Can cheap road helmets match up to more expensive lids? We look at the key differences

A helmet is a vital piece of cycling kit, providing crucial protection for your head - but how do budget and premium models compare?

Budget vs expensive helmets
(Image credit: Solskin)

The concept of a ‘cheap’ bike helmet may seem somewhat incongruous. After all, if there’s one cycling accessory you can’t afford to fail, it’s your helmet.

But affordability and safety don’t have to be conflicting forces. Any helmet from a reputable brand, no matter its price tag, will be required to pass tests applicable to the country it’s sold in. This doesn’t mean that every helmet is as safe as the next but it should mean that a helmet, whether it costs £50 or £250, when worn correctly will do its job if you have an accident. So if this is the case, what are the differences between the best budget cycling helmets and ones that are far more expensive?

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