Upgrading to one of the best aero helmets is an easy way to go faster on a bike, and the benefits on offer can be pretty substantial.
As mentioned in our guide to the best road bike helmets, you likely wear a helmet every time you ride. The primary reason for that is safety but given there isn't much data available to compare one helmet versus the next, other metrics such as ventilation and aerodynamics come into play when deciding which to buy. Today's best aero helmets can offer decent ventilation too - much better than they could just a few years ago - so unless you live in the desert, you're probably going to place aerodynamics at the top of your priority list.
We recently tested over 20 helmets in a wind tunnel to find out which were the fastest, and we've used that data combined with our real-world experience using each of them, to narrow down six of the best aero helmets for all types of riders.
What's unique about choosing one of the best aero helmets is that within reason, there's not really any extra cost. Carbon wheels cost more than alloy ones, and high-performance tyres cost more than average tyres, but aero helmets usually cost the same as all-rounders, so if you already need a helmet and are planning on buying one, pick an aero helmet instead and you gain 'free' speed. The challenge is only in choosing the right aero helmet for you.
For those that focus on time trials, check out our list of the best time trial helmets. Those options represent no-holds-barred speed-focused helmets that aren't usable for everyday riding. For everyone else, keep reading to see a list of options that prioritise aero speed, but without losing sight of everyday usability.
The Specialized Evade III is a design that’s been refined over multiple generations and the result is a helmet that does a good job in every category. It was the fastest 'normal' looking helmet in our test, is super comfortable, and provides excellent ventilation.
The Procen Air is a time trial helmet adapted for the road, with a visor up front and an over-the-ear design. That means its looks are polarising, but you can't dispute its aero performance. In our test, it was the fastest of 24 helmets, saving over 12 watts compared to the slowest at 40km/h.
The Van Rysel FCR Aero was the 5th fastest in our test, it's comfortable, reasonably lightweight, and looks great. Most importantly though, it's a quarter of the price of others here, making it a great buy if you're on a budget.
The Cadence Plus was 4th fastest in our test, despite having five huge vents up front. It's not the breeziest helmet out there, but if you want aero performance while still prioritising airflow, this is a great pick.
The Velocis MIPS isn't marketed as an aero helmet by Trek, but in our test, it outperformed over 15 others and was only marginally slower than its Ballista counterpart. It also tipped the scale at the lightest of all, at 245g.
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Best aero helmet overall
(Image credit: Josh Ross)
1. Specialized S-Works Evade III
Best aero helmet overall
Specifications
Weight: 274g
Rotational safety system: MIPS Air Node
Aero: 2nd (0.3523)
Sizes: S, M, L
Virginia tech score: Five stars
Reasons to buy
+
Second-fastest in our wind tunnel test
+
Great ventilation, comfort and style
Reasons to avoid
-
High price
The Specialized S-Works Evade III was second in our test, giving away 1.8 watts to the Procen Air (with Visor) on average across all four yaw angles. It was actually faster at certain points, and it comfortably beat everything else on the test (a full list of which is at the bottom of this guide). Given that performance, some are calling it the fastest 'road style' helmet, given the time-trial aesthetic of the POC.
Beyond the aero performance, it's also super comfortable, lightweight (only 29 grams heavier than the lightest on test), offers great ventilation, and looks great. It plays well with all cycling glasses and has an easily adjustable strap. The straps themselves are also slightly thinner, meaning less chance of silly tan lines for those lucky enough to ride regularly in sunnier climes.
The S-Works Evade III is first and foremost an aero helmet, but it does everything very well, and for that reason, it's our pick as the best overall.
Fastest aero helmet on test
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
2. POC Procen Air
Fastest helmet on test
Specifications
Weight: 360g
Rotational safety system: MIPS Air Node
Aero: 1st (0.3501)
Sizes: S, M, L
Virginia tech score: Not tested
Reasons to buy
+
Best-in-class aero performance
+
Two visors included
Reasons to avoid
-
Looks are polarising
-
Huge cost
It might look a little wacky, but of the 24 helmets we took to the wind tunnel, the fastest of them all was the POC Procen Air.
Compared to the slowest on test, it will save you 12 watts at 40km/h, and a staggering 24 watts at 50km/h. To apply the data to a real-world scenario, with all else being equal, the Procen Air would save you 55 seconds vs the slowest on the test, or seven seconds compared to the S-Works Evade III in a 40km time trial at 250 watts.
If your reason for buying an aero helmet is about speed, then look no further.
There are other things to think about though, so we took the helmet out into the real world to see how it fared on the road, and a few things stand out. Despite the full visor and ear coverings, the ventilation was surprisingly good thanks to the three large holes up top. With the over-the-ear design, much is said about the potential for noise reduction, and although marginally better in head-on airflow, I found it marginally louder than other helmets on average. That's not a major issue, but don't buy it if you're hoping for this.
I'm not a huge fan of wearing contact lenses, but as a slightly blind human, I need prescription glasses, and I really like that I can fit them comfortably beneath the visor. If you'd prefer to shun the visor though and show off your best cycling glasses, rest assured that it's still among the fastest out there (although it will cost you 10 seconds in that 40km time trial).
Best value
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
3. Van Rysel FCR
Best value aero helmet
Specifications
Weight: 293g
Rotational safety system: None (a MIPS-equipped version is available)
Aero: 5th (0.3531)
Sizes: S, M, L
Virginia tech score: Not tested
Reasons to buy
+
Great price
+
Decent aero performance
+
Looks good
Reasons to avoid
-
Non-adjustable helmet Y strap sits quite high under the ears
Like all of Van Rysel's product line, the FCR helmet aims to compete with the best while keeping a keen eye on price. In our experience, it's successfully doing that, because it came a strong 5th place in our wind tunnel test ahead of helmets such as the Kask Utopia, Trek Ballista, Sweet Protection Tucker and many more.
It's comfortable, lightweight, and well ventilated too. The construction does feel somewhat lower in quality than the more expensive competition, but that's no surprise given it's less than half the price of most, and a quarter of the price of the POC Procen Air.
The helmet we tested has no additional rotational impact protection, but in certain territories, it's possible to buy it with MIPS added in. All helmets must meet the same safety standards, Van Rysel included, so as far as the industry-mandated tests go, it's as safe as it needs to be. There's no third-party testing on it so far from the likes of Virginia Tech, though, so we don't know how far beyond those minimum requirements it goes.
Best aero helmet for hot weather
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
4. Scott Cadence Plus
Best aero helmet for hot weather (and low-light visibility too)
Specifications
Weight: 284g
Rotational safety system: MIPS Air Node
Aero: 4th (0.3531)
Sizes: S, M, L
Virginia tech score: Not tested
Reasons to buy
+
Comfortable and well ventilated
+
Looks great
+
Included rear light
Reasons to avoid
-
No Virginia Tech testing
Aero helmets have a reputation for being hot. They're much better than they used to be, but some still perform better than others, and one of our favourites for ventilation is the new Scott Cadence Plus.
It also happens to be one of the fastest in our test, landing fourth overall behind the POC Procen Air (with visor), the S-Works Evade III, and the Procen Air (without visor).
Adding to your safety - or at least, your visibility - is the included rechargeable light that clips onto the rear of the helmet. Lazer's Vento Kineticore offers a similar thing for a slightly lower total price, so that's a good choice if you value this feature above all else. You can buy an aftermarket light to clip onto the Giro Eclipse aero helmet too.
As with other helmets on this list, the one thing that would really elevate this helmet is a Virginia Tech score. Inside, you get MIPS Air Node rotational impact protection, the same as you'll find in the Evade and a lot of other high-end helmets nowadays.
Rounding off the Cadence Plus is a magnetic buckle, which means it's easy to do up one-handed. It also comes in a trio of colours, including a garish purple if that's your thing.
Best aero helmet for lightweight performance
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
5. Trek Velocis MIPS
A featherweight aero all-rounder
Specifications
Weight: 245g
Rotational safety system: MIPS Air
Aero: 8th (0.3549)
Sizes: S, M, L
Virginia tech score: Five stars
Reasons to buy
+
Surprisingly fast for a highly vented helmet
+
Impressive low weight
+
Premium Boa retention dial
Reasons to avoid
-
Doesn't have the aero 'aesthetic'
Trek's Velocis MIPS is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing. It doesn't have the aggressive aero aesthetic of its Ballista stablemate, and Trek doesn't call it an aero helmet, but in our wind tunnel test, it finished an impressive 8th out of 23 helmets ahead of the likes of Kask's Utopia and Abus' Gamechanger 2.0.
It also happened to be the lightest helmet on our test, at 245 grams. It's not as light as the Lazer Z1 or the POC Ventral Lite, though, so those might be better options if you only care about the weight. Given you're here on an aero helmets guide, though, I'm going to assume that's more important.
The Velocis benefits from MIPS Air technology, and it scored five stars in Virginia Tech's impact tests. It's also one of the very few helmets to use branded Boa dials on the rear cradle. This is a premium touch, but it's no more functional than the competition. The fact that the cradle folds down is a neat touch for travel and storage though.
Spherical MIPS hides the slip plain within the helmet
+
Add-on rear light option
Reasons to avoid
-
There are faster helmets here, and comfort is subjective
Instead of MIPS Air, the Giro Eclipse uses MIPS Spherical. It's a system that uses a ball and socket design to move the slip plane into the layers of the helmet. The inner section remains solidly attached to your head while the outer part of the helmet can shift. The five-star Virginia Tech rating suggests it's a system that works well.
The reason for including it here is based on how comfortable it is. Although comfort is a subjective feature that will vary from person to person, I've never heard a bad word said about the Eclipse on this front. The rear cradle offers good vertical adjustment, the straps are really easy to adjust, both in terms of overall length and where the Y strap sits. It's also pretty lightweight and well-ventilated. All that combines to mean that moments after your ride begins, you forget all about it.
The purpose of this buying guide is to help you buy the best aero helmet, not just 'any aero helmet', so we've spent months researching and testing helmets to try and tease out the very best from the rest.
Landing on the final options for this list required a ton of testing with a wide variety of helmets. Most of them are good, many of them great, but only a few can be deemed 'the best'.
Aside from the helmets listed above, we have tested dozens more. Those in our latest round of testing are listed below, but that's by no means an exhaustive list.
If we tested any one of them in isolation, we'd have been happy with them, but the reason they're not featured more prominently here is that they didn't shine in any particular way, or another shined more brightly.
Abus Gamechanger 2.0
An aero-styled helmet with improved ventilation compared to its predecessor and excellent quality of construction.
Why didn't it get a place? It finished a pretty disappointing 17th in our aero test and doesn't stand out in any one way. It's by no means a bad helmet, but in our group test, others fared better.
Julbo Sprint
A pretty decent option at a decent price, the Julbo Sprint performed well in our test, finishing 9th.
It's probably our second choice 'budget' aero helmet, as it's only a little more expensive than the Van Rysel FCR and only marginally slower.
Kask Elemento
The Kask Elemento is a helmet packed with new tech, such as a low-profile carbon fibre shell and 3D-printed padding, both of which supposedly improve ventilation.
In our experience, however, the ventilation is still below that of the competition, the aero performance wasn't great at 15th in our test, and the price is huge.
Kask Protone Icon
The Kask Protone Icon is the evolution of the hugely popular original Protone. It boasts large vents up front for ventilation, a rounded rear shape for aero, no matter the head position, and a leather strap that aids comfort.
It's more of an all-rounder, and it's a good one, but it didn't shine in any of our recent tests.
Kask Utopia Y
The Utopia Y is the evolution of the original Utopia. It finished a mid-table 10th in our wind tunnel test, and we find it comfortable, but others performed slightly better in our test.
The quality of construction feels slightly less than the competitors, and although Kask tests to WG11 standard, there's no third-party testing to back up the safety claims.
Limar Air Atlas
Finishing a below-par 16th in our test (with the removable aero fairing fitted), the Air Atlas is not the fastest helmet around. It also tends to size up a bit small in our experience.
When reviewing, we did appreciate the magnetic buckle, the secure storage, and the Mips Air Node rotational impact protection though, but ultimately felt that others do a better job for less money.
MET Manta
The Manta is the helmet that Tadej Pogačar tends to use. It is a good aero all-rounder, looks sleek, fits well, has a magnetic buckle, and doesn't actually cost as much as many of the competitors.
It finished a mid-table 12th place in our test and is all-round a decent helmet, but ultimately others performed better.
Oakley ARO7
The Oakley Aro7 (with or without the visor) presents a bold aesthetic that would look more at home on a commuter bike than a road bike, in my opinion.
It's big and bulky, and performed quite badly in our aero test, but that does at least add to the sense of protection. There's no Virginia Tech results to back that up though.
POC Ventral
While POC's Procen won our aero test, the same brand's Ventral finished a disappointing dead last.
Despite this, it does still have its pros, including a shape that suits most heads, large vents up front for breathability, and it plays nicely with sunglasses.
POC Ventral Tempus
The Ventral Tempus was another that performed badly in the wind tunnel, finishing 24th out of the 25 tests.
Again, the shape works for a lot of people, and although the upfront vents have been closed off, this is primarily for rain protection.
Rudy Project Nytron
The Nytron was another that performed quite poorly in our wind tunnel test, finishing 21st behind vented helmets like the Specialized Prevail III.
With that said, it's decently comfortable and the style brings something a little different to the table. It does run a little hotter than others, but it's not a dealbreaker.
Smith Ignite
Smith's biggest differentiator is the use of Koroyd impact protection tech, which mimics dozens of plastic straws stuck together, offering a crumple zone in the event of a crash.
It performed okay in our wind tunnel test, coming 13th, but I found the MIPS liner catches my hair, and it's not the most breathable in warm weather.
Specialized Propero 4
The Propero 4 is a more affordable option from Specialized, but one that pulls its weight well. It didn't make it to our wind tunnel test, so we can't compare it there.
Based on the price and the on-bike performance, there are others we'd choose over it, but it's a good contender at this price point.
Sweet Protection Tucker 2VI
The Tucker 2Vi, like the Ballista from Trek, leaves no illusion as to its aero intentions. It has minimal vents and a long tail. The carbon fibre centre adds a premium aesthetic, and the breathability is actually pretty good.
It came a disappointing 14th in our test, though.
Trek Ballista MIPS
There's no denying the Ballista's intentions as an aero helmet, with its long tail and aero shape. It performed reasonably well in our test - finishing 7th - but we have to go by our results and there were others that performed better.
Like the Velocis, it gets a Boa dial, folding rear cradle, and MIPS tech, and we really like wearing it, but it didn't do enough to warrant a place in this guide.
How to choose the best aero helmet for you
The implication with an aero bike helmet is that it is a measurable way to make you faster. We have wind tunnels and we can measure drag, this should be simple right? Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Here at Cyclingnews, we spent a day in the wind tunnel at Silverstone testing helmets in what we deemed to be an 'all-day' road position, with a fairly comfortable head angle. We're aware, however, that what's fast for one person isn't necessarily fast for the next, and they can differ from one position to the next.
You won’t find a definitive answer as to what the fastest aero helmet is for you without buying every one of them and going to a wind tunnel yourself, but from our tests, you can get a good idea.
So take that info and combine it with the other aspects of a helmet that you find important when deciding on the best aero helmet for you.
What is an aero road bike helmet?
Before we get too far down the path of choosing an aero bike helmet, let's define what we are discussing. Most people are familiar with the idea that there are helmets designed for time trials or the bike leg of a triathlon. That's not what an aero road bike helmet is.
Instead, we are discussing the kind of helmet you can wear on every ride. These are helmets that are relatively light, they flow air, and they are not deeply affected by head position. Aside from the POC Procen Air, they don't feature full shield lenses and instead are designed to work with the best cycling glasses. In many ways, an aero road bike helmet is just a standard road bike helmet.
What's different is a willingness to trade weight and ventilation for better aero optimisation. They're often a bit heavier and a bit hotter than the best road bike helmets, though to varying degrees.
Is an aero helmet worth it?
Now that we are all on the same page, it makes sense to question if it’s worth bothering.
In answering this question, let's look at how much faster a helmet can make you. In our wind tunnel helmet test, we found that the difference between the fastest and slowest was 12.7 watts when riding at 40km/h (around 25mph), or 5.4 watts when riding at 30km/h (around 18.6mph).
Calculate that into seconds saved, and the fastest helmet in our test will save you 55 seconds in a 40km time trial when riding at an average of 250 watts. That's nearly a minute off a ride that will take you around an hour to complete, meaning you'll be riding around 1.6% faster.
Simplifying the results, that's a similar aerodynamic saving to an upgrade from a cheap shallow wheel to a pair of the best road bike wheels.
Aero helmets don't tend to cost any more than the same brand's 'vented' helmet, so assuming you're buying a new helmet, then choosing an aero helmet is a no-brainer.
Do women need women's-specific helmets?
Among helmet manufacturers, there's a bit of a conflict in that some offer separate women's specific helmets, while other brands' ranges are totally unisex.
We tackled the question of whether women need women's-specific helmets in depth recently, with the main takeaway being that unisex helmets are usually preferred by most and that there's nothing about a woman's head that would require a different helmet shape. All of the helmets in this list are unisex.
Do aero helmets matter for slower riders or riders who don’t race?
In every discussion about aero advantages someone eventually mentions they only matter to fast riders. It's likely this idea comes from the fact that going faster requires exponentially more power to cut through the air. That means you can typically save more watts at higher speeds. Cycling companies, of course, exploit this fact by doing tests at high speeds to show more impressive numbers.
Those high-speed tests hide part of the story though. As you go faster the number of watts saved grows but the time saved gets smaller. The slower you are, the longer you spend covering a distance, so while the number of watts saved is smaller, the time saved is greater.
The other reason why you might actually care a lot about the numbers at high speeds is because of headwinds. You might be going forward at a lower speed but a headwind effectively adds to the speed you are experiencing. 30 km/h is reasonable for a road bike, but if you add a 20 km/h headwind, all of a sudden, you are dealing with the same aero situation as a pro rider travelling at 50km/h.
Because aerodynamics is the biggest force we all deal with on a bike, optimisation matters to everyone. Gravel cyclists and slower riders of all kinds can go faster by getting more aero. When racing, that means finishing faster. If you aren't racing that might mean finishing at the same speed with less work.
Do aero helmets make you overheat?
For a lot of people, the reason to hesitate before buying an aero helmet is all about comfort. Aero helmets have a reputation for being hot and that turns people away. Brands reinforce that idea by offering aero helmets as an alternative to helmets with branding emphasising how airy they are.
In my experience, the reality of riding with an aero helmet is actually quite different. While aero helmets do have less venting, it's highly optimised. Modern designs use CFD analysis to put a limited number of vents in just the right place. Then, on the rear of the helmet, large exhaust vents let the hot air out, in turn pulling air through the helmet and across your head. As long as you are moving, aero helmets will stay cool.
When you slow down, aero helmets do suffer from less opportunity for heat to escape. Those hot brutal summer climbs can leave you feeling cooked. Here's the thing that rarely gets discussed though, those same climbs will leave you feeling cooked in non-aero helmets also. It's hot and you are climbing, so buckle in and prepare to sweat. Aero helmets aren't significantly worse in this regard.
Are aero helmets heavy?
Aero helmets are not only hot but also heavy, right? That's the reputation and I would have agreed before working on this article. It only makes sense that aero helmets would be heavier given that they seem to have more material. When I actually weighed a bunch of helmets though, I found the opposite. Some of the lightest helmets on the market are aero helmets.
Overall, on average they do tend to be heavier, but it's not always the case, and even when they are, it's not a significantly difference.
Are there any downsides to aero helmets?
When it comes to performance, there are very few downsides to aero helmets. They aren't necessarily heavier, they aren't particularly hot, and they offer an opportunity for free speed. Except nothing is free and when it comes to downsides the one sticking point is actually the price.
Aero helmets aren't more expensive as a whole. Often the top price point a brand offers will have an option for an aero option or an all-around vented option and they'll be the same price. Keep moving down through the model range though and aero-first helmets will disappear.
Most brands only offer an aero helmet near the top of the pricing structure.
Do I need MIPS in an aero helmet?
Aero helmets are still bike helmets. All the same questions that exist with any bike helmet exist for aero helmets and MIPS is a big question. The actual name is a distraction though.
As explained in our guide to MIPS, it is a brand name and an acronym. The letters stand for Multi-directional Impact Protection System and the brand is offering technology to protect in situations where impact occurs off-centre. If you see a MIPS label on a helmet it means the brand paid a licence fee and is using the MIPS technology.
MIPS is only one brand offering a solution and there is no definitive answer of whether it's the best solution available. No one really knows the best way to protect against a concussion, otherwise known as traumatic brain injury, in the event of an impact. What MIPS claims is that when the impact occurs off-centre your helmet should be able to rotate separately from the head.
There are a variety of brands and organisations that agree with this assessment. Many of those brands licence MIPS technology to make use of it. Other brands agree on the basic idea but have their own systems to allow your head to rotate within the helmet. Alternatives are technologies like Kineticore from Lazer as well as WaveCel, Koroyd, and others that have come and gone through the years.
There are also brands that agree with the basic idea but disagree with how to address it. Kask is somewhat vocal about the idea that there's plenty of opportunity for a helmet to rotate on an actual human head without additional technology. The brand disagrees with the headform used by Virginia Tech and MIPS to test and has a proprietary WG11 test that does it differently. Rudy Project also has a similarly named, but different, test that aligns with that understanding and Snell has put out some information that seems to agree as well.
All that disagreement leaves the consumer with little clarity. Every helmet sold has to pass government testing for the location where it's sold. Those tests mandate a basic level of protection and from there, you'll have to decide what technology makes sense to you.
Is a Virginia Tech score important?
This is another variation on the same question about MIPS. Every single helmet sold passes a variety of government-mandated tests. Virginia Tech has become well known for developing a different test that specifically covers off-centre impacts. The results get reported as a number and the lower the number the better. Right now the top-ranked helmet, out of 188 tested, has a score of 8.4. If you also see a star ranking, that is the same testing displayed in a different way. Any helmet with a score below 14.00 will have a five-star ranking.
Given that Virginia Tech is the only independent testing protocol that offers more than a pass/fail, we think it's worth reporting. Unfortunately, there are a lot of helmets that have not been tested. Some likely because of the speed with which new options come to market, some because of a disagreement about the protocol, and others for reasons unknown. If they have the number, we share it and you will need to decide if the helmet you decide on must have a score.
How do we test the best aero helmets?
Testing aero helmets for us is a combination of empirical testing and real-world riding experience.
The Cyclingnews team have been testing helmets for years, and we've ridden using every helmet we can think of. Our experience is great for teasing out differences in things like comfort, user experience, noise and so on, but even we would be hard-pushed to feel a 20-gram weight difference or the 1-2 watts separating each helmet.
That's where scientific testing comes in. We weigh each helmet, and we took over 20 of them all to the wind tunnel recently to find out which was fastest. Cyclingnews subscribers can read our wind tunnel helmet test in full, if you want to get nerdy with the data.
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Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
