If you’ve read our guide to BMX for beginners, you’ll know buying a quality BMX helmet is important.
When you bail, you’re going to bail hard – you need to be protected.
Sure, there are plenty of cheap helmets on the market, and if you don’t know what brands are better than others, it makes sense to just buy the cheapest.
Don’t do that. Read this quick guide first.
Whether you are looking for a BMX helmet for the street, for a youth, low-profile, full-face or just cool looking; we’ve got you covered.
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This Year’s Best BMX Helmets
So, you know what size lid you need.
And, if you’ve read our list of the best brands making BMX helmets, you’ll like the recommendations we’ve got for you below.
1. Triple Eight Sweatsaver (Bike Certified)
Our Pick For: The Best BMX Helmet
Triple Eight produce two helmets that almost look identical. Both offer the Sweatsaver features, but only one is bike certified.
That makes it perfect for riding street or park on your BMX, and that’s the one we’re focusing on here. 
Safety Ratings
First, let’s talk about safety. After all, that’s the only reason we wear helmets in the first place.
The Triple Eight Sweatsaver with bike certification is designed for anyone on a BMX, skateboard, skates and even scooters.
It’s got not one, but two BMX related safety ratings. The first comes in the form of CPSC Bike and the second being that it meets ASTM F-1492 skate safety standards.
That’s partly thanks to the EPS foam (that’s the foam that focuses on impact, rather than comfort) being one of the best in the business.
Basically, your noggin’ is protected at all times ?
Sweatsaver
There’s no way around it. If you ride BMX, you’re going to sweat.
However, there are ways to reduce the amount you sweat. And even if you do sweat, there are things that can help that sweat dry quicker. 
One of them is a well-ventilated helmet. This was definitely the focal point for Triple Eight when they introduced their new Sweatsaver (it’s in the name).
You get two sets of moisture wicking liners, and that’s the key to the Sweatsaver from Triple Eight. That’s so you can customize your helmet for the perfect fit.
But, moisture wicking materials are what helps moisture dry quickly. It helps to create an air flow passage. Basically, these are the types of materials used for hiking socks, mountain bike shorts; any outdoor gear product that’s likely to get damp (whether that’s from water, or sweat).
Removable Liners
Here’s what you don’t get with cheap BMX helmets; removable liners.
No big deal, right? Well, it is if you don’t want to smell of sweat constantly.
The Triple Eight has stink-free liners, which certainly helps. But you’ve got the ability to remove the terrycloth liner and Velcro attachment, so you can wash them and keep your lid smelling fresh.
Online Reviews
If you’ve read any other of our product write-ups, you’ll see I always check out the reviews online for anything I’m buying.
The problem with the bike certified Triple Eight helmet? It’s fairly new and doesn’t have many reviews.
However, it’s the upgraded version of the popular Triple Eight standard Sweatsaver. And, that helmet has 100s of positive reviews – so make sure you go and check them out.
Warranty
Another thing to check if you’re looking at a cheap BMX helmet is the warranty on offer. There’s a good chance it’s ZERO.
That’s not the case with the Triple Eight Sweatsaver. You’ll get 12-months manufacturer’s warranty.
Triple Eight BMX Helmet Review Verdict
Got a budget of around $50, want a well ventilated and skate certified helmet?
The Triple Eight is the best BMX helmet we could find in this price range.
Get The Triple Eight Sweatsaver
2. Bell Helmets Sanction
Our Pick For: The Best Full-Face BMX Helmet
Looking to go big, and need a bit more protection than the Triple Eight? 
Look no further than the Bell Sanction full-face BMX helmet.
Bell Helmets need no introduction. They’ve been created top-notch helmets for BMX, MTB and motorcycle riders for years.
If you’ve not had a Bell before, you probably don’t know their main feature; they are ridiculously lightweight.
The Bell Sanction weighs just 950g; you won’t even notice it’s there.
But, that doesn’t mean any aspect of the helmet has been compromised.
The Sanction is low profile, and it’s ventilation means even when you’re riding hard, sweat is kept to a minimum.
Ride more than just BMX? No problem. This lid is suitable for BMX and MTB.
It’s got safety certification in the form of CE EN1078 and CPSC Bicycle. That means one thing; you know you’re protected.
Browse some product review sites, and you’ll see it’s not just us that like it.
BMX Helmet Sizing
First up; helmet sizing for BMX riders.
You can have the best helmet in the world, but if it doesn’t fit correctly, it can cause more harm than good.
A helmet that’s too big will rattle around and the impact on your head is going to be much worse than it needs to be.
A helmet that’s too small is going to put pressure on certain parts of your head. I don’t need to tell you that when you crash, this equates to bad news!
A typical example of helmet sizing can be found below. We’ve listed the BMX helmet size chart from Triple Eight.
Remember, no brand is the same. Their size guides (i.e. XL fits a different sized rider) and their actual fit (i.e. an XL from one brand, might feel tighter than from another) can vary.
Always refer to the specific manufacturer’s size guide before buying your helmet.
Size Chart
| Helmet Size | Head Size |
| XS | 20.10”– 20.50” (51-52cm) |
| S | 20.60”– 21.30” (52-54cm) |
| M | 21.40” – 22.00” (54-56cm) |
| L | 22.10” – 22.90” (56-58cm) |
| XL | 23.00” – 24.00” (58-60cm) |
How To Measure Up For A Helmet
You need to measure the whole circumference of your head.
Measure from the middle of your forehead.
Job done 🙂
BMX Helmet Brands
You don’t have to buy any of the BMX helmets on our list. I’m not forcing you.
But, for the sake of your head, it’s worth heading for a leading brand. That’s going to give you better comfort, fit and protection.
You won’t go far wrong by buying any lid from the best BMX helmet brands list below:
The 6 Best BMX Helmet Brands
- Bell Helmets
- Fox Racing
- Odyssey
- Pro-Tec
- Triple Eight
- TSG
Cheap BMX Helmets – A Final Note
I’m not a huge fan of cheap no-name brands. But, if it’s something like a set of gloves and you want to save a few dollars, I guess that’s up to you.
However, I would avoid cheap BMX helmet brands completely. Stick to the ones we’ve mentioned on our list.
You can grab one of the best BMX helmets for $30-60. A cheap equivalent is still going to set you back $20-$40, not be certified and not offer you the protection you need.
Is it really worth the risk?
What’s Next?
Thanks for reading our quick-fire guide to the best BMX helmets; standard and full-face.
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