Best e-bike helmets 2026: Better protection for higher speeds

The best e-bike helmets are specifically designed to offer better protection for riders of electric bikes. As e-bikes are generally faster (particularly in busy urban environments) 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 the best electric 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.

You can, of course, ride faster than the motor assist, and many people will, particularly if they commute daily and build up some fitness. And because of the speed and weight, 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 a MIPS helmet is if you want to know more.

Last updated 4th January 2026 Products have been checked for availability, and the introduction has been revamped to be more commuter-focused. Colour options and safety features have been added to the product specifications. Advice on “When should I replace my helmet?” has been added to the FAQ section.

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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.

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 has 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, 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. 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.

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 rubberised 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.

Giro Ethos MIPS review.

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.

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. 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 ones on the rear of the Camden. On the upside, you do get a stylish fabric brim.

Xnito helmet review.

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 shiny 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 that the Unit 1 Faro and POC Crane above also provide. You’ll need to decide whether the smart features of the Faro or the 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.

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.

Unit 1 Faro review.

Ion 200 RT / Flare RT bike light set works well, but is an additional purchase.

As long as you are thinking about ventilation, the urban style might not be your thing. If you’d prefer something more akin to what is typical of a road bike, Trek has an option. The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel helmet is the commuter option in the Trek helmet model lineup. The same product has now been rebranded as a Trek product.

What’s unique about the Trek 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.

Nutcase Vio MIPS review.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 lights when riding an e-bike?

An e-bike means faster riding, more mixing with traffic, and if anything does happen, a heavier bike is involved in the 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 greater visibility.

We have a list of the best bike lights, and often electric bikes have integrated lights, but too many lights are rarely an issue. Choosing a helmet with a light is a great way to help keep you safe while riding an e-bike.

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. Helmets’ 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 a 15.5mph / 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.

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