The Best Half & Open Face Helmets of 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  
  

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

  
  

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

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  Visor mounting and removal requires also removing the sun visor