TestedHelmetsBetter lab score
POC Cytal
5/5 stars
- STAR score
- 7.511Lower is safer
- Tested
- 2025
- Price when tested
- $330Not today's price
POC Cytal vs Giro Aether Spherical
The POC Cytal scored better than the Giro Aether Spherical in Virginia Tech's road lab tests: STAR 7.511 versus 12.507.
Both are road helmets in Virginia Tech's ratings, so their scores compare fairly. Here is how they did in the lab and what each cost when tested.
Giro Aether Spherical
4/5 stars
- STAR score
- 12.507Lower is safer
- Tested
- 2019
- Price when tested
- $325Not today's price
The verdict
The POC Cytal scored 7.511 and the Giro Aether Spherical scored 12.507. That gives the POC Cytal about a 40% better score in Virginia Tech's lab tests.
The POC Cytal earned 5 stars and the Giro Aether Spherical earned 4.
At testing, the POC Cytal cost $5 more ($330 against $325).
Virginia Tech tested these in 2019 and 2025. Check that the one you buy is the version that was tested.
Is the better lab score worth it?
Worth it if the budget allows. A lab score about 40% better, plus 5 stars against 4, is a real gap for about $5 more.
Prices are what each helmet cost when Virginia Tech tested it. Check today's price, the exact model and the fit before you buy. Source: Virginia Tech Helmet Lab bicycle helmet ratings.
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