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Do you want a comfortable helmet with great protection that doesn't cost as much as your first bike?
We have searched for the best helmet deal for nearly a decade and bought and tested over 200 bike helmets. We put each model through the wringer throughout an intensive, multi-week field test that included hours of riding and countless back-to-back comparisons. We then take each model to a crash test lab and record drop test data.
The best option for most people is the Trek Solstice. It is comfortable, breathable, and ready for all day wear. If you're looking for a helmet at a lower cost, check out the Grottico, which has a unique built in bike light and comes in at an incredible price point.
Whether biking is your passion or you like to go for an occasional spin, we've tested multiple helmet varieties to find the top options, including road bike helmets and the top mountain bike helmets.
Editor's Note: We updated our test lineup on April 25, 2025, with a whole new lineup and extensive crash test data.
We were continually impressed with the comfortable Trek Solstice Mips. Even on the hottest days, our head stayed nice and dry thanks to the excellent ventilation system. Instead of loading up on many small vents, the Trek utilizes just a few very large vents. We're not convinced that one design method is better than the other, but the Trek Solstice did an excellent job ventilating heat away from the head in our uphill sweat test and downhill breeze test. The dial harness system at the back of the head stays in place thanks to some structural supports that prevent it from riding up the back of the head. That makes it always easy to grab and ensures a consistent fit. The straps have a simple ear-splitter mechanism that allows for easy adjustment by opening a small hinged clip that slides up and down the strap. It's pretty much a one-time adjustment thing, but these do a good job of keeping the straps flat and tidy. The helmet does sit a little higher up on the head than others, meaning it doesn't cover the back of the head as some of the more mountain bike style designs. To top it off, the Solstice was the clear champion of our impact tests so you can rest assured that it offers top-notch protection.
We don't have a ton to dislike about the Solstice. It does have a larger profile than some other models, and some riders may find it unappealing in style for this reason. As noted earlier it sits a little higher on the head giving a subtle muffin-top look with coverage stopping at or slightly above the ears. Some riders may still feel a bit more secure with a model that has a broader area of head coverage that extends down the back of the head, but again this model excelled in our impact crash tests. If you prefer a more slim and sleek style, the Cannondale Junction wasn't nearly as bulky as the Trek and has a great ventilation system. All in all, we are more than happy with the Trek and we happily recommend it for anyone searching for a solid budget bike helmet.
The Solstice had the best performance of any budget bike helmet in our impact tests.
The Smith Signal is another excellent all around helmet. We wore it on mountain bike routes, as well as road biking, and it was one of the most comfortable. Our lead tester said, “As soon as I put the helmet on, I could feel how nice the padding was against my forehead. It felt like a much more expensive helmet.” The dial harness is well secured and stays put right at the back of the head. This is an important point as many helmets may have a dial that works well enough, but in many cases the harness that it's attached to will slide up out of reach and effectively loosen the fit of the helmet. Not so with the Smith Signal. This dial is accessible and easily adjusted even when wearing gloves. While it may be marketed more towards the road cycling audience, the Smith does have reasonable coverage stretching down over the back of the head more akin to mountain bike designs. This gives the rider a little broader sense of protection when rolling down the off road trails. Call it a happy medium in design shape between a typical road and a typical mountain style helmet.
The Smith Signal does seem to run slightly large compared to its advertised size. Of course, once you get the size right, then it's no longer a problem. Our male testers that usually wear a size large noted that it sat a little lower on the brow and the dial adjuster needed to be near the end of its range to get the right fit. And one female tester found our size-large test model was too big and it would slip off her head if she went fully upside down, even though all test models in this review were supposed to be of equivalent sizing. So if you're a slightly smaller person you may want to keep a close eye on the manufacturer's size chart. It should also be noted that the Smith does not have a visor. This isn't uncommon for road style helmets, but most mountain style helmets generally do have some form of visor. Lastly, the high quality and build design of this helmet does make it one of the more expensive models in this lineup of budget bike helmets. If you are truly on a tight budget, there are somewhat cheaper options reviewed in this lineup that perform well like the Lazer Lupo Kineticore. But there's not a major price difference between any of these. The Signal also fell around average in our impact test analysis. If top-tier protection is a purchasing factor for you, the Trek Solstice Mips is the way to go.
Part of what makes the Smith Signal so comfortable is the fit system that doesn't ride up the back of the head. Instead is stays in place and helps the helmet stay snug on the head.
The Grottico is an entry level budget friendly helmet that checks all the boxes well enough for the casual rider. It's fairly lightweight with sufficient ventilation. The visor, though not adjustable, is large enough to be functional in shading your eyes from the sun. The inner cushion pads, though not the softest or most comfortable, offer a fit and comfort that is good enough for rides lasting under an hour. What came as a pleasant surprise to our team, the Grottico put up some commendable impact test results despite its low price and lack of any third-party protection system.
Our testers noted two occasions where the buckle slid completely off the strap during regular handling and transport of the helmet. The end of the buckle strap is not folded back upon itself and stitched in place. This means that occasionally the buckle will slide off the end of the strap. It's not a big deal to weave the strap through the buckle again, but we feel it's a bit of a nuisance that it could be avoided easily enough had the manufacturer put a few extra thoughts and stitches into the end of the strap. Depending on how much extra length you have at the end of your straps, a simple overhand knot would keep that buckle in place. The front half of the inner padding has a net like structure, much like a hair net, that covers the vents of the front half of the helmet. While we didn't think it made much air flow difference during our temperate weather rides, our testers did note that during the downhill breeze test (which follows the uphill sweat test) the Grottico didn't allow as much airflow in compared to our other models in this lineup.
We appreciate many elements of the Grottico including its light weight, built-in rear light, and its low price.
The Giro Fixture II MIPS is the comfiest helmet in our lineup. It has a similar look, feel, and features as more expensive models in Giro's line of mountain bike helmets at a fraction of the cost. The design is thoughtful and polished, considering how much extra protection it's packing. The polycarbonate outer liner is fused to the mold's EPS foam shell, meaning there is little chance of the two separating over time. The large visor is flexible enough to survive a minor spill or being dropped on the ground and works well to shield your eyes from the sun and keep brush out of your face on tight trails. Giro offers this helmet in a variety of colors.
The most significant flaw we found with the Fixture II Mips is in the impact test department – its scores were below average. You'll also pay a bit more for the helmet's overall material quality — this helmet has one of the highest price tags amongst our budget-friendly test fleet, but we think the high-end features and comfort are worth the price. We didn't have any issues with the non-adjustable, sewed ear splitters during our testing, although they could be problematic for some users. We also didn't love the adjustable knob sliding up the back of our head. We prefer the models with stiffer plastic that keeps the knob secure at the back of the head, like on the Smith Signal. There are two sizes available for the Fixture; we tested the 54-61cm “Universal Adult” size, but there is also an XL size for those with larger heads. All of our testers could find a comfortable fit in our test model, and those with larger heads have an option with the XL. This sleek all-around helmet will work for any cycling scenario, whether you're tackling the local mountain bike trails or commuting to work. The Giro Fixture is on the higher end of budget-oriented helmets. If you'd prefer to find a budget helmet with an even friendlier price tag, take a look at the Exclusky Mountain Bike Helmet.
The Giro was one of the most comfortable helmets during our tests.
Rotational Impact Protection System: KinetiCore Crumple Zones |Weight: 354 grams
PROS
Sunglasses groove
Broad coverage
Great impact test results
CONS
Bulky fit
Poor coverage for back of head
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight
354 g
Rotational Impact Protection System
KinetiCore Crumble Zones (not actually rotational)
Style
MTB
Visor
Fixed
Number of Vents
12
Once again proving that you don't necessarily need to spend top dollar for top-tier protection, the Lazer Lupo KinetiCore did exceedingly well in our crash testing lab. Another unique feature of the Lazer is the eyewear friendly recesses that are carved out on the inside. It creates a little groove for the arms of your sunglasses. This reduces the pressure on your temples that is normally created from the helmet squeezing the eyewear arms into the sides of your head. It's really quite a simple feature being just a small recess cut out of the interior helmet body, but our testers really appreciated it. The back of the helmet is also designed to fit the Lazer brand LED light which is sold separately. Our testers liked the deep coverage along the rear head area and broad vents providing plenty of airflow.
Overall the comfort of the Lazer Lupo was sufficient during our longer test rides, but one tester did notice a minor pressure point right at the front of the forehead. We don't want to overstate this as it's a minor thing, but if comfort is of the utmost priority for you, check out the Giro Fixture II or the Smith Signal which both received top marks for comfort.
The Lazer Lupo produced some of the best impact test results of the entire lineup.
Credit: GearLab/ACT Lab
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It is easy to get the perfect fit with the Lazer Lupo thanks to its low sitting dial.
Credit: Alex Glades
How We Tested
Our team spent weeks digging into the best helmets available today to find the best values currently available for this bike helmet review. After researching, we ordered the 10 most promising models to put through our field testing. Our testing involved lots of saddle time and included various terrain and conditions, countless back-to-back comparisons, and close examinations in the lab. Additionally, we sent the same 10 helmets to an accredited lab to be impact tested. To learn the ins and outs of the specific details of how each helmet is assessed, head over to our How We Test Helmets article.
Our helmet testing is divided across five different metrics:
Impact Test (30% of overall score weighting)
Comfort (20% weighting)
Ventilation (20% weighting)
Usability (15% weighting)
Weight (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
To begin our process, we researched the market for hours on end. We considered the various types of bikes, styles, and terrain for which these helmets will be used. After several factors, such as price, popularity, and our own gut instinct, were considered, we narrowed it down to 10 helmets to be purchased for true hands-on comparison.
For this update, we partnered with ACT Lab. They are known, trusted, and fully accredited by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). With their help, we created two tests that mimic common types of impacts during a bicycle accident.
On the GearLab side, Alex Glades is our lead tester for this review. Alex had been racing bikes for 20 years in various forms, spanning BMX racing, mountain biking, and triathlon. His experience across various cycling disciplines creates an understanding of the demands each type of riding puts on protective gear, from everyday practicality for commuter biking to the high-speed impact protection for downhill mountain biking, or to long-distance comfort for triathlons. Living in Colorado, he's sweated through and tried dozens of helmets in the summer heat as well as across snowy winter trails. A sharp eye for detail means no flaw, design feature, or safety enhancement goes unnoticed.
Analysis and Test Results
What is The Best Value?
While this review is based on budget helmets, there is still a decent gap between the cheapest and most expensive. So, what does that price gap get you? In our experience, most of the cheapest options aren't as comfortable and tend to do worse in the impact testing. However, that isn't always the case. The Grottico did exceptionally well in the impact tests, but lacks comfort compared to the slightly more expensive options. However, if you are willing to spend just a little more, you can still land a solid bike helmet under $100. The Trek Solstice and Smith Signal are worth every penny and should be ready to go for multiple seasons.
If you're after the best deal, the Grottico is worthy of your consideration.
Credit: Alex Glades
Impact Test
We sent each and every helmet in this lineup to be tested in our state-of-the-art lab to be impact tested. This data showed us how well each model held up in slow and fast simulated crashes. While we hope you never have a crash, they still happen, and that is why we protect our heads with helmets. All helmets' results were within the national standards for impact testing; however, some scored better than others.
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 did not fare well when subjected to our uncompromising impact tests.
Credit: GearLab/ACT Lab
The lab began by outfitting a dummy head with accelerometer sensors to gather exhaustive data about the force each helmet experiences during a crash. Then, with the head strapped inside the helmet, an anvil was dropped from two different heights – 1 meter and 2.3 meters. The lower height is meant to replicate a slow-speed crash, while the higher height simulates a gnarly or “fast” wreck. Finally, we took the data gathered at the lab and calculated scores of 1-10 for both fast and slow impact tests to turn them into a more digestible number than units of force.
Slow Impact Test Results
Slower impacts are the most common type of wreck, but are certainly not harmless. This test was designed to study the level of force a person's head might experience during a low or slow smash.
This chart displays data from the “slow” impact test. The lower the number, the better because they show a lesser amount of g-forces measured by the accelerometer sensors inside the dummy head.
The top-scoring model for this test was the *Lazer Lupo KinetiCore with a calculated score of 9.5 followed by the Trek Solstice Mips with a score of 9.1. Landing dead last in this assessment was the Thousand Heritage 2.0, which also happens to be the most expensive helmet in our review.
Fast Impact Test Results
Faster impacts are less common, but can be more harmful for obvious reasons. This test was created to gather objective information on how much force someone's head might be subjected to during a high-speed crash or a wreck from higher heights.
This chart shows data from our “fast” impact test. The g-forces associated with this type of crash could potentially cause significantly more harm than slower impact.
For the fast crash simulation, the Trek Solstice Mips was the top scorer by a long shot at 9.5 with the Lazer Lupo Kineticore in second place with a score of 8.1. The lowest scoring model for this test was the Cannondale Junction, which scored a 3.0
Overall Impact Test Results
For the overall impact test metric score, we took an average of the scores we gathered for both fast and slow impact testing. The clear champion is the Trek Solstice Mips, earning the best score by more than a full point for fast impacts but also showing one of the best performances in terms of slow wrecks.
Comfort
Each helmet was worn for roughly eight hours of riding over a variety of terrain, including smooth suburban sidewalks, fast-paced road riding, windy uphill climb,s and fast downhill descents on asphalt, as well as enduro-style mountain trails. Through all of this, we aimed to see which was the comfiest. After all, when you are out on a bike ride, the last thing you want is your helmet to be giving you discomfort.
Regardless of where we are riding, we love the comfort of the Giro Fixture II. The padding is thick and soft across the forehead, and we had no pressure points during our longer rides. From our very first use with this helmet, we were impressed with how great it felt, and we have been testing this helmet for years. The under-the-ear pieces are fixed, but that didn't cause any trouble for us. We were able to adjust the chin strap enough to get a perfect fit. Likewise, the fit system on the back of the head is easy to use and gets the proper fit.
The Fixture II held up during our mountain bike runs and kept our heads comfortable all the while.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Smith Signal and Trek Solstice were also very comfortable during our testing. We were happy to wear both of these for hours on end. Both stayed steady on our heads, even on the bumpiest of trails. The Smith's adjustable clips by the ear allow for a better fit. The strap never cut into our necks like some of the fixed strap models. It was also super quick and easy to adjust them.
We appreciate how adjustable the fit of the Solstice is, offering a comfortable fit from the first wear.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Trek's dial on the back is very easy to grab thanks to its position below the helmet. It has a rubber feel with little notches, so we could easily grab and adjust it. However, both the Trek and the Smith felt snug and comfortable, so we didn't need to make many adjustments during our rides. Much of this is thanks to the fit system, which extends below the helmet on the back of the head. It is sturdy enough that it doesn't ride up the head, which also allows for a secure fit.
The Trek Solstice fit system stays in place as compared to the Bell Nomad 2, which rides up the head. We found the Trek system to be more sturdy and comfortable.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Cannondale Junction is also notably comfortable. The padding has a different material than the standard mesh-like material seen on most other helmets. It's a soft polyester that has a checkered pattern that feels nice and silky feeling against the skin. The padding is also strategically placed along the forehead so no pressure points arise during longer wear. This helmet also features an adjustable fit system that rests low on the head, which makes it easier to adjust and provides a more stable fit.
The fit system on the Cannondale sits low and prevents the helmet from wiggling on bumpy trails.
Credit: Alex Glades
Ventilation
A helmet that doesn't allow air to flow through is a bad recipe, especially on warmer days or when tough climbs are part of the plan. We devised an uphill test to see how well our heads could breathe during the climb. This, along with normal rides around town, gave us a great understanding of each helmet's breathability and ventilation.
The Cannondale Junction did exceptionally well in terms of ventilation. It has six vents on the front that extend down far into the forehead line. This allowed a lot of air to flow into the helmet and keep our heads cool during uphill trudges. The helmet also has a unique U-shaped vent across the back. While it doesn't have a vent on top, this U-shape hole essentially allows heat to escape. For warmer days, we think the Junction is a great option to keep your head cool.
The front of the Cannondale has plenty of vents.
The back of the Cannondale has open vents that help keep your head dry and cool.
The Cannondale has a good level of padding - not too much, and not too little.
The Cannondale Junction excels at breathability thanks to its many vents.
The Fixture II pairs a horizontal forehead vent with larger vents throughout the rest of the helmet to keep your head cool. The forehead hole is one we haven't seen on many other models, but we really liked it. It did a great job of preventing sweat buildup across the front of our head. Then the larger vents throughout the rest of the helmet helped expel heat.
The Giro Fixture II has large vents throughout that kept our head cool during testing.
Credit: Alex Glades
Our uphill test was the toughest for the helmets to handle in terms of ventilation capabilities. Simply put, we needed a helmet that could keep up with the intense output. Those like the Junction and Fixture II did great. However, the Smith Signal, Trek Solstice, and Exclusky Mountain Bike Helmet are worth notable mentions as well. The Smith rests low on the forehead, meaning the vent system is even more important as more of the head is covered. Its strategically placed holes kept our head from overheating on the tougher routes. The Trek Solstice has much larger holes than most others in the lineup, which was very effective at keeping sweat at bay. Likewise, the Exclusky did great with its many vents, however, the fabric liner tends to get more sweaty than others without this feature.
While the Trek Solstice doesn't have a lot of vents, they are very large so plenty of air can make its way through.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 was one of the few in the lineup to really lack airflow. It only has small slits across the top, which don't bring in much air. Plus, the helmet sits low across the head, further exacerbating this problem. However, this shouldn't be much of a problem for casual rides.
Without vents across the helmet, we didn't get much airflow with the Thousand Heritage 2.0.
Credit: Alex Glades
Usability
For this section of the review we examined the specialized components, bell, whistles, and other elements that make each helmet a more desirable purchase. We also considered the durability of each helmet's visors, clips, dials, straps, buckles, and padding.
Features
Buckles, fit systems, adjustable straps, padding, and more can significantly improve your experience with your helmet. You likely don't want to be spending time adjusting straps when you could be riding your bike, especially if the helmet is shared. We get that, and we considered that among many other features that make each model more pleasant to use.
The Smith Signal is one of the few that we would describe as “no-fuss.” The straps are easy to get just right, with the ear straps being adjustable. This allowed our various riders to get a fit that didn't cut into their necks or ears. However, keep in mind the Signal does not have a visor. If you are after a visor, the Lazer is your best bet. Many in the lineup has small plastic pieces that can somewhat pass a visor, but none are actually as effective as the Lazer, which does provide sun protection over the eyes and brow.
The Lazer Lupo has a large visor that actually provides some sun protection.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Thousand Heritage 2.0 has some unique design features not typically seen in helmets. The buckle is magnetic, so just get the straps close enough and it will do the rest for you. It also has a bike lock compatible hole, though we found this more annoying than helpful. With a large enough bump, the PopLock gets dislodged and hangs down. However, when you need to keep your helmet secure, this is a handy feature. Additionally, the helmet has a magnetic light location on the back, though we didn't test the effectiveness of the light staying on.
The Thousand Heritage has a magnetic bike light on the rear along with a PopLock function.
After slightly bumped, the PopLock falls out of place.
With a big enough bump, the PopLock gets popped out of place.
At first we didn't love the built in light on the Grottico. However, this grew on us with time, especially after we forgot our bike light at home. This rechargeable light has three settings: solid, flashing, and back and forth strobe. This seemingly small feature is very helpful when road riding, though we still recommend pairing it with a secondary, brighter light.
The Grottico includes a built in rechargeable light.
Credit: Alex Glades
Durability
While some helmets, like the Grottico did well in other metrics, it wasn't the most long-lasting. Through our rigorous testing, we noted any breakdown in the helmet materials. We kept a detailed notebook with any troubles we ran into, so we can share our findings here with you.
While the Thousand Heritage 2.0 was heavy and clunky feeling, it was also the most durable feeling in our lineup. It feels solid and doesn't have much flex, which might be because it lacks large ventilation holes like other options. Still, we didn't show any signs of wear after months of use. The Trek Solstice and Lazer Lupo also did well in this metric. Both held up during our tests showing little to no signs of wear. Both models were sturdy and didn't give us any concern for longevity.
The Lazer Lupo was one of our favorite helmets to hit the trails with and it held up great the entire test cycle.
Credit: Alex Glades
The Smith was another well-built helmet. After constant use, the helmet held up. Most of the helmets in the lineup did well after our extensive testing. We only really had trouble with the Schwinn Thrasher. The plastic lining along the helmet began peeling before we could even get one use out of it. Likewise, the plastic visor feels like it could easily be popped off even though it isn't removable. We also had trouble with the Grottico's buckle falling off. We added a small rubber band to keep the buckle from easily sliding down the straps and off completely.
The Smith punches above its class and is one of the most durable options we tested.
Credit: Alex Glades
Weight
Most of the helmets in this lineup are fairly lightweight. However, it is still worth considering, especially depending on the type of biking you plan on doing. Road biking helmets tend to be the lightest as speed is prioritized. Mountain biking helmets are also lighter, but with larger visors and more head coverage, they aren't as light as road-specific helmets. If you plan on cruising around your neighborhood or town, weight might not be that big of a deal to you.
The lightest helmet in our lineup is the Grottico at 261 grams. The visor is detachable, so if you are trying to save even more weight, you can shave a few grams by removing this. The Smith Signal skips the visor altogether and lands just slightly above at 298 grams. This is impressive as the Signal has one of the broadest head coverage areas in our lineup, meaning you get a lot of helmet for not a lot of weight.
The Grottico was the lightest helmet we tested and we were fairly impressed by its performance.
Credit: Alex Glades
Both the Junction and Exclusky weigh in at 301 grams. Both are well-suited for mountain biking and road biking. The Exclusky has a removable visor, while the Cannondale's is fixed in place. However, the Cannondale has such a small visor, it doesn't do much for shade. The Bell Nomad 2 MIPS is slightly heavier at 312 grams. This helmet has deeper head coverage along the backside, and its visor is more pronounced than others, making it well-suited for mountain biking.
The Bell fits much like a mountain biking helmet and features a large visor.
Credit: Alex Glades
The only helmet in our lineup that felt heavy on our head was the Heritage 2.0. This helmet was clunky and its 533 gram weight was obvious. As we have already mentioned, we wouldn't recommend this for road or mountain biking. Instead, this helmet is best suited for casual strolls.
Conclusion
There is so much to consider when choosing a budget bike helmet. Our review discusses the key considerations for this style, regardless of if you are road biking, mountain biking, or taking a stroll around your neighborhood. We hope our detailed testing has helped you in choosing your next bike helmet.
