9 Best Noise Canceling Earbuds for Making Phone Calls on a Motorcycle

I’ve lost count of how many phone calls I’ve fumbled through on my bike, cupping my hand over my helmet vent, screaming “WHAT?” into the wind at 65 mph. It’s not a good look, and it’s definitely not safe. That’s what sent me down the rabbit hole of testing noise canceling earbuds specifically for motorcycle calls.

Wind noise is the real enemy here, not road noise or engine hum. A helmet at highway speed can generate 90+ decibels of turbulence right around your ears, which is exactly where your earbuds’ microphones live. I’ve spent months swapping earbuds in and out under three different helmets to figure out which ones actually keep calls clear.

Below are my honest picks, based on real rides, real wind, and real phone calls to my wife asking if I remembered to grab milk on the way home. Spoiler: she could actually hear me this time.

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — Best Overall for Motorcycle Calls

I’ll be upfront: these are my personal daily riders, no pun intended. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (around $299) use Bose’s CustomTune calibration technology, which actively adjusts noise cancellation to the shape of your ear canal the moment you put them in.

On the bike, that translates to noticeably less wind rumble bleeding through than most earbuds I’ve tried. Each bud packs multiple microphones dedicated to voice pickup, and callers have told me I sound like I’m sitting in a quiet room, not blasting down the highway at 70 mph.

Why it works so well for calls

Bose’s call quality has always punched above its weight, and these are no exception. The Aware Mode also lets me dial in a bit of outside sound when I need to hear traffic without pulling over.

Battery life sits at about 6 hours per charge with the case adding another 18, which easily covers a full day of riding and calls. IPX4 water resistance handles sweat and light rain just fine, though I still wouldn’t submerge them.

2. Sony WF-1000XM5 — Best-in-Class Noise Cancellation

If pure noise cancellation is your priority, the Sony WF-1000XM5 (roughly $299) is the one I’d point you toward. Sony’s Integrated Processor V2 chip and eight total microphones do an impressive job of taming wind noise that would otherwise drown out a call.

I tested these on a two-hour highway stint in a full-face helmet, and the ANC noticeably flattened the low-frequency wind rumble that usually creeps into calls. My callers reported barely any background noise, which honestly surprised me given the conditions.

Fit and comfort under a helmet

The redesigned, slightly smaller shape fits more helmets comfortably than Sony’s previous generation. Battery life runs about 8 hours per charge with 24 hours total from the case, and IPX4 protection covers rain and sweat without issue.

My only gripe is that the touch controls can be a little finicky with gloves on, so I mostly rely on voice commands or my phone once I’m riding.

3. Apple AirPods Pro 2 — Best for iPhone Riders

For iPhone users, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (about $249) remain my go-to recommendation, mostly because the ecosystem integration is just unbeatable. Pairing is instant, Siri works reliably even with wind noise, and switching between calls and music is seamless.

The H2 chip drives genuinely strong active noise cancellation, and Apple’s Adaptive Transparency mode is smart about letting in traffic sounds while still cutting wind. I’ve taken calls in these at speed and the person on the other end couldn’t tell I was riding.

Real-world call performance

Apple’s voice isolation technology does a lot of heavy lifting here, filtering out wind and engine drone from your voice before it reaches the caller. Battery life is about 6 hours per bud, 30 hours with the case, and they’re rated IP54 for dust and water resistance.

If you’re pairing these with a helmet speaker setup for music, it’s worth also checking my thoughts on the Best Stereo Sound Systems for Motorcycle Helmets to compare experiences.

4. Beats Fit Pro — Best Secure Fit Under a Helmet

Comfort and stability are half the battle when you’re wedging earbuds under a snug helmet, and the Beats Fit Pro (around $199) solve that with a wingtip design that locks them into your ear. I’ve never had these shift or loosen during a ride, even on bumpy backroads.

They share the same H1 chip as the AirPods Pro, which means solid ANC and genuinely good call quality. Wind noise reduction is very good, not quite Bose or Sony level, but close enough that I’ve had zero complaints from callers.

Why the fit matters more than you’d think

Loose-fitting earbuds shift when you put on a helmet, which throws off both the seal for ANC and the mic’s proximity to your mouth. The Beats Fit Pro’s secure wingtip fit solves that problem better than almost anything else I’ve tested.

Battery life is about 6 hours per charge, 24 hours with the case, and they work with both iPhone and Android, which is a nice bonus if your riding buddies use different phones.

5. Jabra Elite 8 Active — Most Rugged and Weatherproof

Riders who get caught in the rain or ride through dusty conditions should take a hard look at the Jabra Elite 8 Active (around $199). These are rated IP68, meaning they’re genuinely built for sweat, rain, and rough handling, not just marketing-speak.

Jabra’s ShakeGrip coating keeps them locked in your ears even when you’re pulling your helmet on and off repeatedly. Military-grade durability testing (MIL-STD-810H) gives me confidence tossing these in a tank bag without a case.

Call clarity in windy conditions

Jabra’s 6-microphone call technology does a genuinely good job isolating voice from wind, and I’ve had clean calls at highway speeds with these in. ANC is solid, though not class-leading, and HearThrough mode is handy for quick conversations at gas stops.

Battery life clocks in around 8 hours per charge, up to 32 hours total with the case, which is excellent for long touring days.

6. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro — Best for Android and Galaxy Riders

If you’re rocking a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro (about $229) integrate so tightly with Galaxy devices that pairing and call handling feel effortless. I’ve used these on multiple rides and the 24-bit Hi-Fi audio makes music sound great too, when I’m not on a call.

ANC performance is strong, and Samsung’s Voice Detect feature automatically lowers your music and boosts your voice mic when you start talking, which is genuinely useful mid-ride.

Weatherproofing and battery

These carry an IPX7 rating, meaning they can handle a serious downpour without issue. Battery life is roughly 5 hours per charge with ANC on, 18 hours total with the case, which is a bit shorter than some competitors but still enough for a full riding day.

If you’re building out a broader comms setup for group rides, it’s worth comparing these against dedicated systems in my guide to the Best Motorcycle Intercom Systems for Rider and Passenger Communication.

7. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — Best Budget Pick

I didn’t expect much from a budget option, but the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (around $99) genuinely surprised me. The active noise cancellation isn’t quite flagship-level, but it does a respectable job cutting steady wind drone on the highway.

Call quality held up better than I expected too, with AI-based noise reduction keeping my voice reasonably clear even at speed. For less than a third of the price of the Bose or Sony options, that’s a solid trade-off.

What you’re giving up at this price

The ANC is noticeably weaker against sudden gusts compared to my top picks, and the fit isn’t quite as secure under a snug helmet. That said, for casual riders who just need reliable calls without spending $250+, I think this is the smartest budget buy on this list.

Battery life is excellent at around 10 hours per charge, 50 hours total with the case, which is genuinely impressive for the price point.

8. EarFun Air Pro 3 — Best Value for Money

Another budget-friendly option I keep coming back to is the EarFun Air Pro 3 (around $80). These punch well above their price with Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec and genuinely usable hybrid ANC.

I’ve made calls with these on a moderately windy day and my caller said I sounded clear, if slightly compressed, compared to pricier options. For the price, that’s more than fair.

Fit and everyday usability

They come with multiple ear tip sizes, which helped me get a secure seal under my helmet’s ear pockets. Battery life is roughly 7 hours per charge, 32 hours with the case, and they’re IPX5 rated for rain and sweat resistance.

If you’re also looking to upgrade your mic setup rather than just relying on earbuds, my rundown of the Best Microphones for Motorcycle Helmets is worth a read.

9. Shokz OpenFit — Best Open-Ear Alternative for Safety-Conscious Riders

Not every rider wants full noise isolation, and honestly, I get it. The Shokz OpenFit (around $179) uses air conduction technology that sits just outside your ear canal, so you stay aware of traffic, sirens, and your riding buddies while still hearing calls clearly.

These aren’t “noise canceling” in the traditional sense, but I’m including them because for a lot of riders, situational awareness matters more than total isolation, and the call quality genuinely holds up in wind.

Why I still recommend these for calls

Shokz built these with dual microphones and their own noise reduction algorithm, and I’ve had clean, understandable calls at moderate speeds. They’re also incredibly comfortable for long rides since nothing is jammed into your ear canal.

Battery life is about 7 hours per charge, 28 hours with the case, and they’re IP54 rated. If you want an even more integrated helmet audio setup, take a look at my guide to the Best Helmet Speakers for Motorcycle.

What I Look For When Testing Earbuds on a Motorcycle

I don’t just judge these on a couch in a quiet living room. My testing process involves actual rides, actual wind, and actual phone calls where I ask the other person to rate clarity on a scale of one to ten.

Wind noise reduction matters more than “ANC specs”

Marketing numbers about noise cancellation don’t always translate to real-world helmet performance. I care about how the mic handles turbulent air hitting your helmet at 60+ mph, which is a very different beast than cancelling out a coffee shop’s ambient hum.

Fit and retention under a helmet

An earbud that’s perfect on a walk can slip or shift the second you jam a helmet on over it. I always test fit with my actual gear before trusting any pair for a full day of riding.

Battery life for long rides

Short battery life is a dealbreaker for touring riders. I look for at least 5-6 hours of continuous playback plus a case that can top things off at a gas stop.

Water and sweat resistance

Even a “dry” ride can mean sweat, humidity, or an unexpected drizzle. I won’t recommend anything below IPX4, and I genuinely prefer IPX5 or higher for serious riders.

Final Thoughts From the Saddle

If I had to pick just one, I’d grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for the best overall mix of noise cancellation, call clarity, and comfort under a helmet. For iPhone loyalists, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are nearly as good and integrate beautifully with your existing devices.

Budget riders shouldn’t feel left out either; the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and EarFun Air Pro 3 both deliver surprisingly solid call performance for a fraction of the price. And if situational awareness is your priority, the Shokz OpenFit is genuinely worth a look.

Whatever you pick, test it under your actual helmet before committing to a long ride with it. Fit and wind noise vary a lot from helmet to helmet, and what works great for me might sit differently on your head. If you want to round out your setup, my guide to the Best Headset for Motorcycle Helmet covers integrated options worth comparing against standalone earbuds.

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