Best e-bike helmets 2024: Better protection for higher speeds

The best e-bike helmets are designed to offer better protection for riders of electric bikes. As e-bikes are faster and weigh more, there's greater momentum if you crash, which creates higher forces and thus extra protection is needed. 

This is true for riders in the UK and Europe, where e-bike motors are speed limited to 15.5mph/25kph but even more significant for riders in the US, where some e-bikes can assist you at speeds up to 28mph and the rest can do so up to 20mph.

These are reasons to prefer an electric bike helmet, even over the best commuter helmets or the best road bike helmets. I've also looked at comfort, weight, added features and general usability in bringing you my recommendations. MIPS is found in many of the best e-bike helmets and we have an explainer on what MIPS is if you want to know more.

My top e-bike helmet choice is the Giro Camden MIPS, while the Xnito helmet is similar but much lighter. If neither of those work for you, though, keep reading to see my full list of recommendations for the best e-bike helmets available today.

If you are looking for advice on how to choose the best e-bike helmet, there's more in our buyer's guide lower down this page.

Quick list

Best e-bike helmets available today 

Best overall

One of the big reasons you might consider an e-bike specific helmet is the added speed and weight of e-bikes. As I said above, 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 my nod as the best overall is that there's 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 a heavy helmet and the light still uses a micro-usb cord to charge. 

Best budget e-bike helmet

There are a few helmets on this list that add the Dutch NTA 8776 certification. Although it's not entirely clear that it's necessary, having the certification means that the helmet passed a higher drop test and has a design with lower sides. It's hard to see how that could be a bad thing except that it often 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 less loved but, despite that, right now 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 Xnito, and Giro, helmets that also carry the NTA 8776 certification, the Mode lacks integrated lighting. Specialized does address 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 will scratch easily if you lean it against a wall.  

Best with bright lights

The Unit 1 Faro is what you might call a smart helmet. Like other helmets, you will find built-in lights front and rear but in this helmet, you can connect via an app and customise the experience. On top of that, there are turn signals that you can use with the included signal buttons mounted on your handlebars and if you ever have an incident then there's an emergency call feature. There's even a light sensor built in that alters the brightness depending on ambient light conditions.

Another feature that is nice to see is that, like a few other helmets here, the Unit 1 uses an ABS outer. ABS is a good choice for urban helmets because, unlike the typical polycarbonate used for helmets, it can take some knocks. Scrape it along a wall and you'll still have a helmet you can use. The only downsides of all the features are that the fabric rear is difficult to clean and it ends up being a heavy helmet.

You can read more details in our full Unit 1 Faro review.

Best with turn signals

The Ethos MIPS is a stylish addition to the expanding Giro 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 rubberized TPU brim that won't add much in the way of protection but does help keep the sun out of your eyes. Although I've featured the version without it, there is also a version with a shield if you'd prefer it.

The main feature I've called out for this helmet is the lighting though. At the front of the helmet you'll find a pair of white LED strips with on on either side. Then at the rear there's another pair but this time in red. Use the included wireless turn signal buttons and you'll be able to signal a turn to other road users.

The turn signal feature is also offered by the Unit 1 but that helmet adds a bit more weight and smart features. The two are certainly similar but it's likely that riders will prefer the style of one vs the other. If you really just want turn signals, choose the Giro. It is a bit unfortunate though that there's no discount on less functionality with the Giro.

You can read more details in our full Giro Ethos MIPS review.

Best for urban style

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 skater style helmet then marries it to a thoughtful design. There are big vents that do a great job letting hot-air out and the outer is 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, but it still seems like a throwback to an older technology. 

Best for road bike style

As long as you are thinking about style, the urban style might not be your thing. If you'd prefer something more akin to what is typical with a road bike, Bontrager has an option. The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel helmet is the commuter option in the Bontrager, or Trek, model lineup.

What's unique about the Bontrager Circuit is both the Wavecel material and its adaptability. As far as Wavecel, the idea is to replace some of the foam and a MIPS liner with a material that is lighter but crushes and allows movement in a crash. It makes for better integration and a lighter helmet that has an easier time releasing heat. Unfortunately it also means you can't reach your head if you have an itch. On the other hand, the overall style is, as mentioned, about the same as you'd expect from a road race helmet. When you are commuting by e-bike, add a brim or lights, then for a weekend ride just strip it down and you are ready to go on your road bike. The rear mount is a little fiddly but overall, it's a great option for every situation.

You can find more details in our full Bontrager Circuit Wavecel review.

Best for gravel bike style

Sticking with the theme of style in your e-bike helmet, the Nutcase Vio is another option. This time instead of looking to match a road bike, you've got something that works for a gravel bike. Sure, it's perhaps silly to call this a gravel e-bike helmet but if we are sticking with the theme of using the right tool for the job, style might as well be a part of that. You can obviously use this helmet with any bike you want, it just happens to have a style that also lends itself to a gravel bike.

Style isn't all that the Nutcase Vio has going for it though. On top of style it also includes plenty of venting and passive safety in the form of MIPS alongside a dual-density EPS foam liner. Then for active safety there are lights on every side with a white light up front, amber lights on the sides, and red lights at the back.

The only thing you might need to watch out for is fit. There's only two sizes and there's no vertical adjustment to the rear cradle.

You can find more details in our full Nutcase Vio MIPS review.

Best for scratch resistance

Urban helmets have to put up with a lot of wear and tear that something from our list of the best aero helmets will never experience. In and out of bags, sliding along a wall while clipped to the outside of a bag, keys dropped alongside in a bag, any number of day-to-day activities that will scratch up a quality finish in no time. For the Moebius, Kask uses a scratch resistant ABS outer that should do a good job keeping the helmet looking nice for a long time to come. It’s an important feature because the outer surface of a helmet is part of what helps keep its integrity. Although looks matter, this is a feature that goes beyond just looks. 

In fact, much of what Kask offers goes beyond what you can see on the surface. Instead of MIPS, or other rotational impact protection technologies, Kask takes the stance that those technologies oversell an unnecessary need. Instead, the brand has the WG11 test showing that even without specific mitigation technologies there is enough protection. Given how complex the field of impact protection is, it may well be correct. Not only that but a comfortable helmet that is a joy to wear is always going to be a plus and Kask makes some of the most comfortable helmets on the market. 

ABS is a feature the Unit 1 Faro and POC Crane above also provide. You'll need to decide whether the smart features of the Faro or skate style of the Crane are for you, or whether the Kask is the better choice. 

If you want to hear more details, take a look at our full Kask Moebius review. 

Lightweight e-bike certification

The truth is that the Xnito bike helmet packs a ton of style into the design. In fact, the brand doesn't actually name its helmet model other than by the rotating styles offered. Still, that's not why the Xnito helmet makes the list. Xnito makes the list 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. This isn't the only helmet on the list that has that feature though. The Giro Camden MIPS has the same certification while also packing in a big light and MIPS. That leaves the Xnito a good option for anyone who really wants the certification but prefers a lighter helmet. You still get lights here too, they just aren't as big and bright as the one on the rear of the Camden. On the upside, you do get a stylish fabric brim.

Despite the focus on e-bike safety there's no MIPS here. To be fair though, MIPS isn't the only way to get the job done. The bigger challenge with this helmet is that there's no MIPS and a lack of Virginia Tech testing. Although it meets all the required standards it's always nice to have that testing. 

If you want to hear more details, take a look at our full Xnito helmet review. 

Best for sustainability

The POC Myelin is unlike anything else you can buy. It starts with a commuter outline with a solid colour and fabric over most of the shell. Although you can't see it through the fabric, there is a ton of venting at the top of the helmet plus there's a vent at the brow to help push the air through. Obviously none of this is dramatically different. Where things start to change is in the construction. 

The materials themselves are 50% recycled but more than that, the construction keeps end of life front of mind. You won't find any glue and there are no laminated materials. Everything is mechanically secured so that when it's time to dispose of the helmet you can break down all the pieces. From there, take each piece and dispose of it as required in your area. 

At the end of the day, there are some drawbacks. The Myelin doesn't have features like lights, it has no rotational impact protection technology, and it lacks a Virginia Tech score. Still, it's a first step and it's important to highlight that it exists. Helmets are some of the hardest things to deal with when they reach the end of life. If you care about sustainability, this is the helmet for you.

Written and reviewed by

Written and reviewed by

Josh Ross

Although I'm based in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, I prefer riding in dry weather to wet. I've been writing about bike tech for Cyclingnews for years, including testing the ever-increasing range of electric bikes and electric bike products. I've used and reviewed dozens of cycling helmets, so I know what makes a great e-bike helmet.

How to choose the best e-bike helmet for you

There is a lot of choice 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 do we test the best e-bike helmets?

The reality with helmets is that there's some amount of trust we have to have in the promises made. 

I spend time riding bikes and e-bikes and every single time I go out I wear a helmet. Thankfully I haven't had an opportunity to test these helmets in a collision but all helmets have to pass relevant government-mandated tests before hitting the stores in your country. 

What I'm bringing you is a list of helmets that I've spent time in while riding an e-bike. I gathered options that I felt bring quality, comfort, and something unique and I put them to the test. Everything here is a helmet I'm proud to recommend.