A motorbike helmet is one of the most important pieces of protective gear you will ever buy, so there’s a lot of pressure when it comes to picking one out. 

With so many choices on the market, it can be hard to know how much you should spend, what you should be looking out for or even what style is right for you. 

For that reason, we’ve put together this list of our current favourites – spanning touring, adventure-style, heritage, sports riding and custom helmets. With this list, we hope you find exactly what you’re looking for!

When buying a motorcycle helmet, you need to make sure it meets the UK’s legal safety standards. 
All motorcycle helmets worn in the UK have to meet the Economic Commission for Europe standard, also known as the ECE 22.06. 

This is in place to ensure that your motorbike helmet can protect you as effectively as possible in the event of an accident. You can verify your helmet meets the required safety standards for the UK if you can see the BSI Kitemark, signifying that it has been independently tested by experts. 

For more on the safety standards your helmet needs to meet, read our guide to buying the best motorcycle helmet. 

Touring helmets are designed for comfort and practicality – perfect for longer motorcycle trips. 

This type of helmet will be perfect for you if you need something a bit more relaxed to keep you secure while on a motorbike tour. 

However, if you like to ride off-road, then something like an adventure helmet may be more suited to you.

Helmets don’t get much more comfortable than the Schuberth C5.
 
With two vents, a customisable inner lining that feels moulded to your head and a City Position visor mechanism that provides extra airflow, this modular helmet is a great choice for long-distance touring. 

The Schuberth C5 has also undergone significant changes from its predecessors, sharing no parts with previous models to meet the ECE 22.06 standard – making this helmet chock-full of new features. 

These include an anti-fog lens, pre-installed speakers and antenna (for an optional SC2 intercom system), an improved field of vision compared to earlier models as well as a high-quality, premium feel that matches the price point. 

At £539.99, this helmet is a bit of a pricier option, but it more than makes up for it with a suite of features designed for comfort while touring. 

At £219.99, the Caberg Duke Evo is slightly more budget-friendly than the Schuberth C5, but that doesn’t stop it from being an excellent touring helmet. 

This helmet offers a high standard of safety when worn with the chin guard both open and shut, giving you the freedom to ride in the way that suits you best. 

It also features a double visor system that includes an anti-scratch sunshade visor, allowing you to ride easily in brighter environments. 

Plus, the helmet can be equipped with an optional extra wireless communication system, perfect for rider-to-passenger and rider-to-rider communication, listening to music and accessing navigation information. 

This is a sleek, compact helmet that feels lightweight while giving you a high level of protection – perfect for long-distance touring. 

Adventure-style helmets are usually easy to spot, thanks to their high peak and elongated chin bar. 

These helmets are a great option if you’re planning to frequently take your bike off road, as they usually offer good ventilation and protection from the elements. 

The LS2 Pioneer II offers practically everything an off-road rider could want, with multiple vents, an integrated sun visor and an adjustable peak. 

Alongside that, the Pioneer II is fitted with an emergency release system, allowing paramedics to easily remove the helmet’s cheek if they need access in the event of an accident – which is great to have in a helmet that’s likely to be taken off-road. It’s also both ECE and DOT certified, meaning you can use this helmet in Europe and the US. 

With a removable hypoallergenic liner, the Pioneer II is a pretty comfortable helmet for most riders. However, some have found the cheek pads to be a little tight, so make sure you’re happy with the fit before buying. 

Overall, the Pioneer II is a lightweight adventure helmet that feels safe and comfortable while still looking good. At only £119.99, this helmet is an absolute steal.  

With extensive ventilation, an adjustable interior and a wide visor aperture, the Arai Tour X5 is ideal for an adventure rider. 

Completely redesigned from previous models, the Tour X5 is absolutely packed with new features. These include a completely new ventilation system, a redesigned nose deflector to make the use of goggles as easy as possible and a retractable pull-down chin spoiler. 

Plus, the interior is fully removable, with an adjustable pad at the rear of the crown pad. The outside of the helmet is also easily customisable, with the visor and peak easy to install and remove without the use of tools. 

As an ECE 22.06 certified helmet with a five-year warranty available, the Tour X5 is a more expensive option at £699.99, but the quality it offers as an adventure helmet is virtually unmatched. 

The classic look of a retro helmet is widely beloved in the biking community, and it’s easy to see why. If you value style, then a retro-style helmet is a great choice for you, but it’s important to make sure that the helmet you choose meets modern safety standards. Luckily, the helmets below are both ECE 22.06 certified!

Bell’s Bullitt helmets are iconic in the riding world, and the latest iteration is no different, blending its timeless look with high-performance capabilities.

Designed for on-road riding, the Bullitt GT features a new shield gasket for improved sealing, closable venting for adaptable airflow, a tool-less shield removal system and an updated interior to make cleaning easier. 

At £454.99, you can of course find cheaper helmets that come equipped with a larger range of features, but with such a rich legacy, if you’re after a classic look, then this helmet is perfect for you. It also comes in a wide range of colourways, including vintage olive, blood red and black and silver, giving you more flexibility when it comes to choosing the right style for you. 

Evolved from the 70s-style original, the Davida Speedster V4 is another well-loved design that has successfully incorporated modern helmet requirements. 

With a lightweight fibreglass composite shell, comfortable lining and a great field of view, the helmet feels like it’s straight from the seventies while being ECE 22.06 certified. 

Plus, while open-face helmets can be loud, this one has been reported to be surprisingly quiet and stable, even at high speeds. It’s also compatible with an intercom system, although this may impact the vintage look and feel of the helmet.

At £180, this helmet is a lot cheaper than the Bell Bullitt GT, but still offers the vintage look and feel that so many riders are after. As a lightweight helmet, it not only looks good but feels good too, making it a great option for anyone who wants a retro-looking option. 

A sports helmet is designed to be aerodynamic, with top-tier safety features, good levels of visibility and a sleek, aggressive design. 

However, if you’re using your helmet for motorbike racing, make sure it displays an ACU Gold sticker, as this demonstrates its met the additional standards needed for competitive racing. 

Aerodynamic, lightweight and high-performance, if you’re looking for a high-quality sports helmet, the Arai Quantic might be the choice for you.
 
This helmet will slip through the air neatly and efficiently and, with controllable ventilation, a facial contour system and temple pads, is a dream to wear even at high speeds. 

The smooth, round shape of this helmet is designed to ‘glance-off’ (moving away from an object upon impact instead of abruptly stopping), spreading impact force after an accident, and the emergency release system can allow easier access to an injured rider. 

For easy access when getting this helmet on and off, the outer shell of the Quantic has a 5mm flare around the base, and the vision visor comes with a Pinlock insert ready to use. 

All in all, this helmet is an incredible option for anyone into sports riding, and a great all-rounder – although at £599.99, it’s definitely at a higher price point than some of the others on this list. 

At £149, AGV’s K1 S is a slightly more budget-friendly sports helmet compared to the Arai Quantic.
 
The K1 S is well-adapted for sports riding, with an aerodynamic shell, front vents developed through racing experience and a spoiler designed to maximise performance and provide stability even at high speeds. 

Its scratch-resistant panoramic visor offers a 190° horizontal field of view to give you a better field of vision, which is particularly useful if you’re having to make quick decisions. 

The fit of this helmet is also especially designed to allow for wearing glasses, and the soft interior lining keeps you comfortable while riding, while also being easily removable to make cleaning easier. 

Altogether, the K1 S is a great option for any sports rider, and while it doesn’t have the extensive suite of features that the Arai Quantic boasts, it’s an excellent sports bike helmet that feels comfortable and secure while looking sleek and stylish. 

With a unique design, custom helmets are a great option for any rider with a custom bike who wants something that will complement their bike’s specific look. 

These helmets also often have features like removable peaks and face masks, making them a lot more versatile. 
However, if you’re planning on going off-road or tend to ride more aggressively, this probably isn’t the style for you. 

For a helmet with that custom look that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Simpson Speed ECE 22.06.

On the outside, this offering from Simpson is built with thermo-injected Polycarbonate, keeping it lightweight while remaining durable. Plus, the shell is available in three sizes, making it easier to find the right fit for your head shape. 

This helmet also sports Simpson’s classic Speed Brow design, crafted to keep you cool and reduce wind noise by enhancing airflow across your head. Alongside that, it’s equipped with chin vents and a central rear exhaust vent, meaning you shouldn’t get too hot while wearing this helmet. 

As the name suggests, this helmet is certified to ECE 22.06 standards, and it shows. With a secure double D-ring retention system, an ultra-wide field of view and space for a Pinlock anti-fog insert, the Simpson Speed feels safe to wear and secure on your head. 

At £269.99, Simpson’s Speed ECE 22.06 helmet is one of our top choices for a custom rider – or any rider who wants a helmet that’s extremely comfortable with fantastic styling.

The streetfighter-inspired HJC i20 was designed to give riders a new approach to the classic open-face helmet. 

Featuring a removable face mask, this helmet lets you customise it to your preferred look, riding style and airflow preferences. It also comes with a wide-vision, anti-fog sun visor, which you can operate easily with pull tabs. 

Lightweight and comfortable, the inside of the helmet is made of a removable supercool lining, while the outer shell is an advanced polycarbonate composite that uses a 3 shell breakdown from sizes XS to 2XL – helping it to feel more secure on your head. 

Other features you can find on this helmet include a glasses groove, two top vents and an integrated mouth vent, and the capabilities for HJC’s Smart Bluetooth (although this is sold separately). Plus, at £189.99, it’s not too expensive either. 

If you’re looking for a helmet that’s a little more unique with a lot of flexibility, I would definitely recommend the HJC i20.

So there you have it, my top helmet picks for different types of riding.
 
If you’re after a new bike to accompany your shiny new helmet, don’t forget that you can get an insurance quote direct with Lexham. We also offer Helmets and Leathers insurance, so you can cover up to £1000 of protective motorcycle gear a year!