About Our Selections
Open-face helmets are popular options for riders who want increased airflow, unobstructed views, and moderate protection. Unlike full-face helmets, they won’t offer all-around protection and will leave areas of the face and skull vulnerable in the event of an accident. At the same time, they offer the "wind in your face" experience that the best modular helmets try to offer their wearers. There's no feeling quite like it.
Even so, we’ve put together a list of our favorites, separating the wheat from the chaff, with a goal of matching you with the best open-faced helmet for your needs.
But how do we decide what makes the list and what doesn’t? Well, a good open-face helmet will offer the best level of protection possible. It should also offer distraction free-riding without any annoying whistles or loose hardware.
And it shouldn’t pinch or hurt anyone wearing it! Of course, different budgets can afford different levels of quality, but we always ensure that our selections offer the best return for your investment, whether you’re spending a hundred dollars or a thousand.
So without further ado, let’s look at the best open-face helmets you can buy this year!
Note: MotorBikeWriter.com participates in the affiliate programs for Amazon, RevZilla, and others. Some of the links in this list are affiliate links that we will earn a small commission from if you purchase through them. This is how we fund our site - thank you for your support.
Entry-Level Half & Open Face Helmets
Priced under $150, these half & open face helmets offer maximum bang for your buck.
Bitwell Bonanza
A no frills, basic budget helmet that has all the features you need at a great price
Get Yours
RevZilla
$99.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $99.95
Head Shape: Round oval
Weight: 2.43 lbs (1,102 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders wanting the most budget oriented helmet possible, with options to add on a face shield or other accessories later
Standard-style riding, including scooters and mopeds
Highlights
The least expensive open face helmet on this list, without sacrificing quality protection for your head
Very comfortable with a hand-stitched, removable, moisture-wicking liner
Downsides
Absolutely barebones, no accessories included
Chin strap has bare minimum of padding, might chafe those who have larger necks
HJC IS-5
Classic old school looks, modern materials
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RevZilla
$119.99 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $119.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 2.6 lbs (1,180 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See our complete HJC IS-5 review
Ideal For
Riders that want a budget helmet that carries classic looks from the 60s and 70s
Standard-style riding including scooters and mopeds
Highlights
Advanced polycarbonate composite shell is robust and strong without being too heavy
Integrated sun visor with easy to use pull-down tab
SuperCool liner is moisture wicking and anti-microbial, removable for cleaning as well
Downsides
Strap is unpadded
Sun visor does not have any anti-fog treatment, if you were to attached a full face shield to the snap points
Bell Custom 500
The latest evolution of the classic Custom 500, a helmet with over 20 years of improvments
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RevZilla
$144.95 as of March 10
Amazon
$144.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $144.95
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 2.41 lbs (1,093 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Ideal For
Riders looking for a classic helmet that has evolved over two decades of continuous improvements
Standard-style riding including retro, cruisers, scooters and mopeds
Highlights
Optimized shape for noise reduction as the helmet sits lower on your head than many competitors' helmets
Very lightweight at just over 2.4 lbs
Compatible with most open face helmet accessories with 5 snap points for half shields, full shiels, etc
Downsides
Fitment can be an issue if you have a rounder oval shape
Runs smaller than sizing guide suggests, need to order one size up if between sizes
Bell Pit Boss
If you absolutely must have a half helmet, then get one of the best on the market that has evolved over decades
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RevZilla
$139.95 as of March 10
Amazon
$139.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $139.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 2.44 lbs (1,106 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders that want a half helmet that will also provide them with as much protection as possible
Cruiser and standard styles of riding
Highlights
TriMatrix construction using fiberglass, kevlar, and carbon fiber, to make an extremely durable, resilient shell
Bell SpeedDial customization allows for you to "dial in" the perfect fit
Flip-down sun visor is hidden under the peak
Detachable neck curtain for if it gets cold on your ride, attaches/detaches in seconds
Downsides
Peak is not detachable
Flip-down sun visor can interfere with eyeglasses
Lacks ventilation ports, trapping heat in the liner
Mid-Range Half & Open Face Helmets
Priced between $150 and $300, these mid-market lids are right in the price/performance sweet spot.
Bell Mag 9 Sena
A helmet for those that want expandability and features at a great price
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RevZilla
$189.95 as of March 10
Amazon
$179.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $189.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.38 lbs (1,533 g)
Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete Bell Mag 9 Sena review
Ideal For
Riders that want expandability and customizable features, such as riding without the full face shield or having an intercom in the helmet
Standard and touring styles of riding
Highlights
Designed for SENA SMH-10 intercom, with wire routing and headphone & microphone cutouts.
Integrated sun visor
Easy-detach full face shield should you want to ride with the wind on your face
Downsides
Sizing runs on the smaller end of the scale
Installing an intercom removes some EPS
Top vents very inefficient
Scorpion EXO-CT220
A helmet with the safety features of one that costs twice as much
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RevZilla
$159.95 as of March 10
Amazon
$159.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $159.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.32 lbs (1,505 g)
Safety: DOT
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders wanting a very safe, feature packed helmet without breaking the bank
Standard and touring styles of riding
Highlights
Excellent protection with jaw and cheek coverage under the advanced polycarbonate shell
Feature packed, with a removable sun peak, sun visor, and full face visor
Very comfortable with Scorpion's KwikWick 2 liner, which is removable for cleaning, and also has emergency release pull tabs
Downsides
Can use either the full face visor or sun peak, not both at the same time
Top vents need decent airflow to pass air to your head
High-End Half & Open Face Helmets
Priced over $300, these helmets represent the cream of the crop from the premium segment.
Schuberth M1 Pro
A premium open face helmet from Germany's most respected helmet manufacturer, packed with features
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RevZilla
$499 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $499
Head Shape: Round to intermediate oval
Weight: 3.20 lbs (1,450 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See our complete Schuberth M1 (non-pro) review
Ideal For
Riders that want a high end feature packed helmet that is also great value for money
Touring and standard styles of riding
Highlights
Superb build quality, as expected from Schuberth
PinLock ready face shield
Integrated drop down sun visor
Quiet and comfortable with an aerodynamic shape developed in the wind tunnel, and a moisture wicking padded liner
Downsides
Only 2 shell sizes available
Top vent adds wind roar when open
Padding on chin strap can be fussy to position correctly
No PinLock lens in box at this price point is disappointing
Shoei J-Cruise II
So comfortable and luxurious on your head it's known as "The Cadillac of Open Face Helmets"
Get Yours
RevZilla
$579.99 as of March 10
Amazon
$579.99 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $579.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.57 lbs (1,619 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See our complete Shoei J-Cruise I review
Ideal For
Riders that want a premium, extremely comfortable helmet
Touring, standard, cruising styles of riding
Highlights
Plush and comfortable Shoei 3D Max-Dry liner, that is also moisture wicking, anti-microbial, and removable for cleaning
Very effective ventilation across the top and back of your head
One of the quietest open face helmets, due to seamless, tight full face visor and aerodynamic shape
Integrated sun visor
PinLock ready face shield
Downsides
Very expensive for the average day rider
Chin-heavy balance, puts mild strain on your neck after a long ride
Liner can be fiddly and bunch up when putting the helmet on, if not reinserted properly after cleaning
No PinLock lens included in the box
Arai Ram X
Simply the best open face helmet money can buy, end of story
Get Yours
RevZilla
$719.95 as of March 10
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $719.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.7 lbs (1,679 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22.05, and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Ideal For
Riders that want the best open face helmet, full stop, at any price
Touring, standard, cruising, and sport styles of riding
Highlights
Super Fiber Laminate shell with a new "Z-compound," ultra-durable and lightweight
Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) built in to prevent rotational force injuries
Best in class ventilation, as it borrows the very effective Corsair X ventilation scheme
Customizable liner with 2 to 5 mm adjustments for the perfect fit
Flip down sun visor that does not sit inside the shell, instead rotating down over the front of the face shield
Snell M2020 certified, in effect making this a helmet qualified for use on track days, although we recommend using a full face helmet
Downsides
Very expensive for the average day rider
Heavier than expected with its lightweight shell construction
Visor mounting and removal requires also removing the sun visor
See the Other Best Helmets of 2023
Not looking for a half or open-face helmet? Check out these other curated recommendations.