Full chat: Best motorcycle intercoms as chosen by MCN

Motorcycle intercoms tend to divide opinion: while some motorcyclists prefer the silence and solitude of riding – in fact, that’s the draw for many – some swing the other way and like to be connected to their smartphones to make and take calls and listen to music.

Even if you find all that distracting, you can use them to hear sat-nav directions or speak with their pillion or other riders in the group.

Generally comprising a pair of speakers, a microphone, a brain and a battery, these effectively replicate a wireless headset for phones and operate on Bluetooth, so you can also control your phone directly from the intercom. Most also allow for voice control to make operation safer while on the go, and they can also trigger your device’s voice control as well.

The best at a glance

• Best for top sound quality: Cardo Packtalk Edge Mesh
• Best with built-in FM radio: SENA SMH5-FM Bluetooth Headset and Intercom
• Best budget option: YYTFY Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Headset

Intercoms can either be universal or integrated fit; they are either designed to fit any helmet and generally sit a control unit outside the shell, or they can be integrated, designed specifically for one or two helmets and fit inside the lid in custom-made apertures. Which you choose is down to you and how often you change your helmet or how many you use. We’ve tried numerous intercoms, and these are what we reckon are the top ones.

Best motorcycle intercoms:

How do motorcycle intercoms work?

Intercoms will generally connect to phones and sat navs via Bluetooth and also to other intercoms. For speaking to pillions, this is fine and generally, for close groups, it’s OK too.

Bluetooth intercoms have a range of 1-1.5 miles quoted usually, depending on the antenna and can handle conversations with multiple riders. Though, for greater numbers or ranges, MESH technology can be useful.

This is an automatic system that seamlessly pairs and remembers groups of rides so that, should one become disconnected from the group, they will automatically reconnect when they come back in range.

If you want advice on how to install a motorcycle intercom, check out our guide.

About the author: Justin Hayzelden is MCN’s resident products guru and keeps a finger on the pulse of all that’s new and important in bike kit and accessories.

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.