Updated September 30, 2026 · CommuteCue Editorial Team
Bern vs UNIT 1
UNIT 1
Bern
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | BernReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | UNIT 1ReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $44.50 | €170.95 |
| Independent rating | 5 star Virginia Tech safety rating | Virginia Tech 5-star safety rating |
| Weight (g) | 370Lower | 430 |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 monthsHigher |
| Markets | AR, AU, BG, BY, CL, CN, HR, CZ, FR, DE, GR, HK, HU, ID, IT, JP, KR, MY, BN, NZ, PE, RU, SG, ES, LK, SE, CH, TW, GB, UA, CA, US | AU, AT, BE, BN, BG, CA, HR, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HK, HU, IN, ID, IE, IT, JP, LV, LT, LU, MO, MY, MT, MC, NL, NZ, PL, PT, QA, RO, SA, SG, SK, SI, KR, ES, SE, CH, TW, TH, AE, GB, US |
| Fit range | Not confirmed | S to L, 20.1-24.4 in |
Same on both: Product type (Helmet), Integrated lights (Yes), Crash replacement (Yes).
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Key differences
- Bern scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Weight (g) is lower at Bern: 370 vs 430.
- Warranty is higher at UNIT 1: 24 months vs 12 months.
- Support channels: only UNIT 1 offers Email.
- Markets: only Bern offers AR, BY, CL.
- Markets: only UNIT 1 offers AT, BE, DK.
Our verdict on each
Bern
Bern suits city commuters who want a helmet with integrated lights, crash replacement and a named independent rating without chasing the cheapest option in the group. At $44.50 it sits above the $9.95 Lumos lists, and the 12 month warranty is the cost of that extra cover.
UNIT 1
Unit 1 suits commuters who want a lit, certified helmet with crash replacement and a long warranty rather than the cheapest shell. It costs €170.95 from, well above Bern at $44.50, so buyers on a budget have cheaper named options on the same list.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherPrice of $44.50 ranks 12 of 24 on entry cost, higher than Lumos at $9.95. | 8.0Price starts at €170.95, well above Bern at $44.50, while weight ranks mid-pack at 7 of 9. |
| Offer | 8.9Hudson adds integrated lights, crash replacement and a 12 month warranty at $44.50. | 9.3HigherCrash replacement is yes, integrated lights are yes, and the warranty runs 24 months. |
| Trust | 9.8HigherStandards cpsc, en 1078 and nta 8776 sit alongside an independent rating of 5 star Virginia Tech safety rating and 12 months of cover. | 9.2Unit 1 Gear, Inc. is registered in the US, founded in 2017, with a Virginia Tech 5-star safety rating on the Faro. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Bike helmets and locks | 14 of 34 | 1 of 34 |
By the numbers
| Fact | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 370 | 430 |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
Which one suits you
Pick Bern if trust and weight (g) matter most.
Pick UNIT 1 if offer and warranty matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Standards | Cpsc, En 1078, Nta 8776 | Cpsc, En 1078, Nta 8776 |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Unit 1 Gear, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2017 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bern | UNIT 1 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | 370at the median | 430highest quarter | 370 |
| Warranty | 12 monthsat the median | 24 monthsabove the median | 12 months |
Median across 16 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Bern
Pros
- Integrated lights on the Hudson mean a night commute does not depend on a separate lamp.
- Crash replacement is offered, which matters most for the daily urban riding Bern is built for.
- Standards cpsc, en 1078 and nta 8776 give the safety case backing beyond the brand's own claims.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, with no listed email or phone line for sizing or fit questions.
- The entry price of $44.50 sits well above the $9.95 Lumos lists.
- Warranty cover runs 12 months, so a shell bought later in life has a short claiming window.
UNIT 1
Pros
- Crash replacement is included, so a damaged shell after a fall is not a full-price replacement.
- Integrated lights are part of the Faro, removing the need for a separate front light.
- A 24 months warranty is longer than a single-year cover and covers the shell.
Cons
- At €170.95 the entry price sits well above Bern at $44.50.
- Weight of 430 g ranks it 7 of 9 on the site, so it is not among the lightest.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone line listed.
Who each suits
Bern
Who it suits
- City and e-mtb riders who want visibility and post crash cover in a single helmet.
- Commuters who weigh a named independent rating above the lowest entry price.
- Riders buying in a market on Bern's distributor list, AR, AU and BG.
Who should look elsewhere
- Lumos, if budget decides it: it starts at $9.95 against Bern's $44.50.
- Hiboy, if you are securing the bike rather than the rider, since Hiboy is a lock.
- Lumos Helmet, if cost alone matters: it lists $9.95 at the entry level.
UNIT 1
Who it suits
- Riders who cycle home after dark and want built-in lighting rather than a clip-on lamp.
- Commuters who keep a spare budget for replacing a helmet after a crash.
- Riders who want a 24 months warranty on a daily-use helmet.
Who should look elsewhere
- Budget buyers who would rather start at $44.50 with Bern.
- Riders wanting the lightest shell, since weight ranks 7 of 9.
- Anyone who needs phone support, as email and help centre lists email and a help centre only.
Current offers
Bern
Current offer
Discount code
Subscribe and get 15% off first purchase: 15%
Cannot be combined with other discounts
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Bern | UNIT 1 |
|---|---|---|
| France | No | Yes |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Italy | No | Yes |
| Netherlands | No | Yes |
| Spain | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Bern
How much does a Bern helmet cost to buy?+
Bern bike helmets start at $44.50. That places the brand at 12 of 24 brands ranked on price from, making it a mid priced choice rather than a budget one. The figure is a single purchase price, so there is no renewal or subscription to plan around, and costlier models in the range sit above it.
Does a Bern helmet come with a light?+
The Hudson does, with integrated lights built into the shell, so visibility after dark does not depend on a separate lamp. The same model weighs 370 g, which keeps the lamp from turning the helmet into a burden on a long evening ride or a trip carried on a rucksack.
UNIT 1
How much does a Unit 1 helmet cost?+
The entry price is €170.95, which is the top of the range in this group. Bern starts at $44.50 and Lumos at $9.95. On our comparison Unit 1 ranks 22 of 24 brands on entry price, so budget riders have cheaper options on the same list.
Does the Unit 1 helmet come with lights?+
Yes. Integrated lights are yes on the Faro, so the helmet carries its own lighting instead of relying on a separate handlebar lamp. That is part of what the higher price buys over Bern at $44.50. It is useful for riders cycling home after dark without carrying a light on every trip.
Other options to compare
UNIT 1
Bern