Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2026

Our recommendation

Shoei is our top-scoring pick in Motorcycle Helmets, at 9.6/10 — it highlights “Multi-composite fibre shells”.

Arai scores 9.1 and is the one to compare against it — it highlights “Hand-laid shell construction”.

Both scores are our editors’ assessment of published specifications, pricing and terms against the criteria in our rating methodology — they are not aggregated customer reviews.

Certification, and what each standard means

A helmet must carry a legitimate safety certification, and the marks differ in what they test.

DOT is the US federal minimum and is largely self-certified by manufacturers, with spot testing. ECE 22.06 is the current European standard and is the most demanding in general use — it tests at multiple impact speeds and points, includes rotational acceleration testing, and requires batch testing before sale. SNELL is voluntary and focuses on high-energy impacts, common on track-oriented helmets.

A helmet meeting ECE 22.06 has been through independent, wide-ranging testing. Be wary of novelty helmets carrying a DOT sticker but nothing else — the sticker is easily applied and means little on its own.

Fit is the safety feature

An uncertified helmet that fits is safer than a certified one that does not, because a loose helmet moves or comes off in an impact.

Measure the circumference of your head about an inch above the eyebrows and compare against the manufacturer's chart — sizes are not consistent between brands. Then check the shape: heads are broadly round, intermediate oval or long oval, and brands build to different default shapes. A helmet that presses on the forehead and temples but is loose at the sides is the wrong shape, not the wrong size.

A correct fit is snug everywhere with no pressure points, the cheek pads firmly against your face, and the helmet moving your scalp when you rotate it rather than sliding over it. Wear it for fifteen minutes in the shop — pressure points that are mild at first become unbearable at an hour.

Note that cheek pads compress with use, so a new helmet should be slightly tighter than comfortable.

Shell construction and shell count

Polycarbonate shells are inexpensive and heavier. Fibreglass composite is lighter and absorbs energy through controlled deformation. Carbon fibre is lightest and most expensive.

A specification worth knowing is the number of shell sizes a model uses. A helmet made in one shell with different thicknesses of padding is oversized on small heads — heavier, noisier and less aerodynamic. Manufacturers offering three or four shell sizes across the range give a better-proportioned helmet at each size.

Noise, ventilation and visors

Wind noise at motorway speed is loud enough to damage hearing over time, and helmet design affects it considerably — but not enough. Wear earplugs regardless of how quiet a helmet claims to be; this is the single most neglected piece of rider safety equipment.

Ventilation matters more than most buyers expect in traffic, where airflow drops. Look for vents you can operate with gloves on.

On visors: a Pinlock-ready visor with an anti-fog insert is the only thing that reliably stops fogging, and it is worth insisting on. Check tool-free visor removal, and that replacement visors are actually available for the model.

Full face, modular or open

Full face offers the most protection, including the chin bar — and a meaningful share of impacts involve the chin area.

Modular helmets lift the chin bar for convenience at stops. They are heavier and involve a hinge; look for dual certification indicating the helmet was tested in both positions.

Open face leaves the face exposed entirely. Comfortable in heat and considerably less protective.

Replacement

Replace a helmet after any impact, even without visible damage — the liner crushes to absorb energy and does not recover, and a dropped helmet from height onto a hard surface counts.

Manufacturers generally recommend replacement around five years from first use regardless, as liner materials, adhesives and comfort padding degrade. Check the manufacture date inside a new helmet, since shelf time counts.

Never buy a used helmet. You cannot know its impact history, and that is the only thing that matters.

Certification standards, sizing and model availability vary by region and change over time. Try a helmet on before buying where possible, and confirm current specifications with the manufacturer.