5 Best Lighted Bike Helmets for Safer Night Rides

5. ILM Smart Helmet

The ILM Smart Helmet is packed with advanced features, including LED turn signals and a G-sensor brake light, offering unparalleled visibility and safety. This helmet is designed for the modern cyclist who wants cutting-edge technology for enhanced protection.

Key Features That Stand Out

• ✓ Integrated LED turn signals activated by head tilt
• ✓ G-sensor automatically activates brake light when slowing down
• ✓ Meets NTA-8776, CPSC, CE, and ASTM safety standards
• ✓ 360° visibility with front, rear, and side LED design

Why We Recommend It

This ILM Smart Helmet is a top-tier choice for those who demand the latest in safety technology. The intelligent lighting system provides a level of active communication with other road users that is truly impressive, significantly boosting rider safety.

Best For

Tech-savvy cyclists, e-bike riders, and anyone prioritizing maximum visibility and advanced safety features.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Innovative smart lighting features (turn signals, brake light).
• Excellent visibility from all angles.
• High safety ratings and certifications.
• Comfortable and secure fit with advanced adjustment.

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to basic helmets.
• The “smart” features might be overkill for some riders.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: At first sight, I was hesitant to order the ILM Smart Helmet. There were a couple of reasons why, the first being that I already have a helmet. But I was also initially put off by the “Smart” lighting feature, I was afraid it might turn out to be gimmicky. Well, I was wrong, my experiences of the helmet are just the opposite of what caused my initial hesitation. First of all, the degree of safety it provides is impressively higher than any helmet I’ve owned, and I’ve been riding bikes, pedal powered and motor powered, all my life. Moreover, the incorporated “Smart” lighting technology is another feature that genuinely increases safety by making the user that much more visible. And there isn’t anything gimmicky about it. It’s a solid, well though out design feature of the helmet.According to the seller, the Smart Helmet complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) standards for bicycle helmets. That standard requires “that all helmets sold in the U.S. must pass tests for impact attenuation, retention strength, and positional stability to ensure they adequately protect the head during a crash.” None of us hopes to test that claim, however, by the looks and robust construction of the helmet, there isn’t any reason to doubt it.Additionally, the helmet is NTA 8776 (the Dutch Technical Agreement) certified which means that the helmet meets specific safety standards designed for e-bike riders. This includes providing protection against higher impact speeds and covering a larger area of the head. According to the seller, the helmet will protect against blows at speeds of up to 28 mph. Direct blows to the head by a solid object traveling at speeds as lows 13 mph have the potential to be fatal. Additionally, it isn’t uncommon to reach speeds of 28 mph or more when going downhill on a pedal power alone.Besides the safety features, I’ve found the ILM Smart Helmet to be the most comfortable and easily adjusted I’ve ever worn. As is common amongst bike helmets, the inside padding is held in place by hook and loop adhesion, making it easy to reorient, although I found the positioning to be just right the first time I put on the helmet. However, unlike other helmets I’ve owned, the padding is thick and plush; it has a supple, comfortable pliancy that bounces right back after being worn. The padding is at the top of the head, and around the entire circumference, including on the inside of the large sizing adjustment dial, adding to the security of the fit.The size adjustment dial is ratcheted in both directions and allows for a precise, snug fit of the helmet without any sacrifice in comfort. The chin strap features a standard side release buckle with a removable, location adjustable pad to provide comfort and protect the chin from strap burns and abrasions. Each of the Y-straps, left and right, that go around the ears, are adjustable for length. In all respects, the ILM Smart Helmet is exceptionally secure in placement, fit and comfort.The smart lighting incorporates three modes: constant illumination, rapid blinking and slow blinking; the bright white headlights remain lit in all three modes. As the seller note, a tilt of the head left or right will activate a turn signal in that direction. Apparently, the lights illuminate at 100% during sudden braking which I’ll have to take the sellers word for, since I can’t see the rear of the helmet during braking. On the other hand, I was able to test the turn signal feature with the helmet in hand. As a bike rider, I want to remain as visible as possible, so the more lighting, the better.I ordered the ILM Helmet in the “Titanium” color which turned out to have more gold in it than I expected, or what I think of as the color of titanium. Nonetheless, I’m not at all displeased with whatever you want to call the color. Besides, its beautifully finish all around with from some angles appears to be an understated iridescence to the color.The visor is another feature that I appreciate, although I’d love to see a version with a snap-on sun shade. As it is, the visor has three positional detents: fully up over the helmet, fully down and mid-way between the two orientations, sort of like a sun shade. There is plenty of room behind the visor for glasses, however I found that I had to first put on my glasses, then adorn, adjust and secure the helmet with the visor in the fully up position. Then with the helmet in place, the visor can be lowered over the glasses.As I’m sure I’ve made clear, my pre-order doubts about the ILM Helmet could not have been farther off the mark. It’s certainly one of the finest road bike helmets I’ve owned in build quality, comfort and in overall fit and finish. I’m truly glad I ordered it; I’m going to get plenty of use out of it.

Customer Review: As an Amazon Vine Voice member and someone who has recently transitioned to a faster electric bike for my commute, I’ve been looking for a helmet that offers more than just basic foam protection. The ILM MB101L Smart Helmet is a feature-packed solution that significantly boosts your visibility and safety on the road, though the current price tag is a bit high.Visibility and Smart Lighting (The Pros):The lighting system on this helmet is its best feature. It isn’t just about “looking cool”—it’s about being seen from every angle.White Front Lights: I greatly appreciate the integrated white LEDs on the front. They do a decent job of lighting the path ahead in low-light conditions, but more importantly, they make you much more visible to oncoming traffic.Turn Signal Innovation: The “turn signals” are incredibly intuitive. Instead of fumbling with a remote on the handlebars, you just tilt your head in the direction you are turning. It’s a natural movement that makes signaling effortless and safe.G-Sensor Brake Warning: The automatic G-sensor is a brilliant safety touch. It detects when you are slowing down and triggers a brake warning light, providing an extra layer of communication to drivers behind you.USB-C Charging: I’m glad to see the move to USB-C for recharging. It’s easy to plug in after a ride, and the single-button interface makes it simple to cycle through different lighting modes.Safety and Versatility:One of the main reasons I picked this up is the safety rating. This helmet is rated higher than typical bicycle helmets, which is crucial for me since I’m riding an electric bike. Knowing it is built to handle the higher-impact forces associated with E-bike speeds gives me much more peace of mind.The inclusion of two different lenses (visors) is also a great idea. They do a fantastic job of blocking the wind and sun, which is especially helpful when you’re moving at 20+ MPH.The 4-Star Drawback: Value:The only reason I’m holding back the fifth star is the price. At $70, this is quite an expensive helmet. While the smart features and the safety ratings are excellent, you are paying a significant premium for them. In my opinion, this would be a “home run” value at $50, and still very reasonable at the $60 mark. At seventy dollars, it feels just slightly overpriced compared to other options on the market.Conclusion:This is a really nice, well-built helmet that is perfect for the modern cyclist or E-bike commuter. The smart lighting and higher safety specs make it a legitimate upgrade over a standard helmet. If you can catch it on sale or don’t mind the $70 investment for the extra tech, you’ll be very happy with it. 4 out of 5 stars!