Top 10 Motorcycle Helmet Brands and Why Riders Trust Them
Evan Rally
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Choosing a helmet isn’t just about picking something that looks cool (that’s a bonus). It’s about trusting a brand with your safety.
The brands we’re about to talk about have earned that trust through years of innovation, dedication to quality, and a genuine passion for protecting riders.
Let’s get right into it. I’ve broken the brands down into three tiers: S, A, and B (Budget).
Here’s the whole list of top motorcycle helmet brands:
S-Tier: The cream of the crop and what every rider should be wearing.
A-Tier: Solid lids that are a bit more affordable than the S-Tier but don’t carry the same reputation for features, comfort, safety or general quality as S.
B (Budget) Tier: Respectable budget helmets that deliver features and safety at a level that exceeds their pricing, generally.
Let’s get into each: when they were founded, where they build their helmets, and why riders love them.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, lawyer, or your mom – I am simply a guy that rides a lot, reads a lot, and talks to a lot of other people who ride a lot. Your safety decisions are entirely your own. Everything in this article, and on this website, are personal opinions and not advice or recommendations.
S Tier: The Cream of the Crop
These are the brands that consistently push the boundaries of helmet technology, often seen on the heads of professional racers and riders who demand the absolute best.
Arai: The Unwavering Pursuit of Round
When you mention Arai, you’re talking about a company with a deep-rooted philosophy. They’ve been around for decades, and their commitment to a rounder shell shape is almost legendary.
- Year Founded: 1937
- Designed In: Japan
- Manufactured In: Japan
- Styles of Helmets Made: Race, Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure
For Arai, it’s all about energy management. They believe a rounder, smoother shell is better at glancing off impacts, which can significantly reduce the rotational forces transmitted to your brain in a crash. This isn’t just marketing talk; it’s a core principle that guides their design process and excruciating attention to detail.
Riders who swear by Arai often talk about the exceptional build quality – these helmets are hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen. I am not kidding you when I say it takes years of apprenticing in Arai’s factory just to put the rubber trim on the bottom of a helmet. It’s a level of attention to detail you can feel. And while finding the perfect Arai fit can sometimes take a bit of trial and error due to their focus on specific head shapes, once you find “the one,” many riders find them incredibly comfortable for long hauls.
You’ll often see the iconic Arai logo on the helmets of racing legends like Dani Pedrosa and the unforgettable Nicky Hayden. From the track-focused Corsair-X to the versatile Quantum-X and the long-distance comfort of the Signet-X (designed for more oval heads), Arai covers a wide range of riding styles with their unwavering commitment to safety and their unique design philosophy. They’re not always the cheapest option, but for many, the peace of mind and quality are worth every penny. They’ve been doing this for almost a century – probably longer than you’ve been alive.
Popular Arai Helmets:
Best Fit 
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Round Heads 
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Long-Oval Heads 
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Adventure 
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Shoei: Engineered for Excellence
Shoei is another Japanese powerhouse that consistently sits at the top of the helmet world. They’ve built their reputation on innovation, rigorous testing, and a dedication to providing riders with helmets that perform flawlessly in all conditions.
- Year Founded: 1959
- Designed In: Japan
- Manufactured In: Japan
- Styles of Helmets Made: Race, Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure, Open Face
Shoei pours a ton of resources into research and development, and it shows. Their helmets are often packed with advanced features designed to enhance your riding experience. Think about their meticulously crafted aerodynamic shapes that minimize wind noise and drag.
Or consider their incredibly effective ventilation systems that keep you cool even on the hottest days. Shoei riders often rave about the overall comfort and the feeling of premium quality you get when you put one on. The fit and finish are typically impeccable. I wore the “entry-level” Shoei RF-SR across America and for several years in Thailand and love it to this day: fits perfectly snug, vents a ton of air, and is Snell certified making it allowable on most racetracks in the USA.
When you see a top-tier racer like Marc Marquez sporting a Shoei, you know you’re looking at a helmet that can handle the demands of professional racing. Whether you’re chasing lap times with the X-Fourteen, hitting the streets with the popular RF-1400, or racking up miles on the GT-Air III, Shoei offers a helmet for almost every type of rider, all built with their signature blend of innovation and premium performance.
Our team has personally reviewed the Shoei RF-SR, and the Shoei RF-1400 after four years and 20,000+ miles in both.
Popular Shoei Helmets:
AGV: Italian Flair and a Need for Speed
AGV brings a different kind of energy to the helmet scene. This Italian brand is steeped in racing history and is known for its aggressive styling, cutting-edge technology, and a powerful connection to the world of MotoGP.
- Year Founded: 1947
- Designed In: Italy
- Manufactured In: Italy and other locations (depending on the model)
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Race, Sport/Street, Sport-Touring, Adventure
If you want a helmet that looks as fast as your bike, AGV is definitely a brand to consider. Their designs are often sleek, aerodynamic, and just plain cool, reflecting their strong racing heritage. But it’s not just about looks; AGV helmets are packed with advanced safety features and offer comfortable interiors.
The association with the legendary Valentino Rossi is undeniable. For years, his iconic helmet designs were synonymous with AGV, and his trust in the brand speaks volumes about the level of protection and performance they offer.
While their focus is heavily on sport and race helmets like the Pista GP RR and the Corsa R, they also offer excellent options for sport-touring riders with models like the K6 and Tourmodular. AGV is for riders who want to make a statement with their gear and demand high performance and safety.
Popular AGV Helmets:
Racing 
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Sport-Touring 
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Modular 
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6D: The Best in Off-Road Impact Protection
6D stands out in the helmet market for its unique and innovative approach to impact protection, particularly in the realm of motocross and dirt biking. And they’ve even made their top-tier helmets rebuildable so you can crash, and crash, and crash without having to buy a brand new helmet.
- Year Founded: 2011
- Designed In: USA
- Manufactured In: China
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Motocross/Off-Road
What sets 6D apart is their Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS®) system. This is a dual-liner system separated by a series of elastomeric dampers. The idea is that in an impact, the inner liner can displace and shear relative to the outer liner, significantly reducing rotational acceleration and low-threshold energy transfer to the brain. This makes 6D helmets a serious contender for riders who prioritize maximum protection, especially in off-road environments where rotational impacts are common.
6D is giving much older and more well-known off-road and motocross brands like Alpinestars and Fox a run for their money.
While they are primarily known for their groundbreaking off-road helmets like the ATR-3, 6D’s technology has also found its way into the street world with their ATS series. If you’re a serious off-road rider looking for a helmet with a truly different and potentially life-saving approach to impact protection, 6D is a brand you need to investigate.
Popular 6D Helmets:
Motocross 
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Street 
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A Tier: Excellent Performance and Features
These brands offer a fantastic balance of performance, features, and often a slightly more accessible price point compared to the S Tier.
Schuberth: German Precision and Quiet Rides
Schuberth is a German brand that excels in creating quiet, comfortable, and convenient helmets to a high standard for touring riders. They’re less protective than the race lids from Arai, Shoei and AGV but far more comfortable for long rides.
- Year Founded: 1922
- Designed In: Germany
- Manufactured In: Germany
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Touring, Sport-Touring, Open Face
Their focus on aerodynamics and soundproofing makes them a top choice for touring riders who prioritize a peaceful ride on different types of bikes, from cruisers to adventure bikes. They invest heavily in wind tunnel testing to ensure their helmets cut through the air cleanly and quietly, and are the only manufacturer we’ve seen to publish the decibel rating of sound inside their helmets. While this is considering an ideal head shape for the helmet, it’s still a cut above other brands that don’t publish any noise testing at all.
The meticulous German engineering is evident in the quality and features of their helmets, often including integrated sun visors, well-channeled ventilation systems, and seamless integration with their own communication systems (sometimes even hiding the antenna inside the shell itself).
While you won’t likely see a Schuberth on the MotoGP grid, you’re sure to see them on the roads of the Swiss Alps or the American Rockies. Their reputation for comfort and quietness makes them a favorite among serious touring enthusiasts and riders who value a premium, refined experience.
Popular Schuberth Helmets:
Modular 
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Sport-Touring 
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Adventure 
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Nexx: Portuguese Manufacturing and Innovative Designs
Nexx is a brand that hails from Portugal and has been making waves in the helmet world with its stylish designs, innovative features, and a strong focus on using advanced materials like carbon fiber.
- Year Founded: 2001
- Designed In: Portugal
- Manufactured In: Portugal
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure, Urban
Nexx helmets often stand out with their unique and modern aesthetics. They’re not afraid to push the boundaries of design while also incorporating practical features that riders appreciate – like the integrated action camera mounts and quick release cheekpads on my X.WED3 adventure helmet.
They offer a diverse range of helmets catering to different riding styles, from lightweight and aggressively styled sport helmets to comfortable and feature-rich adventure and touring models. Riders often praise the quality of the materials used and the overall attention to detail in Nexx helmets. While perhaps not as widely known as some of the longer-established brands, Nexx is definitely a brand to watch if you’re looking for something a bit different that blends style with performance.
Our team has personally reviewed the Nexx X.WED3 adventure helmet and Nexx X.R3R sport / track helmet.
Popular Nexx Helmets:
Adventure 
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Racing 
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Touring 
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HJC: Value and Performance from South Korea
HJC has become a dominant force in the helmet market by consistently offering helmets with a great balance of features and affordability.
- Year Founded: 1971
- Designed In: South Korea
- Manufactured In: South Korea and Vietnam
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Race, Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure, Open Face
HJC nailed the bang for your buck in helmets. They offer a wide array of helmets that incorporate features you’d typically find on much more expensive models, but at more affordable prices. You can get many of their designs in Carbon Fiber with ECE safety rating, with the same helmet offered with a few less bells and whistles plus a polycarbonate shell for a small fraction of the price.
The fact that a current MotoGP World Champion like Fabio Quartararo chooses to wear HJC speaks volumes about their commitment to performance and safety at the highest levels of motorcycle racing. Whether you’re a seasoned racer looking for a top-tier helmet like the RPHA 1N, a daily commuter needing a reliable and comfortable option like the i91, or sport touring rider looking for high end protection (without the Schuberth price tag) like the RPHA 91, HJC has a helmet to fit your needs and your budget.
Our team has personally reviewed the HJC i91 modular touring helmet.
Popular HJC Helmets:
Racing 
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Budget 
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Touring 
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Bell: An American Icon with Options for Every Rider
Bell has a long and storied history in the helmet industry, and they continue to offer a wide range of helmets to suit all types of riders and budgets.
- Year Founded: 1954
- Designed In: USA
- Manufactured In: Various locations (depending on the model)
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Race, Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure, Open Face, Retro
Bell’s legacy in helmet manufacturing is undeniable, and they’ve adapted well to the modern demands of motorcycle riding – even continuing to push the envelope with safety improvements at budget price levels with technology like Mips. They offer a comprehensive lineup that caters to everyone from professional racers to weekend cruisers.
What’s great about Bell is that they offer quality at various price points. While they have high-performance options like the Race Star DLX Flex, they also provide fantastic value with helmets like the Bell MX-9 Mips (and its adventure variant, the MX-9 Adventure MIPS) for off-road riders looking for solid protection with Mips technology that reduces rotational forces in a crash. For street riders, the Bell Qualifier DLX Mips is another excellent budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on safety features. This broad range makes Bell a go-to brand for many riders, regardless of their experience level or budget.
Our team has personally reviewed the Bell Qualifier DLX Mips.
Popular Bell Helmets:
B (Budget) Tier: Solid Protection
These brands offer excellent value for money, providing good protection and features without the premium price tag of the higher tiers.
Scorpion: Performance That Punches Above Its Weight
Scorpion has consistently impressed riders with their ability to produce high-quality helmets with advanced features at very competitive prices.
- Year Founded: 2001
- Designed In: USA
- Manufactured In: China
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Race, Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure
What makes Scorpion so compelling is how often their helmets perform on par with, or even exceed, the performance of helmets from S Tier brands that cost twice as much. Their dedication to quality and innovation at an accessible price point is truly remarkable. They even offer a slew of helmets with full carbon fiber shells for under $500, like the EXO ST1400.
The Airfit system, which allows riders to customize the fit of their helmet with inflatable cheek pads, is an incredible innovation that I am shocked other brands haven’t copied yet. It’s a feature that many riders absolutely love, since it allows you to customize fit on and off the track or before and after more ‘spirited’ riding.
Whether you’re hitting the track with the EXO-R1 Air, embarking on a long tour with the EXO-GT930, or exploring both on and off-road with the EXO-AT960, Scorpion offers a helmet that delivers excellent performance, comfort, and safety without breaking the bank. They’re a prime example of a brand that offers incredible value for money.
We have a review on the Scorpion EXO-R1 Air coming soon.
Popular Scorpion Helmets:
Racing 
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Modular 
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Adventure 
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Sedici: Quality on a Budget
Sedici is a brand that you’ll often find pushed by Cycle Gear and Revzilla, and for good reason: it’s their in-house brand. However, don’t let that scare you off – these gigantic retailers have probably the best view of any helmet manufacturer into what riders are looking for in their helmets. The result is a growing reputation for providing surprisingly good quality and features at bargain price points.
- Year Founded: 2011
- Designed In: USA
- Manufactured In: China
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Sport/Street, Touring, Adventure, Open Face
While Sedici might not have the same brand recognition or racing heritage as some of the bigger names, they’ve become a popular choice for riders who are looking for a reliable helmet without emptying their wallets.
Riders often mention the comfortable fit and the decent array of features you get for the price with Sedici helmets. They offer a variety of styles to suit different riding preferences, proving that you can get good protection and functionality without breaking the bank. If you’re a new rider or simply looking for a solid, budget-friendly option, Sedici is worth considering.
Popular Sedici Helmets:
Modular 
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Street 
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Adventure 
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Icon: Bold Style and Affordability
Icon is a brand that definitely stands out with its aggressive and edgy styling. They cater to a specific segment of riders who want their gear to make a statement, and don’t want to spend more than their bike on a helmet and a set of leathers.
- Year Founded: 2002
- Designed In: USA
- Manufactured In: China
- Types/Styles of Helmets: Sport/Street, Urban
Icon helmets are instantly recognizable thanks to their often crazy graphics and striking designs, like the Airflite (which seems to be available in 10 trillion different graphics). While their aesthetic is a major draw, they also offer a range of helmets that meet or exceed safety standards.
They often incorporate features that are particularly appealing to street riders and urban commuters, like integrated drop-down sun visors and comfortable liners. If you’re the kind of rider who wants a helmet that stands out from the crowd and reflects a more rebellious attitude, Icon is a brand that deserves your attention.
Popular Icon Helmets:
Aggressive 
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Urban 
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Final Thoughts on Finding Your Perfect Helmet
Choosing the right motorcycle helmet is a deeply personal decision. What works for one rider might not work for another. Consider your riding style, your budget, and most importantly, the fit and safety certifications of the helmet.
Don’t be afraid to try on multiple helmets from different brands to find the one that feels just right – following our helmet fit guide for a complete checklist to fitting your next helmet perfectly.
And remember to check out the in-depth reviews on our site for impressions from our team of contributors on how these helmets perform while riding. Ride safe!
