Lightweight Motorcycle Helmets Under $300 and Where to Buy

The lightest helmet on MCN’s budget helmet list is the HJC V10, at 1,422 g in size L with a Pinlock fitted. The others on that list run from about 1,450 g to 1,550 g. The Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS is the heaviest at 1,730 g.

Those weights come from a UK review, so I have set them beside 15 helmets sold through US retailers further down. The descriptions I have for those 15 give no weights in grams. Read the spec line on the retailer page before you order, and confirm the price is still under $300 that day, because prices move.

MCN makes one point that matters on a small budget: price is only a rough guide to safety. The government-backed SHARP rating scheme in the UK awards up to five stars, and MCN says some cheaper helmets on it perform better than you would expect.

The video below, from Throttle School, picks five helmets under $300 for 2026.

Video: 5 Best Motorcycle Helmets Under $300 — Don't Overpay in 2026 (Throttle School)

Weight and noise scores from MCN’s budget list

MCN’s testers score noise out of 5, and the quietest helmets get 5.0. Weights are the figures MCN prints, taken at different sizes, so treat small gaps with care. Prices are UK retail prices from MCN’s page, and I have not converted them to dollars.

Helmet	MCN category	Weight (g)	Noise score (out of 5)	Standard	Price listed by MCN (UK)
HJC V10	Retro	1,422 (size L, Pinlock fitted)	5.0	ECE 22.06	n/a
Merlin Revival Vintage	Retro	about 1,450 (size M)	n/a	ECE 22.06	n/a
AGV K1 S	Sporty	1,500	5.0	ECE 22.06	£209.99 (plain colours from £159.99)
Shark D-Skwal 3	Sports touring	1,540	3.0	ECE 22.06	n/a
HJC C10	Cheapest lids	1,550 (measured)	5.0	ECE 22.06	£89.98 (was £99.99)
MT Targo S	Cheapest lids	1,550 (size L, visor fitted)	4.0	ECE 22.06	n/a
MT Thunder 4 SV	Sporty	n/a	3.0	ECE 22.06	n/a
Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS	Adventure	1,730	2.0	ECE 22.06	n/a

MCN also lists the HJC i71 at £199.99, with no spec detail in the material I have. For more featherweight options, see our list of the best lightweight motorcycle helmets.

What MCN’s testers said about each:

• HJC V10: retro styling, intercom-ready, a good paint finish, and a visor change that needs no tools. The Pinlock is included. Cons: it feels slightly budget, it is tight to put on and take off, and the visor change takes time. The shell is a fibreglass composite, sizes run XS to 2XL, and the warranty is three years.
• Merlin Revival Vintage: a fibreglass shell with military-grade resin, a roomy blunt chin bar, good airflow and a Pinlock-style Opticlear insert. The tester found it comfortable all day and good value against similar premium retro models. Cons: some wind noise that ear plugs tame, and a visor hinge that needs a tool to adjust. It suits intermediate oval heads.
• AGV K1 S: fits well, feels light, changes visors easily and vents well. It has a 190-degree horizontal field of view, an integrated spoiler, two shell sizes and a two-year warranty. Cons: stiff vents, no visor lock, and a tight fit with glasses. The visor is prepped for a Pinlock, but the insert costs extra.
• Shark D-Skwal 3: sturdy fittings, an effective drop-down sun visor and a very easy visor change. The Pinlock is in the box and the warranty is five years. Cons: the visor whistles when open on the move, and it slipped back on the tester’s head shape.
• HJC C10: rated brilliant value, very quiet and comfortable, with good ventilation. It has a polycarbonate shell, four shell sizes, a ratchet strap and a three-year warranty. Cons: the visor is a little stiff, and there is no drop-down sun visor. The HJ-34P Pinlock-ready visor takes an insert that is sold separately.
• MT Targo S: incredible value for money, quiet next to other cheap helmets, and a visor release the tester ranked among the best. It has one shell for XS to XL, a ratchet strap and a one-year warranty. Cons: it mists up easily, so a Pinlock (not included) is a must. The tester also found the vents flimsy and the helmet heavy for a cheap one.
• MT Thunder 4 SV: a good paint finish, an effective drop-down sun visor and a plush interior for the money. Cons: ventilation scored 2.0 out of 5, and it mists up easily.
• Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS: a wide field of vision, a peak that copes well with wind, and good ventilation. It has a MIPS liner, a multi-composite shell, three shell sizes, a double D-ring strap and a five-year warranty. Cons: quite noisy next to market leaders, and no drop-down sun visor.

Where to buy, and where the deals are

Retailer links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

MCN names Sportsbikeshop, Infinity Motorcycles and J&S as reputable UK retailers. It says buying online can save a little money, but fit matters, so try a helmet on first. Sportsbikeshop runs a try-before-you-buy service: you order the helmets you want to test and they are sent to a store of your choice. MCN also advises against buying secondhand, because a hidden knock may have damaged the helmet.

In the US, RevZilla’s modular helmet page shows the deal filters you can use. It carries Closeout (45 listings), Open Box (20) and Sale (4) tags, discount bands from 10% off up to 60% off, and 13 listings marked as eligible for its Riders Preferred Membership discount. Amazon and similar marketplaces also sell helmets. I would still buy from a motorcycle retailer that lets you try the fit and return the helmet.

A few other ways to pay less, from MCN:

• Choose a plain colour over a race-replica graphic. The white version of a helmet one step up can cost just a few pounds more than the decorated one.
• Skip the ACU Gold sticker unless you race or do track days. It is not a legal requirement for a road helmet.
• Add the Pinlock to your total. The Shark D-Skwal 3 includes one, while the MT Targo S and AGV K1 S need the insert bought separately.

RevZilla’s filters also show which brands dominate its modular range: HJC (29 listings), Schuberth (24), LS2 (20), Scorpion EXO (15), Nexx (14) and SEDICI (12). Many of its modular helmets cost far more than $300, so use the price range filter.

Pick the type first

MCN splits the budget market by riding style. Adventure helmets have front peaks for branches and debris and suit on- or off-road use. Sports helmets often carry rear spoilers and bright colours. Sports-touring helmets put comfort first, with strong ventilation, drop-down sun visors and intercom provisions. Our list below adds modular, open-face, half and dirt designs. If you are unsure which suits you, read our guide to all types of motorcycle helmets first.

Certifications and features below come from retailer descriptions. Check the label on the exact size and colour you order.

Full-face helmets

Sedici Strada II

The Strada II has a composite shell of fiberglass and aramid fiber, offered in three shell sizes. The shell shape is meant to cut lift and turbulence at speed. A dual-density EPS liner has carved channels for airflow, and the helmet has intake and exhaust vents. An internal drop-down sun visor has a smoke tint. The lining comes out for machine washing. Padded panels at the temples and forehead adjust the fit by about 5 mm. A removable chin skirt seals the bottom of the helmet and cuts wind noise. See the Sedici Strada II listing.

Biltwell Lane Splitter

Biltwell’s Lane Splitter has a hinged face shield, a removable comfort liner and a shock-absorbing EPS liner. The interior padding is hand-stitched. Vents and a rear outlet move air through the shell. A brass peg-and-hole setup on the left side of the shield opens and closes it quickly and makes the shield easy to remove for cleaning. The helmet is listed as DOT and ECE certified, with an adjustable chin strap, and comes in several colours and sizes. See the Biltwell Lane Splitter listing.

HJC i10

HJC’s description names an Advanced Channeling Ventilation System that pulls hot air and moisture out of the helmet. A chin-bar intake vent sends air up into the face shield to help stop fogging. The interior comes out for washing. An anti-fog lens is available, sold separately, and adds an insulating layer of air so your breath does not condense on a cold shield. The C10 that MCN reviews uses similar ventilation wording. I have not confirmed whether the two are the same helmet under different names. See the HJC i10 listing.

Modular and touring helmets

BILT Nomad

The Nomad has an injection-molded shell and several vents that let air in and out at speed. A push-button, fast-release chin bar lets you eat a snack, drink water or talk without taking the helmet off. A built-in sun visor slides down with a button. The quick-release visor makes lens swaps easier. RevZilla’s modular page lists two BILT Nomad entries and one BILT Techno 3.0. See the BILT Nomad listing.

Scorpion EXO-AT950 Outrigger

This helmet mixes touring and off-road ideas. It has an off-road-style peak and a large eye port that takes goggles. The Everclear anti-fog shield and Speedview drop-down sun visor look after your eyes. The peak comes off for a lower-drag shape on the highway. A KwikWick II lining and cheek cushions make room for glasses. RevZilla’s modular page lists the EXO-AT960 (7 listings) and EXO-GT930 (5) families but not the AT950, so confirm the AT950’s chin-bar type before buying it as a modular. See the Scorpion EXO-AT950 Outrigger listing.

Fly Racing Street Tourist

The Tourist is an open-face helmet with a painted, replaceable clip-in mouthpiece and a clear shield. The retailer text describes a lightweight polycarbonate shell, a removable washable liner and a removable visor. RevZilla’s brand filter shows two Fly Racing Street entries in its modular range. See the Fly Racing Street Tourist listing.

Open-face helmets

Biltwell Bonanza

The Bonanza is a DOT-approved 3/4 helmet with a molded ABS shell and an EPS safety liner. The liner is hand-stitched, removable and washable, with moisture-wicking brushed Lycra panels and open-cell foam. The strap has chrome-plated nylon D-rings. It comes in three sizes: small for heads of 20.5 to 21.5 inches, medium for 21.5 to 22.5 inches and large for 22.5 to 23.5 inches. The warranty is one year. See the Biltwell Bonanza listing.

Bell Mag-9 Sena

The Mag-9 has a clear face shield, a peak, an internal drop-down sun visor and Velocity Flow ventilation. It is built to take the Sena SMH10 Bluetooth headset and intercom, so a comms unit fits inside the shell. See the Bell Mag 9 Sena listing.

Shoei J·O

The J·O has a shell made from Shoei’s AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) material and a visor that sits in three positions. Nubuck leather trim, glasses-friendly cheek pads and a dual-layer EPS liner round out the interior. Check today’s price, since Shoei sits at the top of this budget. See the Shoei J·O listing.

Half helmets

LS2 Rebellion

The Rebellion is a half-shell with a Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA) shell and flow-through ventilation ports. A short peak and a drop-down sun screen make up the Twin Shield System, and the sunshield locks in two positions. Dual-density EPS meets DOT, which makes it acceptable in all 50 states. A micrometric quick-release chin strap is fitted. Pre-drilled holes take the Sena-made LS2 LinkIn Bluetooth system, sold separately. See the LS2 Rebellion listing.

Scorpion EXO-C110

The EXO-C110 is Scorpion’s modern take on a classic half helmet. It has improved ventilation, a dual EPS liner and an upgraded SpeedView sun visor, with a padded chin strap and a comfort liner. The listing names DOT and ECE certification. For more half-shell shapes, see our cruiser helmet picks. See the Scorpion EXO-C110 Azalea listing.

Bell Pit Boss

The Pit Boss uses an ultralight TriMatrix shell that meets DOT requirements. Bell’s Speed Dial fit system adjusts the fit and is meant to cut the tendency of open helmets to lift off the head. A detachable neck curtain and a foldable sunshield come with it. See the Bell Pit Boss listing.

Dirt and adventure helmets

Bell MX-9 MIPS

Bell’s Velocity Flow ventilation brings fresh air in and pushes hot air out. The liner is moisture-wicking, removable and washable. A MIPS liner is meant to reduce rotational forces in a crash. MCN reviewed the Adventure version in the table above and found it well ventilated but noisy. More options sit in our dirt bike helmet list. See the Bell MX-9 MIPS listing.

Icon Airflite Moto Rubatone

The Airflite has an injection-molded polycarbonate shell and a Hydradry lining that wicks sweat. A chin vent works as an intake and exhaust, and an internal sun visor drops down. It comes with a clear face shield and a detachable black Rubatone peak. You can fit the shield or the peak, and you cannot ride with both on. See the Icon Airflite Moto Rubatone listing.

BILT Lux Race

The Lux Race has a polycarbonate shell and a dual-density EPS liner. It has large intake vents in the chin bar and top, and large exhaust vents at the back. The liner and cheek pads are shaped for comfort and ventilation. It lists DOT and ECE certification and has a detachable aero-tuned peak. See the BILT Lux Race listing.

Labels and standards worth checking

US estimates usually quoted put helmets at 37% effective at preventing rider deaths and 41% for passengers, and at 69% effective at reducing head injury. Most picks above cite DOT. Several also cite ECE.

MCN calls ECE 22.06 the latest European standard. UK law accepts a helmet that meets UNECE Regulation 22.06, or BS 6658:1985 with the BSI Kitemark, or an equivalent European standard with an equivalent mark. Helmets stamped ECE 22.05 can be sold until stock runs out, and they are still legal to use. MCN says they are not as safe as 22.06 helmets. RevZilla’s modular page tags 84 listings as ECE 22.06 and 15 as ECE 22.05.

MCN adds that a UK visor must pass 50% of light, which is why most dark visors are sold for non-road use.

Fit, weight and noise checks

Helmets come in round, intermediate and long oval shapes. A mismatch causes hot spots or pressure on the forehead and cheeks. RevZilla’s modular page tags 149 listings as intermediate oval, 8 as long oval and 8 as round oval, so riders with a round or long head have a smaller choice. Measure your head circumference and use the maker’s size chart.

The interior drives comfort. Look for a hypoallergenic, breathable, washable, removable lining, and ideally an antimicrobial one. MCN notes that a removable lining is the best way to deal with sweat and smell. MCN also flags these checks:

• Weight: a heavy helmet strains the neck on long rides.
• Strap: a ratchet fastener is a simple push-fit, while a double D-ring takes manual threading but feels secure to some riders.
• Vents: more vents cool your head and can add wind noise. Make sure a gloved hand can work them.
• Comms and glasses: look for ear recesses for speakers and channels for glasses arms.
• Visor: a visor that is fiddly to remove makes cleaning off bugs a chore, and some designs break their side pods.

Questions riders ask

What is the best motorcycle helmet under $300?

It depends on the type. For a full-face, I would start with the HJC i10 or Sedici Strada II from the list above and check the weight on the retailer page. In MCN’s budget list, the HJC C10 scored 5 overall, with noise at 5.0 and value at 5.0. I have not worn any of these helmets.

Which motorcycle helmet has the least wind noise?

Three helmets on MCN’s list scored 5.0 for noise: the HJC C10, AGV K1 S and HJC V10. The MT Targo S got 4.0. The Bell MX-9 Adventure MIPS scored 2.0, the lowest. The Sedici Strada II has a removable chin skirt that cuts wind noise. For more quiet models, read our quietest motorcycle helmets guide.

What is the lightest motorcycle helmet available?

I cannot name the lightest helmet on sale. Among the helmets in MCN’s list, the HJC V10 is lightest at 1,422 g (size L with Pinlock), ahead of the Merlin Revival at about 1,450 g in medium.

What is the best deal on a motorcycle helmet?

Closeout and open-box listings at RevZilla are the quickest route to a lower price. On MCN’s list, the HJC C10 is £89.98 (was £99.99), and the AGV K1 S starts at £159.99 in plain colours against £209.99 for the full price. Fit matters more than the discount, so try the helmet on before you commit.

How should a helmet fit?

It should feel snug without pressure points. MCN says an uncomfortable helmet is a distraction and so a safety problem in its own right. It advises picking a helmet with a good safety rating, then trying it on. Glasses wearers should check how the arms sit.

How often should you replace a motorcycle helmet?

MCN says a helmet kept safe, never dropped and never crashed could last up to five years in some cases. Heavy use, strong sunlight, sweat and high mileage can shorten that a lot. MCN thinks most undamaged helmets last about three years, and it says your own riding and care habits decide the real number.