Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
The best smart motorcycle helmets to smarten up your ride
Helmets are essential accessories for motorcycle riders. They keep your head protected, and the recent boom in smart motorcycle helmets has also turned them into excellent communication and entertainment tools.
The intelligent motorcycle helmet market is plagued with unsuccessful attempts. Companies like Skully have failed their Indiegogo backers. To make matters worse, Skully’s site is no longer accessible. Nuviz had a great product, but the company closed down, and now customers are left with no support. You would be right to be wary of purchasing a smart helmet, as they also tend to be more expensive than traditional buckets.
This is why we have compiled a list of the best smart motorcycle helmets. We can’t make promises, but there is less of a guessing game with these, as they are available for purchase right now, and some come from very reputable brands.
Looking for more smart helmet details? Check out sister site GreenAuthority.com
What is a smart motorcycle helmet, and why do you need one?
Smart motorcycle helmets are relatively new to the market, so they haven’t exactly been classified or properly categorized yet. Generally speaking, a smart motorcycle helmet will do more than protect your head. It usually has added features like integrated speakers/headphones, a microphone, and a communication system. These will usually connect to smartphones, and sometimes other riders with compatible helmets or communicators.
Some of these devices take their smarts a step further, though. We’ve seen manufacturers put rearview systems into helmets, for example. Some even had heads-up displays integrated (though these are becoming rare). Other cool features might include integrated cameras, voice controls, navigation, and even emergency features. What an intelligent motorcycle helmet features depends on its niche market and what the manufacturer deems essential (and profitable).
A smart motorcycle helmet could very well save your life.Edgar Cervantes
There are multiple reasons you might want to have a smart motorcycle helmet. For starters, having some tunes playing sets the tone for an enjoyable ride! Communicating with other riders or making calls is also convenient, especially when riding in a group. Staying in touch and making decisions while riding is always suitable, not to mention entertaining.
Riding a motorcycle is a full-body experience. Doing anything other than riding requires literally pulling over and stopping completely. Communicating and staying entertained is nice, but that isn’t the real reason to get a smart motorcycle helmet. The truth is these are much safer. Features like voice commands keep your eyes on the road while also getting directions, changing a song, or making a call. It also means you don’t have to stop whenever you do these things. Some models have cameras, and can provide footage in case of an accident (not to mention the ability to record your sick curves!). Additionally, some helmets offer SOS features, lights for better visibility, and even rearview cameras. A smart motorcycle helmet could very well save your life.
The best smart motorcycle helmets
Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best smart motorcycle helmets.
Harley Davidson Outrush R Modular Bluetooth Helmet
This is one of Harley Davidson’s best-selling helmets, and for good reason. It features the convenience and protection of a modular helmet with all the communication technology you could need. It can connect with up to four riders and keep communications active at up to 900 meters. This ensures you can hold a connection with your smartphone/music, as well as your riding peers.
Buttons are located towards the back, out of the way, and keep aerodynamics flowing. Chin and forehead vents keep the fog away, and the PC/ABS composite shell will ensure the helmet doesn’t get too heavy.
Sena Momentum Pro
Known for their Bluetooth communication devices, Sena has entered the intelligent helmet game full throttle. Their higher-end model is the Sena Momentum Pro, which comes jam-packed with fancy features.
The Momentum Pro is equipped with a QHD camera. You could add a camera to any helmet, but that affects aerodynamics and convenience. This one is built-in and ready to go. Other features include intelligent noise control, Bluetooth audio, eight-way group intercom, and voice commands. Of course, DOT certification also makes sure you are safe in the case of an accident.
Sena Impulse
If you want a high-quality smart helmet but don’t need a camera, the Sena Impulse is one of the company’s best offerings, and it’s an amazing modular helmet. It’s not cheap, but you get plenty of great features.
For starters, it has premium sound by Harman Kardon. You can connect with four other users via Bluetooth, or Sena’s Group Mesh Intercom, which supports up to 24 riders. It’s even possible to use voice commands with Siri or Google Assistant. The most remarkable feature in the Sena Impulse is the LED taillights in the back of the helmet.
Sena Outrush R
Does this helmet look familiar? That’s because we already listed it earlier in this article. This is the helmet the Harley Davidson Outrush R helmet is based on. You can get it for cheaper without the HD branding!
If you want a smart Sena experience without all that bank-breaking, the Sena Outrush R is an excellent option. It doesn’t skimp on features, either. The modular design makes it very comfortable to use when jumping off the bike. Of course, you get plenty of features with Sena’s integrated Bluetooth communications and four-way intercom. Like the higher-end helmets, it can also be controlled with voice commands.
Quin Design Spitfire Rosso
Quin Designs focuses on a simple experience, offering the basics you need to stay connected without getting distracted. In fact, its most notable feature is that it offers Bluetooth audio. The system is invisibly integrated so that nothing affects its aerodynamics.
What separates the Spitfire from simple Bluetooth headsets is crash detection and SOS Beacon (live tracking). These will keep the rider secure and aided when most needed. As for the build, the helmet is both DOT and ECE certified.
Quin Design Ghost Umbra Carbon Edition
Do you like what Quin Designs does? If you have the money to spare and want a high-quality helmet from Quin Designs, look no further than the Ghost Umbra Carbon Edition. It weighs only 2.88lbs, thanks to its carbon fiber design.
Even the lighter body doesn’t stop the helmet from sporting all the intelligent features the company is known for. It also keeps the rider secure. The helmet meets ECE and DOT certifications. It also meets or exceeds the FIM, AMA, CRMC, and RACE racing standards.
Crosshelmet X1
With Skully gone, the smart helmet market is looking at Crosshelmet. This product comes with a heads-up display and a rearview camera. It also features a safety light, voice controls, and a design that looks like it comes from a sci-fi movie. It’s not cheap at $1,799, but it is one of the best smart motorcycle helmets you can find. And its design will definitely turn some heads.
Sedici Sistema II Parlare
The Sedici Sistema II Parlare may look like a simple modular helmet, but it has a fully integrated Sena DWO-6 Bluetooth v4.1 system. This allows for four-way intercom, a 1,000m range, radio, music sharing, audio multi-tasking, and more.
It’s also great as a helmet. The unit is built with fiberglass and kevlar. This helmet meets both DOT and ECE-22.05 standards, so it’s very safe. The name makes it seem fancy, too!
Torc T28B helmet
Torc offers another great Bluetooth-only product for those looking for simplicity in the best smart motorcycle helmets. It has an integrated sound system, mic, and side buttons for wirelessly controlling your smartphone. It also comes in various cool designs and offers ECE/DOT/CCC certification.
It’s only slightly more expensive than the T15B. And while the spec sheet looks very similar, there are some design improvements you can’t ignore. The main one is that this helmet is modular, meaning the front part can be pushed up to uncover your face. This is great for times when you pull over to get gas, or when you want to get off the bike and enjoy a view without taking your helmet entirely off.
Bilt Techno 3.0
Bilt is known for offering value, and while this helmet isn’t exactly cheap, it offers a lot for its price. For starters, it provides a modular construction that can leave your face uncovered in a second. This offers versatility and freedom while also keeping you protected during long rides.
What makes it smart? It has an integrated Sena DWO-6 Bluetooth system featuring a 4-way intercom, smartphone app support, call conferencing, music sharing, speed dial, and more cool features. It can also keep intercom communications as far as a kilometer, and battery life should last 8 hours on a single charge.
FAQs
Motorcycle helmets aren’t cheap, in general, so it only makes sense that these will cost more if they come with more technology and integrated features. That said, there are some good options for those on a budget.
The whole idea of a smart motorcycle helmet is to make riding safer. These come with DOT certification, making them street-legal and safe to use. Additionally, they take advantage of voice commands and other shortcuts to allow you to keep your eyes on the road at all times. That said, part of the responsibility falls on you. You shouldn’t do anything distracting while riding a motorcycle; sometimes listening to music or podcasts can cause unnecessary distractions.
DOT stands for Department of Transportation. DOT-certified helmets (and other products) carry the government’s seal of approval, ensuring these meet the safety requirements needed to ride safely.
ECE stands for Economic Commission for Europe. It’s a series of certifications and standards manufacturers must meet to sell a helmet. It’s like the European version of DOT.
I have personally broken my jaw during a motorcycle accident for wearing an open-face helmet. Using a full-face helmet is always recommended, as it offers the best level of protection for both your head and face. That said, plenty of modular and open-face helmets are safe; they just aren’t as safe.
Are you also looking to modernize other aspects of your riding experience? We have some good recommendations for you in our list of the best electric motorcycles and our guide to the best driving apps.