The Best New Helmets Worth Wearing
[2023 Edition]
Last updated March 14, 2023 by Simon Bertram
About Our Selections
If there is one area of protective gear that is constantly evolving, and generally in a good direction, it is the brain bucket, the skid lid, aka the motorcycle helmet. New materials, new technology and techniques, and new innovations in safety have all helped shape the modern riding helmet, as well as new and more stringent testing and certification methodologies.
The biggest argument, however, is which helmet is best? That is not what we’re really asking in today’s listing, but the counterpoint is that not all riding is the same. What may be the perfect helmet for track riding and racing, may fail woefully in a desert run enduro or a motocross course. And there are those that don’t care for the sport style of riding, preferring comfortable helmets that can be worn for a day-long ride between cities.
Instead, today’s question is which are the best helmets worth wearing, for any given type of riding, in 2023. To qualify, the helmet itself doesn’t have to have been released this year, but it should be the most recent iteration that carries the latest and greatest advancements in safety, technology, materials, comfort, or any combination of all four. We will also be looking at both top-of-the-line and budget options, to provide the best spread of helmets.
With that said, on to the list!
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Entry-Level New Helmets
Priced under $500, these new helmets cover the entry and mid-range price brackets and are our top picks for you
HJC RPHA 90S
A mid-range brother to the top-tier RPHA 11 Pro, with many of the same components and features
Get Yours
RevZilla
$559.95 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $459.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.61 lbs (1,637 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete HJC RPHA 90S Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders that want excellent value for the price
Sport touring and standard style riders
Highlights
High-end quality at a mid-range price due to the sharing of many components from the top-tier RPHA 11 Pro modular
PinLock visor with inserts included in the box
Drop down sun visor included
Very quiet due to its aerodynamic shape
Downsides
Fits a smaller than sizing would suggest
Ready for HJC's proprietary intercom, some modification needed to use other systems
ICON Airflite MIPS Stealth
A very popular budget full face helmet, now with MIPS safety technology on board
Get Yours
RevZilla
$330.00 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $330.00
Head Shape: intermediate to long oval
Weight: 3.75 lbs (1,700 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete ICON Airflite review (non-MIPS)
Ideal For
Riders that want excellent value for the price with a full MIPS system for safety
Sport and sport touring riders
Highlights
Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) to help prevent rotational force injuries
Superb ventilation with large top intakes, massive chin intake, and two exhaust ports
Advanced polycarbonate shell construction
Downsides
Fitment can be finicky, as it is an intermediate to long intermediate helmet
Chin vent is permanently open
Can get noisy at higher speeds
AGV K6
A superb, lightweight touring helmet that can sit on your head all day without issue
Get Yours
RevZilla
$499.95 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $499.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 2.95 lbs (1,338 g)
Safety: ECE 22.05 and DOT
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete AGV K6 review
Ideal For
Riders wanting an extremely lightweight sports touring helmet
All riders, but designed for standard and sport touring styles of riding
Highlights
Quiet and stable at speed due to being AGV Aero Tuned to flow air over and around the helmet
Easy to add bluetooth intercom with indents prepared to accept the most common brands like Cardo and SENA
A great helmets for those that wear glasses as the lining is very forgiving around the temples
Downsides
No internal sun visor on a touring-oriented helmet
Extra visors are quite steeply priced
Sizing only goes up to 2XL, and typically fits a bit smaller than the sizing chart states
Fly Racing Dirt Formula CC Solid
One of the best dirt and trail riding helmets at any price point
Get Yours
RevZilla
$489.95 as of March 14
Amazon
$350.00 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $489.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.01 lbs (1,365 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.05
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Ideal For
Riders wanting a lightweight but rugged dirt and trail helmet
ADV, dirt, trail styles of riding
Highlights
Carbon composite construction makes the helmet extremely lightweight while also very resilient
Multi-zone, multi-layer EPS is of the "conehead" style to disperse more energy across a larger area should you come off your bike in the dirt
RHEON impact rubber energy cells absorb linear and rotational energy before it passes to the EPS, preventing rotational force injuries
Downsides
Quite expensive for a dirt and trail helmet
Vents have no closure options, so weather and dust can get in through both chin and top vents
Nearing end of life, expected to be replaced by the Dirt Formula CC V2 in 2023 or 2024
Mid-Range New Helmets
Priced between $500 and $700, these new helmets represent the lower high-end helmets in our selections for you
Shoei RF-1400
All the tech of a premium Shoei helmet at mid-market prices, a bargain any day of the week
Get Yours
RevZilla
$579.99 as of March 14
Amazon
$579.99 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $579.99
Head Shape: intermediate oval
Weight: 3.55 lbs (1,610 g)
Safety: DOT and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Shoei RF-1400 review
Ideal For
Riders wanting a great, upper mid-range daily helmet
All types of riders
Highlights
Extremely quiet, to the point of possibly being the quietest full face helmet available today, thanks to its very aerodynamic and smooth shape
Superb fit and finish, with the visor closing flush with the shell to prevent any gaps or leaks
Snell M2020 certified
Downsides
To mount a bluetooth comms device, a specific Shoei mount is required
Heavier than expected for a helmet in this price range
Scorpion EXO-R1 Air Carbon
A premium carbon fiber lid in the mid-range price bracket that is a street version of a GP-grade helmet
Get Yours
RevZilla
$549.95 as of March 14
Amazon
$549.95 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $549.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.00 lbs (1,360 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22,05, and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the complete Scorpion EXO-R1 Carbon review
Ideal For
Riders wanting a premium helmet at a mid-range price
Sport riders looking for a helmet for both the track and the street
Highlights
One of the lightest helmets on the market, at just 1,360 grams (3 lbs) with visor and liner installed.
Customizable fit using Scorpion's AirFit system to inflate the cheek and jaw liner areas
Very quiet thanks to its aerodynamic shape and low chin bar that shapes the air smoothly around the shell
Snell M2020 certified as it is a street evolution of the EXO-R1 GP helmet
Downsides
Very strictly intermediate oval, so round-to-intermediate or intermediate-to-long-oval riders are out of luck
Visor lock can be difficult to operate, requires a hefty amount of force to open
AirFit pump and release button can be difficult to access with gloves on
Arai XD-4
Arai's legendary materials and safety, in a top of the line ADV helmet under $700. Bargain of the century, we think!
Get Yours
RevZilla
$639.95 as of March 14
Amazon
Up to $650 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $639.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.00 lbs (1,360 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22,05, and Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Our Review
See the Arai XD-4 head to head showdown review
Ideal For
Riders wanting one of the safest helmets for ADV and rally styles of riding
Riders wanting a helmet that is as at home on the street as it is on the dirt
Highlights
Legendary Arai hand-laid fiberglass shell for the ultimate in resiliency and strength
Adjustable fit with 2 to 5mm peel-away foam inside the moisture-wicking liner
Very quiet and cool due to the shape flowing air smoothly around the helmet and to the intake vents for cooling
Dakar Rally 2022 homologation approved, one of only a handful of helmets to pass the strict requirements to be used in the race
Downsides
Sun peak can cause a slight whistle at highway speeds
Difficult to mount an intercom system
High-End New Helmets
Priced over $700, these new helmets represent the cream of the crop from the premium segment.
Schuberth C5
A no-nonsense premium modular helmet from Germany's most respected helmet maker
Get Yours
RevZilla
$769.00 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $769.00
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.99 lbs (1,810 g)
Safety: DOT and ECE 22.06
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Ideal For
Riders that want a serious, no-frills helmet that is well engineered and made of superior materials
All riders of any style, though Schuberth suggests that the helmet is best for touring
Highlights
Direct Fiber Processing fiberglass shell with an innovative multi-sectional EPS foam impact layer underneath
Superb visibility thanks to an extra-wide viewport
Intuitive flip-up system that is easy to use with gloves on
Integrated drop down sun visor
Downsides
Quite heavy for the price
Modifications needed to work with intercoms other than the Schuberth SC2
Shoei X-14 Solid
One of the best track day and racing helmets on the market today
Get Yours
RevZilla
$819.99 as of March 14
Amazon
Up to $850 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $819.99
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.62 lbs (1,642 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22.05, Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Our Review
See the complete Shoei X-14 (2015 version) review
Ideal For
Riders wanting the absolute best of the best in terms of race-ready sports helmets
Riders wanting a track-day or race helmet that also can be used for day to day riding
Highlights
Developed from the MotoGP X-14 GP helmet with the same Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus (AIM+) shell material
Amazing ventilation with three large front intakes (top, crown, chin) and five exhaust vents
Meets and exceeds FIM FHRPe-01 homologation standard, making this a helmet that is 100% qualified and ready to be raced in
Customizable fit with the 3D Max-Dry liner allowing you to change the angle the helmet sits on your head, as well as thickness of the padding
Downsides
Narrow neck opening area, difficult to fit over larger heads
Almost requires a sportbike riding position to get full use of the aerodynamics and visor port angle
Bell Moto-10 MIPS Spherical
When you simply have to have the best helmet possible for off-road and trail riding
Get Yours
RevZilla
$869.95 as of March 14
SoloMoto
Members get 20% off
Key Specs
Price: $869.95
Head Shape: Intermediate oval
Weight: 3.64 lbs (1,651 g)
Safety: DOT, ECE 22.05, FIM FHRPe-01, Snell M2020
Sizing: XS to 2XL
Ideal For
Riders wanting the absolute best of the best in terms of trail and dirt helmets
Riders wanting the newest materials and safety advances
Highlights
3K carbon fiber shell for optimal strength and resilience off-road
Spherical MIPS is the latest in Bell's development of the technology that makes the helmet and your head a ball and socket joint. This prevents a lot of rotational energy from being transmitted
Very large eye port to handle even the biggest of goggles
Downsides
Visor screws can come loose while riding if not fully tightened and locked
Chin bar is quite close for a dirt and trail helmet
See the Other Best Helmets of 2023
Looking for a specific helmet type? Check out these other curated recommendations.
