While it's super exciting to have a really cool e-bike, it's equally, if not more, important to make sure that you also have the correct protective equipment - namely a helmet. A helmet provides vital protection when you fall or crash, and smart helmets can do so much more for you.
At Electroheads we wear bike helmets almost everyday so here is our breakdown of the best smart helmets for e-bike riders:
- Lumos Nyxel - £109.95 - £189.95
- Unit 1 Neon - £149.90
- Livall BH51M NSO - £164.40
- Lumos Ultra - £169.95 - £199.95
- Unit 1 Aura - £199.90
Lumos Nyxel - £109.95 - £189.95
With the Lumos Nyxel you get loads of choice. You can pick from a range of 9 different colours and patterns and can choose between the standard helmet, the helmet with MIPS, or the helmet with MIPS and Quin technology. 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.
These additional features do mean the models vary in price but this can also suit your needs if you are looking for something a little more inexpensive.
The Nyxel has front and rear lights which provide 360 degree visibility, making sure that you can be seen from every angle on the road. Lumos also claim that these lights can be seen from up to 1475 feet away! That’s pretty far.
The remote does come as an extra but this unlocks the automatic brake light feature on the rear of the helmet and allows you to indicate your next move with the rear turn signals. Other extras include the Lumos bike lights which can sync with your helmet so that all lights flash at the same time. This synchronisation can also occur amongst a group of Lumos helmets so that, as a group, you can maximise your visibility.
Unit 1 Neon - £149.90
The Neon helmet has a rear light that provides 180 degree visibility so you will be better seen by other road users. The design of this helmet not only protects you in the event of an accident but aids its prevention as the helmet is compatible with Unit 1’s handlebar-mounted Navigation 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.
If you need to replace the rear light, the helmet is modular so you could replace it without having to purchase a whole new helmet. You can also attach a visor to the Neon helmet available for daytime or nighttime riding. This keeps your eyes protected from UV, dust, rain, etc.
A must-have feature for helmets that we wear at electrohead is MIPS technology and Unit 1’s Aura helmet has just that.
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.
Livall BH51M NSO - £164.40
This is perhaps one of the most technologically advanced helmets that I have come across in my time at Electroheads, and we wear a lot of smart helmets.
This helmet comes with open-back JBL speakers meaning that you can answer phone calls, listen to your navigation and music all without losing awareness of your surroundings and happenings on the road.
It also comes with automatic ON/OFF technology that means you simply turn it on once and then it automatically turns on and off as you put it on and take it off! I thought that this was a really nice bit of tech that just made this hamlet feel that bit more intuitive… and if you're anything like me, I always forget to turn my helmet lights on before I set off so this ensured that I could always be seen.
The lighting system consists of an LED front light and rear lights that can be brake warning lights and indicators. This ensures that you can be seen from all angles on the road, keeping you safe and seen. The indicators were easily controlled by Livall’s handlebar controller which also connects to your phone to allow you to pick up a call with one-click.
The BH51M also comes with innovative safety features. The fall detection system can detract when you may have had an accident and can send an SOS notification to the emergency contact that you set up in the app.
Lumos Ultra - £169.95 - £199.95
Just like the other Lumos helmet on this list the Lumos Ultra is available with or without MIPS depending on your preferences and budget.
WIth 360 degree visibility, automatic brake lights, remote controlled turn signals and lights that can be seen from up to 1475 feet away the Lumos Ultra is pretty much the full package. You can also sync the helmet lights to your Lumos bike lights so that they all flash together. That's pretty cool.
Perhaps my favourite feature on the Ultra is the retractable eye shield. It has integrated lights for even more visibility and, of course, it keeps dust and bugs and anything else from getting in your eyes as you ride. It’s not too bulky that it impedes upon the riding experience when you don't have it down.
You can also add additional all-weather features to this helmet such as a Lumos rain cover and/or a winter liner.
Unit 1 Aura - £199.90
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 Navigation 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.
Just like the Unit 1 Neon helmet the Aura is fully modular and, of course, has MIPS technology to keep you safe and protected. It also comes with the same crash alert technology that will contact your emergency contact if the worst should happen and you crash.
Despite all of the tech I was super impressed by just how lightweight it 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 was another standout feature for him as the Neon can last up to 30 hours between charges!
