Over the last 5 years, I’ve covered various “smart bike helmets” and wanted to summarize the main things I look for and my current favorite smart bike helmets. I’ll keep this article updated as the industry evolves, so add your questions and thoughts in the comments!
Top Smart Helmets in the Market
If I were buying a smart bike helmet in 2025, these are the ones I recommend:
Favorite NTA-8776 Helmet for eBike Riding
Unit 1 Aura Smart Bike Helmet
MSRP: $220 Discount code: BSGIRL
This Class 3 eBike helmet rating is NTA 8776, and it is a sleek fit with great ventilation and integrated safety features like lights. This is my top pick eBike helmet for 2024.
Features:
- 360º Lighting
- Turn Signal with Remote
- Brake Detection with Remote
- Crash Detection with App
- Optional eye visors & winter liner
Best Smart Helmet Light Ecoystem
Lumos Ultra eBike Smart Helmet
MSRP: $229 Discount code: BIKESHOPGIRL
This eBike-focused helmet has a flip-down visor with integrated side lights. The ecosystem of integrating multiple helmets and lights is best in class.
Best Value
Lumos Ultra Smart Helmet
MSRP $129 Discount code: BIKESHOPGIRL
Features:
• Lights
• Turn Signal with App or Remote
• Brake Detection with Remote
• Pairing with Firefly Lights
• Optional visor and winter gear
Best for Communication
Sena R2 Road Cycling Smart Bluetooth Helmet
MSRP $203
Features:
• Built in speaker and headphones to communicate on a mesh network
Sena pi Universal Bluetooth Intercom Headset
MSRP $99
Features:
• Attach to your current helmet straps to add a speaker and microphone
Key Smart Bike Helmet Features
Safety
- Crash Detection & SOS Alerts – Crash detection that connects to your phone and notifies emergency contacts.
- Integrated Lights & Turn Signals – Built-in LED lights for visibility, including turn signals activated via a handlebar remote.
- Brake Lights – Some models detect deceleration and illuminate a brake light for added safety. This can be built into the helmet or using a separate remote.
Communication & Connectivity
- Bluetooth & Built-in Speakers – Speakers and microphones for hands-free calls, voice navigation, and listening to music.
- Walkie-Talkie Mode – Certain brands, like Sena and Livall, offer intercom communication for group rides.
- Voice Assistant Compatibility – Some helmets integrate with Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa for voice control.
How Smart of a Helmet Do You Need?
Amazon has a ton of helmets listing cool features, but before looking at smart features, start with basic bike helmet certification and fit.
- Look for safety certifications and standards.
- The helmet needs to fit. It sounds silly, but make sure they have a good return policy if you can’t try it in a store
Do You Need an eBike Helmet?
Speaking of certification, there are eBike-specific helmets with NTA-8776 testing. This means the helmet is designed and tested for impact at higher speeds and something I am covering more and more.
What is it? The NTA-8776 standard was introduced in 2016 by the Netherlands to address the growing use of high-speed eBikes traveling up to 28 mph (45 km/h), called pedelecs, in Europe. Standard bike helmets aren’t designed for impact at those speeds! Until this standard was created, a scooter or motorcycle helmet was the only legal helmet to use in Europe on higher assistant eBikes.
Key Facts About NTA-8776:
- Developed by the Royal Dutch Standardization Institute (NEN).
- Offers more protection than traditional bicycle helmets, especially for higher-speed impacts.
- Features a larger coverage area at the temples and back of the head.
- Uses stricter impact absorption criteria than standard bicycle helmet regulations (CPSC or EN 1078).
- Required in some European countries for speed pedelec riders (Class 3.)
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