Advice & Guides Five of the best... rider to pillion intercoms
Riding doesn’t have to mean restricting yourself to your own headspace, thanks to comms system that let you stay in touch with passengers, riding buddies and your phone…
24 Nov 2025
SENA SMH5 Basic Bluetooth Headset & Intercom
Entry level single Bluetooth headset and intercom
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in Motorcycle Intercom Systems£66.99
RRP £79.00 - save £12.01
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Verified Customer Reviews for SENA SMH5 Basic Bluetooth Headset & Intercom
Our customers say…
Customers praise this headset for easy fitting, straightforward pairing and clear sound for phone calls and sat nav. Several say it works well for rider to pillion use, with comfortable helmets and handy controls even with gloves. Many consider it excellent value, especially on offer, and appreciate reliable battery life. A few note limits in range, volume at speed, or occasional setup issues, but overall feedback is strongly positive.
AI-generated from the text of our verified customer reviews
Helpful?
Excellent sound even with ear plugs 
10 Aug 2026 by Alan S
I brought this headset to link to my phone and Beeline 2 so I could hear directions. The lining on my Schuberth would not allow the clamp fitting but the adhesive fixing works extremely well. Bluetooth is easy to pair and has been stable on all rides so far. A couple of five hour trips proved that battery life is good too. Sound quality and volume are both excellent with earplugs and the volume control is easy to use. Well chuffed with a quality product at a good price.
Helpful?
Easy and reliable. 
13 Jul 2026 by Al S
Nice and easy to install and operate. Simple functions are easy to use with helmet and gloves on. Very happy with the purchase.
Style: Dual
Helpful?
Good entry level headset
08 Jul 2026 by Sarah
Bought for my son for his first headset, easy to install and works well with mine.
Helpful?
Does exactly what it says good bit of kit
07 Jul 2026 by Tardy
Relatively easy to install and set up. Easy to use, I’ve connected it to my Chigee headset, and iPhone. I can listen to music and get directions. Phone calls are easy and clear. The sound quality is good but for music not a Bose system.
Helpful?
Great bit of starter kit
22 Jun 2026 by Joe
Great little bit of kit as an entry level headset and intercom. Bought two of these to use on a bike trip around Wales. Range and audio quality is great for the price point. Would definitely recommend.
Helpful?
Could be louder
02 May 2026 by Robert
Intercom doesn’t go as loud as music, and music max volume isn’t that loud above 50mph, but still decent.
Helpful?
Exceptional value.
28 Apr 2026 by Anonymous
Very impressed with the Sena SMH5. Bought it to play music and sat nav instructions. I wear ear plugs while riding and found the sound quality and volume very good. Haven't tried linking it to another user, so can't comment on the communication side of it.
Helpful?
Well made, good value
27 Apr 2026 by Anonymous
Easy to fit in my Shark Oxo. Replaced a previous more expensive senna kit when the recharging port broke. This seems better made and has USB C charge point which is much better. Also better quality speakers than before. Thanks Sportsbikeshop!
Helpful?
Easy to install and good volume 
11 Apr 2026 by Leanne
Easy to install, placement of speakers makes a large difference to the volume. It is worth adjusting them to suit you ears.
I like that it plays music when you're not communicating with another rider and also allows Siri control on an Apple mobile.
Helpful?
Outdated now, but good if you just want a basic he
14 Mar 2026 by Alex
Easy to install, battery life seems good so far, decent value for money
Helpful?
Great quality for price
12 Mar 2026 by Gar
Great sound quality easy to fit and to connect. Simple design perfect for what I needed 1 to 1 carrying pillion. Great service from sportsbikeshop as usually always on time
Style: Dual
Helpful?
Easy to fit, decent sound and straightforward conn
10 Mar 2026 by Andrew D
Easy to operate, sound quality is acceptable at slow speed and highway speed (fitted to my SMK open face jet style helmet)
The unit is however quite bulky on the side of the helmet
Style: Dual
Helpful?
Easy connectivity
06 Mar 2026 by Martin H
Other than very easy to install and a robust enough unit. Bought this to enable connectivity for pillion to Cardo Pack talk edge as quick cost effective solution. Used the universal Bluetooth function. Connected easily, clear and simple...Given the low price and the functionality I was after..good purchase and as always quickly dispatched.
Helpful?
Basic but good
18 Feb 2026 by Roy R
Does the job at reasonable price.
Helpful?
All you need
05 Feb 2026 by Alan
Good product. Easy to fit and works well with pillion or riding closely with someone. Works well with music or sat nav. Sound is good. Battery life is long, even on an older one a few years in. Economical, and see no point spending more.
Helpful?
Product is great, but the SBS service was better
21 Jan 2026 by Phil L
The intercom itself, is crisp and clear. It does drop out on the odd occasion and is difficult to reconnect. But for the job, it does the job. The kart was 500m and there was no drop in connection, despite the distance. Updating the firmware is a little fiddly but having Googled, this is more related to Senas software and their customer service isn't the best - especially for a 12 year old headset. If you are looking to purchase this, for a cheap and cheerful product, I recommend the SMH 5, but ensure you have the latest model which is the USB C and not the Micro USB connection for better stability. The ruggedness of the headset will last. The music via MP3, is very, very clear and haven't experienced any drop outs yet.
I purchased the intercom for go karting, I am a complete novice with helmets, intercoms and the likes and the lady behind the counter went through a number of options, recommendations and pros/cons. Even to the point of instead of buying a dual box, to buy them singular as I will save £15. Doesn't sound much but for a first time buyer, my experience of Sportsbikeshop has been brilliant. They even fitted the intercom for me later that day and made me a coffee while I wait.
5 stars for SBS, but 4 for the product, due to the intermittent drop offs on 2 way intercom.
Helpful?
Incredible service the best ever
18 Jan 2026 by Anonymous
I’ve had one of these for 12 years and is still going strong the only reason I bought as new one is I changed my helmet and as I was so pleased I purchased a new one. Value 10/10 easy to fit 10/10 reliability 10/10 and so on. Thank you SENA.
Helpful?
A decent quality, base level headset 7nit
18 Jan 2026 by Andy
I brought this for use by my "Students"
I already have the same model attached to my own helmet.
That has been good for around 3 years
Helpful?
Reviews with photos - See all
Description
The SMH5 is a Bluetooth v5.1 stereo headset with Bluetooth intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the SMH5, you can call hands-free on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions from your GPS unit wirelessly via Bluetooth, and have two-way intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders. Thanks to Bluetooth v3.0 and the advanced digital processing technology, the SMH5 offers the best quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive button operations make the SMH5 a perfect companion for motorcyclists. The box contains headset main units, clamp units, helmet speakers, attachable boom microphones, USB power cable, glued surface mounting plate, microphone sponges, hook and loop pads for speakers, hook and loop pad for boom microphone, attachable boom microphone holder, speaker pads and Allen key.
Variants
Manufacturer
SENA SMH5 Basic Bluetooth Headset & Intercom
- Bluetooth specification v5.1
- Bluetooth intercom up to 400 meters (430 yards) in open terrain
- One-to-One and universal intercom
- Voice prompts
- Bluetooth stereo headset for Bluetooth audio devices such as MP3 players
- Music playback control by AVRCP: play, pause, track forward and track back
- Easy operation by versatile Jog Dial (patent acquired)
- Sufficient sound level with integrated audio booster
- Bluetooth handsfree for Bluetooth mobile phones
- Bluetooth headset or stereo headset for Bluetooth GPS instructions
- Water resistant
- Advanced noise control
- Speed dialling
- Crystal clear and natural sound quality
- Up to 8 hours talk time, 7 days stand-by time
- Can be used while charging on road trips
- Individual volume control for each audio source
- Firmware upgradeable
- Peace of mind thanks to the 2-year warranty
The SMH5 is a Bluetooth v5.1 stereo headset with Bluetooth intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. With the SMH5, you can call hands-free on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions from your GPS unit wirelessly via Bluetooth, and have two-way intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders. Thanks to Bluetooth v3.0 and the advanced digital processing technology, the SMH5 offers the best quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive button operations make the SMH5 a perfect companion for motorcyclists. The box contains headset main units, clamp units, helmet speakers, attachable boom microphones, USB power cable, glued surface mounting plate, microphone sponges, hook and loop pads for speakers, hook and loop pad for boom microphone, attachable boom microphone holder, speaker pads and Allen key.
Questions and Answers
Hi will this fit my HJC F70 please.
March 19, 2025You will be able to fit this to your F70 helmet without any issues.
you say this unit can be connected bluetooth to multiple headsets but in another question say that it can only be paired to one other intercom. If i buy three of these will they not be able to chat to each other on a ride? Also is there a cover I could buy to protect it from rain?
October 15, 2019The SMH5 will connect to one other unit (Sena or universal). If you would like to use the systems bike to bike and more than 2, I would suggest the 10s. Unfortunately there is no waterproof cover available, however they are weather proof.
Does this come with a soft wire mic for a full face helmet as well as the hard wire boom mic for open or flip helmets?
May 6, 2019The Sena SMH5 is supplied with both a wired mic and a boom mic.
Will these fit all types of shark helmets?
May 2, 2019It's a universal system, but we are not able to guarantee that it will fit all Shark helmets, apologies.
Are the 1 or 2 head sets as cant see in the description
April 22, 2019This listing is for a single intercom/headset.
there is no gap between my helmet and lining so need to glue fix. Is this possible on a curved base as my helmet does not have a perfectly flat area.
April 15, 2019The glued mount supplied should be fine.
I wear earplugs when using my Roof Boxer V8. How does this fair if using ear plugs?
February 25, 2019This system is reasonably loud,but we would suggest ear plugs that filter the noise, such as the Auritech. Conversations are still audible whilst wearing these.
Will This,headset& intercom fit my Nitro full face helmet?
January 10, 2019It should fit, but as we are not a stockist of Nitro helmets we are not able to guarantee this, apologies.
Could this unit be used to hear instructions from my Garmin 390 LM sat nav please? Thanks.
October 12, 2018The Sena SMH5 can be used for receiving instructions from your Sat Nav.
Can you connect 3 of these to each other while also connected to phone?
October 3, 2018This intercom system can only be connected to one other intercom at a time (and a mobile phone if required).
Can I use this with a Samsung Galaxy s7 edge.
July 31, 2018We can confirm that you can use the Samsung Galaxy s7 edge with the Sena SMH5 Basic
Can I use this set with custom earphones with a 3.5mm Jack?
May 30, 2018The SMH5 does not have a 3.5mm jack,sorry.
Can you talk to a pillion and listen to music at the same time?
May 30, 2018You can, the intercom will over-ride the music.
Are you able to speak in a group of 3 at once with the Sena SMH5?
May 28, 2018The SMH5 can be paired with up to three other headsets for Bluetooth Intercom conversation.
Can my passenger use this intercom with me, whilst I am using a sena20s with a fellow rider with a 20s and does the smh5 come with a wall charger
May 9, 2018The Sena SMH5 and 20s will connect together whilst the other 20s is connected and unfortunately the SMH5 does not come with a wall charger.
Will this unit talk to my pillion who has Scala rider unit on their helmet
January 11, 2018In our experience the Cardo system will not connect with a Sena Intercom system.
i have a sena smh10 installed on my bell helmet would this be be suitable to converse with my pillion?
December 1, 2017Yes, this will pair to the SMH10 with no issues.
Will this headset fit on a flip front Schuberth C3 Basic?
October 6, 2017You should have no issues fitting this to your Schuberth - if you look at pictures 5 and 6, they show the intercom fitted to a Shoei flip front helmet, which is similar to your Schuberth.
Can this unit be used without the boom microphone connected for listening to GPS instructions? Specifically, would it still be sealed against water ingress?
March 23, 2017The Sena SMH-5 can not be used without the boom microphone.
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