Are you looking for a motorcycle helmet that isn’t too big and comes with DOT certification as well?
If yes, you should know that the smallest DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is the half-face helmet.
Half-faced helmets provide great ventilation. However, most experts question the safety level of these helmets due to their structure.
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top-quality helmets to help you understand which one you should choose for yourself.
| IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | ★ WINNER ★ Crazy Al’s World Smallest Helmet | After thorough research we found out that Crazy Al’s world smallest helmet is the smallest DOT approved helmet that exceeds 218 DOT standards. It has a fantastic outer shell that will provide you with complete protection. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ RUNNER UP ★ GLX M14 Adult Low Profile Half Helmet | Another option that you can check is the GLX M14 half helmet. We noticed that this helmet is preferred by men and women because of its thin lining. So if you’re not looking for something that is too bulky, this one is a great choice. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ ALSO GREAT ★ WCL DOT Beanie Half Motorcycle Helmet (Black) | WCL DOT Beanie Helmet is best for casual wear is the most lightweight helmet in the market. It provides excellent ventilation and is DOT-approved for safety. | Check on Amazon |
To save you from research, we have compiled this complete guide to help you understand what the smallest DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is and if you should buy it.
Smallest DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet – Top 3 Reviews
#1: Best Smallest DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet – Crazy Al’s World Smallest Helmet Review
Crazy AI’s Worl Smallest Helmet is lightweight and has the thinnest outer shell made of fiberglass so it fits perfectly.
You’d be glad to know that the structure prevents your head from looking like a mushroom from afar. This makes it perfect for casual wear as it snugs your head properly.
It also has a quick release which makes it easy to wear and remove since helmets can be quite bothersome.
The only important guideline is that this helmet molds according to your head so we suggest that you take care of it to maintain the shape of the shell.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Crazy AI’s World Smallest Helmet
Following are the factors to check before you buy this helmet.
Durability: Crazy AI has exceeded 218 standards of DOT which makes it quite durable and has a lifespan of 5 years on average.
Weight: It is extremely lightweight and weighs about 1 pound which makes it very comfortable to wear.
Chin Straps: The chin straps are quick release and it has a very easy wearing and removal process.
Safety Check: With 218 DOT standards in the bag, it is one of the safest half helmets on the market.
Fitting: The initial fitting can be quite uncomfortable but it helps snug your head fully thus providing full protection.
Pros
- Extremely Lightweight
- Most DOT approved standards
- Smallest half helmet
- Quick-release chin straps
- Snugs perfectly
- Easy to wear
- Adjustable fitting
- Many size variations
- Perfect for casual wear
Cons
- Uncomfortable initial fitting
- Full helmets are a safer option
- Less damage resistant
- High impact damages can occur
The Best Smallest DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet
The best smallest DOT approved is Crazy Al’s World Smallest Helmet because it is very lightweight and is free from additional layers that give the best ventilation and comfort in a half helmet.
#2: Best Safest DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet – GLX M14 Adult Low Profile Half Helmet Review
One of the best things about this helmet is that it meets the DOT standards for being lightweight and one of the safest half helmets to choose from.
The outer shell is composed of EPS liner which helps it withstand high-impact accidents and thus is considered one of the safest half helmets.
Moreover, it comprises a synthetic comfort liner which makes it more comfortable as well. The extra features might not make it the thinnest half helmet out there but are worth it if you want to invest in a good half shell helmet.
The design is made for both females and males, as it is considered a unisex design. It has extra padding and liners which makes it comfortable and durable as well.
Many sizes are available and the manufacturers guarantee no mushroom head as it can be quite a bummer when you invest in a good half helmet but they are not trendy. Find more different types of helmets here.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to GLX M14 Adult Low Profile Half Helmet
Durability: With an additional EPS liner, it is more durable but becomes a little chunkier than the smallest helmet on the market.
Weight: GLX M14 half helmet is 1.2 pounds in weight which makes it comparatively bulkier but has extra liners for safety.
Chin Straps: The straps are standard and provide comfort to the fullest.
Safety Check: The EPS liner and extra comfort liner makes it very safe and more comfortable than the other half helmets.
Fitting: The fitting is standard as any full helmet, there is no discomfort only minor snugness which is important.
Pros
- Additional EPS liner
- Lightweight
- Snugs perfectly
- Easy to wear
- Unisex style
- Comfortable initial fitting
- Adjustable fitting
- Many size variations
- Additional eye shield
Cons
- Full helmets are a safer option
- Less damage resistant
The Best Safest DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet
The best safest DOT approved motorcycle helmet is GLX M14 Adult Low Profile Half Helmet because it has additional EPS and comfort liners that give extra comfort and protection to your head and avoid high impact damages.
#3: Best Adjustable DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet – WCL DOT Beanie Half Motorcycle Helmet Review
WCL DOT Beanie Half Motorcycle Helmet (Black) has ABS liner and foam that avoids damage as much as possible.
It also has quick-release straps which are a new favorite of the riders as it allows you to wear or remove your helmet without any hassle.
Now, let’s discuss some of its features in detail.
Factors to Consider Before you decide to buy WCL DOT Beanie Half Motorcycle Helmet (Black)
Durability: The WCL DOT Beanie half helmet has ABS liner which makes the outer shell very durable and has long wear.
Weight: It is very light and is near 1 pound which makes it very comfortable.
Chin Straps: This half helmet also has quick-release straps which makes it very easy to remove and adjust.
Safety Check: With the additional ABS liner has exceeded the DOT standards and is very safe for casual wear.
Fitting: The initial fitting is a little uncomfortable but with time it molds to the head shape of the rider and fully snugs it.
Pros
- Additional ABS liner
- Most lightweight half helmet
- Quick-release chin straps
- Extremely adjustable
- Very durable
- Perfect for casual wear
- Many sizes and measurement variations
- Snugs perfectly
Cons
- Uncomfortable initial fit
- Less impact handling
- Is not fully safe
The Best Adjustable DOT Approved Motorcycle Helmet
The best adjustable DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is WCL DOT Beanie Half Motorcycle Helmet (Black) because it has quick-release straps and abs liner which makes it very easy to adjust and mold to the size of your head.
Buyers’ Guide
We have added the buyer’s guide section to make sure you have checked all the important factors before you make any purchase.
Price
Mostly all motorcycle helmets are high priced and half helmets are no exception even though they have fewer features. The price range of helmets can start from $35 and go up to $3000 depending on the features.
Moreover, if the helmets are customized then they can cost more. We always recommend that you invest in quality as the most expensive helmets not necessarily are the best ones in the market in terms of safety.
The price range of an average good motorcycle helmet ranges between $150 to $300. However, the smaller ones range from anywhere between $50 to $90.
Durability
Any motorcycle is durable if the material used to make it is of good quality. It depends on all the material from the outer shell to the inner linings, all needs to be of good material for it to be comfortable and long-lasting.
More or less, all motorcycle helmets have a lifespan of 5 years of use and 7 years of shelf life but if the helmets are not durable then they can disintegrate quite quickly.
Furthermore, most of the helmets in the market are composite helmets. Even if you go for the most affordable helmet options make sure they are made of fiberglass or carbon glass as it is inexpensive but strong.
Helmets made from polycarbonate and ABS are more durable but they can be expensive as they are lightweight materials with better quality.
So make sure you invest in helmets that are safe and durable.
Lightweight
Half helmets are more lightweight than full helmets and many riders prefer them for casual wear. They weigh around 1 pound or 2 if they are safe and have all the good materials used in them.
Some of the half helmets can be quite bulky because of their shape and give mushroom heads to the rider which is quite unpleasant. We recommend you invest in good lightweight helmets made of good material.
They might cost a few extra bucks but they are worth it. Half helmets should be shaped like a beanie which should perfectly snug your head.
Chin Straps
Some of the helmets come with standard straps and some come with adjustable quick-release chin straps. Quick-release straps are very convenient as they can be adjusted very easily.
However, there are some safety concerns but it is tested and marketed very well. The traditional chin straps are considered safer but the removal process can be quite difficult. In case of accidents, they get stuck very easily.
Therefore, we recommend you go for the comfortable option as it is tested by many experts and is a clear effective advancement.
Safety Check
Nowadays no good motorcycle helmet brand can market their helmets if they do not clear the safety standards and tests. The DOT approval requires these 4 tests to be cleared and are as follows
- A penetration test
- A retention test
- An impact test
- A peripheral vision test
The penetration test is very difficult and requires the helmet to resist a 6-pound heavy object that is thrown at it from a height of 10 feet and 10 inches. The motorcycle helmet is required to clear this test in all three conditions. The helmet should be wet, hot, and cold.
The retention test is done on the straps of the helmet, the chin straps are allowed to have flexibility till the limit is allowed. If it does not break from the allowed stretch limit then the helmet fails to pass this test.
The impact test is done by striking two types of anvils on the helmet, a rounded anvil and a standard one.
The peripheral vision test requires the helmet to have a clear vision from 105 degrees to the center and both the right and left sides of the helmet.
You can also add other accessories to boost safety and convenience.
Fitting
Most of the helmets are a little uncomfortable in the initial fitting, so remember not to panic. However, you should know that your helmet should not be too tight or too loose.
The helmet needs to be properly fitted so it can be comfortable in long run. Never go for a loose helmet as it can fall.
Moreover, never go for a helmet that is too tight as it can cause blurred vision and restless ride.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have also added this FAQs section to further clear your confusion.
What is a low-profile helmet?
A low-profile helmet has no padding or very less padding. They are made to give a clean look and avoid the mushroom head look.
Are half helmets DOT-approved?
Yes, half helmets are DOT-approved as they usually do pass their extensive testing. However, the is a lot of debate regarding the amount of safety these helmets provide.
Are half helmets safe or not?
We noticed that several experts do not consider them safe. This is because they do not provide any safety pads for the chin or jaw area.
To Conclude…
Now that we have reached the end of this guide, we hope it is easy for you to pick the smallest DOT-approved motorcycle helmet that is Crazy AI’s smallest helmet in the world.
You must go through the pros and cons before you make your final choice.
We hope this guide helped you as we added every piece of information after thorough research. Feel free to contact us if you have any queries. CLICK HERE for more information on motorcycle helmets.
