Thinking of gifts for kids isn’t exactly easy. You won’t want to give clothes they’ll just simply outgrow in months. Or toys they might not even want. But there’s one thing we all know every kid can enjoy. And that is a pair of the best kids headphones. However, if you think picking headphones for kids is just about cool designs, then you are sorely mistaken. Every kid has their own needs and preferences. Not to mention, the need for safety and durability. There are a lot of factors that determine whether or not a pair of headphones is actually kid-friendly. And one can easily get overwhelmed by all this! That is why we’ve written this comprehensive guide for you. In this article, we’ll be showing you the factors to consider when buying a pair, and a list of the best kids headphones you can get.
How To Pick The Best Headphones for Kids
One of the first questions that you might ask: What are the differences between normal headphones and kids headphones? While functionally similar, kids headphones have safety features that mitigate the risks of:
Premature hearing loss Toxic material Finger Injury
However, selecting the right headphones for your kids is more than just considering the safety features. Kids in different age groups have different needs and every kid has his/her own preferences too. Hence, these are some of the important features that a smart parent should consider:
So what are volume-limiting headphones?
These headphones have a special function that cap the volume at 85 dB. But why 85 dB though, you might ask? That is because the World Health Organization mandates that 85 dB is the highest safety exposure that one can listen to a maximum of 8 straight hours. For reference, most adult headphones can get as loud as 120 decibels or even higher.
How to find volume-limiting headphones?
Most manufacturers will state that their headphones come with volume-limiting capabilities. It can be activated with a toggle switch or comes as a default mode. Make sure to also check reviews that verify the volume-limiting function is not just a marketing gimmick and is actually functional. While they may not realize it, toddlers are especially fond of chewing everything they can get their hands on. Some headphones also have hinges and openings that may pinch their little fingers. That’s why it’s important to pick headphones that don’t contain anything that may harm them.
Non-toxic Materials
Children are notorious for putting almost anything into their mouths. Apart from teething toddlers, these little rascals will bite, chew, and even swallow random objects as if doing so helps reduce their stress levels or simply dispels the boredom. So, it is extra important to check that the headphones or wires that your kid is mistakenly chewing on are made from non-toxic/food-grade materials.
Pinch-free Hinges
Some kids’ headphones are designed to be compact. To achieve this, manufacturers have included hinges so they can be easily folded and carried around. These hinges can potentially pinch your child’s skin or even catch in their hair. Pinch-free hinges in their headphones will prevent painful situations like these from happening and ensure safe listening. There are two types of noise-cancellations:
Passive Cancellation: Noise-isolation or “passive-cancellation” is the ability of your headphones to block out any kind of external noise with a physical barrier. This concept works just like how you’d cover your ears with your hands to block outside noise. But instead of your hands, headphones rely on the design and materials of the ear cups (or ear pads) as well as their overall fit to the ear. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): ANC suppresses external noise by blocking out low-frequency sound using specialized microphones. But take note that ANC headphones require the use of batteries even when used with their headphone cable.
Ultimately, neither type of headphones are better. Some ANC headphones allow you to turn off the active noise cancellation to let ambient noise in. But this configuration often requires advanced engineering and therefore costs significantly more. ANC headphones also require batteries to work – even on wired models. Getting a pair of flimsy headphones made from a thin sheet of plastic will likely result in you buying another pair at the end of the week. To avoid wasting your money on short-lived headphones in the hands of your little ones, here are several factors that often affect headphones’ durability:
Materials: Regular plastic headphones often crack and break at the slightest of impact. The most durable headphones are often made of Polycarbonate bodies with metal headbands – but they’re usually a bit too heavy for kids, especially wireless ones. Picking headphones made from high-quality polycarbonate like the Connect+ PRO can be the best middle ground between comfort for your kids and longevity. Warranty: You may also want to pick headphones that offer a solid warranty just to be safe – you’ll never know what kids may do with their headphones. Besides, a longer warranty also indicates the brand’s confidence in its product’s longevity and durability. Texture: There’s also a general precaution to avoid rubbery textures on anything your kids use, including headphones. The rubber in new products is vulcanized and will start to deteriorate over time – it’s called the sticky rubber syndrome. This deteriorating rubber may lead to dangerous contamination for your kids.
No parent wants to deal with such annoyance if it can be avoided. If your children fight over listening to videos or music, be sure to check out headphones that let you share audio without the need for an additional audio splitter. Certain headphone brands have added an extra audio jack or a headphone slot to their phones so another child can easily join in on the fun. Features like this come in handy in any public situations: when you’re traveling, visiting a hospital, or in a restaurant waiting to be served etc. Many parents think that young children are not sensitive to acoustics and it is not worth the trouble/money to get a pair with great sound quality. While it doesn’t have to be audiophile-quality, it must still be an enjoyable listening experience otherwise your child is unlikely to continue using the pair of headphones that you’ve specially bought for them. If they have online classes, having good sound quality is also a good aspect to prioritize for their headphones. Being able to hear the lessons and their classmates can help improve their overall class performance and understand what the teachers are talking about. Look for a pair that has a neutral sound signature. This means that the bass is not overly emphasized, the mids are not recessed and the trebles are not overly bright. This way, the headphones is perfect for listening to music, audiobooks, or even zoom classes. Check out our article on audio frequency spectrum to find out more. If the battery life is shorter than that, look for headphones that provide the option of attaching a cable to mitigate this shortcoming.
Comfortable headband: It should have soft padding to not create pressure and discomfort after listening for a long time Adjustable headband: Adjustable headband allows kids headphones to fit heads of different sizes. This will allow your child to continue to use the headphones as they grow and share with siblings/other children of different age groups. Plush ear pads: Earpads cover the ears of your child and if they are made from the thin cushions, your kids are more likely to feel the pressure from the ear cups and might even cause headaches. Reasonable clamping force: The headphones should be snug while worn but the clamping force cannot be too strong. This may result in headaches if used for more than 10 mins. Weight: A heavy headphone will put additional pressure and reduce the effective usage time. Aim for a pair of kids headphones that are less than 200g.
Fortunately, manufacturers know that the first thing kids are concerned about is how cool the headphones are going to look. The variety of designs and colors available gives you loads of options to choose from. Just make sure you get their input to find out what styles are cool to be seen in. If you want the headphones to be shared among your children of different age groups, getting a pair with a cutesy design is definitely not the way to go (Unless everyone agrees on that style!). Go for a more neutral or under-stated look so that your older children (especially those in the tween group – 9 to 12 years old) will not protest when they have to share the headphones with their younger siblings. Based on the discussed factors in the previous section, here are the best headphones for kids in the market right now:
iClever BTH12
Key features
Appropriate Age: 3 – 21 years old Form Factor: Over-ear Connectivity: Bluetooth/Wired Volume Limit: 74/85/94dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: No Weight: 0.38 lb Battery: 800mAh
The iClever BTH12 are our top pick for the best headphones for kids with the best combination between safety and comfort for the little ones. These headphones are also lightweight, even with the built-in battery for the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. These headphones promise a whopping 40-hour playback time. Should you ever run out of juice, the iClever BTH12 can dish out 4 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging. Having three volume limit options (75/85/95 dB) means you get to adjust it to the situation. For example, you can adjust the volume limit to be higher on car rides or flights to block out the louder ambient noises. This makes these especially good for travel use, not to mention their foldability, which makes them easier to bring anywhere you go. These headphones also come with a built-in microphone, making them a suitable choice if your kids have online classes or talk to their friends a lot on the phone. The over-ear form factor minimizes the pressure on the ears while wearing them. On top of the pretty RGB light on the ear cups, they also have several color options available – which is great if your kids want everything to be in their favorite color. Unfortunately, these headphones do not support audio sharing. So if you have siblings who want to do everything together, you may want to look for models that do. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Zamkol Kids ZH100 Wireless Headphones
Key features
Appropriate Age: 6 – 16 years old Form Factor: Over-ear Connectivity: Bluetooth Volume Limit: 85dB or 95dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: No Weight: 0.63 lb Battery: 500mAh
With a variable 85dB and 95dB volume limit, the Zamkol Kids Wireless Headphones are our pick for strong runner-up in this list. These headpones come with a wireless connectivity using Bluetooth 5.0 that supports 33ft of wireless range with your kids’ favorite gadgets. With a sturdy build quality and foldable design, the ZH100 are a great pair of travelling headphones. They also come with a carrying pouch, which matches the blue-orange aesthetics. The ZH100 also come with a solid 500mAh battery that can last up to 40 hours. The USB-C interface can charge the battery to full capacity within 2 hours. The over-ear orange ear cups are also made from breathable materials – so the little ones will have the best comfort while wearing them. Unfortunately, there’s no wired connection support for this model. You can plug in the charging cable and use the headphones at the same time, but they can only stream audio through Bluetooth. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Snug Play+
Key features
Appropriate Age: 3 – 8 years old Form Factor: On-ear Connectivity: Wired Volume Limit: 85dB Microphone: No Audio Share: Yes Weight: 0.5 lb
The selection of 15 colorful designs of the Snug Play+ certainly appeals to kids, but don’t let the visuals fool you. The durability and quality of the Snug Play+ are among the best from this list, especially considering their affordable price. Since they’re made for kids, the Snug Play+ come with a factory-set 85dB volume limit which you can’t change or deactivate. This makes sure that your little ones will never go beyond the recommended safe listening level. With a 3.5mm wired connectivity, the Snug Play+ save a bit of weight thanks to not having any battery built-in. There’s also audio-sharing capabilities, so you can daisy-chain multiple pair of headphones for a group listening session. The wired connection may not be as convenient as Bluetooth, but it has a plus point. The Snug Play+ sport a 40mm headphone driver with wider frequency range which produces better sound quality than some of the wireless counterparts. While the added durability is great for kids, the thick headband can have too much clamping force on your older kids’ precious ears and heads. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
BuddyPhones Explore+
Key features
Appropriate Age: 3 – 10 years old Form Factor: On-ear Connectivity: Wired Volume Limit:85dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: Yes Weight: 0.23 lb
Next up on our list are the BuddyPhones Explore+, which are the best for audio sharing and can daisy-chain up to four headphones at once. If your kids often have their friends over, the Explore+ could be the best way to let them watch videos together without having to set up your home entertainment system. The Explore+ are also made from certified BPA-free materials, making them suitable for kids with skin sensitivity. To add even more kid-friendliness to the label, the Explore+ comes with at the WHO-recommended 85dB volume limit and 6 pairs of cute decorative stickers for the ear cups. The Explore+ comes with a 4ft gold-plated 3.5mm cord, which should deliver a stable audio signal. There’s also a built-in audio-sharing port at the end of the cable for an easy group listening session. These headphones are also super light at only 0.23 lbs. To make them even more comfortable, they also have sweat-wicking earpad cushions – which are just perfect if you have active little explorers. But the build quality and durability are likely an issue with this pair. The plastic body feels a little thinner and flimsier than other products. The included cable isn’t braided and therefore prone to kinks – but it’s easily replaceable. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
CozyPhones Kids Headphones
Key Features:
Appropriate Age: 3 – 8 years old Form Factor: Headband Connectivity: Wired Volume Limit: 90dB Microphone: No Audio Share: No Weight: 0.05 lb
The Stoneburry CozyPhones are unique headphones that combine the practicality of earbuds with the comfortable fit of over-ear headphones. The soft fleece headband and cushioned earpads eliminate the clamping force that regular headphones typically have, making them more comfortable on your little ones’ tiny heads. Being headphones for kids, the CozyPhones naturally comes with a 90dB volume limit. Although WHO recommends an 85dB volume limit, the additional 5dB is likely added to make up for the lack of sound isolation with this model. The CozyPhones are designed to be as comfortable as possible for your kids – hence the headband design. The headband is made from soft and washable fleece with dozens of cartoon characters motives to choose from. These headphones come with a 52-inch braided cord that are kink, twist, and break-resistant under normal usage. These headphones use 3.5mm wired connection, so there’s no additional battery weight on the headphones. Since these headphones are designed for your child’s ultimate comfort, there’s no microphone or audio sharing feature. As a result, you get ultra-light headphones at only 0.05 lbs. But due to how they fit on your kids’ head, these headphones have a poor noise isolation which may let ambient noise interfere with the sound and forces your kids to amp up the volume. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
LilGadgets Connect+ PRO
Key features
Appropriate Age: 6+ years old Form Factor: On-ear Connectivity: Wired Volume Limiting: Yes, 93dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: Yes Weight: 0.55 lb
The LilGadgets Connect+ PRO are made from top-shelf polycarbonate and reinforced stainless steel extenders, so it’s no surprise that they are the most robust pair of headphones for kids. As with other headphones for kids, the Connect+ PRO has a volume limit set to 93dB. Despite being volume-limited, the audio quality remains intact thanks to the 40mm drivers. But size-wise, the Connect+ PRO are quite light at only 0.65 lbs. To top it off, they also have foldable ear cups hinges – making them a great choice for 6+ year-old kids who won’t go anywhere without their music or video. Plus, they’re also quite fashionable. There’s also integrated SharePort that your little ones can use to share what they’re listening with others. While the headphones themselves are solidly built, the same cannot be said for the 52-inch braided cable. Unfortunately, the inline microphone and control button are built into the cable. So when the cable breaks, you lose access to both features. On the upside, these headphones are one of the few the offer detachable cables for kids. So the cable itself is easily replaceable or upgradeable. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
PuroQuiets
Key features:
Appropriate Age: 2 – 9 years old Form Factor: On-ear Connectivity: Wired/Bluetooth Volume Limiting: Yes, 85dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: Yes Weight: 0.37 lb Battery: Up to 23 hours with ANC (35 hours w/o ANC)
The PuroQuiets are a pair of active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones that may be the best choice for parents who want the ultimate comfort and safety for their kids. ANC headphones are excellent for kids and toddlers because they eliminate the need for high-volume audio to block out external noise, increasing the risk of hearing damages. These headphones can negate as much as 78% (-22dB) of daily background noises. Your kids won’t hear most of the background noises around them. But even with the ANC, the PuroQuiets still limit their maximum volume to 85dB as per the WHO recommendation. These Bluetooth wireless headphones offer up to 35 hours without ANC and 23 hours with ANC on. PuroQuiets also boasts 200 hours of battery on standby – which is super practical for long travels. However, the PuroQuiets also support playback through a 3.5mm audio cable if you want to avoid using Bluetooth. The PuroQuiets also have a built-in output that allows audio sharing to other headphones or speakers. They also have a built-in microphone, which means these are great for online classes. The unique cylindrical headband may cause the headphones to have a poor fit on your kids’ heads. The ear cup’s diameter is also relatively small for over-ear headphones, so there’s a chance they’ll squish your kids’ ears. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones
Key features
Appropriate Age: 1 – 8 years old Form Factor: On-ear Connectivity: Wired Volume Limiting: Automatic to 85dB Microphone: No Audio Share: No Weight: 0.4 lb Battery: N/A
The Kidrox Tiger-Ear Headphones offer a pair of visually-appealing headphones for kids with three different characters on the earcups. They use wired connectivity with a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing the headphones to be super light at only 0.4 lbs. These headphones set the maximum volume limit to 85dB to protect your kids’ hearing. Their small size and lightweight make the Kidrox Tiger-Ear a perfect choice for toddlers. The Kidrox Tiger-Ear are among the handful of options for headphones that can fit even 1-3 year olds. We all know toddlers love to chew on anything. But thankfully, the body of these headphones is made from BPA-Free, non-toxic material with soft on-ear cushions on each ear cup. While these headphones are quite portable, they don’t have foldable hinges – which could be hinder some on long travels. The volume limit is certainly great for the kids’ safety, but the poor noise isolation often causes ambient noise to drown out the sound. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
BlueFire Kids Headphones
Key features
Appropriate Age: 6+ years old Form Factor: Over-ear Connectivity: Wired Volume Limiting: No Microphone: Yes Audio Share: No Weight: 0.55 lb
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones for young tweens, the BlueFire Kids Headphones are one of the top choices on the market. These headphones have all the features they’d for online classes, music, and playing games in a kid-friendly size at only 0.55 lbs. The BlueFire Kids Headphones use a 3.5mm audio jack that’s compatible with Android, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox, Nintendo, and other gaming consoles. They come with 40mm drivers, which generally sound better than earbuds or smaller kids headphones. They also come with a built-in boom microphone with in-line control as well as an audio splitter cable to use on desktop PCs. Considering their affordable price, the mic sounds pretty good with -38dB ± 3dB sensitivity. It can pick up normal talking-volume sound, which is good to ensure enjoyable online classes. The mic also has an in-line control that allows your kids to turn the microphone on or off during online classes. It can also fold up when not in use for better comfort and storage. Unfortunately, BlueFire doesn’t have volume limitats in place. If you’re planning on getting a pair of headphones for younger kids, you may want go with other options that have volume limits. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Riwbox CT-7S
Key Features:
Appropriate Age: 3+ years old Form Factor: Over ear Connectivity: Bluetooth & Wired Volume Limiting: Yes, 85dB Microphone: Yes Audio Share: No Weight: 0.82 lb Battery: up to 10 hours
If you’re looking to get a pair of cute headphones for toddlers and kids, the Riwbox CT-7S Cat-Ear Headphones may just be a perfect choice. The CT-7S cat ear headphones come in adorable colors and pretty lights that are sure to attract your little ones. They also have a volume limit set to 85dB – making them a safe choice for kids. These over-ear headphones can use Bluetooth 5.0 connection to pair with devices like phones, tablets, laptops, and even TVs wirelessly. They also support a wired connection through a 3.5mm audio jack for a clearer sound. While the flashing lights are undoubtedly attractive for your kids, they’re not so friendly for the headphones’ battery life. They also still use a Micro-USB cable instead of USB-C to charge – which isn’t as common. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Notable Mentions
While the above list offer great options for your kids, it’s understandable to want to see what else is available in the market today. That’s why, here are some bonus options, that didn’t quite reach the top ten, but are still worth considering.
Additional: Best headphone option for Babies
In case you’re thinking about bringing your baby to a wedding, a party, or even when their brother or sister is playing an instrument at home, their hearing should be protected. The earpads on the Elecder i41 are extremely comfortable. Even though they’re made from thick foam, they don’t make the toddlers’ ears too hot when worn for long periods, according to many parents. The durable nylon-covered cable of the Elecder minimizes potential tangles when stuffed hurriedly into your kid’s bag. It also reduces overall wear and tear over time. Aside from the comfy ear pads and the cloth-covered wires, Elecder i41 headphones have a headband that can easily be adjusted to fit children of different sizes. Elecder i41 headphones for kids come in the following four colors:
Red White Yellow Teal
However, unlike the look of Nenos children’s headphones, Elecder i41’s colors and designs give off a “grown-up” vibe that would appeal more to your tweens. Although the Elecder i41 phones have good noise isolation features, they lack volume-limiting function. These wired headphones would be better suited to tweens, who, in most cases, can operate the volume control unaided. Parents do, however, need to keep a watchful eye on grade-schoolers and below to prevent the occurrence of unexpected and potentially harmful volume blasts. Aside from this, some buyers have noted that one or other of the headphones is liable to stop working completely after only minimal use. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON Aside from being lightweight, iClever HS19 also has a flexible plastic frame that comes with a thick enough cushion and is covered with vegan leather. This helps the headphones stay safe even for kids with sensitive skin. Plus, it comes in a variety of color combinations for your kids to choose from! Such as:
Red and blue Pastel blue and purple Pastel pink and blue
Thanks to its dual Sound Stage drivers, the iClever HS19 produces crisp and balanced sounds, increasing the enjoyment of the listening experience for your child. You also wouldn’t worry about their hearing because of the adjustable volume limit. You can choose to either stay on the safe 85dB limit or go slightly up to 94dB. This is extra helpful for when your kids need additional volume to mask ambient noise. With the iClever HS19, your kids won’t have a problem sharing with their friends or siblings. They simply have to plug another set of headphones into HS19’s sharing port and it’s all set. No splitters needed! Not to mention, using a 3.5mm aux input, the iCleverHS19 is compatible with most devices. Like the Mpow CH6S, the only thing this pair of headphones lacks is build quality. While the iClever HS19 has reinforced nylon cords that prevent tangling and can withstand various activities, the same can’t be said for the headband. The mostly plastic headbands won’t stand a chance with rough treatments. If your kids stuff these in their bags with their books or drop them a couple of times, expect them to only last a few months. The good news is, the iClever HS19 comes with up to 18 months warranty from iClever, and lifetime customer service support. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON To help parents do this, they could purchase earmuffs that do not play any sound to help protect their precious little one’s hearing against unnecessary noise. If playing music is necessary, you can also look at our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones for kids.
Baby Banz Earmuffs – Infant Hearing Protection
The Baby Banz has a Noise Reduction Rating of 31dB Baby Banz is a well-known brand of children’s safety equipment. Their earmuffs are buffed with a noise reduction rating of 31dB to help lessen or even block out background noise. The kid-friendly product has been praised for its lightweight nature and how it is able to cover a baby’s ears completely. While most of the buyers have expressed their positive reception of Baby Banz earmuffs, some were not very satisfied. Some buyers stated that the product could do better at blocking out the noise and that the product looks like it was made unsatisfactorily. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Conclusion
While it is endearing to express your love to your child through gifts, it is even better to show that you truly love them by caring about their health and safety. As a responsible parent, we highly recommend that one must consider the volume-limiting capability as the number one factor to look out for when buying kid-friendly headphones. And to recap, here are the other factors that you should take note of:
Food-grade, non-toxic materials Noise-cancelling or noise-isolating headphones Foldable headphones must have pinch-free hinges. Comfortable for a long period of use Durable enough to endure the wear and tear from children’s rowdiness Aesthetic appeal to lessen your child’s boredom. Audio sharing, because sharing is caring!
With this comprehensive buying guide, we hope that it will help you find the best headphones for your little one. If you’ve found the one for your child, share it with the rest of our community and sound off in the comments section below! Or if you want to save this guide, you can pin the picture below.
