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Cheap bike helmets: Best budget helmets and today's best deals in the New Year sales
As we transition from one year to the next, it's time to get excited by all the cycling deals to be had in the New Year bike sales. If you're looking for a cheap bike helmet, but you don't want to compromise on safety, then there are a host of great options already discounted in the January sales.
When shopping for a cheap bike helmet, you might first look at the market's budget offerings, the sort of helmets that offer great levels of comfort and safety while keeping a close eye on the price, usually at the expense of those less important metrics such as weight, aerodynamics or ventilation.
However, here at Cyclingnews, we present another way. If you're interested in getting a little more for your money, then we've hunted down the best helmet deals to ensure you still get one of the best road bike helmets, but you don't empty your bank account in the process.
Cheap bike helmets
Jump to your chosen section:
1. Best helmet deals USA
2. Best helmet deals UK
3. Best budget helmets
To help you do this, we've rounded up the best helmet deals we can find in the sales, and put them all in one handy list. And if none of these check your boxes, don't worry, we've also included a list of the best budget cycling helmets so you can find something affordable that doesn't compromise safety and performance.
Scroll down and you'll find cheap bike helmets aplenty, all of which pass the necessary safety standards, or jump to the relevant section by tapping the links below.
USA Deals
Oakley ARO3 MIPS | 25% off at REI
Was $180.00 | Now $134.73
Engineered for when the mercury rises, the ARO3 MIPS is a well-ventilated road helmet, and is currently on sale in the Jasmine green colour.View Deal
Oakley ARO5 MIPS | Up to 36% off at Competitive Cyclist
Was $250 | Now from $159.99
The ARO5 is Oakley's mid-range streamlined helmet with MIPS technology. It comes with quite a snug fit, which may require you to size up. View Deal
Giro Synthe MIPS | 20% off at Competitive Cyclist
Was $239.95 | Now $191.96
Available in Red, Blue, Black and Black Floral in various sizes spanning S-L, you can grab yourself a bargain on this originally ground-breaking helmet from Giro.View Deal
Giro Synthe MIPS | 20% off at Jenson
Was $225.00 | Now from $179.99
A true road racer's helmet, the Synthe MIPS has been worn by the likes of Thibaut Pinot. It's a lightweight, semi-aero, well-vented helmet that's designed for success. It's available in size small in the olive/citron colourway.View Deal
Giro Aether MIPS | 20% off at Backcountry
Was $349.99 | Now $279.96
A lightweight, well-ventilated helmet that's earned its place in our roundup of the best road bike helmets. Currently 20% off at Backcountry in all colours except White, Black and Red.View Deal
Limar Air Pro | Save 28% on ProBikeKit USA
Was $312.99 | Now $224.99
Limar's Air Pro combines 3k Carbon with EPS to create a supremely lightweight road helmet, which is probably why it's chosen by Team Astana. If you wear a size small, grab a deal at ProBikeKit.View Deal
Bern FL-1 Pave | 25% off at REI
Was $99.99 | Now $74.73
If you're after a new helmet for your commute, the Bern's skate-inspired FL-1 Pave lid is 25% of at REI in four colours in size S and M. With heaps of vents, lightweight webbing straps and a Boa 360 retention system, it's a comfortable and great looking urban lid.View Deal
Lazer Bullet 2.0 | 41% off at Competitive Cyclist
Was $269.99 | Now $159.97
Save almost half off Lazer's convertible aero to vented lid in the flash yellow colour, in sizes S, M and LView Deal
UK Deals
Abus Aventor | 44% off at ProBikeKit
Was £129.99 | Now from £72.49
The Abus Aventor is available at ProBikeKit in all sizes and four colours, The highest you'll pay is £80.99 which is still a saving of 38%.View Deal
Endura Pro SL | 20% off at CycleStore
Was £149.99 | Now £119.99
The Pro SL helmet adopts the Koroyd core from the flagship MT500, making this road helmet lightweight, exceptionally well ventilated, and protective against rotational impact.View Deal
Specialized Airnet | 19% off at Hargroves Cycles
Was £92.00 | Now £75.00
The Specialized Airnet is an impressive mid-priced helmet high on comfort and with good ventilation. Size large in red/black only but representing a great value deal for this quality helmet.View Deal
Kask Mojito X | Up to 20% off at Wiggle
Was £119.00 | Now from £95.20
The well-revered Kask Mojito helmet is available in a range of options at Wiggle, where the choice spans various sizes across 12 different colours.View Deal
HJC Furion | 45% off at Wiggle
Was £180.00 | Now from £99.00
With a range of sizes across two colours, this helmet is a great buy for anyone looking to add a bit of aero tech to their ride. View Deal
Giro Aeon | Up to 47% off at ProBikeKit
Was £169.99 | Now from £89.49
A super-airy helmet with low weight and extreme comfort, it's easy to forget you're wearing it. With a saving from £80.50, this Giro Aeon is available in a range of sizes. View Deal
Giro Synthe MIPS | 27% off at Wiggle
Was £209.99 | Now from £153.08
A true road racer's helmet, the Synthe MIPS has been worn by the likes of Thibaut Pinot. It's a lightweight, semi-aero, well-vented helmet that's designed for success. It's available in size 59-63cm in white.View Deal
MET Trenta | Up to 45% off at Wiggle
Was £209.00 | Now from £121.00
While the Trenta might be overshadowed by its carbon-fibre cousin, the Trenta 3K, there's no denying it's a solidly built helmet ready to ride and race. Several colour options have 45% off. View Deal
Abus Gamechanger | 34% off at ProBikeKit
Was £179.99 | Now £117.99
The Abus Gamechanger features in our guide to the best aero helmets, even at full price we consider it a worthy investment, but now you can get it in a choice of two colours across sizes M and L. View Deal
Abus Gamechanger Movistar Team | 40% off at Wiggle
Was £179.99 | Now £107.99
Whether it's due to the helmet's aero merits or the Movistar colour scheme, this helmet is a great buy at this price, still available in M and L. View Deal
Kask Protone Grand Tour | up to 50% off at Wiggle
Was £199.00 | Now from £99.99
This semi-aero helmet from Kask is one of the most popular helmets available, and for good reason. It's one of the best road bike helmets we've tested and it's now available from £99.00. There are three Grand Tour colourways to honour the Tour, Giro and Vuelta, plus a Team Sky variant at the cheapest price. View Deal
POC Ventral SPIN| 46% off at ProBikeKit
Was £270.00 | Now from £141.49
If you can be a little flexible with your colour preference, you can save yourself a good chunk of money on the POC Ventral SPIN. Grab a Matte White in L, or a choice of White, Black and Orange in S, and save up to £128.View Deal
Lazer Z1 | 15% off at CycleStore
Was £169.99 | Now £144.49
Lazer's Z1 offers impressive ventilation and the built-in roll-sys retention system is one of the most comfortable on the market. The MIPS version is available at Cyclestore UK in both black and white in S, M and L sizes.View Deal
Lazer Blade + | Up to 37% off at Tredz
Was £69.99 | Now starting at £43.99
The Lazer Blade has the majority of the things we love about the Z1 thanks to trickle-down technology but doesn't carry the sizable price tag. If you wear a size small, you're in luck because Tredz has knocked 37% off the price — if you don't there is a smaller discount available. View Deal
Bell Z20 MIPS | 20% off at Cyclestore
Was £229.99 | Now £183.99
The MIPS equipped Z20 is a vented aero helmet that is no slouch when it comes to ventilation. It has a compact silhouette and a clever pannel of X-Static padding that comes out into the brow of the shell to prevent sweat from dripping into the top of your sunglasses. Cyclestore has the Z20 at 20% off in size S (grey/red) or M (red).View Deal
Specialized S-Works Women's Prevail II | 37% off at Hargroves Cycles
Was £175.00 | Now £109.99
The S-Works Prevail II is lightweight, airy, comfortable and great looking; what more could you ask for out of a road helmet? A discount? You got it! Hargroves Cycles has the turquoise helmet in size large at 37% off.View Deal
Endura Pro SL | 37% off at Tredz
Was £149.99| Now from £94.99
Endura's Koroyd enhanced Pro SL, which we just reviewed, is marked down under £100 at Tredz in size M/L and L/XL.View Deal
Check out our other deals roundups
Cycling deals: Deals on all things cycling
Road bike deals: Deals on drop bars and skinny tyres
Cheap bike helmets: Low-cost safety without the compromise
Cheap cycling clothing: Kit out your cycling wardrobe without paying a fortune
Cheap cycling shoes: Super savings on footwear
Cheapest Zwift setup: Everything you need to get Zwifting on a budget
Electric bike deals: Power your way to savings
GoPro deals: Shoot for the moon with top-quality action camera deals
Gravel bike deals: Gravel grinding doesn't have to cost a fortune
Kids bike deals: They grow so fast, so why pay full price?
Rapha deals: Save big on the British clothing brand
Specialized deals: Great deals on all things Specialized
Wiggle deals: One of the world's biggest cycling sales
Wheel deals: Deals on road, gravel and mountain bike wheels
Mountain bike deals: Deals from our friends over at Bike Perfect
Garmin deals: Smartwatches, cycling computers and more
Best budget helmets
If our selection of January sales helmet deals above hasn't provided you with a suitable option for your next purchase, we have another solution. Below, we round up the best budget helmets available today.
You don't need to spend a fortune on a helmet to ensure your head stays cool, comfortable and protected in the event of a crash. In fact, despite the weight penalty, budget cycling helmets can be just as safe and even better looking than some of the more premium options out there.
What about safety we hear you say? Well, contemporary helmets - cheap helmets included - have to conform to stringent industry safety standards, which vary from region to region. (Every cycling helmet sold in the UK must meet the EN1078 standard, for example). Some of the helmets in the list below come standard with MIPS, a rotational slip-plane cradle system, which can significantly reduce brain injuries and concussions caused by crashes.
Of course, if you are looking for top-of-the-range, then we've got you covered there too; check out our roundup of the best road bike helmets. Alternatively, if you're looking to save watts, then we also have a guide to the best aero helmets.
To make things a little easier for you, below we've selected the best budget cycling helmets, each of which offers impressive ventilation, colour combinations and pricing. Look for a helmet that fits properly, offers good ventilation and aesthetics, don't be pressured into spending more than your budget allows, and buy from a well-known reputable retailer to ensure safety standards are adhered to.
If you're looking for a helmet but don't want to spend a fortune, and you're unsure exactly which to choose, our guide below will explain the best cheap cycling helmets to help you on your way.
Abus Aduro 2.1
Speed, protection and impressive ventilation for under £50
Price: Starting at US$59 / £50 / AU$89 | Weight: 295g, medium | Rotational safety: No | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 6
Price
Ventilation
Fit
No rotational safety
The Abus Aduro 2.1 might be one of the cheapest here but it's a superbly designed and well put together cycling helmet with an array of colour options to suit all tastes.
Ventilation is taken care of by three inlet and 10 outlet ports connected by flow channels, which have improved both the helmet's cooling and aerodynamic properties.
Other positives include a built-in insect/mosquito net, ponytail compatibility and Abus’ venerable Zoom Ace retention system which allows the user to finely adjust the head cradle for a customisable fit.
Kask Rapido
An affordable, performance-built helmet designed for speed
Price: Starting at US$100 / £69 / AU$140 | Weight: 220g, medium | Rotational safety: No | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 7
Lightweight
Ventilation
Aerodynamic
No rotational safety
The Kask Rapido incorporates 24 strategically placed vents to ensure the optimal relationship between cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. As such, the Rapido is very much a race-focused budget helmet with a feathery weight to match, 220g for a medium.
There's also an extensive range of design options to suit most tastes — seven colours which include a selection of bright and neutral hues.
The catch? Well, the Kask Rapido is one of the few helmets here that doesn't utilise a MIPS rotational protection system. It does, however, use MIT technology; a Kask-specific measure which joins the inner polystyrene cap to the outer polycarbonate shell, ensuring better shock absorption in the event of a crash.
Catlike Chupito
The Catlike Chupito offers impressive ventilation and protection for riders of all abilities
Price: Starting at US$84 / £70 / AU$122 | Weight: 270g, medium | Rotational safety: No | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 4
Ventilation
Price
LNP protection
Design may not appeal to everybody
Catlike's distinctive design and ventilation pattern may not appeal to everybody but it does provide a unique alternative to the ubiquitous helmet shapes of its rivals.
The Chupito is one of the Spanish brand's newest additions and although it's an entry-level model, it still boasts a raft of features that make it an appreciably appealing proposition.
The 24 ventilation slats ensure cooling properties of the highest order, while the structure itself has been bolstered to protect the occipital area using the company's Low Nape Protection (LNP) technology.
Scott ARX Plus
Good ventilation and looks make the Scott ARX Plus a seriously impressive and competent cycling helmet
Price: Starting at US$96 / £80 / AU$139 | Weight: 250g, medium | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 8
Ventilation
Aesthetics
Fit
Limited colour combinations
Another example of trickle-down technology, the Scott ARX Plus helmet combines premium aesthetics with the added safety of MIPS slip-plane protection for under £80.
Suitable for a both on- and off-road use, the strategically placed vents, eight colour combinations and removable visor ensure it ticks all the right boxes when it comes to looking and feeling good.
In terms of fit, the ARX Plus benefits from Scott's MRAS2 retention system that supplies a secure and comfortable fit with three adjustable height positions.
Lazer Blade+
A more affordable Lazer Z1
Price: Starting at US$109 / £90 / AU$179 | Weight: 265g, extra small | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL | Colours: 3
Fit
Lightweight
Ventilation
Retention system may take some getting used to
Like many of the helmets listed here, the Lazer Blade+ also shares many similarities with its high-end siblings, in this case, the Z1. It even benefits from the same colourway options — black, white and yellow.
With 22 vents and internal channelling, you get amazing ventilation for hot days, and Lazer’s Rollsys top-mounted retention system which can accommodate heads of all shapes. The Blade is also compatible with the company's aeroshell, rear LED light and LifeBeam heart-rate monitor.
A nice touch is Lazer's crash replacement program: if your helmet has been involved in an accident it can be replaced at a reduced price for up to three years after the purchase date.
Specialized Propero III with ANGi
Like a Specialized Prevail, only cheaper and slightly heavier
Price: Starting at US$130 / £95 / AU$200 | Weight: 315g, medium | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 3
Aesthetics
Ventilation
Crash sensor
Exposed rear EPS foam prone to denting
Weight
At first glance, it's difficult to tell the Specialized Propero III apart from high-end Prevail, what with the similarities they share in ventilation architecture, protection and adjustability.
In fact, it's only when placing them on a scale that the differences between the two come to the fore: the Propero is noticeably heavier at 315g, but just as comfortable as its premium brother.
In terms of safety, the Propero uses a helmet-mounted sensor called ANGi, which measures the forces transmitted to your helmet during a crash and transmits a text alert and GPS coordinates to your emergency contacts.
Learn more about Specialized ANGi here
Bontrager Circuit MIPS
A little on the pricier end of the budget spectrum but a quality option nonetheless
Price: Starting at US$149 / £100 / AU$199 | Weight: 300g, medium | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 7
Blendr integration
Fit
Safety
Weight
The Bontrager Circuit helmet shares a large portion of its aesthetics with the brand's premium Velocis helmet, and it certainly looks the part with seven colour options to choose from.
At 300g the Circuit might be a little on the heavy side but it does utilise MIPS as well as a Boa retention system, which ensures a comfortable fit. The 'in-mould composite skeleton' is claimed to improve not only the helmet's structural integrity but the size of the 16 ventilation slats too, for improved cooling.
It also benefits from Blendr integration mounting points which allow for the easy fitment of GoPro cameras and Bontrager lights.
Bell Formula LED MIPS
With MIPS and a built-in 20-lumen LED, the Bell Formula is, on paper, one of the safest budget helmets on the market
Price: Starting at US$120 / £110 / AU$174 | Weight: 351g, medium | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: S, M, L | Colours: 4
Ventilation
Float Fit LED
Design
Weight
Dull colour palette
Bell has been producing helmets (for all sports) for well over 60 years, so the American-based company knows a thing or two about safety and protecting your head.
Not only does the Bell Formula use MIPS, it also benefits from a bright, 20-lumen rear LED that's incorporated into the fit system for added levels of safety and visibility. The fit system, dubbed Float Fit, uses an easy-to-turn rubber-moulded dial for incremental adjustments.
While exquisitely detailed in terms of texture and design, the Bell Formula LED is let down by its limited-and-uninspiring colour options.
Giro Syntax
Stealthy looks combined with a great fit
Price: Starting at US$120 / £114.99 / AU$179 | Weight: 260g, medium | Rotational safety: MIPS | Sizes: S, M, L, XL | Colours: 6
Build quality feels solid
Fit
The finishing could be better
The Giro Syntax belies its £100 price point. Offering a host of features usually reserved for helmets twice its value, the Syntax stands head and shoulders above its rivals, particularly in terms of safety with MIPS as standard.
Six colourways are available to match any style or preference. Visually, the Syntax looks aggressive with 25 large vents that provide both an aerodynamic and cooling effect. Like most helmets in the Giro range, it benefits from the Roc Loc/MIPS retention system.
At 260g (medium), the Syntax represents a happy medium as far as weight goes coming in lighter than the more premium Vanquish.
Best deals roundups
Budget helmets
A roundup of all the helmets featured above, with the best prices we can find right now.
Best aero helmet deals
Do you agree that aero is everything? Is the offer of a watt saving too much to ignore? Could that extra speed be the difference between a win and a loss? If so, an aero road helmet is right for you. Our buyers guide to the best aero helmets will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision, but here are the best deals on our recommended choices.
Best all-rounder helmet deals
If maximum ventilation and minimum weight are the primary requirements for your road helmet, then an all-rounder is likely to be your preference. Our guide to the best road bike helmets should provide you with all the tools to buy the right helmet for you. But if you already know your Mojito from your Prevail, take a look at the deals below and save some money while you save your head.
