The Best Motorcycle Helmets (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

There’s nothing like riding a motorcycle–it’s incredibly thrilling, fun and just a little bit dangerous, which just adds to its appeal. Being on the road alone, completely in control of yourself and your vehicle makes you feel truly free, and dare we say it –even peaceful.  These are rare feelings in today’s jittery world that expects you to do and say things that are pretty much always at the service of something or someone else. It’s no wonder driving a motorcycle feels like a drug  – it’s so different from anything you normally experience, you just can’t get enough of it!

But you know what’s not fun? Getting hurt – which is what will inevitably happen if you drive a motorbike without protective gear. A good motorcycle helmet while on the road is an absolute must, as the gear not only protects you from serious head injuries but is required by law in most countries.

Unfortunately, finding the right motorcycle helmet can be a bit tricky as the market is flooded with countless options with different specs, styles and price tags. But that’s why we’re here – to help you find the best motorcycle helmet, we’ve read hundreds of motorcycle helmet reviews, did our research and then read some more. The result is this Top 10 list that we hope will help you find the right protective helmet – today.

The Best Motorcycle Helmet

Best Motorcycle Helmets Buying Guide & FAQ

So there you go – our top list of motorcycle helmets in 2018. Hopefully, this list alone will be enough to help you purchase the right helmet for you or your friends and/or family. But, if it isn’t, and you’d like more information on what makes a good motorbike helmet  – have no fear, as we’ve not only prepared this handy little buying guide, but we’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) down below. So read on, inform yourself and find the best motorcycle helmet today.

Things to Consider When Buying Motorcycle Helmets

Buying a motorbike helmet is like buying anything else – there are multiple factors you should consider before you even think about purchasing a specific product. For instance, if you enjoy the latest trends in technology, you probably want to focus on helmets that feature at least some aspects of technology, such as integrated communication systems. On the other hand, if you’re more of a traditional biker, you may want to concentrate on finding the best basic helmets. In any case, there are things you should consider when buying a motorbike helmet, and your preferences are just a part of the picture.

• Protection Features

The main purpose of a helmet is to protect you against potential crashes and falls. Of course, motorcycle helmets also help protect you against elements, including rain and snow, but also road noise and pollution. To do all that, a helmet needs to be made of certain kind of materials and engineered in a specific way. For example, if you’re into races, you want to go for maximum protection, meaning full-face, durable helmets that are made from energy and shock-absorbing materials. They should preferably be SNELL certified.

If, on the other hand, you’re using your motorcycle from time to time and always on safe roads, you can go for half-helmets that are usually a bit more comfortable. Still, these helmets too need to be able to protect your head against potential falls or crashes, so they most certainly need to have their certifications.

If there is anything you take from this buying guide, take this – NEVER buy non-certified helmets. In order to be able to protect riders, helmets need to go through certain testing and pass local regulations. They have to have DOT, ECE, AUS or SNELL certification.

• Comfort

A good motorbike helmet should not only protect you but also fit comfortably – if it doesn’t, it probably isn’t the right size. Sometimes, no matter how good a helmet is, it can be a wrong fit for your head – even if it’s a perfect size. If you run into this problem, our advice is to look for another style or even a different brand. Some helmets simply work better with certain head shapes. It doesn’t happen often, but it can happen. What’s important is not to force yourself to wear an uncomfortable helmet as it can lead to headaches and neck problems.

So, what does a comfortable helmet feel like?

• Snug around your forehead and skull, but not uncomfortable
• Comfy around your cheeks
• Lightweight on the entire skull

And what should a comfortable helmet never do?

• Pinch your temples
• Wiggle around your chin
• Push hard on the crown of your head.

Basically, a comfortable helmet, no matter if it’s a full-face, half-face or any other type, will protect you while sitting tight, but not too-tight on and around your head.

Besides these basic things, a helmet can also help circulate air, thereby keeping you cool and more comfortable, have extra thick inner linings to help keep your face comfortably snug, and come with various straps and additions, such as chin straps, wind collars, etc. So, don’t forget to look for specific features if want a specific level of comfort.

• Price

While price doesn’t always equate quality, when it comes to helmets, it’s important to understand that usually a price is influenced by important things, meaning you don’t want to buy the cheapest helmet you can find – ever. Here is why – a price of a headgear is a result of:

• Materials used
• Technology integrated
• Certifications
• A name/brand.

Obviously, if you don’t care about technology and you just want a no-nonsense helmet, you’ll pay less then someone who does. It’s the same thing with the brand – if you don’t care about wearing a famous name on your helmet, it’s likely you’ll pay less than those who do. Saying that, it’s always a good idea to purchase from reputable (not the same as famous) brands.

But when it comes to materials and certifications, you do not skimp. If you’re into racing, you absolutely should be prepared to pay more for a good-quality helmet that will be able to protect you against potential falls or crashes (a helmet made from carbon fiber, for example, although super-protective, is also more expensive). As for certifications, as we mentioned before, a good helmet needs to pass certain regulations. In North America, you’ll see DOT certified, in Europe ECE. If you’re looking for maximum protection, go for SNELL certified helmets.

In any case, if you’re a beginner and you’re buying your first helmet, it’s reasonable to spend between $150 to $300.

Benefits of Using a Motorcycle Helmet

Did you know that driving a motorcycle is around 26 times more dangerous/more likely to result in a driver’s death than driving a car? It’s true, and the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes are head injuries. But you know what can protect your head even in crashes or serious falls? Motorcycle helmets.

• Safety

A helmet has one main purpose – to protect you against injury and death. It’s no small feat, clearly! But helmets are very efficient at what they do– in fact, it’s estimated they’re around 37% effective at preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. So make sure you always, always have your motorbike helmet on while on the road.

• Comfort

Nothing compares to the thrilling experience of riding a motorcycle – unless it’s raining or snowing of course, and then it’s just frustrating and you’re counting the minutes ‘till you’re at your destination. But with a good helmet on? It’s a breeze. Motorcycle helmets help protect you against the elements, including extremely high temperatures as most have some forms of ventilation systems that enable proper air circulation. With a good helmet on your head, you can say goodbye to wind-caused headaches, face sunburns and wet, cold hair.

• Style

Last but not least – let’s just face it, riding a motorcycle adds that cool factor to any personality. And if you also wear a sleek, fashionable helmet that allows you to listen to your favorite music (and if we’re being honest, act like you’re in your own music video)? That cool factor gets multiplied. A good-looking helmet instantly makes people more confident, and as a result, better-looking!

Motorcycle Helmets Types

Helmets come in various shapes, sizes and styles, making it easy to find the one that is just right for you specifically. There are six main types of helmets, including the full-faced ones, open-face ones, half-helmets, modular ones, off-road helmets and dual-sport helmets. But how is one supposed to pick the right type? First, consider your own needs – where do you plan to ride your motorbike and how often? What style do you prefer? How much are you willing to pay?

To help you find the right type of helmet, we bullet-pointed these six types, explaining each in a little bit of detail.

1. Full-face helmets

These are probably the most common types of helmets. As their name suggests, they cover all of your face, which makes them the most protective of the bunch. Obviously, these helmets do not cover your eyes, so they come with visors – some are clear, others are anti-fog and offer UV protection. Also, some full-face helmets have integrated electronics, such as communication systems, Bluetooth, etc. The more elaborate the helmet, the more expensive.

2. Open-face helmets

Just as their name implies, these helmets do not cover the face of the rider, which makes them less protective than full-face ones. Of course, if you’re a scooter rider or a cruiser, this type of helmet is all you really need. They’re lightweight and comfortable during regular sunny days, but since they don’t provide eye protection, you’ll sometimes need glasses or goggles depending on the season and weather.

3. Modular helmets

Modular, or flip-up helmets are basically a combination of full-face and open helmets. They allow the rider to remove the lower section of the helmet, thereby offering great versatility. You want to grab a bite but not bother with removing a helmet? Just flip up the lower section and there you go. Although really convenient, these helmets are considered to be less safe than full-face ones because they have a flexible (flip-up) mechanism in an otherwise solid, sturdy structure. Also, they’re more heavy.

4. Half-helmets

Similar to the open-face helmets, the half-helmets cover only a small, but the most important part of your head-brain. But they’re even smaller than open-face types, as they cover the rider’s head from the top of his or her forehead to about halfway down the back of his or her head. They’re comfy and compact, very popular among vintage and cruiser riders.

5. Off-road helmets

Off-road helmets or motocross helmets look similar to the full-face ones. However, since they’re designed for dirt riding, they’re quite a bit different – for one, they maximize ventilation while minimizing weight, and two, they’re not exactly soundproof, which makes them uncomfortable for highway riding. Also, they typically don’t come with built-in shields, so you have to use glasses or goggles while riding.

6. Dual-sport helmets

These helmets fall somewhere between full-face and off-road helmets, as they have great ventilation but also come with a sun visor and have some sound-proofing abilities. For this reason, these helmets are quite versatile – they can be worn both on and off-road, and are a great pick if you’re into dirt riding and some regular highway riding.

Best Motorcycle Helmet FAQ:

Our Top Pick

All the helmets featured in our Top 10 list are good-quality protective helmets that come at reasonable prices. But one product stands out – the TORC T14 Bluetooth Integrated Helmet. This helmet has it all – it’s super-safe (DOT and ECE certified), comfortable to wear, comes with a drop-down anti-fog and anti-scratch visor and it features some pretty neat integrated electronics.  It’s a perfect motorcycle helmet for most bikers, even the really picky ones. Also, it’s affordable – a real winner in our book!

Sources:

1. Head Injuries: Why Motorcycle and Bicycle Helmets Should Be Mandatory – HuffPost
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of Bike Helmet Care – ConsumerReports
3. Choosing the best motorbike helmet style – DrivingTests