The JESIMAIK R18 Lite is a 2-way Bluetooth intercom that comes at a fraction of the cost of some bigger name brands. If you're willing to spend around 46 dollars, you'll be able to buy a 2-way headset that includes the wire necessary to link up with another rider. Find the current price of the JESIMAIK R18 Lite on Amazon here.
Let's start with specs. The unit is based on a Qualcomm chip and runs Bluetooth 5.1. As for the distance you can travel with the intercom functioning, JESIMAIK lists 1500 meters (open ground) as the max. Since that's plenty far for most of the people buying this type of product, I won't dwell on it.
This intercom is 2-way only. So, it connects one rider to one passenger/buddy. However, it can connect to up to six different devices for music/calls. Keep in mind you cannot listen to music while using the intercom at the same time. I've seen a few different products with similar limitations to the JESIMAIK, so don't get upset if you see others with the same limitation.
The 4.2-star rating over 51 Amazon reviews gives us a general idea of how customers have reacted to the product. Most buyers think well of the product. Several negative reviews bring up serious issues with the product. Let me explain these now.
Specs and Build Quality
As we already covered, the 800 mAh battery provides the power for the device. In terms of battery performance, the manufacturer rates the battery as follows:
- 25 hours of intercom talk-time
- 30 hours of music
- 400 hours of standby time
With that said, you should be able to use this thing for at least a weekend of riding/touring or a week of daily commutes without needing to recharge it. When it finally runs out of juice, simply plug it back into a USB-C charger and it will take approximately an hour and thirty minutes to fully charge. That is nice since you probably already carry around a USB-C cable for your phone.
The manufacturer boasts of an IP67 rating for this product. That means this product will provide protection against dust and will be completely submerged underwater for half an hour without sustaining damage. Whether you ride in rain/mud/summer storms, etc., this level of waterproofing will give you peace of mind.
I would say the speakers are probably the next biggest selling point for this product. They measure 7 mm thick and contain a 40mm driver. That size is small enough to fit easily underneath most helmet padding systems. According to customer reviews, installation was very straightforward and the speakers fit nicely inside both open-face and full-face helmets.
You will appreciate the large, easy-to-find buttons for glove-wearing riders. Also, universal compatibility allows users to mount this product onto various styles of helmets and nearly all contemporary smart phones.
Keep in mind that "range" is dependent upon terrain conditions. You read correctly. 1500 meters open terrain per specs, however, in urban environments/buildings/traveling through traffic, that number drops dramatically. Don't expect anything different than other products in this category. Set your expectations accordingly. Additionally, this product contains a Bluetooth 5.1 chip that will allow you to make/receive phone calls/GPS prompts while traveling alone, which extends the utility of this product beyond just riding with someone else.
Audio and Microphone Performance
This is where JESIMAIK either sells you or disappoints you, depending on your standards.
The mic has done most of the heavy lifting. Noise reduction is claimed at five levels including: ENC2.0/DSP/CVC8.0/hardware pop filter/Anti-pop foam. JESIMAIK states they are able to cancel-out up to ninety percent of wind/engine noise. One reviewer rides a go-kart and he describes the mic quality as being extremely clear. Another reviewer stated they were impressed with its ability compared to other competitive products.
Included in the packaging are four different sound effects: Standard/Rock/Bass/Pop. These can be easily switched with the buttons included on the device. Gives you flexibility to choose how your audio is routed based on whether you prefer listening to music/or your helmet's acoustic characteristics.
However, as several reviewers pointed out, the music is slightly tinny and at high volumes it distorts.
One reviewer had a succinct way of stating his experience. Said he could hear his riding partner perfectly at low to mid-volume, but distorts at high volume. Therefore, if you ride at highway speeds and you require clear two-way communication with your riding partner, this budget-friendly option might fall short.
On the flip side, for phone calls on your own, it performs much better. The noise cancellation does virtually all of its job on the mic-side, therefore regardless of wind blowing around you callers will still hear you very clearly. Several reviewers stated that when they used the unit to take calls (not just chatting with their riding partner), their callers reported clean audio coming from them.
The problem lies within the receiving speaker-end rather than the sending mic-end.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Based off 51 Amazon reviews and an overall rating of 4.2-stars, customers seem pleased with their purchase.
Reviewer ssmith gave it 5 stars and called it amazing. He looked at Cardo initially but ended up choosing JESIMAIK due to price/value considerations and enjoys using it to communicate with his go-karting buddies. He specifically complimented the volume level and price.
Carter Percival also gave it 5 stars. He enjoyed using the large call-answer button and thought it was easier to operate than its competitors.
Nicola Edmunds gave it 4 stars. She found mounting easy to do. She liked how simple it was to pair her phone. She was disappointed by the tinny music quality.
Brandon Maddux gave it 3 stars and serves as our warning shot. You get what you pay for. While he could hear his riding buddy at low-to-medium volume levels, the sound became distorted at higher volume levels. His riding buddy could hear him clearly, however he likely needed to pull over in order to be heard himself.
As you can tell from the varied opinions among enthusiasts regarding this budget-priced item, we can categorize these opinions into three groups:
Budget-conscious enthusiasts enjoy the price/value proposition of this item. The "pickier-eared" crowd notices some limitations related to speaker-quality. If you set realistic expectations relative to price-point, you are more likely to lean towards giving it 5-stars vs 3-stars.
Who Is This Intercom For?
The JESIMAIK is a 2-way tool, full stop. Made for couples, close friends, and rider-passenger pairs who want to chat without shouting into a chin guard.
Budget riders get the most from it. Around 46 dollars for a 2-way headset is hard to argue with. Cardo and Sena charge multiples of that for a single unit.
Commuters will like the IP67 rating and the battery life. Rain does not stop you, and 30 hours of music covers weeks of trips to work.
Skip it if you ride in a group. The intercom is strictly 2-way, so no multi-rider conference. Skip it if you must have rich, loud audio at highway speeds. The speaker distortion at high volume will frustrate you. And skip it if you must have music during intercom calls, because this unit cannot multitask.
For the right buyer, though, the value is real. Two riders linked, waterproof, and charged for a week, for less than the price of a single premium headset. If that matches your riding, grab one for yourself on Amazon.
See how it stacks up on the intercom comparison table and browse more intercom reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use music and intercom at the same time?
No. When intercom is active, music and phone audio pause. Pick one at a time.
How long does the battery last?
25 hours of intercom, 30 hours of music, and 400 hours of standby. USB-C fast charge fills it in about an hour and a half.
Is it waterproof?
Yes. IP67 rated, so it is dust-tight and survives a meter of water for 30 minutes.
What is the intercom range?
1500 meters in open terrain per the spec. Expect less in built-up areas with buildings and traffic.
Does it pair with other devices?
Yes, up to 6 devices for music and calls. Full intercom features work best between two JESIMAIK units.
How many riders can talk at once?
Two. The intercom is 2-way only, so no group conference calls.
