Finding the best bike helmet for you might be challenging, not just because of fit but also because of the sort of bicycling you want to undertake. Furthermore, some bike helmets are prohibitively pricey.
We tested a dozen of the top best bike helmets on the market, ranging in price from roughly $50 to around $300. We selected road bike helmets that are vented and light, mountain bike helmets that frequently contain a chin guard, and commuter helmets that perform well in bad weather.
Also, the best bike helmets can protect you whether you’re riding the best electric scooters or the best electric bikes and skateboarders and rollerbladers. When riding about at the start and end of the day, it’s also worth investing in one of the best bike lights best bike helmets 2021.
What are the best bike helmets?
After testing various top models, we believe the Giro Register MIPS is the best bike helmet for most individuals. It is one of the lightweight helmets we tested and is comfortable to wear for extended periods. It offers additional padding and an adjustable mechanism to provide a snug fit best bike helmets for women.
It also costs less than $100. If you need something a little more knowledge, the Bell Trace has a more modest appearance but is as comfortable and inexpensive. We recommend the Bell Super Air R for folks who do a lot of mountain biking since it features a chin guard that protects your entire face best bike helmets for men.
It features enough ventilation to keep your glasses or goggles from fogging up, and it has a snug yet comfortable fit with plenty of padding. Furthermore, the chin guard part is detachable for when you don’t need as much protection.
Continue reading for our complete list of the best bike helmets.
The best bicycle helmets available today
1. Bell Super Air R Mountain Biking Helmet
The Bell Super Air R was the most comfortable helmet we tested, and it provided the most comprehensive protection, especially for mountain cyclists.
It was the only model among the best bike helmets we tested that had a chin guard to protect or secure you in the event of an off-road face plant, and it provided a more secure but comfy fit than any of the others we tried.
The Bell Super Air R, like other models, has a dial-in Float fit system, but it also has more padding inside than any different model we tested, and the padding extends farther back for a better fit.
If you believe the chin guard is too harsh and unneeded for city streets, it is easily removable; two front hooks attach it with snap-down clips in the back.
However, because of its open vented design, you may keep the chin guard in place without worrying about fogging up your glasses.
The visor has three levels for vision, so if you’re traveling uphill, you can push it back, so it doesn’t hinder your view. Finally, if you’re a committed mountain biker, the Bell Super Air R may be the best purchase you’ve ever made.
2. Giro Register MIPS The best bike helmet for most individuals.
If you despise wearing a helmet, the Giro Register MIPS may be the best bike helmet. It was one of the lightest helmets we tested, and we found it to be quite comfortable, so much so that when we stopped, we forgot we were wearing it when shopping for groceries at a nearby farm stand.
The Register features an additional strip of padding on the brow, and its internal padding strips stretch back toward the back of your head more than others, contributing to its superior feel.
In terms of comfort, the only models we found that could compete with the Giro Register were the Bell Super Air R and the Scott Vivo Plus.
This helmet includes a snap-on visor and employs the RocLoc Sports Fit system, a back-of-the-head dialing system similar to and as effective as the BOA Fit used by Bontrager and others.
3. Lazer Blade
Lazer has been making bike helmets for a century (beginning with leather hats), so the Belgian company has plenty of expertise manufacturing helmet gear. The Blade+MIPS helmet from the business is an open, well-ventilated model that we found comfortable and easy to adjust.
It employs a one-of-a-kind thumb screw (dubbed Rollsys) on the top of the helmet to tighten or loosen the inside cage. Front and back both of the Blade were fairly snug (some systems feel like they are grabbing the back of your head).
Lazer is one of the few brands that includes an additional strip of padding that you may place inside if you have any problems.
There are other choices like an aero shell cover ($19.99) for a more aerodynamic form and keeping the rain (or snow, if you’re feeling brave). One suggestion: For Lazer models, we recommend going one size up than what you’re used to.
4. Bell Trace MIPS
The Bell Trace MIPS helmet was the model that seemed to adapt to various users with the least amount of trouble. It was pretty comfortable in hot and cold weather, had a clip-on visor, and wasn’t too expensive.
We found the sizing correct and the dial-and-cable fitting method as easy to use as those in models costing twice as much. While it may not be the best helmet on the market, it may be one of its advantages.
Because the Bell Trace design is less radical and more conservative than several other models. It is an excellent compromise if you need to please a wide variety of preferences, making it the ideal helmet choice if you need to outfit a whole family with headgear.
5. MIPS Thousand Chapter
Thousand demonstrates that it is possible to appear stylish while wearing a helmet. (Or, at the very least, not appear entirely geeky.)
The business is best known for its retro-styled, enclosed skater/biker helmets, which have a certain cache among riders, and the Thousand Chapter helmet is a welcome addition to the lineup.
The Chapter helmet includes a thick foam layer that protects you from the elements, such as dust and grime in urban locations. It employs the MiPS technology to balance the rotational impacts of a collision.
Still, it’s light (around the same weight as the Lumos, Scott, and Bontrager helmets in this review), and it looks just as good on one of the best electric scooters as it does on a skateboard. So, if you enjoy switching between wheeled micro transportation gadgets, this may be the helmet for you.
The Chapter helmet’s magnetic clasp can be opened with one hand, and it’s relatively comfortable — but a little additional padding on the forehead would be good.
We liked the removable and rechargeable rear red light.
Because it is magnetic, it can be removed and stored in an accompanying attachment that straps to a seat post, allowing the light to be utilized on the bicycle itself.
That’s an attractive choice, and the light can be set to continuously illuminate or flash, depending on how conspicuous you want to be.
Our testing lasted around an hour and a half full time. The item we did not use was the “poplock” access hole in the back of the helmet with a detachable cover.
It’s meant to be threaded through a bike lock, so you don’t have to carry the helmet around when you arrive. Thousand guarantees to replace your helmet if it is damaged or stolen while locked up.
6. Specialized S-Works Prevail II
Specialized S-Works Prevail II was the most technological helmet we tested, including an accident alarm system. It begins with a carbon and aramid fiber layer that provides stiffness, lightweight, and the MIPS impact deflection system.
The bike manufacturer then incorporated its ANGi system:
It is an abbreviation for angle and g-force indicator, and it consists of a sensor mounted to the back of the helmet. If it senses a significant fall, it will start a countdown to an alarm on a smartphone connected to the Specialized Ride app.
If the only thing wounded is your pride, you may cancel the alarm; otherwise, it sends a text sms with your location to your emergency contacts.
This can save your life for single bikers who prefer country roads – remember to launch the Ride app before you go out.
In terms of comfort, we needed to tighten and loosen the fit dial every time we put it on and took it off. Nonetheless, the S-Works Prevail fit better than average but not as comfortably as the Giro and Bell models we tested.
7. Lumos Ultra MIPS bike helmet
The best bike helmet for city cyclists is the Lumos Ultra MIPS. With a front LED headlight and red turn signals built into the back of the helmet, the Lumos Ultra is designed to accomplish precisely that.
It has a built-in rechargeable battery and a wireless Bluetooth 4 controller that easily hangs onto your handlebars. Even better, if you have an Apple Watch, when you make a turning gesture, the relevant signal on the helmet will blink in time.
You may also adjust the lighting with the bundled iPhone/Android app. You may configure them all to flash quickly, slowly, or remain on, and you can even change the brightness of the lights and the auditory instructions for the turn signals.
(When you activate the left or right signal, they emit distinct frequency beeps to indicate that you signaled correctly and remind you to switch off the signal.)
The software also tracks your rides and works with Google Fit and Strava. We found that using the wireless turn signal buttons while wearing gloves can be difficult. On the other hand, if the buttons were too simple to push, there would be a risk of mistakenly pressing them.
And if the left/right button controller were any more significant, it would be too huge to fit on handlebars already crammed with shifters, electronic horns, and ebike displays.
So we found that the Lumos controller hit the appropriate balance — and the helmet linked with the controller effortlessly and immediately every time we switched it on (which is no mean feat).
The Lumos Ultra is also available with an integrated MIPS system, which is the model we evaluated. It includes a low friction layer that is intended to give additional protection in the event of an angled, twisting impact.
The Lumos Ultra was exceptionally comfortable, with an expanded front brow pad and a well-functioning rear-dial fitting mechanism.
For instance, the Lumos isn’t as light and carefree as the Giro Register, but it is significantly lighter than versions such as the Bell Super Air R. Overall, it provides an outstanding balance of safety and comfort.
8. Bontrager Specter WaveCel
Bontrager Specter WaveCel Helmet A magnetic strap makes it simple to open and close this bike helmet. This Wisconsin-based startup, currently acquired by Trek, promotes its proprietary WaveCel technology.
Independent testing has proven that the crush-on-impact design is superior to typical foam helmets in protecting against head injuries caused by specific bicycle accidents. Like with MIPS designs, the goal is to provide superior protection in angled collisions by absorbing rotational energy best bike helmets.
Despite being a bit thinner than other of the best bike helmets on our list, we found the Specter model to be highly comfortable, giving it a less bulky appearance. However, larger heads should try before buying.
The helmet incorporates the BOA fit system, which utilizes an inside cage of cables for adjustments, and it works well.
The Specter also has a magnetic snap on the chin strap, making it simpler to fasten. Some people like the magnetic latch since it is easier and faster, but you can open and close any classic snaps with one hand, so it is a question of personal taste.
9. POC Axion Spin
POC’s Axion SPIN is an example of an off-road or enduro helmet that is equally at home commuting to work on city streets, making it one of the best bike helmets for individuals who prefer a single model for a range of settings.
Its design is not enclosed like urban models, but it covers more of the back and sides of the head than standard lightweight road helmets suited for speed and hot weather.
The Axion also does away with the MIPS impact system favoring POC’s solution, SPIN for Shearing Pad INside.
The Axion SPIN uses a system of silicone pads to deflect rotational forces and appears to perform better in testing than typical foam-only versions best bike helmets.
We enjoy the appearance of the Axion as well, but it didn’t provide as comfortable a fit as some others, and we hoped it came with more back padding to prevent friction.
10. Scott Vivo
Scott Vivo Plus is heavier than most of the best bike helmets, but it is also more comfortable. The Scott Vivo Plus was one of the most comfortable vented road rider helmets we tested. We often associate the firm with snowboard and ski helmets, but we were highly impressed with this MIPS bike helmet.
Among the best bike helmets, it’s significantly heavier than the Giro Register, and it lacks longitudinal vents to increase aero flow. As a result, it generated more heat than we wanted during long rides in the sun.
However, we found the Scott Vivo Plus fit to be comfortable, and it did not slip forward like some of the other versions we evaluated. Its profile was somewhat more significant than others, although this did not affect size or fit. The helmet also comes with a two-position removable visor and a soft white tote bag.
11. Smith Express bike helmet
The Smith Express is intended for city dwellers and commuters who prefer city streets to country roads. Rather than being widely vented, the Express has an enclosed design, which is common in skateboard designs.
As a result, it’s a warmer helmet better suited to cool autumn days than hot summer rides. Even though it is not smaller, the Express’ enclosed design makes it look less bulky and bulbous than regular vented helmets.
Unfortunately, we did not find the Smith Express as comfortable as some of the other best bike helmets, mainly because the cushioning is insufficient to protect the rear sides of your head from collapsing into the hard foam of the liner.
It may be fixed with some more padding around the upper rear of the helmet, but Smith does not offer any. We got acclimated to the fit after hours of riding, but if you’re opposed to wearing a helmet in the first place, this isn’t the model for you.
12. POC Ventral Lite
The POC Ventral Lite is the most excellent bike helmet we’ve ever tried. It is the most open and hence the lightest, so if you sweat a lot under most helmets, this may be the solution.
The POC Ventral employs a regularly expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam lining rather than a MIPS design or POC’s unique SPIN system to attain such little weight.
As a result, you sacrifice some more complex crash safety to save weight. We also found the Ventral to be less comfortable than other models; we tightened it up with POC’s dial-to-tighten mechanism, but we could still feel friction from the hard PC shell in spots.
A couple of additional padding (which POC frequently supplies with ski helmets) would solve the issue here.
The POC Ventral Lite is the most excellent bike helmet we’ve ever tried. It is the most open and hence the lightest, so if you sweat a lot under most helmets, this may be the solution.
The POC Ventral employs a regularly expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam lining rather than a MIPS design or POC’s unique SPIN system to attain such little weight.
As a result, you sacrifice some more complex crash safety to save weight. We also found the Ventral to be less comfortable than other models; we tightened it up with POC’s dial-to-tighten mechanism, but we could still feel friction from the hard PC shell in spots.
A couple of additional padding (which POC frequently supplies with ski helmets) would solve the issue here.
How to Choose the Best Bike Helmet for You
Rotational Forces Hurt: The best helmet technology for protecting your head is still up for dispute.
However, most studies believe that rotational forces, including concussions, are the most damaging.
The multi-directional impact prevention system, or MIPS technology, is the most widely used today to combat these crashes.
It is intended to lessen the rotational strain on the skull in the event of an accident by enabling the helmet’s outer shell to slip slightly on impact.
Many helmet manufacturers provide MIPS variants, and there are a few competing designs, such as POC’s SPIN pads and Bontrager’s Wavecel liner, which compresses to lessen rotational forces.
Fit is Important: Helmets must fit tightly to protect your pate in the event of an impact.
Most versions now include a cage-like design that allows you to loosen or tighten an inside set of straps to fit your head.
Chin straps might stretch and loosen with time, so remember to tighten them on periodically.
Also, don’t push the helmet back; it’s supposed to sit slightly forward over your brow to protect your forehead.
Bikes are utilized in several ways, from commuting to mountain biking, and bike helmet makers make helmets to fit those circumstances.
While wearing a mountain bike helmet to work is appropriate, it may contain extra features, such as a visor or chin guard, that you don’t necessarily need or want to spend extra for. Look for a helmet that is appropriate for the way you want to use your bike.
When should you change your bike helmet?
Even if there is no apparent harm and damage, your helmet should be changed after each impact or tumble that does not result in injuries.
Any impact can diminish its capacity to protect your brain.
(This also applies to ski and motorbike helmets.)
While there is no hard and quick rule, most experts agree that bike helmets should be updated every five years, depending on use.
If you use your helmet infrequently, it may last longer, but five years are a decent benchmark with average wear and tear.
How we evaluated the best bike helmets
One of the criteria for choose the best bike helmets to test was whether or not they included MIPS protection or something similar.
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) helmets have a layer that allows the helmet to move relative to the head, minimising rotational forces that can cause concussions or other brain injuries.
