Riding a bike is a great exercise to boost physical and mental health.
But do you know what makes this experience even more worth it? Listening to your favorite songs or podcasts. And that’s where Bluetooth headphones come in. Besides, they help you stay in touch with loved ones without requiring you to take out the phone every time.
That’s why we have reviewed the best bike helmet headphones & speakers to help you pick one (or more) today. Dive in!
Top Picks: Bike Helmet Headphones
- Best Overall Bike Helmet Headphone: AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
- Best Budget Bike Helmet Headphone: Plantronics Backbeat Fit 2100
- Best Bike Helmet Headphone With Speaker: AfterShokz OpenComm Headset
- Best Bluetooth In-Ear Headphone For Bike Helmet: Bose Sport Earbuds
- Best Bluetooth On-Ear Bicycle Helmet Headphone: VersaFit Wireless Sport
Best Overall Bike Helmet Headphone
The Trekz Titanium Bluetooth headphones from AfterShokz have an open-ear design that keeps your ears safe from prolonged exposure to sound while also keeping you aware of the ambient noises. Moreover, the bone conduction delivers the sound through the cheekbones, which keeps the outer ear free to receive exterior noises. Hence, you don’t have to pull them out of your ears during conversations.
It comes in 2 sizes and 5 color variants to suit different user preferences. Plus, it’s equipped with PremiumPitch and LeakSlayer technologies, which ensure optimum bass and prevent the sound from “leaking out,” respectively. We also liked the lightweight and flexible construction, which enables users to wear these headphones for prolonged periods without any significant discomfort. So, whether you’re riding your bike or working out indoors or outdoors, this pair can be the ideal companion.
Overall, the AfterShokz trek titanium, albeit a premium offering from the brand, is a worthy investment. It provides a service life of about 6 hours on a service charge and eliminates the need for separate headphones for office, traveling, and working out. And the positive user reviews are a testament to its efficiency. Additionally, it has been IP55 certified and repels dirt and moisture to assure users of long-lasting durability.
What we like:
- Increased awareness
- Comfortable & lightweight
- Excellent sound quality
What we don’t like:
- Short battery life
Best Budget Bike Helmet Headphone
What’s unique about the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 2100 is that the earbuds are designed to perfectly fit the hollow of your ears instead of blocking the ear canal altogether. As a result, it allows sufficient ambient sound without disrupting the audio from the headphones. And this is what the brand refers to as its “always aware eartips” feature. Plus, the stable rubber headband keeps the earbuds from popping out.
Moving on, the 13.5 mm drivers account for immersive audio and noise-isolating properties that ensure the accurate delivery of both mid and high notes. All you have to do is connect it to a mobile, laptop, or iPad to listen to your favorite songs on the go. On that note, the headphones can run for up to 7 hours with a single charge, meaning they are suitable for long commutes or workouts.
So, if you’re on the lookout for affordable wireless headphones and can live without noise-cancellation properties, then this pair fits the bill. Users have especially loved that despite being pretty budget-friendly, these headphones support timer and stopwatch functions via the Plantronics BackBeat app. And they are both sweatproof and waterproof, which makes them ideal for outdoor use.
What we like:
- Great price
- Stay firmly in place
- Stay comfortable
What we don’t like:
- Short battery life
- Bad sound quality
Best Bike Helmet Headphone With Speaker
Featuring a robust build, the AfterShokz OpenComm headset is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use while providing optimal performance every time. It has bone conduction technology and an extended microphone, which prevents static or external noise disturbance using dual sensors.
Talking about its durability, it sports an all-titanium build that resists rough use but doesn’t feel too heavy on the ears. The earpieces sit atop the ears, meaning they leave enough space for the entry of ambient sound to facilitate situational awareness. That said, the audio output didn’t disappoint us, as the bass and clarity were at par with some of the high-end models. And it comes in 2 colors.
We’d say that this is a nice, budget-friendly option for people who don’t want to spend a ton of money on those premium wired headphones. Besides, the inclusion of an NHF chip allows instant connection with Bluetooth devices in the vicinity. Long story short, we’re quite satisfied with how it performs for the price.
What we like:
- Perfect environment awareness
- Decent sound quality
- Strong battery life
What we don’t like:
- Bad volume control
Best Bluetooth In-Ear Headphone For Bike Helmet
Those who are into audio devices aren’t unfamiliar with Bose, which is arguably one of the most reliable brands out there. And these sports earbuds only enhance that reputation further. Although they have a rather simple-looking design, they are integrated with the brand’s patent acoustic ports and drivers to deliver high-quality audio. Similarly, the volume-optimized active EQ automatically adjusts the bass according to the volume.
The earbuds are available in 3 sizes, 3 color variants, and have an effective combination of umbrella-shaped tips and highly flexible wings that keep the headphones secure inside the ear. This also helps them maintain close contact with the ears at all times to facilitate crystal-clear hearing. And thanks to the weather and sweat-resistant construction, they can be used both indoors and outdoors without compromising on comfort.
We’d suggest going for them if you’re specifically looking for in-ear headphones and if budget isn’t a big constraint. Their quick charging function (lasts 2 hours on a 15-minute charge) and one-tap controls make for ultimate user convenience, even for first-timers. Finally, the built-in microphone effectively filters out background noise for clear calling anywhere, anytime.
What we like:
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Active EQ
- Balanced presentation
What we don’t like:
- Slight connection issues
- Lacks ambient aware mode
Best Bluetooth On-Ear Bicycle Helmet Headphone
Yet another non-noise canceling pair of headphones on our list today is this unit from Versafit. The brand has kept the design extremely lightweight and easy to wear, keeping in mind the requirements of riders who need to wear their helmets for extended periods. As such, they are considered the world’s smallest on-ear headphones that lie completely flat to eliminate any pain or discomfort.
The soft silicone rubber earpieces have built-in drivers that maintain clear and precise audio output so that you don’t miss out on the details. At the same time, they facilitate the entry of ambient noises to keep you aware of the surroundings, which is what you’d want on the road. Furthermore, there’s a conveniently placed control panel with 3 buttons for adjusting the volume, playing or pausing the audio, and receiving calls.
Backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 30-day no-questions-asked refund policy, these headphones are a good option for people who want to avoid the traditional painful earbuds. Beyond that, the pair offers a staggering 15-hour battery life with a single charge- enough to last through most of the day.
What we like:
- Comfort and usability
- Excellent sound quality
- Flat profile design
What we don’t like:
- The ear cushions don’t last long
Bike Helmet Headphone Buying Advice
When it comes to choosing headphones for cycling, here are a few points to keep in mind to ensure a worthy purchase:
Safety
Being on the road requires you to be constantly aware of the ambient noises, which is why we’d strongly recommend going for non-noise canceling headphones.
Moreover, you should be able to perform necessary functions like receiving a call or adjusting the volume of the audio without losing control of the bike. So, look for an option that has a conveniently located control panel (or buttons) to avoid keeping your hands off the handle for too long.
Stability
Unless the headphones sit firmly inside or on top of your ears, there is a good chance that they will pop out, especially when you pick up speed or ride on uneven terrains. Hence, you should always check the fit to ensure that they aren’t too big or small for your ears and bike helmet.
Additionally, we’d suggest going for a soft and flexible material like silicone that adapts to the shape of your ears without causing any pain or discomfort even with prolonged use. After all, the last thing you want is to constantly adjust the earpieces while riding through busy roads.
Battery
Whether you’re commuting, working in the office, exercising in the gym, or are simply on an adventure in the countryside, charging the headphones every few hours is extremely inconvenient. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that buyers look for options that last for 12 or 15 hours on a single charge.
From what we have seen, headphones with long battery life tend to cost more than usual, so prepare to stretch your budget. Another thing to consider in case of wireless Bluetooth headphones is to check the battery life of the case since it serves as a portable charger when the headphones aren’t in use.
Durability
You will be wearing the headphones in all kinds of weather conditions, so it is important to choose an option that can withstand a few bumps and scratches without breaking. If you often ride in the rain, then make sure that the model you’re buying is sweat and water-resistant as well.
Sounds Quality
Just like with regular headphones, the sound quality of bike helmet headphones can vary greatly. Some factors that can affect the sound quality are the type of drivers used, frequency range, impedance, and audio codecs. To get an idea about how different headphones stack up against each other, check out the specifications on headphone specs.
Wired vs. Wireless
The popularity of wireless headphones has been on the rise in recent years, and it isn’t hard to see why. They are extremely convenient and can be used with any Bluetooth-enabled device.
However, they do have a few disadvantages as well. For starters, they come with a shorter battery life since they need to be constantly paired with the device. Secondly, they are more prone to interference and dropouts when used in a crowded or noisy environment.
If you’re not too fussy about the sound quality and can live with a few glitches, then go for wireless headphones. But if you want uninterrupted listening experience, then we recommend sticking to wired ones.
Conclusion
With that, it’s time for us to conclude this review-based guide.
We hope that our efforts eventually help you find the best pair according to your needs and budget. But before you pick one, make sure that it’s built to resist sweat, especially if you live in hotter areas or spend too much time out in the sun. And a waterproof design is a bonus, no matter the weather conditions or purpose of use!
Keep a watch on this space for more informative reads, and we will be back soon. Till the next time, see ya!
