About Our Selections
When you’re out riding, you’ll want nothing less than the best gear available. Even if you prefer the wind on your face or an unobstructed view, there’s no denying that there’s nothing safer than a full-face helmet (the best modular helmets come close, but they have a hinge that a proper full face doesn't).
There’s no shortage of decent lids available on the market, but they are plenty of substandard helmets still being sold. To help point you in the right direction, we’ve got a list of some of the best full-face helmets you can currently buy, across the full budget spectrum.
Before we jump in and take a look, it’s worth noting how we came to these conclusions.
Firstly, there’s no such thing as a perfect helmet. What works for one rider won’t work for another. Some riders can’t ride with too much wind noise, while others don’t mind it. Some riders wear eyeglasses and need a helmet that accommodates them, while others might have other priorities.
For us, a good helmet is one that is safe, keeps distracting wind noise to the minimum, won’t put too much strain on your neck, and won’t bankrupt you if you invest. Of course, all of the helmets we list are at least DOT certified, generally receive favourable reviews, and try to keep the noise to the minimum where possible! As for the financials, well, the best gear is always the gear you can afford.
So, let’s see what’s currently on the market.
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Entry-Level Full Face Helmets
Priced under $300, these full face helmets offer maximum bang for your buck.
Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS
A long-time favorite budget helmet of many riders, now with MIPS technology for even more protection
Get Yours
RevZilla
$289.95 as of March 9
Amazon
~ $484 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $289.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.34 lbs (1,515 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS review.
Ideal For
Riders that want a superb budget helmet that also includes a safety feature (MIPS) that is often positioned higher up in the market price range
Riders that are looking for a no-frills daily helmet
Highlights
Multidirection Impact Protection System (MIPS) built in, meaning that if you do come off your bike, you have some of the latest safety features in a well made, durable helmet.
A premium helmet at a budget price point. Literally one of the best helmets for under $300 that you can buy
Downsides
Noisy at freeway speeds
No lockdown for the visor
Some issues with sizing
Visor’s first position is too large
HJC i10
Perhaps the least expensive, full Snell M2020 certified helmet on the market
Get Yours
RevZilla
$159.99 as of March 9
Amazon
Up to $199 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $159.99 to $194.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.7 lbs (1,678 g)
Safety: DOT and SNELL M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete HJC i10 review.
Ideal For
The budget-conscious rider that wants the most bang for the buck
Sport and sport touring riders will appreciate the airflow and strong visor indents
Highlights
The best full-face helmet for under $200, this is the only currently available helmet that qualifies for track-day use with a Snell M2020 rating in the price bracket.
Superb ventilation including a crown-cooling intake, helping beat the heat and prevent any sweat from dripping down into your eyes
Visor indents are well positioned and strong.
Downsides
Strap not fully padded across its length
Peak is not removable and can catch wind gusts
Absolutely barebones, not even a chin curtain is included
Nolan N87
A superb budget helmet that has had many evolutions yet still remains a favorite
Get Yours
RevZilla
$259.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $259.95
Head Shape: Round to Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.13 lbs (1,420 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See our complete Nolan N87 review.
Ideal For
Riders wanting a low mid-range helmet that provides excellent value
Sport and sport touring riders are who this helmet is designed for
Highlights
Very good build quality with a reinforced polycarbonate shell and muilti-layer, multi-denstity EPS foam, despite the entry-level pricing bracket
Outstanding ventilation working with a premium-grade liner to remove any and all sweat from your head
Included drop-down sun visor that has excellent coverage
Downsides
Swapping out visors can be a time consuming, tricky procedure
Can be noisy at highway and freeway speeds
Sedici Strada II
A very popular helmet that brings some high end construction to the budget space
Get Yours
RevZilla
$259.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $259.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1,497 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete Sedici Strada II review.
Ideal For
Riders wanting a budget helmet that delivers exceptional value at its price point
All types of riders, from sport to cruiser and back again
Highlights
Premium looks, premium materials, low price. The shell uses Sedici’s Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass material that is often found on $500+ helmets
Quieter than many other budget helmets
Included drop-down sun visor that has superb coverage
Downsides
Upper air intakes don’t pass much air
Sun visor does not have any anti-fog treatment
Visor sometimes will not seal, can leak water if caught out in the rain
Mid-Range Full Face Helmets
Priced between $300 and $600, these mid-market helmets are right in the price/performance sweet spot.
Shoei RF-SR
All the tech of a premium Shoei helmet at mid-market prices, a bargain any day of the week
Get Yours
RevZilla
$479.99 as of March 9
Amazon
$479.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $479.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.66 lbs (1,660 g)
Safety: DOT, Snell M2015, Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete Shoei RF-SR review.
Ideal For
Riders looking to have a midrange helmet with all of Shoei's safety technology on board
Sport touring and standard position riders, as the helmet is designed more for upright positioning than fully leaned forward
Highlights
Outstanding build quality, as each helmet is handmade in Japan.
Indents for intercom and speaker are built in, accepting the most common systems such as Cardo and SENA
Excellent ventilation
Downsides
Noisier than expected for this price point
Can fit a bit tight for larger headed riders
Very few color choices
Scorpion EXO-R1 Air Carbon
A premium carbon fiber lid in the mid-range price bracket that is a street version of a GP-grade helmet
Get Yours
RevZilla
$549.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$549.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $549.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.00 lbs (1,360 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22,05, and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders wanting a premium helmet at a mid-range price
Sport riders looking for a helmet for both the track and the street
Highlights
One of the lightest helmets on the market, at just 1,360 grams (3 lbs) with visor and liner installed.
Customizable fit using Scorpion's AirFit system to inflate the cheek and jaw liner areas
Very quiet thanks to its aerodynamic shape and low chin bar that shapes the air smoothly around the shell
Snell M2020 certified as it is a street evolution of the EXO-R1 GP helmet
Downsides
Very strictly intermediate oval, so round-to-intermediate or intermediate-to-long-oval riders are out of luck
Visor lock can be difficult to operate, requires a hefty amount of force to open
AirFit pump and release button can be difficult to access with gloves on
AGV K6
A superb, lightweight touring helmet that can sit on your head all day without issue
Get Yours
RevZilla
$499.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $499.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 2.95 lbs (1,338 g)
Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete AGV K6 review
Ideal For
Riders wanting an extremely lightweight sports touring helmet
All riders, but designed for standard and sport touring styles of riding
Highlights
Quiet and stable at speed due to being AGV Aero Tuned to flow air over and around the helmet
Easy to add bluetooth intercom with indents prepared to accept the most common brands like Cardo and SENA
A great helmets for those that wear glasses as the lining is very forgiving around the temples
Downsides
No internal sun visor on a touring-oriented helmet
Extra visors are quite steeply priced
Sizing only goes up to 2XL, and typically fits a bit smaller than the sizing chart states
Shoei RF-1400
The mid-range flagship helmet for Shoei, a powerhouse helmet that should be far more expensive
Get Yours
RevZilla
$579.99 as of March 9
Amazon
$579.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $579.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.55 lbs (1,610 g)
Safety: DOT and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Shoei RF-1400 review
Ideal For
Riders wanting a great, upper mid-range daily helmet
All types of riders
Highlights
Extremely quiet, to the point of possibly being the quietest full face helmet available today, thanks to its very aerodynamic and smooth shape
Superb fit and finish, with the visor closing flush with the shell to prevent any gaps or leaks
Snell M2020 certified
Downsides
To mount a bluetooth comms device, a specific Shoei mount is required
Heavier than expected for a helmet in this price range
HJC RPHA 70 ST Carbon
A helmet that should realistically be priced in the upper high end
Get Yours
RevZilla
$579.99 as of March 9
Amazon
$579.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $579.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.22 lbs (1,460 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete HJC RPHA 70 ST Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders wanting the best value for their money, including some premium features and materials
Standard or more upright riders, as the ST in the name means “Sport Touring”
Highlights
Exceptional price for the quality. The RPHA is made of carbon fiber reinforced by carbon-glass hybrid fibers, keeping the helmet lightweight but with excellent shell strength
Superb ventilation
Quieter than the average mid-range helmet thanks to an aerodynamic design meant to cut through the air when seated upright
Downsides
Internal chin air vent switch very hard to operate with the helmet on
Included sun visor does not drop down far
High-End Full Face Helmets
Priced over $600, these helmets represent the cream of the crop from the premium segment.
Bell Race Star Flex DLX
Robust, premium, quiet, light. All of these describe this sport and track riding oriented helmet
Get Yours
RevZilla
$819.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$869.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $819.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.57 lbs (1,619 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22.05, Snell M2015
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete Bell Race Star Flex review
Ideal For
Riders wanting a premium helmet that delivers great value to the dollar
Riders wanting a more robust helmet for multiple track days and daily sport riding
Highlights
The pinnacle of Bell helmets, one of if not the best lids for under $1,000 you can buy
3K carbon fiber construction backed by the Flex Impact Liner that gives the helmet its name, designed to mitigate all impacts, from low energy stop-light drop to full on high energy crash on a track.
Very quiet thanks to extensive wind tunnel testing, as well as test rider feedback
Raceview visor gives you excellent peripheral and vertical visibility
Downsides
Sizing does not exactly match up to sizing chart. If you can, try one on at a local bike gear shop
Those with wider intermediate ovals or protruding cranial ridges might find the helmet will pinch their head, causing painful pressure points
Arai Corsair X
A superb helmet from one of the most respected helmet makers in the world
Get Yours
RevZilla
$869.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$879.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $869.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.55 lbs (1,610 g)
Safety: DOT and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Arai Corsair X review
Ideal For
Riders wanting one of the best reviewed, safest helmets available
Sport and sport touring riders
Highlights
Legendary Arai build quality and finish
Quiet and very stable at speed, thanks to a very defined aerodynamic shape
Superb visibility thanks to the wide and clear visor opening
Very high quality ventilation to keep you cool during your ride
Downsides
Interior lining is fairly stiff, not as plush as one would expect at this price point
Emergency cheek pad pulls are not easily visible
AGV Pista GP RR Carbon Performance
When nothing else but a world class racing helmet will do
Get Yours
RevZilla
$1,499.96 as of March 9
Amazon
Up to $2,381
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $1,499.96
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.36 lbs (1,524 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22.05, FIM FHRPe-01
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete AGV Pista GP RR Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders wanting the absolute best of the best in terms of race-ready sports helmets
Riders wanting a track-day or race helmet
Highlights
The same helmet worn by MotoGP riders, including internal routing for a hydration system and visor lockdown
Incredible ventilation thanks to the five intakes and four exhausts, meant to cool a rider pushing to the maximum on a track
Meets and exceeds FIM FHRPe-01 homologation standard, making this a helmet that is 100% qualified and ready to be raced in
Forged carbon construction gives the helmet extreme durability without any compromise on weight.
Downsides
Helmet can be very fickle in sizing
Extremely expensive for day to day riding, more of a specialized track day & racing helmet
See the Other Best Helmets of 2023
Not looking for a full-face helmet? Check out these other curated recommendations.