If you’re new to the best e-bike helmets, there are plenty of great models to choose from. Established cycling brands, such as Giro and Lazer, rub shoulders with newer manufacturers, like Unit 1 and Xnito. While most of the models featured here come with third-party safety certification, they also have unique selling points which may or may not grab your attention.
When considering an e-bike helmet, the first thing I look for is safety, but comfort and style are also serious considerations. Visibility and ventilation are also important, and I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t care less about the colour.
I've picked the 10 best e-bike helmets tested either by myself or a member of the test team. Our top e-bike helmet choice is the Smith Dispatch MIPS. It’s extremely comfortable, weighs under 400g (size L) and looks the business. The Unit 1 Aura MIPS also scores highly, although it’s a more substantial offering with some smart tech in its locker.
If you’re looking to kit out the whole family, I’ve also had my five-year-old put the Xnito Kid through its paces. You can find the full list of recommendations for the best e-bike helmets below.
If you are looking for advice on how to choose an e-bike helmet, there's more in our buyer's guide, lower down this page.
For helmets to use on conventional bikes, see our guides to the best road bike helmets and best commuter helmets.
Best e-bike helmets available today
You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Best e-bike helmet overall
✅ You suffer from misty glasses: The vents in the Microbrim visor channel air downwards to help stop your specs from misting up.
✅ You want something built to last: The tough shell has no creaks or flex, yet it isn't heavy or bulky.
❌ You want plenty of colour choice: This latest version comes in just matte black or matte white.
Smith made its name with ski goggles, and the snowsports heritage shows in the Dispatch MIPS, a minimal domed commuter helmet with a built-in Microbrim visor. It's the brand's premium urban offering and one of the most complete e-bike helmets I’ve tested, on both the e-bike school run and battery-free office commutes.
Protection comes from MIPS and zonal Koroyd crumple zones alongside the EPS liner. It also gets the NTA 8776 seal of approval. There's no Virginia Tech rating on this edition, though similar Smith helmets have earned five stars.
The standout feature is the AirEvac venting in the visor, which directs air downwards to stop your glasses from steaming up. The other eight vents are small, but they coped well on a 40-minute pedal-powered commute, and smaller vents means less rain gets in.
Build quality is superb. The shell feels military-grade, with no creaks or flex, yet at 394g it's relatively light and not at all bulky. The VaporFit cradle offers 270 degrees of adjustment plus three height settings, and during testing I didn't get the forehead pressure marks other helmets can leave. Padding is minimal and absent at the rear.
A Fidlock magnetic buckle, a helmet bag and a clip-on rear light complete a strong array of features. The light is slightly oversold as "integrated" and charges via Micro USB, but on the plus side, it's very easy to operate mid-ride.
If you want more details, take a look at our full Smith Dispatch MIPS review.
Best budget e-bike helmet
✅ You want a helmet with proven safety credentials: An impressive Virginia Tech score and Dutch NTA 8776 certification back up the helmet's protection claims.
✅ You want a premium-looking helmet at a great price: The clean aesthetics give a very premium look, but at an affordable price point.
❌ You want integrated lights: A light can be mounted to the helmet, but it is not neatly integrated into the helmet shell.
Many of the helmets on this list have Dutch NTA 8776 certification. Having the certification means that the helmet has passed a more demanding drop test than standard testing and has a design that provides a deeper, more protective fit. It's hard to see how that could be a bad thing except that it usually comes in tandem with a higher price.
The Specialized Mode helmet bucks the trend with both a bargain price and the NTA 8776 certification. On top of that, there's also a MIPS liner. Unfortunately, it's the older-style MIPS liner that's many brands have moved away from, but despite that, the Specialized Mode is one of the top ten highest-rated helmets from Virginia Tech.
Although a high Virginia Tech rating is impressive, it doesn't take into account passive safety in the form of lights. Compared to the Smith, Xnito, and Giro (helmets that also carry the NTA 8776 certification), the Mode lacks integrated lighting.
Specialized goes some way to addressing that shortcoming though. If you'd like to add a rear light, then there's a small rubber mount that integrates into the design and carries an optional Stix light from our list of the best budget bike lights. Even with the purchase of the light, you'd still come out ahead on pricing compared to other NTA 8776 options. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with fingerprints and the matte outer scratches easily if you catch it against a wall.
Best lightweight e-bike helmet
✅ You want a comfortable helmet: There is plenty of adjustment to ensure a good fit and the low weight makes it more comfortable to wear.
✅ You want an e-bike-certified helmet: The helmet meets the Dutch helmet certification called NTA 8776, which focuses on protection at higher speeds.
❌ You want good ventilation: We found airflow was lacking, so if you live in a hot climate, there are better options.
❌ You want enhanced nighttime visibility: It has lights, but they aren't bright enough to bolster safety.
The Xnito bike helmet packs a ton of style into the design, but that's not why it's on this list. The Xnito is here because of the Dutch NTA 8776 certification.
The Dutch NTA 8776 certification mandates a high drop test and lower sides to the helmet, and it's specifically designed for e-bike riders. There are several other helmets on in this guide that also conform to this higher safety standard.
The Xnito is a great option for anyone who really wants the certification without a hefty weight penalty. You get front and rear lights here too, they just aren't as big and bright as some of its rivals. On the upside, you do get a stylish fabric brim.
Despite the focus on e-bike safety, there's no MIPS here or Virginia Tech testing. Although the Xnito meets all the additional NTA 8776 standards, it's always nice to have independent testing too.
If you want to hear more details, take a look at our full Xnito helmet review. And see below for details on the child-friendly version.
Best e-bike helmet with turn signals
✅ You want turn signals: Handlebar-controlled turn signals will be available to riders who are nervous about taking their hands off the handlebars or want to make their next move as clear as possible.
✅ You want MIPS: Giro has specced a MIPS liner for rotational impact protection.
❌ You want NTA 8776 certification or a Virginia Tech rating: The helmet lacks a higher test standard and there's no third-party testing.
The Ethos MIPS is a stylish addition to Giro's range of commuter and e-bike-specific helmets. There are 12 vents to aid cooling, along with coverage around the back of the ears and at the rear of the head, making for a safe yet comfortable fit. At the front, you will find a rubberised TPU brim that won't add much in the way of protection but does help keep the sun out of your eyes.
The outstanding feature on this helmet is the lighting. At the front of the helmet, you'll find a pair of white LED strips on either side. Then at the rear, there's another pair, but this time in red. Wireless turn signal buttons come included, and you'll be able to signal a turn to other road users – though we'd recommend conventional signalling with your arms too.
The turn signal feature is also offered by the Unit 1, but that helmet adds a bit more weight as well as providing extra smart features. The two are certainly similar, but it's likely that riders will prefer the style of one over the other.
Unlike most of the helmets we've picked out here, the Ethos doesn't have the more stringent NTA 8776 certification or third-party testing from Virginia Tech.
You can read more details in our full Giro Ethos MIPS review.
Best for urban style
✅ You want large vents: The large vents are great for letting hot air out at slow and faster speeds.
✅ You want rotational impact protection: POC has specced the Crane with a MIPS liner.
❌ You don't want the older MIPS design: The older MIPS liner isn't as universally comfortable as newer designs.
Style matters when picking a helmet. It's okay if that's part of your buying decision, nothing wrong with that, and you might like an urban or skater-style helmet. If so, the POC Crane MIPS uses the familiar shape of a skate-style helmet and then marries it to a thoughtful design.
There are big vents that do a great job letting hot air out, and the outer shell uses a thick polycarbonate construction with the extra coverage typical of this style of helmet. Instead of the light, but delicate, outer you’ll find on many cycling helmets, the POC Crane MIPS outer can take a bump or two and continue to keep you safe. Despite that, at 411 grams for a size M/L, POC has kept it to a reasonable weight. There’s also an included brim if you prefer something to help keep the sun or rain out of your eyes.
Although this is a great helmet, the one thing I’d love to see changed is the MIPS part of the helmet. While POC and other brands have mostly moved past the first-generation MIPS with the large plastic inner, this helmet still uses it. It’s not a huge problem in a skate-style helmet as the liner mirrors the large blocky cuts of the outer shell, but it still seems like a throwback to an older technology.
Best e-bike helmet for visibility
✅ You want the best proven protection: MIPS, NTA 8776 certification, and a perfect 5/5 Virginia Tech score cover every safety base.
✅ You commute in the dark: The 350-lumen front and rear lights are class-leading, and the optional remote adds indicators and an automatic brake light.
❌ You want a light helmet: At 610g with the visor fitted, you'll notice the weight on longer rides unless you sit very upright.
Unit 1's co-founder Francisco Abelleira hated wearing his helmet as a kid, so snuck out without it and was subsequently hit by a car. The Aura is his answer, a helmet that's safe, highly visible and not "extremely ugly".
On protection, you won't find better. You get MIPS, NTA 8776 certification for higher-speed e-bike crashes and a perfect 5/5 from Virginia Tech. Crash Alert pairs with your phone and messages an emergency contact after a hard knock, with a 15-second window to cancel.
Visibility is also where it shines. The integrated lights push out 350 lumens front and rear and sit neatly in the shell when off. Through the app you can choose modes, from three hours at full power to 30 hours in beacon mode. Add the optional remote, and you get indicators (which require the optional wireless remote) and an automatic brake light, although whether drivers read a flashing helmet as a turn signal remains to be seen.
Ventilation is generous for an urban helmet thanks to 14 channels, and the magnetic visor and Fidlock buckle are welcome extras. The downsides are weight and fit. At 610g with the visor, it's very heavy, and personally I found the size L gappy at the sides with pressure at the back of the head, although fit is obviously very subjective.
It's at the very top end price-wise. There are cheaper options here, such as the Abus Hyp-E or Giro Camden, but neither has a Virginia Tech score.
You can read more details in my full Unit 1 Aura review.
Best e-bike helmet for ventilation
✅ You want to keep a cool head: Five large front vents give the best airflow of any e-bike helmet here.
✅ You commute in all weathers: The fold-out rain cover covers the shell in wet or windy conditions and has reflective panels.
❌ You want strong built-in lighting: The 10-lumen rear light is weak, so you'll need an additional rear light on your bike to be easily seen.
Most e-bike helmets favour an urban-style dome over enhanced airflow, but the Pedelec 2.0 MIPS takes its cues from the road and MTB helmets Abus has been making since the 1990s. It isn't especially sleek, and the lower rear coverage demanded by NTA 8776 gives it a distinctive profile, but it's slim and lighter than many rivals at 372g in size M.
Protection is good. You get MIPS, NTA 8776 certification and four out of five stars from Virginia Tech. That’s close to a full house where safety standards are concerned.
The main selling point for me, especially when considering the competition, is ventilation. Five large front inlets with bug mesh kept me cool on a 40-minute pedalled commute, and the fold-out rain cover stored in the rear is a clever extra. Pulled over the shell and pegged at the front, it handled wind and rain while still allowing some breathability, and its reflective panels keep the rear light visible.
Comfort is good too. The Zoom Spin dial offers about 1.5 inches of height adjustment, so even our half-ring-sceptical tester avoided pressure points, and it works with lower-set ponytails. The magnetic buckle opens one-handed.
The only weak spot is lighting; which I consider a nice-to-have as I always run lights attached to my bike. However, the 10-lumen rear in-built light is feeble, and charges using via Micro-USB.
The Pedelec 2.0 is premium priced, though it's often discounted. The Giro Camden is a close rival with a far brighter rear light.
You can find more details in our full Abus Pedelec 2.0 MIPS review.
Best e-bike helmet for all-season use
✅ You want adjustable vents: If you plan on commuting in all weather, the Camden's vents can be opened on warm days and closed on cold or wet days.
✅ You want a big rear light: A large light panel at the back will make you more visible in traffic.
❌ You want a light helmet: While it's not the weightiest model we've tested, it's quite a bit heavier than many other helmets in this guide.
One of the big reasons you might consider an e-bike-specific helmet is the added speed and weight of e-bikes. This is especially true in the US, where speeds end up being in-between a bike and a motorcycle. If that's a consideration for you, the Dutch NTA 8776 certification mandates greater coverage and higher drop tests. It's not clear-cut that it's absolutely necessary, but it's not going to hurt, and the Giro Camden adds it as just one of the things that make it a great helmet.
The reason this helmet gets into this guide is that there are way more features outside of the extra certification. You also get a big, bright rear light, an integrated brim, and vents you can close when it's cold and rainy. The padding is comfortable and there's a magnetic buckle closure. It ends up being a really great-feeling helmet to wear.
The positives are plenty to overcome any negatives, but as you consider, you will also want to keep in mind that there are some downsides. One big one is that Giro hasn't submitted the helmet for testing with Virginia Tech. That always leaves a question, even if it shouldn't. On top of that, it's one of the heaviest helmets in this guide, and the light still uses a micro-USB charger.
Best e-bike helmet for kids
✅ You want e-bike-level protection for a child: NTA 8776 certification means a tougher drop test and extra coverage around the ears and rear of the head.
✅ You want a helmet your child will love: Foam stickers, matte colours and a magnetic buckle that won't pinch small chins make this one a hit with young riders.
❌ You want good airflow for pedalling: The vents are small and the helmet ran noticeably warmer on longer pedalled rides, although it was fine for a passenger.
The Xnito Kid Helmet is essentially a smaller version of the adult Xnito helmet, and style and safety runs in the family. The matte finish, tidy recesses and lower-cut sides give it more of a skate-park feel than a typical kids' lid, and several colours match the adult version for anyone wanting some family twinning.
The Xnito Kid’s Dutch NTA 8776 certification covers crash protection at up to 28mph, and requires extra coverage around the ears and rear. Xnito claims to offer 87 per cent more protection than the US CPSC standard. There's no MIPS or Virginia Tech score, though, which leaves it on the back foot against rivals that pair NTA 8776 with rotational protection.
Day to day, my five-year-old loved it, particularly the foam stickers that turn what is quite a plain helmet into a dinosaur-and-spaceman playground. The magnetic buckle was a hit with everyone (no more pinched chins), and the integrated front and rear lights (USB-C charging, around 10 hours) add visibility, although they shouldn't replace proper bike lights on the road.
Ventilation is the weak point. It was ideal for a passenger on the back of a cargo bike, but on longer pedalled rides the helmet ran noticeably warmer than a regular kids' lid. At 338g, it's heavier than a standard children's helmet but lighter than its main competitor, the Ozmo Sidekick.
The Xnito Kid is among the pricier kids' helmets, and the single 51-54cm size does limit its shelf life.
If you want more details, take a look at my full Xnito Kid Helmet review.
Best e-bike helmet for sustainability
✅ You want to cut your environmental impact: The EcoLoc system lets you disassemble the helmet for recycling, and 70 per cent of its weight is recycled material.
✅ You want a neat, slim-looking lid: It isn't bulky even in the M-L size and comes in five easy-on-the-eye matte colours.
❌ You ride hard or in hot weather: The vents favour keeping rain out over letting air in, and the weight becomes noticeable after about half an hour.
The Verde is Lazer's first helmet built around its EcoLoc system, which lets you disassemble it for recycling at the end of its life. Seventy per cent of its weight is recycled material, and there's no glue, Velcro, paint or stickers. Sustainability features in cycling kit often feel disingenuous; but here the whole helmet embodies a green ethos and it’s pretty impressive.
Safety credentials are also strong. It carries NTA 8776 certification and scored four out of five from Virginia Tech. In place of MIPS, Lazer uses KinetiCore, an in-house system that relies on crumple zones rather than a separate inner shell.
The slim profile isn't overly bulky even in the M-L size, the five matte colours look great (Sage Green and Fort Knox stand out), and the shell is dyed rather than painted, so it resists scratches better. Fit was fine even for my unconventional head shape, helped by the simple TurnSys dial, though there's no vertical adjustment, which limits ponytail use and custom fits.
Straps use an old-school pinch-release buckle, padding is minimal and there's no visor, although you can add Lazer's LED light. At 481g, it's around 100g heavier than our leading e-bike helmet, the Smith Dispatch, and after half an hour of head-down commuting you do start to feel the weight. The vents are designed to keep rain out, and in summer heat, I’m not sure they do enough to actually let air in.
For more info, see my Lazer Verde KenetiCore review.
How to choose the best e-bike helmet for you
There are a lot of choices of helmets out there. It's worth considering if you want an e-bike-specific helmet or whether a more generic urban helmet will work for you. To a large extent, that depends on where you live and what you're riding.
If your e-bike is capable of higher speeds, an e-bike-specific helmet is a wise choice, whereas riders of lower-speed e-bikes may prefer an urban style, or even a road bike helmet to increase ventilation and comfort.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best e-bike helmet for your needs.
- How well does it fit? This is a crucial consideration with any helmet, for both safety and comfort. There's no substitute for trying before you buy.
- How fast can I go? If your US e-bike can assist you to 28mph, you probably want to consider a higher spec helmet. It's still a consideration even for e-bikes with a 25km/h cut-off, due to the extra weight and momentum of an e-bike.
- Does it have extra safety features? Added-value features, including MIPS and the Dutch NTA-8776 certification, may be a consideration.
- Does the helmet have extra lights? These will increase your visibility in crowded urban environments.
- Do I want urban style? Most e-bike helmets have a more dome-shaped look, but some are more like road bike helmets, with more ventilation that may be more comfortable for hot rides.
- How much do I want to pay? There are some great deals on helmets, but generally, it's a good idea to spend as much as you can on a helmet. It's an essential bit of kit to help keep you safe.
E-bike helmets: Frequently asked questions
Do e-bike helmets need special certification?
Governments around the world have decided that e-bikes don't need a special helmet. Every single helmet listed here passes the relevant certifications and all are legally sold in the jurisdictions where they are available for purchase.
That said, one of the things you will see mentioned in the description of some helmets is the Dutch NTA-8776 certification. Helmets with that certification pass a higher drop test meant to simulate higher energy dissipation in crashes that occur at higher speeds. They also provide extra coverage and come down lower. If you think those are important features to have, we've highlighted those features where available.
Right now, there is no US or EU certification that mirrors the Dutch certification. Should something change, we will update this list to reflect the latest requirements.
How do I find the right fit?
E-bike helmets are usually sized S/M/L based on head circumference. The manufacturer's site will indicate the range of head circumference that each helmet size is designed to fit, so measure yours and you should be able to narrow down the size of helmet that you need.
There's a lot of adjustability in most helmets, usually via a dial at the rear that tightens or loosens the cradle. Further adjustment is usually possible by sliding the cradle up and down so that it fits below the occipital bone, the lump on the back of your head.
Generally speaking, the helmet should be able to cover the majority of your forehead without impairing vision and you should be able to adjust the straps so they are snug under your chin without being uncomfortable.
But helmet shapes differ, some with a more elongated shape front to rear and some more rounded, so you may be more comfortable and have a better fit in some helmets than others. There's no substitute for trying before you buy.
What is MIPS and do I need it?
Many of the best e-bike helmets now include MIPS or another system to provide additional protection in the event of a crash. MIPS is designed to reduce the impact transferred to your skull and thence to your brain in a crash with a glancing impact of your helmet on the ground or another object, when modelling shows that there can be significant shear forces generated.
MIPS includes a sliding plane between the helmet shell and your head, which slips in a crash, absorbing some of the impact energy. MIPS helmets are regularly rated among the safest helmets in independent testing by bodies such as Virginia Tech, which publishes an annual league table based on its testing.
There are other systems besides MIPS designed to help dissipate impact energy. These include Wavecel, used in Bontrager helmets from Trek, SPiN used in some POC helmets and Koroyd used by Endura, Smith and others. Don't discount these systems because they're not MIPS.
When should I replace my bike helmet?
Bike helmets are what keeps your head safe from impact (to a degree) and should be replaced every once in a while. There are a few ways to to tell when it's time to do so, including after a crash or if you drop your helmet from a height. Even if there are no visible dents or damage to the helmet, it's safer to replace it than find out later that the protective systems were compromised.
Many brands now offer crash replacement schemes, whereby the helmet will be replaced for free or for a discount depending on the amount of time you've owned the helmet.
If you haven't had a crash, however, it's still important to replace your helmets as the plastics do degrade over time. Helmets come with a manufactured date on a sticker inside the helmet, check this and as a rule of thumb, replace the helmet every 3 to 5 years.
To make sure you get the most out of your helmet, make sure you store it out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Should I consider integrated helmet lights when riding an e-bike?
An e-bike means faster speeds, more momentum, and a heavier bike if involved in an accident.
Sometimes the best way to stay safe doesn't have anything to do with the ability of a helmet to mitigate trauma in an accident. A great strategy is to avoid accidents altogether, and one way of doing that is improving your visibility.
We have a guide to the best bike lights, and often urban electric bikes have integrated lights, but too many lights are rarely an issue. Choosing a helmet with integrated lights is a great way to help keep you safer while riding busy streets, though we would never rely on helmet lights alone.
How important is venting when choosing an electric bike helmet?
Ventilation is a huge theme with the best road bike helmets; however, e-bike helmets don't have the same demands.
On a warm day, you want to experience the highest volume of airflow, but with an e-bike, that logic is slightly suspended as you can use the bike’s motor to reduce workload and avoid heat build-up without sacrificing speed. You will still want some airflow to keep your head fresh under the helmet though.
Most e-bike helmets choose to ventilate heat by radiation rather than airflow. This allows heat to escape from the helmet without having large vents that let rain or too much cold air in.
Could I use a motorcycle helmet for an e-bike?
The simple answer to this is no. You might think an electric bike is just like a motorcycle, especially for US readers who have access to faster electric bikes, but they are not the same. Helmet designs are specific, and testing is stringently controlled for the intended use.
Motorcycle helmet designs take into consideration all the nuances of motorcycle use and aren't appropriate for use when riding an electric bike. Although many companies are having discussions about the necessity of rotational impact protection, you really can have too much of a good thing.
It's worth noting that if you buy an e-bike with a motor that's not limited to 15.5 mph / 25km/h in the UK and Europe, you'll need to wear a moped-style helmet rather than a cycle helmet to conform to the legal requirements.
How we test the best e-bike helmets
When it comes to properly testing e-bike helmets, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. And by that I don’t just mean me. The best e-bike helmets have usually been put through their paces by an independent lab such as Virginia Tech, or carry an enhanced safety certification like the Dutch NTA 8776. These standards mean the helmet has been properly crash tested, and in the case of the NTA that means at speeds up to 28mph.
Thankfully, I’ve not had the misfortune of testing any of these helmets in an actual collision. What I have done is check whether each model tested ticks these boxes, so you don’t have to go digging through spec sheets. I also check that the manufacturer’s claims are justified and whether the “latest technology” actually adds anything other than marketing material.
Each helmet in this guide has also spent plenty of time on my head while I’ve been riding an e-bike, from nursery runs to longer commutes. A place on this list means a helmet delivered excellent protection, a decent level of comfort and some useful extras. Every one of them is something I’d be happy to wear or recommend.
At Cyclingnews, we are committed to a robust testing process. For more detail, see our guide to how we test.
