5 Of The Quietest Motorcycle Helmets Available Now

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Hearing damage from wind noise is real.

High speeds? Long rides?

You might be at risk.

A quality helmet can help reduce this noise – protecting your hearing and sanity.

In this article, we will look at what goes into making a quiet motorcycle helmet, but first, here are our favourite helmets in this category.

Quietest Helmet
Schuberth C3 Schuberth C3

Quiet, Well-Built, Worth It

The C3 has picked up a reputation as one of the quietest helmets on the market.

It combines aerodynamic design and an acoustic dampening, snug-fitting neck roll to position itself as the quietest helmet at this price point.

It’s also a minor miracle that they’ve made it so well ventilated without sacrificing noise reduction.

Honourable Mention
Arai X4 Arai X4

Quiet Full-Face, Stunning Field Of View

An honourable mention goes to the Arai X4.

For a full-face helmet with a field of view that wide – it’s pretty quiet.

For people doing trails, tours, off-roading or those after aesthetics, a quality, quiet helmet and a wide field of view – it’s a great choice.

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Quietest Motorcycle Helmets Reviewed

Let’s dive into our top choices.


Schuberth C3 Pro

The C3 is advertised as the first flip-up suitable for sports riding – it’s undoubtedly aerodynamic enough.

It’s light too at 1570g.

It performs well at its price point in simulated crash tests. We were impressed that the faceguard remained in the closed position in 97% of impacts!

It features the usual Pinlock anti-fog system, drop-down sun visor and removable microfiber liner.

This helmet ships with two integrated antennae, but a Schuberth comms system must be bought separately.

Check Prices on SportsBikeShop

Noise Reduction Features

Schuberth’s C3 is the only helmet on our list that ships with an integrated acoustic collar. Granted – this is just another word for a neck roll, but it’s clear that noise-cancellation was a priority in the design process.

This would already be a quiet helmet – it’s a flip-up with an aerodynamic design. The addition of this collar means this thing is really quiet.

82 dB at 100km/h on a motorcycle with no fairing, according to the manufacturer.

Your mileage may vary slightly, but this thing is as quiet as they get.

Pros

  • plus iconReally, really quiet
  • plus iconSchuberth’s reliable build quality

Cons

  • minus icon We’re struggling to come up with any


Arai Tour X4

The X4 is constructed of ‘super fibre’ (again – trade secrets). Whatever industrial magic went into its production, it feels stiff and light.

You’ll notice its wide field of view the moment you put it on – peripheral vision fully engaged.

It also has an undeniably cool, off-road aesthetic, making me want to call up Steve McQueen!

The peak and visor are removable; instructions are below.

It has the usual removable, washable interior and an emergency release system like the HJC.

For a custom fit, the X4 has 5mm removable pads at the temple area of the headliner. This can help dial in a comfortable fit for those epic, long rides.

The X4 doesn’t ship with speakers or a dedicated cut-out in the foam to install them.

Check Prices on SportsBikeShop

Noise Reduction Features

The first things to note are the low bottom edge and flat neck roll. Both drive airflow away from the bottom opening and reduce wind noise.

This thing is a quiet full-face helmet; it also stays quiet with the vents open – and there are many of them.

Some might be concerned about noise from the visor.

We can confirm that it’s quiet in the riding position – and it’s nice for blocking the evening sun in the UK winter.

Pros

  • plus iconHigh-end build quality and aesthetic
  • plus iconWide field of vision

Cons

  • minus icon Not as quiet as some of the flip-up helmets on our list
  • minus icon Limited space for fitting speakers


Shoei Neotec 2

The Neotec 2 is a flip-up helmet constructed of fibreglass, organic fibres and ‘other’ high-performance 3D layers’ (this kind of jargon is common when a manufacturer wants to hold on to trade secrets).

These layers are laminated with a heat-setting polyester resin.

The result is a robust, durable, lightweight helmet with a 4-star sharp rating.

This resin holds up well to UV, water penetration, and general environmental degradation – anyone who’s owned a Shoei knows they last a while!

The Neotec 2 features a removable, washable liner and chinstrap cover, Pinlock anti-fog system, and drop-down sun visor.

This helmet doesn’t ship with integrated speakers and microphone, but a complete comms package can be bought as an optional extra.

Check Prices on SportsBikeShop

Noise Reduction Features

The Neotec 2 benefits from the same noise-cancelling feature found in almost every flip-up helmet – a smaller area open to the wind underneath.

The neck roll is wide and thick, forming a clean seal.

We tried a large, and it fit exactly as expected.

Specially-fitted cheek pads are designed to dampen road noise and wind noise. These do fill a space that is often a cavity in other helmets.

We could see them making a difference to wind noise – especially with the visor up.

Pros

  • plus iconSome of the highest build quality out there
  • plus iconIt’s confirmed quiet

Cons

  • minus icon No built-in speakers, microphone or antenna

Schuberth C4 Pro

The C4 Pro is a flip-up helmet (important noise-wise) constructed of machine-laid, precise cuts of fibreglass and injected resin, compressed at high pressure in a heated mould.

This ensures a low strength-to-weight ratio and performs reasonably well in impact tests.

It ships with decent inbuilt speakers, mic and antenna already installed – this is a big plus.

A premium, anti-fog Pinlock visor insert and a drop-down sun visor are included to round it off.

It has a removable, washable, Coolmax lining and integrated grooves for glasses (a nice touch if you need your specs for riding).

Check Prices on SportsBikeShop

Noise Reduction Features

Flip-up helmets have some interesting properties regarding noise (more on this below in the buyer’s guide.)

Look at the lower edge of the C4 below the rider’s jawline.

Picture how, with your head tilted forward in the riding position, the opening on the bottom of your helmet is protected from both a headwind and the updraft from your tank.

Because the helmet is put on with the faceplate open – the opening at its bottom can be significantly narrower.

Things are kept even quieter by a wider, thicker, tighter-fitting neck roll made of sound-insulating material.

The sun visor slider is sealed and insulated with acoustic foam – dampening vibration.

Pros

  • plus iconLow wind noise
  • plus iconWide field of view
  • plus iconComms/Audio system pre-installed

Cons

  • minus icon Several riders report ‘whistling’ with the top vent open (we didn’t get any)


HJC R-PHA 70 Plain

This is a full-face carbon fibre, carbon-glass composite and aramid construction. The first two materials are common in premium motorcycle helmet construction.

The third one got us.

Aramid is a fibre used in military and aerospace applications for its heat and impact-resistant properties. The R-PHA 70 performs well for its price point in simulated impact tests.

Either way – my first impression of this helmet was ‘It’s light’.

It has all the features we’d expect – washable, removable liner, drop-down sun protection and Skipfrog (a competitor to the Pinlock system) anti-fog treated visor.

Though we don’t like to dwell on it – the inclusion of an emergency interior removal system for ambulance crews responding to an accident is a good feature and maybe should be standard.

This helmet doesn’t ship with a pre-installed comms system.

Some UK riders report the sizes as coming up small.

As always, I tried a large, and it felt great – check it first on the high street if you can.

Check Prices on SportsBikeShop

Noise Reduction Features

This is an adaptation of an existing HJC racing helmet. It’s still ultra-light but is geared more toward comfort and prolonged use.

Many of the racing helmet’s aerodynamic (and therefore noise-reducing) features are retained.

For a full-face, closed helmet – this thing is quiet.

It’s got those large cheek pads dampening wind noise and vibration from the bottom opening.

People on a range of machines, from street bikes to full sports bikes, say it’s quiet with no buffeting.

The ventilation system gets a particular mention; this thing is breezy with open vents and still fairly quiet.

It might make our “Best Ventilated Helmets” list.

Pros

  • plus iconExcellent build quality at its price point
  • plus iconReally quiet for a full-face

Cons

  • minus icon No speakers or mic included

Buyer’s Guide

First and foremost, we need to understand where the noise is coming from.


Engine/exhaust

If your bike is running correctly, the decibel (dB) output will be within the tolerances set out in the manufacturer’s guidelines.

This doesn’t mean the engine isn’t producing dB levels that could harm your hearing.

An average motorcycle produces about 80 to 90db when idling and over 100db when accelerating.

Wind noise

Unfortunately, wind noise is not something easily tested in the factory.

It depends upon manor factors riding position, windshield height, fairing design, clothing, weather and most importantly – your helmet.

Factors that affect wind noise

#1 Riding position

The more upright your riding position – the more air must be displaced as you pass through it.

This displacement causes turbulence, and our ears pick this turbulence up as noise.

There’s a different riding position for every style of bike – from a laid-back chopper to a full-forward sports bike.

Street bikes, bobbers, trackers and cafe racers

These are all upright, high drag and produce a lot of wind noise.

They aren’t built for all-out speed or long rides – but we can stand twenty minutes of noisy riding across the city.

Touring and adventure bikes

Designed for long, comfortable riding.

Their upright riding positions are protected from wind noise by their fairing and windshield.

Sports Bikes

Built for speed and acceleration, looking to mimic that aerodynamic, teardrop shape – with the rider’s head tucked behind the windshield.

In my limited experience of sports bikes – it’s the engine noise I’m hearing.

#2 Windshields

The area between the front of your bike (windshield or naked headlight) and your helmet is responsible for a lot of wind noise.

Riding at high speed displaces air in that space; air moves in from the sides and over the screen/headlight to fill this space.

Much of this air is moving upward off your tank, striking the bottom of your helmet.

A helmet with a well-designed neck roll and liner can dampen the noise caused by this airflow.

It’s usually best to use the windshield that ships with your bike (unless you’re exceptionally tall).

Going larger will generally not create problems. Going smaller can give you the wobbles.

Talk to a man that knows.

We once fitted a non-stock windshield on a custom 80’s Yamaha SR 150 cafe racer. One of those micro screens that wrap around the headlight.

Looked boss.

The wind had us bouncing around like bobbleheads. Took it right off.

#3 Fairing

Manufacturers test their fairing designs for drag and noise reduction.

Unless you are unusually sized (think hobbit or behemoth), the fairing and windshield are designed to drive airflow away from your head as much as possible.

There are unfortunate combinations of bike design, rider size and helmet, which can result in a lot of turbulence.

The worst-case scenario here is called ‘buffeting’.

This is where a rhythmic flow of air causes your helmet to be bounced up and down as you ride. This can be a result of your helmet, fairing, windscreen – or a combination of all three.

Needless to say, having your head bob up and down is both uncomfortable and dangerous.

#4 Clothing

Notice how you rarely see pro cyclists racing a downhill stage in jeans and a flannel shirt?

Wind resistance will slow you down. But hey – none of us are in that much of a hurry, right?

I don’t know about you, but all that flapping around drives me crazy – and can create its own kind of buffeting. Motorcycle-specific clothing is designed to limit drag and, therefore, noise.

For quieter riding, pay particular attention to how collars are designed.

We prefer a collar that, when fully closed, will stay tucked under the chin piece of our helmet – forming a clean seal.

Barbour’s original motorcycle jackets are an excellent example of this, and many modern manufacturers still use elements of this classic collar design.

Top tip – bring your everyday jacket with you when you go helmet shopping (or, like us, you go to the high street to try on helmets you’ll later order online).

#5 Weather

Headwind, sidewind, gusty, swirling madness….

None are great news, and all contribute to noise.

The result of anything other than calm conditions or a tailwind is an increase in turbulence and noise.

Only the Windjammer, a scarf or a set of earplugs can help address this issue.

Whatever noise your helmet makes is amplified in unfavourable wind conditions.

Attributes Of Good, Quiet Helmets


Manufacturers use wind tunnels to measure dB levels of their helmets at various simulated speeds.

Unfortunately, only Schuberth publish their data – making direct noise comparisons difficult.

We must depend upon experience and feedback.

Schubert’s confidence in including this information on consumer websites is duly noted.

Some shared characteristics to look out for when selecting a helmet for quieter riding.

#1 Flip-Up/Flip-Face/Modular Is Best

Schuberth C3 flipup

These terms mean the same thing, a type of helmet that can be fully opened in the front.

The one you see couriers riding in the open position – cigarette in mouth.

Also, generally, the kind of helmet that must be put on with the chin piece in the open position.

This is important.

It means the opening at the bottom of your helmet can be significantly smaller than a fixed, full-face helmet.

Less open space means less surface area in contact with the wind, and less wind means less noise.

Flip-up helmets can wrap around the chin and jaw, driving air away from the opening in a way that wouldn’t be possible on a fixed, full-face.

These are usually the quietest type of helmets.

Though quieter, this tight seal and reduced airflow from under your helmet will also be hotter in warm conditions.

Snug Fit

A snug fit in the neck roll and lower part of the lining is crucial for reducing noise.

Well-placed pads and foam will dampen vibration and reduce noise travelling up to your ears.

Try a helmet on in a high street shop.

If you can feel airflow coming up from the bottom of the helmet, it’s probably loud at high speed.

An incorrectly sized helmet will also create noise and vibration through the front when the visor is in the open position.

A snug fit is vital. Read more about how to measure helmet size.

Folks on the dark side of 35 – remember that new EPS foam in some helmets feels stiff compared to the old stuff and needs to bed in.

Aerodynamic Design And Visor Seal

Nature provides a pretty good example of a low-drag design – the raindrop.

We see this helmet design in time trials and track cycling.

Elements of it are incorporated into motorcycle helmets, but the full teardrop is impractical for everyday use (think impaled pillion passenger!).

Helmets that drive air away from the bottom opening are best.

Pay attention to whether the chin piece wraps around your jaw or is flat and more open to airflow.

A poorly designed visor seal will either vibrate from the get-go or loosen over time and begin making noise.

Helmets are always quietest, with the visor fully closed.

But, snug-fitting ones with pads placed around the visor opening will be quieter in the open position.

Strap

If your strap is incorrectly adjusted, it’ll flap about noisily.

It also won’t offer complete protection in the event of an accident.

Check it often, please.

Generally, the strap doesn’t make much noise – unless you’re left with a lot of strap outside the buckle after adjustment.

This can flap about noisily and should be trimmed with shears and the end burnt with a lighter.

Most modern, toothed straps won’t have this issue.

Additional Measures


The cheapest and easiest solution to wind noise is a set of earplugs.

We’ve discussed these before; check out our article on the best motorcycle earplugs.

Another cheap and easy option is a Windjammer, a neoprene helmet skirt designed to insulate your helmet from wind noise and drafts.

Using a reusable adhesive band, it attaches to the bottom of your helmet outside.

You are left with a small, stretchy hole to pop your head through.

The idea here is to reduce the surface area open to the air.

Feedback on this is good, with most riders reporting a significant noise reduction.

Though we can imagine sealing up your helmet like that will test your anti-fog system.

Conclusion


Remember – repeated or prolonged exposure to sounds above 85db can damage hearing.

These volumes are easily reached inside your helmet at high speeds on the open road.

The quickest, most straightforward solution here is a set of earplugs.

A modular helmet with a snug-fitting neck roll and liner is key for those who’d like to isolate just the wind noise and still hear environmental noise.


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