Best Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets for Communication
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Staying connected on the road, whether for navigation, music, calls or talking to your riding partner, is a priority for a lot of riders. There are two ways to get there: buy a helmet that comes with a Bluetooth headset, or buy a Bluetooth-ready helmet and add a separate intercom from a brand like Sena, Cardo or UClear. This guide covers what to look for either way, plus our picks from the GDM lineup, where every Bluetooth helmet comes with a headset in the box.
Our picks: the best GDM Bluetooth motorcycle helmets
Best overall: GDM Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet with 4 Shields
The GDM Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet with 4 Shields is the complete kit: a DOT-certified full face helmet with a drop-down sun visor, the GDM HyperSonic Bluetooth 5.0 headset with rider-to-rider intercom, and 4 shields (clear, tinted, chrome and iridium) for every kind of light.
Best value: Ghost with Bluetooth Headset
The GDM Ghost Motorcycle Helmet with Bluetooth Headset pairs our best-value matte black full face helmet with the GDM SuperSonic Bluetooth 5.0 headset for calls, music and GPS, with up to 12 hours of talk and music time. It comes with 2 shields. Want more shields? The GHOST Bluetooth with 4 Shields adds them.
Best for riding with a partner: GHOST2 Bluetooth
The GDM GHOST2 Motorcycle Helmet with Bluetooth Headset comes with the HyperSonic headset, so you can talk to another rider with a HyperSonic at up to 100 meters, for less than our 4-shield intercom kits.
Best aggressive style: DEMON HyperSonic and DEMON Bluetooth with 4 Shields
The DEMON HyperSonic puts the HyperSonic intercom headset on our most aggressive full face shell, with 2 shields. The DEMON Bluetooth with 4 Shields is the same idea with 4 face shields in the box.
Best modular: GDM RAPTOR
The GDM RAPTOR Modular Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet has a flip-up chin bar, a drop-down sun visor and a GDM Bluetooth 5.0 headset in the box. Modular helmets are a favorite for touring and for intercom use, since you can flip up the chin bar to talk at a stop. Read our RAPTOR review.
Best dual sport: GDM BEAST Bluetooth
The GDM BEAST Bluetooth Dual-Sport Adventure Motorcycle Helmet has a removable peak, a drop-down sun visor and the HyperSonic headset with intercom, for street, trail and adventure riding.
Best retro: REBEL and RENEGADE Bluetooth
For a classic look, the REBEL Retro Bluetooth is a 70s-style full face helmet and the RENEGADE Bluetooth is a vintage 3/4 open face helmet. Both come with a compact Bluetooth 4.1 headset for calls, music and GPS.
Compare GDM Bluetooth helmets
| Helmet | Style | Headset | Intercom | Shields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Helmet with 4 Shields | Full face, sun visor | HyperSonic | Yes | 4 |
| DEMON Bluetooth with 4 Shields | Full face | HyperSonic | Yes | 4 |
| DEMON HyperSonic | Full face | HyperSonic | Yes | 2 |
| GHOST2 Bluetooth | Full face | HyperSonic | Yes | 2 |
| Ghost with Bluetooth Headset | Full face | SuperSonic | No | 2 |
| GHOST Bluetooth with 4 Shields | Full face | SuperSonic | No | 4 |
| RAPTOR | Modular flip-up, sun visor | GDM Bluetooth 5.0 | No | Clear |
| BEAST Bluetooth | Dual sport, sun visor | HyperSonic | Yes | Clear |
| REBEL Retro Bluetooth | Retro full face | Bluetooth 4.1 | No | Goggles or optional 3-snap shield |
| RENEGADE Bluetooth | Open face 3/4 | Bluetooth 4.1 | No | Optional bubble shield |
See them all in our Bluetooth motorcycle helmets collection.
Built-in, included or Bluetooth-ready?
- Built-in Bluetooth: the electronics are integrated into the shell. Clean look and easy setup, but if the system fails or gets outdated, it's tied to that helmet.
- Headset included: the helmet comes with a matched headset in the box that you install yourself. This is how every GDM Bluetooth helmet works: the headset isn't pre-installed, but it's made for the helmet, and you can move it to a new helmet later or replace parts on their own.
- Bluetooth-ready: the helmet has room for speakers and a mic, and you buy a separate intercom. The most flexible option, and usually the most expensive once you add a premium intercom.
For a deeper look at how phone pairing and rider-to-rider intercoms work, read Motorcycle Helmet Communication: How Bluetooth Intercoms Work.
What to look for in a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| DOT certification | The helmet is safety gear first. Look for the DOT FMVSS 218 label on the shell. |
| Fit | A loose helmet is louder and pushes the speakers away from your ears. Measure your head and check the size chart. |
| Rider-to-rider intercom | Lets you talk to a passenger or another rider. Check the range and how many riders it connects. |
| Mesh vs. Bluetooth pairing | Mesh networks reconnect riders automatically in a group; standard Bluetooth pairs riders directly. |
| Battery life | Look for 10+ hours of talk time for a full day of riding. |
| Voice assistant and controls | Big buttons or voice commands keep your hands on the bars. |
| FM radio | Handy on long highway stretches. |
| Waterproofing | Essential if you ride in all weather. |
Installation tips
- Remove the cheek pads and liner before installing the speakers; most snap or velcro out.
- Route the microphone wire before you put the liner back in.
- Set the speakers directly over your ears; small adjustments make a big difference in sound.
- Mount the headset unit on the outside of the helmet, then connect the speakers and mic.
- Charge the headset and test audio and mic levels before your first ride.
GDM Bluetooth helmets include installation instructions with the headset. Already have a helmet you love? Add Bluetooth with a motorcycle Bluetooth headset.
