Who Are the Top Motorcycle Helmet Brands?
When it comes to riding motorcycles, one could argue the most important piece of equipment isn’t between your legs; it’s on your head. A good helmet can actually be the difference between life and death. When you’re riding on the road or on the track, unforeseen circumstances can have detrimental effects, and even the best riders have taken a spill at no fault of their own.
It’s extremely important that riders invest in quality motorcycle helmets. According to studies, helmets reduce the risk of death by 37-42%. (NHTSA 2008; Norvell & Cummings, 2002).
According to studies, helmets reduce the risk of death by 37-42%.
So let’s use our heads and think about who makes some of the best motorcycles and why!
Who are the top motorcycle helmet brands? Well, beyond looks, we should always consider the SAFEST helmet, so let’s think about what makes a helmet safe in the first place.
Safety Standards & Certifications
The most basic qualifier we will use first will be the certifications and standards attached to your helmet. You should always prioritize brands that are consistently demonstrating and achieving the highest level of certifications possible. This may include:
DOT U.S. legal minimum. Self-certified by manufacturers and considered the weakest benchmark—don’t rely on it alone.
ECE 22.06 (current European standard): Rigorous independent testing with linear + rotational (oblique) impacts at multiple energy levels and points. Widely regarded as far superior to basic DOT. Many experts prioritize this over older standards.
Snell (M2020/M2025): Voluntary but very stringent U.S. standard with higher-energy impacts and multi-hit capability. Excellent for track/racing use.
Materials & Quality
The next thing you’ll want to check out is what the helmet is made of. Stick with anything carbon fiber, fiberglass composites, or high-end polycarbonate for better energy absorption. EPS foam is the best in terms of liner. Make sure to check the reviews on any item to make sure the manufacturer is on the up and up when it comes to quality control.
Reputation & Real World Data
Lastly, trust the people who know what they’re doing. The people who ride, race, and attend track days and other motorcycle events. You can look into the history of these brands and models of helmets and see some of the SHARP crash test performance data. You can see what brands the best of the best racers choose to protect their noggin. If the top riders are trusting their millions of dollars in investments in equipment and skilled racers, well, the helmet brand is probably pretty good.
So who are the best?
When it comes down to professional racer popularity and safety performance in the USA, these motorcycle brands stand out in being used in high-level racing and demonstrate strong safety credentials when it comes to Snell, ECE 22.06, and FIM homologation.
1. Shoei (Japan)
Popularity with Racers: Extremely high.
Used by riders like Marc Márquez, Alex Márquez, and many others in MotoGP and WorldSBK. Shoei dominates in professional paddocks with models like the X-15 / X-SPR Pro.
Note- If Alex Marquez Trusts Shoei after this, it’s probably worth it.
Safety Level: Excellent
Many models carry DOT + ECE 22.06 + Snell M2020/M2025. Known for premium construction, aerodynamics, and consistent high performance in independent tests (often 4–5 stars).
Why Choose Shoei Motorcycle Helmets?
Premium build quality, great fit options, and proven crash protection. A favorite for both street and track.
2. Arai (Japan)
Popularity with Racers: Strong presence in MotoGP and other series.
Favored by riders who prioritize the brand’s "glancing off" philosophy for energy management.
Safety Level: Outstanding reputation.
Models often meet or exceed Snell, DOT, and ECE. Arai helmets are frequently praised for superior shell strength (e.g., PB-SNC2 composites) and real-world crash performance. Many achieve top ratings in SHARP-style testing.
Why Choose Arai Motorcycle Helmets?
Legendary build quality and safety focus. Highly regarded in the US for serious riders and racers.
3. AGV (Italy)
Popularity with Racers: Very popular in MotoGP (multiple riders per recent grids)
Models like the Pista GP RR are direct derivatives of pro racing helmets used by world champions.
Safety Level: Strong
High-end carbon fiber models with DOT, ECE 22.06, and often Snell or FIM. Excellent aerodynamics and rotational protection features.
Why Choose AVG Motorcycle Helmets?
Racing heritage (part of the same group as Dainese) and consistent top placements in safety tests.
4. Alpinestars (Italy)
Popularity with Racers: Growing fast in MotoGP and other series.
The Supertech R10 is a current favorite among pros.
Safety Level- Competitive high-end models with advanced certifications (DOT/ECE/Snell).
Designed with heavy input from professional racing data.
Why Choose Alpinestars Motorcycle Helmets?
Strong in both road racing and motocross; excellent integration with other gear.
If you haven’t noticed by now, the top 4 safest motorcycle helmet brands just so happen to be 4 of our favorites! We carry helmets in all of these brands, so go check them out to see what we’ve got! If you have any questions about sizing, pricing, or are wondering about anything to do with buying a new bike helmet, give us a call! We’re always here to help! If you’re in the WNY area and you need bike service to get ready for summer, get on the list now! We’re filling up fast!