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. They launched in 2017 with the mission of combining technology and design to make gear that will not only keep you safe, but that you want to wear as well.
Our expert reviver, Richard, took Unit 1’s Aura helmet out for a test run and so keep reading for the results of his review.
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 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 Aura 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. 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.
Richard was 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 was another standout feature for him as the Neon can last up to 30 hours between charges!
While he was riding he did also find that other road users did notice him more while he was 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… or as he says, because he looked “like a floating UFO”, which is not a bad thing if it keeps you safe!
You can watch his full review here:
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?
