Charge your helmet headset at room temperature with a good USB cable, never plug it in while it's wet, and store it partly charged somewhere cool and dry. Heat and moisture are what kill these batteries, not the number of times you charge them.
Most headsets use small lithium-ion batteries, so the same rules that apply to your phone apply here.
Charging habits that protect the battery
- Charge indoors, at room temperature. Don't charge it in a hot car, in direct sun, or on a tank bag in July. Apple's lithium-ion battery guidance warns against charging in hot environments, and the same applies to headsets.
- Use a cable you trust. A frayed or loose cable can charge slowly or cut in and out. Coil it loosely and replace it if the plug feels wobbly.
- Charge the night before, then unplug. Leaving it plugged in for days at a time doesn't help the battery.
- Don't run it flat and leave it. A battery left at zero for weeks can struggle to wake up again.
Water and the charging port
Many headsets are water resistant while riding, but the charging port is the weak point. After a wet ride:
- Take the headset off the helmet if you can.
- Wipe it down and leave the port cover open to dry at room temperature.
- Only charge once the port is completely dry.
If the unit fell in water, or you see green or white crust in the port, don't plug it in to test it. Contact the manufacturer first.
Storing it between rides
- Keep it somewhere cool and dry, not in a helmet bag in a hot garage.
- If your helmet is going to sit in a hot car or in the sun, take the headset off.
- Keep the port cover closed and the cable coiled loosely.
- Store it partly charged rather than full or empty.
Winter storage
If you're parking the bike for the season, charge the headset to about half, switch it off, and store it indoors. Top it up every month or two. When spring comes, give it a full charge and check it pairs before your first ride, not at the side of the road.
Signs the battery is wearing out
- Run time is noticeably shorter than it used to be.
- It drains even when it's switched off.
- It gets warm while charging or riding.
- The case looks swollen or doesn't close properly.
A swollen battery is a safety issue. Stop charging it and contact the manufacturer. Don't try to open the unit yourself.
Get more ride time from each charge
If the battery seems to run down faster than you expect, it isn't always the battery itself. A few habits make a big difference:
- Music and intercom use the most power. Streaming music for a whole ride uses far more than occasional GPS prompts.
- Volume matters. Riding with the volume maxed to beat wind noise drains the battery faster. Earplugs and a quieter helmet let you turn it down.
- Cold weather shortens run time. Lithium-ion batteries deliver less in the cold. Expect shorter rides in winter and keep the headset indoors overnight.
- Turn it off at the end of the ride. A headset left in standby, still searching for your phone, can be flat by morning.
If you've checked all of that and run time is still much shorter than when it was new, the battery is likely wearing out.
Keep the speakers and wires in good shape too
Battery care is half the job. If the speakers press on your ears or the wiring gets pinched when you put the helmet on, see our guide to installing a headset without ruining your helmet fit.
FAQ
How long does a helmet headset take to charge?
Most take a couple of hours from empty. Check your manual, and treat a big change in charge time as a sign the battery or cable needs attention.
Can I charge it overnight?
Occasionally, yes. Just don't leave it on the charger for days, and don't charge it somewhere hot.
Can I charge it in the rain?
No. Never charge it while the port is wet. Dry it first.
Can I use any USB cable?
Use the one supplied or a good-quality replacement with the right connector. Cheap cables are a common cause of slow or patchy charging.
Is it OK to leave the headset on a helmet in the sun?
Not for long. A helmet in direct sun gets very hot inside, and heat is the fastest way to age the battery.
