7 Best Ski Helmet Headphones for Music on the Mountain
- November 15, 2020
There’s only one thing better than beautiful snowy mountains on a bright, sunny day – and that is snowy mountains on a bright, sunny day, while listening to your favorite music (okay, maybe a crisp adult beverage too, but never mind that). In this article, we are going to go over some of the best ski helmet headphones to help you get your groove on while skiing or snowboarding.
One of the most important things for listening to music on the mountain is to find a helmet that fits you well and has headphone compatibility. Be sure to check out the buying guide at the bottom of the post for a discussion on important characteristics of ski and snowboard helmet audio. Let’s get started!
Ski Helmet Headphones and Audio: Product Overview
- Clean, clear sound with high bass
- Streamlined design
- Easy to use buttons
- Big buttons are easy to use
- Siri voice control
- More affordable brand
- Low price for good value
- Minimal, no frill design
- Decent sound quality
- Untethered ear buds
- Superior battery life
- Charges in carrying case
Best Ski Helmet Headphones and Audio
At a Glance
- Wireless: Yes
- Charge: 10 hours
- Answer Phone Calls: Yes
- Glove Friendly Control: Yes
Favorite Features
- Clean and clear sound with high bass
- Minimal design fits nicely under helmet
- Simple, large buttons for easy use without removing helmet or gloves
The Details
The one-size-fits-all design of this Bluetooth headset makes it super comfortable for everyone and the minimal, yet rugged design is barely noticeable in most helmets. Perfect for any sport that requires a helmet, they provide a crisp, clear sound every time and they even come with everything you need to begin using them immediately, including a carry pouch, USB charging cable, and a backup audio line-in cable with controls.
Outdoor Tech’s patented 2-button control system lets you change songs, pause your music, adjust volume, or even answer phone calls from the outside of your helmet without needing to remove your gloves or anything. If you are looking for the best sounding, easiest to use, wireless ski helmet headphones – you found ’em.
At a Glance
- Wireless: Yes
- Charge: 10 hours
- Answer Phone Calls: Yes
- Glove Friendly Control: Yes
Favorite Features
- Big buttons are super easy to use
- Siri voice control for hands free use
- More affordable than bigger brand wireless helmet audio
The Details
Wireless. Big, glove friendly buttons. A built in microphone for phone calls or using voice control with Siri. What else could you possibly need?
The OutdoorMaster snow helmet headphones are universally compatible with most audio ready ski and snowboard helmet brands. These headphones provide ease of use and wireless functionality of bigger brands at a smaller cost. If you are looking for a quality ski helmet audio without breaking the bank, these headphones have everything you need.
At a Glance
- Wireless: No
- Charge: N/A (wired depends on phone battery)
- Answer Phone Calls: No
- Glove Friendly Control: No
Favorite Features
- Low price
- Minimal, no frills design
- Decent sound quality
The Details
Okay so the IASUS audio kit isn’t exactly cutting edge. These wired headphones need to be plugged into your phone to work. On the bright side, no charging is necessary, as the power comes from your phone battery. However, you will need to use your phone to control volume, song selection, play/pause, or answering phone calls. This means cold hands on the lift.
The positioning works the same as wireless sets, as you simply place the speakers inside your ear pads. Unfortunately, the cord running down to plug into your phone can sometimes get in the way and be a bit annoying.
If you can overcome some of the shortcomings compared to headphones with better technology and features, these speakers still work really well. Most importantly, they come super cheap (comparatively) and thus are the most inexpensive way to integrate tunes into your skiing or snowboarding routine.
Even though the iASUS helmet speakers are wired, rather than wireless, the XSound 2.1 is high quality, full range sound with great bass and treble. Also, since they are wired, these speakers can skip the fancy technology and instead deliver a product that is thinner and almost completely unnoticeable in your ear pad.
These headphones deliver great sound, low maintenance, and comfortable fit at a very affordable price point. If you aren’t convinced, they offer a 30 day money back guarantee and 1 year manufacturer warranty for peace of mind.
At a Glance
- Wireless: Yes
- Charge: 12 hours
- Answer Phone Calls: Yes
- Glove Friendly Control: Yes
Favorite Features
- True wireless with each ear bud untethered
- Long battery life with just a 2-hour charge time
- Can charge in carrying case
The Details
Unlike the Outdoor Tech Chips 2.0, the Ultra version can integrate with digital assistants like Siri for hands free control. The Chips Ultra is also one of the first truly wireless headphone sets. Most wireless audio kits are wireless from your phone, but the left and right speakers are still connected. Not with these. There are zero wires or tethers anywhere. Simply drop them in your ear pads and your are good to go.
A lot of the similar functionality as far as button design and size is about the same as the Chips 2.0. This is both a good and bad thing, as those features are excellent. However, given the price of the Chips Ultra is almost twice as much, we aren’t sure simply removing the connection between the speakers warrants the price jump.
If you want the absolute best thing out there with all the bells and whistles (or if you are the kind of person that buys Apple Air Pods), then these are the ski helmet headphones for you.
At a Glance
- Wireless: Yes
- Charge: 10 hours
- Answer Phone Calls: Yes
- Glove Friendly Control: Yes
Favorite Features
- Large button design
- Hands free mic
- Compatible with most audio-ready helmets
The Details
The Alta Bluetooth headphones are glove-friendly and easy to maneuver. They drop right into your helmet so that you can have a hands-free experience every time. The clear sound means that you can thoroughly enjoy your music as you ski or snowboard.
These headphones also come with a microphone for making calls and much more. Best of all, they are instantly compatible with most audio-ready helmet brands; therefore, you can purchase them with no worry on your part. They are designed by skiers and snowboarders in Utah so you can count on them being exactly what you need.
At a Glance
- Wireless: Yes
- Charge: 9 hours
- Answer Phone Calls: Yes
- Glove Friendly Control: No (small buttons)
Favorite Features
- Long battery life
- Integrates nicely with BE Bluetooth beanies to use off the slopes too
- Can be added to helmets for other sports
The Details
The BE headset comes complete with everything you need to begin using it immediately, including a USB charger, helmet hook-and-loop mounts, and a lifetime warranty. It also gives you nine hours of battery life before you have to recharge, as well as step-by-step voice prompts so that your experience is truly hands-free.
The ultra-slim design is both attractive and durable, and its comfort allows you to use it for hours at a time without it irritating your ear area. However, the button design leaves a lot to be desired compared to other wireless audio setups. Three small buttons are on one side, so feeling out where the buttons are through your ear pads can be finnicky.
When you have gloves on and don’t have great dexterity, using these buttons can be frustrating. If you have smaller fingers, or do what some online reviewers did and glue a small Lego to the play button to make it more pronounced, then these may be a pretty decent pair of affordable wireless ski helmet headphones.
More Snow Helmet Audio Options
Buying Guide for Ski and Snowboard Helmet Headphones
Helmet Compatibility
Many of today’s ski helmet headphones are designed to fit in the ear pad pocket of compatible helmets. Many helmets already have ear pads that work with audio, however you should check your helmet before buying helmet headphones to make sure there is a spot to put them.
Look up your model online and see if they are “audio chip compatible”. If not, some helmets allow you to specific replacement earpads that can accommodate audio.
Bluetooth Wireless vs. Wired
The best ski helmet headphones today utilize bluetooth technology for wireless operating. Wireless headphones are less of a hassle because they don’t need to be physically tethered to your phone and there are usually various controls on the headphones themselves.
Alternatively, wired ski and snowboard helmet headphones are controlled by your phone, so you will still need to take your phone out of your pocket to adjust volume, change songs, or answer phone calls. Taking your phone out 1) usually requires taking your hand out of your gloves and 2) increases the risk of losing your phone by dropping it off the chair lift. On the bright side, wired headphones are cheaper than wireless ones.
Size and Comfort
Remember most helmet headphones are designed to fit inside your earpads, so there will need to be adequate space there to avoid any discomfort. Larger headphones can press up against your ears too hard depending on your helmet model and how it fits you. Keep this in mind and give it a test run before hitting the mountain with them.
In general, wired headphones are actually a little thinner because they don’t need to store as much technology in the product.
Convenience and Control Features
One of the best things about helmet headphones is making your day on the mountain easier. If you have Bluetooth wireless headphones, can will likely not have to take your phone out to deal with anything. This is a huge bonus, especially on cold days.
Some headphones can even sync with other headphones of the same kind so you can use them as walkie talkies on the mountain with your ski partners.
Safety
Obviously, safety on the mountain is still of vital importance. Make sure your headphones aren’t too loud so that you can still hear fellow skiers, ski patrollers, or be aware of other hazards while your skiing. We all love our tunes that get us amped to be on the slopes, but make sure you use ski and snowboard audio responsibly so that no issues arise.
Shop Related Products
Additional Ski Helmet Audio Tips and FAQs
Is it dangerous to wear headphones while skiing?
Using headphones while skiing is totally safe as long as the volume of your music doesn't drown out the sound of fellow skiers, ski patrol, or other hazards. You still need to be in complete awareness of your surroundings anytime on the mountain.
Do I need helmet specific headphones or can I use my regular ear pods?
Most skiing headphones today are designed to fit into your helmet, however you can still use regular headphones that you may usually use for your phone and fit inside your ears. Just be aware that these kinds of ear pods may begin to hurt throughout the day as the sides of your helmet create uncomfortable pressure on the ear pods.
How do you keep headphones in while skiing?
The best way to keep headphones in while skiing is to use one specifically designed to fit into the ear pads on your ski or snowboard helmet. This pocket keeps the headphones tucked nicely in a secure spot.
Can headphones work when it is snowing and wet?
Most ski helmet headphones are water resistant and are used on the inside of your helmet anyway so moisture from snow, sweat, or light rain won't ruin them. However most are not fully waterproof, so don't try taking a swim at the beach with them.
Where do you keep your music player while skiing?
Nowadays, your phone is where you keep your music stored. If paired with wireless headphones, you can really keep your phone anywhere on you - your pants pocket, jacket pocket, or in your backpack. For wired headphones, you will need to make sure the cord reaches comfortably. Usually, an inside jacket pocket is the closes and most comfortable spot.
How do you change songs or adjust volume while on the slopes or ski lift?
Depending on your headphones, you may have the option of adjusting your music through buttons on the sides of the headphones, a small control panel on the cord, or you may have to actually reach your phone to make adjustments.
Final Thoughts
Headphones for your ski or snowboard helmet can be a game changer. It can make listening to your favorite music or collaborating with your ski buddies on the mountain much easier.
Today’s Bluetooth and wireless technology allows for glove friendly adjustments or taking of phone calls so you don’t always need to get your hands cold. Then again, wired and other older technologies are a lot cheaper, so you can listen to music without breaking the bank.
Just be safe and make sure not to turn up so much that you can’t hear your fellow skiers! Good luck!
