The 5 Best Headphones for Skiing

Skiing offers an appealing adventure to those who like to glide down mountain slopes at high speeds. One of the few variables that can make this wonderful sport even more fun is listening to your favorite music while you ski using one of the highest quality options when it comes to the best headphones for skiing.

If you want to listen to music, take phone calls, or communicate with others while you ski, then you have two main options: you can either invest in a ski helmet with a speaker, or you can get a good pair of headphones that fit inside your helmet.

For most skiers, the latter is the best option. This is usually because you have more control over the type of audio system you get when you buy your own headset. You can easily adjust the volume or track playing using the buttons on the sides.

Since you cannot change the unit you have with an audio ski-helmet, you are stuck with the same set of speakers whether you get good quality sound or not. It is also easier to upgrade to a better quality set or a set with the latest Bluetooth technology as time goes on.

How to Pick Which of These Best Headphones for Skiing You Should Buy Now

There are quite a few different types of headphones available on the market. Headphones for skiing are specially designed to slip inside the ear compartments of audio-ready ski helmets.

These headphones are usually very light, they have a slim design so they won’t cause discomfort, and they are usually compatible with a great variety of helmet types. Headphones for skiing are also usually designed with large buttons on the side so you can easily control your music without removing your gloves.

When it comes to picking the right headphones to wear while skiing, different people have different preferences and must-haves.

That’s why we’re bringing you this handy guide, featuring the very best skiing headphones to buy right now. With many different types, brands, and features, you are sure to find one that perfectly suits your skiing needs!

1. Best Overall: OutdoorMaster Helmet Headphones

OutdoorMaster is known for its high-quality products, and this set of headphones certainly doesn’t fall short of their unbeatable, high standard.

The headphones are very stylish, featuring large over-ear speakers and a sleek connection wire between the speakers. These can be worn however feels most comfortable, but most people wear them over their heads or around the back of their necks.

The headphones are available in blue, and they come with a handy black and blue zipper storage pouch with the OutdoorMaster logo on the side.

At just 5.9 ounces, the headphones are very light. On one side, you will notice a large on/off button, and on the other side, an up and down button allows you to easily control the volume even when wearing gloves.

A 12.6-inch cable connects the two headphones so you won’t lose one. The headphones are suitable for all helmet types and sizes and are designed to be worn on the inside of the helmet earpieces. The wireless headphones are also very sturdy since they are made with IP45 sweat-resistant materials.

These headphones offer up to 10 hours of battery life and up to 500 hours of standby time. They are functional for temperatures below negative 20 degrees Celsius. The earphones have euphonious audio with 40mm drivers as well as a CSR chip, and they’re designed with Bluetooth and a built-in mic.

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2. Best Budget Pick: Unigear Bombing Ski Helmet Speakers

This set of speakers is also great for skiers who prefer a headphone that lies against the ear instead of inside the ear and they are available at a great price compared to other headphones.

The speakers look great with their gold color insides and black outer case. When you buy them, you also get a black waterproof storage case.

The headphones weigh just 7.2 ounces and have a line length of 44 cm with an earpiece diameter of 5.2cm. At 1.6cm wide, these earpieces are also nice and slim. The earpieces have a 3-button system with large buttons, so you can easily press them while wearing gloves. The earpieces are sweat and water-resistant and can be used at low temperatures of up to -10 degrees Celsius. These headphones are compatible with all audio-ready helmets.

The earphones have a long battery life of up to 10 hours. They also feature a built-in microphone and are designed with HDR audio. With its Bluetooth 5.0 system and a 32ft range, it can easily connect to your phone. It also comes with a USB charging cable for easy recharging.

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3. Best Runner Up: WildHorn Alta Helmet Drop In Headphones

When it comes to the best headphones for skiing, this is another great over-ear headphone option. The headphone has white earpieces and a blue cord that connects them.

These are easy to use (even with gloves on) with a 3-button system: a large on/off button on one side, and large volume control buttons on the other side. With the purchase of these headphones, you also receive a handy zipper storage bag and a USB cable.

These earphones are compatible with all audio-ready helmets. They weigh just 5.6 ounces, and each earpiece is about 2.2 inches high and 1.8 inches wide. They are only 0.5 inches thick, which makes them very comfortable inside your helmet.

The headphones offer Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless connectivity, a hands-free built-in mic, and a Lithium battery that offers up to 10 hours of playback time. These earpieces have 40 mm drivers, are sweat-resistant, and can be used at cold temperatures of up to -4 degrees Celsius.

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4. Best Under $50: BE Headwear Headset 

These headphones by BE Headwear are another good budget-friendly option. They have an interesting design with their geo-shaped earpieces. The headphones are all black with 3E names printed on the sides in yellow.

These earphones are USB chargeable, and they are compatible with most audio-ready helmets. The earphones are made from durable materials, and they feature three buttons on one earpiece including play, skip and forward buttons.

The earphones are Bluetooth 4.0 compatible and have a built-in microphone. The 30mm speakers offer good sound quality and the lithium batteries offer up to 9 hours of playback time.

These headphones are also splash-proof and sweat-resistant. The headphones are very loud, and the sound quality is very good considering the size of the headphones.

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5. Alternate Option: Apple Airpods Pro

If you prefer in-ear earphones, then consider these fine quality AirPods by Apple. The earphones are wireless with an in-ear design, and they come with a compact storage container that you can easily fit inside your pocket. They are all-white and can be used inside any type of helmet.

The earphones offer noise cancellation and include three soft silicone tips in different sizes. They weigh only 1.6 ounces with the case included, which means they won’t weigh you down at all. They are sweat and water-resistant, and EQ adaptive technology automatically tunes the music to the shape of your ear.

The earphones are easy to set up on all Apple devices, and they have a built-in microphone. These carrying cases allow you to recharge them wirelessly, and they offer up to 24 hours of battery life. The air-pods themselves offer up to 4.5 hours of playback time.

These air-pods also come with advanced tech. When you say the words Siri On, the Hey Siri software automatically turns on.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is always hard to decide on the right pair of headphones to buy when there are so many great headphones to choose from.

Most new skiers have a lot of questions to ask while looking for the most suitable headphones for their needs and preferences. Here is a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions that skiers often have regarding headphones.

Is it safe to listen to tunes on the slopes?

Listening to music while skiing is generally safe. This is especially true if you already have the basics down and are good at handling yourself while gliding down. But there can be times when listening to music while skiing can be dangerous.

One of the biggest risks is high-volume sound. Sound levels over 70dB for a prolonged period can damage your ears, so if you listen to loud music on your earphones, you can suffer hearing loss. As long as you keep your earphones at a safe volume level this shouldn’t be an issue.

However, some music tracks are much louder than others. Getting that sudden blast of loud music in your ear and without quick access to control the volume because you are busy skiing can be dangerous. To avoid this, ensure that your playlist has no overly loud tracks lined up.

Another risk factor of listening to music while skiing is the distraction. Music can be especially distracting to brand new beginners. Listening to tracks can also make it hard for you to hear your instructor. Therefore, it is probably best to put off listening to music until you are good at skiing.

Will headphones work with any ski helmets?

Not all ski helmets are headphone compatible. Audio-ready ski helmets have padding that reaches over your ear. Inside this layer of padding, there usually are pockets into which you can slide your headphones.

Some helmets press your ears a lot more than others, though. This can cause a lot of pain if you have bulky earphones. It is important to find an audio-ready headphone that has ample space for the type of headphones you are using.

Should I get wireless or wired earphones?

Most skiers prefer wireless earphones because you don’t have to struggle with any annoying wires. You can also safely zip your phone inside your pocket without any protruding wires exposed to moisture.

The main drawback with wireless headphones is the battery life. With wired headphones, you never have to worry about the batteries running low. However, modern wireless headphones are pretty advanced, with most of them offering up to 10 hours of playback time.

Should I Get An In-Ear Or Over-Ear Design?

Headphones come in all shapes and sizes. You can get in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, or air pockets.

If you have sensitive ears, then it might be better to avoid in-ear headphones or air pockets. These earphones can cause discomfort if you wear them for hours on end. They also trap more humidity inside your ear which can result in ear infections.

Over-ear headphones can be a bit bulky, but they won’t cause discomfort inside your ear. These headphones are also healthier for those who have ear problems or narrow ear canals.

The battery life of these earphones also varies. Small in-ear earphones like AirPods do not have large batteries and usually only last about 4 hours, while much bigger batteries can fit inside over-ear earphones with battery life up to 10 hours.

Some prefer in-ear headphones that are wired to overcome this issue. AirPods also come with a storage case that will recharge your earphones while in storage, but they cannot be used while they are being charged. Most skiers prefer drop-in earphones because of the longer battery life.

Why do I feel a lot of pressure on my earpieces?

If you feel a lot of pressure against your earpieces, then you might need to reconsider the type of headphones you have or your ski helmet.

Ski helmets have all sorts of designs. Some fit more snugly than others with less room for headphones. A headphone with a thinner design can help you overcome this discomfort. Alternatively, you should look for a ski helmet with larger headphone pockets.

What are drop-in headphones?

Drop-in headphones refer to the design of the headphone. Unlike other everyday headphones, they do not have a firm bridge between the earpieces. A wire connects these earpieces, and they have a very flexible design. The individual earpieces slide into pockets in your ski helmet.

Generally, you slide one into one ear pocket, thread the wire around the back of your ski helmet, and drop the other earpiece into the other side of the ski helmet. The wire that connects the earpieces is usually long, so the headphones fit most ski helmet types. Built-in Lithium batteries do make the earphones bulkier, though.

Should I Get A Headphone With A Microphone?

Built-in microphones are glorious tech innovations for ski equipment. Skiing can sometimes be dangerous, and you need to stay in contact with friends in case you get lost or stuck in the snow.

Headphones with built-in microphones allow you to make hands-free calls. Some of these headphones are also designed with two-way technology, which enables you to communicate with other skiers with the same type of headphone.

Can I use my normal earphones or headphones on ski-adventures?

Using an average set of wireless earphones or headphones on ski adventures isn’t the best idea for several reasons.

The biggest issue with average headphones is humidity and moisture. Ski headphones are usually designed with a sweat-resistant and water-resistant surface. These headphones will stay in good shape even if they do get a little bit wet.

Another big issue is the temperature. It can get pretty cold on high slopes, and not all headphones are designed to handle these extremely cold temperatures.

Does temperature range matter?

If you take a look at the headphones on our list, you will quickly notice that they are designed to handle different minimum temperature ranges. Some headphones can only handle temperatures of as low as -4 degrees Celsius, while others are designed to handle up to -20 degrees Celsius.

An average -4 degree headphone should be perfectly fine for beginners. However, if you are skiing at more extreme temperatures, opt for headphones that can handle colder temperatures.

What are the most important specs to look for in ski headphones?

Headphones can vary quite a bit. These are the main specs to consider if you want to buy a pair that you will actually use:

Comfort: This is one of the most important factors because you don’t want headphones that make your ears ache or pinch your head. Most people find over-ear, drop-in earphones more comfortable because in-ear headphones can pinch your ears, especially if you wear them for hours on end.

Battery Life: It is terribly annoying to recharge your earphones every few hours. If you love to listen to music all the time, then you should look for a pair that offers 10 hours of playback time or a wired pair.

Water Resistance: Snowy slopes have lots of humidity, and you can get pretty wet while skiing. It is best to get a set that is water and sweat-resistant. If your headphones do happen to fall down into the snow, they won’t be ruined.

Sound Quality: You are not very likely to use your headphones if they don’t sound great. Look for a pair with large speakers and a good bass range, lots of volume control, and crystal-clear sound.

Final Thoughts on the Best Headphones for Skiing

Any of these headphone options will offer you great functionality and comfort while listening to your favorite music on the slopes.

If you are also in the market for other great skiing accessories like the best ski helmets with speakers, the best slalom skis, the best beginner snowboards, or the most comfortable ski boots, then hop over to some of our other guides where we compare other terrific quality accessories!