Best Motorcycle Helmet Speakers for UK Riders 2025
Evan Rally
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Ever turned your speakers all the way up and still heard nothing but windblast and engine noise?
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One mate had his set cranked to max and got nothing but tinny screeches battling fogged visors and passing tractors. It sounded more like a kettle boiling than music. He finally upgraded to Cardo’s 45 mm JBL speakers, and the difference was night and day: clear, punchy, and actually listenable at speed.
I’ve tested a load of helmet speaker kits since, some solid, some painful, and picked the ones that truly deliver.
If you want proper sound without guessing at checkout, these are the best motorcycle helmet speakers worth your money.
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The cream of the crop, this partnership with audio heavyweight JBL delivers booming bass and crystal-clear mids, never a hint of tin. | Boasting the largest 47 mm drivers on the market, these units crank out stadium-level volume and deep, room-shaking bass. | A solid upgrade from the usual 30 mm buds supplied with most entry-level intercoms, these 40 mm speakers punch well above their weight at a bargain price. | Designed specifically for Sena headsets, These speakers deliver a noticeable boost in bass authority and midrange clarity without adding bulk in your helmet. The custom-tuned diaphragms and snug fit ensure every note cuts through wind and engine noise with ease. |
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The cream of the crop, this partnership with audio heavyweight JBL delivers booming bass and crystal-clear mids, never a hint of tin.
- Crystal-clear audio even at 90 mph plus
- Exceptionally balanced sound, even when dialled up to full tilt
- Simultaneously hear intercom chat, music and sat-nav prompts without missing a beat
Boasting the largest 47 mm drivers on the market, these units crank out stadium-level volume and deep, room-shaking bass.
- Massive 47 mm drivers for chest-thumping low end
- Die-cast aluminum housing for lasting resilience
- Generous cable length for easy routing in any helmet
- Simple plug-and-play wired connection, no charging required
A solid upgrade from the usual 30 mm buds supplied with most entry-level intercoms, these 40 mm speakers punch well above their weight at a bargain price.
- Cheap as chips
- Decent maximum volume
Designed specifically for Sena headsets, These speakers deliver a noticeable boost in bass authority and midrange clarity without adding bulk in your helmet. The custom-tuned diaphragms and snug fit ensure every note cuts through wind and engine noise with ease.
- Enhanced 40 mm drivers for deeper bass and defined vocals
- Slim, low-profile design fits most full-face and modular helmets
- Simple plug-and-play installation with adhesive pads
- Durable construction built to withstand everyday knocks and moisture
I’ve been running the Cardo + JBL 45 mm helmet speakers for over three years now, and they remain the best value you’ll find – they out-perform units twice their price. You can pair them with any bike intercom that accepts a 3.5 mm headphone jack. I first tried them out on a Cardo Spirit, and they never missed a beat.
Cruiseman’s Garage
Because the Cardo external units are waterproof, you could even kit out a Cardo Spirit with the 45 mm JBL speakers for extreme sports like skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling – just bear in mind the speakers themselves aren’t sealed against moisture.
If you need a fully waterproof setup for those winter sports, take a look at the Syphon SoundPro. Its speakers are watertight, the cables are reinforced, and the system slips in and out of different helmets with ease. It’s perfect for shredding the slopes, though not quite as tailored to biking.
The Best Bluetooth Speakers for Your Motorbike Helmet
Fit any of these speaker kits to your lid and stream your favourite tracks straight from your phone via a Bluetooth intercom such as Sena or Cardo. Just make sure your helmet offers good noise insulation, or wind and engine roar will drown out even the most powerful speakers.
JBL and Cardo 45mm Motorcycle Audio Kit
It’s time for my personal favourite. My daily go-to. The one and only love child of JBL and Cardo.
JBL is a household name in audio, and products like the Charge 6 are everywhere from pebble-dashed gardens to canal towpaths.
You won’t stroll through Hyde Park without spotting at least one JBL speaker thumping out bass that defies its size.
Cardo, the Bluetooth motorcycle intercom specialists, saw an opportunity and teamed up with JBL to craft helmet speakers that perform brilliantly come drizzle or gale, and they nailed it.
Their flagship is the 45 mm Audio Set.
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A friend’s Cardo JBL 45 mm speakers have been battered from the Cheviot Hills to the Cornish coast. They’re nothing to write home about looks-wise, but the sound quality is like watching a film in Dolby Atmos at the IMAX cinema. Even in a gale you’ll pick out Sat Nav instructions, a mate’s voice, podcasts or head-banging riffs, crystal clear and utterly dependable in both full-face and open-face lids.
Those speakers were put through their paces on:
- Gale-force crosswinds on the M6 near Stafford
- Gridlocked chaos around the M25
- Bucketing rain in the Yorkshire Dales aboard a Triumph Tiger 900
- Flat-out thrashes on a Yamaha R6 along the A82 to Glencoe
From true-crime podcasts to grime beats and pillion radio calls, at a sensible volume this kit created a private listening room. Every note came through with crisp trebles, weighty bass and defined mids, with no more hunting for the right track or muting the lot in frustration, just impeccable audio.
Cardo’s 45 mm set truly walks the talk. You might ask: can you still hear what’s going on around you? Absolutely, you’ll catch traffic noise and the rumble of your pipes behind your soundtrack rather than battling it.
If these don’t satisfy you, I’m not sure what will. Grab a set, close your laptop and head back to the road. All sorted until your next service anyway.
The cream of the crop, this JBL partnership delivers crisp trebles and thumping bass, with more than enough grunt to cut through wind and road roar. Snag 10 % off at CardoSystems.com using code BTR at checkout.
- Crystal-clear audio even at 90 mph plus
- Exceptionally balanced sound, even when dialled up to full tilt
- Simultaneously hear intercom chat, music and sat-nav prompts without missing a beat
IASUS XSound 3 Helmet Speakers
At 125 dB max volume, the XSound 3 are the loudest helmet speakers we’ve tested.
But does deafening equal perfect? Not a chance.
Anything over 100 dB is doing more harm than good, even at 120 mph on the track. Hitting 125 dB is like setting off an air horn beside your ear.
That said, with earplugs in, this sheer power will cut through wind and engine roar, keeping your music, podcasts, phone calls and intercom crystal clear in any conditions.
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One real boon is the slim profile – at just 9.9 mm thick, these 45 mm drivers are even thinner than the Cardo JBL kit. That means no pressure on your ears and no more carving up expensive NEXX helmet padding.
Each speaker also features an “acoustic flex” cushion to boost isolation and comfort. The cushion sits right against your ear, blocking unwanted noise and funneling every note straight in.
The Kevlar-reinforced cable eliminates the fraying issues you often see with other kits. If Kevlar can stop bullets, it’ll handle whatever your ride throws at it.
Swap these into your existing Bluetooth unit or use the supplied extension lead to plug them straight into your phone.
45 mm drivers deliver rich, full-bodied audio, but the standout feature of the iASUS XSound 3 is its cup-shaped speaker housing that nestles around your ears, boosting isolation and clarity.
- Ear-cup design for superior sound isolation
- Exceptional volume capacity
- Includes a durable extension lead for flexible connectivity
UClear Digital HDX 47 mm Helmet Speakers
With the largest 47 mm drivers available, these speakers deliver thunderous bass and stadium‑filling volume that cuts through wind and engine roar.
Unfortunately, sheer size isn’t everything. The low end can overwhelm the mids, leaving vocals and GPS prompts a little lost in the mix, especially at lower speeds.
They do get a few things right: the build feels sturdy and the extended cable means you can plug straight into a phone without faffing about with Bluetooth. The die‑cast housings also withstand a fair bit of knocks and scrapes.
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Yes, they undercut the Cardo JBL 45 mm kit on price and you won’t need to recharge batteries, but don’t expect wireless freedom. You pay for raw power and wired simplicity.
So if you crave chest‑thumping bass and don’t mind a wired setup (and occasional cable replacement), these HDX 47 mm speakers will satisfy your need for volume. Otherwise, you might prefer a more balanced, Bluetooth‑enabled alternative.
47 mm drivers deliver thunderous bass and room-filling volume, but the standout feature of the UClear Digital HDX 47 is its precision-engineered acoustics and robust die-cast housings that clamp securely inside your helmet, maximising sound transfer and durability.
- Massive 47 mm drivers for chest-thumping low end
- Die-cast aluminium housing for lasting resilience
- Generous cable length for easy routing in any helmet
- Simple plug-and-play wired connection, no charging required
Sena SC-A0325 HD Speakers
With their 40 mm drivers pumping out up to 122 dB (louder than a pneumatic drill) the Sena SC-A0325 speakers cut through wind and engine noise at any speed.
Unfortunately, the lack of standalone Bluetooth functionality means they only work with a Sena intercom unit, limiting versatility if you use other comms brands.
They excel in delivering balanced bass and clear mids, and the slim 10 mm housing fits comfortably in most full-face and modular helmets without creating pressure points.
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However, some riders report that the cable sheath can stiffen over time, leading to intermittent audio drop-outs, and the supplied adhesive pads may need replacing after extended use.
While you can skip tracks and adjust volume via the Sena remote, this wired setup ties you to your comms unit and requires occasional maintenance of cables and pads.
If seamless integration with Sena headsets and consistent audio clarity are your priorities, the SC-A0325 performs reliably—just be prepared for the upkeep that comes with a wired design.
Designed specifically for Sena headsets, These speakers deliver a noticeable boost in bass authority and midrange clarity without adding bulk in your helmet. The custom-tuned diaphragms and snug fit ensure every note cuts through wind and engine noise with ease.
- Enhanced 40 mm drivers for deeper bass and defined vocals
- Slim, low-profile design fits most full-face and modular helmets
- Simple plug-and-play installation with adhesive pads
- Durable construction built to withstand everyday knocks and moisture
IASUS XSound 2.1R Helmet Speakers
Offering robust performance at a wallet-friendly price, the XS2.1 will get you across any terrain without missing a beat.
These 40 mm drivers deliver robust sound at a wallet‑friendly price. Riders in our network, and nearly 1,000 Amazon reviewers, report solid bass and clear mids and highs. It won’t quite rival the Cardo + JBL set, but it offers respectable audio performance.
The kit includes a one‑metre extension lead, so you can fit them straight out of the box and hit the road with your tunes. No Bluetooth faff or extra cables required unless you want to intercom with fellow riders.
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Compared with UClear’s offerings, you’ll notice a more even spread across bass, treble and mids despite maxing out at 98 dB, about the volume of a car horn within a few yards.
However, if you regularly blitz the motorways or battle stiff winds, you may find yourself craving more punch, drivers like those in the Cardo + JBL 45 mm set or the XSound 4 will fit the bill.
That said, the XS2.1 costs nearly half of my top pick, the Cardo + JBL 45 mm Audio Set. It’s well worth considering if your helmet seals well or you’re not riding in thunderous conditions.
A solid upgrade from the usual 30 mm buds supplied with most entry-level intercoms, these 40 mm speakers punch well above their weight at a bargain price.
- Cheap as chips
- Decent maximum volume
- Sound quality leaves something to be desired
Alternatives to Drop-in Speakers for Your Motorbike Helmet
Even the kit you rate highly will have its niggles.
So what’s the gripe with my Cardo and JBL 45 mm set?
They’re a faff to swap between lids!
What’s the fix?
Earbuds.
A decent pair of earbuds will keep your music and podcasts close whether you’re riding, on a flight, or just drowning out the noise at home.
The drawbacks? Fit, slippage, and no way to pair with a Bluetooth intercom.
Earbuds can be awkward under a helmet, pressing into your ear canal and causing serious discomfort. More pain means more frustration, and that can lead to lapses in concentration you can’t afford on the road.
They also have a habit of popping out mid-ride, often disappearing for good. And when they do, replacing them isn’t cheap.
If you can live with the drawbacks, here are a few options.
AirPods
Whatever you think of Apple, AirPods come close to the ideal audio companion.
• Crisp sound without needing ear-splitting volume
• No wires to snag on straps or zips
• Pop them in and they connect instantly to Apple kit
• Slim enough to sit comfortably even in a snug helmet
• All for about the price of a mid-range Bluetooth communicator and speakers, with the bonus of doubling up for use off the bike
Not bad at all.
The styling may divide opinion, but the real gripes come once you’re riding. With AirPods in your helmet you’re at the mercy of your playlist, there’s no way to skip tracks or tweak the volume without fishing for your phone.
Battery life is another snag. Depending on their age, you’ll get between four and six hours before they die. That’s nowhere near the effectively unlimited playback you’ll get from a wired speaker kit, or even the 13 hours or so you’ll see from a Bluetooth communicator like the Cardo Packtalk Edge, which can also be charged while in use. Plus, proper headsets allow rider-to-rider intercom.
Still, if you don’t mind pulling over to top them up in the charging case, they’ll comfortably see you through a day’s ride.
For sheer sound quality, they leave most helmet speakers in the dust, and they pull double duty off the bike too, making them a solid choice for many riders.
Apple’s most advanced AirPods deliver immersive sound, powerful noise cancellation, and seamless connectivity—perfect for focused riding, commuting, or calls.
- Over 24 hours’ charge with the case
- Active noise cancellation for clear audio in noisy environments
- USB-C and MagSafe charging options
- Compatible with Apple and Android devices
- Expensive for riders who only use them occasionally
Beats Flex
As much as I rate AirPods, I’d never have lost that left one if I’d been using my Beats Flex.
They solve the vanishing earbud issue by linking the two buds with a cable, just like the old school in-ear sets.
I like using these on the bike because the in-line controls sit neatly by your neck. Not keen on a track? Skip it. Dad ringing? Answer without fiddling for your phone.
What these lack in active noise cancelling, they more than make up for in bass. Beats has a name to uphold on that front.
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Battery life is solid, easily lasting a full day in the saddle – testers at SoundGuys managed over 10 hours from a single charge.
If you’re budget-conscious, these come in much cheaper than AirPods while still delivering similar sound quality.
For anyone prone to misplacing earbuds, or tired of certain albums shuffling back to haunt you, the Beats Flex are a sensible pick.
Wireless neckband earphones with Apple’s W1 chip, 12‑hour battery, and auto-play magnets—offering seamless iPhone pairing, long listening time, and pocketable convenience.
- 12 hour battery
- Built-in microphone
- Wire so you don't lose them
- That wire…
Testing Criteria
This guide is built on first impressions of each speaker set, with a full round of testing underway using the methodology and specifications below.
Each set is being evaluated across several factors:
• Sound quality
• Volume across the full frequency range
• Comfort during short and long rides
• Ease of installation in a variety of lids
For consistency, all tests use the same head and the same helmet, a Shoei NXR2. Each speaker set is paired with a Cardo Packtalk Edge communicator linked to an iPhone 15 Pro streaming music and podcasts via Spotify.
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To put the speakers through their paces, we’ve compiled a playlist covering a spread of genres: rock and country for vocal and instrument clarity, electronic for high-end detail, classical for dynamic range, hip hop for bass depth, and pop for overall balance. Podcasts from How I Built This are also in the rotation to check vocal fidelity.
Baseline tests are carried out in a quiet office environment, while riding tests are done in busy city traffic (in Bangkok), on rural backroads and on dual carriageways at varying speeds, with the visor both open and closed. Bikes used for testing include a Honda ADV160 and a Yamaha Tracer 9 GT.
FAQs
What are the best helmet speakers for music?
For music lovers, the top pick is the Cardo 45 mm JBL kit. These speakers produce impressive volume, and with 45 mm drivers offering roughly 27% more surface area than typical 40 mm models, they deliver a wider dynamic range from rich bass to bright treble. Whether you’re into blues ballads or pop anthems, the Cardo 45 mm JBL kit keeps every note crisp and clear.
The cream of the crop, this JBL partnership delivers crisp trebles and thumping bass, with more than enough grunt to cut through wind and road roar. Snag 10 % off at CardoSystems.com using code BTR at checkout.
- Crystal-clear audio even at 90 mph plus
- Exceptionally balanced sound, even when dialled up to full tilt
- Simultaneously hear intercom chat, music and sat-nav prompts without missing a beat
Are the Syphon SoundPro Ultra Thin speakers any good?
The Syphon SoundPro Ultra Thin speakers divide opinion. Some riders dub them “ScamPro”, which may be harsh, but there are caveats.
These are aimed squarely at riders who want helmet-mounted music, not communications. They lack intercom support, and the built-in microphone (inside one speaker) is nearly useless for calls.
The positives: the entire system is waterproof, the speakers are under 10 mm thick, so no ear-chafing in snug lids, and the external control wheel makes changing tracks and answering calls easy without fumbling.
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A fellow rider recently tried these and said the audio quality matched his iASUS XSound 4 and Cardo JBL 45 mm kits, plenty of clarity even in strong crosswinds or at speed.
But the sticking point? The price. At around $200, they’re dearer than a Cardo Spirit with the 45 mm JBL speakers, and they don’t integrate with other Bluetooth headsets for intercom or support voice assistants. They’re a fair choice for skiing or snowboarding, but for bikers, a Cardo unit remains the smarter investment.
What are the loudest motorcycle helmet speakers?
The Cardo 45 mm JBL speakers top the charts for volume, hitting around 120 dB, about as loud as a rock concert. Of course, volume alone isn’t everything. These JBL-tuned speakers excel in clarity too, with their larger drivers delivering a wider frequency range from deep lows to detailed mids and highs.
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In testing, a year-old set connected to a Packtalk Custom still registered 90+ dB while blasting 90s country at full tilt, more than enough. In typical riding, half volume is sufficient, which still lands around 90 dB once wind and engine noise are factored in (without earplugs).
Bear in mind, prolonged exposure to 100+ dB can damage your hearing, so moderation is key. Even after months of daily use, these speakers sound as powerful and clean as when first unboxed.
The cream of the crop, this JBL partnership delivers crisp trebles and thumping bass, with more than enough grunt to cut through wind and road roar. Snag 10 % off at CardoSystems.com using code BTR at checkout.
- Crystal-clear audio even at 90 mph plus
- Exceptionally balanced sound, even when dialled up to full tilt
- Simultaneously hear intercom chat, music and sat-nav prompts without missing a beat
Are motorcycle helmet speakers legal?
In the UK, motorcycle helmet speakers are generally legal and treated much the same as speakers fitted to your bike. There are no specific laws banning them, as they do not seal inside your ear canal.
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Using in-ear headphones or earbuds, however, is more likely to get you in trouble. Because they block your ears completely, they can be considered a distraction and fall foul of local traffic rules. Helmet speaker kits don’t fully seal to the ear, so they usually sidestep these restrictions.
If even helmet speakers aren’t an option where you’re riding, you can always mount a small speaker system directly on your bike instead.
How do you connect speakers to a motorcycle helmet?
Helmet speakers attach inside your lid using the supplied Velcro pads. Every set we’ve reviewed includes both sides of the Velcro you need.
First, stick one side into the recessed area inside your helmet that sits over each ear. Then press the matching Velcro on the back of each speaker into place.
Fit the left speaker to the left side, right to the right, and adjust so they sit directly over your ears once the helmet is on.
That’s it. You’ve got a private sound system built into your helmet.
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And here’s a bonus tip: many modern Bluetooth communicators and motorcycle cameras can now record your intercom chats alongside your riding footage, so you can replay the banter later.
What’s the best motorcycle helmet with built-in Bluetooth speakers?
For 2025, the standout is the Sena Phantom. This premium smart helmet integrates Sena’s latest entertainment and mesh networking tech directly into the shell, with no bulky add-ons or dangling cables.
It comes equipped with 40 mm Harman Kardon-tuned speakers, delivering deep bass and clear mids for an immersive ride soundtrack. The Phantom also features an integrated rear light to boost visibility and offers over 18 hours of battery life per charge, making it ideal for long days in the saddle.
The Sena Phantom combines advanced tech features like Mesh 3.0, active noise cancelling, and Harman Kardon audio in a streamlined, ECE-certified touring helmet.
- Bluetooth 5.3 and Mesh Intercom 3.0 for seamless long-range group comms
- Integrated active noise cancelling and premium Harman Kardon sound system
- Pinlock anti-fog insert sold separately
- Built-in comms system cannot be replaced or upgraded
How can I improve my helmet speakers?
Most Bluetooth intercoms ship with underwhelming stock speakers. Swapping them out for a set from iASUS or the Cardo + JBL 45 mm kit will dramatically lift your audio quality.
Fitting them is straightforward, simply disconnect the old pair and plug in the new ones.
Only after a volume boost? A portable 3.5 mm amplifier such as the Neoteck can give your existing setup extra punch.
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Bose motorcycle helmet speakers – are they any good?
Bose doesn’t produce helmet speakers, so there’s no official option for bikers. If you’re after Bose-level quality inside your lid, the Cardo 45 mm JBL kit is about as close as you’ll get, with rich bass and clean treble even at speed.
Truthfully, Bose products are designed for comfort and quiet, like sitting in first class on a flight to Zurich listening to Mozart, not for battling crosswinds at 70 mph. For motorcycling, brands like JBL and iASUS build speakers tough and powerful enough to cope with riding conditions.
