What Are The Best Motorcycle Helmet Brands?

When you search the internet or visit the market for a new helmet, you are bombarded with all sorts of options.

From mainstream brands to unfamiliar ones, there is no lack of helmet brands out there. But, which of those brands are the ones a person can trust? That is the million-dollar question.

This article will be focusing on the best motorcycle helmet brands, from which you can buy right now.

These companies can be trusted blindly, and I will provide you with all the reasons why you should. Let’s not waste any time then. Without any further ado, let’s get straight into it.

How Were These Brands Chosen?

This is a good question. If you check out this website, I have written and researched several different helmets for different categories of people.

When you have been doing this for so long, you start to understand which brands to follow and which ones to avoid.

I furthered my research for this article, taking into account not one helmet from a specific brand but its whole line-up to give me an idea of the quality of their products.

User feedbacks were also taken into account to ensure that these brands are not only good in advertising. It is recommended to read the next chapter of this article completely, as vital information is present there.

7 Best Motorcycle Helmet Brands You Can Buy

1. ILM Motorcycle Helmets

Of course, coming in the first place is a brand that thousands of people have put their trust in it already. ILM is a manufacturer that has been present in almost all of my best helmet hunting articles.

They make solid helmets, and after you read about their background, you will understand just why the company is so good. The fact that this manufacturer came into being in only 2013 is insane.

In under a decade, it has impressed bikers all over the world. Trust me when I say they did this with not only marketing. As the company came into existence during a competitive time, they knew that they had to make unique products at a justifiable price. Well, that is exactly what they did. The safety of its consumers is the first thing ILM cares about.

Unlike other brands that copy designs from one another, ILM has dedicated research teams that study every nook and cranny of how to make a helmet better. This not only means safety, but it is one of the most primary aspects.

This includes aerodynamics, comfort, and convenience. There are too many factors to list here, but with all that I have seen and learned, ILM has nailed everything down.

This is how they are able to produce excellent quality helmets at an appealing price tag. Perhaps the best thing about this company, which is extremely rare in the manufacturing industry, is that the company actually listens to its consumers. Based on their feedback, they improved their designs to suit their needs.

Pros:

• Dedicated research for helmet designs
• Listens to consumers
• Considers every aspect of a helmet
• Extremely reasonably priced products

Cons:

• Quality control issues

ILM is the brand to go for if you are looking to buy a close to perfect helmet. My thoughts about this company were already solid, and after further research, my beliefs were solidified even further.

2. Bell Helmets

Well, if you are in search of a brand that has a little more experience under its belt, then Bell is the one to go for. Established in the 1950s, since its creation, the growth, and trajectory of Bell helmets have constantly been increasing.

The founder, Roy Richter, was the one who realized what people needed. Since the 1950s, the company has had experience in many sectors of the auto community.

From racing to even bicycle, Bell helmets have perfected the formula for making high-quality helmets. Just like ILM Helmets, Bell has made sure that customer satisfaction is its top priority.

Their focus is on making products that are practical in real life and not just pretty. About that, their helmets look pretty cool too! They started making full-face helmets in 1971. This line-up is one of the best on the market, and for a good reason.

Bell has nailed down one thing that even ILM could not, and that is quality control. With close to non-existent issues reported by customers, it really has everything under control.

Their helmets represent the peak of engineering in this category. From ventilation to comfort, all has been covered. Some products from the manufacturer truly stand out from the competition.

Take the Moto-9 Flex, for example. This helmet has a full carbon fiber build, which is the best thing one can choose to get on his helmet. The helmet is extremely comfortable, and it also has the Eject Helmet Removal System, which is a great addition. It allows you to remove the helmet in cases where the spine cannot be moved.

Pros:

• Considerable helmet manufacturing experience
• Excellent quality control
• High-quality helmets
• It covers all price ranges

Cons:

• Basic features not added

Bell is the name of the trust. Its products, and the company itself, are stunning. If you have the choice to go for a Bell helmet, you should absolutely go for it.

3. AGV Helmets

Motorcycle brands like Benelli and Ducati, as well as sports cars brands, such as Ferrari and Maserati, all originate from Italy. With unique styles and designs, you need a helmet manufacturer that knows these vehicles from the inside out.

For that, there is no brand better than AGV. With it being one of the oldest helmet brands on the market, since its establishment in 1947, AGV has created world-famous helmets.

Its innovative designs and quality of products have helped it earn several awards. AGV helmets are not just designed in labs and on simulations. Before they are released for the consumer market, the helmets are tested in real-life scenarios.

Partnerships with legendary personalities, such as Giacomo Agostini, who is a 15-time World Champion, and Valentino Rossi, the biggest name in MotoGP history, have allowed the brand to take feedback from those who know everything there is to know about motorcycles.

AGV makes stunning helmets that will not only turn heads wherever you go but will also provide you with excellent comfort and safety.

Their full-face helmets, which have been in manufacturing since 1969, are some of the best helmets that money can buy. The visors on their products can be four times as thick as when compared to other manufacturers on the market.

Thanks to extensive research, AGV has created helmets that are incomparable with the rest of the competition. Their visor mechanisms are 70% smaller than everywhere else, which allows you to get a wider and clearer field of view and an improved peripheral vision.

Pros:

• Collaboration with world-leading motorcyclists
• One of the oldest brands on the market
• Extensive research done
• Constant improvements in designs

Cons:

• Very expensive

I like to say safety knows no cost. If you have the same thought, then you should not settle for anything less than AGV. With all of its products checking all of the boxes of a perfect helmet, you cannot get any better than this.

4. Shoei Helmets

If you are looking for a brand that’s name is synonymous with the word premium, then Shoei is the one you should get. This manufacturer is one of the most popular in the world, with its only focus being motorcycle helmets.

With clientele ranging from Asia to North America, Shoei has proven to be a dominant force in the helmet world, competing against big names like AGV and Bell.

Let me show you why it is so good, and if it is a good choice for you. With more than 60 years of experience in this segment, the brand now knows how to make products that are best suited for its consumers.

With each and every single helmet being handmade, the quality control of the brand is just off the charts. Like AGV, the company has partnered with MotoGP racers, such as Marc Marquez and Josh Grant, who test out these helmets in all regards.

After all, feedback has been collected, and appropriate modifications are made, the final product is something that is truly out of the world. Although the manufacturer plays it safe by not including experimental features, every now and then, they do add things that make the helmet experience considerably better.

Are you familiar with an internal sun shield system? It is commonly found in helmets on the market. Well, Shoei is the original introducer of this system.

The Shoei QWEST, a helmet introduced by the company back in 2010, has been considered by many the best helmet to be ever released. With a fiberglass construction and many more features, it is a beast in terms of performance.

Pros:

• MotoGP collaborations
• Excellent features
• Designer of the internal sun shield system
• Fibreglass construction

Cons:

• Expensive

If you are not on a budget and want to go for something that does not compromise on anything, then Shoei is the only brand you should look into.

5. Shark Helmets

Although a considerable amount of research goes into starting a helmet company, there is none out there that has proper experience of the start. Well, that changed three decades ago, when SHARK decided to join the game. With the founders of the brand being two racers, this company was destined for greatness.

With it being on the top seven list of the brands out there, it is safe to say that that greatness has been achieved. Unlike most companies on this list that also specialize in making products other than helmets, SHARK is dedicated to making two-wheeler helmets.

Its helmets have earned several awards, which is possible thanks to the company’s use of cutting-edge tech, utilization of top-of-the-line materials, and manufacturing techniques.

You can see a company is confident in its helmets when it includes a warranty too. You get a five-year warranty with any purchase from the company, signifying that you will never have to worry about manufacturing defects ever again. Its helmets are designed to be comfortable, extremely safe, and give you an experience of a lifetime.

The best thing about the company’s products is that they are affordably priced. This means that you will not have to invest a ton to get your hands on anyone product from its line-up. You are getting a top-of-the-line product at an extremely competitive price tag. It really does not get better than that.

Pros:

• Founded by racers
• Five-year warranty
• Affordable pricing
• Safe and comfortable

Cons:

• Slow implementation of fixes

With it being one of the most reliable companies on the market, Shark is a brand to go for if you are looking to get an excellent product and at a reasonable price.

6. Arai Helmets

Coming in sixth place is another highly popular brand, known as Arai. The manufacturer is known to make some out of the league helmets, and there was no doubt that it would earn a spot on this article. After you check out this brand, you will be compelled to buy something from it!

Arai is a brand that has been around for almost a century. Unlike other companies that started as something else and evolved into helmet manufacturers, Arai has been creating helmets since its establishment in 1926.

With the same philosophy as all other brands in this article, the company was designed to make extremely high-quality helmets to provide its users with unmatched safety and comfort.

This was the case then, and I can confidently say that as of the 21st century, the manufacturer has not lost its passion. With the company having its own standards and equipment, due to the ones available not being up to par, every single helmet is put through the wringer before it is made available to the general consumer.

Features such as a movable windshield and chin piece, which are commonly found in the latest helmets, were present in Arai helmets as early as the 1970s. This shows you just how advanced it is. It does not end there.

The manufacturer is credited for designing a visor that can be removed without using any tools. Perhaps the most popular series, manufactured by Arai, is its RX-7. It was introduced in 1996 and is still in production, with minor changes and improvements made over time.

Pros:

• The highest experience out of all brands
• Own standards and equipment
• Excellent design features
• Credited for no-tool visor removal design

Cons:

• Different sizing standards

If you really want an Arai helmet, then you must embrace its ways too. You have to check its own sizing charts. But, if you do get one, then you will have an experience that is very hard to beat.

7. Scorpion Motorcycle Helmets

The last brand on this list is another highly respected one. The company is known for making solid products. Although it is not the most popular one out there, it is an extremely reliable one.

After all, the focus of the article is to find the best company, not a mainstream one. The manufacturer has some achievements that you are going to love.

Although the company is much older than this, it patented its very first helmet, with a modern design, all the way back in 1953.

The manufacturer is similar to the others, with a lot of experience under its belt, which it uses to make high-quality helmets that will protect you at all costs. Scorpion is known to make extremely durable helmets. Its products pass all standard requirements.

Safety tests, such as SNELL and DOT, are passed by all of its products with flying colors. So, you can put it on your head with full confidence that you are not breaking any laws and also getting proper safety. The most popular helmet from the manufacturer is the SCORPION EXO.

It is classified as one of the best helmets out there, and for a good reason. The manufacturer is already known to make no compromises in terms of durability, but the EXO helmet takes things to the next level. The durability, comfort, and design of the helmet are spot on. It can be beaten by a very small number of helmets.

Pros:

• SNELL and DOT approved
• Has a lot of experience
• EXO is one of the best options out there
• Excellent durability and comfort

Cons:

• Varying issues

Apart from these two minor complaints, Scorpion is a brand that can be trusted without any complaints. Its products are outstanding, and you will definitely love them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are All Helmets DOT Approved?

No, they are not. As helmets are not exclusively manufactured in the USA, products designed in other countries may not be DOT approved.

They may pass that respective country’s laws and standards, but it is not compulsory for them to be DOT approved.

Even if they pass all requirements, the manufacturer has to get its product DOT approved, which will allow it to be legal for use in the USA. Otherwise, using it can lead to a heavy fine and confiscation of that helmet.

Q2: Can I Remove The DOT Sticker From My Helmet?

If the helmet is from a good brand like the ones I listed above, there is a good chance that peeling away the sticker is going to be a challenging task. You will need a thin object, such as a plastic knife or a credit card.

It is advised not to remove the sticker, as it can help authorities instantly identify if the product is legal for use or not, saving a lot of time. But removing it does not cause any problems.

Q3: How Do I Check If The Helmet Brand Is Safe?

Several critical procedures need to be done to analyze whether your helmet is safe and durable.

It is suggested that before purchasing a helmet, always search for a shell-built design like it that protects your face and jaw from accidents.

Secondly, your helmet should consist of an impact-absorbing liner, as it will provide you with comfort and protect you from hitting a crash.

And lastly, a thin strap will stabilize your face from coming off as it will be strapped appropriately.

Q4: How Do I Choose A Helmet Brand – What Features To Look For?

It is important to look for a helmet that will protect and is highly durable if an accident occurs.

Firstly consider a helmet that fits your face well. If a helmet is too loose, there are high chances it will come off during a crash. Secondly, it should consist of multi vents and exhaust, so it is easy to open and close.

The helmet’s weight should be about 1.5 kg and consists of D ring or ratchet chin strap to protect from coming off.

Lastly, the outer shell material should be fiberglass, the interior should be breathable and anti-bacterial, the visor should be clear to see through and easily adjustable.

Conclusion

With the marketplace being flooded with a plethora of options, out of which a good number is not as advertised, it becomes extremely hard to trust one brand.

That is not the case with the seven best motorcycle helmet brands I listed above. These brands make such high-quality products that you can trust them blindly.

All of them have a superior background in their respective fields. Out of all of these, I would recommend ILM due to two major reasons.

The company is quite new and is already competing with big dogs like Bell, and its product line covers all sorts of applications and head sizes.

I hope that the article and the buying guide helped you in deciding which company you can place your trust in and buy from.