The best bike helmets in 2025: expert tested and rated

Colorful bike helmets stacked on a table.
(Image credit: John Quain/Future)

If you want to stay safe while taking a ride, you'll need one of the best bike helmets. Whether you have a slip or something potentially more serious, these helmets are designed to protect your head, taking the impact for you.

But since you'll be wearing them in all conditions and for hours at a time, you want to find a helmet that'll be comfortable, breathable and still looks good as you clock up the miles. That's why we put the best bike helmets to the test.

We've ridden hundreds of miles in helmets ranging from $50 to $300, some with smart features, others designed to be solid and reliable without breaking the bank checking to see how they fared over extended periods.

Plus, we only feature helmets with MIPS technology, the industry standard, or something comparable to ensure top-notch protection from concussions and other head injuries.

So, before you head out on your new electric scooter or one of the best electric bikes, pick yourself up one of the best bike helmets to protect your head while on the road.

The best bicycle helmets you can buy today

How to choose the best bike helmet for you

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Shock absorption technology: There is still some debate about the most effective helmet technology for protecting your head. However, most researchers agree that it's the rotational forces that tend to cause the most damage, including concussions. The most popular technology today to address these types of crashes is the multi-directional impact protection system or MIPS technology. It is designed to reduce the rotational force on one's cranium in an accident by allowing the outer shell of the helmet to slide slightly on impact. Many helmet makers offer MIPS models, and there are a couple of competing designs, including POC's SPIN pads.

Fit Matters: Helmets need to fit snugly in order to protect your pate in an impact. Most models now feature a cage-like design that can loosen or tighten an interior set of straps to fit around your head. Over time, chin straps can stretch and loosen, so don't forget to snug them up on occasion. Also, make sure you don't push the helmet back; they're designed to sit slightly forward over your brow to protect your forehead.

Use case: Bikes are used in a variety of ways, from commuting to mountain biking, and bike helmet manufacturers make helmets tailored for those scenarios. While it's perfectly acceptable to wear a mountain bike helmet when cycling to work, it may have extra features, such as a visor or a chin guard, that you don't necessarily need or want to pay extra for. Look for a helmet that will best match how you plan to use your bike.

How we tested the best bike helmets

One of the criteria in selecting the best bike helmets to test was if they had MIPS protection or the equivalent. MIPS, which in this use stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, includes a layer that allows the helmet to slide relative to the head, thus reducing rotational forces that can cause concussions or other brain injuries.

We then wore the helmets on a number of bike rides, evaluating their fit, adjustability, and comfort. If a helmet had other features — such as built-in lights — we also tested their ease of use.

Bike helmet safety ratings

Of course, we could not test the helmets under actual crash conditions, so we consulted several test reports that conducted extensive lab-based impact analysis. Those included Virginia Tech and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's evaluation of 162 bike helmets and a 2021 study of 27 helmets tested in oblique impacts published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. We also considered the results of a 2020 study conducted by a Swedish insurance company as part of our evaluation.

Below is a chart with the Virginia Tech ratings of the helmets we reviewed; the lower the number, the better.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Best bike helmets safety ratings
Header Cell - Column 0

Giro Register MIPS

Bell Trace

Thousand Chapter MIPS

Bell Super Air R

Abus Gamechanger 2.0 MIPS

Specialized S-Works Prevail

Scott Vivo Plus

Lumos Ultra MIPS

Smith Express

POC Axion Spin

Outdoor Master Gem MIPS

Va. Tech rating (lower is better)

17.06

Not rated

12.91

Not rated

12.45

12.65

15.38

17.19

Not rated

Not rated

11.03

Since fit and comfort are two of the most important features of bicycle helmets, we then head-tested every model, riding many miles in different circumstances (off-road, dirt roads, highways and city streets) to see how they held up under real-world use.

Features comparison

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Best Bike Helmets - comparison table
Header Cell - Column 0

Giro Register MIPS

Bell Trace

Thousand Chapter MIPS

Bell Super Air R

Abus Gamechanger 2.0 MIPS

Specialized S-Works Prevail

Scott Vivo Plus

Lumos Ultra MIPS

Smith Express

POC Axion SPIN

Outdoor Master Gem MIPS

Type

Open, road biking

Open, road biking

Closed, road biking

Open, road and off road

Open, racing and road biking

Open, road biking

Open, road and off-road

Open, road biking, commuter

Enclosed, commuter

Open, road and off-road

Open, road biking

Design

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

MIPS

POC Spin

MIPS, EPS

Weight

280 g

360 g

370 g

640 g

270 g

305 g

390 g

370 g

886 g

350 g

300 g

Price

$70

$49

$145

$300

$229

$299

$60

$119

$110

$150

$49

Frequently asked questions

What size bike helmet do I need?

In order to be effective, a bike helmet must be properly sized to your head. Most helmets come in multiple sizes and will also have some sort of adjustment mechanism so they will fit snugly on your head.

In order to find your head size, take a tape measure or a piece of string and wrap it around the widest part of your head, about an inch above your eyebrows. Most bike helmet manufacturers will have a sizing chart so you know the appropriate model for your noggin.

Do bicycle helmets have a lifespan?

Any time you have an impact or even a tumble that doesn't result in injury, your helmet should be replaced—even if there is no visible damage. Any impact can reduce its ability to protect your noggin. (The same goes for ski and motorcycle helmets.)

While there’s no hard and fast rule, the general consensus is that bike helmets should be replaced every five years or so, depending on use. If you rarely use your helmet, it could last longer, but with normal wear and tear, five years is a good benchmark.

Do you have to wear a helmet if you're riding on a cycling path or pavement?

We recommend you wear a bike helmet no matter where you ride your bike. Accidents can occur anywhere, at any time. While there's no law in the U.S. that requires adult riders to wear a helmet while riding, why take the risk of serious injury?

What is a MIPS bicycle helmet?

MIPS is an acronym for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It's a protective layer inside a helmet that allows the helmet to rotate or slide when it hits something. This helps lessen the impact on your brain, which can reduce the severity of an injury, such as a concussion.

Is it better to size up or size down when buying a bike helmet?

The ideal bike helmet will fit you comfortably but snuggly. That said, if you're in between sizes and must size up or down, it is better to go with the smaller size. A helmet that is too large may move around on your head during impact, negating the protective properties.

Dan Bracaglia
Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables

Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others. 

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.

With contributions from
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