Welding & Cutting Goggles

Welding & cutting goggles — sealed shade eye protection

Welding goggles are sealed, shade-rated eye protection for oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting, brazing, and torch soldering — work where sparks, slag, and IR/UV come from every angle and open welding safety glasses don't seal. (For arc welding you need an auto-darkening welding helmet, not a goggle.) This collection covers every welding/cutting goggle we stock, from budget cup goggles to high-temperature foundry models. New to shade selection? Start with our best welding & cutting goggles guide and the welding shade-number reference.

Editor's pick — Lincoln Electric K3118-1 (Shade 5)
The do-it-all choice: a wide, sealed Shade 5 goggle with an anti-fog / anti-scratch lens that handles oxy-fuel cutting, plasma, and brazing — and doubles for grinding. For lighter torch work, drop to the Shade 3 K3118-2.
View the Lincoln K3118-1 →

Welding goggle comparison

Which welding goggle should you buy?

• Cutting + grinding in one goggle → Lincoln K3118-1 (Shade 5 wide).
• Light cutting, brazing, torch soldering → Lincoln K3118-2 (Shade 3).
• Classic oxy-acetylene, flip to inspect → Forney 55320 (lift-front cup).
• Lowest cost → Jackson WS round ($13) or Forney 55301 ($16).
• Over prescription glasses → Jackson WS (round or flip-front, OTG fit).
• High-temp / foundry → Sellstrom Odyssey II (high-temp frame, FR strap).

How to choose welding goggles

Pick the shade by process: Shade 5 is standard for oxy-fuel/plasma cutting and heavier brazing; Shade 3 suits light cutting and torch soldering. Choose a sealed goggle over open welding glasses when slag and sparks come from multiple angles, and add a face shield for full-face grinding. All goggles here are marked to ANSI Z87.1 and support compliance under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133. For the full decision walkthrough see our best welding & cutting goggles guide, safety glasses vs goggles, and can safety glasses be used for welding.

Related categories

Welding goggles are one branch of eye protection and the safety goggles range. For open welding spectacles see welding safety glasses; for arc welding, welding helmets; and for fume protection during cutting and brazing, welding respirators.

Frequently asked questions

What shade do I need for cutting?

Shade 5 is the standard density for oxy-fuel and plasma cutting and heavier brazing; Shade 3 suits light cutting and torch soldering. Confirm against the shade-number reference.

Can I use welding goggles for arc welding?

No — arc welding (MIG/TIG/stick) requires an auto-darkening helmet. Welding goggles are for gas cutting, brazing, and grinding. See the welding helmets guide.

Goggles or welding safety glasses?

Sealed goggles block slag and sparks from every angle; open welding glasses are lighter for incidental torch work. See safety glasses vs goggles.

Do welding goggles meet OSHA requirements?

An ANSI Z87.1 goggle with the correct filter shade supports compliance under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 for radiant-energy work.

Can welding goggles be used for grinding?

Yes — the impact-rated ANSI Z87.1 models (e.g., Lincoln K3118 series, Sellstrom Odyssey II) cover grinding as well as cutting.

Which welding goggle fits over prescription glasses?

The Jackson WS goggles (round and flip-front) are sized to fit over most prescription frames.