Are cheap helmets actually safe?

Any helmet sold in the US must meet the CPSC standard, so the floor is higher than people think. Independent lab data from Consumer Reports and Virginia Tech testing referenced in cycling press shows that budget options like the Schwinn Thrasher and Giro Fixture II MIPS can score very well on impact absorption — sometimes outperforming much pricier helmets. What you pay more for tends to be weight, ventilation, fit refinement, and aesthetics, not necessarily raw protection.