Virginia Tech Tested 300+ Bike Helmets. The #1 Smart Helmet for City Riders Isn’t the Brand You Think.
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Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab has one job: crash-test bicycle helmets and publish the results. No brand funds it. No brand escapes it. More than 300 helmets tested so far. Most score 3 or 4 stars. A few earn 5. Among smart helmets built for the city, only two ever have. Both come from a company most riders haven’t heard of yet. Here are 7 reasons that’s changing.
1. The #1 ranked smart helmet for city riders
Virginia Tech doesn’t take a brand’s word for anything. The lab drops a helmeted headform onto an angled steel surface, over and over, while sensors inside record every force. The result is a single safety score. Lower is better.
Out of 300+ helmets tested, AURA is the top ranked smart helmet built for the city, with a perfect 5-star rating. Its sibling NEON sits right behind it. They are the only two city smart helmets ever to earn 5 stars. Both engineered by UNIT 1.
2. Tested the way crashes actually happen
Real crashes aren’t clean. You rarely hit the ground straight on. That’s why the lab runs both linear and rotational impacts, striking the helmet across the front, side, rear, and crown, at different speeds.
Every zone. Every angle. AURA held its score across all of them.
“Cars used to cut me off at the light. Now I get eye contact from drivers a block back. Zero close calls in three months.”
“My clip-on died twice a week. Now drivers see me a block back and my ride home just feels calm.”
“For the first time in years, I ride home relaxed. Drivers see me, they see my turns.”
3. MIPS
In an angled impact, your head doesn’t just stop. It twists. MIPS is a low-friction layer inside the helmet that lets the shell rotate slightly on impact, redirecting that twisting energy away from your brain. You’ll never notice it’s there. Until the day it matters.
4. Drivers see your next move
Drivers don’t always look. Lights change that. AURA has integrated lighting and turn signals, controlled from a remote on your handlebars. You signal a left, the helmet shows a left. No hands off the bars. No guessing at intersections.
5. It won the same design awards as Apple products
In 2025, AURA won an iF Design Award and a Red Dot Award for Product Design. The two most demanding design juries in the world, with winners like Apple, Sony, and Bosch. It also picked up a EUROBIKE Award recognition on debut. Translation: it’s the rare helmet you won’t want to take off.
6. Riders keep talking about it
“I get stopped on the street for compliments.” That’s a verified AURA buyer. Not our marketing team.
“It was an incredible experience. The customer service was outstanding. People stop me on the street to ask about the brand, and I recommend it to all of my friends. It's the best helmet I've ever owned, and I absolutely love it.”
“An awesome helmet with superior protection. Makes you more noticeable by cars and pedestrians alike. I get lots of thumbs up. Lots of questions from people and I direct them to the Unit One website. Even my bike shop was impressed and hadn't seen my helmet before. Loving it!”
“I love all the unit 1 gear, everything works well together and the quality is plain to be seen. I definitely feel more visible to other road users therefore feel safer when I'm riding. I'd definitely recommend all things Unit 1. Very happy with the purchase.”
7. You can try it with zero risk
Free shipping. 30-day easy returns. 1-year warranty. And if you ever crash in it, our Crash Replacement program covers you. The only thing you risk is liking it.
Don’t take our word for it
This is Virginia Tech’s own ranking. Among smart helmets built for the city, UNIT 1 comes out on top.
Pick your 5-star helmet
Questions, answered
How do I find my size?
Measure around your head, just above the eyebrows, and match it to the size chart on the product page. If you land between sizes, size up.
Is it still protective if the battery dies?
Yes. The lights are for visibility. The protection is the helmet itself, MIPS included, and it works with zero charge.
How long does shipping take?
Free shipping on all US orders. Most orders ship within 1-2 business days.
What if it doesn’t fit or I change my mind?
You have 30 days to return it. Easy returns, no interrogation.
Can I pay with HSA/FSA funds?
Yes. US customers can check out with HSA/FSA through Truemed.