Best Bike Helmets of 2025
In one test, we drop helmets going 14 mph onto a flat anvil to find out how well they would protect a bike rider's head
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Your bike (pedal-powered or electric) is a great way to get around. But whether you’re headed for a long or short ride, you should always wear a bike helmet to protect yourself.
A bike helmet can significantly reduce your risk of head or brain injury. Though there are no federal laws requiring bike helmets, 21 states and the District of Columbia have statewide laws requiring kids to wear them, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
- Best Bike Helmets for Adults: Road/Mountain Skate Style/Urban
- Best Kids' Bike Helmets
- How CR Tests Bike Helmets
Best Bike Helmets for Adults (Road/Mountain)
Best Bike Helmets for Adults (Skate Style/Urban)
Best Bike Helmets for Kids
How CR Tests Bike Helmets
In Consumer Reports’ tests, we strap helmets onto “head forms” that simulate the size of a human head, then drop them 14 mph onto a flat anvil to find out how well they withstand impact. An electronic sensor inside the head form monitors the force that would be transmitted to a rider’s skull in an accident.
To ensure the helmet will stay in place during an accident, we test the strength of the chinstraps, attachment points, and buckles by dropping a weight that’s 8¾ pounds and 2 feet so that it yanks on the straps to simulate the force of a crash.
Our testers also evaluate each helmet for ventilation, fit adjustments, ease of use, and other features.
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