When looking to buy protective headgear for the first time, it is important to know about the top players in the market. Although several brands provide helmets at varying price points to suit every pocket, only a handful can assure you of quality.

Also, it is crucial to know that having two-wheeler insurance is mandatory if you plan to buy a bike in India, as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. It offers financial protection against hefty traffic fines, accidents, theft, and damage, thus safeguarding your investment.

To help you navigate these indispensable accessories, here is a list of the best helmet brands in the world. Read on to learn more about each.

1. Steelbird Helmets

Steelbird Hi-Tech India Ltd. (SBHT) motorcycle helmets manufacturing company was established in 1964 in India. They have a wide variety of helmets to suit different riders and price brackets such as the open-face, full-face, and jet helmets. Steelbird helmets are famous for its affordability and long lasting quality.

However, some people have complained that it is not as good as some other expensive helmets. SBHT has four primary brands: Steelbird, Steelbird Air, Ares, and Ignyte.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹849
• Types of helmets: Exclusive, full-face, open-face, flip-up, flip-off, motocross, etc.
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, Scooters
• Wearable by: Women, Men and Children
• Certification: ISI

2. Studds Helmets

Here is an Indian brand making it to this list of the best helmet brands worldwide. Studds helmets are sold in 38 countries and are popular due to their high-impact grade thermoplastic exterior. These headgear come with scratch-resistant polycarbonate visors with hard silicone coating and are available in clear, mirror, rainbow, and smoke variants. The inner lining of these helmets is made of plush. 

The manufacturer deals in helmets under 2 brand names, Studds and SMK.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 895
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face, flip-up, industrial helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, scooters
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: ECE, ISI, SLSI

3. Vega Helmets

Vega is a well-known brand that started in 1994 and is famous for its cheap and qualitative motorcycle helmets. The Indian based Vega manufactures helmets at its factory and this means that only the best quality raw materials are used and the helmets go through the rigorous test. They have different helmets to fit the type of rider that one is, and they also have Marvel character helmets.

Vega helmets are comfortable and have aerodynamic parts, and one can add a mirrored shield or snow gear to the helmet.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹998
• Types of helmets: Open-face, Full-face 
• Best suitable for: Bicycles, Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Women, Men, Children
• Certification: IS-4151, DOT, ECE

4. Axxis Helmets

Axxis helmets, headquartered in Spain, are dedicated to delivering high-quality, stylish motorcycle helmets through innovative production processes. Each Axxis helmet is crafted from fiber composite or polycarbonate and includes three key components: an external shell, a core of expanded polystyrene, and additional elements such as comfort liners, retention systems etc.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹2,550
• Types of helmets: Full-face, Modular, Open-face, Off-road
• Best suitable for: Bicycles, Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Women and Men
• Certification: DOT, ECE, ISI

5. THH Helmets

Tong-ho-Hsing, or THH, is a renowned Taiwan-based brand known for its lightweight yet highly durable headgear. One of the excellent helmet brands known for their quality, THH uses advanced technologies like carbon fibre Kevlar. 

Available in various colours and graphics, these headgears are designed using Finite Element Analysis and 3D modelling. These helmets also ensure optimum comfort with adequate ventilation.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 3000
• Types of helmets: full-face, open-face, flip-up, industrial helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, scooters
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: ECE, ISI, SLSI

6. Axor Helmets

Introduced in 2015, Axor helmets emerged from international collaborations. The company aims to offer quality helmets that are relatively cheap in the market, but at the same time, safe for use. Axor helmets are generally light, with an average weight of 1. 5 kg and their full-face models come with optically correct visors.

They also come with a lock strap and can be fitted with anti-fog inserts. Interestingly, the Apex series is the first series in India to come with a detachable rear spoiler which has been seen in MotoGP.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹3,410
• Types of helmets: Full-face, Open-face, Off-road
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, Scooters
• Wearable by: Women, Men, Children
• Certification: ISI, DOT, ECE

7. SMK Helmets

SMK helmets, a premium line from Studds, are crafted using the latest technology to ensure maximum safety and style. Their Pinlock anti-fog system guarantees clear, fog-free riding in all weather conditions. With an efficient ventilation system, chin guard, and superior fit, SMK has become a best-selling helmet brand in India. 

The breathable liner, made from anti-static moisture-controlled fabric, absorbs sweat to keep riders cool. Additionally, all liners are removable and washable for added convenience.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹3,500
• Types of helmets: Full-face, Open-face, Off-road, Flip-up, Modular
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Women, Men and Children
• Certification: ISI, ECE

8. LS2 Helmets

One of India's most famous helmet brands, LS2, manufactures premium offerings that combine comfort with safety. LS2 helmets' outer shells are made from lightweight but solid Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA) and come with removable and washable specialised inner liners. These headgear features double visors with anti-fog technology and offer a panoramic view.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 3600 
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face, flip-up helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, scooters
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: DOT, ECE

9. MT Helmets

Widely popular in the UK, this Spanish manufacturer is one of the top helmet brands to offer some of the safest headgear, with 3/5 to 5/5 ratings at a low cost. These helmets sport a strengthened jawline and a sizeable frontal zone, rendering them a unique sharp look. They are manufactured with durable materials like carbon composites and thermoplastic, offering optimum protection while ensuring adequate comfort.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 4250
• Types of helmets: Full-face, flip-up, half helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Men, children
• Certification: ECE, DOT, SNELL

10. HJC Helmets

HJC is a brand known for producing some of the safest and most comfortable headgear. This is understandable, given that older models from the brand, like the FG-ST, sport a 5-star safety rating, and 6 of their recently tested helmets have scored a 4/5 SHARP rating.

It is one of the best helmet brands, offering products within a wide price range with remarkable features like wind noise reduction and ventilation. 

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 7500
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: SNELL, DOT, ECE

11. Bell Helmets

Established in 1954, this US-based brand is famous for its lightweight headgear with detailed designs. With an average of 4.4 across safety ratings, Bell helmets offer maximum protection even in off-road conditions, making these helmets a favourite with professional motocross racers. 

Sporting a unique quick-release shield and ample ventilation, these helmets are available in mid-range to premium price categories.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 9500 
• Types of helmets: Full-face, snowmobile, half-face, 3/4 helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles and bicycles
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: DOT, SNELL

12. AGV Helmets

If you are looking for a good-quality helmet within a more affordable price range, then AGV can be your go-to brand. It comes with an EPS-incorporated inner lining and a sturdy exterior courtesy of a carbon fiber glass shell. It reaches our list of top 10 helmet brands due to notable features like 7 vents, a built-in sun visor, a pressure-free fit, and face-shield protection.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 12500
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: DOT, ECE

13. Shark Helmets

Another of the best helmet brands globally is the French manufacturer Shark. Helmets from this brand offer high-grade safety for motorcyclists. They also sport innovative designs and technologies like a quick-release visor for convenient usability. 

Each product comes with a 5-year warranty, which is commendable within this price range. The company’s headgear's aerodynamics are also wisely planned.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 20000
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face, modular, 3/4 helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: ECE, DOT, AS/NZS, INMETRO

14. Shoei Helmets

This Japan-based company is one of the oldest helmet manufacturers to introduce carbon fibre headgear. They are known for the best quality helmets sporting classy designs and offering optimum safety, with a 4.5 rating in crash tests. Notable features of Shoei helmets are removable interior lining, pin lock anti-fog system, and adequate ventilation.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹ 25000
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles
• Wearable by: Men, women
• Certification: SNELL M2015, DOT

15. Arai Helmets

Arai is another Japanese helmet manufacturing brand, which is also one of the oldest. These headgears are especially notable because they are handcrafted by professionals and undergo multi-level tests after exterior manufacture, paint application, and final assembly. 

Arai produces some of the safest helmets with 4.4/5 to 4.5/5 safety ratings. They also come with features like breathe deflector and launch helmet removal system.

Key Specifications:

• Price range: Starting ₹36000
• Types of helmets: Full-face, open-face helmets
• Best suitable for: Motorcycles, racing car
• Wearable by: Men, women, children
• Certification: DOT, SNELL

Now that you have all the details about the best helmet brands and what makes them so popular around the world, you can choose your most suitable variant from their numerous variants.

Also, obtaining third-party bike insurance coverage is advisable to ensure financial security in case of any unforeseen catastrophe.