Riding a motorcycle offers thrills, exhilaration and adds fun and adventure that you can't have while you are driving a car. It's true that they lack seatbelts and other protective features of the four-wheeled vehicles, leaving riders to depend on wearable protective gears for safety. Even though all protective gears are equally important, we'd say that motorcycle helmets are the most crucial part as they protect the most critical areas like the head and brain. They represent a decent chunk of your gear budget, so it's worth investing in the right one for your ride.

With thousands of motorcycle helmet models and safety standards than ever before, choosing the best one can be daunting to any rider. So, in order to help ensure you're protecting your head with the best possible bucket, we've put together this guide to today's top 10 best motorcycle helmets. Here, we'll be educating you on the different types of motorcycle helmets, and of course, the latest from each category.

Types of Motorcycle Helmets

There are seven different types of helmets you can choose from:

• Full-face

A full-face helmet is considered the safest type of helmet to protect you from potential impact by providing the most coverage around your head and neck.

Did you know that the chin encounters around fifty percent of severe impacts during an accident? Full-face helmets can provide riders protection in the chin and jaw areas. Yes, you heard it right. These helmets contain a chin bar, which is a key safety feature that other types of helmets lack.

A full-face helmet varies depending on the riding style. Sports riders need a helmet that doesn't lift at high speeds. As they have a crouched riding position, they should opt for a helmet having a higher chin bar as well as a visor opening, angled slightly towards the upper part of the helmet. On the other hand, cruisers and adventure riders ride with an upright riding position. Therefore, they should go for the one with a lower chin bar and a visor opening that is more straightforward.

Almost all full-face helmets possess ventilation to reduce visor fogging, evaporate sweat, and keep you cool while riding. During winter, the ventilation can be closed to reduce the airflow. These types of helmets also offer other exciting features such as high visibility color options, Bluetooth-capable speakers, and visors that adjust to sunlight conditions.

• Modular

A modular helmet is a blend of ¾ helmet and a full-face helmet. This is because both the chin bar and visor can be flipped up to open the front of the helmet. The materials and fitting are almost similar to that of the full-face helmet. Modular helmets include a visor for eye protection, and some models also offer a secondary internal visor for additional level eye protection from the sunlight.

They possess extra design hinge features and therefore weigh a bit more than the traditional full-face helmet. Modular helmets are mostly used by cruisers and adventure riders, as they are designed with an upright riding position in mind. The eye openings are direct, and the chin bar is designed to sit lower on the face. Dual visor system, Bluetooth speakers, and anti-fogging coating on the primary visor are also a welcomed addition.

• Off-Road

Off-road helmets are designed to ride away from the streets and on dirt roads. It has a very different design than the full face and open face helmets, offering a larger visor and a more noticeable chin bar. Off-road helmets aren't probably the best option for city and highway use but are ideal for places where a heavy-duty tire with large rubber knobs is a must.

They provide maximum protection, minimum weight, and free airflow during the summer months. Off-road helmets do not come with the eye protection feature, so you should have your own glasses or goggles. If you're riding in mud or dirt, we recommend you use goggles as they can seal against your face to prevent debris intrusion.

Dual Sport

Dual sport helmets are a perfect mix of an off-road and a full-face helmet. They are designed to be used both off-road and on-road. These types of helmets have a large visor, lower chin bar and offer more interior padding and comfort similar to that of a full-face helmet.

The dual-sport helmets provide a comparatively larger eye protection visor than a full face, but they can also be snapped into the right position if you want to use goggles. The chin bar is not as protrusive as compared to an off-road helmet, so there is better soundproofing.

• Open-face

They are known as ¾ helmets that cover the top, back, and sides of your head and leave your face exposed to feel the wind on your skin. Open Face Helmets are most popular amongst cafe racers, tourers, and cruisers. They lack a chin bar, which significantly reduces the safety of the motorcycle helmet, leaving your face exposed.

Due to the lack of a chin bar, open-face helmets weigh slightly less than full-face helmets. In addition, they fail to protect you against weather conditions and road debris. These helmets either come equipped with partial/full-face visors, or they may require you to buy the part separately.

• Half Helmet

Half helmets only cover the upper part of your head and the area from the forehead to your brows. Some models may offer a bit more coverage on the back of your neck and ears but leave the rest of your face exposed.

Most half helmets do not come with a visor or face shield, so you have to buy riding glasses or goggles for protection. When compared to other types of helmets, there are minimal technological features, like Bluetooth speakers.

How to Find Your Motorcycle Helmet Size?

Measuring your helmet size is as simple as looking for a well-fitted hat. The best tool for this is a seamstress tape measure. All you have to do is wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of the head and take the measurement at the forehead. Measure around your head, above the ears, across your forehead, and over the back of your head. Make sure it does not feel too tight. To get the most accurate measure, seek help from a friend.

Best Motorcycle Helmets

1. LS2 Stream

LS2 Stream Helmet offers superior comfort and incredible features for an affordable price. It meets and exceeds the D.O.T. and E.C.E.Safety Standards and provides a 5-year warranty against defects. LS2 comes with an anti-scratch, optically correct, and LS2 FogFighter™ ready face shield. There's a specially designed built-in Twin Shield System™ drop-down Sun Shield to give you a fantastic helmet at an unbelievable value. This helmet consists of moisture-wicking technical fabric comfort liner with cheek pads cut from one solid piece of high-quality foam using LS2's 3D Laser Technology. It has a removable and washable interior so that you can keep your helmet as fresh as new.

2. Scorpion EXO-R320 Endeavor Helmet

Jam-packed with super comfort and protection, Scorpion Exo R320 Endeavour Helmet has an advanced LG® Polycarbonate Shell, Pinlock® ready Face Shield, Ellip-Tec ® Ratchet System, and KwikWick® II washable Antimicrobial comfort Liner. The helmet is D.O.T. certified and also has an aero-tuned ventilation system.

3. Shoei GT-Air II Bonafide Helmet

Shoei GT-Air II is a premium touring full-face helmet that well represents what a sport-touring helmet is - extreme comfort, high-quality material, and an inner sun visor! The helmet offers not only a high degree of convenience but also a creative, aggressive, and refined design that has won the heart of many riders. GT-Air II offers a shell shape with sharper edges, integrating with the ventilation parts to let air flow from front to back. The helmet comes with an exclusive design that allows the communication system to attach perfectly.

4. AFX FX-41DS Dual Sport Helmet

AFX FX-41 features an aerodynamic shell design and is exceptionally lightweight. It provides you with better visibility through the optically correct, compound-curved shield while not worrying about the heat with its 17 points of ventilation. This safe and affordable helmet integrates both ECE 22.05 and DOT FMVSS-218 motorcycle helmet safety standards.

5. HJC CS-R3 Dosta Helmet

The HJC CS-R3 Dosta Helmet is constructed with a lightweight, advanced polycarbonate composite shell that features an aerodynamic shape to reduce turbulence and a large eye port opening. This helmet incorporates the Advanced Ventilation System, which offers adjustable forehead and chin vents, two rear exhaust vents, and one chin bar vent that reduces the occurrence of fogging. This full-face helmet comes with an anti-scratch Pinlock HJ-09 Shield as well as RapidFire™ Shield Replacement System. The CS-R3 Space Helmet also has a plush, brushed Nylex® interior lining that is removable and machine washable.

6. Daytona Glide Modular Helmet

The Daytona Glide Modular Helmet comes with an inner anti-scratch retractable smoke shield and exceeds both D.O.T. and FMVSS 218 standards. Made specifically for your comfort and safety, the helmet features a dual shield system, a quick-release retention system, and a finger release lever for easy detachment. The helmet is made with a moisture-wicking interior that is both removable and washable and keeps your head cooler, relaxed, and more comfortable.

7. LS2 Valiant Modular Helmet

The LS2 Valiant Helmet is another top helmet that comes in an affordable price range. Countless riders have trusted LS2 Valiant to keep them safe and comfortable over the years. The helmet offers the most stable "modular to open face" conversion mechanism in the world and features a lightweight, aerodynamic shell made from LS2's proprietary Kinetic Polymer Alloy (K.P.A.). It comes in 2 shell sizes for a perfect fit. The helmet has a complete metal latch that assures the chin bar will stay locked when closed, and LS2's exclusive design that keeps the chin bar securely in place. The helmet features a U.V. and scratch-resistant shield as well as removable and washable padding.

8. Icon Variant Pro Rubatone Helmet

Stealth or blacked out, the Icon Variant Pro Rubatone Helmet is like a monotone monster ready to pounce. Be it in the logging roads, concrete jungle, or other mind-altering journeys, this helmet is all set for any adventure that comes the way. It features a composite shell that is lightweight and stiff. The helmet comes with a sculpted neck roll that interacts with your jacket so that you can even lean forward into a tuck without binding. The Icon Variant Pro Rubatone Helmet features a modular liner that wicks away moisture and sweat so that you can focus on choosing your line or the S.U.V. that's about to drift into your lane.

9. Z1R Range Dual Sport Helmet

The Z1R Range Dual Sport helmet offers you plenty of versatility with a drop-down visor, a removable peak, and many more. Plus, the helmet checks off with both D.O.T. and E.C.E. certification, so you know you're getting an excellent quality helmet. It comes with an injection-molded A.B.S. shell, scratch-resistant polycarbonate clear face shield, and a dual-density EPS foam padding with fully removable polyester moisture-wicking liner and cheek pads. Other features include a drop-down sun visor that makes the helmet adaptable in all lighting conditions and an adjustable and removable visor.

10. Z1R Solaris Modular Helmet

To close off this list, we couldn't leave out the Z1R Solaris Modular Helmet. This helmet by Z1R can be worn all year round. It is D.O.T. and E.C.E. approved, providing riders with the best comfort and protection. It also offers riders all the functionality, including excellent ventilation, easy to remove and scratch-resistant polycarbonate shield, a drop-down sun visor, a fully removable moisture-wicking liner, and more.

Wear Helmets, Ride Safe

Head injuries are the main cause of death when it comes to motorcycle accidents. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing deaths of motorcyclists and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. This means that out of every 100 riders that died in a motorcycle accident, 37 could have been saved, and almost 70 spared the terrible effects of traumatic brain injuries.

A helmet is expensive, but your life is priceless! It's the matter of your life, so why take risks? Go get the best motorcycle helmet in town and enjoy your ride!