Updated September 2nd, 2024
Riding an ebike is a lot of fun and they are a great way to get around without a car. You want to be safe while riding your ebike which means wearing a helmet. Is any bike helmet good enough for riding an ebike? The answer is no. You want a helmet designed to protect you while riding at the higher speeds that ebikes can go. We are here to help you find the best electric bike helmet for you.
The 9 Best EBike Helmets
- BEST OVERALL: Smith Dispatch MIPS
- TOP PICK: Specialized Mode
- BEST VALUE: Outdoor Master Rhino Urban
- BEST FOR E-MTB: Smith Payroll
- BEST FULL FACE: Smith Mainline MIPS
- Giro Caden II
- Bontrager Charge Wavecel
- XNITO Helmet
- Kali Protectives Traffic 2.0
1. Best Overall – Smith Dispatch MIPS
Specifications
- Certifications – NTA-8776, CPSC, CE EN 1078 and AS/NZS263
- MIPS – Yes
- Features – Koroyd honeycomb construction, rear light, fidlock buckle
- Weight – 16 oz
The Smith Dispatch helmet was designed for urban ebike riding. It meets the Dutch NTA-8776 certification for ebike helmets, along with the normal CPSC and CE certs. It has Koroyd honeycomb construction, which allows better energy absorption and also allows the helmet to vent through the honeycomb instead of large holes. It has a rear LED light that can be set to blink or always stay on.
The helmet has a modern urban look to it without going too crazy with styling. It has a small brim to help with keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes. It uses Smith’s AirEvac defog vents to help keep your glasses or sunglasses from fogging up. It has enough ventilation to keep your head cool on hot days or long climbs. It uses a magnetic fidlock buckle which makes it easier and faster to buckle and unbuckle the helmet.
What we liked:
- Has Koroyd construction and MIPS for better protection
- Fidlock buckle for quick on and off
- The rear light operates in several different modes from blinking to always on
- Has enough vents for staying cool while riding on ebike.
What we didn’t like:
- Micro USB connector instead of USB C for recharging the light
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2. Top Pick – Specialized Mode
Specifications
- Certifications – NTA-8776, CPSC, 5 Star Virginia Tech
- MIPS – Yes
- Features – Single vent channel appearance, available lights
- Weight – 15 oz
The Specialized Mode helmet is designed for ebikes and commuters. It has NTA-8776 certification and earned a 5 star rating from the Virginia Tech helmet labs. The Mode is designed so that it doesn’t scream out bike helmet when you look at it. All the venting is in a ring around the bottom. It looks like it doesn’t have a lot of vents. They were designed in Specialized’s wind tunnel and are very effective at cooling the head.
The helmet is available in several sizes along with regular and round head versions. Almost anyone can find a good fit with the Mode. The Mode does not come with any lights. It is compatible with the Specialized Stix light. It is also compatible with the Specialized ANGi crash sensor that can call for help if you are in a crash.
What we liked:
- Available in multiple sizes and 2 head shapes for a better fit for everyone
- More conservative look that doesn’t scream bike helmet while being worn
- More back of head coverage than most bike helmets
- Available optional integrated lights and crash sensor
- Has good venting and airflow to keep your head cool on hot days and long climbs
What we didn’t like:
- No holes in back of helmet to pull a ponytail through
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3. Best Value – Outdoor Master Rhino Urban
Specifications
- Certifications – CPSC, ASTM F1447-1B
- MIPS – No
- Features – Removable visor and sun shield, LED Lights
- Weight – 10 oz
The Outdoor Master Rhino Urban bike helmet was designd with bike commuters in mind. This helmet has a built in LED light that can flash in a bunch of different patterns. It has a removable sun visor that can take on or off depending on where you are riding. It has a sun visor that is attaches to the helmet with magnets for quick removal.
The Rhino Urban is a very versatile helmet that can be used for anything from commuting to mountain biking. It has lots of ventilation for hard climbing or just staying cool. It can look like a road helmet without the visor and an MTB helmet with it. The sunglass visor also fits nicely over prescription glasses. You can wear it for bright days and leave it off when it’s dark out later.
This helmet does not have MIPS or any other advanced safety tech. It has a standard EPS foam liner inside a PC hard shell. It is also not NTA 8776 certified. It is a very good value helmet that works for for many types of biking.
See our review of the Outdoor Master Rhino Urban to learn more.
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4. Best for E-MTB – Smith Payroll
Specifications
- Certifications – NTA-8776, CPSC, CE EN 1078
- MIPS – Yes MIPS Evolve
- Features – Koroyd honeycomb construction, VaporFit system, Adjustable visor
- Weight – 15 oz
The Smith Dispatch helmet was designed for urban ebike riding. It meets the Dutch NTA-8776 certification for ebike helmets, along with the normal CPSC and CE certs. It has Koroyd honeycomb construction, which allows better energy absorption and also allows the helmet to vent through the honeycomb instead of large holes. It has a rear LED light that can be set to blink or always stay on.
The helmet has a modern urban look to it without going too crazy with styling. It has a small brim to help with keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes. It uses Smith’s AirEvac defog vents to help keep your glasses or sunglasses from fogging up. It has enough ventilation to keep your head cool on hot days or long climbs. It uses a magnetic fidlock buckle which makes it easier and faster to buckle and unbuckle the helmet.
See our full review of the Smith Payroll to learn more.
What we liked:
- The helmet just feels comfortable with a good snug fit. The Vapor Fit System makes it easy to adjust
- It has lots of safety tech such as MIPS Evolve and Koroyd Honeycomb energy absorber.
- It’s got plenty of ventilation for hard riding.
- It has a 3 position visor and works well with sunglasses or goggles
- It’s certified to EN1078, US CPSC and NTA-8776
What we didn’t like:
- It’s a little pricey with a retail price of $200
- At 15 ounces it is a few ounces heavier than the average mountain bike helmet
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Get up to 40% OFF ALMOST EVERYTHING during ULTIMATE SALE at SMITH OPTICS
5. Best Full Face – Smith Mainline MIPS
Specifications
- Certifications – CPSC CE EN 1078, ASTM F1952 downhill, and NTA-8776 E-Bike certified
- MIPS – Yes
- Features – Full face protection, Multiple pad sets for a custom fit, adjustable visor, Koroyd energy absorber
- Weight – 27 oz
The Smith Mainline MIPS full face helmet is for those of you who like to ride a bit faster. Class 1-3 ebikes have a top assisted speed of 28mph. We know there are ebikes that will go a lot faster than that. For people riding at higher speeds, full face protection is a good idea. The Smith Mainline helmet was designed for Mountain Bike downhill use where riders go high speeds and hit big jumps. When things go south, it results in some epic failures. The full face helmet keeps you from needing facial reconstruction afterwards.
The Mainline uses Koroyd plastic honeycome energy absorber for protecting against big hits. It is certified for NTA-8776 for ebikes along with ASTM F1952 for downhill riding. The helmet has a lot of ventilation for a full face helmet. This includes chin vents so that your breath isn’t going back into your helmet, especially when climbing. The Koroyd allows the helmet to vent through the honeycomb without needing more holes in the energy absorber.
The helmet comes with several sets of foam pads that can be used to customize the fit. The helmet is very comfortable after being adjusted. The only real downside to this helmet is that it can make creaking noises where the MIPS liner rubs the foam energy absorber. When riding fast over lots of bumps this creaking can be very noticeable.
What we liked:
- Full face protection
- Certified for downhill and e-bike use
- Koroyd honeycomb energy absorber
- Several pad sets included for fine tuning fit
- Good ventilation including chin area
What we didn’t like:
- High cost
- Creaking noise caused by MIPS liner
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Get up to 40% OFF ALMOST EVERYTHING during ULTIMATE SALE at SMITH OPTICS
6. Giro Caden II
Specifications
- Certifications – US CPSC
- MIPS – Yes
- Features – Easy to adjust with lock port for securing to your bike
- Weight – 12.7 oz
The Giro Caden II is a solid entry level commuter bike helmet that is easy to adjust for a good fit. It has a lot of venting that makes it good for riding on hot days or doing a lot of climbing without your head overheating. It uses Giro Roc Loc City system for adjusting the straps making it easy to get a good secure fit.
The Caden II is US CPSC certified. There is also a CE version for European riders. Neither helmet is NTA-8776 certified for e-bike usage. It does have MIPS which puts it above a lot of other entry level budget bike helmets which do not have it.
The Caden does not have any built in lights. There are compatible lights available for it.
What we liked:
- Lots of venting for riding on hot days
- Visor is big enough to shade eyes without being excessively large
- Roc Loc system is easy to adjust
- Available lights and accessories
What we didn’t like:
- Not NTA-8776 certified
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7. Bontrager Charge WaveCel
Specifications
- Certifications: US CPSC, NTA-8776 E-Bike certified, 5 Star Virginia Tech rating
- MIPS – WaveCel
- Features – WaveCel protection, lots of ventilation, BOA size adjuster
- Weight – 15 oz
The Bontrager Charge WaveCel helmet is designed for commuting and ebike riding. It uses WaveCel technology instead of a traditional energy absorber and MIPS. WaveCel is a plastic honeycomb like structure that can collapse in any direction allowing the helmet to rotate and absorb impacts from any direction and angle. It claims to be up to 48 times more effective in reducing concussions than traditional helmet construction.
One of the advantages of WaveCel is that it allows airflow and breathing between the wave structures. This allows the helmet to have more effective ventilation. It helps keep you cool and sweat free on hot days or long climbs. The helmet uses a BOA size adjuster which allows a more custom fit for different sized heads.
The Charge WaveCel has a smooth look with a single vent channel wrapping around the helmet. One downside to WaveCel is that it adds more thickness to some parts of the helmet and makes it look more bulged out above your head. The Charge probably won’t win any styling awards, but it is a very safe helmet for ebike riding.
What we liked:
- Virginia Tech 5 Star rating and NTA-8776 E-Bike certification
- Lots of ventilation and breathing
- WaveCel claims to be safer in almost all impact conditions
- BOA size adjuster for custom fit
- Magnetic fidlock buckle
- Blendr magnetic lmount compatible with Bontrager lights and accessories
What we didn’t like:
- Has a larger more domelike look than traditional helmets
- Only available in a few color choices
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8. XNITO Helmet
Specifications
- Certifications: CPSC, CE, NTA-8776
- MIPS – No
- Features – Designed for Class 3 speeds, integrated front and rear lights, lightweight
- Weight – 13.3 oz
The XNITO helmet started off as a Kickstarter campaign to make a better helmet for ebike riders. It was one of the first helmets in the US that was certified to the Dutch NTA-8776 ebike standard. The helmet is designed to protect during crashes up to 28mph instead of the CPSC 20mph standard. It has extra coverage on the back and sides as well.
XNITO chose to not include MIPS in the helmet. A study by the Snell Institute showed minimum difference between MIPS and non-MIPS helmets. XNITO and a few other brands, such as Kask have chosen to not include MIPS as they view it as an added expense that doesn’t provide any real world benefit. You can make your own decision on this. I personally prefer MIPS helmets.
The XNITO helmet was designed to be a more stylish ebike helmet option. They make it in many color options, including graphic and 2 tone schemes. They update the colors and designs regularly to keep the design fresh. You are more likely to wear a bike helmet if you like how you look in it.
The helmet uses a Fidlock magnetic buckle, so you can easily hook and unhook it without much fussing with the buckle. It has a size adjuster in the back for fit. The helmet has enough ventilation for ebike riding. It’s not as ventilated as other helmets. They offer a winter liner to make the helmet warmer for winter riding.
See our review of the XNITO helmet to learn more.
What we liked:
- NTA-8776 certified with more head coverage than a traditional bike helmet
- More stylish than the average bike helmet with many color choices
- Removable fabric brin offers good eye shade
- Magnetic Fidlock buckle makes
- Built in front and rear lights with USB-C charging
What we didn’t like:
- No MIPS or other rotational impact technology
- Not as much ventilation as other ebike helmets
See our full review of the XNITO Bike Helmet to learn more.
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9. Kali Protectives Traffic 2.0
Specifications
- Certifications: CPSC, EN 1078, NTA-8776
- MIPS – LDL Liner
- Features – LDL Liner, removable brim, lifetime crash replacement, lightweight construction
- Weight – 12.2 oz
The Kali Protectives Traffic 2.0 is a very lightweight NTA-8776 ebike certified helmet. It uses Kali Protectives composite fusion construction that allows a thinner shell. This allows the helmet to be lighter weight than other helmets. At 12.2 oz it is one of the lightest ebike certified bike helmets out there.
The Traffic 2.0 has an LDL or Low Density Liner inside of the traditional EPS energy absorber. The LDL liner allows more cushion in low speed softer impacts. This means better protection when the impact isn’t severe enough to compress the EPS foam. The LDL also allows for rotation inside the helmet similar to MIPS allowing better protection for off angle impacts.
Beyond the safety features, the Traffic 2.0 is a comfortable helmet with a lot of ventilation making it comfortable for commuting on hot days. It has a size adjuster and an adjustable neck strap to customize the fit. It has a removable visor that provides a good amount of sun shade for your eyes without sticking out too far.
What we liked:
- NTA-8776 certified for ebike use
- LDL liner reduces forces in minor impacts and rotational loads
- Very lightweight construction
- Removable visor
What we didn’t like:
- No integrated lights or available lights
- Only available in a couple of color choices
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Ryan Craig
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days, I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible. Visit our About Us page and learn more.
ryan@lowbudgetadventurer.com