Best budget motorcycle helmets tested by MCN that offer comfort and safety from under $220!

In a perfect world, every rider could afford the best, safest motorcycle helmet money can buy. But the biggest safety dividend a helmet offers is simply wearing one in the first place. Perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of great. Plenty of inexpensive helmets are available with ECE 22.06 ratings and everything. Don’t settle for mere DOT-rated offerings.   

Best bargains at a glance

• HJC C10 – $109.99 – $124.99
• AGV K1 S – $219.95 – $229.95
• HJC i71 – $229.99 – $244.99

To start, plain-colored helmets are always cheaper. Less is more, right? Fancy designs, liveries and race replicas cost extra and offer zero additional protection. And if your riding style doesn’t need extra bells and whistles like drop-down visors or fancy fascia, take the savings and run with it. 

Regardless of what kind of riding you do, there’s an inexpensive option. Here’s a list of quality helmets in several categories that won’t break the bank, reviewed by MCN’s stable of expert riders and reviewers. 

Jump to:

• Adventure helmets
• Best bargain helmet
• Sporty helmets
• Sports touring helmets
• Retro helmets
• FAQ and tips
• How we test helmets

Best budget motorbike helmets

Whenever you are looking at buying a helmet, you need to take into consideration what type of riding it is that you do, as this will likely narrow down the selection for you. An adventure helmet is for riding off-road, with front peaks to deflect branches and debris. Sports helmets will often have rear spoilers for aerodynamics and are often offered in bright colour schemes. Sports touring helmets will favour comfort foremost with advanced ventilation and features like intercom compatibilities. We have pulled a selection below for the various rider types.

Best budget adventure helmet

• Read our full list of the best adventure bike helmets

Best bargain helmet

Best budget sporty helmet

• Read our full list of the best sport bike helmets

Best budget sport touring helmets

• Read our full list of the best sport touring helmets

Best budget retro helmet

• Read our full list of the best retro helmets

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Frequently asked questions and tips

What does the ECE 22.06 safety rating mean in the U.S? 

The only legally-mandated safety rating required in America is DOT certification. A DOT rating means a helmet means the minimum requirements. DOT standards emphasize visibility and strength of materials, but not necessarily overall helmet design. 

The new ECE 22.06 safety rating is voluntary in the U.S., but is widely considered to be the gold standard. An ECE-rated helmet covers the legal bases all around the world. It uses updated testing methods, including impact with curbstone, as well as flat and sloping anvils. ECE testing requires batch testing before sale, so helmets tested come from the same production run as store-bound helmets. This helps detect any potential manufacturing defect. You will usually find the ECE rating on a tag on the chin strap.   

Can I wear goggles with it? 

If you plan on riding off-road, keep this question in mind. Visors can get covered in mud and sometimes mist up. Goggles help with ventilation. Many adventure lids feature removable visors, letting you wear goggles instead.  

Does it have a Pinlock insert? 

Many helmets come with a Pinlock (anti-fog inserts) included, while some include mounts and Pinlock is sold separately. In the case of the latter, factor in this extra expense. 

How much does it weigh? 

A heavy helmet puts extra strain on your neck, making extended riding difficult. A lightweight helmet can help add enjoyment (and miles) to longer touring. 

Is the lining removable? 

All helmets are susceptible to sweat and odor, especially ones used for strenuous off-road or trail riding. A removable, washable inner lining is highly recommended. 

Is the visor easy to remove? 

An easily removable visor makes cleaning simple. Look for a visor that can be removed without specialized tools.  

Does it have an integrated sun visor? 

An integrated “flip-down” sun visor means never having to stop to put on sunglasses. 

Is it well ventilated? 

A hot helmet is an uncomfortable one. Make sure the helmet has vents easily operated by a gloved hand. The more vents, the cooler your head will be. Heads up, some vents do create additional wind noise. 

Is it ready for a communications system? 

“Communications ready” means a helmet is designed with extra recesses around the ear to insert headphones for a communications system. Without them, headphones can stick out in irritating and even painful ways. 

Is it designed for glasses? 

If you wear prescription glasses, look for helmets designed to allow glasses to sit comfortably between the lining and your face. 

What kind of strap fastener does it have? 

Helmets come with two types of helmet strap fastener – a D-Ring or a ratchet-style. The D-Ring requires manually threading and tightening of the strap, while the ratchet-style system is a simple push-fit. The choice between them is a matter of rider preference. 

Can I move the peak? 

Adventure helmets have a peak to help shade your eyes from the sun. Make sure it can be easily  moved or removed altogether, if desired. Look for cut-outs or aerodynamic features to prevent wind-trapping at speed which puts extra strain on your neck. 

Can I buy a dark visor? 

Aside from laws mandating various levels of eye and face protection (depending on the state), riders are free to choose tinted, shaded or dark visors as they see fit. Make sure visibility holds up in changing conditions like shade, tunnels or enclosed spaces. 

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How MCN tests budget helmets

The MCN team of expert journalists have decades of experience over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t torture test anything. We use it just like you do in the real world and in all conditions to deliver impartial helmet buying advice.

MCN covers countless miles each week and tries lots of options in a short space of time. We quickly discover which helmets feel great, which ones don’t and why.

We only feature helmets we’ve extensively tested. Comparison helmets will be included if deemed important and relevant. Testing is ongoing and we will continually add gear and products to our site.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

Scoring Explained: 

Products are given a score from 1 to 5 stars. Beyond the ratings tab, you’ll find in-depth info on product and gear performance and attributes.  

• 1 Star – Avoid at all costs. 

• 2 Stars – Barely acceptable. 

• 3 Stars – Average or adequate. 

• 4 Stars – Above average.  

• 5 Stars – Excellent performance. 

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products. 

Laws vary from state to state, but only three states have no motorcycle helmet laws: Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire. All reputable research and/or data show that helmets save lives and minimize brain injuries. We love freedom of choice, but we’ll live and ride longer if said choice is between the thousands of fine helmets available to every kind of rider. 

Important note: once a helmet has been in any sort of accident, it’s time for a new one. The shell and liner are designed to work once. Even low-speed incidents can compromise a helmet’s integrity. 

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