10 Best Earbuds For Motorcycle For Amazing Experience 2024
If you’re looking for a great pair of earbuds that you can wear while riding a motorcycle, then you’re in luck.
These handy devices offer a variety of benefits when riding, blocking wind noise, communicating with your passenger or other riders, and even listening to the stereo on long rides. However, there are a large variety of models on the market, and choosing the ones that will be best for use with a motorcycle can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for.
Fortunately, we’ve done the research, going over hundreds of customer reviews as well as information from industry experts and enthusiasts in both audio and motorcycles in order to determine the absolute best options on the market.
Listed below are our picks for the best options. From top-of-the-line audio to inexpensive but high-quality options, read on for the very best we can find.
Table of Contents
Can You Wear Earbuds While Riding a Motorcycle?
Before putting your Bluetooth earbuds in, it might be a good idea to think about one or two critical factors when it comes to riding while wearing earbuds. There are both legal and practical concerns to consider, and they are equally important.
The law is not uniform across the US when it comes to wearing earbuds while riding a motorcycle or operating a motor vehicle; while some states allow the use of earbuds on the road, others strictly prohibit it.
For example, the state of Ohio doesn’t allow anyone to operate a motor vehicle while wearing headphones that aren’t integrated into a helmet, while Florida allows motorists to wear a single earbud only. To avoid legal trouble, check with your local government to be more familiar with the law in your area.
More importantly, you should also consider exactly how the use of earbuds will affect your riding. At no point should you be completely disconnected from the world around you when you are riding a motorcycle, and your hearing is a major part of being aware of the rest of the traffic around you. The laws surrounding earbud use take this into consideration and are meant to prevent accidents on the road.
This is why it is best to use only one side of your Bluetooth earbuds when riding, and the set you choose should always allow that option.
10 Best Motorcycle Earbuds Reviewed:
#1: Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
Kicking off our list, we have the extremely popular option made by Apple for its line of cell phones. These earbuds are specifically made to integrate with your phone for more than just listening to music. Features like in-ear detection and excellent connection make these earbuds an easy-to-use choice.
Two specific elements of these earbuds make them a great choice for motorcyclists. The low-profile design allows these earbuds to be worn comfortably under a helmet. Integrated Siri connectivity also allows for voice control, requiring no touch input in order to interact with your phone. This lets you keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.
The major drawback to these Bluetooth earbuds is that they are brand specific, and not designed to work with Android phones, so many of their specific features will not work if used as simple bluetooth earbuds, and the features are the main point of using these earbuds specifically.
Pros
- Over 24 hours of listening time with the charging case
- Integrated Siri for hands-free control of your phone
- Low-profile design fits comfortably under your helmet
- Allows single earbud connection
Cons
- Brand-specific earbuds cannot use many of their features with Android phones
- Sound quality is middle of the road
- Hard plastic earbuds may not fit every user
VERDICT: Best Apple-Specific
#2: Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Samsung’s answer to the incredibly popular offerings by Apple, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 brings audio expertise from AKG and top-quality hardware from Samsung together to create a great offering in mobile audio for Android phones. These earbuds offer a full suite of features, including strong connection, active noise cancellation, and two microphones for excellent voice call quality.
These earbuds also offer a low-profile design that fits comfortably in either one ear or two, which makes them a good option to wear on a motorcycle. Seamless integration with the Android operating system also means that you have full control over all of your apps, such as GPS and cell phone calling.
Pros
- Full integration with Android OS
- Strong bluetooth headphones connection and software
- Can be worn in a single ear
Cons
- Audio quality is average for mid-range headphones
- No warranty in the US for international version
VERDICT: Best Android-Specific
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#3: Tozo Golden X1
For universal earbuds, Tozo brings in a great midrange option with better sound than specialized brands like Apple or Samsung. These earbuds are designed with audio quality in mind and offer audio response for crisp and clean highs as well as powerful lows. An integrated, noise cancelling earbuds microphone allows for clear call quality, and these earbuds can work independently of one another.
The included charging case features a digital display so that you always know when the headphones are fully charged, and the units can support 8 hours of use on a single charge, and a total of 32 across charges with the case. Tozo also offers an app that can help tailor your audio experience so that it is perfect for your specific needs.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Long battery life on both a single charge and with the charging case
- Noise-canceling microphone for call quality
- LED display on the case lets you know when charging is complete
Cons
- App is necessary to utilize all features
- Fit may not always hold
#4: Bose QuietComfort
These earbuds from Bose bring the outstanding sound quality of one of the most reputable audio brands on the go, featuring ambient noise cancellation and a comfortable fit that sets a standard for true wireless Bluetooth earbuds. These earbuds offer a balanced sound without a focus on the highs or lows of audio.
As earbuds, these are specifically designed around noise cancellation and the signature Bose sound; however for riding, there are some drawbacks. The profile of the earbuds is larger than some of their competitors, and the passive noise isolation can feel unbalanced for some users.
Pros
- High-quality middle-frequency sound from Bose
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Top-quality connection
Cons
- Larger earbuds may be difficult to wear with a helmet
- Wearing single earbud may have an unbalanced feel for some users
- Very high price point
VERDICT: Best noise cancellation
#5: Soundcore P2i
For riders and listeners looking for a budget-friendly option that still has decent audio and connection quality, Soundcore offers the P2i wireless earbuds. These earbuds offer a solid connection via Bluetooth 5.2, decent sound quality, and even multiple EQ modes, all for a fraction of the price of most midrange earbud options.
The included charging case allows the earbuds up to 18 hours of listening time before needing to be plugged in, and the box includes three earbud tips to ensure a good fit. Motorcycle riders especially will benefit from the low profile design that can be worn under a helmet.
Pros
- Decent sound and connection quality under $50
- Low profile and lightweight design
Cons
- Less battery life than some competitors
- Lack of customization options
- No ambientnoise cancellation
VERDICT: Budget option
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#6: Beats Studio Buds
If you’re all about that bass, then the Beats Studio Buds may be a great option for you. These earbuds are designed with especially strong bass response and equipped with much of the same connection software found in Apple’s own AirPods, although these are fully compatible with Android devices as well.
These earbuds operate independently from one another, allowing the use of just one side, and each one houses multiple microphones for maximum call quality. The Beats Studio Buds can operate for up to 6 hours on a single charge when using active noise cancellation and can go for 24 hours with the included charging case.
Pros
- Outstanding bass response
- Excellent bluetooth connection software courtesy of Apple
- Active noise cancelling
Cons
- Average audio response in the mid and high sound range
- Slightly larger profile than some competitors
VERDICT: Best bass
#7: Raycon Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
Raycon brings its top-quality audio expertise to these earbuds, resulting in a solid middle-range product with simple and effective technology. Rather than a particular focus on sound in the low, mid, or high range of audio, Raycon features a flat and even response across all frequencies, meaning that no matter what you listen to, they will sound great.
Battery life on the earbuds is 8 hours, extending to 32 with the charging case, and the noise cancelling earbuds feature is factored into that number! For motorcycle riders, the low profile and single-bud connection are both huge advantages. Other features include wireless charging and Bluetooth 5.2 connection.
Pros
- Simple, easy-to-use bluetooth setup
- -Excellent battery life
- -Good build and audio quality under $100
Cons
- General sound is not especially notable for any one thing
- No options for more personalized sound
VERDICT: All-around option
#8: JBL Tune 130NC
JBL brings its outstanding reputation in audio forward to produce these excellent wireless earbuds. Featuring solid build quality, noise cancellation, and sound customization options through their app, JBL offers features that are common on top-end options at a significantly lower cost. Especially noteworthy is the bass response of the drivers, which are designed with a focus on the low range of audio.
JBL’s app allows the user to tailor their sound experience to suit their preferences. This means that the standard sound from the earbuds doesn’t necessarily have to be the way they play for you. The build quality is good, as well as being compact, which is especially good for motorcycle riders who will be wearing helmets over their earbuds.
Pros
- Good bass response
- Customizable sound profile through JBL’s app
- Up to 40 hours of battery life when using the charging case
Cons
- Noise cancellation does not work with just one headphone
- Audio quality is so-so
VERDICT: Best battery life
#9: Sony WF-C500
Leaning on their expertise as a multimedia production company, Sony offers an excellent option for wireless earbuds loaded with a host of features to make your listening experience as enjoyable as possible. These earbuds are offered in a compact package but still offer popular features like noise cancellation.
An included carrying case allows you to easily take your earbuds on the go, and the included charging case can extend the life of the earbuds to 20 hours and charge them in just minutes. The compact design is especially beneficial for motorcycle riders, and one unit can be worn alone as well.
Pros
- Solid sound quality across all audio frequencies
- -Compact and lightweight size
- -Included travel case makes transport easier
Cons
- Can be worn one at a time, but only one side has a microphone
- Active noise cancellation only works with both buds
- Poor battery life compared to their competition
VERDICT: All-Around Option
#10: Skullcandy Jib True 2
Offering a balance of strong sound quality, features, and price, Skullcandy’s Jib True 2 earbuds are a solid option for any rider or listener looking to balance features and cost. These earbuds are capable of up to 33 hours of use with the charging case and can also be used truly independent of one another on either side. Tile technology also allows you to easily find the earbuds if they are ever misplaced.
Skullcandy also offers an app for moderate customization of the audio response, allowing you some control over what kind of audio experience they provide. However, motorcycle riders may find them uncomfortable to wear under a helmet due to the slightly higher profile design, and quality over time has been a known issue for these earbuds.
Pros
- Solid quality audio and features under $50
- Good battery life
- Fully independent right and left earbuds
Cons
- Quality issues over time
- Higher profile design will be uncomfortable with a helmet
VERDICT: Budget Option
What Makes The Perfect Motorcycle Earbuds:
There are many, many options to choose from when looking for earbuds, from audio to design. Let’s take a look at some of the key features to look out for when browsing for the best ones to use when riding a motorcycle.
Wired or wireless?
When it comes to motorcycle earbuds, you may already be familiar with the idea of wired vs. wireless earbuds, however the subject has changed ccaonsiderably in recent years.
Many cell phones no longer come equipped with 3.5mm audio jacks, meaning that wired earbuds are no longer compatible with every phone, and therefore they are no longer a universal option. Aside from that, the wires are well known for getting tangled or getting in the way, and that can be both annoying and dangerous when riding a motorcycle. At this point, the only wired options commonly available are continuations of old models or designed specifically to be as cheap as possible.
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Wireless earbuds, especially “true wireless” earbuds, are a more modern, significantly better option for a variety of reasons. Firstly, this type operates on a bluetooth connection, which can be found on any cell phone and has advanced to the point that only the keenest of ears can hear a difference between bluetooth and wired connections (extremely high-quality cables are also a necessity). An especially relevant ability of these true wireless earbuds is the ability to operate one at a time, which may even be a legal consideration if you wear them while riding a motorcycle.
The updates to technology and the necessity of single-ear operation is the reason that all of the earbuds listed are “true wireless” earbuds.
Comfort
A comfortable set of earbuds is essential, especially if you will be wearing them for a long time. Uncomfortable earbuds which don’t fit properly can be an annoyance when riding and may even fall out.
The ability for your earbuds to fit comfortably under a helmet is especially important, as your helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment you will use when riding a motorcycle. If your earbuds cannot fit securely and comfortably under your helmet, they can become a distraction, and that is dangerous.
Remember that if you have to choose between a pair of earbuds and your helmet, always ditch the earbuds first.
Extra features:
Features like noise cancellation and voice control can be major quality-of-life improvements when you’re riding, while water-resistant models will be able to handle all the sweating you are likely to do if you happen to be riding in the summer heat.
Typically, the more features that your earbuds come with, the better, although your own use can and will vary. Think about the features that you are most likely to use, and then make your decision based on that.
- Waterproof: if you’ll be riding your motorcycle in varying weather conditions, then it’s good to look for earbuds that can withstand these elements.
- Add-Ons: some earbuds might come with extra features for your own convenience, e.g., sweat proof, volume control buttons, noise cancellation, noise isolation, and more. The more features a model comes with, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
what are the best noise blocking motorcycle earbuds?
There is no single “best” option on the market, as every single option will have different strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, the best noise-canceling earbuds will be a terrible fit for riding for one reason or another. Ultimately, each rider will have different preferences and needs that will influence their decision.
Is it safe to wear motorcycle earbuds all day long?
It is not “unsafe” to wear earbuds for long periods of time, but it is definitely not the best idea. Wearing something in your ear all day can cause fatigue and grow uncomfortable, even when wearing exceptionally comfortable earbuds.
If you are listening at high volumes for a long period of time, the potential damage to your hearing is a very real risk and should be avoided.
Final Verdict
Earbuds are a decent way to spice up your ride, allowing you the option to make and receive phone calls on the go, listen to GPS directions, and even listen to your favorite music if you choose.
While it can be easy to assume that wireless, and especially “true wireless” earbuds, are all exceptionally expensive, we have covered a wide variety of the very best options available across all price points to help ensure that you can find a set that allows you to have a safe and enjoyable ride.
Whether you choose a top-of-the-line model loaded with features, or a modest option that just lets you make and receive calls without reaching for your phone, you will have all the information you need to make an informed decision on the best earbuds to wear when riding your favorite motorcycle.
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