1. Introduction
It's obvious that wearing a helmet is the best way to protect you from additional useful head and face injuries caused by motorcycle accidents. According to research, 35% of motorcycle deaths could be prevented if the rider’s wearing a high-quality helmet.
We all know the importance of helmets, but sometimes we tend to ignore them. The reason might be because we feel uncomfortable while wearing it. Even though as we’re wearing a helmet, head injuries could occur if our helmet is poor.
Therefore, today I’m over here to share with you our list of best motorcycle helmets. They come from different brands, different types but they’re all guaranteed to bring you the best protection with extremely high-impact outer shell, advanced liner interior, excellent shields, affordable budget, and lots of additional useful features. We also include high-tech motorcycle helmets with Bluetooth for you to refer.
Ok! Let’s get started with our TOP 10 Best Motorcycle Helmet Reviews right now!
2. Different Kinds of Motorcycle Helmets
Full Face Helmets
If you’re looking for a helmet with maximal protection coverage, this kind is the best way to go. Since it has an outer shell extending all the way from the user’s head to chin, it’s able to prevent your entire face and head from collisions. The biggest drawback of a full face helmet is that it’s more out of the wind. That’s why manufacturers today focus a lot on improving the ventilation system and featuring more flexible and adjustable face shields.
Half Size Helmets
Among different types of motorcycle helmets, a half size is the one with the least coverage. In particular, it only covers the crown of your head, while the sides of your head, your face and chin are completely “naked”. Some models include a sun shield to protect your eyes from the sun, but the majority doesn’t, and you must add separate goggles. However, with that simple design, these helmets are very lightweight, comfortable, and more ventilation than other types.
Open Face Helmets (3/4 Helmets)
As the name suggest, this type of helmet leaves your face open, or on the other words, it covers 3 out of 4 parts of your head (including the crown and back of the head, but not the chin). An open face helmet cannot have the maximal protection coverage as a full face helmet, but it’s lighter and allows more airflow. Some open face helmets include a sun shield, and some don’t. For these, you can add goggles or a snap-on face shield as an accessory.
Modular Helmets (Flip-Up Helmets)
At first glance, a modular helmet looks like a full face one because it covers the whole face and head. However, the difference is that it’s much more flexible and convenient in use with the ability to flip up the facial portion (including the face shield and chin bar) by only one hand. Now, it looks like an open face helmet. The disadvantages here are that it adds extra weight and cost more, but fortunately, some modular helmets today allow you to remove the facial portion if you don’t need it.
Off-Road Helmets (Motocross Helmets)
An off-road helmet provides the same maximal protection as a full face one but in a different way. In particular, it adds a long visor (or brim) and has a longer chin bar. Due to the ability of extreme collision resistance, this kind isn’t really for street riders but for off-road riders who participate in dangerous riding sports such as terrain motorcycle racing.
3. What To Consider When Buying A Motorcycle Helmet
Safety Ratings
Your helmet will be useless if it cannot protect your head from accidents, even if how gorgeous or comfortable it is. There are three different kinds of safety ratings for helmets, and they’re all named after their organizations: DOT, ECE, and SNELL.
To be certified, each helmet must match or exceed stringent criteria under grueling conditions. An extreme enduring helmet is the one that can pass two or even three certifications.
Therefore, when purchasing a helmet, make sure you check the qualification information in the product description. Never buy the one that doesn’t have any of those certifications.
Head Size and Shape Fitting
Never underestimate this point because it’s the number one factor to determine whether you’re comfortable while wearing your helmet or not. Also, note that we all have different head sizes and even shapes. Thus, go for a helmet that fits snugly enough to your head; it will guarantee you have a comfortable headwear throughout the ride.
To pick the right one, checking out the sizing chart is the initial step, then the next step is, of course, wear it. For more information, check this video:
Ventilation
A good ventilation system with proper vents will provide you with a cool airflow in and out of the helmet to keep your head dry and comfortable. The effectiveness is clearly showed as you’re traveling a long distance on hot days of the summer. Also, make sure the vents are adjustable so that you can close some or all of them in rainy or freezing days.
Design
For many riders, it’s important to choose a helmet that can show their personality and style. The appearance of a helmet is mostly reflected by the design, color, and graphics. Even though those factors don’t have any impact on the effectiveness or safety of your helmet, they’re still an important consideration for many people. Personally, I prefer helmets with black color and neat open-faced design, and what’s about you?
Shields
A face shield or sun shield provides you an extra coverage to protect your eyes from the sun and debris. If you go for a full-face or modular helmet, there’s always a shield (even twin-shield) available. If you choose a half or open-faced helmet, it could have or not. Besides, a shield with UV protection, anti-fogging and anti-scratching is a worthy-to-invest supplement.
Outer Shell
It’s necessary to take a look at the material of the outer shell and the overall weight of the helmet. In general, the majority of best motorcycle helmets come with high-quality polycarbonate composite shell. Some use matrix shelf which is a combination of Kevlar fiberglass and carbon fiber. These two types are considered lightweight and highly impact-resistant. Just remember that the outer shell is the crucial part in a helmet that helps to protect your head, so consider it carefully.
Liner Interior
Best motorcycle helmets must have replaceable and washable impact-absorbing liner. It’s the best way to let you clean your helmet after a period of use. Moreover, manufacturers improve the interior for their products with anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and even moisture-wicking material.
Additional Features
With the development of technology, motorcycle helmets today include many innovative technologies. The first simple one is the speaker hole which allows you to put a speaker inside the interior of the helmet to listen to music while out on the highway. The second advanced one is Bluetooth compatibility which can connect your helmets with others and allow you to answer a phone call or talk to others via a microphone while riding. The following features are not necessary for everyone, but if you have one of them, you will have a cooler helmet. Of course, more modern accessories mean more money to invest.
Type of Rider
Ask yourself to answer this question. I already showed you 5 different types of motorcycle helmets; now your task is to define who you are. If you’re a professional racer who run on rough terrain or racing track, you should choose a full-faced or off-road helmet for the maximal protection coverage. If you’re a safe motorcyclist who loves traveling on long highways, an open-faced helmet seems to be a wise selection. If you’re riding your bike every day in short roads to work or study, a half helmet is just enough.
Helmet Laws
It’s something frustrating and complicated, but you must follow it if you don’t want to be noticed by traffic police. I don’t know how the helmet laws of your country are, but in the USA, the difficulty is that the laws vary from state to state. To get the detailed information, go to the Internet. Here, I share with you an informative reference. Before buying any helmet, make sure it passes the required regulations of your state.
4. Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets
-------------------------------- Full Face Helmets --------------------------------
1. HJC HELMETS CL-MAX 2 Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- CL-MAX 2 is the latest breakthrough and a perfect replacement to the old CL-MAX 1. With powerful and useful functions, this product deserves to be the best full face motorcycle helmet in our list.
- The first thing to point out is the head shape. It’s what most HJC helmets are, and this one is no different on that front. Besides, it’s made out of high-quality polycarbonate composite shell that weighs only around three pounds. Also, this version has improved the ventilation performance using the ACVS (Advanced Channeling Ventilation System).
- Another new upgrade from the original is the Bluetooth integration. The Bluetooth capable has a separate storage place right on the helmet’s side for a chatter box in a sleek and aerodynamic construction, which makes it become an excellent built-in Bluetooth motorcycle helmet.
- The polycarbonate chin bar that goes across frontiers is adjustable. You can pull it down when you don't want a lot of airflow on your face or push it up if you don't want that full-face helmet. It works with a single button that you can open or close with one hand even if you're wearing gloves. All you do is pull push that button and pull up the face shield, and now you have an awesome modular helmet.
- The face shield has the power to prevent up to 95% of UV rays and has an HDAC QuickSlide replacement system. When you put the shield in the down position, the spring-loaded mechanism sucks the shield to the gasket creating a nice sound to notify everything fitted.
- The inside is made out of Bioceramic Nylex which is not only anti-microbial, anti-bacterial but also moisture-wicking to keep the moisture off of your head. Besides, it’s removable and washable allowing you to clean easily and quickly after a period of use.
- Allow to install Bluetooth speakers and a microphone
- Available with various color choices
- Face shield is easy to adjust and replace
- Adjustable and wide chin bar
- Wind noise inside the helmet is quite loud making you difficult to hear the music clearly from your speakers
2. LS2 Helmets Stream Fan Full Face Motorcycle Helmet with Sunshield
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- Here is a brand new entry-level helmet from LS2. What's great about this helmet is that it's extremely affordable (half the price of other best full face motorcycle helmets), so there're a lot of value into this thing.
- LS2 Stream Fan is a long oval head form, which has an angular pattern going to be a lot more elongated than you would typically see. If you’re intermediate oval or even a round-head shape, it might not be the helmet for you because it's just not quite fit. However, for those of you that are long level, this is a perfect helmet to take a look.
- The shell is made of polycarbonate and exceeds the ECE/DOT requirements for safety. It’s lightweight and allow a decent amount of air through a couple of vents on top. They’re easy to adjust even if you’re wearing gloves. Toward the back, you have a series of exhaust vents allowing the hot air out to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible.
- What's great about this helmet as well is that you get a really thick face shield which is only 3 millimeters and comes with a pin lock. It's always ready, so you just have to drop that in, and you're ready to go. Moreover, this pin lock is the best form of anti-fog that you can put on your helmet.
- LS2 Stream Fan features a twin shield system to protects your eyes from the sunlight. Especially, the shield adjustment mechanism is very easy. You have a nice fluid motion on the latch, and in the front, you have your tab to push down with either your left or right hand.
- Now, take a look at the interior. You have a removable neck roll. The fabric is moisture wicking. It's also removable, washable, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. Everything keeps your helmet as fresh as it should be. In the crown of the liner, you have a lot of mesh to allow the air to circulate and keep you cool and dry.
- Perfect for long oval head
- Face shield is easy to adjust and replace
- Very affordable price compared to other full-face helmets
- Very thick face shield
- Unsuitable for intermediate oval or round head
- No hole for speakers or a Bluetooth device
-------------------------------- Half Size Helmets --------------------------------
3. HJC IS-Cruiser Motorcycle Half-Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- Coming from one of the best motorcycle helmet brands, HJC IS-2 truly sets it apart from other helmets of this style in this price. This helmet is available in many sizes, from extra-small to extra-large choices. There are three features on this helmet that really make it stand out from the crowd.
- The first is the drop-down sunshield. Don't get me wrong! HJC IS-2 is obviously not the first best half helmet to offer this feature, but it's one of the first to get right. The shield is extremely simple to adjust and doesn't scrape against the show when you raise or lower it. There is no complex release system to fail or add unnecessary weight to the helmet, but it's also not so simple that makes you feel fragile or cheap.
- The second is the Venturi ventilation system. There's no intake vent to push the air out, but what you do is that you have an area of low pressure with the high-speed air coming over. It’s effective in sucking the warm moist air out of your head. If you're riding in hot days, you will clearly feel how it works for you.
- Finally, I come to the SilverCool interior. HTC is equipped with moisture-wicking, odor-free, and anti-bacterial liner. I know this isn't something new, but what's unique is that it's fully removable and washable without making a helmet look any larger.
- Like other best motorcycle helmets, HJC IS-2’s shell is made of advanced polycarbonate composite which is both sturdy and lightweight with only about 2.5 pounds. Besides, the drop-down design makes this helmet incredibly secure.
- Simple but effective drop-down sunshield
- Unique ventilation system
- High-quality interior
- No channeling underneath the liner
- Quite poor optics
-------------------------------- Open Face Helmets --------------------------------
4. SMITH OPTICS Unisex Adult Vantage Snow Sports Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- Personally, Unisex Adult Vantage is one of the best looking motorcycle helmets on our list. It has a nice shape and comes with a variety of colors (up to about 30 different choices), such as Matte Black/Red Matte White, Matte Opal Woolrich, and much more. Be designed for both traffic and sport purposes, this hard-core helmet is ultimate in many aspects.
- The shell construction is made of high-quality plastic which is not only extremely sturdy to suffer from intense collisions but also 100% recyclable. The inserts include 4 separate components featured with Aerocore construction and Koroyd technology to improve the impact performance.
- Open cell construction with 21 vents allows air to freely flow into and out of the helmet. You get the extra breathability as well as the highest comfort as wearing the helmet. These vents are adjustable, which mean you can totally or partially open/close them in groups easily by using a couple of slide trips at the top of the helmet.
- Another great advantage of Unisex Adult Vantage is the snap-fit SL ear pads. It gives you a comfortable and extra coverage protection while traveling or playing sports. For more protection, you can wear ultra-light goggles (sold separately) together with the helmet to add both fashion and safety at the same time. There is a goggle locker at the back of the helmet, which is responsible for making sure the two items are attached securely and firmly.
- Finally, what really outstanding about this helmet is a little pocket inside each ear pad. Now, you can install your motorcycle Bluetooth helmet speakers or any communication system.
- Various colors to choose
- Excellent ventilation system
- Replaceable ear pads
- Support Bluetooth speakers
- The ear pads are not as soft as I expected
5. BELL Pit Boss Unisex-Adult Half Street Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- Pit Boss is best open face helmet from Bell, which is designed to perfectly fit on your head. As you’re wearing, it's not just sitting up on top of your head like many other shorty-style helmets, but this one actually sits down nicely and stably on your head. Besides, there’re available three different shell and EPS sizes for different personalized fits.
- Another great feature of Pit Boss is the internal sunshade. It’s truly a convenient way to have a drop-down protection so that you don't have to wear glasses or goggles while riding. For more coverage, you can also install a smoke one if you want.
- One unique feature of this helmet is the shell material. Instead of polycarbonate like most helmets in our list, this one tries matrix shelf which is a combination of Kevlar fiberglass and carbon fiber. You will a very advanced shell construction.
- What’s about the liner interior? The inside of this helmet is very nice and clean with anti-bacterial microfiber material. Especially, there is one thing that you rarely see on motorcycle helmets is the innovative speed dial system. It’s basically a ratcheting adjustment system with the function like a cradle of your head’s back. You can tighten it up for a custom fit, and it’ll prevent your helmet from pulling off your head or lifting while highway-speed riding.
- You also notice that there's a couple of neck pads that goes all the way down around the base of the helmet to your ears. Especially, there is a little pocket inside the pads, allowing you to install motorcycle Bluetooth speakers or any communication system. You can remove those pads by snapping the zipper in summertime to open unrestricted airflow throughout your head.
- Replaceable ear pads
- Innovative speed dial system for maximal custom fit
- Support Bluetooth speakers
- Three shells / EPS sizes
- Removing the visor make the helmet look uncomplete due to exposed hardware
- The sunshield is scratched easily
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- IS-33 is a refined example of the popular open-faced style of motorcycle helmets and an excellent value.
- The helmet has a polycarbonate outer shell. Even though it doesn't have the impact absorption or ultra-light weight as fiberglass composite shells, it’s still very high-quality and weighs only 3.2 pounds.
- IS-33 is available in six solid colors and numerous graphics. While most helmets in this price point have tiny bit of trash or imperfections in the paint, IS-33 looks very sharp.
IS-33 has an excellent channeling ventilation system which works very well to introduce cool air into the front of the helmet and extract hot moist air out the back. While you’re looking at the multi-piece multi-density EPS liner, you can also see the silver cool liner. This is one of my favorite helmet liner systems since the wicking fabric is very soft. It's definitely a helmet that's going to be comfortable all day long.
- The cheek pads are equipped with speaker pockets for adding a communication system such as a couple of Bluetooth motorcycle helmet speakers. Even more, the rear tab has been replaced with a patch of Velcro to make speaker adjustments much easier.
- One feature on this IS-33 that surprised me the most is the shield system. In addition to the wide peripheral view and the clarity, the shield works really well with an iPod gasket - quiet road and wind noise. To remove the shield just press this lever toward the rear of the helmet and pull out on the rear edge of the shield. To reinstall just press the shield against the base plate.
- The final feature on this IS-33 review is the three-stage one-touch integrated sunshield. This system is almost perfect. The lever is easy to find and the shield comes down far enough that you're not looking at the bottom edge of the sunshield while riding.
- Support Bluetooth speakers and a microphone
- Very soft wicking fabric
- Silver cool liner
- Spring-loaded mechanism isn't throttled when releasing
- The sunshield doesn't lower enough to be optimally positioned
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7. GLX Modular Helmet with Sun Shield
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- This helmet is a modular design, so it provides the protection as excellent as a full-faced model but much more flexible since you can easily open the face shield to transform it into an open-faced model. Besides, GLX includes a plenty of great features making their product worth to be the best modular helmet.
- The first point is the outer shell. Since it’s made of extremely high-resistant thermoplastic, it easily withstands intense crashes and collisions. In term of weight, this kind of material also makes sure the unit is light so that you will not strain any muscle even as travelling a long ride.
- Now, talking about the replaceable face shield. Once you pull it down, it’s similar that you’re wearing built-in high-quality goggles to protect your eyes from UV rays of the sun. Moreover, since the shield release system is very flexible, you have no hassle when opening or closing it partially or entirely.
- About the integrated sun shield. It’s anti-fog and anti-scratch. It gives you an extra protection, so even when you pull up the face shield, you still have this sun shield to protect your eyes.
- The advanced channeling ventilation system is another strong point of this helmet. There are totally four vents on the top and two on the back of the unit. They give you the proper airflow as you’re riding your bike so that you will never feel gaged for the deficiency of air.
- Like other best motorcycle helmets, the interior liner of GLX is also fully removable and washable. It’s also anti-odor and anti-bacteria to enhance the comfort and hygiene for you as wearing.
- High level of ventilation
- Replaceable shields
- High-resistant thermoplastic outer shell
- Full-faced and open-faced choices in one unit
- The lever to activate the visor is quite weak and seem to be broken easily
- Only white and black colors
8. LS2 HELMETS Strobe Civik Modular Motorcycle Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- LS2 Strobe Civik is the best modular helmet for many reasons. Firstly, its shell is made of what's called kinetic polymer alloy which is very light and sturdy, easily to exceeds the DOT and ECE standards. The shell comes in 10 different colors.
- Like the GLX Modular Helmet, this one also come with a built-in twin shield system (face shield and sun shield), and these two are all scratch-resistant and anti-fog. Since the shield release system is very flexible, you have no hassle when opening or closing it partially or entirely. Pin lock is always ready and comes with short shift change mechanism. The drop-down sun shield is easy to use and operate via sliding a strip button on the right side of the helmet.
- On the front of the helmet, there is a button responsible for opening or closing the face shields. You simply press it to open. It locks nicely into place, so it's not going to fall when you don't want. Besides, it has a fully metal pin and locking mechanism, so when you close it, you have a nice and secure unit.
- Moreover, the helmet features top vents and dual-stage bottom vents, creating an adjustable and easy-to-use flow-through ventilation system to keep you cool in the heat and keep you warm in when it's cold.
- Looking on the inside of the helmet, you have a nice reflective hit. You also see a DOT approved quick-release strap system. What’s about the liner of this helmet? Well! It’s made of technical fabric that's breathable, washable and hypoallergenic. You can take it out, wash it and keep it as fresh as the day you bought it.
- High level of ventilation
- Replaceable built-in twin shield
- High-resistant kinetic polymer outer shell
- Full-faced and open-faced choices in one unit
- The vents are not the greatest for airflow
-------------------------------- Off-Road Helmet --------------------------------
9. BELL Airtrix Paradise Men's MX-9 Off-Road Motorcycle Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- MX-9 is a nice mid-level priced helmet from Bell. It’s offered in seven different graphics and colors. Each comes with a specific name, and this one is called Airtrix Paradise Men. The size range of MX-9 runs from extra small to double XL, and this one is 2XL.
- Talking about cool features, the helmet has a polycarbonate shell design, and it’s very lightweight with only about three pounds. Bell provides you with three different shell and EPS sizes for different personalized fits.
- The mesh screen is fully metal and guaranteed to stop debris from getting through. Inside the chin bar, there is a washable, replaceable filter. The visor is fully adjustable by two knobs on both sides of the helmet. You’re able to move it up or down easily and quickly even while riding.
- About the ventilation system, aggressive vents located all through the front of the chin bar improve the airflow air on your face. Vents on the visor help to push air up into intake channels appear in the very top. Two nice big exhaust vents help to pull the hot air and moisture out of the back of the helmet. You keep a good flow of air going through your head as you're riding for the day.
- Getting inside the helmet, like other best motorcycle helmets for sale, the liner of MX-9 is completely removable, washable, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial.
- Various cool graphic designs
- High level of ventilation
---------------------- Built-In Bluetooth Helmet ----------------------
10. BILT Techno Bluetooth Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
Editor's Rating:
Key Features And Qualities Of This Product:
- In my opinion, this helmet is a revolution. At the first glance, it’s a regular full-faced helmet, but if you take a closer look into the design or better use it once, you will realize that this one is a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet with a fully integrated Bluetooth communication system which has the range of 1/3 mile.
- This system offers you excellent communications GPS and music capabilities. If you enjoy listening to music while traveling, the helmet helps you to do that very easily with one-touch operation mechanism.
- Besides, the voice command of your phone is prominent. If you say “call Nicky”, the phone's going to call Nicky for you to get a conversation. How cool that is! You can also talk with a passenger or up to three other riders with a DWO-3 Bluetooth device.
- About the microphone, BILT Techno has an ultra-quiet noise-canceling microphone. It works so well that your call might not even be aware you're on your motorcycle.
Just like other best full face motorcycle helmets, BILT Techno also features a full polycarbonate shell offering excellent impact resistance. It's also very lightweight for putting tons of miles on your adventure bike. You will have very comfortable rides!
- Another great feature is the forced-air ventilation system. The air coming out of the full air-free visors forced into the events in the front of the helmet and pulls all the warm moisture out the back, giving maximal comfort all day long. To do that, the visor has vent holes to capture any air when you're blazing on freeway. And in the back of the helmet, there is a rear spoiler to push the helmet down at high speeds in order to reduce stress in your neck.
- For other features, there are no much differences compared to other best motorcycle helmets. The drop-down sunshield is flexibly adjustable with different levels. Besides, you have a fully removable liner to keep your helmet clean.
- Bluetooth compatible for hand-free calling and music
- Hight-quality audio/speaker
- Hight-tech helmet but very affordable in price
- The Bluetooth device need to be charged for a full three-hour operation
- Wind noise can impact the voice quality of your calls
- Fitting issues
5. Conclusion
No matter how frequent you ride your bike or which motorcycle you use, the simple but vital rule to follow is always wearing a helmet to protect your head, face, and even neck from collision and impact. Since a helmet is not something that cost a lot of money, my advice for you is picking up the best motorcycle helmet.
Personally, I prefer the LS2 Strobe Civik for two reasons. Firstly, it’s a modular model which allows me to transform from a full-faced helmet into an open-faced one within seconds with just one hand even while I’m riding my bike. Secondly, it has an excellent outer shell, prominent twin-shields, and advanced liner interior. For me, this is the best modular helmet ever.
If you’re a professional motorcyclist who traveling with groups in long highways and need a “mobile phone” to communicate with other drivers, go for the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmet like BILT Techno Bluetooth. Also, don’t forget to invest on the best motorcycle helmet speakers to have the nicest conversations.
Hope you enjoy our motorcycle helmet reviews! Thanks for reading!
