| Best Choice |
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ILM Bluetooth Integrated Motorcycle Helmet | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
Bilt Techno 2.0 Bluetooth Helmet | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
AHR Bluetooth Motorcycle Modular Helmet | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
- 1. ILM Bluetooth Integrated Motorcycle Helmet
- 2. Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
- 3. TORC T14B Bluetooth Integrated Helmet
- 4. FreedConn Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet
- 5. Bilt Techno 2.0 Bluetooth Helmet
- 6. TORC T27 Helmet with Integrated Blinc Bluetooth
- 7. Sena Bluetooth Stereo Headset for Half Helmets
- 8. AHR Bluetooth Motorcycle Modular Helmet
- 9. O'Neal Commander Bluetooth Helmet
- 10. Origine O528B Pilota 3/4 Helmet with Blinc Bluetooth
The most important feature of any motorcycle helmet is safety but comfort and connectivity are very close behind. Thanks to Bluetooth technology, you can now connect your helmet to your smartphone and to other Bluetooth enabled devices. You can get helmets that already have Bluetooth installed so you do not have to worry about getting a separate headset.
Bluetooth motorcycle helmets offer plenty of benefits to motorbike riders. They enable you to listen to music, listen to the radio or listen to GPS navigation instructions. You can use hands-free or one touch commands to answer calls. They are a very useful way for you to communicate with your passenger or with other riders in your party. They come with a variety of features so we will help you make an informed choice with our pick of the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmets.
The Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet
Available in three sizes, this Bluetooth helmet will give you eight hours of talk time and a full 110 hours of standby time. For your hygiene and comfort, it has a microfiber liner that is fully washable and vents that are adjustable. You are able to make a call, answer calls, reject a call or redial with just one touch. Any incoming calls will override any music that you have playing. You also have the option of FM radio and GPS navigation audio.
Two riders can communicate effectively using the intercom as long as they are less than 1000 feet apart. The helmets have two built-in speakers giving full stereo sound. The voice sound quality is exceptional even at high speeds thanks to the noise suppression technology and DSP echo cancellation. Your safety is the priority so the helmet meets ECE and DOT safety standards.
- Eight hours of talk time
- One touch calls
- Two built-in speakers giving full stereo sound
- Meets ECE and DOT safety standards
- Brand ILM
- Model 953
- Weight 4.4 pounds
Speakers are very clear even at high speeds
Good airflow in the helmet
FM radio built in
If Bluetooth is not used for a while, the battery enters deep sleep mode and needs charging for half an hour to work again
Visor is not anti-fog
Intercom function only works with other ILM Bluetooth helmets
A full-face Bluetooth helmet that is DOT approved and meets the FMVSS 218 standard. It is available in six sizes so you can get a perfect fit. It is supplied with a clear shield that is anti-fog and anti-scratch as well as affording UV protection. It has been manufactured from lightweight polycarbonate and has an ABS shell construction.
In terms of comfort, it has a ventilation system that is adjustable to keep you cool as well as a padded wind collar to reduce wind and road noise. Other comfort features include moisture-wicking lining, a removable/washable interior and contoured cheek pads. The aerodynamic profile has been designed to resist buffeting and lift. The padded chin strap has a D-ring closure.
To keep you connected, it has integrated speaker pockets and has been designed to accommodate the headset and intercom of the Bell Sena SMH10 and Cardo Scala Rider Q1/Q3 Bluetooth stereo system.
- Anti-fog and anti-scratch shield
- Padded wind collar to reduce wind and road noise
- Integrated speaker pockets
- Accommodates Bell Sena SMH10 and Cardo Scala Rider Q1/Q3 Bluetooth stereo
- Brand Bell
- Model Qualifier DLX
- Weight 5.25 pounds
Transition lens is very useful
Pads snap out very easily for washing
Easy-release chin strap
Needs a Bell-specific clamp to work
Upper two vents rattle a little
The cut out for the Sena unit can let noise in
The T14 helmet gives you the ultimate in comfort, safety and connectivity. It has an anti-fog and anti-scratch shield as well as a breath deflector. For hygiene, there is a removable and washable liner and the chin strap is padded with a D-ring fastening. This product has been certified by DOT and ECE 22.05. It is lightweight and available in several colors and sizes.
The helmet has full Bluetooth connectivity and offers you 24 hours of talk time and 600 hours of standby powered by a lithium battery. You can communicate with other riders up to 400m away via the intercom facility and it also has a phone and MP3 connection. Sound quality is guaranteed by the dual stereo speakers and the built-in anti-noise microphone.
- Anti-fog and anti-scratch shield
- Certified by DOT and ECE 22.05
- 24 hours of talk time
- Brand TORC
- Model T14B1 FSL NK L
- Weight 5.1 pounds
Chin strap is not invasive and fits comfortably
Helmet holds firm to the head
Visor seals well
Some skipping of music playback
Some droning and interference
There may be wind noise at higher speeds
A helmet with integrated Bluetooth that is available in three sizes and several colors. It facilitates communication between riders via the intercom up to a maximum of 1640 feet and three riders can pair. It is compliant with ECE and DOT safety standards and offers eight hours of talk time and 110 standby hours. The helmet has a washable microfiber liner and a comfortable fit.
Using the Bluetooth system, you can listen to your own music, FM radio or a GPS voice navigation via the intercom. There are two built-in speakers which give you stereo sound and advanced DSP echo cancellation which will suppress extraneous noise. You get crystal clear transmission even at high speed. There is one touch control so you can answer or reject incoming calls with just one touch. When you get a call, it will override the intercom, MP3 music player, radio and GPS navigation.
- Intercom works at up to 1640 feet
- Meets ECE and DOT safety standards
- One touch control
- Brand FreedConn
- Model Bif01311
- Weight 4.05 pounds
Visor is easy to open and close
Easy to charge the Bluetooth
Excellent connectivity
"Ding" sound when changing between com processes
Visor may fog up
Instructions are not that clear
An aerodynamic and lightweight helmet that is both safe and comfortable. It is available in six sizes and a range of colors. For your safety and comfort the visor has an internal change mechanism in bright sunlight. It is supplied with an integrated Sena DWO-5 Universal Bluetooth 3.0 communicator that is universal and will work across all brands.
You get a full eight hours talk time with a seven-day stand-by time powered by a rechargeable battery. You can share music from your smartphone via the helmet and you get handsfree communication. The intercom allows you to communicate with other riders who are up to 400m away.
- Aerodynamic and lightweight helmet
- Integrated Sena DWO-5 Universal Bluetooth
- Seven-day stand-by time
- Brand Bilt
Extremely comfortable
Excellent ventilation
Absorbent lining material
Music sometimes skips
Sometimes intercom tries to override everything
Phone volume needs to be on maximum for best results
A compact cycle helmet that is 20 percent smaller than many other helmets on the market whilst offering an equivalent level of protection. It is available in five sizes and several colors and is suitable for anyone with an intermediate oval head shape. To maintain your safety, it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 and has a multi density EPS construction. There is a quick release shield system and the shield visor is anti-fog and anti-scratch. There is an added drop-down sun visor.
The built-in Bluetooth gives you 24 hours of talk time and 600 hours of standby. You are able to communicate with other riders who are up to 400 meters away. It will connect to an MP3 player or your smartphone and you can receive or reject calls with just one touch. It is compatible with GPS and phone multi-pairing. The sound quality is guaranteed by the dual stereo speaker and built-in anti-noise microphone. It pairs up and is ready to go in seconds.
- Complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218
- Communicates with riders 400 meters away
- Receive or reject calls with just one touch
- Dual stereo speaker
- Brand TORC
- Model T27B1 HV XL
- Weight 5.35 pounds
Waterproof controls
Controls easy to operate with gloves on
Incoming calls over-ride the GPS
Wind noise at higher speeds
One of the more expensive helmets on the market
This is a Bluetooth headset and intercom device that is designed to fit into half helmets. Once you have fitted it to your helmet, you will get hands-free control (via voice prompts) of your smartphone and you can listen to your favorite tunes in stereo and wirelessly. It will also enable you to have conversations in full duplex via the intercom feature. This will work for other riders who are up to 980 yards away in open terrain. The intercom allows 4-way conference conversations.
The sound quality is outstanding and other riders will be able to hear you clearly. The buttons are easy to access and easy to use. It is compatible with phone and GPS voice prompts and will also pair with MP3 players and AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) devices. You will be able to play, pause and track forward and back.
Thanks to the simple ear pad design, it is very quick to install and is compatible with most helmets. It is water resistant and gives you 10 hours of talk time and seven days of stand-by time.
- Headset that fits inside half helmets
- Hands-free control
- Compatible with phone and GPS voice prompts
- Brand Sena
- Model SPH10H-FM-01
- Weight 2 pounds
Excellent speaking and listening quality
Controls are easy to use when wearing gloves
Not compatible with novelty helmets
Wind noise at higher speeds
Available in matt or gloss black and in three sizes, this is a DOT approved motorcycle helmet that includes a Bluetooth headset so you get safety and hands-free communication and entertainment. It is heavily cushioned to give you comfort and safety when riding. The front visor is both high and tough and offers excellent impact resistance. It has been made with a lightweight ABS shell that has advanced ventilation and removable cheek pads that can be washed.
The Bluetooth system has universal connectivity and is compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices so you can use a smartphone, MP3 player or GPS device. There is also a useful intercom function which connects up to three riders. You will be able to answer or dial a call, reject a call and use last number dialing. When playing music, you can fast forward, rewind and pause. There is a built-in FM radio.
- Hands-free communication and entertainment
- Universal connectivity
- Intercom function
- Brand AHR
- Weight 4.85 pounds
Can fast forward and rewind music
Reasonable price
Comfortable helmet
Some riders felt it was a bit too lightweight
Tends to fog up
This is a high-visibility helmet that is an x-small size and comes with an integrated Bluetooth unit. The shield is both anti-scratch and anti-fog and has a drop-down sun visor. The liner and cheek pads are made from washable microfiber suede and are removable. There is flow-through ventilation which is fully adjustable and it features an integrated aerodynamic spoiler.
The Bluetooth technology offers you 10 hours of talk time and 130 hours of standby thanks to a powerful lithium battery. Riders can communicate with each other as long as they are within 118 feet apart or less. You can use voice commands to answer or reject calls and the phone function will override the intercom, GPS navigation and music. It is both DOT and ECE approved.
- Integrated Bluetooth unit
- 10 hours of talk time
- Rider intercom
- Voice commands
- Brand O'Neal
- Model 0807-601
- Weight 5.25 pounds
Excellent sound quality even at high speeds
Pairs with iPhones with no problem
Visor can get foggy
Audio could do with more bass
A DOT certified Bluetooth modular helmet that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. It is available in five sizes and in several attractive color combinations. It comes with built-in Blinc Bluetooth.
This is a very stylish helmet which adopts the classic leather look of Italian design. It combines style with safety and comfort and has a bubble-style, flip-up shield. It would be perfect for Italian scooter and Ducati Monster riders.
- Meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
- Several attractive color combinations
- Italian style
- Brand Origine
- Model O528b1 Fcr Rdgr S
- Weight 4.15 pounds
Extremely attractive design
Bluetooth is easy to connect
Very comfortable
Bluetooth charging point is hard to find
Cheek pads can come loose
Some sound interference at higher speeds
Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
Features to Consider When Buying a Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet
Here’s a simple guide to what you should look out for when buying the best Bluetooth helmet.
- Size
For safety and comfort reasons, it is vital that your helmets fits you correctly and is fastened on securely. Therefore, look for a device that is available in several different sizes. Often, manufacturers will give the head dimensions that each of the sizes will fit.
- Comfort and hygiene
The helmet must be comfortable, especially if you are riding over long distances. Features such as padded cheek pads and linings are useful. For hygiene, it is great if you can remove the lining and wash it. Ventilation is also important so look out for the number of vents that the helmet has. The weight of the helmet is a matter for personal preference. No one wants a very heavy helmet but some riders do not feel safe in one that is very lightweight.
- Visor
Visors can be clear and some will change to tinted in bright sun. Others are anti-fog or anti-scratch and these are both useful features to look out for.
- Safety
This has got to be the top priority for any motorcycle helmet. It is important that you get one that has been approved by DOT and complies with all the relevant regulations and standards.
- Battery life
There are three things to look out for regarding the battery. The time that it takes to charge up is important because you don’t want to be hanging around for hours before you can take your bike out. Then, there is the number of talk hours. Ideally, this should be 24 hours if you are going on a long ride. Finally, the stand-by time should also be as long as possible and many are up to 600 hours.
- Sound quality
It is a good idea to check out the reviews and look at the sound quality. This is what you can hear yourself and how clearly other riders can hear you on the intercom. Sound quality is always worse at high speeds but you should still be audible.
- Intercom
This is an essential way for you to communicate with your own passenger and with other riders in your group. It is a useful feature to look out for but also check out the distance that it will work over as riders can get separated by some distance on open roads. You should be looking for limits of around 900 yards in open terrain.
- Functions
These can be variable and it is a matter of personal preference. You may want to connect to your smartphone, an MP3 player, GPS navigation or an FM stereo.
- Hands free
Voice activated controls are always safer so look out for this useful feature.
- Use with gloves
Some devices are ‘one touch’ controlled and look out for those that are easy to use when you are wearing gloves.
- Set up time
A device that is ready to use out of the box and that has clear instructions is always going to be preferable.
Benefits of Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets
The main benefit of a Bluetooth cycle helmet is that you don’t have to worry about fiddling around fitting a separate Bluetooth device. This can always be a problem because often there is not enough room to fit them in and still maintain comfort and safety. Price is another issue. It is almost always cheaper to buy a helmet that has built in Bluetooth connectivity than to buy a helmet and also buy a Bluetooth set separately.
Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a must for modern riders and some of the many benefits are listed here.
- Intercom
This allows you to communicate safely with your own passenger and with other riders in your party. It saves you having to stop to find out where they are.
- Phone calls
You can receive calls whilst you are riding and reject them if you want to.
- GPS
You need never lose your way again with GPS instructions through your speakers.
- Music
You can play music from your smartphone or your MP3 player.
- Radio
Many devices have a built-in FM radio.
Disadvantages of Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets
There are some disadvantages that you should consider if you buy a helmet with built-in Bluetooth connectivity. Firstly, they are unlikely to have the full range of specialization and options that a separate headset would have. For some, this may actually be an advantage if they don’t want anything too complicated. However, those riders who love everything that technology can offer them may be a little disappointed and may feel that they are losing out. Separate headsets tend to have a longer battery life as well.
Secondly, because the headset is not built-in, if something goes wrong it is a lot easier to fix. You can get at it easier to see what has gone wrong. Finally, you get to buy exactly the helmet you want and exactly the Bluetooth headset that you want without having to make compromises on either. It is unlikely that you will find a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet that has all the helmet features (comfort, ventilation etc.) and all the connectivity features (range, GPS etc.) that you want so you will have to compromise on something.
Types of Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets
There are two basic types of Bluetooth motorcycle helmet. The first is a helmet that comes with Bluetooth pre-installed and the other is a helmet-capable variety.
- Pre-installed Bluetooth Motorcycle helmet
These arrive as a combined helmet and Bluetooth system. A motorcycle helmet with Bluetooth built in is a big investment but requires no additional installation. They are usually made from top-quality materials and look great. The components of the Bluetooth system are cleverly hidden away within the helmet so they are neat. These are probably the most user-friendly option.
- Helmet-capable Bluetooth systems
You will need to install this into your helmet. It could be as easy as clipping it onto your motorcycle helmet or it may require screwing holes. The main advantage is that you can still use your favorite old helmet! So, if you don’t want a change of helmet but you want to inject a bit of technology into your riding experience. This is for you!
Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets Brands
There are a few leading brands in the area of Bluetooth motorcycle helmets that you can rely on to deliver high quality and user-friendly devices. Amongst these are the Bilt bluetooth helmet which offers aerodynamic and lightweight protection with integrated Sena DWO-5 Universal Bluetooth 3.0 communicator that is universal and will work across all brands.
Another notable brand is ILM which gives you eight hours of talk time and a full 110 hours of standby time and has an FM radio. Most riders will also be familiar with FreedConn and Torc which provide exceptional devices that are good value for money. All of these brands sell products that meet the ECE and DOT safety standards.
Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet FAQ:
Bluetooth is a type of technology that was introduced a couple of decades ago. It allows the transfer of data between devices without the need for wires and is therefore ideal for use on motorbikes. It uses radio waves to connect cell phones to computers on cars, to other cell phones and of course to an enabled motorcycle helmet. It also allows several devices to link up at the same time. The helmet will probably also have a built-in speaker so that you can hear what other riders are saying and a built-in microphone so that you can speak to them. Your smartphone can connect to the helmet and give you handsfree control of music, calls and GPS navigation.
This varies between helmets. Most devices are able to pair up three riders on the intercom function however there are some out there that can pair up to seven. This will be described in the specification for the product and in the instructions.
Motorcycle half helmets do not cover the face of the rider and are more open. This makes it more difficult to have a Bluetooth device that is voice-controlled because there is no part of the helmet close to the mouth. Also, because the face is much more exposed, there is more likely to be a problem with wind noise interfering with sound quality. It is generally agreed that full helmets are best for Bluetooth connectivity and they offer a greater degree of protection. Full face motorcycle helmets with Bluetooth are always the best option.
If you have a helmet and you want to add Bluetooth connectivity, you can do this using a separate Bluetooth headset. These devices need to be compatible with your particular helmet so you may need to try a few to get the best fit. They often have a wide range of features and if something goes wrong, you just have to get a new headset and not a whole new helmet. You can choose the ideal helmet for you and then just get a headset separately. This means that you don’t have to compromise on comfort, color or style.
Our Top Pick
ILM Bluetooth Integrated Motorcycle Helmet
Our top pick for the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmet is available in three sizes and gives eight hours of talk time and 110 hours of standby time. The microfiber lining can be removed and washed and the vents are adjustable. You can make calls, listen to music, listen to the radio and to GPS navigation instructions.
There is an intercom function for riders that are less than 1000 feet apart. The helmets have two built-in speakers, exceptional sound quality and noise suppression technology. They comply with ECE and DOT safety standards.
Source:
- What’s the safest type of motorcycle helmet? – HowStuffWorks
