UNIT 1 is an award winning company, having won the iF and Red Dot Awards for Product Design, the Micromobility Award, and the Eurobike Award. Both their AURA and NEON helmets have received 5-star ratings from Virginia Tech and are currently ranked #1 and #2 among urban smart helmets in their testing.
The Aura is our helmet of choice here at Electroheads so keep reading to find out why...
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros:
- 360 degree visibility
- Unmatched safety technology
- Comes in a range of sizes and colours
Cons:
- Expensive
The AURA helmet has 360 degree light coverage so you can be seen on the road from all angles. Unit 1 uses lights that have 500+ lumens so you will always standout.
The helmet is compatible with UNIT 1’s handlebar-mounted Remote. This is made up of two oversized buttons that you can press without looking so you can keep your eyes on the road. Sensors in the remote can also detect if you slow down or stop, triggering a brake light on your helmet automatically.
One of the best things about UNIT 1 products is that they are all compatible with each other. Not only can the helmet be connected to the Remote but so can UNIT 1's Smart Lights, and these can be fitted to UNIT1's TORCH backpack. The AURA helmet is also modular so a magnetic visor can be fitted to keep wind, rain, dust and debris out of your eyes while riding, or can stick to the top of the helmet out of the way if you don't wish to have it down.
The modular aspect is also very useful when dealing with elements that need fixing. If you need to replace the rear light you could replace it without having to purchase a whole new helmet.
DISCOUNT CODE: ELECTROHEADS-5
A must-have feature for helmets that we wear at Electroheads is MIPS technology and UNIT 1’s Aura helmet has just that. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a safety technology used in helmets to reduce rotational forces on the brain during angled impacts. It uses a low-friction, inner liner that allows the helmet to slide 10-15mm relative to the head, mimicking the brain's natural protection system to prevent serious injury.
The standout feature on this helmet is perhaps the crash alert technology. If you have connected your helmet to the app then it will contact your emergency contact if the worst should happen and you crash.
DISCOUNT CODE: ELECTROHEADS-5
With all go this tech packed in I am super impressed by just how lightweight this helmet is. So many smart helmets are jam-packed with technology but you also feel the weight of that. UNIT 1’s Neon is only 440g with a nice snug fit and it doesn’t look too bulky either.
The battery life is another standout feature as the AURA can last up to 30 hours between charges! AND UNIT 1 is the first helmet brand to integrate real-time data from the Live Data Interface from Bosch eBike Systems.
While riding I do find that other road users did notice me more while wearing the Aura helmet. This is probably because people are only used to seeing rear lights on the back of a bike so for it to also be on the helmet means that it is more in their eyeline.
All of these features do mean that this is, of course, not the cheapest helmet on the market. Unit 1’s Aura helmet costs £199.90 or $259.90. This is a lot for a helmet but then again, what price do you put on your own safety?
DISCOUNT CODE: ELECTROHEADS-5
Want more from UNIT 1?
Check out our full review of the AURA and NEON helmets below, and you can rely our reviews of their Smart Lights.
