In RPG games like Skyrim, it's easy to settle for gear that has great stats. Thankfully, having the right skills in Smithing and Enchanting can help you create just the kind of armor that you like the most, without having to desperately search for good stuff in loot. When it comes to helmets in particular, there's quite a few to choose from.
Some of these you can buy very easily, while others will require the right resources to attain. Either way, it's good to know in advance what you're going for. To help you choose, we've compiled five of the coolest helmets in Skyrim, as well as five that you should probably pass on — unless you'd like to look silly.
10 Cool: Dragonplate Helmet
For lovers of Heavy Armor, the Dragonplate Helmet is a very nice choice. It's one of the few helmets that actually has horns that don't look completely stupid. Inspired by a Dragon's head, this piece of armor can be found both enchanted and unenchanted in loot all around Skyrim.
If you have Smithing level 100, you can also make this helmet yourself. You'll need two leather strips, one dragon bone and two dragon scales to complete it. Don't forget to unlock the Dragon Armor perk in the skill tree as well to forge it successfully.
9 Terrible: Shellbug Helmet
Those who are familiar with and have played the Dawnguard DLC, may be familiar with this highly bizarre helmet. It covers your entire face, and seems to be inspired be the head of a shellbug. It's hard to imagine anyone wearing something like this, let alone actually owning the look.
Still, you can craft this helmet with two shellbug chitins and two iron ingots. It's a decent piece of Heavy Armor, and is actually the third-best helmet in the game in terms of its armor rating. This counts this helmet as Falmer armor, and you can get the Full Set bonus if you wear it with Falmer gear.
8 Cool: Blades Helmet
There's a lot of things about the Blades that are immensely cool. Their look is inspired by real-life traditional samurai gear, which is why they're so popular among fans. The Blades helmet is no difference in that regard and has a nice, sleek look to it with golden details.
Unfortunately, the helmet has to be found and not crafted. Head over to Sky Haven Temple, and you should be able to snatch yourself one from a chest that's located inside the temple's armory.
7 Terrible: Stormcloak Officer Helmet
The Stormcloaks in general don't have the most fantastic-looking gear. Given just how good armor can look, the majority of their gear just looks too flimsy or not good enough to hold you in a fight. This Officer Helmet is no different in that regard.
Essentially, this is a piece of bear pelt plopped on top of your head. Maybe it's supposed to be intimidating, but it just looks silly. If you join the rebellion, Ulfric will eventually gift you with it, but you can still loot one for yourself if you join the Legion during the Battle for Whiterun.
6 Cool: Elven Helmet
Elves might not be the kindest race, certainly not the Altmer, but boy, do they know how to make armor look good. The Elven armor is generally a dream come true to any Light Armor lover, and the helmet just complements the overall look perfectly with a gilded, leafy appearance.
The helmet is a fairly common find in loot after you reach Level 12. You can also buy it at most stores, or even steal it off a Thalmor agent if you come across a patrol. At the forge, you can craft one with one leather strip, one leather, two refined moonstones and one iron ingot. You also need the respective Smithing perk.
5 Terrible: Hide Helmet
You know you're just a baby in Skyrim if you wear the Hide helmet. It's cheap, it's common and it's pretty convenient. Does it look good, though? You could argue either way, but our verdict is no; it just looks like you're waiting to find something better. It's a helmet no one should waste time on.
If for some awful reason you still want to get your hands on one, rest assured you'll come across it fairly quickly in loot or at various merchant stores. Bandits will often wear this helmet as well, so just clear out a few bandit dens and you should find it. To craft it, you need two leathers and one leather strip.
4 Cool: Glass Helmet
When thinking about glass, the first thought is something fragile. But that's not at all the Glass Armor in Skyrim is all about. Another dream come true for any Light Armor lover, the Glass Helmet in particular will make you look like an absolute badass thanks to its emerald details and gilded surface.
You'll have to wait until Level 36 before it begins to appear in loot, as well as stores. To craft it at the forge, you'll need to combine two refined malachite, one refined moonstone, one leather strip and one leather. Make sure you have the Glass Smithing perk unlocked.
3 Terrible: Dwarven Helmet
The Dwemer are a fascinating kind,shrouded in mystery. They also made a bunch of cool-looking armor and robots, which look very much alike. While the armor itself isn't that special either way, the helmet is one that makes us uncomfortable. The face that appears on it looks bizarre and cringe-inducing to say the least.
This helmet will become fairly common after Level 12, found in both loot and at merchant stores. Obviously, traveling to Dwemer ruins will increase your chances of finding one. If you'd like to craft this serial killer-looking mask, combine two Dwarven metal ingots, two leather strips, one iron ingot and one steel ingot at the forge. You'll also need the Dwarven Smithing perk.
2 Cool: Daedric Helmet
If your aim is to look like an evil lord of darkness riding from hold to hold, stealing and murdering everyone in your path, the Daedric Helmet is going to top off your look. It's hard to hate on this armor set in general due to the sheer detail that Bethesda put into.
Around Level 48, you can begin to find this helmet as loot in various chests. Moreover, Legendary Dragons will sometimes drop them. To craft it, make sure you have the Daedric Smithing perk unlocked. Then, combine one Daedra heart, two leather strips and three ebony ingots.
1 Terrible: Falmer Helmet
Some armors just really shouldn't be worn by anyone but their respective species, and that's very much the case with the Falmer armor. Not only does the gear look horrible, but the helmet is just super inconvenient since looks like you can barely see through it.
Who would want to wear this and why? If that's your jam, just head to almost any Dwemer ruin where Falmer are lurking to snatch one for yourself. It's the only way, since this horrid piece can't even be crafted at the forge.