Best Motorcycle Helmet Speakers with Bluetooth, Tested (Sound, Volume)

If you’ve found yourself here, you have a dream. You’re riding your iron steed down winding country roads with the sweet sound of your favorite artist humming in your ears.

But your reality might be like mine, before I bought the best helmet speakers (the Cardo JBL 45mm kit): Your helmet speakers are turned up to 11, yet you’re not catching melodies or lyrics, you’re catching tinny screeches screaming in to your ears in vain against the wind, road and engine noise. Is this a playlist of dial up internet tones?

I’ve lived that life on a ride across America, and it was awful.

Now I use the Cardo JBL 45mm speaker set for every ride, plugged in to my Packtalk Edge. And thanks to my deal with Cardo, you can get 10% off most Cardo units with code “BTR“. I’m going to upgrade to the Packtalk Pro soon, since it comes with those 45mm speakers in the box as well as auto on/off and crash detection.

The investment in that new speakers set was worth every penny. The difference between low-end, small speakers and professional, big woofers is night and day in any motorcycle helmet speaker system.

But spotting that difference from a checkout page? Next to impossible.

This list of the best motorcycle helmet speakers comes from many hours getting an earful of pain. I also asked six of my friends about their experiences testing enough sets to fill an Olympic swimming pool.

We have for you five helmet speakers that deliver beautiful sound no matter your speed. That means vibing out on every ride. Plus, a few of them include mics – so you don’t need to pull over to pick up that call from your wife. And they’re even better than motorcycle speakers, both in cost and sound quality.

Here are the rankings from top to bottom:

Best Overall	Cardo JBL 45mm Helmet Speaker Set The best of the best, this collaboration with audio giant JBL gives you a set of speakers that's always booming and crisp, never tinny. 5.0	Buy from Revzilla Buy from Amazon
Ear Cups	High Def XSound 4 Helmet Speakers 45mm drivers put out great sound, but the unique element with this set is the speaker design which cups the ears for better sound. 4.7	Buy from Amazon
Budget	HDS10X 40mm Diameter Speakers by UClear A solid set of 40mm speakers from a brand that's known for high value speakers and audio for riding. 4.2	Buy from Amazon
Super Budget	IASUS XS2.1R Helmet Speakers with 3.5mm jack These 40mm speakers are a solid upgrade from the standard speakers (often 30mm) shipped with most budget intercoms, at a price that can't be beat. 3.6	Buy from Amazon

Best Overall

Cardo JBL 45mm Helmet Speaker Set

The best of the best, this collaboration with audio giant JBL gives you a set of speakers that's always booming and crisp, never tinny.

5.0

Buy from Revzilla

Buy from Amazon

Ear Cups

High Def XSound 4 Helmet Speakers

45mm drivers put out great sound, but the unique element with this set is the speaker design which cups the ears for better sound.

4.7

Buy from Amazon

Budget

HDS10X 40mm Diameter Speakers by UClear

A solid set of 40mm speakers from a brand that's known for high value speakers and audio for riding.

4.2

Buy from Amazon

Super Budget

IASUS XS2.1R Helmet Speakers with 3.5mm jack

These 40mm speakers are a solid upgrade from the standard speakers (often 30mm) shipped with most budget intercoms, at a price that can't be beat.

3.6

Buy from Amazon

I’ve been using the Cardo + JBL 45mm helmet speakers for over two years now, and I can confidently say they are the best value on the market and sound better than speakers twice their price. Plus, you can use them with any motorcycle headset that supports a 3.5mm headphone jack. I first used these with the Cardo Spirit on part of that motorcycle trip across America.

In fact since the Cardo external units are waterproof, you could even use a Cardo Spirit plus the 45mm JBL kit for extreme sports like skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling – though the speakers themselves are not waterproof.

If you’re out there skiing or snowboarding, really shredding it and want an entirely waterproof setup, take a look at the Syphon SoundPro. Those speakers themselves are also waterproof, the cords are reinforced, and the unit is easy to slip in and out of different helmets. Perfect system for extreme sports, just not the best option for motorcycling specifically.

The Best Bluetooth Speakers for Motorcycle Helmet

Use any of these options below to bump tunes in your helmet from your phone, through a Bluetooth communicator like a Sena or Cardo unit. Just make sure you have a quiet helmet to put them in, or the wind and engine noise from your ride will overcome even the most powerful set of speakers.

JBL and Cardo 45mm Motorcycle Audio Kit

It’s time for my personal favorite. My daily driver. The one and only. The glorious love child of JBL and Cardo.

JBL is a big brand with a big reputation. Their portable speakers like the CHARGE 5 are the most contagious thing in gadgets these days.

You can’t walk through a park in America without spotting at least one JBL speaker punching out bass above its weight class.

Bluetooth motorcycle headset brand Cardo was smart enough to knock on JBL’s door for help with speakers. They teamed up to create a set of motorcycle helmet speakers that could keep you enjoying music and podcasts in any environment, and boy did they succeed.

The top spec unit they produce is the 45mm Audio Set.

It’s not much to look at: but the sound quality is like Avatar in Dolby audio at the IMAX theatre. You could be riding in a hurricane: this unit will deliver GPS directions, your kid’s voice on the phone, soft-spoken podcasts, other voices over intercom, and heavy metal clearly and reliably through wind noise and more whether you’re in a full face helmet or half.

I have personally run this set through:

• High winds on the I-70 interstate on a 103ci Ultra Limited
• Bangkok city traffic on a straightpiped supermoto
• Torrential rain in Tennessee on that 103ci Harley
• Redlining a CBR650

I’ve tested everything from murder podcasts to Chicago hip hop to the voices of my buddies riding behind me. At medium volume, this unit created a recording studio around me.

Everything came through with brilliant highs, booming lows, and clear mids. I could enjoy the ride without picking the ‘right’ music, blasting the volume, or turning it off altogether. Perfect sound quality.

You might be wondering – can you hear anything else??

The simple answer is yes. I can still hear road noise around me and the sweet sound of my pipes. However, it’s in the background behind whatever else I’m listening to. Just enough that I can hear it, but it’s not overpowering.

If you’re disappointed with these, I really don’t know what to say. You’ll just never be happy!

Order these, close your laptop, and get back on your bike. All your problems are solved, until your bike needs servicing again.

Cardo JBL 45mm Audio Set for All Bluetooth Headsets

$89.96

Pros:

• Booming sound
• No tinny highs
• Clear for intercom, music, GPS

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High Def XSound 4 Helmet Speakers by IASUS

At 125dB max volume, these are the loudest motorcycle helmet speakers on our list.

But did I say it’s the best? No!

For one, anything over 100 dB is causing more hearing damage than enjoyment, even at 120mph on the – uhh – track. 125dB is about like an air horn going off next to you right now.

If you’re wearing earplugs, that level of acoustic power will keep you hearing your music clearly in any conditions. It’ll make sure music, podcasts, phone calls, and intercom all come through loud and clear, so that’s a plus.

The other plus is the speaker design: for one, these speakers are just 9.9mm thick. That probably doesn’t mean much to you, but suffice it to say that’s incredibly thin for 45mm speakers (thinner than the Cardo JBL kit). Why do you care? That means no rubbing against your ears – a huge plus for me as I don’t have to take an exacto knife to the extremely expensive padding of a Nexx helmet again.

These speakers also come fitted with an “acoustic flex” cushioning around them for better sound isolation and a more comfortable fit. That cushion basically sits right up next to your ear to block other noises out and filter all the sweet goodness of whatever you actually want to hear right in to your eardrums.

With a Kevlar extension cord, you won’t have any wear issues like many experience with our next contender – the Uclear set. Kevlar can stop bullets; so it can handle anyone’s riding.

Upgrade the speakers in your existing Bluetooth unit or use the included extension cord to run these right to your phone.

High Def XSound 4 Helmet Speakers by IASUS

$159.00

Unique speaker design that cups the ears for better sound.

Pros:

• Unique design
• Powerful volume
• Includes extension cord

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03/31/2025 05:03 pm GMT

UClear Digital HDS10X

With its 40mm drivers hitting an impressive max volume of 122 dB – more than a jackhammer or power saw – this set of speakers has the power to deliver sound at any speed.

Unfortunately, Uclear’s sound quality is where the “quality” ends with this set. Which is a shame considering they’ve had several years to work the details.

They get a few things right, as the sound quality is great and I love the long extension cord that allows me to plug that 3.5mm jack right in to my phone without any Bluetooth fuss.

However, everyone I’ve ever talked to says the cord breaks every six months, like clockwork. And the 20mm thick speakers are twice as thick as most others – crushing many people’s ears in a full face helmet.

Sure, the UClear Digital HDS10X costs less than the Cardo and JBL 45mm kit. And you can use the controls on the cord to skip songs instead of fumbling in your pocket at 85mph and flying off the interstate.

But don’t come crying to me when it’s impossible to listen to music due to a broken wire.

UClear Digital HDS10X 40mm Helmet Speaker Set with 3.5mm Jack

$54.95

Pros:

• High dB max volume
• Affordable

Cons:

• Low quality cord
• Thick speakers can push on ears

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03/31/2025 08:13 am GMT

XS2.1R Helmet Speakers by IASUS

The XS2.1R.whatevers (who came up with these product names?) are the Toyota to the High Def XSound 4’s Lexus. While the 4 is powerful and luxurious, the 2.1 costs a heck of a lot less and will still cross the Sahara with you without skipping a beat.

These 40mm speakers pump out big sound at a fair price. According to a few contributors in our network who have tried these (and almost 1,000 Amazon reviews) these deliver strong bass and clear mids/highs. The listening experience isn’t quite what Cardo and JBL are putting out, but it’s decent sound quality.

The kit comes with an extension wire measuring a meter long, so you can pop these out of the box and get right on the road with your tunes. No Bluetooth setup or extra cord required, unless of course you want to intercom with other riders.

When you compare the XS2 to the Uclear speakers, you definitely get a better range across the bass, treble, and mids despite maxing out at 98 dB – similar to a car horn at 15 feet away. 

However, you may require more oomph if you’re regularly riding on the highway or confronting high winds and wanting to listen to music with clear sound quality. More powerful drivers like those in the JBL + Cardo set or the iASUS XSound 4 have you covered.

That said, the XS2 costs almost half what my favorite goes for, the JBL + Cardo 45mm set. So it’s worth picking up if you have a well-sealing helmet or aren’t riding in crazy loud conditions.

IASUS XS2.1R Helmet Speakers

$49.95 $39.95

Pros:

• Cheap as chips
• Decent max volume

Cons:

• Lacking sound quality

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03/31/2025 04:13 pm GMT

Alternatives to Drop-in Speakers for Your Motorcycle Helmet

There’s always something to hate about anything you love.

So what do I HATE about my Cardo and JBL 45mm set?

They’re a pain to move from helmet to helmet!

What solves this?

EARBUDS!

A good set of earbuds will keep your music and podcasts with you everywhere, from rides to flights to drowning out your screaming kids.

The downsides? Fitting, falls, and no option to connect to a bluetooth headset.

Earbuds can be hard to fit inside a helmet, causing a lot of pain as they push on your ear canal. More pain, more PISSED, higher chance you do something stupid and land yourself in the hospital.

Earbuds are also prone to falling out of ears, never to be seen again. And they cost a pretty penny to replace!

If you can live with that risk, here are some of your options. 

AirPods

Say what you will about Apple, but the AirPods are nearly the perfect audio device.

• Clear sound without excessive volume
• No cords to snag on anything.
• Just put them in your ears and go – absolutely seamless connection to Apple products.
• Comfortable even in a tight helmet with their small size

All for around the price of a mid-range Bluetooth communicator and speakers. And you can use them off the bike, too.

Sign me up.

Now I burst your bubble. Aside from looking like a Pokemon, with AirPods in your helmet you’re at the mercy of your music’s shuffle. You can’t control your volume or skip songs.

Second, you might find your music cuts out mid-ride from a dead battery. These little beans only last about 4-6 hours, depending on how old they are.

4-6 hours is a lot less than the UNLIMITED hours you get from a wired set of speakers. Even a Bluetooth headset like the Cardo Packtalk Edge give closer to 13 hours of battery, and can be recharged in use. Plus, with a Bluetooth headset you have the ability to talk to your fellow riders over intercom.

However, if you don’t mind taking a break to pop these back in the charging case, they’ll last you for a day’s ride at least.

The sound quality really is in a league of its own versus helmet speakers. They’re a perfect audio option for most riders, and you can use them off the road too.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds

$249.00 $169.99

Pros:

• 24+ hours charge with case
• Active noise cancelling
• USB-C and Magsafe charging
• Works with Apple and Android

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03/31/2025 09:39 am GMT

Beats Flex

As much as I love AirPods, I never would have lost that left AirPod had I used my Beats Flex.

They solved the whole disappearing bean problem by wiring the two earbuds together, just like old times.

I love riding with these because they have a set of controls conveniently located on my neck. Hate that song? Skip it. Dad calling? Pick it up.

What these buds lack in active noise-cancelling they make up for in bass. Beats has a reputation to live up to, after all.

The battery should last through a whole day of riding – the Sound Guys got over 10 hours of life out of them (11).

If cost is important for you, these are also significantly cheaper than AirPods with similar audio quality.

If you’re prone to losing earbuds or you can’t stand when that Taylor Swift album you (accidentally, I swear!) liked one time comes on shuffle, pick up the Beats.

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds

$69.95 $39.99

Pros:

• 12 hour battery
• Built-in microphone
• Wire so you don't lose them

Cons:

• That wire...

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03/31/2025 08:49 pm GMT

FAQs

What are the best helmet speakers for music?

The best helmet speakers for music are the Cardo 45 mm JBL kit. These speakers belt out impressive volume and their 45mm size gives them a whopping 27% more surface area than the leading 40mm speakers from other brands: meaning more dynamic range from deep bass to popping highs. Whether you’re listening to crooning blues ballads or screeching Katy Perry, you’ll hear it all loud and clear on the Cardo 45mm JBL kit. I use these speakers myself every day.

Cardo JBL 45mm Audio Set for All Bluetooth Headsets

$89.96

Pros:

• Booming sound
• No tinny highs
• Clear for intercom, music, GPS

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Are the Syphon SoundPro Ultra Thin speakers any good?

The Syphon SoundPro Ultra Thin speakers are controversial: I’ve heard them called the Syphon Scampro, but that might be going a bit far from what I’ve heard. Here’s what you need to know:

This set of speakers is more meant for helmet-mounted music than comms. They have no intercom capability and the microphone (set in one of the speakers) is next to useless for calls.

The pros are that the whole system is waterproof and the speakers are under 10mm thick (read: thinner than anything on our list) which means no pain from rubbing against your ears. The external wheel for music controls makes it simple to change songs and pick up calls without taking your mind off the road ahead.

A friend of mine in Idaho recently picked these up and says the audio quality is on par with the iASUS XSound 4 and Cardo JBL 45mm kits he has. That means clear sound in any conditions, from a wheelie on the highway to high winds on a bridge.

Known mostly in the extreme sports world, Syphon has recently taken the motorcycling world by storm with the SoundPro.

What’s the big kicker?

The PRICE. It’s way out of whack. At $200, it’s $30 more than buying a Cardo Spirit WITH JBL’s epic 45mm speaker kit, but Syphon’s kit won’t connect to other Bluetooth headsets for intercom or work with your phone’s voice assistant. You could also pick up the PackTalk Outdoor if you want this set for skiing or another outdoor activity.

For ski and snowboard riders the rugged Syphon SoundPro makes sense, but for motorcycle riders like us a Cardo unit is a much better investment.

What are the loudest motorcycle helmet speakers?

The Cardo 45 mm JBL speakers are the loudest motorcycle helmet speakers, reaching 120 dB similar to a loud rock concert. But decibels aren’t everything — clarity also matters, and this is where the JBL-designed speakers shine. The extra 5mm driver size over the Cardo Packtalk Edge’s 40 mm JBL speakers means a better range of frequency from deep bass to clear mid and highs. I use these speakers myself on the daily and absolutely love them.

Here’s an actual test with my 1 year old 45mm JBL speakers, hooked up to a PackTalk Custom and blasting some 90s country music at full volume. Still hitting 90+ decibels, which is plenty. I ride at about half volume, so add on wind and engine noise and I am probably at about 90 decibels during rides sans earplugs.

Check the chart as well – exposing your ears to 100+dB sound for prolonged periods is not good for your hearing! After a year of daily use these speakers are still pumping out sound as well as the day I opened the package.

Cardo JBL 45mm Audio Set for All Bluetooth Headsets

$89.96

Pros:

• Booming sound
• No tinny highs
• Clear for intercom, music, GPS

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Are motorcycle helmet speakers legal?

Motorcycle helmet speakers are generally legal. But it all depends on your state’s laws.

Using earbuds or headphones is more likely to be illegal in your area. A motorcycle helmet speaker system does not seal to the ear, so they skirt around those laws.

What if even helmet speakers are illegal in your area? Mount some speakers on your motorcycle. Boss Audio Systems can help.

How do you connect speakers to a motorcycle helmet?

Speakers connect to the inside of your helmet with velcro stickers. Every speaker set we’ve looked at comes with both sides of the velcro you need.

First, you’ll stick one side down to the insides of your helmet, in the recesses that sit over your ears. Then you’ll stick the other velcroto the back of each speaker.

Put the left speaker on the left side and right on right. Adjust accordingly so the speakers sit right over your ears with the helmet on.

You’re good to go. Enjoy the concert hall in your helmet!

What’s the best motorcycle helmet with bluetooth speakers?

The best motorcycle helmet with bluetooth speakers in 2023 is the Sena Stryker, hands down. The Sena Stryker is an all-in-one smart helmet bringing you the top-of-the-line Sena entertainment and mesh networking system in to your helmet, with no dangling wires or units hanging off the side. This helmet has Sena’s 40mm speakers integrated which were built by Harman Kardon, the legendary car audio system manufacturer. It also includes an integrated tail light and boasts a whopping 17+ hours of battery life.

Sena Stryker DOT Full Face Bluetooth Helmet w/Sound by Harman Kardon

$499.00 $399.20

Pros:

• 15+ Rider Mesh Intercom
• 18 hour battery life
• Harman Kardon sound
• Tail light

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03/31/2025 12:48 am GMT

How can I improve my helmet speakers?

Most Bluetooth headset come with awful speakers – buy one from iASUS or Cardo + JBL to instantly improve that sound.

Installation is easier than putting on pants in the morning: just unplug your old ones and plug in the new ones.

Just need a volume boost? Pick up the Neoteck Portable 3.5mm Amplifier.

Bose motorcycle helmet speakers – are they any good?

Unfortunately Bose does not make helmet speakers for us to enjoy while we’re riding our freedom machines. However, the Cardo 45mm JBL kit comes about as close to a Bose home theater as you can get inside a motorcycle helmet.

In all seriousness, I’ve never encountered a Bose product that made sense to wear on a motorcycle. Bose shines when you’re sipping champagne in first class on your flight to Zurich listening to Mozart.

Leave it to JBL or iASUS when you’re gripping the handlebars of your stage four bagger for dear life on an Appalachian mountain road. Bose just isn’t made for this world.