 to shade 14. The higher the shade number, the darker the lens.

The shade you need can vary for various welding applications. Different types of welding processes require darker or lighter shade depending on safety levels and precision. Choosing the perfect shade will ensure that your eyes won’t burn from welding flash.

So, you need to determine the correct shade number for your welding process.
Typically, the shade number you require depends on the amps you are using. The higher the amperage rating, the higher the shade number you require.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need a darker shade for Stick welding.

The following welding lens shade chart will help you to understand the variation:

• Consider Lens size

The standard lens size is 2” by 4” which is compatible with a variety of welding helmets. However, gold-coated lens are available is various sizes.

If you need to replace the existing lens, make sure your choice matches your existing helmet. If you don’t know the exact size, take the existing lens out first and measure it. Then, buy accordingly.

• Lens Weight

You can’t believe but lens weight is also an important consideration. I’ve found that the slightest weight difference between different models makes a huge difference.

A heavy-weight lens along with the helmet may cause neck strain if you use it for a long time. So, take into consideration your working hour wearing the helmet and then decide whether or not you choose a lightweight welding lens.

Conclusion

I hope this review and guide helps you find the best gold welding lens that meets your needs.

Keep your eyes safe during welding!

Thanks for reading!

FAQs about Best Gold Welding Lenses

1. How to clean the welding lens?

Welding lenses can gather dirt, dust, and oil over time. As a result, they lose their clear view, Fortunately, the cleaning process of gold welding lenses is simple. Take a piece of clean and dry microfiber cloth and wipe away the dust. If required, you can use a damp cloth for the second wipe. Never use any abrasive solution, ammonia, or anything that the manufacturer mentioned might damage the gold coating and lens.

2. What types of optical radiation/ lights are produced in welding operations?

During the welding process, welding arcs give off harmful light radiation in three forms:

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (wavelength 200 to 400nm)
Infrared (IR) radiation (wavelength 700 to 1,400 nm)
Visible radiation (also called visible light) [wavelength 400 to 700 nm]

Notably, the intensity of these radiations depends on the welding process and melting temperature of the materials in question. However, radiation is always present in some form.
UV radiation is divided into three forms based on wavelength. These include:

UV-A (315 to 400 nm)
UV-B (280 to 315 nm)
UV-C (100 to 280 nm)

UV-B and UV-C are absorbed in the cornea of the human eye. UV-A radiation passes through the cornea and is absorbed in the lens of the eye.

Some IR radiation and visible light can reach the retina.

3. What are the possible effects of welding radiations to the eyes?

The human eye is one of the most delicate organs that can be damaged from overexposure to certain types of welding radiation.

The effect of each type of welding radiation is different. Moreover, these effects also depend on various factors such as the distance of the eye from the welding arc, the intensity of radiation, the type of eye protection, etc.

Exposure of the eye to a few seconds of intense UV light can cause conjunctivitis. However, you may feel the symptoms of this effect after several hours of exposure. The cornea of the eye absorbs the UV radiation and long-term exposure to UV light leads to cataracts.

Prolonged exposure to IR radiation heats the lens of the eye and causes cataracts and permanent reduction in vision.

Visible light can cause temporarily blinding and fatiguing to the eye with potentially long-term damage.

So, welding lens is one of the most crucial components of your eye safety, and choosing the right welding lens is a safety priority.

4. How to protect welding lenses from damage?

Welding lens cover is a good option to protect your lens from damage. Harris Welding Helmet/Hood Clear Lens Cover (1010010) is one of the best covers for lenses that resist moisture, acid, and paint stripper as well.

5. What shade is perfect for TIG welding?

Lens with lower shade is perfect for lower amp welding processes like TIG welding.

6. What shade is perfect for stick welding?

Darker lenses are recommended for high-amp welding processes like argon MIG and stick welding.

Carbon arc welding requires the darkest lens (shade 14). Shade 14 is also used to watch a solar eclipse.

Ivan D. Mitchell

I’m Ivan D. Mitchell. I’m the Chief Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Tool and Launch, specialising in automotive equipment design and build which meets World Class Manufacturing methodology. I have 15 years of work experience as a Tooling Specialist on some of the leading automotive manufacturing companies. When I launched this site, I wanted to create a platform where you’ll get everything about tools in one place. I also wanted to share my experience in the tool industry. I’ll do my best to share the information you need to truly make your tool using experience better. I hope you find our guides, reviews, information HELPFUL. If you have any inquiries, I’m always here to help you.