About Our Selections
Modular helmets have long been the go-to choice for tourers, commuters, riding instructors, and those who value versatility and practicality along with protection and comfort. Popping up the chin bar is great when you’re stopped and need a breath of fresh air, or want to have a quick conversation with a fellow road user.
And despite what people say, the modular nature of these helmets does not decrease their protection ability. In many respects, they offer similar protection and comfort as the best full face helmets out there... but with added convenience.
But before we look at them, here’s how we made our choices.
A good helmet must meet certain criteria. Most importantly, it has to be safe. It also has to offer a good return for your investment. Lastly, it needs to have earned a good amount of favorable reviews from a broad spectrum of riders.
If a helmet can meet those demands, it’s worthy of our recommendation. Here are our favorites!
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Entry-Level Modular Helmets
Priced under $300, these modular helmets offer maximum bang for your buck.
Scorpion EXO-AT950
Considered by many as the best-value dual-sport helmet at any price
Get Yours
RevZilla
$289.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$270 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $270 - $300
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 4 lbs (1,814 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Scorpion EXO-AT950 review.
Ideal For
Riders that want a strong value proposition and aren't concerned about having "the latest and greatest"
Riders that will spend as much time on-road as off-road
Highlights
This helmet is easy to call the best modular, adventure helmet available for the money. I realize that flies in the face of what I wrote at the outset of this article… but it’s true!
It can be worn without the visor installed to make room for goggles while doing serious off-road work or remove the sun peak for when you’re doing sport riding. You get a lot of versatility from this safety hat.
Downsides
May be replaced by the AT960 in late-2023 or early-2024
Fairly heavy for a dual-sport modular helmet
Nosier than more premium options
No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom
Sedici Sistema II MIPS
A great budget modular helmet with some customization in the liner
Get Yours
RevZilla
$289.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $289.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.89 lbs (1,764 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders that want an affordable helmet that also includes a MIPS system onboard.
All riders, although the helmet is more oriented to touring and standard riding styles
Highlights
Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) helps mitigate or outright prevent rotational force injuries to your head
Aramid and fiberglass shell, a mid-range level construction, at a budget price
Up to 5mm in liner padding adjustment, a feature usually found in the high end
Downsides
Only one top vent, even if it is fairly effective
Chin bar can sit very close for those with protruding or wide chins
No integrated intercom or speakers for a bluetooth intercom
Mid-Range Modular Helmets
Priced between $300 and $500, these mid-market lids are right in the price/performance sweet spot.
Bell SRT Modular
A jack of all trades and reliable mid-range performer
Get Yours
RevZilla
$399.95 as of March 9
Amazon
$399.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $399.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.89 lbs (1,764 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Bell SRT Modular review.
Ideal For
Riders that want a fiberglass composite helmet without breaking the bank
In-city riding and some light touring
Highlights
Fiberglass composite shell gives the SRT good resilience and protection
Uncluttered design makes it easy to find all the controls you need
Internal sun visor included
Easy-release visor mechanism makes changing out shields a breeze
Downsides
Heavy for a midrange helmet
Not PinLock ready
Only 2 shell sizes
Ventilation is lacking
Nolan N100-5
One of the best value for money helmets in the mid-range
Get Yours
RevZilla
$409.95 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $409.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.96 lbs (1,796 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Nolan N100-5 review.
Ideal For
Riders that absolutely must have the best bang for the buck, and value features and comfort as well as safety
All types of riding, but is aimed more towards the standard and sport tourer styles
Highlights
High quality materials used in construction, with a durable polycarbonate shell and thick EPS foam and liner
PinLock lens included in the box for anti-fog use
Good ventilation
Quiet and comfortable due to its shape and excellent fitment
Downsides
Only 2 shell sizes
Only compatible with Nolan's own comms units
Must have the chinbar up to put the helmet on
LS2 Valiant II
A great mid-range helmet with a party trick up its sleeve
Get Yours
RevZilla
$379.98 as of March 9
Amazon
$379.98 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $379.98
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.96 lbs (1,769 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete LS2 Valiant II review.
Ideal For
Riders that want a modular that can be used as an open face, due to the unique chin bar design
All riders, with LS2 stating it's meant for the "open road."
Highlights
Unique 180 chin bar rotates all the way to the back of the helmet for open face riding when you want. It is fully homologated in both setups.
PinLock visor with inserts included in the box
Large integrated sun visor with ergonomic, easy to use slider mechanism
Downsides
Fits a size smaller than the LS2 size chart states
Not easy to add a bluetooth intercom system
Can feel a little chin heavy with the chin bar down and locked
HJC RPHA 90S
A mid-range brother to the top-tier RPHA 11 Pro, with many of the same components and features
Get Yours
RevZilla
$459.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $459.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.61 lbs (1,637 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete HJC RPHA 90S Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders that want excellent value for the price
Sport touring and standard style riders
Highlights
High-end quality at a mid-range price due to the sharing of many components from the top-tier RPHA 11 Pro modular
PinLock visor with inserts included in the box
Drop down sun visor included
Very quiet due to its aerodynamic shape
Downsides
Fits a smaller than sizing would suggest
Ready for HJC's proprietary intercom, some modification needed to use other systems
High-End Modular Helmets
Priced over $500, these helmets represent the cream of the crop from the premium segment.
Schuberth C5
A no-nonsense premium modular helmet from Germany's most respected helmet maker
Get Yours
RevZilla
$769.00 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $769.00
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.99 lbs (1,810 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.06
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders that want a serious, no-frills helmet that is well engineered and made of superior materials
All riders of any style, though Schuberth suggests that the helmet is best for touring
Highlights
Direct Fiber Processing fiberglass shell with an innovative multi-sectional EPS foam impact layer underneath
Superb visibility thanks to an extra-wide viewport
Intuitive flip-up system that is easy to use with gloves on
Integrated drop down sun visor
Downsides
Quite heavy for the price
Modifications needed to work with intercoms other than the Schuberth SC2
Shoei Neotec 2
An evolution of one of the most popular modular helmets of the past decade
Get Yours
RevZilla
$799.99 as of March 9
Amazon
$799.99 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $799.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 4.12 lbs (1,450 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.06
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Shoei Neotec 2 review
Ideal For
Riders that want one of the best modular helmets on the market
Standard and touring styles of riding, although realistically it can do everything but pure sport style
Highlights
Excellent build quality and materials, as one would expect when each helmet is handmade in Japan
Very comfortable due to Shoei's excellent fitment that is bang on correct to the sizing chart
Intercom ready with cutouts and areas prepared for the most common systems such as SENA and Cardo
Downsides
Matte finish scratches easily
Strap can be uncomfortable for some due to being a micro-ratchet
The heaviest modular helmet on this list
AGC Sportmodular Carbon
A helmet that has been around for years but is still one the best modulars on the planet
Get Yours
RevZilla
$859.95 as of March 9
Amazon
Up to $899 as of March 9
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $859.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 2.85 lbs (1,295 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders looking for a lightweight modular that also provides excellent protection
All riders, although ADV insists that this helmet is for sport touring and multi-day trips
Highlights
The lightest modular helmet in the high end market, with three shell sizes available
Very quiet, as it uses the same aerodynamics as the AGV Pista GP RR Carbon to slice the air instead of push it aside
PinLock visor and lens included in the box
Extremely comfortable with excellent padding and materials used
Downsides
Chin strap is set far back and the padding can move around, leading to chafing
Chin bar requires a good amount of force to close and lock
Sun visor is set quite far back in the helmet, can touch larger noses
See the Other Best Helmets of 2023
Not looking for an modular helmet? Check out these other curated recommendations.