Five of the best flip-up helmets under £200

The main strength of Stealth's plastic-shelled flipfront is its price, with a list price of £89.99 that's been consistently discounted to £69.99 since it was launched in 2024. But those who bought one are quite complimentary about the V159 as a comfortable, versatile and great-value modular helmet that delivers the essentials well, with minor compromises typical of its budget price point. Several reviewers say it feels well made for the money and works well as a first flipfront helmet or a no-frills everyday lid. Value is a major theme: buyers frequently describe it as “cheap and cheerful”, excellent value, and good-looking given its price. Bluetooth installation is reported to be easy, with decent space for speakers. There's no option to fit a Pinlock to protect against mist, which hits its credentials for year-round riders. Sizing dats suggests riders are more likely to find the fit too tight than too large.

It might cost just under a hundred quid, but the fit and finish on the MT Genesis belies the price. It runs a plastic shell, is approved to the new ECE 22.06 safety standard and has an internal sun visor that operates on a sleek switch on the left rim. The comfort liner is plush for the price and leaves room for spectacle arms at the top of each cheekpad. The visor is prepared for a Pinlock insert, but that’s an optional extra. Still, adding one of those makes this a Pinlock-equipped flipfront for £130 all-in. Of the first 48 owners to leave a review, 35 gave the Genesis SV the full five stars in their review, making for an average of 4.7.

After a couple of years in the range, the Caberg Duke X is living up to the reputation of its popular predecessors. No surprise really as it's only a very mild revision of the Duke II that went before it. The Duke X is widely considered to be reliable, comfortable and give excellent value. Many riders describe it as comfortable immediately, with several repeat buyers returning to the Duke range over multiple generations. The chin bar release and flip-lock are often mentioned as awkward to operate with gloves on, a few riders report wind noise at higher speeds, particularly on larger bikes or touring setups and visor quirks come up occasionally, including the sun visor being faintly visible at the top of the field of view. If you ride all year round, avoid the Smart Black colourscheme. This comes without a Pinlock insert and the £10 saving will soon get wiped out if you need to spend £30 on a Pinlock to keep the visor mist-free.

Riders who've bought a Strobe II describe it as a comfortable, well-made and highly practical helmet that offers excellent value. It lacks the refinement of premium flipfronts, but most owners feel it delivers everything they need at a competitive price. Many praise the build quality and finish, with several first-time LS2 buyers pleasantly surprised. Ventilation is generally considered effective, and it's generally regarded as lighter than expected. The sun visor draws most criticism, with several saying it’s not dark enough, and the lack of Pinlock anti-mist insert is seen by some as a hidden cost, because it's an extra £33 to buy one.

If you stick to favourable weather than HJC's mid-range flipfront is a decent bet. The asking price sits at the top of our range for this guide, and only plain colours fall within our £200 threshold (unless there's a discount on old paintschemes). Owners feel the i91 is comfortable, practical, well-priced and suits commuting and touring, with good provision for those who wear glasses. Riders on the road year-round or in heavy rain may be cautious thanks to owners reporting sealing and condensation issues. For the price, most buyers feel it offers good value - though it doesn’t match the refinement or weather protection of premium flipfront helmets.