The Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmets for 2024

It’s compatible with Bluetooth systems and has ear pockets ready for inserting speakers. Our tester found this to be a very comfy helmet, with a super-soft, antimicrobial treatment to the liner. Controls (top and mouth vent as well as chin bar release) were wisely oversized and easy to adjust with a gloved hand, and speaking of that, our tester found cooling to be very good. Adding to that, the first detent of the face shield allows sucking in more venting, and the visor stays put in that position and snaps shut with a very positive feeling lock, so you know when the visor’s fully sealed.

Some helmets were tested specifically for this buying guide; some have been in use by our tester for years. We tested in all weather conditions and on daily rides, longer trips and press launches. We ensured all helmets were Bluetooth compatible, either with their own proprietary systems or with cut-outs to accommodate third-party units. Units like the 50R and 50S include noise-canceling tech, and newer Sena models can accommodate up to 24 riders, while Cardo Packtalk tops out at 15.

Sena claims up to 12 hours of ‘talk time’ for the system, although that isn’t defined as phone or intercom talk time and may or may not take into consideration other use, like music streaming or music sharing. One setting that can help, found under the Sena Utility App Basic Settings is the ‘Audio Boost’ control; when enabled the user hears headset audio at a (louder) maximum volume level. This feature basically results in a significant boost to voice audio but at the expense of lower frequency response (for music listening). Admittedly, the air flow into and through the helmet is not as forceful as found on many other helmets, but what does flow is well directed and felt, particularly when the ambient air temperature is less than the helmet environment (a rare occurrence these days). When closed, the chin intake is sealed by the well-shaped well-fitted slider piece.

The sensors also work with the thermostat to shut off the HVAC if a door or window is left open, something Nest’s never did. Ring did introduce the Peephole Cam a couple of years back, which worked for apartment doors (the doorbell camera was in the peephole). But that didn’t solve how to talk to someone calling at your building door (and Ring discontinued the Peephole last year).

Smartphone Technology Is Revolutionizing the Intercom

Otherwise the shield remained clear and I did not treat it with any moisture-repellent products. You can’t “tell” a helmet has a MIPS layer just by wearing it, at least in my experience, and it adds negligible weight, cost or bulk to the helmet. However, when it came to grabbing some video footage for this review we stumbled across an issue whereby only still images were available within the app. There should be, and indeed was at some point during my testing, the option to view back and download video clips from within the History section of your Control 4 Smart Home OS 3 app.

We were the first to report on a photochromic visor for motorcycle use in 2007 with the Sunshift photochromic visor review. That was followed up with the Akuma Gemini Tint-on-Demand visor review in 2008 and the Transitions SolFX photochromic visor review in 2009. This gives a good spot to place the wired microphone directly in the center of the chin bar, without the interference you might get from a single vent port. And by the way, the adapter also works with the Bell MAG-9 helmet that is currently in the webBikeWorld review queue.

There’s no reliable way to snooze notifications from the doorbell, and if you use multiple Nest speakers or displays, they’ll all announce your visitors. Unlike many competitors front vs intercom — such as Ring and Arlo — Google doesn’t charge for smart notifications. The Nest Wired will tell you if it’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle at your door for free.

You’ll be guided through the process step by step on the app, and you’ll also find full instructions, and a video, at the Ring website. The Ring Intercom will then enter setup mode, and should automatically join a temporary Ring Wi-Fi network before you connect it to your own Wi-Fi network. You can then optionally configure some additional settings, after which the app will prompt you to install the intercom itself. The Ring Intercom is a 10.9cm x 10.9cm, 3.15cm-deep white box that you fix to the wall alongside your door intercom, and is wired into it. Recognizing this, the proptech innovators at HIVE recently introduced the Hive Smart Video Intercom system as a way for property teams to stay ahead of the trends.

We also like the ability to control the SafeSound without removing our hands from the bar. The remote is always accessible and allows the least amount of interruption while pedaling. As far as overall ride comfort is concerned, the SafeSound feels more like a traditional road helmet than the R1. But, for a helmet that packs itself full of tech that enhances a ride, the R1 and its intercom system sets it apart—although a friend would be required to drop $129 to get the most out of the tech. Aside from all of the tech, the SafeSound is well-ventilated, and while it is on the heavier side for a helmet, it is well-balanced and the lightest smart helmet we have tested to date.

But overall, the Qualifier DLX has among the best ventilation and air flow you’ll find at any price. The two top vents open and close independently and flow air directly through holes in the EPS and down on to the rider’s head. There are also two mesh-covered exhaust ports in the rear with two smaller ports at the lower rear. The Qualifier DLX also has a brow vent that opens via a central tab, which opens four small vents. The air passes behind the brow band of the liner and up into the top of the helmet.

Memory foam-like neck collar to help muffle noise

For most of the riding done during this review, that included off-road, secondary trolling and highway runs, comms and audio output performance, in appreciating the factors, was just fine. It provides the user with access to the basic settings, downloadable Quick Start and full User Guides for handy device reference connected or otherwise and of course, the Smart Intercom Pairing or SIP feature described earlier. You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. Whether riding alone or with others and if the helmet or helmets are equipped with an external or integrated comms and are paired to a smart phone or device, another dimension of situational awareness and thus safety is added.

The system is based around a Master Station that hosts AM/FM radio, a dock for MP3 players, and connectivity for smartphones. A total of 13 substations can be added, which can include two patio and two doorway stations or all internal rooms. It follows a person’s movement around the room, so they’re never out of the picture. This feature can also be accessed via a smartphone and used to scan a whole room remotely. Add Alexa Guard Plus (a subscription service), and the system can send an alert if it detects a smoke alarm, the sound of broken glass, or other unusual activity. The Wuloo home intercom system is available as a value-for-money pack of four devices that simply plug in anywhere there’s a convenient outlet.

Eventually, the buck will stop somewhere, with either the co-op board, the downstairs neighbor or his contractor. When it does, the aggrieved shareholder will have a working intercom — at someone else’s expense. You can withhold your maintenance fees until a repair is made, based upon the proprietary lease. If the co-op brings a legal action against you for nonpayment, the broken intercom could be a defense in court, says Andrew Bart, a senior litigation counsel who specializes in co-ops and condos at Kagan Lubic Lepper Finkelstein & Gold. The top brands are good about providing videos and manuals that walk you through the process, and you don’t need a lot of electrical experience to complete an installation.

The liner is removable and washable, and venting is free-flowing and constant. This helmet has two shell sizes, with a 2XL-3XL version that could be a better helmet if you have a larger head. This helmet accepts any communication setup, with carve-outs for speakers at the ears. And the Sistema II is just that, with an aero shape that’s reasonably quiet, especially for the dough, and one that doesn’t suffer a lot of battering, even in high winds or when riding a naked or partially faired machine.

Apart from the bottom padding area, which moves around a bit if not locked into place, the interior is adequate. A nicer helmet will have a quiet thud sound, but this helmet has a loud hollow sound, but at least it still doesn’t hurt. While wearing it, the padding feels like it’s soft enough, but it doesn’t give that cupping feel that really locks in a rider’s head. Some expensive helmets cradle the head in such a way that it doesn’t feel squished, but it’s also not loose. Every time I slip this helmet on, I have to move my long hair to the right spot and pick the correct angle to jam my head in. The problem that this helmet has is everything inside feels a bit loose, not that the helmet is the incorrect size, but that the contents may have shifted during take-off.

The wBW table below lists the current US offerings—with the newest bolded. Founded in 2007, Gear Patrol is the definitive buying guide for enthusiasts. Our independent experts test the best in cars, tech, home, outdoors, style and watches. We combine hands-on testing, decades of experience and original photography to craft reports, reviews and guides.

Photochromatic visor adjusts surrounding light

Many of the original products had multiple electronic-based features like Intelligent Noise Control (active/passive), integrated multi-feature BT and HD camera systems; sometimes packaged into one helmet. The next step will be to add Schuberth’s own Bluetooth/mesh comms system called SC2 ($349; sold separately), which works with Sena devices and is roughly the same price as current Sena communicators. You can pair this to other Sena wearers’ comms of course, and also to GPS, your phone, etc. But what’s elegant here, vs. going outside of Schuberth, is how the company broke up components of the system to make for cleaner controls than Sena’s native device. You have just a few (slimmer) buttons on the left side of the lid; a power supply at the rear, and the mic boom for the microphone of this modular lid attaches directly to the leading edge of the junction of the chin bar. While many people use cycling as an escape from all the technology trappings of modern life, the evolution of smart helmets has helped those who prefer remaining plugged in on the road.

To move forward or backward in tracks, press and hold the (+) or (-) button for two (2) seconds respectively. The intercom feature of the Sena 3S Plus systems has a decent range (stated 400m) but it has a two-user limitation – only one other system can be paired at a time for intercom use be it another Sena system or comms systems paired using the Universal Intercom feature. And it seems that some of the initial observations provided directly to Sena at AIMExpo and subsequently documented in the April 2015 review were indeed considered by Sena with the result that in the fall of 2015 the Sena 3S retail products included some minor changes.

The entry level system is called AMP, and then the higher technology products fall under the Motion Series. The Motion Series family offers the Motion 4 Lite, Motion 6, Motion Infinity, and the latest Motion HDX-V. UClear shipped me a dual kit of the Motion HDX-V, and in prior years had me test the Motion 6 and Motion Infinity systems.

The Intercom Anywhere app can be downloaded today from the Apple store or the Google Play store. To activate and use Intercom Anywhere, a home must have Control4 installed, running the latest Control4 OS (v 2.10.3), ChatGPT App and also have an active 4Sight subscription ($100 USD Annual MSRP). Michael Mintz, CEO of MD Squared Property Group, says residents and board members should expect to see even more innovations in the future.

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Starting from the layout and tactile design of the control unit, I never had an issue pressing the button I wanted with gloves on. I could always feel the sections of the controller and this made navigating around it very simple. To be the flagshop unit of course the Motion HDX-V has many other features. In case of a significant impact or crash while the Motion HDX-V is connected to your mobile via the CLEARLink app, USAFE will alert emergency contacts after a 30-second user intervention period. It provides details of your situation, location, and nearby medical facilities. The Motion HDX-V is UClears flagship system and as one expects, it is packed with the latest features.

While Nest was the first to add radar-powered motion sensing to its thermostat, the other notable recent hardware upgrade was… a mirrored face. Control4’s Intercom Anywhere places homeowners in control with an app that’s designed to launch and connect quickly. By providing video previews from the Control4 Door Station, like caller-id for the front door, homeowners can simply ignore unwanted calls, answer calls from a welcomed guest, or accept a delivery even when they’re miles away. He says the lines will continue to work, but it may be a challenge to find someone to maintain and repair them. Intercom systems that integrate with smartphones may cost several thousand dollars to install but are still more affordable than hard-wired systems.

Compatibility with smart displays like an Echo Show or Google Nest and smart TVs like an Apple TV or Fire TV turns them into a video intercom for your doorbell. Both the Cardo and Sena systems work fluidly; they’re quick and easy to set up with a smartphone app. Cardo offers its own voice command system, while ChatGPT Sena allows you to use Apple and Google systems. Designed to replace your regular doorbell and sit on your front door or right next to it, the best video doorbells have a camera inside. It allows you to check who is ringing on your phone, tablet, or computer without opening the door or peeking out of a window.

The volume of deliveries isn’t expected to slow down any time soon, Denney notes. As pandemic restrictions lift, multi-family buildings are likely to see even more visits from friends, family members, and service providers (e.g., healthcare workers, dog walkers, food deliverers, etc.). As such, dealing effectively with everyone seeking entrance, even when residents aren’t there, requires a more tech-savvy approach. This is why Verkada introduced the new Horn Speaker that allows organizations to talk down to intruders directly from a camera feed in Verkada’s Command dashboard or mobile app. With the addition of an Alarms License, organizations can also have professional monitoring agents talk down to intruders, or configure a pre-recorded message to play as an automated response. SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Verkada, leader in cloud-managed enterprise building security and management, today announced the newest addition to its product line, Verkada Intercom, and a range of updates that expand the reach of the Verkada platform.

This is a perfectly valid point of view, and proponents are free to espouse it loudly in the comments section below, as is customary. But when all is said and done, that $99 line is well defined and needs to be appreciated, and as such Sena has, with the 3S Plus systems, held this line while moving system functionality and performance forward noticeably. Moving between phone calls, intercom, steaming music and, input from the BMW Navigator VI or the onboard BMW Connectivity TFT is pretty much seamless.

The Sena 3S Plus versions pair to multiple devices but audio connectivity is limited as the 3S Plus systems do not have, by design, the multi-source multi-audio support found on mid to upper-tier systems. Early use battery life was also not very good, but since a subsequent firmware update, charging and battery performance is much better. But, unlike most other Sena systems the 3S Plus products cannot be used during recharging – the headset automatically turns off if the cable is connected for charging and/or firmware updates. In addition to the module lead the left speaker housing hosts the right speaker lead, the USB Type C cable for charging/firmware updates, and the microphone connection lead that supports the use of either the thin-wire or boom microphone, both included in the Universal kit. With the new Sena 3S Plus systems the feature set moves from Bluetooth 3.0 to BT version 4.1 and the intercom range doubles from 200m (220yds) to 400m (437yds). And while the two-user limitation remains, the systems feature a new USB-C interface for easy connectivity when charging or updating and, the Sena Utility App provides a standardized user interface, too.

• Bluetooth compatibility means Echo and Echo Dot devices can be integrated into the system for voice control.
• While some might argue that baby monitors cannot be used as a home intercom system, the immense popularity of the Infant Optics DXR-8 suggests many parents would disagree.
• The Nest Doorbell Wired (2nd-gen) is one of only two video doorbells in this list that can record 24/7.
• With Generac, they already have an integration with standby generators and they are working on solar and storage.
• Once I had selected the Motion unit I was using it offered up everything I could want in a very easy-to-navigate format, including the manual, which always sped things up when it came to trying to pair to a non UClear device.
• That’s nice; the pop-up antenna is one of two key physical vulnerabilities of any motorcycle helmet intercom.

The Aqara app adds access to 24/7 video, a nice feature to have, especially for free. But the implementation is spotty, and video quality is not great, but it will do in a pinch. It has an ideal square aspect ratio for a full front porch view, speedy notifications, and impressively accurate motion detection using three separate sensors — radar, video analysis, and passive infrared. It also has a nice slim design and multiple faceplate options to fit your decor. When someone rings your doorbell, the alert comes in like a phone call, making it less likely that you’ll miss it. This is something first offered on Arlo buzzers, and Ring says it’s bringing it to its line.

It responded just as fast as the Wemo to doorbell rings and motion alerts, but I had some connectivity issues. Plus, occasionally, I got an overheating warning while testing in May 2024 — and that was before the heatwave we experienced in South Carolina this summer. The Belkin Wemo doorbell works with HomeKit Secure Video and detects people, packages, animals, and vehicles. It’s fast and reliable but there is no 24/7 recording, and you need an Apple Home hub and iCloud plan for recorded video. The Pro works with Ring Edge for local storage and video processing, plus the option of cellular backup. But you need a Ring Alarm Pro and Ring Home Premium subscription for this, which costs $20 a month and no longer includes professional monitoring of your alarm (that’s now a $10 add-on).