The 10 Best Bike Bells for a Safer Ride in 2023

Before you hop on your bicycle, you want to take every safety precaution possible. And while you may already have a bike helmet handy, don't underestimate the power of a good bike bell. All it takes is the ring of a bell to let cars or pedestrians know you're coming (and avoid potential accidents).

When it comes to any safety precautions, it's best to make an informed purchase. That's why we chatted with a cycling expert and cycling coach to gather the ten best bike bells you can buy.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ Fits any handlebar — standard and oversize
• ‌Material:‌ Brass and stainless steel
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Powerful ring

"When it comes to letting others know you are around, a bell like the Spurcycle is the bell of choice," says Garret Seacat, CSCS, a triathlon and cycling coach at Absolute Endurance.

Although it's a little pricier than other options, you get one of the loudest bells on the market, with sound that can easily cut through the noise in a large city, he says. It's also excellent for a mountain biker who needs to let riders know he is coming up on them from a far distance.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 22.2 mm to 23.8 mm handlebars
  
• ‌Material:‌ Brass
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Adjustable clamp to work with a variety of handlebar sizes

Thousand's bicycle bell is made of brass, which is exactly what you should look for, according to Jake Harcoff, CSCS, cyclist and founder of AIM Athletic. Brass is usually the loudest and most durable bike bell material, so it's a great choice if available, he says.

3. Best for Electric Bikes: Electra Pinger Bike Bell

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 22.2 mm handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Stainless steel
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Provides 90 decibels of sound

Pinger-style bells (ones that sound like a loud 'ting') are usually the loudest and most harsh-sounding bells, according to Seacat. This one fits standard bike handlebars but is best for electric bikes. And thanks to the loud sound, it's safe to use when you ride around town.

4. Best for Safety: Trigger Bell

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ All handlebar sizes
• ‌Material:‌ Brass
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Rings up to 5 times per second

Trigger bells are usually quieter than pingers and give off a more traditional bike bell sound, Seacat says. So, this one is best for areas that don't have too much traffic or quiet bike paths.

This bell has a pretty unique design, fitting onto the rubber grip of your handlebars (on the outside of the brakes) instead of the metal. This placement helps prevent accidents because you can brake and ring the bell at the same time.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 22.2 mm to 31.8 mm handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Brass or aluminum available
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Long-lasting sound

This bell is compatible with a wide variety of handlebar sizes, making it perfect for experienced cyclists who like to switch from mountain to road bikes, according to Seacat.

The durable brass or aluminum materials also resonate longer than other materials, making a long-lasting pitch. And it's rust-resistant, too, in case you get caught in the rain.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 21 mm to 23 mm handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Brass
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Mini size

Don't let the size fool you, this mini bell makes a mighty sound, thanks to its rust-resistant brass material, according to Harcoff.

One thing to keep in mind: This one is best for slim, straight handlebars like you see on most hybrid bikes. It probably won't work with most road bicycles.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 22.2 to 31.8 handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Brass
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Long-traveling sound

This one is definitely the best mountain bike bell. TIMBER's bell can be heard for more than 200 meters, so when you're riding down a trail, hikers and wildlife will know you're coming. You can ring it with your finger for a loud pitch, but it's also motion activated, making small pings every time you hit a bump in your path.

Prefer a more peaceful ride? You can even lock the bell so it makes no noise, too.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ 22.2 mm handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Metal and plastic
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Comes in 21 different colors to match your bike style

Built for cruiser bikes, this trigger bell is ideal for more leisurely rides where traffic or trails aren't a concern. "For those just cruising on a bike path, a trigger-style bell is likely best and won't scare others using the trail," Seacat says.

You can also buy it in a variety of colors to match your bicycle.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ All bike handlebars
• ‌Material:‌ Plastic
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ 20 to 30 days of charge

LESOVI's electric horn is the best road bike bell for sure. This mini bell is so loud (up to 120 decibels) people inside their cars will hear you riding by. And while electric horns aren't the most common, one charge will last up to 30 days, so you don't have to worry about it dying mid-ride.

Although it's a little bit pricier than other mini bells, you get what you pay for where bike bells are concerned, according to Seacat.

• ‌Handlebar compatibility:‌ All bike handle sizes
• ‌Material:‌ Plastic
• ‌Best-selling feature:‌ Built-in light for evening rides

This electric bike horn has a light built-in, which is a must if you ever plan to ride your bike at night. You can even switch between five different horn styles and brighten or dim the light. Another bonus? The company offers a 90-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

Although this one is pretty easy to install, you can even call the company's 24-hour customer service line for extra help.

Where material is concerned, brass is your top choice, according to Harcoff. When you hit it, brass makes the loudest sound, which is a priority for safety. It's also one of the most durable metals, he says, so you don't have to worry about your bell breaking.

Stainless steel is another good option, though. Although it may not be as loud as brass, in some cases, it's still a durable metal that's totally OK.

Before you buy, also read the product details to make sure your bell is abrasion- or rust-resistant.

Most bike bells are adjustable in size, so they fit with a wide variety of handlebar widths. But that's not the case for every product — some bells are specific to different handlebar sizes, Harcoff says. This is especially true if you're buying a bell for an electric or kids' bike.

To be safe, measure your bike handle diameter and check the bell's product details to make sure the two are compatible.

Different bells have different volume levels. The best way to pick your best bike bell is by the location of your bike rides, according to Seacat. Those who bike in urban areas need to be heard above the city noise. More intense mountain bikers may also want a louder bell to be heard by other hikers. So, a higher decibel level (over 100 decibels) is ideal.

For leisurely rides in areas that aren't too dense with traffic, you probably don't need a super loud bike bell, according to Seacat. Anything below 100 decibels will do.