Top 10 Best Motorcycle Helmet Speakers 2024

1. Best Overall Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Cardo DMC Packtalk Bold

Cardo has been making helmet speakers for as long as they’ve existed and their years of development are easy to see in these speakers. The Packtalk is literally one of the best helmet speakers on the market right now, especially if you run in large groups.

First off, the sound quality is exceptional, because it comes through 40mm JBL drivers. JBL is one of the world’s best-known speaker manufacturers, which is why the clarity is fantastic. A high max volume is loud enough to overpower high speeds and big engines. The volume is also self-adjusting, automatically scaling up as background noise increases.

It’s simple to control, either with the big buttons, or with voice activation. The Packtalk has built-in Natural Voice, which activates when it hears you speak, and the main controls can be accessed through voice commands, for example, saying ‘Hey Cardo, music on,’ starts the tunes.

The Packtalk has a best in class intercom which uses something called Dynamic Mesh Communication. Normal Bluetooth networks use a linear system, meaning that every person is connected to two more, like a chain. Obviously, this means if someone loses connection, it breaks the chain, and everybody on that network loses access. But the Packtalk uses DMC, which connects everybody in the network to as many other people as possible. A single dropout won’t mean that everyone is out of communication.

The CardoConnect App makes logging in and adjusting settings incredibly simple using your phone. It runs on Bluetooth 4.1, with 13 hours of total talk time, and a generous 1600 meter maximum range.

Waterproof and dustproof, with built-in FM radio for the times you’re riding solo, it has everything you need. While it might cost more than most other helmet speakers, there’s a reason: it’s one of the best on the market right now.

2. Best Premium Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Sena SMH10-10

Sena is known for their biking tech, and it shows. First comes sound quality. The SMH10-10 has some of the best sound quality amongst helmet speakers, only rivaled by the other titans like the Cardo. This is backed up by both a volume boost system and Advanced Noise Control, which cuts down on background noise, both outgoing and inbound.

One of the strongest features is its connectivity. Unlike a lot of speakers, which link easily with others of the same brand but have issues connecting to other manufacturers’ models, the Sena Universal Intercom protocol effortlessly connects between brands. It uses Bluetooth 3, and has a maximum of 4 people on the network, with a range of 900m.

Battery life is excellent, with 12 hours of talk time and a whopping 240 hours of standby time. From dead, the lithium-ion battery charges to full in as little as 2.5 hours, perfect if you’re heading out for the whole day and need a quick top-up during a pit stop.

The set comes with a clamp kit, headset, USB power and data cable, audio jack for wired connection and a surface mounting adapter. You do have to secure this speaker with a clamp kit, so be aware it can’t be used with half helmets; full face only.

The build is good, which you’d expect from its premium price. It’s water-resistant, but not waterproof. That means it will hold up to rain showers, but don’t go swimming with your helmet on. If you’re looking for something completely weather-resistant, check out these speakers from JZAQ. Apart from that, the only downside is the fact that Sena stubbornly refuses to upgrade from Bluetooth 3.0, but for the most part, performance doesn’t suffer for it.

3. Best Weather Resistant Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Outdoor Technology The Chips 2.0

Created specifically for cold weather use, Outdoor Technology’s speakers are rugged, tough, and built to last. Sweat-resistant, they operate down into double-figure sub-zero temperatures, meaning they’ll probably take more of the winter than you can and still keep on trucking.

Built around decent 40mm drivers, the sound quality is excellent, with heavy bass and great clarity even when using Bluetooth, meaning you can have clear conversations even when you’re flying down the freeway. These speakers also have a very high maximum volume compared to a lot of the other models on this list, another obvious plus if you’re on a big bike with a lot of grunt (and therefore noise).

The controls are simple, with big buttons that are designed for use in gloves, and smart single press functions for basic commands. There’s also the option of voice controls, which link straight into Siri. If everyone in your crew ends up buying a set of these speakers, there’s also the option to download the Outdoor Tech App, which has built-in walkie-talkie function, letting you stay in constant contact via your phones.

Like most high-quality helmet speakers, these run on lithium-ion batteries, offering an about-average 10 hours of charge. The kit comes with all the necessary cables, including a back-up audio cable letting you plug these directly into your phone. Be aware that the charging cable is USB only, so won’t plug into a mains socket without a USB plug adapter.

4. Lexin LX-B4FM Motorcycle Intercom

Aggressively priced at the mid-range, there’s a lot to recommend about the Lexin LX. The intercom system only uses Bluetooth 3, but that doesn’t stop it from connecting to up to four of the same model, with a massive effective range of just over one mile (1600m.) If your friends decide to go for something else, it features universal pairing that links to almost any other headset on the market.

Sound quality is generally good, and the noise-cancellation tech means almost no distortion up to speeds of almost 75mph (120kph). It has full compatibility with Siri on iPhone or S voice on Samsung phones for voice controls, which is fantastic both for taking calls and for navigating with GPS voice guidance.

It runs on a lithium-ion battery, providing up to 15 hours of talk or music streaming time, and up to a best-in-class 350 hours of standby time. The large buttons make controls easy from the back of your bike, and it comes with a choice of mics, button for full-face helmets, a boom mic for half helmets.

Compared to our top picks like the Sena, the performance isn’t quite there, but the price difference is significant, and there’s still a lot to recommend here.

5. Best Budget Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: JZAQ Bluetooth 5.0 Motorcycle Helmet

An entry-level model that has better than entry-level features, the JZAQ outperforms its price tag with respectable performance, especially considering it’s half the price of the next most expensive on the list.

Sound quality is decent, with a high maximum volume and DSP noise-canceling to help with road and engine noise. It runs on the up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0, but only has an effective distance of 20m, meaning it’s not particularly useful for group riding.

It runs on a lithium-ion battery, and the manufacturers suggest that you get 50 hours of continuous playback, or 500 hours standby. While it’s a definite overestimate, you’re still going to get an entire day’s use out of this before it needs charging again, which only takes 2 to 3 hours.

Easy to install, it fits all helmet types, and everything you need comes in the kit. It’s also been given a waterproof nanocoating to grade IPX7, which protects against complete immersion in up to 3 feet of water. Unfortunately, the general build quality isn’t the best, with some fragile wiring and weak plastic, so be careful on installation.

The controls aren’t the easiest-to-use we’ve seen, but are still perfectly serviceable. But if it turns out you can’t get used to them, or if anything goes wrong, you’re covered by a 90 day no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee.

6. Toughest Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Alta Wireless Drop In Headphones

If you’ve ever known a snowboarder, you know that they wipe out, a lot. That means anything designed for snowboarders has to be tough. While you shouldn’t buy speakers thinking that you’re going to crash, a lot of cheaper speakers are very flimsy and easy to break, whereas something well built like this pair will better stand up to the rigors of day-to-day riding.

Sweat-resistant and tested down to sub-zero temperatures, the Alta is designed to drop into almost any helmet with audio slots. They are built around a pair of large 40mm audio drivers, resulting in good sound quality, with deep bass, even though the speakers themselves are light and flexible.

The controls are nice, with three oversize buttons that are easy to use even with gloves on, and intentionally simple main functions like call answering and music switching. Everything runs on a Bluetooth 5.0 framework, meaning that you’re getting the crispest, most technologically-advanced connection possible. Finally, the Li-ion battery will last for a whole day of riding with an average of 10 hours of play-time.

7. Best Non-iPhone Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: UClear Digital Pulse Plus

Boasting crystal clear HD sound with high fidelity audio clarity and really deep bass, these speakers are downright impressive when it comes to sound quality. They operate off a pair of 40mm drivers with gold plated 3.5mm audio jack, and have seriously impressive maximum volume. It’s worth pointing out that they aren’t Bluetooth based, meaning these speakers rely on a wired connection.

Like most of the speakers on this list, they’re a drop-in design, which means they’re supposedly only compatible with drop-in helmets. Most helmets on the market have drop-in audio slots, so this isn’t something to be concerned about, especially since it comes with a full installation kit. Plus, installation is so simple you can swap them between helmets in minutes, although the wired connection causes minor issues.

Controls are easy to access, with on-cable buttons. We recommend the Digital Pulse PLUS, because the cheaper, original Digital Pulse can only be controlled through your phone, something we don’t think is too safe when cranking out highway models.

The only real downside with these speakers is their lack of complete compatibility with iPhones. Some buyers have reported issues when using these with iPhones, including sound crackling and random disconnects. If you use an android smartphone, buy freely, but if you love Apple, maybe look at a more universally compatible model like the Sena SMH10-10.

8. Best Slimline Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Sena SMH10R Low Profile Headset and Intercom

A fantastic generalist speaker set, the SMH10R has a lot to recommend. Universal compatibility makes this a good choice if you don’t have a regular riding group, because it will link with up to four other helmet headsets without issue, and unlike brands like UClear, it’s compatible with all other Bluetooth devices.

Audio multitasking lets the speaker process two sound sources at the same time. That means you can have speech overlaid (like GPS turn-by-turn navigation) on your music without issue alongside your favorite tunes. Like all Sena devices, the controls are really easy to use. Sena’s AV remote control profile lets you play, track forwards and backwards while listening to music with just a couple of button presses, but you’ll probably find yourself relying on voice controls, which are clear and simple to understand.

The device itself is incredibly thin, which helps with comfort. We know some people struggle to get their helmet on or off with a big pair of bulky speakers inside, and this is one of the thinnest models on the market. The build is as good (as to be expected from all Sena speakers), so it’s not likely to break in general use, and it operates well below freezing and up to infernal, death valley 120-degree-plus temperatures.

There is some bad. You only get 8 hours of talk time, which is around 20% lower than standard, but it does charge in a fast 2.5 hours. Maximum range for intercom is only 900m, which is adequate, but we’d still like to see a little wider range. The sound quality also isn’t quite there. It is technically full-HD quality, but compared to our top picks, especially the Sena SMH10-10, it sounds a little tinny, with low levels of bass.

9. Best Noise-Canceling Motorcycle Helmet Speaker: Thokwok BT-S3 Helmet Headphones

Helmet speakers tend to get drowned out by engine noise, especially at high speeds, which is why so many models have some sort of noise-canceling tech built-in. And out of every system we’ve looked at, this has some of the best. It can operate at full capacity up to 70mph (110kph) without being drowned out by road noise, due to the combination of DSP noise-canceling tech and bonus echo cancellation.

The audio quality is decent, boasting HD clarity. The intercom feature only links to a maximum of 3 people, but has a solid 1000m maximum range. One thing we love is the automatic answering feature, which answers calls without any input from you, and automatically resumes intercom functions after the call is done. When you do have to rely on hand-held controls, they’re excellent, with oversize push buttons that are easy to use even with thick gloves.

Total usage time is just below average, at 8 hours, and standby time is a long 300 hours. It also charges from dead in as little as 3 hours.

Downsides are minor. It only uses Bluetooth 3.0, and the fact that you don’t get an AC adapter in the kit is annoying, but the provided USB cable plugs into any conventional USB slot. Also provided is a 3.5mm audio jack if you don’t want to go wireless, and an attachment kit that’s compatible with all full and most half helmets.

10. Best Motorcycle Helmet Speaker for Multiple Users: UClear AMP Go

The big draw with these helmet speakers is obvious. Connectivity: rather than being limited to 4 or 8 people like most models, Uclear’s Multihop parameters create a web between everyone on the network and let you connect to an infinite amount of other riders, jumping between everyone in range as other riders move closer to you.

The intercom has a four-rider maximum, though Multihop makes that irrelevant by automatically connecting to the riders nearest to you. Unfortunately, the maximum intercom range is only 300m, which is much lower than average. That makes these speakers more suited to leisure rides than long-distance freeway cruises.

The sound quality is average, with a high maximum volume. Make sure you download the Uclear app, because it lets you change the sound settings, including switching bass boost off, which is recommended for sound clarity. Noise-cancelation helps at high speeds, and the media over intercom overlay function lets you listen to music or your GPS as you talk.

Downsides? The already mentioned short maximum range for one, and on top of that, the controls aren’t great, with small buttons that are hard to find when you’re wearing gloves. Apart from those small issues, for an entry-level model with entry-level pricing, it’s a great value pick.