Best Ski and Snowboard Helmet Headphones Reviewed In 2023

The adrenaline rush of hitting the slopes is second to none. Whether skiing or snowboarding, soaring down a mountain is an incomparable experience. What could possibly make that experience better?

Helmet headphones take that experience to the next level. Imagine skiing or snowboarding while listening to a personalized playlist. They allow you to listen to your favorite music. They also let you communicate with your friends via Bluetooth. The advanced audio technology will astonish you.

Not only are helmet headphones enjoyable, but they are also practical. They can help you to call for help in the event of an accident. They can also help others to locate you on the mountain. In an emergency, Bluetooth headphones can be a lifesaver.

Helmet headphones are relatively new to the market. The technology is constantly improving and evolving. Six of the best options available are reviewed in this article. The highlights of each are outlined, along with a few notable pros and cons. With this information, you can choose the best set of headphones for you. With a new headset, your next skiing or snowboarding trip will undoubtedly be amazing.

The Best 6 Ski and Snowboard Helmet Headphones Are:

Headphone	Rating
Outdoor Tech Chips 2.0	Effectiveness: 99 Ease of Use: 98 Advanced Feature: 97 Battery Life: 98 Value: 97 Average =  97.8	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Thokwok Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet	Effectiveness: 98 Ease of Use: 96 Advanced Feature: 96 Battery Life: 98 Value: 97 Average =  97.0	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
BE Headwear Bluetooth Headset	Effectiveness: 99 Ease of Use: 95 Advanced Feature: 96 Battery Life: 98 Value: 96 Average =  96.8	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Drop-In Headphones	Effectiveness: 97 Ease of Use: 93 Advanced Feature: 95 Battery Life: 97 Value: 96 Average =  95.6	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Radioddity Wireless Helmet Headset	Effectiveness: 92 Ease of Use: 93 Advanced Feature: 91 Battery Life: 90 Value: 93 Average =  92.2	CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Giro Outdoortech X Giro-Bt Chip 2.0	Effectiveness: 92 Ease of Use: 93 Advanced Feature: 91 Battery Life: 90 Value: 93 Average =  92.2	CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Ski and Snowboard Helmet Headphones Reviews

1. Outdoor Tech Chips 2.0 Helmet Headphones

Outdoor Tech Chips’ headphones are truly exceptional. They offer crystal-clear audio with fantastic sound quality. They can be operated via voice commands and are even glove-friendly. They even are integrated with Siri, giving you virtually unlimited wireless capability.

Universal Wireless

The Chips fit in virtually all snowboarding and skiing helmets. Thanks to Bluetooth technology, music can be streamed through any smart device. They are also walkie-talkies. This enables you to communicate with your companions as you soar down the mountain. You will love the limitless wireless capability. Even at long distances, you can stay in constant contact with the group.

Glove Friendly

With a simple one-button setup, you can answer and send calls. Forget about fumbling with your gloves. The button is easily pressed with a gloved hand. In sub-zero temperatures, you will be glad you don’t have to remove your gloves.

Adding to the convenience, all of the Bluetooth features can be used via voice commands. Your phone can stay securely put away for your entire trip.

Cost and Value

The headphones are fairly priced and are high-quality. The sound quality is fantastic, with great bass and crisp mids. The communication functionality is impressive and reliable. Overall, they are of great value.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 99

Ease of Use: 98

Advanced Feature: 97

Battery Life: 98

Value: 97

Average =  97.8

2. Thokwok Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet Headphones

TheThokwoks are versatile. They are suitable for full or half-mask helmets. They are fully Bluetooth integrated and can sync with a smartphone, GPS, tablet, iPod and more. The Thokwoks are perfect for communicating with up to two other people at a given time.

Versatility

The headphones fit easily inside full or half-mask helmets. They can be worn while bicycling, motorcycling, skiing or snowboarding. The intercom function enables you to communicate with up to two other people at once. The walkie-talkie functionality works at up to an incredible 1000 meters in the distance.

Noise Canceling Technology

All unwanted sounds are virtually eliminated. Ambient sounds are blocked via soundproofing. As a result, the audio quality is clear. Phone calls are no longer difficult to understand. Music is played the way it is intended to be. Even with howling winds, the sound remains perfect. Forget about static, interference and echoing.

Cost and Value

The Thokwoks are sold at a moderate price. For a reasonable amount, you get a reliable, well-made product. They are versatile, effective and easy to use. They are especially good at keeping you in touch with your companions. The headphones are a good value and a smart purchase.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 98

Ease of Use: 96

Advanced Feature: 96

Battery Life: 98

Value: 97

Average =  97.0

3. BE Headwear Bluetooth Helmet Headphones

The BE headset has it all, including a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. The headset is packed with advanced features. The speakers are surprisingly powerful. The overall sound quality is great. The headphones are thin and streamlined, offering a comfortable fit. They work with virtually all outdoor helmets.

Simple Setup

The headphones are easy to set up. Using voice-activated prompts, you are guided through a step-by-step process. Syncing and pairing are done within minutes. The instructions are easy to follow. Overall, the headset is very user-friendly.

Extremely Lightweight

The headset is very lightweight. It weighs in at a feather-weight 0.64 ounces. It is streamlined, light and easily adjusted. It is comfortable and stays in place, even at high speeds. Despite the headset’s small size, it is surprisingly powerful. The speakers are quite impressive.

Cost and Value

The BE Headwear is sold at a significantly lower cost than the other headsets reviewed here. The price is right, and the quality is great. BE offers a superior product at an attractive price. It’s an excellent value and a rare find.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 99

Ease of Use: 95

Advanced Feature: 96

Battery Life: 98

Value: 96

Average =  96.8

 

4. Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Headphones

The Altas headphones are designed by snowboarders, for snowboarders. They are sleek, stylish and work well. They offer over 10 hours per charge, ensuring that you have power all day. The sound is second to none, especially when listening to music. The bass is fantastic, offering exhilarating audio. Atlas headphones are designed to keep you energized.

Exceptional Comfort

The headset features a soft, adjustable band. It sits securely under your helmet without causing any discomfort. It does not pinch or snag. The soft band is sweat-resistant. The earphones are also gentle against your ears. You will not need to stop for adjustments with the Atlas headset. Its barely-there feeling is fantastic.

Sleek and Stylish

The headset is cool looking, simply put. The band is an icy-blue color and the earphones are white. The overall appearance is appropriately wintry. The band slips over your head and stays securely in place. The headphones are a prime example of fashion meeting function.

Cost and Value

The Atlas headphones are sold at a competitive, buyer-friendly price. They are stylish, effective and easy to use. Overall, they are an excellent value and a smart buy. They would be a perfect gift for any outdoor enthusiast this holiday season.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 97

Ease of Use: 93

Advanced Feature: 95

Battery Life: 97

Value: 96

Average =  95.6

 

5. Radioddity Wireless Helmet Headphones

Radioddity has offered up quite an impressive product for skiers and snowboarders. The headset, sold at a bargain-basement price, does not disappoint. The sound quality is superb, even when traveling at high speeds. From playing music to making phone calls, the headset is fantastic. It’s a true example of a good thing coming in a small package.

Incredible Buy

Radioddity’s headphones are sold at half the cost of some of the competition. The incredible price belies the overall value of the headset, which is quite high. From full Bluetooth functionality to sound, Radioddity holds its own in the market.

Auto-Answering Function

One of the coolest features is the headset’s auto-answering function. After 10 seconds of ringing, calls are automatically answered. No more struggling to reach your phone. The headsets are fully operational via voice commands.

Cost and Value

Radioddity offers its product at an extremely low price. The headphones are a great bargain. Quality is not sacrificed for cost whatsoever. They are simply a rare, excellent-value item sold at a consumer-driven price. They are proof that you do not have to spend a lot to get a lot.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 92

Ease of Use: 93

Advanced Feature: 91

Battery Life: 90

Value: 93

Average =  92.2

6. Giro Outdoortech X Giro-Bt Chip 2.0 Helmet Headphones

 

The Giro Outdoortech is a high-end option. It is an outlier in terms of expense. Giro is a trustworthy brand that is one of the industry leaders. The headset itself is notably durable. It is made to handle serious use. It is long-lasting and sturdy, perfect for serious outdoor athletes.

Push-To-Talk

The headset features Push-To-Talk communication functionality. Stay in touch with your fellow riders for the duration of your trip. The sound quality is pristine and the range is practically limitless. In terms of safety and communication, the Giro is in a league of its own.

Emergency Removal

In an emergency, the cheek pads can be removed instantly. This allows the entire headset to be dismantled in seconds. This is an important safety feature in the event of an accident or crash. Helmets can be notoriously difficult to remove.

Cost and Value

The Giro is considerably more expensive than the other headsets reviewed here. While the headphones are high-quality, the price-tag is not warranted. There are no special features that would otherwise make it a stand-out option. It is overpriced and therefore not a great value.

Criteria Rating

Effectiveness: 92

Ease of Use: 93

Advanced Feature: 91

Battery Life: 90

Value: 93

Average =  92.2

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of snowboarding and skiing headphones is determined in several ways. If they are Bluetooth headphones, they must be able to keep you in touch with your companions. This is important in terms of safety in case you become separated from your group. Additionally, in the event you should need help, you need to be able to make a call without struggling.

Sound quality is also paramount. Snowboarding and skiing are exhilarating activities. The right soundtrack can keep you energized all day long. The speakers should be balanced, with audio levels the same on both sides. There should be adequate bass to truly feel the music.

Noise-canceling technology is a huge bonus. This eliminates unwanted, ambient noise. With the right earphones, even raging wind cannot be heard.

Ease of Use

A headset should make your life easier while on the slopes. Previously, you had to struggle with wired headphones attached to your phone or iPad. This involved constantly taking off your gloves to use your phone. Doing so is a major inconvenience and a slow-down.

Bluetooth headsets that are voice-operated take away that stumbling block. Instead of constantly having to take out your phone, you use voice commands. The Outdoor Tech Chips and Giro models, for example, require the use of only one button. Conveniently, the button can be pressed with gloves on.

The headphones should also be easy to pair with another Bluetooth device. The instructions should be simple to follow. Setup should be completed within minutes.

Advanced Feature

Advanced features can make life on the slopes even better. For example, push-to-talk functionality makes it simple to send and receive phone calls. The auto-answering feature of the Radioddity headset is great. It makes answering calls a breeze.

Another advanced feature is audio-cancelation. As previously mentioned, it eliminates unwanted sounds. When paired with high-quality speakers and a bass boost, the sound is first-class.

Other headsets are fully compatible with virtual assistants, such as Siri. The majority of headsets have universal compatibility. They work with iOS, Android and other operating systems. There is also a universal fit. Most headphones fit under the vast majority of snowboarding and skiing helmets. Others also fit under motorcycle, bicycle and skateboarding helmets.

Complete waterproofing is another feature that boosts a headset’s usefulness. This ensures that a headset will work properly when exposed to snow, wind, rain, and sweat. Some headsets are designed to withstand even sub-zero temperatures.

Other advanced features include break-away components. An example is the cheek pads of the Giro headset. This allows the headset and the helmet to be dismantled in seconds in case of an emergency.

Battery Life

For obvious reasons, the longer a headset lasts per battery charge, the better. A headset should last an entire day on a single battery charge. To ensure proper battery life, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed. This typically involves charging the battery completely before attempting to use the headphones.

Commonly, it takes approximately two hours for a battery to charge fully the first time. Subsequent charges usually take an hour. Battery life varies from model to model. On average, a battery lasts between eight and ten hours per charge. Most headsets are powered by lithium-ion batteries. The six headsets reviewed in this article all include batteries with purchase. Charging is done via a micro-USB cable in the majority of cases.

Value

The value of a set of headphones is determined by multiple factors. Cost is a primary consideration. The Radioddity, for example, is an excellent buy thanks to its extremely low price. It is inexpensive but not cheap in quality. The Giro, on the other hand, does not warrant its hefty price-tag.

A headset must provide good audio quality, of course. You must be able to hear clearly. The Bluetooth’s walkie-talkie functionality must have a long-distance range.

Expert Tips

Use Your Headphones Beforehand

Charge, pair and familiarize yourself with your headphones far ahead of time. Make sure you know how to send and receive phone calls. Practice using the walkie-talkie functionality with your companions. Test the range. Remember, in the event of an accident, your headphones can be used to call for help and to locate you on the mountain.

Learn how to skip tracks, pause, play and fast forward. This will save you time and aggravation on the mountain.

Ensure that your headphones are fully programmed ahead of time. Use all of the different features, including tap-to-talk and voice functionality.

Make sure you try out your headphones with your helmet ahead of time. This allows you to test out both fit and comfort.

Understand the Fit

Be aware that headphones fit differently. There are advantages and disadvantages to each fit. Personal preference also plays a large role in determining which fit is best for you. Top-of-the-head headphones, for example, pose a higher risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Wrap-around headphones are another option. However, they do not fit as securely under a helmet as top-of-the-head models.

There are also over-the-ear and in-ear headphones. This is similar to comparing earphones and earbuds. Your personal preference dictates which option is better. Be aware that in-ear headphones can cause damage to the ear canals after longterm use.

All headphones can cause some discomfort after being worn for over eight hours. That being said, some models are more comfortable than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does one battery charge last?

A: Battery charge varies from model to model. However, typically, a headset lasts for eight to ten hours on a full charge. Certain activities will deplete battery life faster than others. Sending and receiving phone calls uses more power than listening to music does. Of course, when headphones are wired, they can offer infinite playback.

Many headphones offer different configurations that impact battery life. For example, the Chips headset allows you to adjust the settings to optimize battery life. Turning off the walkie-talkie functionality gives the battery a boost.

In standby mode, headphones can stay charged for up to 500 hours. As the name suggests, standby mode is when the headphones are not being actively used.

Q: Do Bluetooth headphones work without cellular service?

A:  It depends on what you are trying to do. If you are listening to music that’s saved directly on your phone, you don’t need cellular service. To send or receive phone calls, use Siri or GPS functionality, you will need cellular service.

Q: How far of a distance is the typical wireless communication range?

A: Most headsets reach between 500 to 1000 meters.

Q: What kind of batteries power the headphones?

A: The majority of headsets are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Some use just one; others require a pair. The six headsets reviewed here all come with batteries.

Q: How are the headphones charged?

A: The headphones are powered by batteries. The batteries are charged via micro-USB cables. Charging usually takes between one and two hours.

Other Snowboard Gear

• Snowboarding Gloves Reviews
• Best Snow Sleds compared
• Snowmobile gloves Review
• Best Snowboard Helmets Compared
• Top Snowshoe Boots Reviewed
• Best Snowboarding Pants Comparison
• Ski & Snowboard Locks Compared
• Snowboarding Boots for Wide Feet