Best Headphones for Snowboarding in 2021 – Reviews and Buying Guide

There is no doubt that snowboarding is still recognized as one of the most popular activities in winter. This activity is very thrilling, bringing in that excitement and adrenaline rush. Whether you consider yourself as a beginner, a professional snowboarder, or simply enjoying the activity as a hobby, making sure that you have a good pair of headphones for this activity will make sure that you will enjoy the benefits that you expect from it. 

The good news is that there are a lot of options that are available on the market now. This could pose some challenges when it comes to picking the best headphones for snowboarding. To help you out, we have rounded up the best options out there, including a buying guide to help you choose the best ones that will meet your needs and preferences. 

Alta Wireless Bluetooth Helmet Drop-in Headphones – Built to Last Harsh Snowy Weather

Rating: 4.5/5

Technical Specs:

  • Color: White/Blue
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless
  • Form Factor: Over Ear
  • Connector Type: USB Type-A, USB Micro
  • Item Weight: 5.6 ounces
  • Control Type: Call Control

Product Specification

  • Comfortable and Practical Fit

The designers of these headphones are real-life snowboarders and skiers, which means that they are fully aware of the conditions in which these headphones are made for. The construction is designed to withstand wear and tear, thanks to its use of high-quality materials. 

The chips also feature oversized buttons (1 on the right, and 2 on the left), designed to respond to touches with gloves on, allowing you to track change, control volume, making calls, or activating voice functions by simply tapping. 

  • Stylish Design

Its overall compact design fits almost any type of helmets that come with an audio-ready liner. These headphones are particularly compatible with helmets from Anon, Bolle, Giro, Burton, Smith, and K2, though the connecting cord may be short for certain models. 

These headphones also feature a sweat-resistant design which is an added bonus. This means that these headphones will not easily get damaged when kept inside the helmet, or when riding on a motorcycle even on a hot day in summer. 

  • Sound Quality

These Alta helmet headphones provide a seamless and balanced sound quality, thanks to the help of its two 40mm drivers. It also features Bluetooth 5.0 wireless chipset. The overall premium audio experience is hassle-free, tempting you to wear them on for long hours. 

What is surprising is its rich bass sounds. The frequencies are also balanced, given its price. These headphones can be cranked for up to 10 hours straight even in harsh weather conditions, and temperatures as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros

  • clean and neat design
  • balanced sound quality
  • 10 hours battery life
  • Designed for extremely cold conditions  

Cons

  • Learning the taps to get the command could be challenging

Unigear Bombing Bluetooth Ski Helmet Drop-in Headphones – Excellent Sound at Any Volume Level

Rating: 4.5/5

Technical Specs:

  • Color: Black, Gold
  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
  • Form Factor: Drop-in Headphones
  • Connector Type: USB Type C
  • Item Weight: 7.2 ounces
  • Control Type: Voice Control

Product Specification

  • Outstanding Sound Quality

These wireless headphones feature built-in HDR audio combined with 40mm high-efficiency drivers. This results in audio quality that is very high that the sound produced is similar to music that is heard just right beside you. 

The use of HDR technology works in regulating both highs and lows, thus optimizing the entire experience better. They are also designed to offer a premier experience for acoustic listening at all levels of volume. 

  • Bluetooth 5.0 Technology

These headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, offering a listening distance of up to 32 feet. With this feature, the audio connectivity is stable, with nothing to disturb the entire snowboarding experience. After connecting the headphones, they stay connected throughout the entire time while enjoying the slopes. 

  • Glove-Friendly Button System

There are three buttons on these headphones that can be used in controlling music, even with gloves on. This will allow you to control music easily without the need to remove the device. 

  • Hassle-Free Listening

With these pair of headphones on, it is possible to shred the slopes without getting disturbed with the music turning on and off. This means that music distortion is no longer a problem, thus being assured with an overall enhanced snowboarding experience. 

These headphones are compatible with any audio-compatible helmet. These include helmets from Pro-Tec, Anon, Bern, and several others. 

Pros

  • Weather-resistant and designed to last
  • Built-in microphone
  • Compatible with most helmets
  • Up to 10 hours after full charge  

Cons

  • Accessing the buttons can be challenging at high speeds

Bose QuietComfort 20 Headphones – Best Quiet and Comfortable Earbuds

Rating: 4.5/5

Technical Specs:

  • Color: Black
  • Connectivity Technology: Wired Technology
  • Form Factor: In-Ear
  • Connector Type: 3.5 mm Headphones Jack
  • Item Weight: 1.55 ounces
  • Control Type: Call Control

Product Specification

  • Stylish Earbuds

The Bose QuietComfort 20 earbuds are very attractive in style. It features a rubberized cable, with black and blue style accents. Its flat and rectangular noise isolation generator is coated with latex. The very same blue accent is also noticeable on the on and off button. A bonus is the use of the StayHear+ tips which are curved, which are designed to comfortably fit most ears. 

  • Comfortable Design

These earbuds come with a comfortable design that does not go through the ear canal just like in-ear headphones. As a result, the earbuds are very comfortable to ear even for long sessions of listening without worrying about listening fatigue. Unlike its over-ear siblings, these earbuds do not cause hassle and discomfort when enabling its noise-cancellation feature.

  • Breathable Features

These earbuds are also equipped with breathable features that will not make the ears sweat unnecessarily. They may trap a little heat in the notch of the ear because of the tips and their stability fins, but these do not have an impact on the temperature even when performing intense workout sessions. 

  • Good Build Quality

These earbuds are also praised because of their good build quality. The earbuds and the control model are both durable and dense enough to withstand a number of accidental drops. Also, the cables are thick and not easily damaged by usual wear and tear. The latest cover may peel off after several uses, but this does not affect the module quality, which is why it is basically just a cosmetic issue. 

  • Soft Fabric Case

The addition of a soft fabric case to the entire package is a bonus. This case offer protection to the headphones against scratches, preventing them from tangling in the bag. Because of its sleek design, it does not add bulk to the headphones so that they will still comfortably fit inside your bag or pocket. Note, however, that the soft fabric cannot provide protection to your headphones against high physical stress or water damage. 

Pros

  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Durable and well-designed
  • Comfortable fit  

Cons

  • No Bluetooth 

OutdoorMaster Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Helmet Drop-in Headphones – Best Below Zero Headphones

Rating: 4.5/5

Technical Specs:

  • Color: Light Blue, Black
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless
  • Form Factor: Headphones
  • Connector Type: 12.6 cord
  • Item Weight: 5.9 ounces
  • Control Type: Voice Control

Product Specification

  • Real Quality for the Price

One of the best things about these helmet headphones is that even though it is one of the most affordable options in this list, you are getting similar features as that of pricier models. Aside from that, it also features better battery life. This means real value for its price. 

  • Bluetooth 5.0 Technology

These headphones operate with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, connecting really well even in very rough conditions. Connecting to the Bluetooth of these headphones is effortless. Audio is transmitted through two huge tuned 40mm drivers, offering clear and loud sound. 

  • IP45 Rating

It also comes with an IP45 rating, which means that getting wet from sweat or snow is not an issue here, because of this rating. It also takes pride in its capacity to work really well even at temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius/-4 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, it is also considered among the best headphones for snowboarding in below-zero temperatures. 

  • Convenient Button Locations

These headphones feature two buttons on one of the headphones and one on the other. These buttons are large, making them very convenient to use, and ideal for snowboarding headphones. The three buttons may be used in adjusting volume, play, pause, change tracks, use Siri, and take calls. 

  • Long Battery Life

Another thing amazing about these headphones is their 15-hour battery life. This is a huge improvement from its siblings. Aside from the value and price, the battery life of these headphones is mostly the biggest advantage that they offer. This long battery life also means about 500 hours of standby aside from playback time. If there is a need to charge these headphones, it comes with a micro-USB port that can be accessed easily without the need to take the headphones off. 

  • Amazing Sound Quality

These headphones feature a combination of 30mm drivers and a G3 tech Bluetooth 4.0 chipset, which means that they can easily crank up some loud sound with minimum distortion. You can even ride at fast speed, and still being able to hear the music fine. 

The crisp and highs are not overly muddy. The lows may have some bumps, but bass fanatics would love the more booming sound. The overall sound quality produced by these headphones is just fine. 

  • Effective Buttons

The left earpiece comes with three small buttons that work with different control functions. Siri can also be used in performing these specific features using voice command, but Siri has to be activated first from the phone. Since the buttons are small and located closely with each other, navigating them may be challenging. 

Music may be paused if you want to skip some tracks. Another basic solution is gluing a lego dot in the middle button. Installation is fast and easy. All you need to do is to use some Velcro strips on the back part of the speakers, inserting more into the speaker slots. 

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity
  • 15 hours long battery life
  • IP45 rating   

Cons

  • A little too thick for some

BE Headwear Bluetooth Headset – Best Budget Pick

Rating: 4.5/5

Technical Specs:

  • Color: Black
  • Connectivity Technology: Wireless, Bluetooth
  • Form Factor: On-Ear
  • Connector Type: Micro USB
  • Item Weight: 0.1 kg
  • Control Type: Call Control

Product Specification

  • BE-Link Technology

This headset operates using powerful BE-LINK technology, allowing for easy connection of this headset to your device. With this modern high-tech technology, there is a guarantee of strong connectivity, along with continuous music play. 

  • Micro-USB Charge Cord

These headphones also feature a micro-USB charge cord, which is low in wattage and compatible with most wall adapters. This means that there is no need to worry about looking for a place where you can charge your headphones. This use of a USB cord is a common feature, which means that it can easily be replaced when lost. 

  • 9 Hours Battery Life

This Bluetooth headset has the capacity to last up to 9 full hours after a complete charge. This means that you can enjoy a complete snowboarding experience without the need to worry about juice running out. These headphones also feature a built-in microphone, which means that you can still take calls even when you are enjoying your rides on the slopes. 

Pros

  • Excellent sound quality
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Affordable than others

Cons

  • Confusing button locations

Buyer’s Guide – Best Headphones for Snowboarding

When it comes to getting the best headphones for snowboarding, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. This includes the following:

Connectivity

While corded headphones may offer some value, reality dictates that cords can become annoying at times. This problem is solved with the use of Bluetooth Technology. The only disadvantage of this type of technology is that it needs battery power. Everybody has a preference when it comes to Bluetooth Technology these days, which means that you can choose the best one that you need. 

Battery Life

Battery life is very important if you want your headphones to last for hours while enjoying your favorite sport in the mountains. Getting a pair that will last a long time is the best option that you can take. At the same time, a pair of headphones that do not have Bluetooth technology is the ideal option because there is no need for you to charge them. 

They are designed to last all day. It is also important to note that batteries could drain faster in cold weather. If you are snowboarding in a place with tundra temperatures, this could drain faster than expected. 

Menu Control

While headphones are generally amazing, they can be frustrating to use. This is particularly true if you are having your gloves on. Headphone chips are usually easier to manage compared with in-ear or traditional headphones. 

Certain headphone models come with a voice menu, which could be annoying to some snowboarders who simply want to listen to their favorite music. Other snowboarders, however, find this menu quite helpful when it comes to controlling music. 

Style and Fit

What type of headphones do you find comfortable to use? Are you planning to use these headphones anywhere, or are you interested in looking good in front of your friends? While headphone chips may look cool, but they are oftentimes useless when used on the slopes.

Helmet Compatibility

If you are getting headphones solely for snowboarding, then a model that is compatible with helmets is also a good thing to consider. They are typically designed specifically for use in snow and are typically easier to use even with gloves on. 

FAQs

1. What does a headphone that is labeled ‘completely wireless’ mean?

This means that these headphones do not come with a single wire unless they are charged. This also means that they will directly fit into your ear, inside your helmet, or over your ear. 

2. Is a customizable equalizer a good feature to consider?

If you are interested in pumping up the bass, then this feature is a nice addition. A customizable equalizer is ideal for riders who love muting vocals so that you can easily sing along. This feature allows you to mix music and listen in the way that you like to listen to them. 

3. Can headphones for snowboarding be worn with a helmet?

Helmets are a must when it comes to snowboarding, especially professional snowboarders. Snowboarding headphones are usually designed to be tight-fit, which means that they will not be easy to remove despite constant movements and wind. 

Conclusion

Now that you have checked out this buying guide, you are now in a better position to make a wise purchasing choice. The best headphones for snowboarding are those that meet your specific needs and requirements. Regardless of your budget and feature preferences, you now have a list that you can choose from. The headphones that are included in this list are also compatible with several accessories. This means that you are assured that you can enjoy listening to your favorite music while also enjoying your favorite sport.