When it comes to finding the best motorcycle helmet speakers, there are a lot of options to choose from. With a good set of speakers, you can easily listen to music, the radio, and even make phone calls without getting distracted.
Modern helmet speakers can turn your helmet into a mobile communication system. Most of the kits are easy to set up and safe to use while you’re riding.
Other benefits of using helmet speakers include being able to speak with your riding buddies while riding, listen to GPS instructions, and use your phone for more information. With a quality set of wired or Bluetooth helmet speakers, seemingly anything is possible.
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right headset with a good balance of sound quality, features, durability, and value. In this post we put together our list of recommendations for the best motorcycle helmet speakers to make it easier for you to find the right set.
Don’t forget to scroll past our recommendations for an in-depth buying guide and helpful FAQ. With that in mind, let’s jump right into it!
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The Best Motorcycle Helmet Speakers
Cardo Packtalk Bold JBL (Best Motorcycle Helmet Speaker Overall)
The Cardo Packtalk Bold is our top choice as the best motorcycle helmet speaker for most riders. We also recommended this headset in our post on the best motorcycle bluetooth headsets.
When it comes to choosing motorcycle helmet speakers, most riders want a loud, high-quality audio coming through the speakers. That’s what you’ll find with the Cardo Packtalk Bold JBL version.
The JBL speakers provide some of the highest quality audio you’ll find with any helmet speakers currently available. Thanks to the bluetooth capability, these are some of loudest motorcycle helmet speakers. They’re great for listening to your own music from your smartphone as well as the radio.
Controlling the audio, such as changing the song or volume, is simple with this headset. The Cardo Packtalk Bold features voice controls as well as buttons that are easy to use on the side of the headset unit.
Along with being able to listen to music, this headset gives you the ability to connect with other rides in your group for communication. You can take phone calls while you’re riding, and even easily listen to GPS directions from your phone. With a full charge, these motorcycle helmet speakers will last a full day of riding, keeping you entertained throughout your entire ride.
Overall, it’s the Cardo Packtalk Bold JBL that we recommend as the best motorcycle helmet speakers for most riders. While they command a higher price, what you get in return is great value. These are a practical, high quality, and easy to install set of speakers for your motorcycle helmet.
Sena SMH10-10 Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet Speakers
The Sena SMH10-10 Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet Speaker would be our next recommendation and it’s a brand that many of you may already be familiar with. After Cardo, Sena makes some of the best motorcycle helmet speakers on the market, especially if you’re looking for practical features.
This wireless motorcycle helmet speaker is simple to install. It makes it easy to listen to music, the radio, or GPS directions while you’re riding. Not only that, it has a universal intercom feature so you can connect with the Bluetooth headsets of your riding buddies.
Up to eight different riders can be connected on the same intercom connection what’s the distance of up to 1.2 miles. This is a great feature for group rides or group touring where communication is important.
While connected, it’s still possible to listen to music, your GPS, and even the radio. You can also make calls while you’re riding using the included, high quality microphone.
Many riders have praised the clear sound quality and ease of installation with these helmet speakers. What’s great is that everything can be controlled using the included module jog dial. This includes the volume, changing the song, and cycling through the functions.
Overall, the Sena SMH10-10 Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet Speaker is a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable and while reviewed set of motorcycle helmet speakers. The sound quality is great. The headset offers plenty of practical features and the device stays charged long enough for all day rides.
LEXIN LX-B4FM Motorcycle Helmet Speakers (Best Cheap Motorcycle Helmet Speakers)
The LEXIN LX-B4FM Motorcycle Helmet Speakers are our recommendation if you’re looking for something affordable while still practical for riding with. Despite its lower price, these helmet speakers are a great choice if you want to listen to music while riding and communicate with other riders in your group.
As an affordable helmet headset, this device doesn’t come with as many features as our top two recommendations. However, it’s still a great choice for listening to music with a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone.
The LEXIN LX-B4FM can connect to your phone via Bluetooth where it can make and receive calls and give you navigation instructions through the speakers. With a 15 hour battery life there’s more than enough power to keep your music going throughout the entire day.
Another great feature with this headset is the waterproof design. This makes these wireless helmet speakers suitable for use in various weather conditions. This way you don’t have to worry about damaging the control module.
This device doesn’t come with a voice command feature. The control module allows you to switch through the different modes, adjust the volume, and change the song. It even comes with a Bluetooth intercom system that can connect with up to four different riders at a range of 1 mile.
For a fraction of the cost of the cost of our top two recommendations from Sena and Cardo, the LEXIN LX-B4FM Motorcycle Helmet Speakers are a great choice if you’re on a budget. If you’re looking to listen to music, hear your GPS instructions, and be able to communicate with other riders for a reasonable price, these are the helmet speakers you’ll want to consider.
Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Speakers
The Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Speakers are perfect if you only need the helmet speakers and not a dedicated communication device. These can be easily installed in your helmet so you can listen to music and GPS instructions while riding.
Not everyone needs a full communication setup while riding. In that case, the Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Speakers are just that – helmet speakers for motorcycle helmets.
These take advantage of a small, lightweight design. They’re easy to install in your helmet and there’s no need to route any extra wires or cords.
The headset comes with oversized buttons that are easy to use, even when you’re wearing motorcycle gloves. This makes it simple to change the volume, change the song, make calls, and pause the music. It even comes with a built-in, hands-free mic with voice control for easier use.
As for sound quality, these helmet speakers boast 40mm drivers. It’s easy to connect them to your phone thanks to the Bluetooth wireless chip set. Finally, they’re water resistant and have a battery life of up to 10 hours.
The Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Speakers are a great choice for riders looking for simple motorcycle helmet speakers setup. These are reasonably priced, well-reviewed, and an ideal solution for listening to music on your motorcycle.
UClear Digital Pulse Wired Motorcycle Helmet Speakers (Best Wired Helmet Speakers)
It would be the UClear Digital Pulse Wired Motorcycle Helmet Speakers that we recommend as the best wired helmet speakers. These are an affordable alternative to our other Bluetooth capable recommendations.
Instead of Bluetooth, these speakers rely on a 3.5mm auxiliary connection. This means you can plug them into your smartphone to get audio directly in your helmet.
Some people even use these as an upgrade to the speakers on their current communication system. These speakers can be plugged into the Cardo and Sena headsets if you’re looking for better sound quality.
When it comes to audio, these are high-definition helmet speakers. Many riders have said that these provide a premium level of audio quality, with crisp sound and great bass.
Thanks to the lightweight, streamlined design, these are easy to install in any motorcycle helmet. What’s great about these is that there’s no batteries or extra features to worry about. Simply plug them into your phone and you can listen to music right away.
Overall, the UClear Digital Pulse Wired Motorcycle Helmet Speakers are a great choice if you’re looking for speakers that are simple and affordable. Those of you that don’t have any need for a communication headset will find these to be great for music and GPS directions.
Motorcycle Helmet Speaker Buying Guide
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right set of motorcycle helmet speakers. To make it easier for you, we put together this helpful buying guide.
In this section you’ll find more information on how to choose the right set of speakers. Let’s take a look at some of the features and other things to consider.
Features to Look For in Motorcycle Helmet Speakers
Audio Quality
Obviously, the audio quality of speakers is one of the most important features to consider. On your motorcycle, you probably want high sound quality coming from the speakers so you can enjoy the music with a great listening experience.
The best way to check the audio quality is to read reviews. This will give you a better idea of what other riders are saying.
From the reviews you can determine if the sound quality is worth it or if there is something to be lacking. There should also be information in the product description detailing the specifications of the speakers you’re interested in.
Look for any information about the bass and audio crispness. You can also look for any noise cancellation features, something that’s great to have if you’re planning on taking calls while riding.
Connectivity
It’s important to consider how any helmet speakers will connect to your device. Most connections are done through Bluetooth, while some speakers will connect using the 3.5mm audio jack.
The Bluetooth connection is easier. Most smartphones can easily connect to a Bluetooth system. There also aren’t any wires to deal with.
Wired connections assume your smartphone has an auxiliary audio port. This is not present in all modern smartphones. The benefit to wired connections is they tend to be a more affordable option.
Intercom Communication
Looking at our recommendations, you probably noticed that most of our Bluetooth motorcycle speakers have intercom activity. This makes it possible to connect with other riders using the same device for communication while riding.
Having this feature makes it easy to ride with larger groups of people. Those of you riding solo won’t find this feature to be as advantageous.
Easy Controls
Most helmet speakers come with a control module that attaches to the outside of the helmet. This makes it possible to change the song, switch between different modes, and take or receive calls.
Keep an eye out for designs with buttons that are large and easily accessible. This is important because you’ll be operating the controls with your motorcycle gloves and need to be able to operate the buttons.
Installation
For the most part, installing motorcycle helmet speakers is a simple process. After removing the helmet liner, the speakers can be attached to the inside of the helmet.
Most sets will come with everything needed for installation. You may want to use your own double-sided tape for a better fit.
Avoid any sets that require you to permanently alter your helmet. This is dangerous and not recommended.
Battery Life
One more feature to consider is the battery life of any of the helmet speakers you’re interested in. Generally, you can expect up to 10+ hours of battery life from a single charge.
This information can be found in the product description. You can also find more information about the battery life in the reviews.
Charging the headset typically takes a few hours. Keep this in mind if you’re planning on taking a motorcycle day trip.
Why Should You Buy Motorcycle Helmet Speakers?
There are a number of benefits to using motorcycle helmet speakers versus headphones or motorcycle earbuds. Let’s take a look at those benefits to help you make up your own mind.
Listen to Music
Obviously one of the main reasons to use helmet headphones is you can easily listen to music on your motorcycle. Without music, many riders find that riding gets boring after an hour or two, even with great scenery.
Being able to listen to music can enhance your riding experience. Having helmet speakers is a lot easier than dealing with headphones.
Communication With Other Riders
Most Bluetooth helmet speakers allow you to connect and communicate with other riders. This is done through the intercom system.
With most sets, all riders need to be using the same brand of communication device. However, it’s possible to connect with other devices depending on the brand you’re using.
Try to buy the same brand that all your riding buddies have. This makes the intercom easier to set up and better for longer-range communication.
Even for someone that rides on their own, these communication devices tend. to offer better quality audio. They also come with more features that you may find more practical while you’re riding.
Make and Receive Calls
Another benefit to using a Bluetooth capable device is the ability to make and receive calls. This makes it easy to stay in touch with people at home or even connect with other riders that are out of range of your headset.
Most helmet speaker setups come with microphones that allow for hands-free phone use while you’re riding. With a setup like this you don’t need to pull over and get off the bike to make a call.
Listen to the Radio
A lot of motorcycle helmet speakers come with radio capability. This is a great feature to have if you don’t have your own music or if you want to switch it up while you’re riding.
Check the specifications to see if the headset comes with FM radio. With the module on the outside, it’s easy to tune to your favorite radio station.
Audio Navigation
One more feature worth mentioning is the ability to listen to your GPS through the helmet speakers. It’s not always practical to be staring down at your smartphone or at your motorcycle GPS device while you’re riding.
Audio instructions through your GPS app, such as Google Maps, make it easy to navigate through new areas while keeping your eyes on the road. This can be done with both the Bluetooth or wired speakers, as long as they’re connected to your smartphone.
Bluetooth vs Wired Motorcycle Helmet Speakers
Most riders prefer using Bluetooth motorcycle speakers. That’s because they’re easier to set up, come with more features, and there aren’t any wires getting in the way.
With Bluetooth technology it’s also possible to connect with other riders in your group for intercom communication. There’s even FM capabilities and the ability to make and receive phone calls with a Bluetooth setup.
The advantage to wired motorcycle helmet speakers is that they tend to be more affordable. There’s also no need to worry about a loss of connection. The main disadvantage is having to deal with extra wires coming out of your helmet and connecting to your smartphone.
Best Motorcycle Helmet Speakers FAQ
Can You Listen to Music?
Yes, one of the main reasons to use helmet speakers is the ability to listen to music. This is done by connecting to your smartphone through the Bluetooth system.
Once connected, the speakers can play music from your Spotify, YouTube videos, and even through an FM radio connection. All of this can be easily controlled by the module that’s attached to the outside of your helmet.
What is the Range of Motorcycle Helmet Speakers?
The intercom communication range depends on the model. Some of the cheaper models will have a range of just a few hundred meters.
With the higher-end models, such as our Cardo and Sena recommendations, you can expect a range of up to 5 miles. Generally, a range of 1 mile is more than suitable enough for most riding conditions.
Can the Speakers Connect to Your Smartphone?
Yes, both the Bluetooth and wired motorcycle helmet speakers can connect to your smartphone. This connection allows you to listen to music, take and receive phone calls, or navigate through your GPS app.
Bluetooth connections are easier and provide more capability. Wired connections tend to be more affordable, although you have to deal with more wires in your motorcycle helmet.
How Can You Increase the Headset Battery Life?
Most headsets will come with a battery life of around 10 hours or more. This should be more than enough for most riders.
If you’re looking for a longer battery life, there are a few things you can do to extend it. Start by fully charged in the device before leaving on any rides.
Avoid using the headset in rain or extreme weather if it’s not waterproof. Don’t set the volume to max on every ride, especially not for extended periods of time.
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