The best forestry helmets, compared.
Top pick: HEARMOR Voltek full-face helmet Best value: Rotatech chainsaw helmet – Lowest price, and the only title that prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 together. Seven reviews include muffs that broke or fell off. Updated 17 October 2026.
A forestry helmet on amazon.co.uk is a hard hat sold with a mesh visor and helmet-mounted ear defenders for chainsaw, strimmer and brushcutter work. Householders, grounds workers and climbers do not share one standard. On the ground, look for BS EN 397 or BS EN 14052, a BS EN 1731 mesh visor and BS EN 352-3 muffs. The helmet is not chainsaw cut-protection, and HSE says no PPE gives complete protection against a chainsaw cut. UK reviews also say an ear defender snapped on first use. What else you still wear with a saw is in [what chainsaw PPE to wear](/hub/protective-clothing/blog/what-chainsaw-ppe-to-wear).
A forestry helmet on amazon.co.uk is a hard hat sold with a mesh visor and helmet-mounted ear defenders for chainsaw, strimmer and brushcutter work. Householders, grounds workers and climbers do not share one standard.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Where will you wear it?
The orange Voltek is £55.99 with a clear visor plus steel mesh, a 6-point harness, sliding vents and 1.26 kg. Stars are 4.6 from 19. No EN number is printed. One of six UK reviews arrived with a broken muff hinge.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Ground work when you want mesh and a clear shield together and can return a broken hinge.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs the EN numbers on the title, or a stated SNR, before they pay £55.99.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the listing print an SNR?
No. A UK review mentions 31 dB. That figure is the review, not the listing spec.
What eye protection is described?
An integrated clear visor and a steel mesh face shield. The page asks if both are removable. The spec block does not answer that yes or no. Ear defenders are described as removable.
What arrived broken?
One UK review says a broken hinge on an earmuff, and the helmet was returned. Other UK reviews call the fit comfortable in hot weather.
The Bluetooth Voltek is the £99.99 row: EN 352 muffs, up to 32 dB SNR, Bluetooth 5.3, mesh plus a clear visor, 1.38 kg, 4.6 from 12 reviews. Three UK reviews are positive and do not describe a break. Battery life and glasses are asked and not answered. The higher price is not evidence that it lasts longer than the Stihl.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Long, loud work when you want 32 dB muffs and Bluetooth, and you accept a thin review file.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs EN 12492 for climbing, or who wants the lowest price with EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 printed.
Specifications
Common questions
What hearing figure does the listing print?
EN 352 and up to 32 dB SNR, on Bluetooth 5.3 Shield LD HM ear defenders. Battery life is asked on the page and not answered on the listing.
Can you wear glasses with it?
The page asks. The listing does not answer. A UK review describes a front grille and safety glasses as part of the set.
How many UK reviews describe a fault?
None of the three. They mention fit, Bluetooth calls, and the rear adjuster. Twelve reviews and three UK texts are a thin record.
The listing prints EN 397 and SNR 24 at £42.99, and the star line is 4.5 from 2,776 reviews, the largest count in this set. In the first 50 UK reviews, ear defenders also snap on first use, so the pick is the stated standard plus the review base, not a claim that the hinge lasts longer than the cheaper kits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Ground work when you want EN 397 printed on the listing and a large review count, and you can return a snapped muff.
Less suitable: Climbing, where HSE points to EN 12492, or a buyer who needs EN 1731 and EN 352-3 printed on the same title.
Specifications
Common questions
What standard does the Stihl listing print?
EN 397. The same listing prints SNR 24. It does not print EN 1731 or EN 352.
Do the UK reviews mention the ear defenders?
Yes. Several of the first 50 UK reviews say an ear defender snapped on first use or within a month. Others say the muffs are very good when they stay on.
What head size does the listing give?
One size. The listing does not print a centimetre range.
The listing is £29.99, EN 397, 27 dB muffs, mesh visor and goggles in the title, 4.3 from 1,120 reviews, and 800 g. UK reviews include muffs that fall off, a substituted green helmet with a shorter visor, and also a year of near-daily strimmer use.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Ground and garden work when you want EN 397, a low price, and a four-figure review count.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs EN 1731 and EN 352-3 printed, or a climbing helmet to EN 12492.
Specifications
Common questions
What standard does the SAFEYEAR listing print?
EN 397. The bullets also claim impact absorption up to 500 kg. That figure is the listing claim. EN 1731 and EN 352 are not printed.
What head size is stated?
The bullet says 52–66 cm. The size field says 53–64 cm. Both figures are on the same listing.
Do UK reviews mention the ear defenders falling off?
Yes. More than one of the first 20 UK reviews says the ear defenders keep coming off. Others report months of strimmer and firewood use without that fault.
The listing shows £28.99, 4.3 from 148 reviews, a stainless mesh visor, 26 dB SNR, six vents, and rank 1 in Forestry Helmets. It does not print an EN number, and UK reviews include a broken hinge and a loose ear pad as well as comfortable fits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Garden and ground chainsaw work when you want a known brand, 26 dB SNR, and a large enough review count at £28.99.
Less suitable: A buyer who will only purchase a helmet whose title prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Oregon amazon listing print EN 397?
No. The title and bullets describe a stainless mesh visor and ear defenders at 26 dB SNR. They do not print EN 397, EN 1731, or EN 352-3.
Is the Oregon helmet described as adjustable?
Yes. The bullets say multiple head adjustment points. UK reviews describe a rear knob. The listing does not print a centimetre range.
What muff faults are in the UK reviews?
One ear pad came loose before use. Another hinge broke quickly, with no replacement parts. Other UK reviews call the muffs effective and able to swivel back.
The black Mervex listing is £49.99, EN 12492, with an EN 397 impact claim, ABS, 1 kg, and 4.0 from 81 reviews shared with the green ASIN. UK reviews praise the fit when the muffs arrive, and they also report missing muffs, a short chin strap, and clips that drop the visor.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Aerial or climbing-style work when you want EN 12492 printed, and you will check the muffs are in the box.
Less suitable: A ground kit buyer who wants EN 1731 and a stated SNR on the listing, or anyone who needs the muffs present on day one.
Specifications
Common questions
What standards does the black Mervex title print?
EN 12492 certified, and it says it meets EN 397. The bullet says it has passed the EN 397 impact absorption and penetration tests.
Do the UK reviews say the ear defenders were in the box?
Not always. Two UK reviews say the helmet arrived with no ear defenders, so the face shield could not be used. The star line is shared with the green ASIN.
What do UK reviews say about the chin strap?
It is very short, with little adjustment, and it cuts up under the ears.
The green listing matches the black Mervex on price, stars, rank, and UK review text. Listing differences are the open-face style name, green colour, EPS named in the material field, and 1.13 kg rather than 1 kg.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A buyer who wants the green shell and has accepted that the reviews are the same pool as the black ASIN.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs a separate durability record, or a title that prints EN 1731 and an SNR.
Specifications
Common questions
How is the green Mervex different on the listing?
The style name is Open Face, the colour is green, the material field names ABS and EPS, and the mass is 1.13 kg. The black listing says 1 kg and does not put EPS in the material field.
Are the reviews separate from the black helmet?
No. The star line is 4.0 from 81 on both listings, the rank matches, and the UK review wording matches.
What standard is printed?
EN 12492 on the title, and a claim that it passed the EN 397 impact and penetration tests.
The listing is £37.99 with a metal mesh visor, goggles, 25 dB muffs, a 6-point suspension and sliding vents. The standard line is ANSI Z89.1 Type 1 Class C. Four UK reviews are positive and do not describe a failure. That ANSI mark is not the HSE chainsaw helmet list.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A buyer who wants mesh, goggles and muffs in one box and has read that the printed cert is the US ANSI mark.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs BS EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 on the listing before they will use it for chainsaw work.
Specifications
Common questions
What certification does the TOOLIOM listing print?
ANSI Z89.1-2014 Type 1 Class C, plus a sentence that says CE approved. It does not print BS EN 397, EN 1731, or EN 352.
What is in the box on the component line?
Anti-fog goggles, a forest helmet, a metal mesh visor, and 25 dB SNR earmuffs.
What do the UK reviews say?
Four UK reviews are on the listing. They say it fits, is comfortable, and is good for the price. They do not describe a broken part.
The black 5-in-1 is £49.99, 53–63 cm, 6-point suspension, 1.23 kg, open-face style, 3.8 from 10 reviews. UK reviews overlap the orange 5-in-1. They include a comfortable small-head fit and an ear defender that snapped on the first day.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A gardener who wants the 53–63 cm range and the sweat cap, and who will assemble it and check the muff clips.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 printed, or a separate review sample from the orange 5-in-1.
Specifications
Common questions
What does 5-in-1 mean on this title?
The title lists a hard hat, ear defenders, a foldable visor, a sweat cap and a carry bag. The component line is shorter: ear defenders, helmet, mash.
What head size is printed?
53–63 cm, with a 6-point suspension. One UK review says it fitted a small head.
Is an EN number printed?
No. The bullet says EN standard compliance and CE certification without a number. There is no SNR.
At £23.99 this is the lowest price in the set, and it is the only title that prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 together. The listing has 3.8 from 7 reviews, and those UK reviews include muffs that broke or fell off, so the best-value mark is the printed standards at that price, not a durability claim.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A ground kit when you want the three HSE-listed numbers printed on the title and the lowest price in this set.
Less suitable: Daily professional use if you need a larger review record, or climbing, because the title is EN 397 rather than EN 12492.
Specifications
Common questions
Which standards does the Rotatech title print?
EN 397 for the helmet, EN 1731 for the mesh visor, and EN 352-3 for the hearing protection. The ear defenders are stated at 23 dB SNR.
What head size does the listing give?
Adjustable 51–63 cm, with a padded harness and a ratchet closure.
What do the UK reviews say about the ear defenders?
Six UK reviews are in the listing. Some say the muffs and shield work once assembled, including room for glasses. Others say the ear defenders broke immediately or keep falling off, and that the face guard falls off.
The orange listing is the full-brim colour of the same 5-in-1 title, at the same £49.99, with 3.6 from 11 reviews. The UK review text overlaps the black ASIN, including the first-day snap and the comfortable small-head fit.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A buyer who wants the orange full brim and the 53–63 cm range stated on the title.
Less suitable: Anyone counting this as a second test of the black 5-in-1, or anyone who needs numbered EN standards.
Specifications
Common questions
How does the orange 5-in-1 differ on the listing?
The style name is Full Brim, the colour is orange, and the mass is 1.22 kg. The black listing says Open Face and 1.23 kg. Head size, price and the EN wording match.
Can you remove the visor?
The page asks. The spec block does not answer yes or no.
Are the UK reviews separate?
No. Names and dates overlap the black 5-in-1 listing, including the ear defender that snapped on the first day.
Scores use the amazon.co.uk listings for these 11 helmets. Each helmet gets an editorial score from 0 to 100. Stars are worth up to 55, review volume up to 15, a printed EN 397 or EN 12492 adds 10, a printed visor EN adds 5, and a printed hearing EN adds 5. Repeated missing or broken muffs in the UK reviews deduct up to 8 inside the muff-fault band. ANSI Z89.1 does not add the helmet-standard points. The score is not the star rating times 20. There was no laboratory test and no cut test.
Stars
55%Amazon.co.uk stars divided by 5, multiplied by 55, and rounded. A 4.5 star line scores 50 of those 55 points.
Review volume
15%Points follow the listing count, up to 15. A listing with seven reviews scores 2. The Stihl count, 2,776, is the largest in this set.
Helmet standard
10%A printed EN 397 or EN 12492 adds 10. ANSI Z89.1 Type 1 Class C does not. A claim of EN with no number adds nothing.
Visor standard
5%A printed visor EN, such as EN 1731, adds 5. A mesh described in the bullets without that number does not.
Hearing standard
5%A printed hearing EN, such as EN 352-3 or EN 352 on the muffs, adds 5. A stated SNR without that number does not.
Muff faults
10%Repeated missing or broken muffs in the UK reviews deduct up to 8 points. A single broken hinge deducts less. This is not a laboratory score.
A forestry helmet in this set is a hard hat with a visor and helmet-mounted muffs. The decision is the standard for the job, whether the visor and muff standards are printed, and whether UK reviews say the muffs stay on. Prices below are shelf prices from the amazon.co.uk listings, not a live re-check on 17 October 2026.
A forestry helmet is a hard hat sold with a mesh visor and helmet-mounted ear defenders for chainsaw, strimmer and brushcutter work. Householders, grounds workers and climbers do not share one standard. A bare hard hat is a different product. The shell is not chainsaw cut-protection. HSE says no PPE gives complete protection against a chainsaw cut, and AFAG308 repeats that limit for climbing. On the ground, HSE lists BS EN 397, BS EN 14052 or BS EN 12492.
HSE lists the visor and the muffs with the shell. A bare hard hat is a different product. Buy the mesh and the helmet-mounted muffs together.
The TOOLIOM listing prints ANSI Z89.1 Type 1 Class C. That is a US hard-hat mark, not the HSE chainsaw helmet list.
HSE’s indication table is a guide, not a legal exposure result. An SNR figure does not prove a day under 85 dB(A). Taking the ear below 70 dB can hide a warning.
On the ground, HSE lists BS EN 397, BS EN 14052 or BS EN 12492. Off the ground, the recommendation narrows to BS EN 12492, with eye protection to BS EN 1731 or BS EN 166. An EN 12492 shell can be used on the ground only if the risk assessment does not rule it out. In this set the Stihl and the SAFEYEAR print EN 397. The Rotatech prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3. The Mervex titles print EN 12492 and claim EN 397 impact and penetration tests. The Oregon listing prints no EN number.
HSE lists BS EN 1731 mesh for chips and BS EN 352-3 for helmet-mounted muffs. HSE’s indication table puts about 25–35 dB SNR against 95–100 dB(A) task noise, and RR1183 puts combustion chainsaws typically around 100 dB(A). Stated figures here run from 23 dB on the Rotatech to 27 dB on the SAFEYEAR, with the Bluetooth Voltek at up to 32 dB. The Mervex and the 5-in-1 titles do not print an SNR.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a ground kit for firewood or a petrol strimmer, and you will notice heat and muffs that fall off. The Stihl Function Basic prints EN 397 and SNR 24 at about £42.99, with 4.5 from 2,776 reviews. UK reviews include an ear defender that snapped on first use.
You need the employer’s assessment and training, and you want the EN numbers HSE names printed on the title. The Rotatech prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 at about £23.99. It has 3.8 from 7 reviews, and muffs that broke or fell off.
Climbers need EN 12492 and should not substitute a cheaper ground kit. The black HEARMOR Mervex prints EN 12492 and an EN 397 impact claim at about £49.99. UK reviews include missing muffs, so check the box before you climb.
The Stihl Function Basic is the top pick: EN 397 and SNR 24 at about £42.99, with 4.5 from 2,776 reviews, the largest count in this set. UK reviews also say an ear defender snapped on first use. The Rotatech is the best value at about £23.99, the only title that prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 together, with 3.8 from 7 reviews and muffs that broke or fell off. The other nine have no award. None of these scores is a laboratory test, and a forestry helmet does not stop a chainsaw chain.
Rotatech chainsaw helmet
Lowest price, and the only title that prints EN 397, EN 1731 and EN 352-3 together. Seven reviews include muffs that broke or fell off.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings used for this comparison, last checked on 17 October 2026.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The scores are unaffected. They use amazon.co.uk listings and public UK sources, not a laboratory test.
