Note (September 2026): Earlier versions of this article said Aerostar was established only a few years ago, that THH uses carbon fiber Kevlar in its helmets and that Royal Enfield helmets are mostly open face. Aerostar dates from 1995, most THH helmets are PC/ABS plastic, and Royal Enfield sells both full-face and open-face models; the text below has been corrected.
The best-known helmet brands in India are Steelbird, Studds, Vega, SMK, Royal Enfield, THH, Aerostar, Wrangler, Autofy and HJC. Whichever brand you choose, the helmet must carry the BIS ISI mark under IS 4151:2015, which has been mandatory for two-wheeler helmets since June 1, 2021. Fit and certification matter more than the logo.
Key Takeaways
- Every two-wheeler helmet sold in India must meet IS 4151:2015 and carry the ISI mark; the Quality Control Order has been in force since June 1, 2021.
- Riding without a proper helmet can cost a Rs 1,000 fine and a three-month licence disqualification under Section 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, though amounts can vary by state.
- Studds and SMK belong to the same company, Studds Accessories, which listed on the stock market on November 7, 2025.
- As of September 2026, the brands’ own online stores list helmets from about Rs 1,000 to about Rs 6,000, but prices change often.
- Children under four carried on a motorcycle need a crash helmet and a safety harness, and the bike must not exceed 40 km/h.
A helmet serves as your best friend as you hit the road on a two wheeler. It keeps you protected. It guards your head from the scorching sunlight on a bright sunny day and from the downpour on a rainy day.
List Of Best Helmet Brands For Men & Women
However, it is necessary to wear a helmet mainly because it bars the possibility of severe head injury just in case you accidently tumble and bump into something. You can be sure that your head is guarded appropriately only if you pick a helmet from a good brand.
Here is a look at the best helmet brands in India to help you choose the right piece.
Steelbird
Steelbird is one of the most famous helmet brands in India. Steelbird was started in 1964 by Subhash Kapur as an auto-components business and moved into helmets over the following years, according to Forbes India (2022). Its road helmets sold in India carry the ISI mark, but certification applies model by model, so check the label on the helmet you buy. It has numerous helmet models on offer to match the requirement of different riders. These helmets are made of tough material.
These are not only strong enough to guard your head as you ride a two wheeler but also look extremely stylish. Steelbird helmet designs are unique and trendy. Besides being strong and stylish, these helmets are also comfortable. The interiors of these helmets are cushioned to ensure the riders can wear them comfortably for hours.
Wrangler
Wrangler helmets in India are supplied by Mohan Helmets Private Limited of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, a company registered in 2004 according to its TradeIndia business profile. Buyers should not assume a link to the Wrangler jeans label; the helmet listings name Mohan Helmets as the supplier. If you have been looking for a good quality helmet then you must have definitely come across ones available from this brand.
The helmets by this brand are tough, durable and reasonably priced. As with any brand, a Wrangler helmet protects only to the level of the standard it is certified to, so look for the ISI mark and IS 4151 on the label. No helmet provides complete head protection.
Vega
Vega is a popular helmet brand. It has been selling high quality helmets in India for years. According to the company, Vega Auto Accessories was founded in 1982 in Belgaum (Belagavi), Karnataka, and is run by the Chandak family.
The company has been improving the quality and design of its helmets year after year. It also adds new features to the newer models. For instance, the newer models of Vega do not require flipping the visor manually. You can flip the visor up and down with a push button embedded in the helmet.
All in all, the helmets from this brand boast of good quality, comfort and style.
Aerostar
This Indian brand is known to offer good quality helmets at a cost effective price. Many helmet models are available from the brand. The brand is aimed at budget buyers, but the INR 500 figure quoted when this article was first written may no longer apply, so compare current prices before you buy.
According to its business listings, the company is ISO certified and sells ISI-marked helmets. ISO certification is not the same as the BIS ISI mark, which is the legal requirement for each helmet sold in India. Aerostar Helmets Ltd. was established in 1995, according to its TradeIndia business profile, so it is not a new entrant.
Studds
Studds is known to manufacture top quality bike helmets that are stylish and sturdy at the same time. Studds Accessories, based in Faridabad, Haryana, is described in its IPO coverage as India’s largest two-wheeler helmet company by revenue. It had an annualized capacity of 9.04 million helmets as of March 31, 2025, and its shares were listed on November 7, 2025. You will see several bikers on the road wearing different helmet models from Studds.
The company uses high grade material to form the outer layer of their helmets to ensure complete head protection. The inner side of the helmet is padded to ensure it feels soft and comfortable.
How well a helmet resists scratches depends on the shell finish and visor coating of the specific model.
SMK
SMK is the premium helmet brand of Studds Accessories, which sells mass-market helmets under the Studds name and premium models under SMK. The company is dedicated to manufacturing high quality helmets that are an amalgamation of style and safety. These helmets are also extremely comfortable to wear.
Unlike many helmets, the models available from this brand do not bar the airflow as the rider flips down the visor. They offer a good air flow system which is one of the features that has ensured their popularity. The external shell of its newer models is made aerodynamically so as to decrease wind resistance.
HJC Helmets
HJC is a South Korean helmet maker founded in 1971; it entered the US market under its own brand in 1986 and Europe in 2001, according to HJC. Availability and prices of HJC models in India vary by retailer. These helmets are known for their tough exteriors and soft interiors. The company makes use of high quality polycarbonate material to ensure their sturdiness.
The tough external layer of HJC helmets ensures complete head protection while the soft inner layer makes sure you do not feel uneasy as you ride your two-wheeler. Comfort is as important as sturdiness to ensure a safe and smooth ride. This is why these helmets are built to score well on both the parameters.
Autofy
Autofy helmets have a strong and trendy exterior. The brand keeps coming up with new helmet models regularly. Autofy is a New Delhi accessories brand of Vendorskart Online Services Private Limited; its helmet listings describe polycarbonate shells, polypropylene EPS liners and ISI 4151 certification.
Be it the Autofy helmet’s style, quality or comfort – all these have evolved over the time to provide best quality helmets that meet the latest safety standards.
Polycarbonate is the main material used to build this helmet’s exterior. The new models of this brand come with a retractable visor that can be customised as per the rider’s choice.
Royal Enfield Helmets
Royal Enfield helmets certainly stand out when it comes to style. They usually cost more than mass-market brands, and prices vary by model. Royal Enfield’s own helmet pages list both full-face and open-face models, some certified to ISI, DOT and ECE 22.06. These are also known for their robust exterior and cushiony interior that offers safety and comfort at the same time.
THH Helmets
THH is the short for Tong Ho Hsing. This Taiwan brand has been selling helmets in India since quite a few years and has become a known name among bike riders.
According to Tong Ho Hsing’s company profile, the Taiwanese firm was established in 1974 and makes most of its helmets from PC and ABS plastics, while it can also make lighter carbon fiber Kevlar (CFK) shells. Their helmets are robust and come in various stylish designs. These are made with the use of latest technology.
Brand aside, picking the right two-wheeler helmet covers fit and certification.
Helmet Brands in India Compared
The table below summarizes who is behind each helmet brand in this list, based on company pages and business listings checked in September 2026.
| Brand | Company / base | Founded | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelbird | Steelbird group, India | 1964 (group) | Began with auto components before helmets |
| Studds | Studds Accessories Ltd, Faridabad, Haryana | Incorporated 1975 | Listed November 7, 2025; capacity of 9.04 million helmets a year (March 2025) |
| SMK | Studds Accessories Ltd | – | Premium brand of Studds |
| Vega | Vega Auto Accessories Ltd, Belgaum, Karnataka | 1982 | Sells ISI and DOT certified ranges, plus kids’ helmets |
| Aerostar | Aerostar Helmets Ltd, New Delhi | 1995 | Budget-focused, ISI-marked helmets |
| Wrangler (helmets) | Mohan Helmets Pvt Ltd, Ghaziabad | Registered 2004 | Listed as the helmet supplier; do not assume a link to the jeans label |
| Autofy | Vendorskart Online Services Pvt Ltd, New Delhi | – | Online-first accessories brand |
| THH | Tong Ho Hsing Industrial Co., Taiwan | 1974 | Mostly PC/ABS shells; can make CFK shells |
| HJC | HJC, South Korea | 1971 | Global brand; US entry 1986, Europe 2001 |
| Royal Enfield | Royal Enfield (motorcycle maker) | – | Full-face and open-face models, some ISI, DOT and ECE 22.06 |
What Is the ISI Mark on a Helmet?
The ISI mark shows that a helmet is certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to IS 4151:2015, the Indian standard for protective helmets for two-wheeler riders. The standard sets requirements for materials, construction, performance and testing.
A Quality Control Order has made BIS certification compulsory for two-wheeler helmets since June 1, 2021. According to a July 2025 report on the Centre’s consumer advisory, 176 manufacturers held valid BIS licences for protective helmets as of June 2025, and one enforcement operation in Delhi seized more than 2,500 non-compliant helmets from nine manufacturers.
In practice, a helmet without the ISI mark is not a legal alternative to the brands above, however it looks.
Helmet Rules and Fines in India
Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 requires every person driving or riding a motorcycle in a public place to wear protective headgear that meets BIS standards. Under Section 194D, breaking this rule carries a fine of Rs 1,000 and disqualification from holding a driving licence for three months.
According to the legal-information service Nyaaya, the fine actually charged can vary between states, and exemptions such as the one for turban-wearing Sikhs also vary by state. Check your state transport department’s current rules.
Rules for Children Under Four
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022 on February 15, 2022. For children below four years carried on a motorcycle, a crash helmet and a safety harness attaching the child to the rider are required, and the motorcycle must not go faster than 40 km/h. The rules came into force one year after publication.
How Much Does a Good Helmet Cost in India?
Helmet prices in India change often, so treat any figure as a snapshot. As of September 2026:
- Vega’s own online store listed helmets from about Rs 998 to about Rs 3,671.
- Steelbird’s website showed newly launched helmets from Rs 1,299 to Rs 5,999.
- Royal Enfield, SMK and HJC generally sit at the higher end, with prices that vary by model and retailer.
Prices change with offers, sizes and graphics, so check the maker’s site or an authorized dealer on the day you buy.
How to Choose the Right Helmet
- Check the ISI mark and IS 4151. This is the legal minimum in India. DOT or ECE 22.06 labels alongside the ISI mark show the model was also certified to US or European rules.
- Pick the type. Full-face helmets cover the chin; open-face helmets leave the face exposed; flip-up (modular) helmets have a chin bar that lifts.
- Get the fit right. Measure your head and try the helmet on; it should sit snugly without pressure points and should not roll off when the strap is fastened.
- Look at the visor and vents. A clear visor for night riding and good ventilation matter in Indian heat and rain.
- Buy from the maker or an authorized seller. BIS enforcement drives have found substandard helmets on sale at roadside and retail locations.
For more on fit and certification, read our guide to choosing a two-wheeler helmet for a safe ride. A helmet is only one part of staying safe: see these defensive riding tips for motorcycle riders, why two-wheeler insurance is necessary, and the steps to take after a motorcycle accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the No. 1 helmet brand in India?
There is no official ranking. Studds Accessories is described in its 2025 IPO coverage as India’s largest two-wheeler helmet company by revenue, while Vega calls itself India’s number one helmet brand on its own website. For safety, the ISI mark and fit matter more than the brand.
Is an ISI mark compulsory on helmets in India?
Yes. Since June 1, 2021, two-wheeler helmets sold in India must be BIS-certified to IS 4151:2015 and carry the ISI mark under a Quality Control Order.
What is the fine for riding without a helmet in India?
Section 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 sets a fine of Rs 1,000 and a three-month disqualification from holding a driving licence. The amount charged can vary by state.
Are Studds and SMK the same company?
Yes. Both brands belong to Studds Accessories Ltd of Faridabad, Haryana; Studds covers the mass and mid-market, and SMK is its premium brand.
Do children need to wear a helmet on a bike in India?
Yes. Under rules notified in February 2022, children below four carried on a motorcycle need a crash helmet and a safety harness, and the motorcycle must not exceed 40 km/h.
