Cheap bike helmets: 6 affordable lids for road, mountain and leisure riding

If you’re looking for a decent bike helmet but have a limited budget then look no further. We’ve rounded up the cheap bike helmets that are worth buying, as rated by our expert testers.

We’ve included options for road cyclists, mountain bikers and those who just ride for leisure.

Lazer Tonic

• £50
• Use: Road, leisure

The Tonic is an excellent affordable road helmet from Belgian brand Lazer.

It’s impressively lightweight at just 230g for a size medium and sports a decent fit and charming looks.

Being really picky, the chinstrap material is a little tougher and heavier than on pricier options, but with everything tightened up we doubt you’d notice.

• Read the full review of the Lazer Tonic helmet

MET Idolo helmet

• £50
• Use: Road, leisure

MET’s entry-level road lid does a great job of imitating its more expensive peers with its lightweight construction, compact dimensions and comfortable feel.

Fiddly side straps are about all that is stopping this from being a five-star product.

• Read the full review of the MET Idolo helmet

7iDP M2 helmet

• £60
• Use: Trail/enduro mountain biking, leisure

The M2 from 7iDP is an impressive mountain biking lid that is very reasonably priced. It’s well ventilated with great coverage but the fit and looks won’t suit everyone.

• Read the full review of the 7iDP M2 helmet

Endura Xtract helmet

• £53
• Use: Road, leisure

The Xtract from Endura isn’t the lightest helmet around at 300g, but it’s a good all-rounder lid that’s decidedly affordable.

Highlights include a USB rechargeable LED light at the rear, a bug net and Endura’s 50 per cent off three-year crash replacement policy.

• Read the full review of the Endura Xtract helmet

Van Rysel Road R 500 helmet

• £30
• Use: Road, leisure

Retailing at only £30, the Van Rysel Road R is a fraction of the cost of most road lids and yet it breathes well in use and even boasts decent looks.

Yes, the retention system could do with some refinement and its weight is high at 270g (claimed) for a medium, but overall this is a great option for the cash.

• Read the full review of the Van Rysel (formally B’Twin) Road R 500 helmet
• Buy the Van Rysel Road’R 500 helmet from Decathlon

7iDP M1 full face

• £72
• Use: Downhill mountain biking

Budget full faces are not all that common, but decent budget full-face helmets are really something unusual. Luckily, this one from 7iDP scored a respectable 3.5/5 in our test back in 2016.

• Read the full review of the 7iDP M1 full face helmet