Hey there! Here are the Best Motorcycle Intercoms you can buy in 2023!
Intercoms have revolutionized the way riders communicate on the road. With these devices, riders can enjoy music, chat with ride companions and even coordinate rides without stopping on the side of the road to discuss navigation.
Additionally, it safely informs riders of GPS notifications, alerting them of upcoming crucial turns, all while keeping the focus on the road ahead.
Here are the main Cardo and Sena intercoms reviewed based on signal range, speaker quality, waterproofness, ease of use, and reliability. Long story short – CARDO PACKTALK SLIM is the best for Money
Cardo MESH Intercoms
Best Overall
PACKTALK Edge
Range: 1000 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 13-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ✅ Yes
Runner Up
PACKTALK Special
Range: 1000 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 13-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ✅ Yes
Best FOR MONEY
PACKTALK SLIM
Range: 600 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 13-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking:
Waterproof: ✅ Yes
✅ No guesswork with charging. Every time you turn Cardo off it tells you how much battery is left in percent so you can make a better decision if you need to charge it. Even if you forget to charge it at home, it can still be charged on the go while used. Just plug your unit into a battery pack or your 12V charger on your motorcycle.
✅ Convenient attachment to the helmet with magnetic mount system. The magnetic mount is a genius solution. It works extremely well and makes mounting the intercom on the helmet a breeze.
✅ Actually working voice commands allowing hands-free control of the intercom. Keep your hands on the handlebars and push no buttons, just say answer or ignore when receiving a phone call through the intercom and it will do just that. Other voice commands include intercom on, share music, volume up or down
✅ Convenient buttons and wheel control. Sena users switching to Cardo often mention that the slider on Cardo is more intuitive and easier to use than Sena’s.
✅ Quick connections to other intercoms supporting Mesh. No need to perform a mumbo-jumbo connection sequence on the side of the road to pair intercoms. Mesh tech allows you to simply switch the intercom on and you can talk.
✅ Universal connectivity. Connect Cardo to any Bluetooth headset of any substantial brand.
✅ Smart Audio multitasking and audio mixing. FM radio, music, mobile calls and intercom work together in parallel with software deciding which audio channel is a priority. For example, it will play music in the background reducing music volume if your riding buddy starts talking via intercom.
✅ Share music from your phone with others in conversation so you all listen to the same song while overtaking a truck 😋.
Sena MESH Intercoms
Best Sena
Sena 50S
Range: 800 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 11-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Sena Runner Up
Spider ST1
Range: 600 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 12-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Worth mentioning
Sena 30K
Range: 800 meters in real life
Mesh: ✅ Yes
Battery Life: 10-Hour Talk Time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
SENA MESH Intercom Features & Benefits
✅ Amazing Sound Quality. Thanks to the newly redesigned speakers by Harman Kardon and Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility there is a 60% improvement in sound clarity and enhanced bass making listening to music a very pleasant experience. With new speakers, there is no need to turn the sound volume to the max. Even 40% volume will do the job just well. Even if you are riding with the earbuds in an open-face helmet – there is enough power in the speakers to do the job.
✅ Convenient conversations with no-hassle connections. Remember old intercoms where pairing 2 devices was a 15-minute job on the side of the road with a jet-fighter alike start-up sequence? Now, thanks to MESH 2.0 this is no longer the case. First of all – you can chat the old way using a Bluetooth connection with up to 3 buddies. Secondly, and my personal favorite, is a private MESH group that allows talking to up to 23 riding companions through the open MESH. Just turn the open mesh on and anyone in the range can start talking without any device pairings on the side of the road.
✅ Create private conversation channels within a larger group conversation. Sort of a private room if you want to speak to someone within your group in a private chat. This is possible thanks to a Mesh network technology that allows up to nine channels. You can switch between channel frequencies for conversations with different riding groups within the larger Open Mesh group.
✅ Excellent phone connection with faster data transfer speed, no interruptions, and higher Bluetooth range. Thanks to new Bluetooth 5.2 support. Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved performance including improved range, improved power efficiency, improved coexistence with other wireless technologies, and enhanced data transfer.
✅ More capable, reliable, secure, easy to use, and with longer battery life. Mesh 2.0 allows for a more robust communication signal with a faster network, stronger encryption algorithms, efficient use of bandwidth, simplified network setup as well as improved power efficiency when compared to Mesh 1.0, point-to-point, or point-to-multipoint wireless networks.
✅ Automatic Audio Multitasking. If you are listening to music and someone in your group starts talking – the music volume automatically decreases so you can hear what your friends are saying.
✅ Charging cable has a Wi-Fi connector that automatically updates Sena Software to the latest version whenever you charge it up. So you don’t need to waste time and effort to do it yourself.
❌ The flip-up MESH antenna of the Sena 50S is difficult to use with rain or cold weather gloves.
❌ The positioning of the MESH button on the Sena 50S makes it difficult to use with rain or cold weather gloves.
❌ The success rate of the “Hello SENA” feature is 50/50, similar to the Sena 20S EVO. And the “Hey Siri” almost never works.
❌ Spider ST1 Will not connect to intercoms that are not equipped with MESH tech
❌ Spider ST1 does not support FM radio
❌ No Voice Control feature in Spider ST1
Older Sena NON-MESH Intercoms
Best Old Legacy
Sena 20S EVO
Range: 600 meters in real life
Max Group size: 8 devices
Mesh: ⚠️ No
Battery Life: 13-hour talk time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Legacy Runner Up
Sena 10S
Range: 400 meters in real life
Max Group size: 4 devices
Mesh: ⚠️ No
Battery Life: 12-hour talk time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Small & Simple
Sena 10R
Range: 400 meters in real life
Max Group size: 4 devices
Mesh: ⚠️ No
Battery Life: 8-hour talk time
Audio Multitasking: ✅ Yes
Waterproof: ⚠️ No
Features & Benefits
✅ Listen to Music and get GPS directions from a smartphone while having intercom conversations. Sena 20S Evo has an audio multitasking feature allowing multiple audio channels simultaneously.
✅ High sound quality at higher speeds compared to the same production-year competitor. Sena 20S has Premium HD Speakers and microphone allowing you to use the phone, listen to music, and have conversations while riding at 70Mph as long as you wear a full-face helmet. Sena’s HD speakers offer a marked increase in volume, bass boost, and clarity.
Pro tip: run the right-ear speaker wiring through the top of your helmet instead of the back. This wire doubles as an FM antenna for the radio and this way the FM radio will get a stronger signal.
✅ Share the music that you get through a Bluetooth connection from your phone with others in conversations. Sena 20S, 10S, and 10R all allow music sharing in conversation. Here are instructions on how to pair Sena 20S EVO for music sharing in conversation.
✅ Full-day use on one battery charge. Sena has excellent battery life allowing for 13 hours of talking time. Also, it can be fully recharged in 3 hours.
✅ Works great in larger groups right out of the box. Allows connecting up to 8 headsets together for a group talk. Connection is stable without people dropping off as with non-Sena intercoms.
✅ May be charged while in use meaning you can charge it while riding and listening to music. This is a convenient option if you don’t want to bring it home for charging. Make sure to bring a 2-meter charging cable that has a micro USB on one end and a standard USB on the other.
✅ Complicated features may be easily controlled via on/off switches in the SENA App. Comes with a downloadable app for your phone. The app has an intuitive interface and gets regularly updated to resolve bugs and software issues.
✅ Can be operated through the handlebar remote that is purchased separately and allows controlling Sena without taking your hand too far from the motorcycle controls.
⚠️ Voice commands do not work as advertised with sudden false-positive activations or no activation at all.
⚠️ Claimed range is on the optimistic side. Sena claims a 1.6-2km range which is a range in a free field with no objects between devices. If there happens to be a truck or a road turn putting a forest or hill between you and your partner – the range decreases to 500 meters. Sena 20S gets a larger range to the built-in antenna that you can see above the selector wheel.
⚠️ Difficult to control device. Due to having so many different features it gets a bit hard to figure out how to control everything. But once you learn it – you no longer understand how you lived without it for so long.
⚠️ Water-Resistant (NOT WATERPROOF). Heavy rain may force water inside through the charging port and wheel-selector base. In this case, the Sena will auto-shutdown to prevent damage.
❌ Does not Support Mesh technology and uses older point-to-multipoint wireless network tech.
Things to Consider before buying an Intercom for Motorcycle
#1 Range: The range of the intercom system is a key factor to consider, especially if you plan to use it for long-distance communication. Some intercom systems have a limited range of just a few hundred meters, while others can reach several kilometers. I recommend using intercoms with at least a 1-kilometer range so you have some margin of safety in case there are obstacles like traffic or road turns putting hills or objects between you and your partner.
#2 Battery life: If you plan to use the intercom for long rides, it’s important to choose one with a long-lasting battery. Aim for at least 8 hours of talking time and the ability to charge the intercom while in use.
#3 Ease of use: You want an intercom system that is easy to install, use and operate while riding. Make sure the controls are intuitive and accessible while wearing motorcycle gloves.
#4 Audio quality: The audio quality of the intercom system is critical for clear communication. Consider the noise-cancellation technology and speaker quality of the intercom kit to ensure clear communication.
Make sure to put speakers right next to your ears. Additionally, some intercoms add various thicknesses of foam and velcro pads into the kit so you could adjust the distance between the speaker and your ears to put the speakers as close to the ear as possible without any discomfort for the ear.
Moreover, foam insulation rings, that attach to the outside side of the speakers may add additional insulation from the wind noise at higher speeds further improving sound clarity.
#5 Weather resistance: Weather resistance is important if you plan to use the intercom system in various weather conditions. Consider an intercom system that is waterproof and not just water-resistant.
#6 Compatibility with other brand intercoms: Makes sure Intercom has a MESH 2.0 technology. For older generation devices without MESH – make sure the intercom system you choose has universal compatibility so that you can still connect with riders who have selected other brand intercom systems.
#7 Brand reputation: Finally, consider the reputation of the brand and read reviews from other customers to ensure you are buying a reliable and well-supported product.
Differences between Bluetooth 3.0, 4.1 and 5.2
Bluetooth is a wireless technology used for exchanging data over short distances. Different versions of Bluetooth offer varying features and capabilities, including range, speed, and power consumption.
Here is a summary of the differences between Bluetooth 3.0, 4.1, and 5.2:
- Bluetooth 3.0: This version of Bluetooth was released in 2009 and focuses on increased speed, with data transfer rates of up to 24 Mbps. However, it has a relatively short range (around 10 meters) and high power consumption compared to later versions.
- Bluetooth 4.1: Released in 2013, Bluetooth 4.1 introduced several new features, including improved power management, the ability to run low-power applications in the background, and the introduction of Bluetooth Smart, a low-power variant of Bluetooth designed for IoT devices.
- Bluetooth 5.2: Released in 2020, Bluetooth 5.2 is the latest version of Bluetooth and offers several improvements over previous versions, including increased speed, a longer range (up to 800 meters), and improved support for mesh networks. It also includes enhancements to the privacy and security of Bluetooth connections.
Difference between mesh and Bluetooth in motorcycle Intercoms
Bluetooth and mesh are two different technologies used for wireless communication.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows for the transfer of data between devices over a distance of about 30 meters. Bluetooth operates in a star topology, meaning that one device serves as the central hub, and all other devices must connect to it. This limits the number of devices that can be connected and the overall range of the network.
Mesh, on the other hand, is a type of wireless network that allows multiple devices to communicate with each other directly, without the need for a central hub. This makes mesh networks much more scalable and capable of covering larger areas. In a mesh network, each device acts as a node and can receive and forward data to other nodes. This means that even if one node goes down, the network can still function as other nodes can take over its role.
In the context of motorcycle helmet-to-helmet communication, the use of mesh technology replaces the traditional Bluetooth-powered radio intercom with a mesh-type radio, which allows for inter-helmet communication to occur between an unlimited number of riders with a range of up to 5 miles. The mesh radio allows for a repeater-like function, extending the range beyond what can be achieved with just two units on the intercom. Mesh intercoms still use Bluetooth to connect to other devices like smartphones but the inter-helmet communication is powered by mesh radio.
Mesh 1.0 VS Mesh 2.0 Difference
Mesh 2.0 and Mesh 1.0 refer to different versions of the Bluetooth Mesh specification, which is a wireless networking standard for IoT devices that provides a low-power, scalable, and secure way to communicate between devices.
The main difference between Mesh 2.0 and Mesh 1.0 is the increased functionality and performance offered by Mesh 2.0. Some of the key differences between the two versions include:
- Increased Scalability: Mesh 2.0 supports a larger number of nodes in a single network compared to Mesh 1.0, making it better suited for larger and more complex IoT systems.
- Improved Reliability: Mesh 2.0 includes several reliability improvements, such as a new packet format and improved error correction, which help to ensure that messages are delivered even in adverse network conditions.
- Enhanced Security: Mesh 2.0 provides improved security features, such as stronger encryption algorithms and support for device provisioning and authentication, to help prevent unauthorized access to the network.
- More Efficient Use of Bandwidth: Mesh 2.0 includes features that help to reduce the amount of bandwidth required for communication between devices, making it more efficient and allowing for more devices to be connected to the network.
Overall, Mesh 2.0 provides a number of improvements over Mesh 1.0, making it a more capable and reliable solution for IoT devices and networks. However, Mesh 1.0 is still widely used in many IoT systems, and both versions are supported by many devices and platforms.
