9 Best Bike Helmets of 2024

We are fans of this highly rated bike helmet because it comes in under $75 yet it's loaded with features that make it excellent for exercise or a commute. A magnetic chin-strap buckle makes it easy to secure and release, and the fit can be dialed in with just one hand if you want to make micro-adjustments during a break on your ride. There's a visor if you need to block the sun but it's removable if you prefer to ride without it. Interior pads wick moisture while the large vents along the top offer plenty of airflow so you won't arrive at your destination too sweaty.

Bontrager (part of the same company as Trek) promises to replace your investment if you get in a crash during your first year with this helmet — just keep your sales receipt. See more on replacing helmets after a crash at the end of our list of best bike helmets.

Though this specific helmet did not get rated by Virginia Tech, Bell is a trusted brand that makes a solid all-purpose bike helmet at a price that's within easy financial reach for many people if you buy the "universal adult" fit. Like the choice above, the dial in back allows you adjust to the exact comfortable snugness to your head.

The Trace comes in several color options and this high-visibility yellow is a smart pick if you're sharing the road with motor vehicles. The visor is a bit short so you may need sunglasses for additional protection against sun and glare.

What you wear on your head while you bike is a fashion statement as well as protection, and our Good Housekeeping Institute General Manager Laurie Jennings, who describes herself as "a fairly hard-core urban cyclist," chooses this brand for its retro look. "I like the roundness of the design and the horseback-riding vibe," she says, adding she didn't want to come across as a racer (and indeed, this helmet isn't designed for racing or mountain biking). "You can adjust the size so it fits your head perfectly, and the chin-strap clasp is magnetic. The visor is great to help with glare and sun." The helmet is available in sophisticated colors with chic touches like a visor that comes in tortoiseshell, matte black or rose gold. The company was founded by Gloria Hwang in the hopes that it could save a thousand lives by making people excited about wearing a bike helmet.

This Chapter model has a 30-lumen LED taillight on the back for visibility; it attaches magnetically and can be recharged via USB. Pop open a hidden hatch on the side of the helmet to thread your lock through, enabling you to secure the helmet along with your bike. The brand's less-expensive Heritage version lacks the light and the MIPS safety technology of this model, but comes in a huge array of colors if you're looking for a particular shade. Thousand also offers a free accident replacement policy, so save your receipt.

This brand has long been a favorite for toddlers through teens, thanks to the wide range of colors and patterns — from a watermelon print and polka dots to a dino design — to appeal to kids of all sorts.

Nutcase has taken special care constructing the magnetic chin buckle, which makes it easy for kids to take on and off, plus it's covered in soft padding so it won't rub uncomfortably. The visor is also detachable to suit your kid's preferences.

Amazon reviewers note that they put this on their children for all sorts of activities beyond bicycling including for riding scooters and roller skating. The brand's GROW Flex Fit System includes elastic bands that help you adjust the helmet's fit as your child gets bigger.

See the Baby Nutty for toddlers and the Street for adults and teens.

Getting your child to wear a helmet each and every time they climb on their bike isn't half the battle, it can be the whole battle. It helps that the Giro Scamp comes in 15 fun colors and patterns. Most of all, our lead tester liked how easy this helmet is to fit on a young child and how comfortable kids seem to be wearing it, even though it's slightly heavy. It also has thoughtful features, like a pinch-guard buckle, built-in visor and a design that can be worn with a ponytail. This is an equally great choice for little balance-bike or tricycle users as well as for toddlers riding on a rear-mounted bike seat or in a bike trailer.

It has more than a 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews, and customers report using it for babies as young as 1 year old straight up through the preschool years. While Virginia Tech doesn't test any toddler-sized helmets, Giro's adult helmets rate highly. For maximum safety, be sure you're buying the newest Scamp with MIPS technology, as well as measuring your child's head for the proper size and adjusting the helmet's knob for the proper fit.

Electric bike commuters will appreciate that the Hudson helmet has a rear LED light to keep you visible with settings for steady, flash and pulse as you share the road; pop it out and charge it via USB and it will last for up to 10 hours. The long, removable visor helps shield your eyes from glare, while the 13 vents will help keep you cool. Importantly, it is e-bike certified for speeds up to 27 mph.

A nice feature is that you can use the vents along the top to slide a U-lock through and secure your bike helmet along with your bike. The helmet's dial system helps you perfect the fit easily.

Staying cool on your rides is a big priority if you live in a hot climate or if you exert a lot of energy biking hard to get your heart rate up. The Stratus has a sweat guide pad that helps keep perspiration from running into your eyes, plus 18 vents for ventilation. It's also the most lightweight pick on our list. The minimalist design definitely plays to racing cyclists but that doesn't mean you can't use it for your regular exercise workouts on your local roads. There's no visor though, so you'll want to wear your own sunglasses or goggles.

If you buy this through Amazon, they have a "try before you buy" program that gives you a week to try this helmet on and be sure it fits before you commit. For more on finding the right fit, see the box below.

Giro's Register is a great bike helmet choice if you occasionally use your bike to commute. It's got 22 vents — more than any other helmet on our list — to provide impressive airflow and cooling comfort. Fashion-wise, the sleek design is good for anyone who doesn't want a helmet that's either too big or too minimalist, a right-in-the-middle option.

This also has more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Many reviewers like the "universal fit," which means there's just one size for most heads. Before you use it, you'll make (perhaps major) fit adjustments using the dial in the back. (Helmets that come in specific sizes require only minor adjustments if you've chosen the correct size; there's more info on getting the right fit at the end of our list.)

If you'll be out mountain biking on trails in remote locations, feel at ease knowing that this POC helmet integrates the RECCO Helicopter Detector system, using radar to make you searchable should you get stuck or lost. Beyond that, it's lightweight yet provides extended coverage across the temples and along the back of the head. And for thrill seekers who like to go fast, it's compatible with goggles and vented in such a way to minimize drag.

Rather than using MIPS technology, POC has its own patent-pending silicone pad technology system, called SPIN (Shearing Pad Inside). "It's the most comfortable bike helmet I've worn," said one of our testers, who rides trails in the Pacific Northwest.