Forney Easy Weld 55731 Review
Verdict: The cheapest helmet we found whose manufacturer states both ANSI Z87.1 and an optical class: Forney's Easy Weld 55731 (1/1/1/2, 2 sensors).
It's in the Under $60 band, with a spec score of 58/100.Compare it with the top picks in our best welding helmets ranking and the best auto-darkening helmets list.
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- Shade9–13 (light state not stated; grind option per product page)
- Viewing area3.62 × 1.65 in (6 sq in)
- Arc sensors2
- Switching1/25,000 s
- Optical class1/1/1/2
- Weight470 g (shell)
- CertificationsANSI Z87.1, EN 166, EN 175, EN 379
- Best forMIG · flux-core · beginners
Who the Forney Easy Weld Auto-Darkening Helmet is for — and who should skip it
Buy it if: Beginners and occasional MIG/flux-core welders who want manufacturer-confirmed protection under $60.
Skip it if: Anyone who welds daily or needs a cutting shade range.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ANSI Z87.1, EN 166, EN 175 and EN 379 in Forney's own manual
- Published 1/1/1/2 optical class and 1/25,000 s switching
- External shade knob; TIG-rated to 5 A
Cons
- Two sensors and a 5.97 sq in window
- Dark range 9–13 only
- Forney's manual says the lithium cells are not replaceable (product page says CR2032 — check yours)
Our review
Forney's owner's manual lists a 5.97 sq in (3.62 × 1.65 in) view, 1/1/1/2 optical clarity, two sensors, DIN 9–13, 1/25,000 s switching, and EN 166/175/379 plus ANSI Z87.1. Forney's product page adds a 5 A TIG rating.
That makes it our budget #1: the cheaper popular helmets we looked at may well be fine, but their makers don't publish certifications we could confirm.
Limits are the basics: two sensors, a small window, no 5–8 range, and a power setup the manual describes as solar plus non-replaceable lithium cells. For weekend MIG and flux-core it is exactly enough.
Full specs and sources
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shade range | 9–13 (light state not stated; grind option per product page) | Manufacturer |
| Optical class (EN 379) | 1/1/1/2 | Manufacturer |
| Viewing area | 3.62 × 1.65 in (6 sq in) | Manufacturer 5.97 in² ≈ 92x42 mm |
| Lens / plate size | Not published | — |
| Arc sensors | 2 | Manufacturer |
| Switching speed | 1/25,000 s | Manufacturer |
| Low-amp TIG rating | 5 A | Manufacturer |
| Certifications | ANSI Z87.1, EN 166, EN 175, EN 379 | Manufacturer |
| Weight | 470 g | Manufacturer shell 16.57 oz per EN manual (FR manual 15.24 oz) — shell, not full helmet |
| Power | solar + non-replaceable 3V lithium | Manufacturer product page says CR2032 — conflict |
| Warranty | Not published | — |
Spec score: 58/100 (verified specs only — not a test score)
| Part | Basis | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Optical class | 1/1/1/2 | 20/25 |
| Viewing area | 6 sq in | 11/25 |
| Arc sensors | 2 | 7/15 |
| Switching speed | 1/25,000 s | 10/10 |
| Weight | 470 g (shell only — not scored) | 0/10 |
| Warranty | not verified | 0/5 |
| Value | Under $60 | 10/10 |
Alternatives to the Forney Easy Weld Auto-Darkening Helmet
Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 (Black)
The Viking 3350 pairs a 1/1/1/1 4C lens with a 95 × 85 mm window and a TIG rating down to 2 A, all confirmed in Lincoln's own spec sheet and manual.
$300–$600
ESAB Sentinel A60
ESAB's Sentinel A60 has the largest 1/1/1/1 window we could verify (118 × 71 mm) and the longest certification list of any helmet here.
$300–$600
Where it ranks
Changelog: Oct 2026: First published. Every pick checked against manufacturer specs and Amazon availability.