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Best Cricket Helmets

Updated January 2022
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best cricket helmets

For any sport, having the right protective equipment can mean the difference between a fun afternoon and a serious injury. When it comes to cricket, a game that involves striking a ball with a bat, a helmet is an essential piece of gear because it protects your head from being injured if you’re struck by the ball.

A cricket helmet is similar to the helmet that baseball players wear when batting. It has a shell that protects the top, back, and sides of the head by absorbing any impacts. Some helmets also have a front grille that protects the face. Most cricket leagues have made wearing a helmet mandatory for any batter under the age of 18, but players of all ages wear a cricket helmet during matches. The trick is finding a helmet that fits correctly so it provides effective protection without affecting your field of view.

With the help of our buying guide, you’ll have all the tips you need to find the best cricket helmet for your next match. If you’re ready to buy, check out our specific product recommendations to get your shopping started right away.

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Some cricket helmets come with a protective cloth cover. If yours doesn’t, protect it from dirt and dust by covering it with a towel when you’re not wearing it.

Key considerations

Materials

A cricket helmet includes several different materials to absorb shock if a ball should hit you in the head and protect your face from impact. The outer layers are typically made of hard materials to help distribute the force across a larger area, while the inner layers are made of soft, shock-absorbing foam.

Materials in the outer shell include the following:

ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a moldable plastic that works extremely well at absorbing shock. It’s lightweight and affordable, too, but it’s not as tough or durable as some other helmet materials.

Fiberglass: This is more durable and protective than ABS thermoplastic, but it is much heavier, making the helmet less comfortable to wear. Fiberglass helmets are usually more expensive, too.  

Carbon fiber: This is as strong and durable as fiberglass but weighs less. Because it combines the benefits of ABS plastic and fiberglass, it’s generally considered the best material for a cricket helmet. It is more expensive than the other materials, though.

When it comes to the grille — the portion of the cricket helmet that protects the face — you have a few choices:

Steel: This is typically the most popular material for the grille because it’s inexpensive and strong. Some grilles are made of heat-treated carbon steel, which is stronger.

Carbon fiber: Some cricket helmets have grilles made of this strong, lightweight material.

Titanium: This offers higher tensile strength relative to weight than other metals, so it’s as strong as carbon steel but much lighter. That makes the helmet much more comfortable because it doesn’t put as much stress on the neck. You’ll pay more for a helmet with a titanium grille, however.

Size

Getting the size right is just as crucial as choosing a cricket helmet made of quality materials. The helmet must be snug enough to ensure that it can effectively absorb impact, and many cricket helmets are adjustable so you can get the fit just right.

For a proper fit, the helmet should sit firmly on the head. You shouldn’t be able to move the helmet around in any direction while wearing it. But the helmet shouldn’t be so tight that it’s uncomfortable. To keep the helmet in place, the chin strap should lie tightly across the chin, not under it.

Most cricket helmet manufacturers size their helmets according to head circumference. Measure the circumference of your head in inches, just above the eyebrows, to find the right size helmet for you.

  • Junior Small: 20 to 21 inches (51 to 54 centimeters)
  • Youth: 21 1/4 to 22 inches (54 to 56 centimeters)
  • Small Adult: 22 to 23 inches (56 to 58 centimeters)
  • Adult: 23 to 23 1/2 inches (58 to 60 centimeters)
  • Large Adult: 23 1/2 to 24 3/8 inches (60 to 62 centimeters)

Limit odor and bacteria growth in your cricket helmet by wiping it down with an antiseptic wipe after every match or practice.

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Features

Grille

Most cricket helmets have a grille that protects the face. The grille can also absorb shock to help reduce the impact if a ball hits you. Unlike a full-face helmet or model with a visor, a grille offers a better field of view, so your play isn’t affected. It also provides effective ventilation to keep you cooler while playing. A helmet with a grille weighs less than a full-face helmet, too, which makes it more comfortable.

Padding

Padding is essential in a cricket helmet because it absorbs shock and reduces the impact if a cricket ball hits you. It also helps to provide a snug, comfortable fit.

High-quality cricket helmets use high-density foam that has air bubbles throughout the material. Any type of high-density foam is lightweight, which helps make the helmet more comfortable, but the density of the foam affects its shock-absorption properties. Small, tightly packed bubbles provide excellent shock absorption but the foam is stiffer. Foam with large bubbles is more flexible and comfortable, but it doesn’t offer the same shock absorption.

Chin strap and guard

A chin strap is a key component of a cricket helmet because it keeps the helmet in place. For comfort, look for a helmet with a chin guard, which helps with shock absorption and keeps the strap tight across your chin.

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Did You Know?
The first cricket helmet was worn in a test match in 1978. Australian Graham Yallop wore one in a game against the West Indies.
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Accessories

Batting gloves: Gunn & Moore GM 909 Premium Cricket Batting Gloves
Cricket batting gloves are essential for protecting your hands and keeping a firm grip on the bat. These gloves from Gunn & Moore are a favorite because they’re made with XRD foam that can offer up to 90% energy absorption for your hands.

Bat: Pro Impact Practice Cricket Bat
The right practice bat can make all the difference in training. This one from Pro Impact is made of high-quality Kashmir willow for long-term strength and durability, has a comfortable rubber grip, and weighs just 3 pounds. Use it with a tennis cricket ball, not a leather ball.

Balls: Cricket Equipment USA White Fireworks Cricket Balls
You can’t play cricket without cricket balls. The leather balls in this affordable two-pack from Cricket Equipment USA meet official weight requirements.

Keep the liner from getting soaked with sweat by wearing a bandanna or headband under the helmet to absorb excess moisture.

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Cricket helmet prices

Cricket helmets vary in price based on materials, size, and other features. Most cost between $39 and $299.

Inexpensive: The most affordable cricket helmets feature a shell made of ABS thermoplastic or other plastic and a grille made of steel or carbon steel. The foam padding is relatively thin, so it doesn’t offer the most shock absorption. You’ll typically pay $39 to $79 for these helmets.

Mid-range: These cricket helmets typically feature a fiberglass shell and carbon steel or titanium grille. They have high-density foam padding for comfort and shock absorption. These helmets generally cost between $79 and $170.

Expensive: The most expensive cricket helmets have a carbon fiber shell, titanium grille, and high-density foam padding for superior comfort and shock absorption. You’ll pay $170 to $299 for these helmets.

Tips

  • Check your helmet for damage. Examine your helmet after a game or practice to make sure that there are no cracks or other damage. A damaged helmet doesn’t offer the protection your head needs, so it should be replaced as soon as possible.
  • Check the chin strap and grille regularly. If the strap looks frayed or the grille feels loose, you should replace it with the necessary part(s).
  • Store your helmet safely. Keep your cricket helmet in a dry location out of direct sunlight, someplace where there is no risk of it falling or getting crushed.
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Don’t immediately throw your cricket helmet into your bag after wearing it. Let it air out before storing it properly.

FAQ

Q. Do I have to wear a helmet when playing cricket?

A. Nearly all cricket leagues require helmets, particularly for players under the age of 18. The International Cricket Council (ICC) doesn’t specifically mandate helmets for international matches, though. Instead, each country follows its own guidelines.

Q. How should I clean my cricket helmet?

A. Before you start cleaning, remove the grille. Use a dilute mixture of gentle liquid dishwashing soap and water to clean the shell and liner with a microfiber cloth. To get into small areas like vents or joints, use a cotton swab dipped in the soap and water mixture. When your helmet is clean, rinse it thoroughly and place it in a shaded spot to air-dry. It’s a good idea to treat the inside of the helmet with a disinfectant spray, too.

Q. What’s the difference between men’s and women’s cricket helmets?

A. There isn’t any difference, which is why nearly all models are unisex. Women typically have smaller heads, though, so they usually require a smaller size.

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