Regardless of which system you choose, the secret is to ignore the included speakers whenever possible, and use it with earplug headphones. This dramatically increases your ability to hear both music and comms properly, with the added benefit of blocking wind noise. Yes, you can use the speakers through your existing earplugs, but this is really suboptimal. Even the $12-on-Amazon basic Plugfones will do. In fact, if all you care about is music you can skip the Bluetooth unit entirely and just plug straight into your phone.

The main issue I think you will encounter with off-brand helmet comms is interoperability with other comms. Most of these made-in-China knockoffs have no compatibility, not so great quality, and no support. Yes, Cardos and Senas are expensive, but they’re known players with usually pretty highly polished and functional systems and at least some modicum of support behind them if something goes wrong with the hardware.

I settled on a Sena unit since everyone I ride with also already has a Sena. I have a 20S Evo for myself and a 10S for the wife. My riding buddies have a mixture of 10S and 10C units, I think. They all work together just fine.

I can’t get behind Cardo’s subscription based model on their new unit. Fuck that shit.