Without a doubt, the greatest risks to football players are concussions and brain injuries. Over 60,000 concussions were received by high school players just last year. An investment in one of the best football helmets could prevent you or your child from long-lasting brain injuries.
Football is a moderately controversial contact sport. While head injuries are common, we believe this is mostly due to a lack of information. At Best Helmets Guide, we’re committed to educating athletes about helmet technology and reducing head injuries worldwide.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the thirteen best football helmets of 2021. With reviews of top brands such as Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith, we’ve covered it all.
Our professional analysts have considered safety, performance, aesthetics, and comfort, among many factors. This review has recommendations for athletes of all ages and experience levels.
1. Riddell Victor Football Helmet
4.7 Stars | 481 Player Reviews
The Riddell Victor Football Helmet is a great entry-level helmet. If you’re looking for an affordable and highly-protective helmet, the Victor model is a fantastic option.
You don’t always have to break the bank on top-rated helmets. This model is rated higher by Virginia Tech than most of the other pricey youth helmet options. Virginia Tech is a trustworthy safety organization that knows what it’s talking about!
With a moisture-resistant liner and antimicrobial properties, you won’t have to worry about the dreaded “helmet stink.” Riddell has conducted extensive research to develop its “mandible protection” technology.
The Victor Football Helmet dramatically reduces the forces from side impacts. This design prevents athletes from getting concussions or even long-term brain damage. All this protection is incorporated without using inflatable padding, which increases performance.
You can’t go wrong with Riddell helmets. Whether you’re a junior or senior-level player, this top-tier brand has something for everyone.
2. Riddell SpeedFlex Football Helmet
4.7 Stars | 520 Player Reviews
Dedicated and more competitive football players will love the Riddell SpeedFlex Football Helmet. This model is from the same brand but is designed for top-tier athletes that demand exceptional performance.
While it’s more expensive than Riddell’s rookie models, the SpeedFlex drastically cuts down on concussions and head injuries. It’s more protective than the Victor model and features inflatable pockets that ensure a perfect fit.
A robust outer shell, durable face mask, and flex system technology reduce the impact forces transferred to the athlete. You get the same protection from side impacts, plus Riddell’s premium Air Fit Liner System.
3. Xenith X2E+ White Football Helmet
5 Stars | 19 Player Reviews
One of the coolest football helmets on the market is the Xenith X2E+ White Football Helmet. This product was given a 5-star rating by Virginia Tech and looks absolutely wicked. It’s one of the lightest helmets ever made and has received near-perfect ratings on Amazon.
Unlike other football helmets, the Xenith X2E+ adapts to different hits. “Single Stage Shock Absorbers” detect how much force is applied to the player’s head and act accordingly. This means you’ll get the best protection possible from all kinds of hits.
With vinyl-nitrile padding, the interior is comfortable and breathable. It perfectly conforms to every football player’s head shape. An adjustable chin strap also helps keep the X2E+ from moving around.
4. Schutt Sports Vengeance A11
4.7 Stars | 220 Player Reviews
The Schutt Sports Vengeance A11 is a well-priced helmet from one of the top football brands. Most athletes wear helmets from either Riddell, Xenith, or Schutt because they offer the best quality. Schutt Sports has branched into other industries, but it started as a premium and affordable football brand.
The Vengeance A11 is proven to protect athletes better in all weather conditions. Some helmets don’t protect as well in cold environments, but not the A11. This football helmet features non-inflatable liners that react to different temperatures and protect athletes in all situations.
Schutt has improved their design to deflect impact forces. A raised brow redirects energy away from the player’s head. This shape makes the Vengeance A11 a safe helmet and also increases the performance. You’ll be able to hit your opponents harder with less effort, giving you a competitive advantage.
5. Schutt Sports Recruit Hybrid Football Helmet
4.4 Stars | 129 Player Reviews
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Schutt Sports Recruit Hybrid Football Helmet is a great value. This well-designed helmet doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Inter-Link jaw pads and non-inflatable comfort liners keep you or your child safe.
One benefit of the Recruit Hybrid is the eleven color options. If you’re having trouble finding your team’s colors, this model is sure to suit your needs. This helmet uses TPU Cushioning and performance-grade D30 padding to protect athletes from substantial impacts.
We recommend pairing the Schutt Recruit Hybrid Helmet with the Youth Flex DNA faceguard. This add-on was explicitly designed to pair well with Schutt’s youth helmets.
6. Xenith Shadow XR Varsity Football Helmet
5 Stars | <5 Player Reviews
The most serious football players should strongly consider the Xenith Shadow XR Varsity Football Helmet. This product is for athletes who aren’t messing around and want peak performance. You get better agility, balance, weight, and protection from the Shadow XR.
Coaches and managers who work with a top-rated team will also appreciate the Shadow XR. This helmet easily transfers year-to-year and fits players of all head shapes. The polymer shell is 10% lighter than traditional shell materials and brings your team to a new level.
This helmet uses Rheon shock structure technology, which is the most intelligent energy control solution ever made. Whether you’re buying this helmet for yourself or as a gift, you’ll be investing in top-notch head protection. There’s nothing more important than keeping your brain healthy.
7. Schutt Sports Varsity Air XP Pro VTD II
4 Stars | 68 Player Reviews
A comparable professional-level helmet is the Schutt Sports Varsity Air XP Pro VTD II. This helmet doesn’t cost as much as the Shadow XR and provides many of the same benefits. Tech gave the Varsity Air XP Pro a five-star rating for its inexpensive protection capabilities.
This helmet is inflatable. While this isn’t usually ideal, the integrated VTD and TPU cushioning absorb impacts well. The VTD II features Schutt’s superior Air Liner technology, making it a high-performance inflatable helmet.
Schutt’s Varsity Air XP Pro comes in fourteen different colors. All pattern options look great and stand out on the field. The online images are decent, but we think this helmet appears much better in person.
8. Schutt F7 LX1 Football Helmet
4.5 Stars | 62 Player Reviews
The Schutt Sports F7 LX1 Football Helmet is fresh off the line. Since this product was only recently released, it hasn’t had the time to gain a reputation. This is a perfect helmet for experienced football players looking to get a jump on the most recent technology.
With a helmet stabilization system, the LX1 is ultra-safe. We haven’t had time to witness the protection capabilities, but Schutt is a trusted helmet manufacturer. The famous brand has yet to release a low-quality product that isn’t at the forefront of innovation.
TPU Cushioning and thermoplastic urethane protect the player’s head from concussion forces. This helmet provides even better protection in a wider variety of temperatures than previous models.
9. Schutt Vengeance Pro LTD Varsity Helmet
4.4 Stars | 43 Player Reviews
Suppose you’re looking for an upgrade from your current helmet. In that case, the Schutt Vengeance Pro LTD Varsity Helmet is a fantastic option. You can choose between fifteen color options through the button provided above.
The Vengeance Pro LTD Varsity Helmet is a step-up from the A11 model. With additional features and more comprehensive protection, this helmet is a safe choice. Our favorite part is the wider back shelf. This modified design gives players better security at the back of their heads, which is most susceptible to injury.
You can read about additional features through Schutt’s product description. We’ve linked to the full description of the product’s capabilities through the button above.
10. LIGHT Youth Football Helmet
5 Stars | <5 Player Reviews
You probably haven’t heard about the LIGHT Youth Football Helmet. This well-rated product has yet to become widely popular. Most other helmets sacrifice protection for weight, but not LIGHT’s Youth Helmet.
This helmet uses the latest safety technology. The high-tech materials were initially used by the military, NASA, and the race-car industry. If your helmet’s safe enough to protect astronauts from meteors, we’re confident it can save you from football collisions.
Football players shouldn’t have to worry about their equipment. The fastest way to improve your skills is to stay focused on the task at hand. With the LIGHT Youth Football Helmet, players are given a competitive advantage. Having the proper gear is especially useful at an early age when a small edge can make the most significant difference.
11. Schutt Vengeance A9 Football Helmet
4.5 Stars | 108 Player Reviews
You don’t have to empty your bank account on premium equipment. The Schutt Vengeance A9 Football Helmet is an excellent example of an inexpensive beginner helmet. With fourteen colors to choose from and non-inflatable comfort liners, the A9 is a straightforward product.
One common drawback with budget football helmets is the build quality. Some less expensive helmets don’t have the best pad design or sacrifice durability. Schutt made sure their budget model featured mechanically attached cushions that don’t move around or fall out.
The Vengeance A9 has a raised brow design, which deflects impacts. Until this model was released, athletes spent more money on the A11 to acquire this technology. We admire Schutt’s dedication to protecting football players of all ages, regardless of their financial situation.
12. Schutt Vengeance A3 Football Helmet
4.7 Stars | 108 Player Reviews
An underappreciated budget helmet is Schutt’s Vengeance A3 Football Helmet. This is the most affordable helmet featured on our list and deserves more attention. The A3 has better safety ratings than other helmets in this price range and brings top-rated build quality.
The original Vengeance shell was too heavy for young players to wear. Schutt ultimately resigned the housing and released the A3, which is 10x better than the predecessor. It has TPU cushioning, double layers of protection, and the “soft, pillow-like feel” Schutt is known for.
We recommend the A3 for younger players and those on a budget. If you’re experimenting with the sport, there’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end helmet. However, we don’t advise choosing a helmet that costs less than the A3 because almost all competing products lack adequate protection.
13. Schutt Sports Vengeance VTD II
4.5 Stars | 31 Player Reviews
The Schutt Sports Vengeance VTD II is one of the best football helmets ever made. It’s rated highly by Virginia Tech and satisfied customers on Amazon. This helmet is engineered to maximize performance and features futuristic safety technology.
Schutt’s VTD II incorporates a ribbed cushioning system. This modern approach allows the Vengeance VTD II to use one-layer construction without sacrificing weight. The result is a low-profile helmet that keeps athletes safer than some helmets that weigh twice as much.
With a sure-fit airliner and TPU outer cushion, this helmet is also super comfortable. This famous brand is known for producing top-rated helmets with perfect balance. Be confident knowing your helmet brand doesn’t sacrifice any desired features.