The 10 Best Bike Speakers
Special Honors
Fyxation Buckshot The Buckshot speaker is tough and built to last, delivering loud, crisp sound and integrated call functionality for conversations that just can’t wait. For about double the price, the Buckshot Pro will even provide a built-in flashlight with three settings for navigating low-light environments. fyxation.com
Turcom AcoustoShock Mini It may not look like much, but the AcoustoShock Mini packs a serious audio punch, and its silicone lining prevents water and debris from hindering its performance. It can play for 10 hours on a full charge, and it comes with a durable strap for keeping it tightly attached as you endure bumpy city streets or rocky paths. turcomusa.com
Editor's Notes
December 01, 2020:
When it comes to bike speakers, you will have to find the model that strikes the perfect balance of size and audio quality for your preferences. As one would expect, a larger speaker size often, though not always, translates to higher maximum volume and bass levels. That being said, there are a few exceptions to this, and they usually come from well-respected companies. For example, the JBL Wind. Though small in form, it actually offers quite rich bass for its size, and it sounds better and gets louder than the Naztech Cycle NZT and Boomer Vivi Outdoor, though these latter options do cost a fraction of the price. Another feature we like about the JBL Wind is the integrated FM radio and digital display that shows you what station you are listening to.
If size isn't a concern and you simply want the best sound with some the deepest bass in the category, we would point you towards the JBL Flip 5. While you will have to purchase some kind of bike speaker mount separately, those are rather affordable, and your ears will thank you for it. Plus, it boasts JBL Connect+, which allows you to daisy chain multiple speakers together.
We like the Clearon Premium for the inclusion of a wired remote with a digital horn button, so you can tell passersby that you are coming through. The Venstar S404 Sport and Celtic Blu System also feature convenient mountable controllers, however the latter lacks the horn feature. It does, however offer the ability to be used as a power pack to charge your phone and other mobile devices.
December 05, 2019:
We removed the Eceen Wireless, Jackery Boom and Uppel 4.0, which were no longer available. The mount that comes with the Urbo Wireless is quite ineffective, which can put the speaker at risk of falling, so we removed this item from the list as well.
We included two compact, ultra-portable speakers in our assortment of new additions, as they tend to come at a nice value. We do note that the sound quality likely won’t be as impressive as that of their larger counterparts, but they’re typically easy to attach and should suffice for commutes and short rides.
Users single out the outstanding bass as a major benefit of the Bugani Stereo, and its integrated microphone comes in handy for making phone calls without using your hands. People also seem to love its long battery life, which allows for several hours of continuous use.
The Basics Of Bike Safety
Don't worry, there are also plenty of bike accessories designed to increase the fun, like the bike radio.
Riding a bicycle can be enjoyable, great for your health, and an efficient, low cost and environmentally friendly way to travel all at the same time. But regardless of whether you're riding through the park for fun, down miles of trail for exercise or as part of a competition, or using a bike as your preferred method of commuting, you need to make sure you take all needed safety precautions before you let yourself have fun, exercise, or travel on that bike.
Riding in the city or in busy suburbs can be the most dangerous place for a bicyclist. In 2013, the last year for which we have decent data at present, there were more than 900 cyclist fatalities in the United States. And approximately two percent of those killed as a result of automobile accidents were in fact bikers. Add to those grim statistics the fact that the year 2013 saw nearly half a million emergency room visits as a result of bicycle accidents and it comes clear that safety is not to be taken lightly when it comes to riding your bike.
Bike safety starts with wearing a helmet that is certified as safe, that fits you properly, and that you adjust to fit you snugly. And remember that a bike helmet is rated for one accident and that's all: if you fall off your bike and your helmet strikes the ground, a fence, a parked car, a person, or anything else, it's time to thank it for doing its job, throw it away, and promptly replace it.
The cautious (AKA intelligent) cyclist also wears gloves that can protect their hands during an accident, and many choose to wear snug clothing that maximizes aerodynamics and can minimize "road rash" in the event of a fall. Good eye protection is also wise, as dust and debris can cause lack of sight that's dangerous even it lasts only mere seconds.
For nighttime riding, a cyclist must make sure his or her reflectors are in good working order, and they should affix both a headlight and a rear flasher to their bike. Safe night riding also involves wearing a bright and reflective -- if not actually illuminated -- safety vest or belt.
Don't worry, there are also plenty of bike accessories designed to increase the fun, like the bike radio.
Great Gear For Fun Ride
When it comes to bike speakers, you really do get what you pay for. The lower end models work just fine, but they generally offer a shorter battery life. As for sound quality, that too follows a logical arc of improvement as the cost increases. The audiophile who is also a long distance cyclist should therefore treat himself or herself to a more expensive model. The cyclist commuter who just wants to hear the morning news will be fine with a more affordable option.
And remember, if you do want to listen to music or programming while riding a bike, a bike radio is imperative: it is never safe to ride with headphones on or earbuds in. The loss of situational awareness caused by such units is simply unacceptable.
Bike Speakers Beyond The Music
A bike speaker is of course great for enjoying your favorite music, talk radio program, or podcasts while you are on the go, but a bike speaker can also provide more than just an enjoyable listening experience. When you use a bike speaker that has Bluetooth wireless technology and a built in microphone, you can conduct safe hands free phone calls while cycling away at top speed. That's great for the businessperson who wants to get some exercise while handling his or her call load or for the friend or family member who wants to catch up, but it's also a great feature to be used by cyclists during training rides or race events.
This can help coordinate legs of a race and make a plan for staying ahead of the pack.
When you can safely and quickly place or receive phone calls right from your bicycle, you can stay connected to your coach or your teammates while not losing any speed or rhythm. This can help coordinate legs of a race and make a plan for staying ahead of the pack. More casual riders can also enjoy the same features to stay in touch with their companions during long cross country rides or as they wend through busy city streets.
Bike speakers can also be valuable tools for emergency response and for heightened situational awareness. You can communicate with safety officials (or with your fellow responders if you're part of the crew) or use you bike radio to listen for emergency broadcast information in the event of storms, disasters, or any other serious issue you might face while on your bike.