Bluetooth Headsets
A good Bluetooth headset changes how you ride. Music, calls, GPS directions and conversations with your passenger or riding group, all without taking your hands off the bars. This guide explains the three types of headsets we carry, how they differ, and the questions we ask every customer before we recommend one.
- Video series
- Shop by type
- Helmets with Bluetooth installed
- Which headset is right for you?
- The question we always ask
- What is Mesh technology?
- Why universal pairing works, but doesn't
- Sena headsets
- Cardo headsets
- Misc. Bluetooth headsets
- Bluetooth accessories
- Options for half helmets
- Common questions
Watch the 3-part video series
Scott from our shop walks you through everything on this page in three short videos.
Shop Bluetooth headsets by type
Want it ready to ride? Helmets with Bluetooth installed and tested
Skip the install. Our Bluetooth helmet bundles pair a new helmet with a headset made for it, and we set everything up before it leaves our shop in Ormond Beach.
- InstalledSpeakers, mic and unit fitted in the helmet
- ChargedReady to power on when it arrives
- TestedEvery headset checked in the helmet before shipping
- PairedOrder 2 helmets and we pair the headsets to each other
Bluetooth helmet or "Bluetooth ready"? They're not the same. Learn the difference between helmets with Bluetooth built in, helmets with just speaker pockets, and helmets made for a matching headset. Read our Bluetooth Helmets guide.
Which Bluetooth headset is right for you?
Start with how you ride. Who you want to talk to matters more than any spec sheet.
Solo rider
You only want to connect to your own devices: phone calls, music, GPS and voice assistant.
You don't need intercom range or Mesh. A simple Bluetooth headset, including our value headsets, covers everything you need. Spend your money on speaker quality and comfort.
Rider and passenger
You want to talk to your passenger and still use your phone, music and GPS.
A 2-way Bluetooth intercom pair is all you need. Buy a dual pack, or two of the same model, so both headsets share the same features, including music sharing.
Group rider
How many riders are in your group? Standard Bluetooth intercoms link a small group, usually 2 to 4 riders, in a chain.
For larger groups, or riders who drop in and out of range, choose a Mesh headset. Mesh keeps the group connected without re-pairing.
The question we always ask: are you going to talk to someone who already has a Bluetooth headset? If so, what brand are they using?
Even though most brands offer universal Bluetooth pairing, that doesn't mean every feature will work the way it does between two Sena or two Cardo headsets. If you want true pairing with every feature your headset offers, match the brand your riding partner uses.
What is Bluetooth Mesh technology?
A standard Bluetooth intercom links headsets in a chain: you pair with one rider, they pair with the next, and so on. If someone in the middle drops out of range, the chain breaks and you have to reconnect.
Mesh works differently. Every headset in the group acts as a relay, passing the signal to the others. Riders can join, drop back and rejoin on their own, and the group's total coverage stretches as more Mesh riders join. Sena calls its version Mesh Intercom. Cardo calls its version DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication). The two systems don't talk to each other over Mesh.
You are only as strong as your weakest link. To get the full benefit of Mesh, the other riders in your group need Mesh headsets too. You can still pair your Mesh headset with a regular Bluetooth headset, but the connection then runs over standard Bluetooth. If the other headset's range is only half a mile, half a mile is your maximum range.
Why universal pairing works, but doesn't really work
Universal pairing lets two different brands connect using basic Bluetooth intercom. It's handy when you meet up with a friend on another brand, and for a simple conversation it does the job.
What you usually give up:
- Mesh: the connection falls back to standard Bluetooth, with its shorter range and smaller group size.
- Group intercom: you may be limited to a single 2-way conversation instead of joining the whole group.
- Music sharing and app features: these generally only work between headsets from the same brand.
- Range and audio quality: both are often lower than a same-brand connection.
- Reliability: cross-brand links tend to drop more often and take longer to reconnect.
Use universal pairing as a backup. Buy for the brand your riding partners already use.
Sena Bluetooth headsets
Sena offers one of the widest ranges of motorcycle communication systems. Most current models include Sena Mesh, with standard Bluetooth intercom for connecting to non-Mesh headsets.
| Family | Best for | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Series (60S EVO, 60X) | Touring riders and groups who want the best audio | Sena's flagship line: Mesh plus Bluetooth intercom, premium speakers and Sena's newest Mesh generation on the 60X. |
| 50 Series (50S, 50R) | Group riders who want Mesh at a lower price | Mesh and Bluetooth intercom. The 50S uses a jog dial, and the 50R is a low-profile button design. |
| Spider (Spider X Slim, RT1) | Riders who want a slim, lightweight unit | Compact, low-profile Mesh units built around group riding. |
| Vortex, 20S EVO, 10 and 5 Series | Solo riders and rider-passenger pairs | Bluetooth intercom for calls, music, GPS and a small group, at a lower price. |
| SRL3 and SMART HJC (11B, 21B, 50B) | Shoei Gen 3 and HJC helmet owners | Built to fit specific helmets, with no external clamp. The SMART HJC 11B is entry level, the 21B is a mid-range Bluetooth intercom, and the 50B adds Mesh. |
Sena 60S EVOFlagship Mesh + Bluetooth
Sena 60XMesh 3.0 premium headset
Sena 50SMesh + Bluetooth, jog dial
Sena Spider X SlimSlim Mesh headset
Sena VortexBluetooth intercom
Sena SRL3Integrated for Shoei Gen 3
Cardo Bluetooth headsets
Cardo headsets feature JBL audio and natural voice control on most models. Cardo's Packtalk line uses DMC Mesh, and the Freecom and Spirit lines use standard Bluetooth intercom.
| Family | Best for | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|
| Packtalk Edge, Packtalk Neo | Group riders | DMC Mesh plus Bluetooth. The Edge is Cardo's flagship with a magnetic mount. The Neo brings Mesh at a lower price. |
| Freecom 4X, Freecom 2X | Rider-passenger pairs and small groups | Bluetooth intercom with JBL speakers. The 4X links up to 4 riders, and the 2X is a 2-way intercom. |
| Spirit HD | Solo riders and couples on a budget | Cardo's entry-level Bluetooth headset for calls, music and 2-way intercom. |
| Packtalk S, 4X-S (Shoei), HJC Packtalk, 4X and Spirit | Shoei Gen 3 and HJC helmet owners | Built to integrate cleanly with specific helmets. |
Cardo Packtalk EdgeFlagship DMC Mesh
Cardo Packtalk Neo DuoMesh for two riders
Cardo Freecom 4X4-way Bluetooth, JBL
Cardo Spirit HDEntry-level Bluetooth
Misc. Bluetooth headsets
Our value headsets from Daytona Helmets and The Helmet Shop cover the basics well: phone calls, music, GPS and simple rider-to-passenger intercom, at a fraction of the price of a premium brand.
Why buy an off-brand Bluetooth headset?
- You ride solo. If you only connect to your own phone, you don't need Mesh or brand-matched intercom.
- Budget. You get music and calls in the helmet for much less money.
- Second or spare helmet. Keep an inexpensive headset in a backup or passenger helmet.
- Trying it out. Find out whether you like riding with audio before you invest in a premium system.
The tradeoff: value headsets connect to Sena and Cardo only through universal pairing, so they won't get Mesh or brand-specific features. They also usually have shorter range, simpler apps and fewer firmware updates. If you ride with a group on Sena or Cardo, buy the brand they use.
The Helmet Shop S2 ProValue Bluetooth intercom
Intercom Headset (Full Face)Budget intercom
Daytona Bluetooth SoloSolo rider headset
What Bluetooth accessories are available?
| Accessory | What it's for |
|---|---|
| 2nd helmet kits | Move one headset between two helmets without reinstalling. Each helmet keeps its own speakers, mic and mount. |
| Half helmet kits | Mic and speaker kits made for open helmets, such as the Cardo half helmet kits and the Sena SPH10H-FM. |
| Clamp kits and mounts | Replacement or extra mounting kits for Sena 5S, 20S EVO, 30K, 50S and 60S units. |
| Upgraded speakers | Sena Harman Kardon and Cardo JBL speaker upgrades, plus 32 mm and 40 mm replacements. |
| Microphones and sponges | Boom, wired and waterproof mics, plus replacement foam windscreens. |
| Remotes | Sena RC3, RC4 and wristband remotes for control without reaching for the helmet. |
| Adapters | The Sena Mesh adapter adds Mesh to older Bluetooth units. Shoei Packtalk adapters are also available. |
| Cables and chargers | USB power cables, 3.5 mm audio cables and earbud adapters. |
| Speaker booster pads and pouches | Move speakers closer to your ears for louder, clearer sound. |
Cardo 2nd Helmet Kit (JBL)Packtalk Neo / Custom
Sena Universal Clamp Kit20S EVO / 30K / 50S
Sena Mesh AdapterAdd Mesh to Bluetooth units
What are your options if you wear a half helmet?
Half helmets don't cover your ears, so there's nowhere to mount speakers, and wind noise drowns out most audio. You have three options:
- Half Helmet Speaker Pockets: our own solution, described below.
- Half helmet kits: Cardo and Sena sell mic and speaker kits for open helmets.
- Purpose-built half helmet headsets: such as the Sena SPH10H-FM.
Half Helmet Speaker Pockets. Our speaker pockets let you install a Bluetooth headset in a half helmet. They cover your ears and give the speakers a place to mount. The design lines the microphone up directly at mouth level, and the pockets cut down on wind noise so you can hear your music and conversations.
Half Helmet Speaker PocketsBluetooth and corded compatible
Sena SPH10H-FMHalf helmet intercom
Cardo Edge/Neo Half Helmet KitFor Packtalk Edge and Neo
Common questions
Do the helmets come with the Bluetooth headsets already in them?
Most helmets are sold without a headset. Our Bluetooth helmet bundles come with the headset already installed: we install, charge and test every headset in the helmet before it ships, so it's ready to ride when it arrives. You can also send us your helmet for a custom headset installation.
If I buy 2 helmets, are the headsets already paired to each other?
Yes. When you order two helmet and headset bundles together, we pair the two headsets before shipping, so they talk to each other out of the box.
Can I pair a Sena with a Cardo?
Usually, yes, through universal pairing. Expect a basic 2-way Bluetooth conversation without Mesh, group intercom or music sharing. For full features, match brands.
Do I need Mesh if I only ride with a passenger?
No. A Bluetooth intercom pair handles rider-to-passenger conversation well. Mesh pays off when you ride in groups.
Will a Mesh headset give me Mesh range with my friend's Bluetooth headset?
No. You are only as strong as your weakest link. When you connect to a non-Mesh headset, you're limited to that headset's Bluetooth range and features.
Should I buy an off-brand headset?
If you ride solo or on a budget, a value headset is a smart buy. If you ride with friends who use Sena or Cardo, buy the same brand.
Still not sure? Tell us how you ride, who you ride with and what helmet you wear, and we'll point you to the right headset. Contact The Helmet Shop.