Motorcycles are a great symbol of freedom and spirit on the road. There’s more energy to riding a motorcycle on the highway than your sedan or minivan. There’s no denying that riding a motorcycle is a different experience than driving a car, but at the same time, you can’t deny that there aren’t some drawbacks to it as well.
Using any sort of audio while driving a motorcycle is a hassle, and sometimes even dangerous. You can’t really listen to music all that well, and if you need to take a call, using one hand to hold your phone and the other to steer makes an already risky business even more dangerous. That’s why every biker can benefit from Bluetooth headsets, allowing them to focus their attention (and hands) on the road while still being able to listen to music or take an important call.
Of course, there are many different styles, brands, and types of Bluetooth sets out there, and it may be a challenge to find out which one is the best for you. That’s why the detailed list below will help you figure out which set fits your needs the most, with our options of the best Bluetooth motorcycle headsets.
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Contents
- 1 Our #10 Top Picks for Bluetooth Motorcycle Headsets
- 1.1 1-Heneng Motorcycle Interphone Headset
- 1.2 Summary:
- 1.3 Benefits:
- 1.4 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.5 2-Allros T10 3.0 Bluetooth Headset
- 1.6 Summary:
- 1.7 Benefits:
- 1.8 why we like it:
- 1.9 3-Yideng BT-S2 Bluetooth Headset
- 1.10 Summary:
- 1.11 Benefits:
- 1.12 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.13 4-Wireless Motorcycle Helmet Headset/Intercom by Shenzhen
- 1.14 Summary:
- 1.15 Benefits:
- 1.16 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.17 5Lexin LX-FT4
- 1.18 Summary:
- 1.19 Benefits:
- 1.20 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.21 6-Sena SMH10R Low Profile Headset
- 1.22 Summary:
- 1.23 Benefits:
- 1.24 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.25 7-Lexin LX-R6 Motorcycle headset
- 1.26 Summary:
- 1.27 Benefits:
- 1.28 why we like it:
- 1.29 8-FreedConn TCOM-SC Motorcycle Headset
- 1.30 Summary:
- 1.31 Benefits:
- 1.32 What we like about it:
- 1.33 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 1.34 9-Veetop BT Bluetooth Moto Headset
- 1.35 Summary:
- 1.36 Benefits:
- 1.37 why we like it:
- 1.38 10-Sena Expand-02 Headset
- 1.39 Summary:
- 1.40 Benefits:
- 1.41 WHY WE LIKE IT:
- 2 Criteria Used in the Evaluation of Motorcycle Headsets: and Why You Should Use Them as Well
- 2.1 How far away can it carry communication?
- 2.2 How many riders can it pair with?
- 2.3 What other brands can the headset pair with?
- 2.4 How long can it last without a recharge?
- 2.5 What speed can the headset operate at?
- 2.6 How durable is the headset?
- 2.7 How good is the Bluetooth connectivity?
- 2.8 How good is the audio?
- 2.9 What kind of extra features does it have?
- 2.10 How much does it cost?
- 3 FAQs
Our #10 Top Picks for Bluetooth Motorcycle Headsets
Summary:
A headset designed primarily for allowing communication between multiple riders, the Henning Intercom is a system that lets you stay connected. It can be used to communicate with other riders but also has the ability to play music and answer phone calls via Bluetooth. The Henning Intercom can let you pair up with five other riders (six total if you include yourself), making it great for maintaining communication with a group. Compatible with nearly every phone and Bluetooth function on the market and equipped with powerful noise suppression technology, the Henning Intercom is a great choice for any rider looking for a reliable Bluetooth headset.
Benefits:
Up to six rider pairing means you can stay in communication with a large group, though only two riders can intercom at the same time. Noise suppression technology ensures that you get the highest quality sound both incoming and outgoing, and it is compatible with all Bluetooth features. On a full battery, you get up to eight hours of talk time and one hundred and fifty hours of standby time, so you can rely on it for all but the longest trips.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
Allowing a large number of paired riders, combined with a long-lasting battery and clear audio, makes the Heneng perfect for group communication on long trips.
Summary:
A headset that puts more focus on communication range, but suffers in the number of people it can link at the same time. Of course, by ‘suffers’ we simply mean that it can connect a maximum of three people, which is hardly bad, but not quite as good as some other headsets either. After all, that number is only half of the aforementioned Heneng Headset. That said, the Allros T10 does put a lot more focus on range, with a communication range of approximately 1200 meters, or 1312 yards, which is just shy of a mile. It is both waterproof and windproof, allegedly resistant to all potential weather conditions, and of course, it is Bluetooth, so you can listen to music or answer phone calls as well.
Benefits:
Very few Bluetooth headsets have communication ranges that stretch over a mile, so the 1200 meter range of the Allros T10 is very impressive, allowing you to stray a bit further from your friends on the road. It also has a significant operation time of twelve hours, with three hundred hours on standby. It comes with high definition speakers and low volume headphones, so hearing your audio through the noise of a ride is easy.
why we like it:
With a great transmission range of nearly a mile and an exceptional operation time of twelve hours, the Allros T10 not only gives your formation more freedom but is guaranteed to last through all but the longest rides.
Summary:
Another Bluetooth headset that prioritizes transmission distance over pairing numbers, the BT-S2 is quite similar to the aforementioned Allros T10. However, it’s transmission range is about 1000 meters, which is a little less than the T10. On the flipside, the BT-S2 guarantees functionality at high speeds, maintaining clear communication at 75 miles per hour or 120 kilometers an hour. It also boasts easy installation, as well as an auxiliary plug-in for a 2.5 mm cord if needed. To top all that off, it also has an astounding standby time of ten days, guaranteeing that you won’t have to deal with the three and a half hour charge time very often.
Benefits:
As always, long transmission range is a great boon for any Bluetooth headset when it comes to maintaining communication with your fellow riders. Guaranteed functionality at high speeds also means you don’t have to restrict your movement as much as with other headsets, and the auxiliary backup is a great thing to have just in case Bluetooth is having an issue at any point in time. Ultimately, it’s always nice to have a reliable headset that can handle the speed and freedom of movement you want when riding.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
Having an auxiliary plugin in case there is an issue with Bluetooth pairing makes the BT-S2 far more reliable and versatile than many other headsets.
Summary:
Like other headsets, the Lexin LX-B4FM is a compromise between the number of riders it can link and the distance at which it can do it. However, the LX is a much better compromise than most others. With a fantastic transmission range of 1600 meters, the LX-B4Fm is only nine meters short of a mile. It can link up to four riders as well, which is a nice medium compared to the headsets we’ve seen so far. Even better, it has an extremely long lasting operational time of fifteen hours on a single charge, which is by far one of the longest times available. Durable and flexible, the LX-B4FM is an excellent Bluetooth headset.
Benefits:
Aside from its astounding statistics mentioned above, the LX-B4FM also has multiple ways to be affixed to your helmet. It comes with a clip of course but is also equipped with double-sided adhesive as an alternative. Its waterproof design makes it durable in all weather conditions, and of course, it can perform nearly any Bluetooth function that you need from it.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
With an amazing transmission range of 1600 meters and an operating time of fifteen hours on a single charge, there’s no denying that the LX-B4FM is one of the best Bluetooth headsets in terms of raw capability.
Summary:
Another Lexin model, this one is sleek and easy to operate even with gloved fingers. The design makes it easy to operate, and it is easy to attach to all types of helmets. The LX-FT4 is Bluetooth 4.0 compatible, as well as being compatible with almost any brand. Combine that with HD high fidelity noise-canceling speakers, and you have a headset that will have any audio coming through crystal clear no matter the weather or the speed.
Benefits:
Lexin is a reputable company, and the headsets they make are well-known for durability, longevity, and performance. The LX-Ft4 is no exception, with extremely good sound quality that will make any audio easy to hear no matter the weather or the speed you’re going. On top of that, it has some nice bonus features, like the ability to use Siri or other voice command programs, and it has a built-in FM radio scanner. Couple that with a fifteen-hour battery for active use and a standby time of nearly a week, and the Lexin LX-FT4 comes through on all fronts.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
With the longest transmission range yet as far as this list is concerned, not to mention the ease of use and special features, it is easy to see why the LX-FT4 is worth the considerable price tag.
Summary:
Rather focus on your ride than constantly fiddling with a bulky headset? This Bluetooth 3.0 headset from Sena focused on a sleek and simple design that makes it simple to use and have little to go wrong. Able to pair up to four riders, it is compatible with not only many Bluetooth devices but other wireless headset brands as well. That way, your fellow riders don’t all have to use the same brand as you do, making its versatility exceptional. Pair all of this with a decent transmission range of half a mile and voice prompt functionality, and you have a headset that guarantees it won’t cause a hassle while you’re trying to enjoy the thrill of the open road.
Benefits:
Voice prompt technology means you can activate many different functions, from GPS to phone calls to radio, without having to take your hands away from your bike. This, of course, promotes safety, which is the most important thing of all when riding a motorcycle. Other than that, its sleek and easy to mount design means it isn’t an irritant while riding, and a short charge time of two and a half hours means you won’t have to wait too long to use it.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
Safety is all-important on the road, and the ability to use every function on this headset without having to take hands off the handlebars is excellent in promoting that.
Summary:
Yet another Lexin headset makes our list with the LX-R6, an option that aims to provide great functionality for a reasonable price. It is only the second headset on this list to pair up to six riders, so if you need to connect a large group, it has an edge over most of the other headsets we’ve mentioned here. It’s also a pretty cheap purchase at just under ninety dollars, but that low cost doesn’t result in poor quality. With eight hours of operational time and a transmission range of 1000 meters, as well as a 3.5 mm plugin for external devices, the LX-R6 doesn’t skip out just because you don’t have to pay as much for it.
Benefits:
With a waterproof design and the ability to function at 1000 meters even at 120 kilometers an hour, the LX-R6 gets the jobs done. Like all headsets, it can still be used for music, phone calls, GPS, and essential rider-to-rider communication. Eight hours of operational time is pretty standard but generally more than enough for your average ride. And of course, this all comes at a pretty fair and affordable price compared to some of the more expensive models.
why we like it:
Nobody likes to spend a lot of money, but nobody wants to get poor-quality products either. The LX-R6 is a great combination of affordability and quality.
Summary:
Remember when we said that the LX-R6 was affordable? You can buy the FreedConn TCOM-SC for under fifty dollars, and that’s its main draw. Of course, the low cost doesn’t mean that it is bad or can’t compare to other motorcycle headsets. Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity is top of the line, it can maintain communications at ranges of 800 meters and speeds of 75 miles an hour, it has an LCD screen, and can browse FM radio like most other headsets. It can only pair up to three riders, which is admittedly on the low side of things, but even so, it meets a lot of expectations for something so affordable.
Benefits:
As said previously, the TCOM-SC is extremely affordable, while still remaining mostly capable. The LCD screen is quite a rare addition to the device, a few motorcycle headsets have a visual aspect to them, so mounting it properly gives you a secondary way to receive information without taking too much attention away from the road. On top of that, it has an exceptional operation time of ten hours and a standby time of three hours, so it gives back a lot more than you paid for it.
What we like about it:
A great price for great functionality is always a good deal. The TCOM-SC is one of the most affordable motorcycle headsets on the market that is still of good quality, having a greater transmission range than even some other more expensive brands and models.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
A great price for great functionality is always a good deal. The TCOM-SC is one of the most affordable motorcycle headsets on the market that is still of good quality, having a greater transmission range than even some other more expensive brands and models.
Summary:
We’re not going to lie and say there’s anything special about this headset, as it doesn’t really have anything special to set it apart from any of the others. That said, it is still a solid model with great stats across all the fields that matter. Ten hours of operational time at 1000 meters and 75 miles an hour already set it pretty high as far as the performance bar is concerned, and of course, it is waterproof and possesses noise suppression technology to make for clearer incoming and outgoing audio. The main drawback is its three-rider pairing limit, but at this point, four could probably be considered above average, so it is not like three is terrible.
Benefits:
Aside from the general statistics mentioned above, which are pretty solid in their own right, this Veetop headset only has a few things going for it that some other headsets don’t, that being the ability to Velcro it onto your helmet rather than clip it if need be, and the fact that it does have external audio plugin capability, which, while not necessarily rare, not all headsets have.
why we like it:
It’s hard to point to a specific thing that makes this headset special because there isn’t really anything. But we like it simply because it’s good. It doesn’t cost much, it has better than average transmission range and battery life, and its Bluetooth compatibility is just as good as all of the competition.
Summary:
Simple and straightforward, the Sena Expand-02 is a reliable and quality headset that does exactly what you need it to do. It’s handy for conference calls, listening to music, taking phone calls, or receiving directions from your most advanced motorcycle GPS, thanks to its crystal clear audio and automatic volume increase when outside noise levels are too loud. It has a solid operational time of ten hours and a standby time of a week and has a transmission range of 900 meters, which isn’t bad at all.
Benefits:
As you can see from the image above, this headset isn’t the kind you need to mount to your helmet, which some might consider a blessing. It is waterproof and has a universal intercom protocol, so it can communicate with any other brand or headset. Other than that, it is your typical headset at a relatively reasonable price that excels pretty well in the criteria you look for in a headset.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
Sometimes it’s nice to have a headset you don’t need a screwdriver to take off. Other than that, the Expand-02 is just an all-around solid headset with good qualities and a fairly good price.
Criteria Used in the Evaluation of Motorcycle Headsets: and Why You Should Use Them as Well
These brief reviews are admittedly not very complex, only telling you about the surface specifications of each of these ten best Bluetooth motorcycle headsets. Even so, you’ve received all of the most important information you need to judge the headsets against each other, because they all have certain criteria to consider, and that criteria are the same for each one of them.
As you conduct your own research while looking at these headsets or others that you may be interested in, it’ll help to know what those criteria are, why they are so important, and why they should be at the top of your list of priorities when considering which motorcycle headset you want to spend your money on.
How far away can it carry communication?
Arguably the most important factor to consider when considering a motorcycle headset, this is what we refer to as ‘transmission range.’ This is the distance that you can talk to other people that you are paired with using a particular headset. Of course, if you’re just looking for a headset to answer phone calls or listen to music while riding solo, then this factor doesn’t really matter to you, but if you are riding with friends it can be extremely important for keeping track of everyone and making sure you all get where you are going.
When reading the details on a specific headset you are interested in, you will almost always be told the transmission range in meters (feet are sometimes provided as well). Naturally, you want the longest transmission range possible, so you can stay in communication with your fellow riders even if you get significantly separated from them.
Unfortunately, even the best headsets can only communicate over a distance of about a mile, which is approximately 1600 meters. This is about the best that it gets when using the very best headsets available. Your average headset has a transmission range of about 800-1000 meters. Finding a headset with a transmission range greater than 1000 is pretty good, and finding one with a range of under 800 is pretty bad. If your top priority is maintaining constant communication with other riders, this criteria is the most important one for you to keep in mind.
How many riders can it pair with?
In the same vein as the first criteria, this one only matters to people that are looking to maintain communication with other riders as they travel in a group. The number of riders you can pair your headset with is how many you can communicate within your group (keep in mind that no matter what the number, only two riders can communicate at the same time. For example, a headset that can pair up to three riders means you have yourself and two other riders paired in one group. That said, three is about the lowest number of rider pairing that any headset offers.
The average headset is capable of pairing four riders maximum, while some are good enough to pair up to six, and the best in this category can sometimes go up to eight. If you are traveling with an especially large group and you want to be able to stay in communication with them all, this criteria is very important for you to pay attention to, because many headsets with larger pairing numbers have other drawbacks.
For example, you can see that most of the headsets mentioned on this page that can pair up to six riders have shorter transmission ranges than the headsets that pair fewer riders. Depending on your needs, it might be more beneficial for you to buy a headset with a higher pairing limit even if the max transmission range is lower.
What other brands can the headset pair with?
Once again an important factor to consider if your main priority is communicating with other riders, unfortunately not all motorcycle headsets are universal. It is important to know whether or not a headset you buy will even be able to pair with a headset that someone you ride with already owns.
Some headsets may only be able to pair with other devices that are the same brand or model, while some headsets are indeed universal and can allegedly pair with any other brand or type of headset. Sena is notably well-known for their universal intercom headsets, which lets them pair with a wide range of other brands. Always check to make sure the headset you are looking at is compatible with the headsets of the people you want to stay in contact with while on the road.
How long can it last without a recharge?
This one is pretty self-explanatory. While eight hour trips on a motorcycle are a bit uncommon, the fact remains that you could be on a very long drive at some point, and whether it’s communicating with other riders, listening to music, or answering the phone, you want your headset to last you the whole journey, so knowing how long the headset can last you on one full charge is important.
That said, there are two distinctions to keep in mind when you read about how long a headset can supposedly last. You will almost always be informed of both operational time (sometimes referred to as talking time or audio time) and standby time. The latter is usually a much higher number, sometimes hundreds of hours or even several days.
That’s because standby time refers to when your headset is not doing anything. It is on, but it is not transmitting any audio of any sort. When in this standby mode, it is, of course, going to last a long time, but chances are you’ll probably be using your headset a lot as you ride, so don’t let large standby numbers fool you into thinking a headset is better than others.
What you want is a longer operational time, which refers to how many hours your headset can last while actually transmitting audio. The average operational time of a headset is approximately eight hours, with the better than average ones sometimes weighing in at ten hours. The absolute best headsets can have even longer optimes, such as twelve or fifteen hours.
What speed can the headset operate at?
Some low-quality headsets may not be able to operate if you are going too fast. Obviously, having to slow yourself down just to listen to music or talk to a friend is a major pain, and hinders the freedom that’s supposed to come with riding a bike.
Thankfully, most high or even average quality headsets can function at speeds of 75 miles an hour or 120 kilometers an hour. Some headsets might be able to function at even higher speeds, but these are generally quite rare, for safety reasons. If you don’t want your speed to be limited by your device, always make sure the seller specifies the speed it can function at before purchasing it.
How durable is the headset?
Obviously, motorcycle headsets need to be tough. As a rider, you and your equipment are exposed to harsher elements than someone driving a car, and your headset needs to be more resilient because of that. Since you are more exposed to the weather, the most important things are for the headset to be waterproof, in case of rain. It helps with avoiding damage from sweat as well.
But there are other important things to consider, such as cold temperature resistance and the durability of the headset’s smaller parts. Some cheap headsets don’t function well in extremely cold weather, while the higher quality ones can withstand it.
As for parts, just be aware of what your headset is made out of before buying it. Obviously, plastic is less durable than metal and could break in certain unfavorable situations. The wires or cords could be low quality also, and prone to breaking. Knowing what you are paying for before you pay for it is important in getting your money’s worth.
How good is the Bluetooth connectivity?
One of the main draws of these motorcycle headsets is their Bluetooth functionality, which allows you to connect to a device without having to connect a cord to it. Bluetooth is generally the same across the board, but even so, not all connections are created equal. Bluetooth has come in many different variants, ranging from 1.0 to 5.0, and when you are looking at different headsets they will generally list what level of Bluetooth functionality the headset has. If you don’t know what the different levels are, you may want to.
1.0 is practically a relic, used by only the oldest technology. It is very unlikely that you will encounter any modern motorcycle headset advertising Bluetooth 1.0, but if by some chance you did, you should avoid it at all costs. The speed of 1.0 is an appalling 1 megabyte per second (Mbps). From here forward, the way Bluetooth works is relatively simple; the higher the variant, the better it is, for the following reasons.
Higher variants of Bluetooth (3.0-5.0) have much higher transfer speeds, which means less choppy, interrupted audio for your headset. The higher the variant, the less energy is used as well, which means both your headset and other devices (like your phone) will last longer than if they were using a lower variant of Bluetooth (like 2.0). The general rule of thumb is that higher Bluetooth variants are always better, regardless of your situation.
How good is the audio?
This one is somewhat hard to find the truth of, because it is the one factor that nearly every brand will claim to be excellent at. Naturally, you want a headset because you want to be able to hear things other than your engine or the horns of other cars on the road, and that means you want a headset that has really good noise suppression so that you can hear what is coming through your headset clearly, and your fellow riders can hear what you are saying through your mic.
Problem is, nearly every headset and brand will claim to have ‘crystal clear’ audio, and we all know that’s not true. If every headset had the same level of sound quality, there wouldn’t be a whole lot of competition out there, would there?
That said, the only two real ways to try and judge the audio quality of a headset before you buy it is to either see how specific the information about the sound system is (does it specify the type of speakers, the decibel output, the material, etc.) or reading many reviews before the purchase. You can’t always take a review at face value, but if many people that bought the product are all saying the sound quality is bad, then chances are the sound quality is actually pretty bad.
What kind of extra features does it have?
Extra features are by far the least important factor, but still worth considering if you are debating between a few headsets that have solid qualities in all of the other factors. Extra features are the kinds of things a headset might have that are not part of the norm; they are nice and welcome, but not mandatory. This is features like the LCD screen of the FreecConn TCOM-SC or the external audio plugins of some of the other headsets.
An extra feature might even be the ability to mount a headset with Velcro or adhesive rather than a clip. You can pretty much consider this factor anything that would be nice to have, but not mandatory. If you’re debating between two headsets that are similar in almost every other field, this is the criteria that might be the tiebreaker.
How much does it cost?
Perhaps the truly most important criteria since we all care about this one regardless of why we want a headset, the price is a truly varied criterion. Generally speaking, when it comes to buying anything, the more you pay for it, the higher its quality. (Like this top list for motorcycle oils, for instance.)
Yet, some of the headsets we reviewed in this article were quite affordable, while still having much of the same quality as most of their contenders. This is to say that judging a fair price is not as simple as cheap products being bad and expensive products being good.
This is the reason this criterion is mentioned last; because the only way to know if the price of a headset is good or bad is to know whether or not its other qualities can be considered good or bad. The FleetConn TCOM-SC is by far the cheapest headset on this list, being nearly half the cost of the second cheapest headset, but it is still a decent headset with good transmission range and that rare LCD screen.
It is cheap, but its other qualities prove that it isn’t bad. On the other hand, the Sena Expand-02 is almost three times the cost of the TCOM-SC, but its general stats certainly aren’t three times better.
That said, it is still true that the very best products still cost the most. The Lexin LF-B4FM is by far the most expensive headset on this list, costing almost three hundred dollars. It’s a hefty investment; but it is also undoubtedly the best headset here in terms of general performance, with a transmission range and operational lifetime that dwarfs all of the competition.
In short, it’s up to your discretion as to what is a good deal and a bad one. Maybe you don’t need the LF-B4FM’s operational lifetime of fifteen hours, so why pay $300? Maybe the eight hour lifetime and 800-meter range of the TCOM-SC is all you need, and all you’d have to pay is $50. Knowing all of the factors we mentioned before now, and what you want or need out of them, is critical to determining what would be a good price for you to settle on.
For options to spruce up the look of your motorcycle, here are the best options for helmet stickers (link) and motorcycle stickers (click to read).
FAQs
Do these headsets come with instruction manuals?
Nearly every headset you buy will come with an instruction manual for how to mount and operate it. If you are buying off Amazon, it will specify whether or not the package includes an instruction manual.
Do these headsets come with a warranty?
Most motorcycle headsets have a one year manufacturer’s warranty on them at least, but this is not always the case. Once again, Amazon almost always specifies the warranty on a product, but if not the manufacturer themselves can be inquired regarding a warranty.
Do the headsets come with all of the accessories they need upon purchase?
The accessories a product comes with are variable. Some headsets may come with everything they need upon purchase, such as power adapters, audio cords, clips, and headphones. Other headsets may only have a few accessories, or not come with anything extra at all. Please carefully read the product descriptions to see what is included in your purchase of a headset.
Will a headset be compatible with my phone/MP3 player/PC/etc.?
Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question. If you have any concerns on whether or not a headset will function with one of your devices, the best course of action is to call the manufacturer and ask them directly. Most manufacturers will be able to inform you of whether or not your device will be compatible once you provide them with the specifics regarding your device. Amazon will generally list overall compatibilities, such as Bluetooth level, audio jack measurements, or brand functionality, so please read the product descriptions very carefully.
