A Bluetooth headset is the only way for you to safely communicate with other riders and people when you are riding a motorcycle. Therefore, this device has become an essential part of a motorcycle helmet.
There are various models on the market but if you don’t have much to spend, you can always find the best budget motorcycle Bluetooth headset that meets your needs.
Here are the best budget motorcycle bluetooth headsets (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: Sena (SMH5-UNIV) Bluetooth Headset
- Best For Full-Face Helmets: THOKWOK Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset, BT-S3
- Best For Big Rider Groups: FODSPORTS M1S Pro
- Longest Intercom Range: LEXIN 1pc LX-B4FM
- Best For Slow Speeds: FreedConn TCOM-SC
- Best For Short Road Trips: Yideng Bluetooth For Motorcycle Helmet Headset Bt-s2
| 6 Best Budget Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Sena (SMH5-UNIV) Bluetooth Headset | |
Best For Full-Face Helmets | THOKWOK Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset, BT-S3 | |
Best For Big Rider Groups | FODSPORTS M1S Pro | |
Longest Intercom Range | LEXIN 1pc LX-B4FM | |
Best For Slow Speeds | FreedConn TCOM-SC | |
Best For Short Road Trips | Yideng Bluetooth For Motorcycle Helmet Headset Bt-s2 | |
Best Overall: Sena (SMH5-UNIV) Bluetooth Headset
- Easy to install and operate – minimalist design
- Individual volume control for each audio source
- Able to be used while charging
- Upgradable hardware
- Wish the Bluetooth control for the phone was better
Sena Bluetooth units have never disappointed us and this model isn’t an exception. Although there aren't a ton of features like the others, its sound quality and battery life stand out of the competition at this price point.
Not to say that the simple construction makes it super-easy to install and use, which is perfect for new riders or those who just need communication between two separate riders or two people on the same bike.
It also allows you to enjoy some music during your commute and hear GPS directions until 55 mph with no noise earplugs. There is an individual volume control for each audio source. A good thing is while charging it on the road trip, it’s still able to be used.
Besides, firmware parts are upgradable.
| Sena (SMH5-UNIV) Bluetooth Headset Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 13.2 ounces |
Intercom Range | 400 meters (430 yards) |
Talk Time | 4-5 hours |
Highlight Features | minimalist design Individual volume control for each audio source Upgradable hardware Can be used while charging |
The Sena (SMH5-UNIV) makes it easy to make one-to-one conversations within 430 yards aside from connecting to your phone for some music or GPS directions, and many more. At this price point, it is the best overall performer for 2020.
Best For Full-Face Helmets: THOKWOK Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset, BT-S3
- Perfect for full-face helmets – a clip for mounting, bigger push-button, & waterproof construction
- Offer crystal clear sound quality at high speeds - Noise and DSP echo Cancelling Technology
- Not interrupt your conversations while riding motorcycles - identify full-duplex intercom with the longest distance up to 1094 yards
- Hands-free capability - automatically answer an incoming call and after hanging up, it resumes the intercom
- Mic quality could be better
- Music speakers aren’t as good as others
The waterproof THOKWOK BT-S3 is designed with a clip to easily install on the side of half-face or full-face helmets, along with a bigger push-button for simpler operation while you’re wearing gloves.
It is able to identify full-duplex intercoms with the longest distance up to 1094 yards at the highest speed of 50 to 70 MPH. Also, it supports three riders to pair and one-to-one intercom at a time with clear sound, even at high speeds thanks to the Noise and DSP echo Cancelling Technology.
When intercom, it is able to automatically answer an incoming call and after hanging up, it resumes the intercom.
You can enjoy some music, FM radio, or hear GPD directions through this device, using Bluetooth connection to your smartphone.
| THOKWOK Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset, BT-S3 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 10.4 ounces |
Intercom Range | 2625’ to 3281’ |
Talk Time | 8 hours |
Highlight Features | a clip for mounting, bigger push-button, & waterproof construction Noise and DSP echo Cancelling Technology identify full-duplex intercom with the longest distance up to 1094 yards automatically answer an incoming call and after hanging up, it resumes the intercom |
Waterproof, easy to mount and use, multifunctional, and offering crystal clear sound, the THOKWOK BT-S3 is our top choice for full-face helmets.
Best For Big Rider Groups: FODSPORTS M1S Pro
- Allow for 8-rider group intercom at a max distance of 2187 yards & 547-yard two-rider intercom
- Ensure clear voice quality no matter what - a waterproof, dustproof CSR chip
- Afford long road trips – 20-hour runtime
- Physically a bit larger
- Unclear instructions
- The speakers are slightly thick, which might not fit small ears
FODSPORTS M1S Pro is designed to support up to 8-rider group intercom at the longest distance of 2187 yards (as long as there are no obstacles, like buildings). But for one-to-one intercom, the recommended distance is 547 yards.
Making it outstanding from other counterparts is its microphone of motorcycle Bluetooth headset.
It’s built with a CSR chip, the voice quality of which is always kept high definition, especially for the bass that features a high reproducibility. We love that it’s not affected by ambient noise, such as the engine, winds at high speeds, and so on. Moreover, it is waterproof and dustproof.
A big bonus is its runtime of up to 20 hours, perfect for long road trips.
| FODSPORTS M1S Pro Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.2 ounces |
Intercom Range | 1640’ to 6562’ |
Talk Time | 20 hours |
Highlight Features | 2187-yard 8-rider group intercom 547-yard two-rider intercom a waterproof, dustproof CSR chip 20-hour runtime |
Designed to freely communicate between a group of 8 riders at the max distance of 2187 yards – something that others hardly do, we ranked the FODSPORTS M1S Pro as our Best Pick for Big Rider Groups award.
Longest Intercom Range: LEXIN 1pc LX-B4FM
- Offer three-rider group intercom at the max distance of 1750 yards
- Able to compatible with other Bluetooth headsets or cheap earpieces
- Allows for voice commands, phone calls, audio GPS directions, and wireless music - the HFP profile & the A2DP Bluetooth profile
- User-friendly with any type of helmets – interchangeable microphone
- A bit temperamental to connect to Android phones
- Unable to skip onto new songs
- Wish the speakers have more bass to them
So far so good. The LEXIN 1pc LX-B4FM allows for sharing your riding experience with up to three more riders talking at the same time. The maximum intercom distance is 1750 yards, functioning excellently at speeds up to 74.5MPH, and the runtime is 15 hours.
You can pair this to other Bluetooth headsets or cheap earpieces and use the HFP profile for S Voice (Samsung) or Siri (iPhone) voice commands and phone calls.
Or, use the A2DP Bluetooth profile for audio GPS directions and wireless music.
While both the microphone and speakers offer high-quality sound with noise cancellation technology, the microphone is particularly able to be an interchange between a button microphone for full-face helmets and a boom microphone for flip-face (convertible) or open helmets.
| LEXIN 1pc LX-B4FM Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8.8 ounces |
Intercom Range | 5249’ = 1750 yards |
Talk Time | 15 hours |
Highlight Features | Able to pair with other Bluetooth headsets or cheap earpieces the HFP profile & the A2DP Bluetooth profile interchangeable microphone three-rider group intercom at the max distance of 1750 yards |
In the tested configuration, this is our favorite model of all that we tested with an emphasis on the longest intercom range.
Best For Slow Speeds: FreedConn TCOM-SC
- Allow for achieving playback control - AVRCP
- Easy to use - easy 1 button control
- The plastic bracket is a bit weak and hard to mount
The FreedConn TCOM-SC is capable of supporting three-rider group intercom with efficient riding communication up to 875 yards at the max speed of 75mph.
Regardless, it supports GPS voice prompt, stereo MP3 music, hands-free call, and FM radio using Bluetooth 3.0. An advanced feature is its AVRCP, which allows you to skip to new songs, previous songs, pause, and play, all are easily controlled by one button.
It’s also able to meet different communication needs by pairing other FreedConn motorcycle helmet intercoms, like BM2-S, T-MAX, T-Rex, COLO, T-COM, and FDCVB Bluetooth helmet.
There’s a soft mic cord for full-face helmets and a hard mic cord for half or modular helmets.
| FreedConn TCOM-SC Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.6 ounces |
Frequency | 2.4GHz |
Intercom Range | 2625’ |
Talk Time | 7 hours |
Highlight Features | AVRCP easy 1 button control compatible with other FreedConn motorcycle helmet intercom support three-rider group intercom up to 875 yards at the max speed of 75mph |
Performing very well at low speeds, the FreedConn TCOM-SC is one of our favorite picks this year.
Best For Short Road Trips: Yideng Bluetooth For Motorcycle Helmet Headset Bt-s2
- Reliable - BQB, ROHS, FCC, CE compliant
- Durable and long-lasting - 14°F - 131°F temperature ranges & waterproof
- Multifunctional and convenient to use - feature AVRCP, A2DP, HFP, and HSP
- Low bass
Although the Yideng BT-S2 offers only 8-hour talk time, it allows for 3-rider group intercom at a good distance range up to 1094 yards (no interference), supporting the max speeds of 75MPH.
It is BQB, ROHS, FCC, CE compliant.
The product also features 14°F - 131°F temperature ranges and decent waterproof properties aside from the AVRCP, A2DP, HFP, and HSP. It allows you to listen to traffic and news information, voice instructions of GPS, FM radio, and stereo music while riding, all functions are easily switched by a button.
| Yideng Bluetooth For Motorcycle Helmet Headset Bt-s2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 11.6 ounces |
Frequency | 2.4GHz |
Intercom Range | 3281’ |
Talk Time | 8 hours |
Highlight Features | BQB, ROHS, FCC, CE compliant Runtime: 8 hours 14°F - 131°F temperature ranges & waterproof feature AVRCP, A2DP, HFP, and HSP |
If you’re looking for the best budget motorcycle Bluetooth headset for short road trips, this is your best bet.
How To Choose The Best Budget Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset?
Range Of Connection
The range of connection determines how many people you can communicate with when you ride in a group.
A good range also helps ensure a stable connection with your fellows on the way. With that in mind, the wider the range, the better.
Therefore, when shopping for a Bluetooth headset for motorcycles, remember to look at this specification on each product.
Voice Control And Sound Quality
Voice control is a huge benefit you should look for in a motorcycle headset because it allows you to use the headset without having to lift your hand off the handlebars of the vehicle, ensuring a safe ride.
With voice control, you will be able to take calls when you’re riding.
Talking about voice, convenient communication means nothing if the sound quality is poor and the other person can’t hear a thing you say.
So, you should opt for the best audio quality possible, one that can blocks out ambient noises.
Number Of Devices It Can Connect
The ability to connect to multiple devices at the same time is a thing that drives up the cost of a motorcycle headset.
On the market, currently, there are few headsets that offer this ability.
However, consider if you really need this feature or not. It’s no use buying a headset that can connect to 6 devices when you need only one because most people listen to music and take calls on the same smartphone.
Which Brands Make The Best Budget Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset?
Founded in 1998, this brand has worked relentlessly to challenge conventional limitations to make the best products. Here, you will find headsets with great designs, technicality, and materials.
FODSPORTS
Since 2015, this brand has specialized in outdoor sports products. The brand takes pride in its professional research and development group that comes up with comfortable and modernized accessories for motorcyclists.
LEXIN
With 14 years of experience in the industry, this brand has built a reputation in making audio products for connection during rides. It promises high quality, reliability, and affordability.
FreedConn
If you are looking for a brand specializing in Bluetooth sports devices, this one is a must-try. Its strength is in the use of technologies to ensure performance for products.
FAQs
Can you listen to music while riding a motorcycle?
Yes, you can and you’re allowed to do this. To ensure a safe trip, you can use a stereo system on your vehicle or use a Bluetooth helmet.
Are budget motorcycle Bluetooth headsets worth buying?
Yes. If you’re wondering whether or not to buy a budget motorcycle Bluetooth headset, no worries. In fact, not all expensive headsets offer all the features you need while many affordable models can check all the boxes.
How does motorcycle Bluetooth headset work?
Bluetooth technology makes use of piconets to replace wires, which enable two devices to connect with each other wirelessly.
As soon as the network is established, the source masters all the devices connected to it and you can command them to do what you want.
How to mount your motorcycle Bluetooth headset?
Follow these steps to mount a Bluetooth headset on your motorcycle:
Step 1: Inspect the interior of your helmet to see if there’s enough space to mount the speakers and pick a position for the speakers.
Step 2: Cut and remove the foam liner around the ears.
Step 3: Clean the pocket area using a clean cloth and alcohol.
Step 4: Stick the speaker to the place.
Step 5: Position the microphone and the amplifier.
Step 6: Drill some holes and add retaining screws to fit the microphone with the helmet.
Step 7: Install the microphone.
Step 8: Press the wires into the liner.
Are budget motorcycle Bluetooth headsets as good as more expensive ones?
Yes, budget motorcycle Bluetooth headsets can work as well as costlier ones thanks to advanced technology.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to find the best budget motorcycle Bluetooth headset when you’re on a limited budget. However, once you have figured out all the important factors and what you need exactly, the task shouldn’t be difficult at all.
We hope that this post has provided you with everything you need to find the perfect product. Good luck!
Bryan Listor
