ESAB Sentinel A70 PRO: Weld, Flip, Grind. Without Taking Your Helmet Off.

The Sentinel A70 Air PRO is ESAB's first premium flip-up automatic welding helmet, and it's built around one idea: you shouldn't have to remove your helmet to grind, finish or inspect. Flip the auto-darkening filter up and a full 150 x 194mm clear grinding shield is already in place underneath. Flip it back down and you're welding again. No helmet swaps, no bare-headed seconds next to someone else's arc, no dead time.

This is the "prepared for air" version. It has the air duct system built in, ready to connect to ESAB's EPR-X1.1 PAPR unit for EN 12941 TH3P-certified fume protection. On its own, this helmet does not supply filtered air. If you want the complete fume protection system in one order, see the Sentinel A70 Air PRO c/w EPR-X1.1 PAPR Package, which currently includes a free kit bag and pre-filter pack worth £31.

Why ESAB Built the A70

The ESAB Sentinel range has been their flagship helmet line for years, but until now it had no flip-front option, the layout preferred in shipyards, structural steel and heavy fabrication, where welders switch between welding and grinding all day. The A70 is ESAB's answer, and the design decisions behind it are worth understanding before you buy:

The dual flip-up workflow. The ADF flips up to reveal the grinding shield; the grinding shield itself also flips up when you need it out of the way. ESAB's PPE product team designed the hinge to fold back close against the shell, so the raised ADF doesn't catch on obstructions when you're working overhead or inside structures. That's the classic complaint about flip-front helmets, and the A70 was engineered specifically to avoid it.

The removable ADF. For extended grinding or finishing sessions, the whole ADF assembly comes off with two buttons, shedding weight and leaving you with a dedicated grinding helmet. The grind lens pops out just as easily for replacement, and ESAB sell the lenses in five-packs. This helmet was designed for shops that grind heavily, not occasionally.

The integrated work light. A 50-lumen LED sits below the lens, running on its own AA battery so it never drains the ADF. It lets you position your torch accurately inside dark tanks, vessels and poorly lit corners before striking an arc, then shuts off automatically the moment the arc lights, and comes back on when you stop.

Key Features of the Sentinel A70 Pro: Prepared for Air Welding Helmet

• Large 123 x 75mm (4.8 x 3 in.) ADF viewing area with 1/1/1/1 EN ISO V1 optical classification
• Second-generation OpTCS™ True Colour technology: a flatter, more natural colour spectrum for less eye fatigue over long shifts
• 0.04 millisecond switching (1/25,000s), twice as fast as the Sentinel A60
• Shade range 5-13, adjustable in 0.5 increments; passive shade 3 in grind mode; dedicated cutting mode for plasma work
• 10-step sensitivity and delay adjustment (dark-to-light delay 0.1 to 0.9s)
• Internal colour TFT display plus an external digital dial, so you can adjust shade, sensitivity and mode with gloves on, without opening the helmet
• 20 on-board memory settings for your regular processes (the A60 has 9)
• Bluetooth connectivity to the ESAB Helmet Connect app (iOS and Android): sync and recall profiles, track arc time, manage service logs
• Rechargeable lithium battery with USB-C charging, cable included
• 4 arc sensors; TIG rated down to 3 amps
• Huge 150 x 194mm grinding face shield beneath the flip-up ADF
• FR rear head covering and front chest cover included for spark protection
• 920g, with balanced headgear that distributes the weight for all-day wear
• 4-year warranty in the UK

Sentinel A70 PRO or A60: Which Do You Need?

We sell both, and they suit different welders. The Sentinel A60 Air remains an outstanding fixed-lens helmet and the better-value choice if you rarely grind. The A70 earns its premium if your day involves constant switching between welding and finishing work.

Please note: the A70 is a heavier helmet. That's the trade-off for the flip mechanism, grinding shield and electronics. The headgear is designed to balance it. If minimum weight is your priority and you don't grind much, the Sentinel A60 remains a superb choice.

Welding Fume: Why "Prepared for Air" Matters

The HSE advises there is no known safe level of exposure to welding fume, and enforcement expectations have tightened since welding fume was reclassified as a human carcinogen. Where extraction can't fully control exposure (confined spaces, cored wires, or stainless and chrome alloys producing hexavalent chromium fume) respiratory protective equipment is required. Paired with the EPR-X1.1 PAPR unit, this helmet delivers EN 12941 TH3P-certified filtration, the highest classification for air-purifying welding helmets.

ESAB Sentinel A70 Pro Specifications

Suitable for: MIG/MAG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW, 3A and above), MMA/Stick (SMAW), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, grinding. Not suitable for laser welding or oxyacetylene gas welding.

What's in the Box

Full helmet assembly · replacement ADF cover lenses · rear FR head covering · front FR chest cover · carry bag · AA battery for the work light · USB-C charging cable

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this helmet supply air on its own?
No. "Air PRO" means it's prepared for air: the duct system is built in, but it needs ESAB's EPR-X1.1 PAPR unit to deliver filtered air. Without the PAPR it works as a standard (and excellent) flip-up welding helmet. The complete package includes everything.

Can I really grind with the helmet on?
Yes, that's the point of it. Flip the ADF up and the 150 x 194mm clear shield underneath is rated for grinding. For long finishing sessions you can remove the ADF assembly entirely with two buttons.

How low will it go for TIG?
The ADF is rated for TIG down to 3 amps, with 10-step sensitivity adjustment for low-amperage arc detection.

Does the work light drain the welding battery?
No. It runs on its own AA battery and switches off automatically when an arc is detected or ambient light is strong.

How do I charge it?
Via the included USB-C cable from any 5V/2A source. The internal display shows charge status, and a red LED warns when the battery is low.

What's the warranty?
4 years on the helmet from ESAB UK.

Spares & Consumables

We keep the A70 running as well as we sell it. Genuine ESAB spares include:

• Outer cover lens 5-pack: 0700900703
• Inner cover lens 5-pack: 0700900707
• Grind protect lens: 0700900710
• ADF flip shell: 0700900704
• Replacement ADF: 0700900705
• LED light cover lens 5-pack: 0700900708
• Headgear: 0700900713
• Front sweat band (shared with A60/Savage A50 LUX): 0700600869
• FR rear head and shoulder cover: 0700900716
• Split leather covers (optional upgrade): 0700900717 / 0700900719
• Hard hat adapter for slotted caps: 0700900722

Browse our full ESAB helmet spares range.