Your helmet is the most important piece of riding gear you’ll ever buy, so it pays to get it right. With so many brands, models and certifications out there, it’s easy to end up looking at two helmets with a £300 gap between them and wondering what the extra money actually gets you.
We get asked the same question all the time: is this brand any good? Sometimes it’s a rider eyeing up a premium helmet and wondering if they’re just paying for the badge. Sometimes it’s the opposite, a helmet at a price that looks too good to be true. So we’ve put together the 10 motorcycle helmet brands we trust most, based on riding in them, fitting them and hearing back from our fellow riders.
Eight of the ten are brands we stock. We’ve also included two we don’t currently sell, because leaving them off wouldn’t make for an honest list.
Our Top 10 At A Glance
| Brand | Best For | Standout Features | Models We’d Pick | Helmets From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shoei | Touring & everyday riders | Superb comfort, quietness, and build quality | Shoei Neotec 3 & GT-Air 3 | £299.99 |
| 2. Arai | Ultimate safety seekers | Glance-off tech, unique design philosophy | Arai Quantic & RX-7 | £329.99 |
| 3. HJC | Versatile riders on a budget | Wide model range, proven race safety | HJC RPHA 71 & i91 | £77.99 |
| 4. LS2 | Budget-conscious riders | High spec at low prices, racing pedigree | LS2 Vector II & Advant X | £44.99 |
| 5. AGV | Sport & racing fans | Sleek Italian design, high SHARP ratings | AGV K6-S or Pista GP-RR | £89.99 |
| 6. Nolan | Touring & Commuting | Handmade with Italian craftmanship | Nolan N80-8 | Not currently stocked |
| 7. Alpinestars | High-performance racing | MotoGP-grade tech, quality finish | Alpinestars Supertech R10 | £449.99 |
| 8. Airoh | Touring & adventure riders | Competitive pricing, off-road expertise | Airoh Commander 2 | £89.99 |
| 9. Shark | Urban & sport riders | Innovative designs | Shark Spartan GT Pro | Not currently stocked |
| 10. Caberg | Touring & commuting | Value, comfort, integrated sun visors | Caberg Duke Evo & Duke X | £49.99 |
Helmets From is our lowest price for an in-stock adult helmet from each brand when we last updated this guide
What Makes a Great Helmet Brand?
The whole point of a helmet is to protect your head if you come off, so safety comes first. You’ve also got to want to wear it on every ride, though, which is why fit, comfort and looks matter too. Every brand on our list gets both right, and these are the things we looked at.
Safety Certification
Every helmet sold for road use in the UK needs ECE approval. The current standard is ECE 22.06, which replaced 22.05 with tougher testing. Helmets certified to 22.05 are still road legal, but if you’re buying new, we’d always recommend a 22.06 helmet. It’s accepted on roads across the UK and most of Europe.
Heading to a track day? You’ll also want to look for ACU Gold approval from the Auto-Cycle Union. Many UK track day organisers ask for it, so check with yours before you book.
Then there’s SHARP, the UK government’s helmet safety scheme, which crash tests helmets and rates them from one to five stars. A five-star helmet scored best in SHARP’s impact tests, so it’s worth checking the rating of any model you’re considering. SHARP has also been reviewing its test protocol, including how helmets deal with head rotation, so expect the scheme to keep evolving.
Shell Construction
The material your helmet is made from has a big say in its weight, feel and price, and in our expert opinion it’s one of the most important things to look at. Polycarbonate shells (you might also see thermoplastic or ABS) are where most helmets start, and a good one does its job well. Fibreglass is the natural first upgrade and is usually lighter. At the top end, multi-composite and carbon fibre shells keep the weight right down, which you’ll really notice at the end of a long day in the saddle.
Fit & Comfort
A helmet can only protect you properly if it fits properly. We offer expert fitting in our Nottingham store, and every helmet on our site has a size guide for when you’re browsing at home. Brands do fit differently, so don’t be surprised if you’re a medium in one and a large in another. Many premium helmets also let you swap the cheek pads and liner to fine-tune the fit. Don’t compromise on your fit: get it right and you’ll enjoy every ride that much more.
Value For Money
Most of us have a budget to stick to, so we’ve looked at brands at every price point and picked out where each one stands out. Bear in mind that some brands don’t make an entry-level helmet at all, so their lowest-priced model can cost more than another brand’s flagship. That doesn’t make them the better choice for every rider, just a better fit for some.
With that said, let’s get into our list!
Our Top 10 Motorcycle Helmet Brands For 2026
10 – CABERG HELMETS
Caberg was founded in Bergamo, Italy, in 1974 and pairs Italian design with practical, rider-friendly features. Caberg say they were the second brand in the world to make a flip-up helmet and the first in Italy, and flip fronts are still where they really shine. Multi-density EPS liners, good ventilation and removable, washable linings feature across much of the range.
The range covers full face, flip front and open face helmets, with Caberg helmets in our store starting from £49.99. Our personal picks are the Caberg Duke X (from £141.99) and the Duke Evo (from £166.99), both flip fronts with a drop-down sun visor that make great touring and commuting helmets.
9 – SHARK HELMETS
Shark was set up in Marseille by brothers André and Robert Teston, both former racers, and those racing roots still show. Shark has protected some of the biggest names in MotoGP and works closely with its riders on aerodynamics and new models, and that work filters down into its road helmets. The brand is known for bold styling and fresh ideas, such as the Evo-One flip-up, whose chin bar rotates right round to the back.
We don’t currently stock Shark, but it’s a standout brand and well worth a look if you’re shopping around. The Spartan GT Pro is a popular sports touring choice.
8 – AIROH HELMETS
Founded in 1997 by Antonio Locatelli, Italian brand Airoh made its name off-road, and its long partnership with nine-time motocross world champion Antonio Cairoli says plenty about its credentials in the dirt. In recent years Airoh has brought that know-how to the road, with light composite shells, multi-density EPS liners and plenty of airflow across the range.
For a fun first helmet, the Airoh Connor (from £89.99) comes in some properly bold designs. The Matryx (from £299.99) will keep even a demanding touring rider happy, while the most popular adventure helmet in our store is the Commander 2 (from £336.99), which brings Airoh’s off-road experience and road range together in a superb dual sport helmet.
7 – ALPINESTARS HELMETS
Alpinestars began in 1963 in the Italian Alps, where Sante Mazzarolo made ski boots before turning his hand to motocross boots. That move kick-started a company that now protects riders in MotoGP, motocross and beyond, and it was an early pioneer of airbag protection for motorcyclists. Alpinestars is best known for leathers, boots and gloves, but its helmet range is growing.
The Alpinestars Supertech R10 (from £849.99) is the brand’s race helmet, with a carbon fibre shell that’s seriously light. If you want Alpinestars quality for road riding, the S-R7 starts from £449.99. With such a small helmet range, we can’t put Alpinestars any higher just yet, but we expect them to climb this list as it grows.
6 – NOLAN HELMETS
Nolan was founded in Italy in 1972 by Lander Nocchi and was one of the first companies to make helmets from injection-moulded polycarbonate. Nolan say they still make their helmets in Italy, from the raw materials through to final assembly, which is rare these days. The company also made X-Lite helmets for many years, which have since been replaced by the Nolan-X range.
We’ve stepped away from Nolan while the brand changes its UK distributor, but we’ll do our best to get them back in stock once that settles. In the meantime, the N80-8 is a solid touring and commuting choice.
5 – AGV HELMETS
AGV has been making helmets in Italy since 1947, and few brands have more racing history. It’s the brand Valentino Rossi wore throughout his career, and in our humble opinion he’s the greatest rider of all time. AGV helmets have a shape you’ll recognise anywhere and some of the most vibrant designs around, so you’ll certainly be seen. The range covers full face, open face and modular helmets for road and track.
The AGV K1-S (from £117.39) is a great starting point, while the K6-S (from £287.59) is an excellent choice for more experienced riders. AGV helmets start from £89.99 in our store.
4 – LS2 HELMETS
Based in Barcelona, LS2 is one of the younger brands on our list, but it’s built a big following by packing strong features into helmets at prices that don’t break the bank. Its newer models carry ECE 22.06 approval, and the range is one of the biggest around, with LS2 helmets starting from £44.99 in our store.
The LS2 FF811 Vector II (from £124.99) is one of the best full face helmets you’ll find for under £200. We also think the FF901 Advant X (from £189.99) is the best flip-over helmet out there, with a chin bar that rotates a full 180° to sit at the back. You won’t go far wrong with an LS2 helmet.
3 – HJC HELMETS
Taking the first podium spot, and our owner’s favourite brand, is HJC. HJC has made nothing but motorcycle helmets since 1971, and that focus shows. It’s one of the few helmet makers with its own wind tunnel for testing aerodynamics, ventilation and noise, and its range runs from great value commuter helmets right up to MotoGP race helmets. 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo races in an HJC, and in 2022 HJC became the pit crew helmet supplier for Oracle Red Bull Racing in Formula One.
The ever-popular HJC i71 (from £129.00) and i91 flip-up (from £169.99) are great starting points for newer riders, with HJC helmets starting from £77.99 in our store. For more demanding riders, the RPHA 12 (from £299.99) and the RPHA 91 flip-up (from £399.99) are hard to beat.
2 – ARAI HELMETS
An extremely close second, Arai is a huge name in motorcycling and motorsport. The Japanese company’s story changed in the 1970s, when Michio Arai decided being average wasn’t good enough and set out to make the best helmet in the world. As a rider himself, his focus was protection rather than volume or profit.
Arai’s thinking centres on a strong, round, smooth shell designed to glance off an impact rather than grip it, spreading the energy before it reaches you. That’s why Arai helmets have kept the same rounded look for decades, and why Arai don’t make flip-up helmets or fit internal sun visors: they believe both would weaken the shell. Many riders, including friends and family of ours, swear by them.
Good news if you’ve had your eye on one: Arai helmets are now in stock at BDLA Motorbikes, starting from £329.99. Our picks are the Arai Quantic (from £389.99), a comfortable all-rounder for the road, and the RX-7V Evo (from £599.99), Arai’s race-bred flagship.
1 – SHOEI HELMETS
Our overall winner is Japanese brand Shoei. Since making its first helmets in 1959, Shoei has built a reputation for some of the safest, best-made helmets in motorcycling, and they’re still made in Japan. Most of its road helmets use Shoei’s AIM or AIM+ shells, multi-fibre blends that keep the weight down without giving up strength.
In our expert opinion, Shoei make the most comfortable helmets available. The range covers every kind of riding, and unlike Arai, Shoei make flip-up helmets and fit drop-down sun visors, which edges them ahead for those of us who mostly ride on the road. You’ll spot plenty of police riders in Shoei flip-ups too.
Our personal picks are the Shoei Neotec 3 flip-up (from £539.99) and the flagship touring GT-Air 3 full face (from £484.99). Shoei helmets start from £299.99 in our store.
Motorbike Helmet Brands FAQs
Our top 10 motorcycle helmet brands for 2026 are Shoei, Arai, HJC, LS2, AGV, Nolan, Alpinestars, Airoh, Shark and Caberg. Every one makes helmets we’d happily ride in, and the right choice comes down to your riding, your budget and how each brand fits your head.
Our top five are Shoei, Arai, HJC, LS2 and AGV. Shoei and Arai lead on comfort and safety, HJC and LS2 offer great helmets at every price point, and AGV is hard to beat for sport and track riding.
No single brand can be called the safest, because safety varies from model to model rather than brand to brand. A full face helmet will always protect more of your head than an open face one, even from a brand known for safety, and a brand’s entry-level helmet won’t match the top of another brand’s range. Instead of picking a brand for safety, check the model you’re looking at. Make sure it meets ECE 22.06, look up its SHARP rating and, if you ride on track, check for ACU Gold approval.
In our opinion, Shoei just has the edge. Arai put safety above everything else, which still makes them a great choice, but Shoei balance safety and comfort better and offer flip-up helmets and internal sun visors. Both make helmets that look great and keep you safe.
Generally, Shoei helmets tend to be quieter than Arai. Shoei put a lot of work into aerodynamics, and their neck rolls fit closely to keep wind noise out. That said, noise depends on the model and your fit, so compare the specific helmets you’re considering, and try them on if you can.
For helmets at a lower price, LS2 and HJC are both great brands to look at. LS2 helmets start from £44.99 in our store and HJC from £77.99, and both make lower-priced models that still meet the safety standards without giving up too much comfort. Caberg is worth a look too, especially for flip-up helmets.
Shoei, Arai and Alpinestars are the most expensive brands on our list. Their top models sit at a premium price, but in our view they’re worth every penny. Even their entry-level helmets cost more than many brands’ flagships: in our store, Shoei helmets start from £299.99, Arai from £329.99 and Alpinestars from £449.99, with the Alpinestars Supertech R10 going up to £1,149.99.
Arai, AGV and Shoei are among the best brands for sports and track riders. Their race helmets are designed for aerodynamics at high speed, a wide field of vision when you’re tucked in and a secure fit. Not every helmet from these brands is suitable for track use, though, so check for ACU Gold approval and your track day organiser’s rules before you book.
In Summary: The Best Motorcycle Helmet Brands
You won’t go far wrong with any of the brands on this list. Shoei and Arai lead the way for comfort and safety, while HJC and LS2 give you the most helmet for your money. We all have our favourites, and you’ll soon start to pick up on the features and designs you like best.
If you’re not sure which helmet suits your riding, give us a shout, drop us a message on our Live Chat or feel free to pop down to our Nottingham store for an expert fitting. You can also browse our full range of motorcycle helmets. As we always say, if you’re happy with the fit of your helmet, you’ll enjoy your riding that much more.
