5 Best Wireless Ski Helmet Headphones in 2023
There's nothing quite like carving down the mountain with your favorite tunes blasting out to give you confidence and rhythm in your turns. Whether you're skiing or snowboarding, listening to music through your ski helmet with the right audio setup is fun, practical, and comfortable.
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Sure you can go old school and put in your wired headphones, but after a few hours, they're likely to dig in and put pressure on your ears or fall out. If you're reading this, then you're likely aware of the issues of your current setup and looking for an upgrade.
After many hours of research, I've compiled the absolute best ski helmet headphones this season.
Best Headphones for Skiing
- ALECK Universal Bluetooth Audio & Communication Speakers (Our Top Pick)
- Giro Outdoortech X Bluetooth Wireless Chips 2.0 (Great Choice)
- Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Drop-In (Best Budget)
- Outdoor Tech Wired Chips (Best Wired Option)
- UClear Digital High Definition Helmet Speakers (Runner-Up Walkie-Talkie System)
1. ALECK Bluetooth Audio Ski Helmet Speakers
We liked how the Hi-Fi Audio features built-in to these Bluetooth headphones allow you to stay connected easily with others. The push-to-talk function is super easy to use and there are custom channels available so that you can stay in touch with your group.
Downloading the Aleck GO! app allowed us to track where each person in our group was located in the mountains. It’s an incredible safety feature that’s accurate and great for groups of people with varying riding skills.
You can even use these wireless headphones to listen to your favorite songs whilst skiing. With dual 40mm titanium drivers, we found that the low and high frequencies came through incredibly well.
The IPX4 water-resistant feature is also fantastic for ensuring that the headphones remain durable and can withstand being used in the snow.
Awesome Features:
- The glove-friendly controls mean that you can navigate this headset easily without having to take your gloves off.
- With a built-in microphone and Siri compatibility, you can make calls using voice commands for convenience.
- This headset is compatible with a wide variety of helmets including Giro, Smith, Sweet Protection, Pret, and more.
- We were impressed with the 10-hour battery life. It means you have reliable helmet audio for long days out on the slope.
Downsides:
- Some noticed that the app doesn’t work as well when the phone screen is off.
Where To Buy:
2. Giro Outdoortech X Bluetooth Wireless Chips 2.0
The Chips 2.0 are lightweight, Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones that work under beanies or ski helmets. You'll be able to hook thee up with your iPhone or any phone with Bluetooth connectivity - play tunes, chat to someone on the go (built-in microphone), or listen to an audiobook.
Out of one charge, you'll get a decent 10 hours of playback time which is more than enough for a full day of carving up the mountain. The headphones themselves are connected with a flat cable that goes around the back and they will easily slot into the ear pad section of most ski helmets.
The pads are sweat-resistant and will work in extreme temperatures. Just remember to keep your phone warm in an inside pocket to conserve battery life.
Awesome Features:
- Crystal clear Bluetooth wireless audio.
- 10 hours of playtime from a single charge.
- Sweat-resistant & good for cold weather up to -20°C/-4°F
- This is the newer 2017 model with improved connectivity.
- Fit with almost all helmets with pouches on either side.
Downsides:
- The built-in walkie-talkie mode requires internet data making this a gimmick in the world of WhatsApp and messenger voice calls.
Where to Buy:
3. Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Drop-In Headphones
The Alta Wireless Bluetooth headphones are designed specifically for wearing your ski helmet. They deliver a sharp sound for 10 straight hours of wireless playback. The speakers are shaped to fit in almost all 'audio-ready' ski helmets - this includes helmets from Smith, Poc, K2, Giro, Bolle, Anon, Burton, and others.
They're almost twice as cheap as the Outdoor Wireless Tech Chips 2.0 and the sound is decent (but not very bassy). The pads come with 3 oversized buttons which makes it easy to skip tracks and answer calls. If you have voice control enabled you're good to go, as the speakers have a built-in mic - which means you can chat with your buddies without having to reach for your phone.
Awesome Features:
- Change the track or make a call by tapping a button or using Siri/Google Voice with the built-in microphone.
- Clear sound and small pads that easily fit into almost any ski helmet with ear pads.
- 10 hours of playback is enough for skiing or snowboarding all day.
- Works in extreme temperatures down to -20°C/-4°F
Downsides:
- Some reviewers mention the cord being a bit short for some helmets.
Where to Buy:
4. Outdoor Tech Wired Chips
Similar in design to the Outdoor Tech Chips, these are the much cheaper but wired version of the same name. If you're looking for decent audio but don't want the price tag associated with their Bluetooth brothers then this might just be perfect for you.
While wires do require a bit more of an initial setup, each time you pull the wire through your jacket and into your music player or phone, the truth is - once they're plugged in and your away off on the slopes, you're unlikely to notice much of a difference.
While your wires are bound to snag or come loose now and again, the major benefit is that you never need to charge them. Because Bluetooth needs an external power source, they need to be charged each night. With this wired option you'll have no such worries and music for a multi-day extended trip (as long as your music-playing device has got juice).
The benefit of these over traditional wired earbuds is that they will sit comfortably within the helmet's ear pads and not press or dig into your ear canal.
Awesome Features:
- Because of their wires, they need no external power source so will never run out. They'll run as long as your device does.
- Sweat-resistant and the same tough construction runs fine up to -20°C/-4°F.
Downsides:
- Wired.
Where to Buy:
5. UClear Digital High-Definition Helmet Speakers
The UCLEAR Digital Helmet Speakers set features speakers and a microphone that were designed to be used with all types of face helmets. As a result, these headphones fit comfortably with a ski helmet.
We liked how the 30mm driver that has been integrated is powerful and allows for frequencies to sound clear. This, in combination with the Hi-Fi audio feature, means that communication has remarkable clarity.
Awesome Features:
- These headphones have been designed to work with all kinds of helmets. Therefore, you can wear them comfortably with ski helmets.
- You can install these headphones within minutes without needing any tools.
- The 30mm driver allows for Hi-Fi audio that lets you listen to people with clarity.
- The high-quality microphone means that you can speak to others with clarity.
- Compatible with other UCLEAR digital headphones
Downsides:
- On the pricey side
Where to Buy:
Is Your Ski Helmet Compatible?
Before splashing out on some brand-new headphones for your ski helmet, is worth checking to see if your current ski helmet is compatible. The best way to check is to see if your helmet has a slot within the earpad area that would fit a small round speaker.
Helmets that have this space are often called 'audio-ready' helmets and have been designed with a headphone upgrade in mind. The space will look something like this and will be a slot or pocket that is big enough to fit a headphone speaker.
If your ski helmet is not audio compatible and does not have this slot, then I'd recommend upgrading to one of these ski helmets:
Is It Dangerous To Ski With Music Playing?
Skiing with music does present some risks as it will block out the sound of other skiers and snowboarders on the mountain. When using earphones you need to be a bit more alert to your surroundings.
Be aware of skiers coming from behind and from any pistes that join you as you make your way downhill. Always look around for oncoming traffic as you merge onto a new section of the slope and be ready to parallel stop on a dime.
Best Songs For Skiing?
While everyone has their own unique songs, here (link will launch Spotify ) is a link to a popular Shopify skiing or snowboarding playlist that has some great tunes you might enjoy (18hrs of songs!)
Wireless Versus Wired Headphones
Wireless headphones are great because there are no wires to pull through jackets and it's quicker to get going. Most people prefer to go with wireless headphones but there are a few downsides:
Wireless
Cons of Wireless:
- You'll need to charge your headphones every night or every other day. The best headphones on this list have no more than 10 hours of playtime. This isn't usually a problem unless you get to the top of the slopes and then realize you forgot to charge them. When that happens it can be a pain, but you're unlikely to forget again! Wireless headphones require an internal battery and Bluetooth technology which makes them at least twice as expensive.
Pros of Wireless:
- No wires! The freedom to grab your ski helmet put it on and then get skiing without having to feed a wire through your jacket is pretty cool.
- Note: Some wireless headphones can be plugged in and used as wired headphones when the battery dies!
Wired
Cons of Wired:
- You need to feed the wire into your helmet and out into your jacket which can take a minute or so to set up each time you ride.
- Sometimes the wires can snag and come out or get tangled up in your clothing.
Pros of Wired:
- Wired headphones are a lot cheaper which makes them a good choice if you're looking for a bargain and to save your pennies for the ski pass.
- Wired headphones never run out of battery.
Headphone For Beanies
Not everyone wears a helmet (although there are plenty of good reasons to)
The Zibaar is an amazingly inexpensive wireless option if you're skiing without a helmet, you could even wear this beanie under a ski helmet (although it wouldn't be optimum comfort).
While you're not going to get top-of-the-range audio coming from this, for the price these are pretty cool. They even have a small built-in mic so you can answer calls without lifting a finger (as long as voice control on your phone is active) or pressing the play button on one of the headphones.
The speakers are small (about 30mm in diameter) and unobtrusive and you'll get a nifty 5 hours of continuous playback before you need to recharge.
Awesome Features:
- An extra layer of warmth if worn under a helmet.
- Excellent price point.
- Built-in mic and play/pause or answer calls button.
Downsides:
- 5 hours of charge.
Where to Buy:
Snowboard Helmet Headphones
The recommendations above will also work great as snowboard helmet speakers. The ALECK, Alta and Outdoor Tech options are designed to fit seamlessly into your snowboard helmet's ear pads to give you helmet audio.
Ski Helmet with Headphones
We have in the past tested helmets with built-in headphones - but they were not that comfortable and were too heavy. We've found the best option is to buy a ski helmet with space in the ear pads and then add a pair of headphones from the list above.
Final Thoughts
We all love music, and listening to your favorite tunes on the slopes is an incredible experience. Just remember to be extra alert and keep the volume at a decent level so you can still hear if someone is shouting at you in case of an emergency or something you need to be aware of.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.
About Us
Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.
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