These Are The Best Motorcycle Helmets for Wind Noise 2024
Looking for the best motorcycle helmets for wind noise?
Wind noise drives me crazy.
Especially on long-distance rides.
When we rode our motorcycles across nine countries, from North Dakota to Panama, all I wanted to do was listen to some music.
And maybe even some audiobooks on those long days of riding.
Unfortunately, the wind and road noise made this nearly impossible. Especially when we are cruising along at higher speeds.
Determined to find a solution, I searched high and low for the quietest helmets available.
I talked to other motorcycle travelers, expert riders, and motorcycle gear shop owners. And we put our best choices to the test, riding long distances through all types of weather.
If you are looking for the best helmets that provide outstanding protection while keeping noise levels at a minimum, I am glad you are here.
🏆 Best Overall | The Schuberth C5 Helmet
The Schuberth C5 Helmet is the best overall for quietest motorcycle helmets because of its outstanding modern design, top-of-the-line rigorous testing, and high user ratings.
I put together this list to cover the absolute best motorcycle helmets for wind noise to make it easier for you to choose the best helmet for you.
These are the top quiet motorcycle helmets, no matter your riding style, to keep you safe and comfortable on your rides.
Let’s roll.
Best Motorcycle Helmets for Wind Noise
The biggest factor in choosing a motorcycle helmet is protection. This gear is critical to prevent serious injuries in an accident.
However, choosing a protective helmet that fits properly and prevents air from funneling through (making you feel like you’re in a wind tunnel) can make for a much more enjoyable ride.
With so many options on the market, you might have difficulty finding the quietest motorcycle helmets.
Here, I make it simple and narrow it down so you can easily choose your perfect quiet helmet.
Best Overall: Schuberth C5 Helmet
Schuberth has an entire C line of helmets worth the investment in safety and comfort. This C5 model is the latest and greatest, with a lightweight, aerodynamic design.
The manufacturer tests helmets for over 200 hours to ensure they decrease wind noise thanks to the neckroll sealing the bottom.
The outer shell uses one continuous glass yarn strand to form the mold under high pressure, ensuring optimum safety without making it thicker than necessary.
This style keeps the shell compact to decrease fatigue you’ll feel with wear.
The comfort and weight make this helmet one you can wear on your longest rides and still feel great when you return.
The helmet decreases wind noise with a multichannel ventilation system, allowing air to flow through the helmet and keep you cool without increasing the noise.
It also made our list of best full-face helmets due to its outstanding ability to block wind noise.
There’s also an integrated antenna and pre-installed speakers, so you can use the Plug-and-Play communication system.
Whether you want to listen to music or make a call, you can do it easily without worrying about any loud noise.
PROS:
• Foam liner allows shock absorption and airflow
• Speaker system includes antennae for better reception
• Vents at the forehead and chin keep you cool without the wind noise
• Anti-fog lens increases your vision through the face shield
CONS:
• Higher price point, though you do get what you pay for in terms of outstanding quality.
Best Runner-Up: HJC RPHA 91 Helmet
This modular helmet is one of the best motorcycle helmets for wind noise you can find.
It looks sporty with the flip-up visor, which many riders worry increases the wind noise.
However, you can wear it as a secure full-face helmet or open-face based on your desire.
It’s safe either way, so you’ll have complete flexibility based on your speed, comfort level, and ride duration to get the best coverage necessary.
The HJC RPHA 91 is top-of-the-line when it comes to blocking out extra noise.
The interior padding helps a lotreducevolume. It’ a lots an antibacterial fabric to keep you clean and dry, and you can remove it to wash.
The padding is specially made for prescription glasses, which is crucial for many riders. It’s thick enough to reduce the wind and engine noise while staying soft and comfortable against your head.
The shell uses carbon and aramid fibers to create a solid exterior to protect your head in an accident. It’s also lighter than many shell materials.
The chin guard locks into place to keep the wind from getting too loud, but you can also retract the guard or hide the lower closer to reduce airflow noise.
PROS:
• Comfortably wear the helmet full-face or open-face with the same safety levels
• Low-profile chin bar reduces noise and wind resistance
• Can remove antibacterial padding to wash easily
• Affordable helmet
CONS:
• No built-in speaker system
Best Quality: Shoei Neotec 2 Helmet
The Shoei Neotec 2 is another flip-up modular helmet that decreases wind noise by 20%.
With such impressive stats, it’s good to know the manufacturer sells the helmet in so many sizes:
- XXS to S
- M to L
- XL to XXL
- XXL to 3XL
These diverse sizing options make it more likely that you’ll find the best size to fit securely and comfortably on your head.
Before we left for our big long-distance road trip, Travis struggled to find the best helmets for his large-sized head.
This Shoei Neotec 2 Helmet is perfect for those other riders with big heads out there who are looking for the right helmet to reduce noise levels.
The padding fits according to the helmet size, ensuring it stays in place and reduces engine noise during your ride.
The integrated sun visor has a tint, so you don’t need sunglasses, but the padding allows space to comfortably wear your glasses.
The helmet includes the ability to integrate a communication system.
While other helmets use Bluetooth to sync your phone, GPS, or devices to the system, Shoei uses the SENA system.
PROS:
• Reduces wind up to 20% more than other models
• Comes in many different shell sizes for the most secure fit
• Well-ventilated helmet keeps you cool
• Lightweight design allows for hours of comfortable riding
CONS:
• Only compatible with the SENA Bluetooth system
Best Tried-and-True: Schuberth C3 Pro Sestante Helmet
This Schuberth C3 Pro Sestante Helmet is among the quietest motorcycle helmets on the market.
Schuberth helmets have long been praised as the best motorcycle helmets for wind noise.
Though it’s an open-face helmet, the aerodynamic design greatly decreases wind noise and air whistling.
The noise control includes an antenna and acoustics system for quality sound if you want to listen to music, make calls, or hear the directions from your GPS.
With the fiberglass shell and thick lining, you might worry that the visor doesn’t provide the full view you need.
However, it has an anti-fog coating and superior ventilation to ensure you can see regardless of the temperature.
The fiberglass shell is aerodynamic enough to prevent the wind from pushing your head back, so you can feel comfortable in any weather.
The noise canceling technology blocks wind noise, but you can still hear road noise to the extent necessary for your safety.
Since it’s so light and blocks the right amount of sound, you’ll feel like you’re not wearing a helmet while getting all the safety benefits of the anti-roll-off option from Schuberth.
PROS:
• Includes an antenna with an acoustics system
• Anti-roll-off technology keeps the helmet securely in place
• Decreases wind noise while still keeping you aware of the road
• Can connect to GPS, phones, and music via Bluetooth
CONS:
• Doesn’t provide much neck support
Best Comfort: Shoei GT-Air II Helmet
Padding is a key factor in noise cancellation for many helmets, but adding foam layers doesn’t always lead to maximum comfort.
This Shoei GT-Air II helmet is the most comfortable option, offering impressive wind and engine noise reduction.
They completely changed their helmet design to make it streamlined and sleek, with air vents keeping it cool.
You can contact the manufacturer for a padding exchange if yours doesn’t feel right.
Since the shells only come in three sizes, changing the padding might make the difference between feeling comfortable or having marks on your head after a ride.
As with other Shoei helmets, this model uses the SENA intercom system.
Riders unfamiliar with it may not like the change from basic Bluetooth connectivity, but it’s a reliable way to communicate with other riders.
PROS:
• Stays quiet even at high speeds, reducing wind and road noise
• Chin strap fastener is a ratchet, making it easy to use
• Tinted visor blocks sun glare without the need for sunglasses
• Very affordable, comfortable helmet
CONS:
• Visors can steam up in warm temperatures, blocking your vision
• Only comes in three shell sizes
Best Durability: Shoei RF-1400 Helmet
The Shoei RF-1400 helmet is another option from a reliable manufacturer.
It eliminates engine noise and maintains crystal-clear communication through the intercom or phone speakers.
There’s space around the ears to hear the speakers comfortably without needing separate headphones or earbuds.
The helmet’s overall design also impacts noise reduction and comfort.
It’s lighter than any previous Shoei models, with an aerodynamic design that reduces drag and lift, providing less strain on your neck.
The visor seals completely, so no air leaks through that portion of the helmet.
The neck roll fits against your jaw, and a chin guard seals out the wind. However, there are air vents strategically placed to keep your head cool while you ride without introducing wind noise into your helmet.
The shell is fiber-reinforced plastic that stays in place at high speeds and protects your head completely.
PROS:
• Lightweight helmet with plenty of padding for maximum comfort
• Padding allows spaces for your ears without getting pressed against speakers
• Fiber-reinforced plastic shell is light but durable
• Comes in sizes ranging from XS to 2XL to suit any rider
CONS:
• Lacks additional features
Best Music: Sedici Strada II Parlare Bluetooth Helmet
One of the quietest motorcycle helmets is the Sedici Strada II Parlare Bluetooth Helmet.
It’s a full-face option made of fiberglass and carbon for a virtually indestructible shell.
The sun visor has a tint, so you don’t need sunglasses, which is ideal because it’s hard to wear glasses due to the helmet’s padding and visor position.
The air vents aren’t as refreshing as other models on this list, but despite the additional warmth inside the helmet, it’s a very comfortable option.
The biggest draw of this helmet is the music option.
The padding has room for a built-in Bluetooth headset, so you don’t need to buy your own and find a helmet with padding cutouts for speakers.
Even with the headset, this helmet is lightweight and comfortable to wear. You can hear your music from the speakers due to the position and overall noise reduction.
PROS:
• Includes built-in Bluetooth speakers so you can rock out on the road
• Sun visor tinting protects your vision without the need for sunglasses
• Wide range of sizes
CONS:
• Lacks the quality ventilation of other helmets on the list
Best Budget: Sedici Strada II Helmet
You don’t have to break the bank to find the best motorcycle helmets for wind noise.
Another quality option from Sedici is the Strada II helmet. It’s a full-face, stripped-down version of the Parlare reviewed above.
Though basic, it still offers key crucial factors like comfort and security. Best of all, it has the lowest price of any helmet on this list.
For the quality you get, the price feels like a steal.
Due to the low price, this helmet isn’t specifically a noise-reducing option, but the Sedici design makes it one by default. The padding is comfortable and lightweight while reducing engine noise exponentially.
However, the padding can interfere with speaker and microphone placement, so the Parlare helmet is better if music is your main concern.
Like the other Sedici helmet, the air vents won’t keep you as cool as other helmets. It’s also tough to wear glasses with this helmet, though the dark visor tint means you don’t need sunglasses.
For the price point, it’s worth putting up with a few minor inconveniences for this type of helmet.
PROS:
• Most affordable helmet on the list
• Offers premium padding for comfort and noise reduction
• Aerodynamic design makes it easy to wear for long rides
CONS:
• Issues finding the ideal speaker and microphone placement
Noise Canceling Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide
After reading about some of the quietest motorcycle helmets, you may want to know what factors make them the best.
Noise-Canceling Technology
Noise-canceling technology can vary in motorcycle helmets. Some basic models include thick foam with strategically placed air vents to decrease wind noise.
They may have more padding around the neck to prevent air from whistling through the helmet. They’ll protect your head and keep you cool while reducing wind noise.
Other helmets use more advanced technology. They have antennas or Bluetooth connections so you can listen to music, sync with your GPS, or use your phone.
The built-in speakers allow you to hear everything clearly without needing headphones or earbuds.
Whether you want a noise-canceling helmet to listen to music, make phone calls easily, remain hands-free, or reduce wind noise, you want to ensure your helmet offers the design you need.
If you don’t need technology, you can save money by choosing a basic design with air vents, but built-in speakers can reduce distractions while still letting you hear road noise.
If you are looking for a way to listen to music without built-in speakers, grab yourself a great Bluetooth headset for your helmet. Or check out some top-of-the-line Bluetooth communication systems.
Also, these are some great items to add to your motorcycle gift wish list!
Fit
The helmet’s fit is crucial since it protects you from accidents.
The fit can also lower the wind noise, so you must determine your ideal size before buying a new helmet.
Use a measuring tape to determine your head size about half an inch above your eyebrows and ears. Compare that measurement to the specs on the helmet manufacturer’s website.
If you can try it on before buying, ensure it fits securely on your head. The top of the eye port should hit right above your eyebrows.
Different head shapes can also impact the helmet size and design you need. You may have a long oval head, intermediate oval, or round oval.
Some riders prefer half-motorcycle helmets due to the freedom they offer.
Manufacturers make helmets based on these general shapes, so understand how round or narrow your head is to get the best fit.
Comfort
You may struggle slightly the first few times you wear a new helmet. This doesn’t mean it’s too small—you should be able to break it in and have it fit more comfortably over time.
Conversely, if you can fit your fingers between your head and helmet, it’s too big and won’t protect you. It will also allow a lot of wind noise.
Airflow can impact the helmet’s comfort. Air holes will keep you cool as you ride, so you want an option that allows the air to pass through.
However, you don’t want many large vents that increase the wind noise.
The helmet’s material will also determine its comfort level. You can choose carbon fiber and polycarbonate options that are light and quiet, especially compared to old-fashioned metallic helmets.
Cost
A helmet protects your head and brain from severe injury, so it’s worth investing in a quality motorcycle helmet for safety alone.
Adding noise-canceling features will slightly boost the price, but getting what you want is worth it.
After all, you’ll wear this helmet on long, exciting rides, so you want to be comfortable and secure.
With that said, you don’t need to pay a fortune for a quality helmet. You can find safe, comfortable helmets from reliable manufacturers at affordable prices.
Consider how often you’ll wear the helmet, the duration of your rides, and the importance of comfort, security, and wind resistance to understand the value of the helmet you intend to buy.
All the helmets on this list go above and beyond to meet safety standards and have additional safety features while being the quietest helmets out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have covered a lot about the quietest motorcycle helmets.
If you need more information before making your choice for the right motorcycle helmet, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.
The quietest helmet for wind noise is the Schuberth C5 Helmet, which is the best overall in terms of quality. However, if you are on a budget, you may prefer the Sedici Strada II Helmet. The padding and aerodynamic design greatly reduce wind noise while you ride.
You can reduce the wind noise on your motorcycle helmet by adding padding inside. Also, wrap a piece of foam or fleece between your cheek pads and ears to muffle the sound. Try earplugs and even earmuffs if they still allow your helmet to fit safely and comfortably.
It’s understandable that you’ll hear air when you’re blazing down the highway at top speeds, but your helmet fit can also impact the volume of wind noise. The air flows across the neck opening and can tunnel into your ears. Exterior aerodynamics also make a big difference in wind noise.
Yes, full-face helmets are quieter because they have one piece that covers your entire head. There are no flip-up visors that allow wind inside. They also have aerodynamic designs to decrease wind resistance and provide a more streamlined riding experience.
Final Thoughts: Quietest Motorcycle Helmets
When it comes to the best motorcycle helmets for wind noise, there are many options depending on what you need.
The Schuberth C5 Helmet is the best overall option because of its comfort, aerodynamics, and built-in speaker system.
🏆 Best Overall | The Schuberth C5 Helmet
The Schuberth C5 Helmet is the best overall for quietest motorcycle helmets because of its outstanding modern design, top-of-the-line rigorous testing, and high user ratings.
However, if you are worried about the higher price point, you may want to choose the HJC RPHA 91 Helmet, which offers many of the same factors at a lower cost.
There are also budget options you can choose to reduce wind noise, like the Sedici Strada II Helmet. If you prioritize music or comfort, there’s a noise-reducing helmet for you.
Use the tips above to help find the best quiet motorcycle helmet that suits your needs and empowers you to take long, exciting rides in complete comfort and peace.
I wish you long, safe, and happy rides, my friends.
Keep the rubber side down. ✌️🏍️💨