Best Bluetooth & Smart Motorcycle Helmets
Bluetooth connectivity has moved from luxury to near-necessity for many riders. Whether you want music on your commute, GPS navigation in your ear, phone calls without pulling over, or rider-to-rider intercom on group rides, there are two paths: buy a helmet with Bluetooth built in from the factory, or buy an add-on communicator that mounts to any helmet. This guide covers both — the best integrated smart helmets and the top standalone units worth considering.
Integrated Bluetooth Helmets
Integrated helmets have speakers, microphones, and controls designed into the helmet from the ground up, with no external clamp-on unit hanging off the side. The trade-off: you are locked into that brand's communication ecosystem.
Phantom
- Fully integrated Sena Mesh 3.0 + Bluetooth 5.0
- Harman Kardon speakers built into the liner
- Front-facing LED flashlight and rear brake light
- DOT and ECE 22.06 certified composite fiberglass shell
- Over-the-air firmware updates via Sena Motorcycles App
Stryker
- Mesh 3.0 + Bluetooth 5.0 with unlimited open mesh riders
- Harman Kardon audio system built in
- Seven-vent ventilation system
- Built-in WiFi for seamless updates
- DOT and ECE 22.06 certified
Outrush R
- Budget-friendly modular with built-in Bluetooth 5.0
- Up to 12 hours talk time, 900m intercom range
- Connects up to 4 riders
- DOT certified polycarbonate shell
Top Add-On Bluetooth Units
If you already own a helmet you love, or want the freedom to upgrade your communicator independently of your lid, an add-on unit is the way to go. The two dominant brands are Cardo and Sena.
Cardo
Cardo partners with JBL for speaker quality and offers the only communicator with automatic crash detection (on the Packtalk Pro). Their Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) technology supports up to 15 riders. Natural Voice Operation lets you control the unit hands-free with voice commands. All Cardo units carry a waterproof warranty.
Sena
Sena dominates the market with the widest range of products and the largest user base. Their Mesh 2.0 and 3.0 systems support up to 24 riders in a group (open mesh supports virtually unlimited). Sena partners with Harman Kardon for premium audio. Their units offer crisp microphone pickup that excels at high-speed intelligibility. Sena is rated "highly weather and water-resistant" but does not carry a full waterproof warranty.