Best budget bike helmets 2025

The best budget bike helmets save you some cash but still provide good protection in the event of a crash. They’ll carry down many of the features of more expensive helmets, often including additional safety features.

Although the best road bike helmets and best aero bike helmets may have the pro endorsement, unless you want to save every last watt and gram a budget bike helmet will do the same job but at a much lower price. All helmets must pass government-mandated safety tests and many budget options also feature rotational protection so they are just as safe. 

The best budget bike helmet is most likely to compromise in areas like weight or aerodynamics. That makes sense but you still want something that looks good and is comfortable to wear. You also want something that’s going to last, as well as something that will match the type of riding you plan to do. 

I rate the Lazer Tonic Kineticore the best buy overall. It’s affordable, low in weight and has good ventilation.

Just because your helmet wasn’t expensive, that doesn’t mean it should be unpleasant to wear. Keep reading to see my list of the best budget bike helmets or head lower down for a buyer’s guide to how to choose a bike helmet.

Quick list

Best budget bike helmets available today

Best overall

There’s no definitive way to protect against traumatic brain injury. One thing that the industry has coalesced around though is the need to address off-centre impact. Initially, that meant a variety of strategies from different brands. At this point, much of that has disappeared as MIPS has gotten better. 

Lazer decided to go in an entirely different direction and create a whole new concept called Kineticore. Instead of a slip plane system. Kineticore uses blocks of foam that will break and deform when impacted. Not only does Kineticore handle rotational impact but it also has the side benefit of making lots of channels for airflow above your head. 

At this point, the Kineticore technology permeates the entire Lazer lineup. While there are plenty of options at different price points, the Lazer Tonic Kineticore is lower down and carries a budget price. You have to give up aero optimisation and you get thicker, stiffer, straps but you gain a lot at the same time. 

The Lazer Tonic is actually one of the lightest options I tested at any price point. It’s also a stylish helmet that matches a wide range of use cases. If you want to head out on a road bike you’ll fit right in but if you jump over to a gravel bike, there’s no need to swap helmets. There’s even a cold weather kit to help in the winter. 

Read our full Lazer Tonic Kineticore review for more.

Best for aerodynamics

There are a limited number of aero helmets available, as aero optimisation costs money and brands reserve it for the more expensive options. 

The Van Rysel FCR is an exception though, as Decathlon, Van Rysel’s parent brand has the volume and marketing clout to offset the development costs. It’s also moving aggressively upmarket with its sponsorship of the Decathlon-AG2R pro team – a team which needs an aero road helmet for racing, hence the FCR. 

But Van Rysel hasn’t put a pro-level price tag on its aero helmet, despite the R&D. We found the Van Rysel FCR helmet was among the best-performing when we took a range of aero road helmets to the wind tunnel, outpacing some significantly pricier, heavily marketed alternatives. Consider where you place your sunnies when not wearing them though, as our testing showed that they can slow you down if they’re stuck in the front vents.

There are some nice features too, including the Fidlock magnetic buckle. There’s good adjustability from the large rear dial, although the straps are non-adjustable and a bit thicker than those on some other helmets. We also reckon that the wordmark lettering could peel off over time.

The base helmet doesn’t include MIPS, although there’s a MIPS option available if you spend a little extra cash. Neither has been to Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab though.

Read our Van Rysel FCR helmet review for more detail.

Best for gravel

What does “gravel bike style” even mean? The truth is it’s tough to say but POC seems to have cornered the market. If you doubt that, feel free to take a look at the POC Omne Ultra MIPS which specifically calls itself a gravel bike helmet and adds cargo cords and patches. One interesting thing about that helmet though is that it’s based on the Omne Air MIPS. The only difference is the Omne Air costs a bit less and lacks the extra add-ons. For a lot of people that’s probably a net positive on both fronts. 

What really makes the Omne Air MIPS work as a gravel bike helmet is that it has a casual style that lends itself to the more upright position you often find on a gravel bike. That also works for endurance road bikes as well and POC has some very cool colours available. Stylistically you should be able to match a lot of riding. 

There’s more to the POC Omne MIPS than just style though. For one thing, the cut-off points for the sizes are different from most brands. POC shifts everything down slightly and that will make it easier for some people, like me, to find the right size. If you often find yourself between sizes, this is a great option. 

Aside from sizing, you’ve also got MIPS Integra and excellent sunglasses retention. The MIPS system puts the slip plane into the middle of the pads and it helps keep the helmet feeling plenty airy. Those same big vents make it easy to store sunglasses even without specific grip pads. The only thing I’d love to see changed is less weight but it’s also worth noting that for a budget list, this option is a bit expensive. It’s a budget option in other company though and it is a great helmet so if you can make it work, you won’t be disappointed. It’s also worth looking at prices for all the colours because often you’ll find deals.  

For more details about this helmet, take a look at our POC Omne Air SPiN review. The two helmets share everything except for a change to a version of MIPS that is incredibly close to the previous SPiN technology.  

Best for versatility

One way to approach the idea of budget is to look for a helmet that’s highly versatile. If you commute by bike during the week and then go for longer rides on the weekend, it can be difficult to find the right helmet for both situations. A lot of people solve the problem by having more than one helmet. Bontrager has another idea though. 

The Bontrager Circuit WaveCel helmet already lends itself to different types of bikes and different kinds of riding. It’s got a profile that stylistically matches a weekday commute just fine. On those rides, snap the magnetic light mounts on and add some lights and you’ve got a great option for staying visible through the city. After you get home, pop the lights off and you are ready to head to a weeknight race on the fast bike. The Circuit will look just as good attacking off the front of a pack as it will paired with a backpack heading to work. If you end up extending a recreational ride past sundown, nothing says you can’t use the lights in that situation also. That kind of versatility adds a lot of value. 

When it comes to the downsides of the Circuit, it centres around the WaveCel rotational impact system. Unlike Kineticore which actually adds breathability, WaveCel is a system of cells that cuts down on breathability somewhat. I’ve never found that to be a big deal but I have found myself bothered that I can’t reach through the vents and scratch my head. I also would always prefer a lighter helmet over a heavier helmet.

Read more details in our Bontrager Circuit WaveCel review.

Best for visibility from behind

There are a lot of great features about the Giro Agilis MIPS helmet. Right away, as with most Giro helmets, it’s relatively light. Budget helmets don’t tend to match the lightest helmets on the market but at only 293 grams for a size medium, it’s on the lighter side. That lightweight scale reading is even with extended coverage in the rear. 

There’s also the MIPS liner which is both a positive and a negative. The only negative about it is that there are newer versions that completely do away with the plastic inner liner. On the upside though Giro is using a liner that’s much lower profile than the original yellow liner most people associate with MIPS. It’s not perfect but it’s nice to see it there and it doesn’t block airflow. 

The real star though is the rear cradle. The design is the same as products like the Giro Eclipse aero helmet and that means it’s compatible with the Roc Loc 5 LED light. It is an added cost but it’s the most integrated rear light I know of on a road bike helmet. The Agilis also adds reflective paint that’s effective even without a light. 

Aside from the older MIPS liner, the only thing that I’d love to see changed is the lack of Virginia Tech testing scores. It always leaves a question when those are missing. 

Read our full Giro Agilis MIPS review for more. 

Best for commuting

The POC Myelin is a helmet unlike any that’s ever been on the market in the past. From a style standpoint, it’s a commuter helmet and it’s unique even if you don’t go farther than that. The outer shell uses a fabric covering and there’s no adjustment to the rear cradle. The look would pair well with something from Chrome or Mission Workshop but there’s a lot more to it beyond what you can see. 

In fact, it’s the true nature of the POC Myelin that shapes the looks rather than the other way around. What POC has done is create everything with the end of life in mind. That starts with using 50% recycled materials in construction. From there, the construction uses no glue. The outer fabric is there to prevent the use of laminated materials. There’s no adjustment of the rear because the use of simple elastic adds simplicity to everyday use but also because it adds simplicity to break down the components again further down the line. 

Unfortunately, there are also some concessions to sustainability you will have to deal with. MIPS doesn’t make a system that’s easy to break down and as a result, rotational impact protection didn’t get included. Along with those issues, there’s also no Virginia Tech score to objectively rate the crash protection and my ears come into contact with the bottom of the helmet. If sustainability is a buying consideration for you though, I suspect you want to know this is an option available. Even with the drawbacks, it’s unique, sustainable, and comfortable. 

Best for colour choice

In some ways the Smith Persist 2 and the Giro Agilis MIPS are similar. The weight is pretty close between the two, though the Smith is a bit heavier, and the MIPS system is very close. Neither uses the latest MIPS Air but they both have a black liner that doesn’t block the vents. 

The big difference between the two is that Smith adds Zonal Koroyd in addition to MIPS. Koroyd looks a bit like a handful of straws and the idea is that it actually replaces some of the foam to add rotational impact protection right into the helmet itself. There’s another interesting effect of the Koroyd though. 

The reason the Smith Persist 2 is on this list is that it’s so good at retaining glasses if you like to stash them during long climbs. The way Smith accomplishes that is by building a small pocket above the Koroyd. As long as your glasses have straight and narrow, ends to the arms they will slide into the space. It won’t work for every situation but if it does, there’s no helmet here that’s as secure. Even a fast descent on gravel won’t vibrate your sunglasses free. 

Aside from that feature, you’ve got a sleek helmet with lots of colour options. There are also four sizes available, rather than the usual three.

Where the straps come together it’s exceptionally easy to adjust and get the buckle forward or back under your chin. At the front of the helmet, there are air channels to help get air off your glasses and up to your forehead. The downsides are the older MIPS liner as well as the lack of Virginia Tech testing. 

Also consider

The Thousand Chapter MIPS is another commuter helmet that’s affordable. It comes with a rear light that you can attach either to the helmet or to your bike, should you prefer. The light turns itself on automatically when the light level drops, or you can just turn it on before your ride if you want it for additional safety in the daytime.

Another advantage for commuters is that it can be locked to your bike. There’s a hole under the logo, which you can use to thread your lock through the helmet, so you don’t need to carry it with you when you leave your bike.

There’s a removable visor included and you can buy other colours separately. The translucent option looks stylish, but you can also choose opaque ones. 

One aspect that’s not so good is the lack of vents at the front of the helmet. Although I found the airflow from the eight vents fine on cooler days, my forehead became a little too hot on hot commutes.

A helmet that I did spend time with is the Bontrager Starvos. It’s another WaveCel design and there’s very little to complain about. In the end, the only reason it’s an also consider list is because the Bontrager Circuit is very similar both in price and design while also adding the ability to mount lights when needed. 

If you like the idea of the Circuit but don’t think you’d ever use the magnetic light mounting then the Starvos is worth a look. It’s also available in an XS size to fit heads from 50 to 55cm, so it’s a good option for younger riders.

Trek is rebranding its components with its own name, so you may also find the Starvos marketed as a Trek Starvos, when there are five sizes on offer. 

The Giro Isode MIPS is another helmet that narrowly lost out to a different helmet from the same brand. It’s lighter and the style is a bit sleeker but for not much more money you get the option of adding a really good rear light. Once again if you won’t use a light then the Isode will save you money compared to the Agilis. 

There’s also one size only, designed to fit all riders. This makes choosing easier, but may mean that you can’t get a comfortable, secure fit if your head size or shape are atypical.

UK based Quella’s urban-style helmet is impressively low in weight at just over 250g, with a deep fit. Although they’re narrow, the plentiful vents and the deep internal channels provide good airflow. Despite being one size, I’ve found it adjusts well to my large head, with room to spare, and sits firmly and deep at the rear. There’s plenty of adjustability to fit smaller head sizes too.

Quella includes a rear light that’s mounted high up, is USB rechargeable and offers a constant and two blinking modes, with a switch that’s easy to operate as you ride. There’s no MIPS or other additional safety tech and no independent safety rating, but the deeper rear section should provide good protection to the rear of the head.

The last helmet that almost made it is a great option for those looking to really save money. The Specialized Align II is the least expensive helmet I looked at and it’s completely usable. 

This one missed the list because, at 330 grams in a size small, it was the heaviest road bike helmet I looked at, plus the rear cradle isn’t adjustable vertically. If it happens to work for you, it’s worth considering based on the price.  

You also get a wide range of colours to choose from, MIPS and one of the best Virginia Tech scores out there, ranking 24th best of all the cycling helmets tested. 

How to choose the best budget bike helmet for you

These are the factors we’d recommend you consider when choosing the best budget bike helmet for your needs.

• Price: If you’ve arrived at this page, price is going to be a consideration, so you need to set your budget for your helmet.
• Helmet style: Helmet makers sell cycling helmets for different uses. If you’re road riding, you probably don’t want a commuter helmet, while commuters might prefer a commuter style. MTB helmets are styled differently again.
• Fit: A helmet needs to fit your head, both in size and shape, as not all helmets have a shape that fits everyone’s head. It’s good to try before you buy and make sure that there’s the adjustability to get a secure fit.
• Straps: As with the helmet itself, you need to make sure that the straps are comfortable for you.
• Weight: Some budget helmets can be quite weighty. You may get used to this, but if the helmet is also not a great fit, it may be noticeable.
• Additional safety features: MIPS or other supplementary safety tech used to be confined to more expensive helmets, but you can now find it even on budget helmets. Many helmets also allow you to fit a rear light which will increase your road presence.
• Test score: Although testing is optional, a high Virginia Tech test score may be reassuring. Most helmets are 4 or 5-star rated though, so there’s not much differentiation in the safety offered.
• Ventilation: If you ride in hot weather, you’ll probably appreciate better ventilation. On the other hand, a less vented helmet may be more comfortable in cold or wet conditions and an aero helmet will probably be less vented.
• Colour choice: A colour that matches your bike is a nice-to-have.

Best budget bike helmets: Frequently asked questions

How we test

There’s no right or wrong helmet and there’s no objective testing that I can do. As discussed, there’s not even a consensus in the industry about what the best way to test helmets is. No one has figured out the magic formula to keep you safe every time. While it’s not possible to properly test the safety, what I can do is share the information and spend time riding my bike wearing these helmets. Every recommendation on this list is here because I’ve spent time testing and researching what I think is the best budget bike helmet for you. 

We’ve got much more detail of our approach to testing and assessing products on our How We Test page.