The Best Motorcycle Helmets

This list covers the best five motorcycle helmets available.

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet might be your most important decision as a rider. The wrong helmet can seriously impact your enjoyment and your safety.

That’s why we’ve reviewed and researched the safest, best performing, and most highly-rated motorcycle helmets for different riding styles.

Overall, the AGV K6 was our favorite pick for most riders under most conditions.

The AGV K6 combines top-end safety features and comfort with a reasonable price for street riding, touring, and racing.

Keep reading as we review the AGV K6 and other top motorcycle helmets

AVG is best known for high-end manufacturing sport and off-road motorcycle helmets. The K6 is somewhat of an exception, a versatile helmet meant for everyday use. 

The K6 is not cheap by any standard. However, it offers many of the qualities of AGV’s top-end helmets at a more reasonable price point.

The AGV K6 combines some of the best features of sport and touring helmets. So, you can expect the aerodynamics and performance-based features of a sports helmet and the comfort of a touring helmet. As a result, the K6 performs excellently according to the needs of different situations and riding styles.

The shell consists of both carbon and aramid fibers. Aramid (Kevlar) offers outstanding protection, while carbon ensures that the helmet is relatively lightweight. A 5-layer inner liner of EPF foam provides extra impact absorption without adding weight. The AVG K6 only weighs 2.95 pounds, much lighter than your average helmet. 

You can expect good aerodynamics in all riding positions. The intermediate-oval shell should provide a snug yet comfortable fit for most users with narrower sides and a slightly longer diameter from front to back. Ritmo and Shalimar fabric interior offers a luxurious feel against the cheek and head.

It also gives the helmet a sleek and sporty appearance that fits in equally well on the track or the street. It’s not as aggressive as AGV’s usual designs but will appeal to street bikers that want a racier look. For example, the front chin does not protrude nearly as much, and the rear spoiler is more subdued.

There are also many features to look forward to if you plan on long rides. Moisture-wicking liners absorb sweat to prevent it from getting in your eyes and keep the shell interior dry. Five adjustable front vents and one sizable rear vent also help with cooling. 

The K6 even features a collar bone-safe design to prevent banging or chafing over extended periods. An abrasion and water-resistant neck roll offer extra support and comfort, too. The visor mechanism is compact and easy to use, so you’ll be able to swap shields quickly. And the shield gasket is effective at noise and wind reduction.

The shell comes in four sizes, so you should be able to find an ideal one for your head circumference and shape. The available sizes are XS-SM, MS, ML-LG, and XL-2XL. It also comes in four colors: black, matte black, white, and grey.

The AGV K6 is primarily a premium, go-anywhere, do-everything street helmet. However, several racing organizations are also starting to recognize this ECE racing for use on the track. The helmet is also DOT certified.

All these factors make the K6 one of the few helmets that can effortlessly transition from the street to touring to racing. If you have the budget, few helmets offer such wide-ranging performance.

The C70 is HJC’s successor to the IS17. Like its predecessor, the C70 is meant to be a budget-friendly option that performs well in various situations.

As a brand, HJC is known for its sporty race and off-road helmets, evident in the C70s design. Like the IS17, one of the C70s key features is its internal sun visor to prevent glare while riding.

The C70 is only available in two shell sizes: an XS to M and an LG to 2-XL. The internal shell shape is an intermediate to long oval shape. Round shells are far more common at this price point. That makes the C70 an excellent option for those with a longer head shape that don’t want to spend extra for a comfortable fit.

The helmet features two relatively large front vents, one right under the visor and a chimney vent on the top. You can open or close both vents using the large, glove-friendly actuators, which make on-the-fly adjustments effortless. Two non-actuating rear vents are connected to the front vents with two airflow channels.

A clear, pinlock-ready HJ-20M Faceshield comes with the C70. The face shield provides a surprisingly tight shield for an affordable motorcycle helmet.

You can easily open or close the shield while riding using the center-locking pinlock system. The mechanism is easy to open, even while wearing gloves, and simply snaps into place when you close the visor.

The internal sun visor has its actuator at the top rear of the helmet with only fully open or closed positions. The only problem some have with this design is that there is still a tiny gap in the fully closed position that can let some sunlight through.

The HJ-20M shield offers 99% UV-A & B and anti-fog protection, while the HJ-V7 visor is Anti-Fog and Anti-Scratch coated.

As a budget helmet, you can’t expect all the comforts or extras you would get with premium options. For example, there are no speaker recesses, and the interior is relatively basic.

However, the interior does feature a surprisingly sophisticated liner system with a proper brow mount to relieve pressure points. You’ll enjoy a more comfortable ride thanks to moisture-wicking technology and slightly contoured cheek pads. All the interior padding is removable and washable.

The C70 is made from HJC’s Advanced Polycarbonate Composite shell that’s exceptionally lightweight. The helmet is both ECE 22.05 and DOT-approved, so it does provide a decent level of protection.

The C70 offers exceptional value while respecting your budget. The C70 consistently exceeds expectations regarding comfort and safety for a budget helmet.

The 2022 edition of the Arai Corsair X IOM is the latest version of Arai’s top-of-the-range sport bike helmet.

It’s an evolution rather than a complete redesign of the Corsair V IOM that has received several tweaks to improve the aerodynamics and weight. However, its key features are still race-level design and safety.

The Arai Corsair has always offered excellent impact protection. However, the shell has been slightly redesigned to minimize the risk when “glancing off” impacts that are common when crashing at high speeds. Arai did this by making the shell stronger and smoother. This allows the helmet to redistribute forces and glance off the surface instead of gripping or catching on them.

The VAS (Variable Axis System) side pod and pivot cover are now positioned lower in the shell to allow the shield to more easily glance off surfaces. The new shield latch system prevents the shield from unexpectedly opening during a crash and makes it easier to operate.

The shell interior has also undergone several improvements. The PB SNC2 Shell consists of a composite of Super Fiber and other synthetic fibers developed for F-1 helmet visor panels. And Arai has reformulated their resin to provide stronger bonds between layers while also weighing less.

The Corsair X IOM has excellent aerodynamics and airflow as a premium racing helmet. A chin curtain blocks air from blowing in the bottom of the helm during high speeds. The Corsair-V’s Type-12 air diffusers have been redesigned for better all-around performance combined with the proprietary AirWing technology. This results in improved aerodynamics, stability, and, according to Arai, 19% increased efficiency.

All the front vents are adjustable with open, half open, and closed positions. In total, there are 13 vents, with six at the front and seven in the back. The chin curtain also helps create negative pressure inside the helm, improving the exhaust vent performance. Outstanding ventilation has always been, and is still, one of its star features.

All the vents will snap off under impact rather than catch on something and rotate the head.

Unlike most racing helmets with shield side pods, the shield on the Corsair is quick and easy to remove. That’s because it uses a dual-function lever that releases both the shield and side pods at the same time.

The Corsair X is both DOT and Snell 2020-approved. With Snell certification, the Corsair has proven it can offer protection in a severe impact, like in a race. On the other hand, DOT certification means it can handle more mundane everyday impacts.

Bell has been one of the leading makers of helmets for motocross and dirt bike industries for years. The Moto-9 is one of their flagship products and a long-time favorite of dirt bikers. While there are free variations, the MIPS is the version with Bell’s Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS).

One of the Moto-9s distinguishing features is its composite Tri-Matrix shell construction. The Tri-Matrix shell is a composite of aramid fiber, carbon fiber, and fiberglass. This proprietary blend of fibers produces a lightweight shell while offering superb protection against various impact types.

The MIPS energy management system is designed to minimize the effects of impacts that would otherwise rotate the head. It does this by redistributing and displacing the energy of impacts so that it doesn’t go straight to the head.

The Moto-9 also offers some unique features in the case of an emergency. The Magnefusion Emergency Release System (MERS) allows medics or other responders to remove the helmet safely. It’s also compatible with other inflatable airbag systems that eject the helmet. The helmet check pads attach to the helmet using magnets so that you can easily remove them.

The Moto-9 MIPS carries DOT, ECE, and Snell M2015-certified. The latter means it’s designed specifically for motorcycle racing and similar motorsports safety. So, it should be legal to race with this helmet in most off-road competitions.

The Moto-9 MIPS is more expensive than other similar helmets from Bell. However, you get more quality-of-life features and higher quality materials with the Moto-9 MIPS. For example, you get improved ventilation and a more prominent chin bar. Bell replaced the clunky plastic mounting screws with QuickFlip metal screws on the visor.

Most riders will find that the Moto-9 MIPS adjusts easily to their riding style. The flying bridge visor is fully adjustable, and the eyeport is large enough to accommodate most motorcycle goggles.

Most experienced motocross riders agree that it’s best to have an eyeport that’s too big than too small. A small gap between the helmet and goggles can provide some much-needed ventilation.

The interior is pretty luxurious for a motocross helmet. The EPS-lined chin bar is fully ventilated, and the Moto-9 comes with an integrated roost guard vent. The X-Static XT2 silver liner provides a comfortable, snug fit and is easy to remove.

With an intermediate oval shell, the Moto-9 MIPS should comfortably fit most individuals. One of the few cons is that it’s somewhat heavier for a motocross helmet, although it’s still relatively light compared with other types of helmets.

You’ll first notice that the Shark Street Drak has a sleek and attractive aviator-inspired design. That’s not always the case with rounded helmets.

It looks particularly cool with the face mask attached, which makes it almost look like a fighter pilot helmet. It also comes in stylish colors, like matte black or high-visibility yellow.

The helm contains injected thermoplastic resin. For added impact absorption and protection, it contains an EPS inner liner. The Shark Street Drak does have a UNECE R 22.05 certification, so it does offer decent protection for a modular helmet.

The interior padding consists of AEGIS®-labeled MICROTECH, which is an anti-bacterial fabric. All interior padding is removable and washable. The Drak also comes with a slot for a Sharktooth® intercom system.

Importantly, you should remember that the face mask only consists of thermoplastic. So, it will protect you against the elements and annoyances like dust or insects. While it won’t give you any protection in an accident, it is well-vented and does attach very securely to the goggles.

Furthermore, while you can wear the visor without the face mask, you can’t wear the face mask without the visor. That’s because the face mask mounts directly to the visor without direct helmet connectors. The good news is that everything attaches and detaches with ease.

The off-road style goggles are included with the helmet and come with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings. The goggles are frameless, with the elastic straps incorporating straight into the side of the helmet.

Being frameless means you’ll have a better wide-angle view, while the built-in straps make it easier to flip the goggles up and down. It also leads to a less bulky design.

The Drak comes in three versions, with the others being the X and S Drak. All three are built on the same platform, so you can expect similar features and benefits. The X Drak is made for off-road use with a flying bridge visor, and the S features a built-in visor instead of a goggle system.

A rounded oval profile means the Dark offers more space on the sides and less from front to back. So, it’s best suited for those with a broader and shorter head shape. The Drak is also available in two sizes, SM-MD and LG-XL. The rest of the shell is aerodynamic, with only a single large vent at the top.

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The Best Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide

A motorcycle helmet is the most crucial gear for any motorcycle rider. Although they look simple from the outside, there are many important factors to consider before buying a helmet.

Some of the basic features you should look for are:

• Ventilation systems
• Style variations
• Aerodynamics
• Anti-glare, anti-fog, anti-scratch coating for shields
• Removable, washable, or anti-microbial inner padding

The below motorcycle helmet buying guide will help you choose the right one for your lifestyle:

Helmet Style

Today, there are many different styles of motorcycle helmets. Open helmets are lighter, more breathable, and give you a better range of view. However, they are not nearly as protective as closed, full-face helmets. Modular helmets can give you a bit of both world with removable goggles and chin bars.

Off-road helmets feature flying bridge visors and large chin bars for extra protection. They may also have other safety features, like ejectable inner padding. Dual sport helmets come with elements from both to provide decent performance on the street and off-road. Touring helmets are optimized for comfort on long, cross-country rides.

Finally, you get sports racing helmets. These are designed to offer maximum protection during high-speed impacts. They may also have other handy features for the track, such as a speaker system and advanced aerodynamics.

Shape and Size

Choosing the correct shape and size is important not only for your comfort but also for your safety.

Motorcycle helmets typically come in three shapes; round, intermediate, or oval. Rounder helmets have similar diameter in all directions plus a narrower front-to-back profile, while oval helmets have a longer front-to-back profile and a narrower left-to-right profile. 

A helmet model also usually comes in different sizes. Helmet sizes work similar to t-shirt or pants sizes, with XS, S, M, LG, XL, and 2XL. The more sizes a helmet comes in, the more likely you’ll find one that fits perfectly. However, most helmets come in two (e.g., XS – M and LG – 2XL) to four (e.g., XS-SM, MS, ML-LG, and XL-2XL) different sizes.

Most online stores provide a sizing guide to help you pick the right helmet.

Protection & Safety

A helmet is your most important piece of protective gear when riding a motorbike. Today’s helmets come with many built-in safety features and protections. The best way to be sure is to check the model for any safety certifications.

You should know the most important ones for motorcycle helmets are ECE (Economic Commission for Europe), DOT (Department of Transportation), and Snell. ECE and DOT typically cover more day-to-day safety standards. Some Snell guidelines uphold the standards for extreme off-road or sports racing helmets.

You should always check the certification of your helmet and the exact regulatory code. This will allow you to check whether it’s suitable for how you plan to use it.

Conclusion

There you have our top picks for the best motorcycle helmets in 2022. No matter what type of riding you’re into, you can find the perfect helmet for protection and comfort that also happens to suit your style. You can’t go wrong with any of the helmets above, but the buying guide will help you make an informed decision.