Gear · Helmets

The Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2026

Every helmet ranked by the KickTheStand score, protection, weight, noise and value consolidated from expert reviews. Verify certifications and fit before buying; a helmet that fits your head shape always beats one that merely scores well.

Not sure which one? Take the Helmet Finder

Five questions about your riding, budget and must-haves, and we rank every lid here by fit for you.

Budget Adventure Modular Touring Track & Sport Commuting Lightest Open-Face New Riders

01
Shoei · Full-Face
Shoei RF-1400
9.2
The benchmark sport-touring full-face: quiet, aerodynamic and superbly finished, with the all-round refinement that keeps it the default premium pick.
DOT SNELL M2020
Price
$579
Weight
1453 g
Shell
Multi-Ply
Read review
02
Arai · Full-Face
Arai Corsair-X
9.1
Arai’s flagship race lid: a hand-built, round-smooth shell prized for protective philosophy and fit, if you can stomach the price and the fiddly visor change.
DOT SNELL M2020
Price
$849
Weight
1560 g
Shell
PB-SNC2
Read review
03
AGV · Full-Face
AGV K6 S
9.0
A featherweight, race-derived full-face that brings near-superbike helmet performance to the road for sensible money, light, airy and quick-steering.
ECE 22.06 DOTSHARP 5/5
Price
$549
Weight
1350 g
Shell
Carbon-aramid
Read review
04
Shoei · Modular
Shoei Neotec 3
9.0
The modular-touring benchmark: quiet, beautifully finished and packed with the sun visor and integrated comms that make big-mileage days effortless.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$799
Weight
1730 g
Shell
Multi-Ply
Read review
05
Klim · Adventure
Klim Krios Pro
8.9
The lightweight ADV benchmark: a carbon shell that’s genuinely comfortable all day, aero-stable with the peak on, and one of the lightest do-it-all lids made.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$699
Weight
1450 g
Shell
Koroyd
Read review
06
Shoei · Full-Face
Shoei GT-Air 3
8.9
The full-face touring sweet spot: Neotec-grade quietness and a sun visor in a lighter fixed-chin shell, with slick SRL3 comms integration for big-mileage riders.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$699
Weight
1599 g
Shell
Multi-Ply
Read review
07
Schuberth · Modular
Schuberth C5
8.8
A flip-up tourer built around quietness and comms: the C5 pairs a slippery shell with a ready-to-go antenna system for riders who live on the motorway.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$699
Weight
1640 g
Shell
Direct
Read review
08
Arai · Adventure
Arai XD-5
8.7
The adventure-touring default: Arai’s protective shell with a switchable peak/visor setup that works on tarmac, trail and in the dirt with goggles.
DOT SNELL M2020
Price
$759
Weight
1660 g
Shell
PB-cLc2
Read review
09
HJC · Full-Face
HJC RPHA 12
8.5
A genuine value-sport full-face that undercuts the premium names while delivering most of the performance, the smart pick for sporty riders on a budget.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$500
Weight
1490 g
Shell
PIM
Read review
10
Arai · Full-Face
Arai Regent-X
8.4
The accessible Arai: the same hand-built, round-smooth protective philosophy as the flagship lids at a far friendlier price, with an easier pull-on shell design.
DOT SNELL M2020
Price
$450
Weight
1620 g
Shell
PB-cLc
Read review
11
Schuberth · Adventure
Schuberth E2
8.4
The adventure-touring flip-up: Schuberth’s quiet DFP shell with a chin bar that opens, a peak that stays stable and comms wiring already in the shell, the do-it-all for ADV mile-eaters.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$799
Weight
1850 g
Shell
Direct
Read review
12
Shoei · Open-Face
Shoei J-Cruise II
8.2
The premium open-face: a proper sealed shield, sun visor and comms integration give the J-Cruise II full-face refinement with open-face airflow and visibility.
DOT ECE 22.05
Price
$549
Weight
1397 g
Shell
Multi-Ply
Read review
13
AGV · Full-Face
AGV K1 S
7.9
Race-replica looks and geometry on a starter budget: the K1 S borrows AGV’s MotoGP aero and eye-port in a sharp, sporty lid that undercuts everything wearing the same silhouette.
ECE 22.06 DOT
Price
$250
Weight
1520 g
Shell
High-resistance
Read review
14
LS2 · Modular
LS2 Valiant II
7.9
The convertible: a 180-degree rotating chin bar turns the Valiant II into a genuine open-face, making it the most flexible modular shape this side of much pricier rivals.
DOT ECE 22.05
Price
$350
Weight
1800 g
Shell
KPA
Read review
15
Bell · Adventure
Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS
7.9
The budget ADV default: MIPS protection, three shell sizes and real goggle compatibility for a fraction of the premium adventure lids, if you can live with the noise.
DOT ECE 22.06
Price
$240
Weight
1690 g
Shell
Polycarbonate
Read review
16
HJC · Modular
HJC i90
7.8
The budget modular benchmark: sun visor, Pinlock and comms-ready convenience at a third of the price of the premium flip-ups, with honest trade-offs in noise and weight.
DOT ECE 22.05
Price
$260
Weight
1700 g
Shell
Advanced
Read review
17
Icon · Full-Face
Icon Airflite
7.8
The style pick: an aggressive streetfighter silhouette with an internal sun visor and the boldest graphics catalogue in the class, backed by sound everyday usability.
DOT ECE 22.05
Price
$300
Weight
1700 g
Shell
Injection-molded
Read review
18
Scorpion · Full-Face
Scorpion EXO-R420
7.8
A sporty, well-equipped budget full-face that punches above its price with multiple shell sizes and a no-fog shield, a smart value step up from the cheapest lids.
DOT ECE 22.06
Price
$160
Weight
1610 g
Shell
Polycarbonate
Read review
19
Bell · Modular
Bell SRT Modular
7.7
A rare fiberglass shell in the budget modular class: the SRT Modular trades weight for a more premium-feeling structure, wide Panovision view and easy comms fitment.
DOT
Price
$270
Weight
1810 g
Shell
Fiberglass
Read review
20
HJC · Full-Face
HJC i10
7.6
The cheapest credible SNELL-rated lid: the i10 pairs serious certification with everyday comfort, making it the safety-per-dollar pick among budget full-faces.
DOT SNELL M2020
Price
$160
Weight
1559 g
Shell
Advanced
Read review
21
Bell · Full-Face
Bell Qualifier
7.4
The default budget full-face: heavier and louder than premium lids, but safe, comfortable enough and astonishing value for a first or back-up helmet.
DOT ECE 22.05
Price
$120
Weight
1700 g
Shell
Polycarbonate
Read review
22
Bell · Open-Face
Bell Custom 500
7.2
The classic three-quarter: a genuinely low-profile fiberglass shell in five sizes that nails the retro look, accepted trade-off being the minimal coverage of any open-face.
DOT ECE 22.06
Price
$170
Weight
1000 g
Shell
Low-profile
Read review

How to choose a motorcycle helmet

Start with fit, not features. Helmets come in head shapes (round oval, intermediate oval, long oval) as well as sizes, and a $700 lid in the wrong shape protects worse than a $200 one in the right shape. Measure your head above the eyebrows, try the helmet on for 15 minutes, and check it grips your cheeks and cannot rotate independently of your skin.

Then match the type to your riding. A fixed full-face is the default: lightest, quietest and cheapest at any quality level. Pick a modular if you flip the lid open often (glasses, fuel stops, talking), an adventure lid if your routes include dirt, and an open-face only with eyes open about the coverage you give up.

Spend on certification and comfort, in that order. Look for ECE 22.06 or SNELL M2020 on top of the legal minimum, then put remaining budget into the things you feel every ride: weight, noise, ventilation, a Pinlock insert and (for commuting and touring) an internal sun visor. Our scores weigh exactly these factors, consolidated from the expert reviews listed on each helmet page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest motorcycle helmet certification?

ECE 22.06 is the most current and comprehensive standard (rotational impact, multiple speeds, visor testing); SNELL M2020 is the strictest on raw impact energy and is required by many US track organisations. DOT is the US legal minimum. A helmet carrying ECE 22.06 or SNELL on top of DOT has been tested well beyond the minimum.

How much should I spend on a motorcycle helmet?

A safe, certified full-face starts around $150. Between $300 and $600 you buy lighter composite shells, much less noise, better ventilation and extras like Pinlock inserts and sun visors. Past $700 you are paying for race-grade materials and hand-built refinement. Spend what makes you wear it every ride, and never buy used.

When should I replace my helmet?

After any impact, even a drop onto concrete from seat height can compress the EPS liner invisibly. With no crashes, replace roughly every 5 years of use: sweat, UV and compression slowly degrade the liner and fit.

Does helmet weight really matter?

Over an hour, yes. The difference between a 1350 g and a 1750 g lid is small in the hand and large on the neck at motorway speed, where aerodynamic drag multiplies the load. Touring and commuting riders feel it most.

What is a Pinlock and do I need one?

A Pinlock is an anti-fog insert that pins inside the face shield and creates a double-glazed air gap. If you ride in cold or wet weather it is the single best comfort upgrade there is; the better helmets include one in the box.

Prices are US MSRP and change; weights are the most-cited figure for a medium shell and vary by size. Always confirm the current certification and fit with the manufacturer or retailer.