10 Best Hard Hats 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
Patton

Jennifer
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Samantha
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How to Choose the Best Hard Hat

Whether you work construction or on the floor of a factory, you know how important proper protective gear is. It’s essential to have the highest quality gear and it’s particularly important to find the best hard hat available. That’s why we researched the highest-rated, top-selling items available and put together this review. Before we get started, let’s take a look at some of the key things you need to know when choosing the right one for you.

Style: There are 2 different styles on our list: full brim and cap. The full brim is much more common because it offers some protection that cap hats don’t, though we did find one awesome cap style that you should check out.

Vented: If you’re going to be doing a lot of work in a hot factory or outside in the hot summer, it’s a good idea to get a vented hard hat. They allow air to circulate and can help you stay cool.

Color Options: There are a surprising number of color options available. We found everything from simple black to bright pinks and oranges and even different patterns and textures. In fact, we even found one with American flags and bald eagles.

Material: We found options made from phenolic, ABS plastic, resin, and even high-density polyethylene. Not that all of these helmets have to pass rigorous testing but you do have to pay attention to class type. More on that later.

Ratchet Suspension: All of these hard hats have ratchet suspension which isn’t surprising. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to make sure you can make quick adjustments to get the right fit, usually at the turn of a wheel.

Class Type: Class type tells you what the hard hat can protect you from. Class C protects against impact only. Class G protects against impact and electricity up to 2200 volts while class E protects against as much as 20,000 volts.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know what to look in the best fitting hard hat, let’s move into our top picks. If you’re in a hurry, make sure you check out our top and budget picks first. They’re the first 2 items on our list and really give you a good idea of the range that’s available. Stick around if you can, though. All of these products are worth a closer look. Alright, are you ready? Let’s get to work.

MSA Skullgard Hard Hat

Our top pick is the best full brim hard hat we found in our research, the MSA Skullgard Hard Hat. It can withstand radiant heat of up to 350 degrees F, protects from vertical impacts and penetration, and provides electrical protection up to 2200 volts. This model features the brand’s Fas-Trak III Suspension that adjusts easily from 6 ½ to 8 inches and prevents hair pulling and pressure headaches for all-day comfort. This is a great choice for construction, shipbuilding, and welding and is made using phenolic material as opposed to plastic. Phenolic material is made using layers of plastic and resin and is coated to provide protection in abnormal and extreme conditions. The Skullgard comes in 7 different colors including bright yellow, white, and orange for maximum visibility.

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Pyramex Safety Ridgeline Hard Hat

Next up is our budget pick, the Pyramex Safety Ridgeline Hard Hat and our pick for the best lightweight hard hat. This full-brim design is made from high-impact ABS material for ultra-lightweight protection. It meets safety standards for type 1 hardhats in classes E, G, and C which means it provides protection from impact coming from above and can be used in areas with exposure to electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts. This hard hat features a ratchet suspension that’s really easy to adjust. In fact, you can even make changes while wearing it. It comes as a 4-point suspension but there is a kit available to convert it to 6-point if need be. There are plenty of color options available, too, from muted to bright eye-catching colors.

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Texas America Safety Hard Hat

The Texas America Safety Hard Hat is a top carbon fiber hard hat on the market. One of the cool things about this product is that the carbon fiber shell is handmade which gives each hat a unique appearance. This Class C, Type 1 hard hat features a rim grip on each to help keep the surface clean and comes with a hard hat tote to keep it safe during storage and can be carried like a backpack for easy transport to and from the work site. Inside, a 6-point ratchet suspension makes it easy to get the right fit and there’s also a soft padded top for additional comfort. It fits sizes 7 to 8 and is available in 5 different colors: matte black, white, glossy black, hi-viz lime, and hi-viz orange.

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Lift Safety DAX Hard Hat

If you’re searching for the best hard hat for hot weather, check out the Lift Safety DAX Hart Hat. It’s a Class G hardhat made with a fiber reinforced resin shell. Inside, there’s a synthetic leather comfort dome and molded EVA foam insert that provides additional comfort as well as shock absorbing impact protection. You might be wondering why we called this best pick for hot weather. Get this: the liner actually has a moisture-wicking microfiber lining to keep you cool and dry by eliminating sweat buildup. Because this hard hat has a 6-point suspension system it’s really easy to adjust to the perfect fit, even if you’re wearing bulky work gloves. This product comes in a few different styles including white, natural, and three different options done in black.

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HDPE-Hydro Dipped Hard Hat

We’re calling the HDPE-Hyrdo Dipped Hard Hat the best looking hard hat because it’s available in so many different colors including some neutrals as well as bright pink, yellow, and orange if you wanted something with high visibility. This is a good pick for hot weather, too, because it’s vented for cool air flow. The Fast-Trac ratchet suspension adjusts quickly and easily so you can get the right fit for the best protection and comfort. All you have to do is pull out the ratchet knob, open it to the largest size, then place the hard hat on your head and tighten it until it’s comfortable. Lock it in place with the ratchet knob and you’re ready to go. This is a type C, class 1 hard hat that’s great for hot factories or construction yards.

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Amston Tool Company Hard Hat

Not only is the Amston Tool Company Hard Hat the best hard hat for big heads, but it’s also a great choice if you require ear protection because there are easy to use ear muff attachment slots. It’s also compatible with safety goggles, glasses, and masks, too, so you can use it for a variety of different jobs. This hard hat has an easy-to-use multipoint adjustment suspension to quickly and easily get just the right fit. This cap-style hat features a vented top that allows air to flow to keep your head cool and a washable sweatband to keep sweat out of your eyes while working. There’s also a gripped visor that makes it really easy to remove, even if you’re wearing your work gloves. This class G hard hat comes in 4 different bright colors.

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Tuff America Hard Hat

Next up is the Tuff America Hard Hat. It’s made of carbon fiber printed ABS for strong, lightweight protection and meets safety standards for classes E, G, and C. What does that mean? Not only does it protect from impact hazards from above, but it’s also rated to protect against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts which makes it the best hard hat for electricians. The ratchet suspension is so easy to adjust, you don’t even have to take the hat off to do it. That’s not all, this is actually a really good looking hard hat, too, and is available in a few different colors and patterns including options that are shiny, matte, and even camo patterned. This hard hat comes with a 3-year, 100% risk-free money-back guarantee.

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Safety Works Pro Hard Hat

Another option for the best vented hard hat is the Safety Works Pro Hard Hat. Not only does it have vents to keep air circulating around your head in hot weather, but it’s also great for snow and rain, too. Why do we say that? Get this. It features an extended back brim that helps connect your neck and ears from the sun’s UV rays as well as 5 raised channels that act as a run-off for rain and snow to keep your neck and collar from getting too wet in inclement weather. This hard hat is made using high-density polyethylene and has a 6-point ratcheting suspension that’s really easy to adjust. All you have to do is turn the wheel to create a firm, comfortable fit. There are 2 high-visibility color options, white and yellow.

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RK Safety -SKULL Hard Hat

If you've been waiting for a cool hard hat review, you’re in luck because by far the coolest product we found is the RK Safety-SKULL Hard Hat. It’s available in 6 different patterns, including pixelated camo, American flag and eagle, skulls, wolves, and more. But this hard hat does more than just look cool. It’s also a type 1 helmet that meets safety standards for classes C, G, and E so you can use it for a wide range of different jobs, including those with electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts. The 4-point ratchet suspension is easy to adjust and is actually replaceable if necessary. This hard hat is vented to allow air to flow through which makes it a good choice for hot weather, too.

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Evolution Deluxe 6161 Hard Hat

Last but not least is the Evolution Deluxe 6161 Hard Hat. It’s made of high-density polyethylene and is has type 1, class C rating. This is a good choice for the outdoors. Not only is it vented to help keep your head cool, but it also has a full brim that provides additional protection against the sun, glare, and rain in addition to falling debris. The 6-point wheel ratchet suspension system is easy to use and features polyester textile straps for amazing comfort and stability. All you have to do is turn the wheel and adjust for the right fit. That’s not all, there’s also a sweatband that has an Egyptian cotton core and PU coating to absorb sweat without irritating your skin. This hard hat comes in 8 different colors which are mostly high visibility.

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Best Hard Hats

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

MSA Skullgard Hard Hat

Pyramex Safety Ridgeline Hard Hat

How to Choose the Best Hard Hat

Top 10 Products

MSA Skullgard Hard Hat

Pyramex Safety Ridgeline Hard Hat

Texas America Safety Hard Hat

Lift Safety DAX Hard Hat

HDPE-Hydro Dipped Hard Hat

Amston Tool Company Hard Hat

Tuff America Hard Hat

Safety Works Pro Hard Hat

RK Safety -SKULL Hard Hat

Evolution Deluxe 6161 Hard Hat

About the Author

TOP PICK

MSA Skullgard Hard Hat