Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2026 (Safety & Comfort)

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet in 2026 is more important than ever. A high-quality helmet is not just a legal requirement in many U.S. states but a critical piece of safety gear that protects your head during accidents, reduces wind noise, and improves overall riding comfort. With advancements in helmet technology, modern motorcycle helmets now offer better impact protection, improved ventilation, lighter materials, and enhanced aerodynamics.

However, with dozens of brands and models available on Amazon, selecting the best motorcycle helmet can be confusing. Factors such as DOT and ECE safety certifications, helmet type, shell material, weight, ventilation, and fit play a major role in performance and comfort. This guide on the Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2026 is designed to help riders in the USA compare the best options available and choose a helmet that offers the right balance of safety, comfort, and value for money.

List of the Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmets in 2026

1. ILM Modular Helmet		5 pounds	DOT and FMVSS-218 Certified	4.6/5	Check Price
2. Bell MX-9 MIPS Off-Road Helmet		4.8 pounds	DOT and FMVSS-218 Certified	4.7/5	Check Price
3. O’Neal 0817-504 unisex-adult full-face style Sierra II Helmet		3.5 pounds	DOT Certified	4.6/5	Check Price
4. Shoei GT-Air II Helmet		5 pounds	DOT Certified	4.7/5	Check Price
5. Bell Pit Boss Half Helmet		3 pounds	DOT and FMVSS-218 Certified	4.5/5	Check Price
6. ScorpionExo Covert Unisex-Adult Half-Size-Style		3.97 pounds	DOT and FMVSS-218 Certified	4.6/5	Click Here
7. Yema YM-926 Modular Helmet		3.7 pounds	DOT Certified	4.5/5	Click Here
8. Arai XD-4 Adventure Helmet		16 pounds	DOT Certified	4.7/5	Click Here
9. HJC RPHA-90S Modular Helmet		16 pounds	DOT Certified	4.7/5	Click Here
10. SHOEI RF-1400 Full Face Helmet		5.59 pounds	DOT and SNELL 2020 certified	4.7/5	Click here

 Types of Motorcycle Helmets

 The different types of motorcycle helmets present in the market today include:

1. Full-Face Helmet:

These types of helmets are designed considering safety as the most important factor which makes it a preferable option for high-speed motorcycle events. It helps in covering your head and chin. Due to its versatility, it is the most used helmet among new motorcycle riders.

2. Modular Helmet:

These types of helmets help in protection in the same way as a full-face helmet and in addition to that they provide the comfort of an open-face helmet. These helmets are a more suitable option for adventure motorcycle riders.

3. Off-Road Helmet:

These types of helmets are designed as per the needs of the various motocross fun. These helmets have a different shape and are extremely lightweight which helps in providing a wide viewing angle. These helmets do not have visors but are provided with additional goggles which helps in keeping the dust and mud away from your eyes.

4. Half Helmet:

These types of helmets provide the least amount of protection because it covers only the head. These helmets should be used in case you are going for very light rides. It is most suitable for the people who use the slower and shorter routes. These helmets do not have any type of face protection.

5. Open-Face Helmet:

These types of helmets are also called the three-fourth helmets and these do not have any chin protection. These have a larger front visor which fills up the void of the chin. It helps in providing an added comfort and these are used mostly by the people who enjoy the feeling of wind on their face.

6. Dual-Sport Helmet:

These types of helmets are full-faced but these have some amount of motocross. These are designed specifically for adventure motorcycles which are designed for treading on the tarmac and gravel. In short, these helmets provide full-face protection and have viewing abilities and comfort similar to a motocross helmet.

Factors to be Considered While Buying a Motorcycle Helmet

 The factors that are to be considered for buying a motorcycle helmet include the following:

1. Comfort:

The helmets are closed from all sides which can make people uneasy and dizzy if the comfort is not considered. These are available in various sizes depending on the size of the head. The padding done inside the helmets come in various materials. You as a customer need to ensure comfort by taking time to wear and check the helmet that will be the most comfortable for you.

2. Ventilation and Visibility:

You need to have a clear view of the road especially during night rides. You should choose helmets that provide a good amount of ventilation. Here, visors should be considered and you should prefer anti-glare ones if you are a night rider. The pin-lock visor having an anti-fog coating is a must in case of misty or foggy conditions.

3. Build Quality and Aesthetics:

You should always invest in a helmet that you like the most. Some people like the plain matter finish while there are some people who prefer the colors and graphics. The build quality is an important factor for ensuring that the helmet is safe. There should be a balance between the budget and the factor of safety.

4. Cost and Warranty:

The cost of the helmet is the least important factor while you consider safety but it is an important factor of consideration. You must look for the most safety from the amount you are paying. You need to consider the different types of helmets and the different riding conditions before buying a helmet. Warranty is also an important factor that should be considered while you buy a new helmet. You as a customer should never compromise with safety and should invest in a helmet with a longer warranty period.

How to Measure Head size for Helmet

To know How to measure the head size for the helmet so that it can perfectly fit you. Watch the Video

Best Motorcycle Helmet of 2026: Review

 1. ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip up Modular Full Face 

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The first helmet model is the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip-up Modular Full Face Helmet DOT LED Lights. This helmet has a high-resistance ABS Shell and includes an adjustable strap. It has a sleek design and is lightweight. It reduces wind noise. This helmet meets the FMVSS-218 and DOT Safety Standards. The helmet liners/cheek pads are lightweight, soft, and can be removable easily.

This helmet has a modular flip-up function. It has anti-scratch and anti-fog characteristics and has a wide-view clear visor. It consists of several LED lights which flash at differing speeds as per the preference of the rider. Here the LED function is easily accessible. You have to press the control button present on the helmet’s back just below the panel of the LED for accessing it.

Features:

1. High-resistance ABS Shell and includes an adjustable strap.
2.  Meets the FMVSS-218 and DOT Safety Standards.
3. Helmet liners/cheek pads are lightweight, soft, and can be removable easily.
4. It has anti-scratch and anti-fog characteristics and has a wide-view clear visor.
5. It consists of several LED lights which flash at differing speeds

Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet is made of ABS grade plastic
2. This helmet has a comfortable design
3. This helmet is not expensive
4. It has a dual visor design
5. DOT and FMVSS-218 certified

Cons:

1. This helmet does not have a compact design
2. Metal is not used for building this helmet

2. Bell MX-9 Adult Off-Road Motorcycle Helmet

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The second helmet model is the Bell MX-9 Adult Off-Road Motorcycle Helmet. It is made using a lightweight polycarbonate and has an ABS shell construction. It has EPS sizes that provide a personalized fit. It has a velocity flow ventilation system that ensures maximum cooling. It has a flying bridge visor that is fully adjustable with air intake vents. It is DOT approved and meets the FMVSS 218 standard.

 Features:

• Made up of lightweight polycarbonate
• ABS shell construction.
• It has EPS sizes that provide a personalized fit.
• Good ventilation system that ensures maximum cooling.
• It has a flying bridge visor that is fully adjustable with air intake vents.
• DOT approved and meets the FMVSS 218 standard.

 Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet has a reasonable price.
2. This helmet is lightweight and has a good build quality.
3. This helmet has a lot of interior space which provides an airy experience during the trails.

Cons:

1. This helmet is not designed for highway rides.

3. O’Neal 0817-504 unisex-adult full-face style Sierra II Helmet

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The third helmet model is the O’Neal 0817-504 unisex-adult full-face style Sierra II Helmet. This helmet has an ABS shell construction. This helmet has a removable and washable air-channeled comfort liner. It has an integrated face shield. This helmet consists of padded chin straps having double-d safety locks.

Features:

1. This helmet has an ABS shell construction.
2. It has removable and washable air-channeled comfort liner.
3. Integrated face shield.
4. Consists of padded chin straps having double-d safety locks.

Specifications: 

More Details: Click Here

Pros:

1. This helmet has a great aesthetic and is affordable.
2. It has a flip-down internal sun visor.
3. It is specifically designed for adventure tours.

Cons:

1. These helmets do not have inner pads.

4. Shoei GT – Air Helmet

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The helmet that is coming on 4 th place on our list is Shoei GT – Air Helmet. This helmet is released in the year 2013. It is a full-face helmet that comes with an internal sun shield, GT air functionality, SENA SRL 2 Bluetooth com. It also has CNS-1 face shied. If we talk about the safety of this helmet then it is DOT Certified.

Features:

1. CNS-1 Face Shield: provide protection to your face in the case of accidents and allowing to open slighty extra in its cracked open positon.
2. Extended QSV-2 innser sun shield: It protects your eyes form sunlight in hot summer.
3. GT air Functionality: It provides an excellent ventillation inside the helmet and you don’t feel hot even in the hot summer.
4. DOT approved and meets the FMVSS 218 standard

Specifications:

More details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet has a good build quality.
2. It has a muscular yet subtle look.
3. This helmet has a highly aerodynamic shell.
4. Provides an advanced noise reduction.

Cons:

1. It is the most expensive helmet out of all the options.

5. Bell Pit Boss Half Helmet

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The fifth helmet model is the Bell Pit Boss Half Helmet. This helmet has a carbon composite shell consisting of an internal sunshade that provides on-the-fly protection from the sun. It has a speed dial-adjustable fit system. It has an industry-leading five-year warranty. It has a removable neck curtain especially designed for cold weather. This helmet is DOT certified and meets the FMVSS 218 standards.

 Features:

1.  Carbon composite shell consisting of an internal sunshade
2. It has a speed dial-adjustable fit system.
3.  Industry-leading five-year warranty.
4. It has a removable neck curtain especially designed for cold weather.
5. DOT certified and meets the FMVSS 218 standards.

 Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. It has a speed dial-adjustable fit system which helps in making it a perfect fit for everyone.
2. It has an industry-leading five-year warranty.
3. It has a removable neck curtain especially designed for cold weather.

Cons:

1. This helmet is slightly more expensive for a half helmet
2. The helmet’s drop-down vision is difficult to use by riders having glasses.

 6. ScorpionExo Covert Unisex-Adult Half-Size-Style 

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The sixth helmet on the list is the ScorpionExo Covert Unisex-Adult Half-Size-Style Matte Black Helmet. This helmet has an Advanced LG Polycarbonate Shell that reduces the weight and disperses the impact. It has a dual-density EPS and it is also provided with an aero-tuned ventilation system.

It has an Everclear speed view drop-down sun visor which reduces the strain on the eye in different light conditions. This helmet has a KwikWick II Comfort Liner that will keep you dry and cool during the warm weather and warm during the cold weather. The liner can be removed and washed easily. This helmet is DOT certified and FMVSS 218 certified.

Features:

1. Advanced LG Polycarbonate Shell that reduces the weight and disperses the impact.
2. Dual-density EPS and it is also provided with an aero-tuned ventilation system.
3. It has an Everclear speed view drop-down sun visor which reduces the strain on the eye in the different light conditions.
4. This helmet has a KwikWick II Comfort Liner that will keep you dry and cool during the warm weather and warm during the cold weather. The liner can be removed and washed easily.
5. DOT certified and FMVSS 218 certified.

Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet has great aesthetics.
2. Everclear speed view drop-down sun visor which reduces the strain on the eye.
3. KwikWick II Comfort Liner will keep you dry and cool during the warm weather and warm during the cold weather.
4. Dual-density EPS and it is also provided with an aero-tuned ventilation system.

Cons:

1. Style may be too much for people to handle.
2. Not the cheapest helmet in the cruise category.

7. Yema YM-926 Modular Helmet

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The seventh helmet model is the Yema YM-926 Modular Helmet. This helmet has a dual-lens design. This helmet has removable and washable cheek pads along with comfortable inner padding. These helmets have fully adjustable intake and exhaust vents. It has a streamlined aerodynamic design which helps in reducing wind noise and drag. This helmet is DOT Approved. It has a quick-release strap which provides a secure fit along with an easy on and off.

Features:

1. This helmet has a dual-lens design.
2. This helmet has removable and washable cheek pads along with comfortable inner padding.
3. These helmets have fully adjustable intake and exhaust vents.
4. It has a streamlined aerodynamic design which helps in reducing wind noise and drag.
5. This helmet is DOT Approved.
6. It has a quick-release strap which provides a secure fit along with an easy on and off.

 Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet is affordable given all of the features it provides.
2. This helmet has a rigid shell having an aerodynamic design.
3. It has an adjustable ventilation system.

Cons:

1. These are only available in two colors

8. Arai XD4 Helmet

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The eighth helmet model is the Arai XD4 Helmet. This helmet has an intermediate-round oval shape. It has new exhaust ports. This helmet is provided with new larger side cowl vents. It has an emergency cheek pad release system. It has a fully removable, replaceable, and washable interior.

Features:

1. This helmet has an intermediate-round oval shape.
2. It has new exhaust ports.
3. This helmet is provided with new larger side cowl vents.
4. It has an emergency cheek pad release system.
5. It has a fully removable, replaceable, and washable interior.

 Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet has a fully modifiable internal padding
2. This helmet provides a snug fit
3. A variety of cool designs are available

Cons:

1. This helmet comes in popping colors that might be unpleasant for some people
2. The faint noise seeps through the vents when the motorcycle moves at high speeds

9. HJC Helmets F70 Tino Men’s Street Motorcycle Helmet

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The ninth helmet model is the HJC Helmets F70 Tino Men’s Street Motorcycle Helmet. This helmet has a cutting-edge design along with upgraded features. This helmet has a unique design and provides maximized ventilation from the two top vents and the rear five exhaust escapes. It has an internal, anti-fog-coated drop down sun shield that is controlled using a smooth and easy-to-reach lever present on the bottom of the shell. It is also provided with BlueTooth compatible with the SmartHJC.

Features:

1. This helmet has a cutting-edge design along with upgraded features.
2. This helmet has a unique design and provides a maximized ventilation from the two top vents and the rear five exhaust escapes.
3. It has an internal, anti-fog coated dropdown sun shield that is controlled using a smooth and easy-to-reach lever present on the bottom of the shell.
4. It is also provided with Bluetooth compatible with the SmartHJC.

Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

Pros:

1. The construction using carbon fiber makes it strong and lightweight
2. It has a multi cool interior
3. This is a very safe helmet
4. It has an internal, anti-fog coated dropdown sun shield that is controlled using a smooth and easy to reach lever present on the bottom of the shell
5. It is also provided with Bluetooth compatible with the SmartHJC

Cons:

1. The ventilation of the helmet is nominal
2. The visor is not ergonomic for high-speed driving
3. It has a narrow construction

10. SHOEI RF – 1400 Full Face Helmet 

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The tenth and final helmet model is the SHOEI RF-1400 Full Face Helmet. This helmet has a rigid and lightweight construction. This helmet has DOT and SNELL 2020 certification. This helmet has an aerodynamic design. It has comfortable padding and helps in reducing the road noise to a minimum level. This helmet is available in 4 different shell sizes.

Features:

1. This helmet has a rigid and lightweight construction.
2. This helmet has DOT and SNELL 2020 certification.
3. This helmet has an aerodynamic design.
4. It has comfortable padding and helps in reducing the road noise to a minimum level.
5. This helmet is available in 4 different shell sizes.

Specifications:

More Details: Click Here

 Pros:

1. This helmet comes with a pin-lock visor for a fog-free view
2. It has a premium built having plush use of the materials
3. This helmet has a rigid and lightweight construction.
4. This helmet has DOT and SNELL 2020 certification.

Cons:

1. Quite an expensive helmet

Conclusion

Selecting one of the best motorcycle helmets of 2026 is an investment in your safety, comfort, and riding confidence. A well-designed helmet protects your head during impacts, reduces fatigue on long rides, and enhances visibility and airflow. With modern advancements in helmet construction, riders now have access to safer and more comfortable options than ever before.

The helmets featured in this list were chosen based on safety certifications, build quality, comfort, rider reviews, and overall value. Whether you are a daily commuter, weekend rider, or long-distance tourer, there is a helmet on this list that fits your needs and budget. Choose the helmet that matches your riding style, ensure a proper fit, and ride with confidence knowing you have made a smart and informed purchase.

 FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions