Best Bike Helmets for $50 or Less

And while these extra features might be nice, they’re not necessary and do not enhance a helmet’s main function: protecting your head. Even in the cost-conscious $50 or under category, you can find more and more helmets that—in addition to offering good impact protection—incorporate technology to help mitigate the effects of rotational impacts, something that may help to reduce the risk of a concussion in the case of a fall.

One note of caution: Any helmet sold in the U.S. should come with a detailed label that has information demonstrating compliance with CPSC standards. On online platforms like Amazon and eBay, it’s easy to find helmets that don’t meet these standards, along with counterfeit versions of known helmets. So shop our picks below, or stop into a brick-and-mortar bike shop.

If you are in the market for a new helmet but want to keep costs down, here are some of our top picks for helmets that cost $50 or less. You can all see our best helmets in all price ranges, and read our buying guide for more information about how we test.