Adding a Bluetooth com to your dual sport loadout is an absolute game changer.
Wondering if your buddy made it through that gnarly rock section? Just ask him. Want to know if the coast is clear around the next turn? Phone a friend up ahead. Need to get in the zone before you try that nasty hillclimb? Put some Miley Cyrus on and crank that volume to 11.
We’re big fans of Bluetooth helmet comms around here, but if we’re being honest installation can be a pain in the ass and adding glue and velcro to your favorite lid can be a drag.
That’s where buying a dual sport helmet with Bluetooth pre-installed becomes a smart move, so if you’re looking for a no-hassle way to try it out yourself, here’s what to look for.
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| Scorpion EXO-AT960 EXO-COM
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Best overall if you are in the market for an all in package. | CHECK PRICE |
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Best budget option but with the sacrifice of mesh capabilities. | CHECK PRICE |
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For those that want the absolute best with money being no obstacle. | CHECK PRICE |
| Still budget but with some extra Bluetooth range and refinements that make it better than the Viaggio. | CHECK PRICE | |
| Works with the helmet you already own. | CHECK PRICE |
This is a question I hear regularly and the answer is simple: If you’re looking for the most convenient way to get into a Bluetooth helmet communicator, an all-in-one system simply can’t be beaten.
When you buy a Bluetooth helmet, there’s no question about whether or not your system will fit, where you’ll mount the controller, or what type of mount you’ll need. Everything is already integrated into the helmet and completely plug and play, so all you need to do is charge the battery and hit the road.
We’ll also note that buying a dual sport helmet with Bluetooth is almost always less expensive than buying the two separately. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but some of our favorite options actually cost less than standalone communicators themselves, which is pretty wild, all things considered.
While there’s a fair amount of debate over who makes the best Bluetooth com and which model is the best to have, we’ve always been partial to Cardo units, and most riders seem to feel the same. In our experience, Cardo coms are easier to pair, easier to use with gloves, and made with the most modern technology.
Sena Bluetooth systems are a close second for us, which is good news considering most dual sport helmets with Bluetooth already installed use Sena-branded equipment.
Historically Cardo units had the advantage thanks to their dynamic mesh technology and high fidelity sound systems, but Sena has been catching up in recent years and now makes a very competitive product.
There are a few other brands out there, but as of this writing none of them are really worth considering with the exception of newer Uclear coms. The difference in price simply doesn’t add up to the difference in quality, so we’d generally recommend sticking with the big two to keep things simple.
While most modern helmets with Bluetooth are compatible to one degree or another, there are always exceptions to the rule. This is particularly important if you plan to use the dynamic mesh feature on Cardo coms and the latest line of Sena units.
Many riders prefer dynamic mesh because it doesn’t require riders to “re-sync” every time one group member falls out of range. For convenience purposes, dynamic mesh coms are simply the best option, but most all coms nowadays will pair with basic intercom tech when called upon.
With that being said, a traditional Bluetooth connection works just fine for most situations, especially if you’re just riding with a few buddies or a passenger.
If you want to connect with larger groups (typically 4 or more riders) or want the signal boosting benefits of dynamic mesh, however, you’d be wise to shell out for a more “premium” system.
Now time to select which helmet fits you best! Here is my list of favorites and some of their pros and cons.
There aren’t a lot of options out there for modular dual sport helmets, and even fewer if you want Bluetooth included in the package. Lucky for ADV junkies everywhere, Scorpion makes their wildly popular AT960 helmet in a Bluetooth-equipped variety known as the EXO-COM.
We dig the EXO-COM because it combines all the features we already love in the AT960 like a comfortable fit, streamlined shape, and modular chin bar with an advanced Bluetooth system made by UClear.
This makes the AT960 EXO-COM the only dual sport helmet with Bluetooth on the market that includes dynamic mesh functionality, so both the quality and tech are above average here.
While we'd love to see a Cardo or Sena unit in place of the UClear, I will note that this is one of the newer Uclear systems, which means it utilized Bluetooth 5.0 for universal pairing with other brands.
When it comes to value, RevZilla’s in-house brand Sedici is tough to beat. Their Viaggio Parlare dual sport helmet with Bluetooth is a prime example of that, combining all the best elements of a proper dirt-lid with an integrated Sena DWO-5 communication system.
As for the lid itself, my favorite thing about the Viaggio Parlare is that the whole kit and kaboodle rings in under $300, and because the helmet is often on sale, you can get a downright smoking deal with the right timing.
For your money you’re getting classic dual-sport elements like an adjustable sun peak, goggle-compatible eye port, and high-flow chin vent, but Sedici goes a step further with the Parlare and includes a drop down sun visor at no extra charge.
As for the Bluetooth element, the SENA DWO-5 unit integrated into the Viaggio Parlare is based off the SENA SMH-5, and includes all the same features like a universal intercom that works with all other brands and models as well as noise cancelling technology and three-way headset pairing.
Sedici Viaggio Parlare
Schuberth helmets are known for one thing above all else: Quiet. If Schuberth’s marketing is to be believed, the German manufacturer makes the quietest helmet money can buy, thanks to hours and hours of rigorous windtunnel testing.
If you’ve ever worn a dual sport helmet before, you’ll know that quiet isn’t typically their strongsuit, which is makes the Schuberth E2 so special. This helmet is made from a premium blend of carbon fiber and fiberglass, is incredibly comfortable (because it’s a Schuberth), and against all odds, incredibly quiet.
Of course because it’s a Schuberth you’ll have to pay a premium to call it your own, and while the E2 comes with speakers, three antennas (including one for dynamic mesh), and an integrated mounting plate for the Sena 50S communicator, unfortunately the com unit itself is sold separately.
Long story short, if you want the most refined dual sport helmet with Bluetooth money can buy, the Schuberth E2 is what you want, but you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg to get it, and then sell a kidney on the side if you want to add the Sena. But hey you got two of them, right?
Shuberth E2
If you’re digging the Sedici Viaggio above but prefer to ride in a traditional full faced helmet, the Sistema II Parlare is the best dual sport helmet with Bluetooth pre-installed that isn’t technically a dual sport helmet. We say that because the Sistema II is lacking the typical sun visor, goggle-compatibility, and motocross-inspired shape, but it still works perfectly fine on your typical gravel or forest service road.
We’re fans of the Sistema II because while it lacks the usual dual-sport fare, it adds an upgraded Sena DWO-6 communicator, which benefits from more modern Bluetooth 4.1 hardware. This boosts the maximum com range to an impressive 1000 meters, and also adds more sophisticated audio with a high-definition intercom and improved noise control.
We'd also argue that the Sistema II is simply a more refined helmet all-around, benefitting from an upgraded fiberglass & Kevlar shell that boosts the helmet’s safety chops to meet both DOT and ECE standards.
The ventilation is also outstanding on the Sistema II, so while you may not look the part for dual sport duty, you’ll be plenty comfortable in your typical ADV riding scenarios.
Sedici Sistema II Parlare
Last but no least, let’s address the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, there just aren’t that many dual sport helmets with Bluetooth already installed.
That means for many riders, the best way to get your offroad com setup together is simply buying your favorite helmet of choice and adding an aftermarket headset yourself.
As noted above, Cardo’s headsets are still the ones to beat, and the PackTalk Edge is currently the best of the bunch. Our RIDE writer (and rider) Kurt has been running this comms unit on his AGV AX9 Carbon for the last year or so, and he says it's an absolute home run combo.
We’re fans of the Cardo PackTalk Edge because it delivers all the latest tech in terms of Bluetooth connectivity, mounting options, and natural voice operation.
The PackTalk Edge also ships with a pair of high quality JBL 40mm speakers, which is the best sounding helmet audio for music we’ve found to date.
While there are plenty of options out there for great dual sport helmets, models with factory-integrated Bluetooth are few and far between. Lucky for us, the few examples that are out there are pretty damn good, and some of them are shockingly affordable to boot.
While these unique helmets typically miss out on the latest and greatest in Bluetooth technology, in our experience most riders can get everything they need out of last year’s tech: Streaming music piped into your helmet, hands-free calling from your phone, and enough connectivity to keep you and a few riding buddies chatting all day.
If you need the latest and greatest, you’re probably better off just adding a com yourself, but if convenience and affordability are your priorities, you’ve got some great candidates in the list above.