Test: Unit1's Aura and Faro bicycle helmets set new standards in smart bicycle helmets. Both models combine advanced safety features with modern design, offering cyclists the highest level of protection and comfort.
Unit1 Aura: The smart helmet for e-bike enthusiasts
The Unit1 Aura Smart Helmet is a modern bicycle helmet specifically designed for e-bike riders, offering a combination of safety, technology, and design. Designed for use in urban traffic and on longer tours, the helmet features integrated LED front and rear lights, intelligent turn signals, an automatic brake light, and a MIPS protection system. These features are designed to increase visibility in traffic and improve protection when riding in the dark or in adverse weather conditions.
Weighing just 440 grams and featuring a total of 14 vents, the helmet is designed for comfort even during extended use. The accompanying Unit1 app allows for convenient control of lighting modes, battery status, and other custom settings. The remote control for controlling the indicators is not included but can be purchased separately and allows for hands-free operation when turning.
The Unit1 Aura Smart Helmet is available in three different sizes and seven color variations, allowing it to be adapted to personal style preferences as well as different head shapes.
Technical highlights:
- Lighting: Integrated front and rear lights with a total output of over 500 lumens ensure optimal visibility.
- MIPS technology: An integrated system to protect against rotational forces in angled impacts.
- Battery life: The 1.850 mAh lithium-ion battery offers a runtime of up to 8 hours depending on the mode and is fully charged in approximately 3 hours.
- connectivity: Compatible with the UNIT1 app, which offers features such as crash detection, light adjustment and power management.
- Design: The helmet has 14 ventilation openings and is available in three sizes.
Unit1 Faro: The urban all-rounder with style
The Unit1 Faro Smart Helmet is a bicycle helmet specifically designed for urban use, aimed at e-bike and pedelec riders who value safety as well as design and smart features. With its minimalist appearance and modern features such as integrated 360° LED lighting, intelligent turn signal control, automatic brake light, and MIPS technology, the Faro offers comprehensive safety and visibility solutions for urban traffic.
The integrated LED front and rear lights ensure high visibility in a variety of light and weather conditions—including rain, dusk, or fog. A separately available handlebar remote control allows intuitive control of the turn signals, allowing hands-free indication of direction changes. The helmet also automatically detects deceleration and activates a brake light to provide early warning to following traffic.
A key safety feature of the Faro is the Crash Alert function: Integrated sensors detect an impact and, in an emergency, can automatically send a message with a GPS location to predefined emergency contacts. All of the helmet's functions—from light control to software updates to battery level monitoring—can be conveniently managed via the associated smartphone app.
Weighing around 580 grams and with twelve ventilation openings, the helmet offers balanced comfort for the daily commute, weekend trips or sporty commuting in the city.
Technical highlights:
- 360° LED lighting: An integrated lighting system with over 500 lumens, including hidden LEDs under a water-repellent fabric, ensures visibility from all angles.
- MIPS technology: Optionally available for additional protection against angled impacts.
- Battery life: The 1.850 mAh battery offers a runtime of 3 to 10 hours depending on usage and is fully charged in approximately 3 hours.
- connectivity: Light modes can be adjusted and emergency contacts stored via the UNIT1 app.
- Design: The helmet is available in four colors and features a magnetic Fidlock buckle for easy on and off.
Unit1 Aura and Faro Smart Helmets Review
In a practical test, both helmet models were put through their paces under various conditions. The Unit1 Aura Smart Helmet particularly impressed with its lightweight design and effective ventilation, making it extremely comfortable to wear and ideal for longer e-bike rides. The integrated lights and intuitive app control significantly increased the sense of safety.
The Unit1 Faro, on the other hand, scored highly for its stylish design and hidden LEDs, which provide additional visibility in urban traffic. The ability to customize the helmet via the app was considered particularly useful. Both helmets offer a high level of protection thanks to MIPS technology and robust construction. While the Aura is more suited to sporty riders, the Faro appeals primarily to style-conscious urban commuters.
Both the Aura and the Faro from Unit1 offer innovative safety features and sophisticated design. Choosing between the two models depends on individual needs and preferred use. However, both helmets are ideally equipped to meet the challenges of urban cycling.
