The best headphones for kids should not just be comfortable; they should also be non-toxic, durable, and most of all, “volume limited.” With the rise of virtual learning, you must pick the devices that are specially made for children. Alongside choosing the first phones for kids, parents must also choose a compatible phone plan and, of course, the best headphones for kids they can get. Compared to adults and teens, you cannot just give a young kid your pair of noise-canceling earbuds, let alone studio headphones. We’ve already featured the best earbuds for small ears, but even those are not guaranteed the right fit for children. Young kids need purposely made headphones that fit their heads, can last being manhandled, won’t be toxic or injure them, and most of all protect their hearing. It can be hard to look for headphones that meet these criteria; that’s why we came up with a list of the best kids headphones for you to choose from!
Related: Top Kid Tracker Apps
Inside This Article
The Best Kids Headphones
There are a lot of kids headphones in the market right now, and we sifted through all of them and picked the best ones. We have considered the form factor, weight, connectivity, microphone compatibility, hearing safety, and battery capacity to come up with this list. There will also be a pros and cons section per pair to make it easier to understand at a glance. Without further ado, here’s our list of the best kids headphones on the market!
Brand: Puro Sound Labs
Form Factor: On-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 and Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 5.9 ounces
Battery: 23 continuous hours using ANC
Puro Sound Labs’ PuroQuiets are not just among the best kids headphones; it is also the best Bluetooth headphones for kids you can get. Made by Puro Sound Labs, the PuroQuiets are designed from the ground up to prevent hearing damage or loss with its volume limiter while still giving the best audio experience possible. Aside from that, the PuroQuiets also has active noise cancellation, a long 23-hour battery life, wired audio sharing (3.5mm socket), and wired operation if the battery runs out. Overall, our premium pick is the best you can find on the market, with the most expensive price tag to match.
Pros
- Volume-Limited (85dB)
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- 1-year Warranty
- Dependable battery
- Audio Sharing
- Wireless and Wired Operation
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Giving off high pitched noise when pressed into your ears
Brand: iClever
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 14.9 ounces
Battery: 45 continuous hours
Our best choice pick for the best kids headphones is iClever’s TransNova BTH16. Decently priced and equipped with both Bluetooth 5.0 and Type-C wired charging, we can say that the TransNova BTH16 is an up-to-date pair of headphones. It has easy-to-use and easy-to-locate volume and device button controls on the left ear cup that also controls its volume limiter. The three maximum volumes, 74, 85, and 94 dB, are meant to be used on different occasions. The 74dB mode is for normal use like music or audiobooks. Meanwhile, the 85dB mode is for more focused listening, like lectures or meetings. The final mode, 94dBs, is meant to be used during travel where outside noise and sounds may interfere with casual listening.
Pros
- Decently Priced
- Volume-Limited (74, 85, and 94 dBs)
- Wireless and Wired Operation
- Long Battery Life
- Replaceable Covers
Cons
- Slightly Heavy
- Lacks noise canceling feature
Brand: Zamkol
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Battery: 500mAh, 40 hours of continuous use
The Zamkol ZH100 Kids Wireless Headphones is our best value pick for the best kids headphones, featuring a good balance between affordability and features. While costing less than $40 per pair, we consider it as a more than decent pair of Bluetooth headphones. It is even lighter than our premium pick PuroQuiets at just 5.6 ounces, comes with a free carrying pouch, and has a metal reinforced headband and hinge.
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, it lets your kid listen to their music or lectures while being 33ft away from their devices. That said, it only has a wireless Bluetooth connection and does not have an audio port to connect to. If your kid is usually on the go, this affordable wireless headset might just be the perfect gadget for his lifestyle.
ZH100 has no active noise cancelation; it has padded headphones to help minimize ambient noise and allow your kids to focus despite the volume limit.
Pros
- Great Price
- Volume-Limited (85 and 95 dBs)
- Long Battery Life
- Lightweight
Cons
- No Wired Connection
- No active noise canceling feature
Brand: ONANOFF
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Wired
Microphone: Yes (detachable boom mic)
Weight: 19.68 ounces
Battery: 24 hours of continuous use
The ONANOFF BuddyPhones Cosmos+ is one of the safest headphones for kids because of its volume limit selection of 75, 85, and 94 dB. Typically, headphones with volume limits are not suitable for travel because they are easily drowned in ambient noise. However, the BuddyPhones Cosmos+ also comes with active noise canceling that filters out disturbing noise when traveling by land or via airplane.
BuddyPhones Cosmos+ could have been our premium pick in this list of the best kids headphones, if not for one thing. It is almost triple the weight of the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet. If you want a similar experience to the PuroQuiet and your kid does not mind the extra weight, the Cosmos+ is a cheaper and better alternative.
Pros
- Volume-Limited (75, 85, and 94 dB)
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Detachable Boom Mic
- Long Battery Life
- Audio Sharing (BuddyJack)
- Wireless and Wired Operation
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Brand: iClever
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 10.5 ounces
Battery: 40 hours of continuous use
iClever’s BTH12 is another runner-up, this time to our best choice pick, iClever’s own TransNova BTH16. As made obvious by their product codes, the BTH12 is an older model compared to the BTH16. The main difference between the two is the BTH12’s heavier weight and lack of an ANC feature. Because of these differences and their similar $40 price range, we suggest getting iClever’s TransNova BTH16 instead of the BTH12. That said, the BTH12 is one of the best kids headphones you can get and would be even better if it was nearer to the $30 price range.
Pros
- Decently priced
- Volume-Limited (75, 85, and 94 dB)
- Long Battery Life
- Wireless and Wired Operation
Cons
- Slightly Heavy
- Wireless-only
Brand: ONANOFF
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 10.6 ounces
Battery: Not Applicable
Another ONANOFF product under their BuddyPhones line, the Explore+ is meant for younger kids aged 3-10. Small but durable, the Explore+ has an installed in-line microphone and protein PU leather earpads for comfort. It also has a volume limiter to just 85 dB, while audio can be shared (up to 4 wired headphones) to other headphones through its included BuddyCable system. While it may not be the most high-tech wireless device, the Explore+ is perfect for young kids who may manhandle and abuse their headphones.
Pros
- Decent Price
- Volume-Limited (85 dB)
- Audio Sharing (BuddyCable)
- Replaceable Covers
Cons
- Slightly Heavy
- Wired-only
Brand: Onitoon
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 12.1 ounces
Battery: 800 mAh, 55 hours of continuous use
While more known for its gaming accessories and gadgets, Onitoon also has its own bet as the best kids headphones. Onitoon’s Bluetooth Kids model has a good balance of features: a whopping 55 hours of continuous operating time, a stainless steel reinforced headband, a foldable design, and dual wired and wireless operating modes. It also has easy-to-reach device control buttons on the left cup. Overall, the Onitoon Bluetooth Kids Headphones are pretty, in line with Onitoon’s other gaming headsets, and will make any teen and pre-teen happy to receive them.
Pros
- Decent Price
- Volume-Limited (85 dB)
- Long Battery Life
- Wireless and Wired Operation
- Cute RGB Lit Cat-ears
Cons
- Slightly Heavy
- Micro-USB charging
Brand: JLab Audio
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 6.8 ounces
Battery: 13 hours of continuous use
A good pick for this list of the best kids headphones is JLab Audio’s JBuddies Studio. Aside from the expected volume limitation (85 dB), the JBuddies Studio has a few features going for it. Its cushioning headband is made of faux leather, while it also uses trademarked Cloud Foam cushions for the earpads. Aside from that, it also has a unique headband design with the cup hinges turned sideways to lessen the chance of hair and fingers getting stuck inside. Overall, it has a great design, interactive volume and track controls, and a comfortable fit on the head and for the ears.
Pros
- Decent Price
- Volume-Limited (85 dB)
- Wireless and Wired Operation
- Lightweight
- Hassle-free design
- Two-year Warranty
Cons
- Micro-USB charging
- Batteries can be improved
Brand: Puro Sound Labs
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 5 ounces
Battery: Not Applicable
Puro Sound Labs’ basic wired headphones model for kids is the PuroBasic. Coming in with at least four different colors (blue, green, pink, and red), the PuroBasic is exactly what it sounds like — a basic wired headphone. Aside from its volume limiter (85 dB) and child-friendly sizing, the PuroBasic is simply a standard headphone with a 3.5mm audio jack and an in-line microphone. If you want something simple but durable for your kid, you can’t go wrong with the PuroBasic.
Pros
- Volume-Limited (85 dB)
- Wireless and Wired Operation
- Lightweight
- Hassle-free design
- Two-year Warranty
Cons
- Costly
- Underwhelming battery
- Wired-only
Brand: LilGadgets
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Microphone: Yes
Weight: 10.6 ounces
Battery: Not Applicable
LilGadget’s Connect+ PRO is another good pick for the best kids headphones. Compared to others on this list, though, the Connect+ PRO does look to be a little lacking. While it may have volume limiting, its maximum volume still blasts out at 93 dB, and it does not have noise cancellation or wireless capabilities. That said, it does have one big thing going for it — its durability. It is made of high-quality polycarbonate, combined with metal deco plates and reinforced stainless steel extenders. Perfect for older kids aged 8+, the Connect+ PRO is a great audio companion for any pre-teens out there.
Pros
- Decent Price
- Volume-Limited (93 dB)
- Audio Sharing (SharePort)
- Made of Hardy Polycarbonate and Metal Plates
Cons
- Slightly Heavy
- Wired-only
Snug Play+
Brand: Snug
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Microphone: No
Weight: 8 ounces
Battery: Not Applicable
Recommended for kids aged 3 to 8, Snug’s Play+ headphones are part of our list of the best kids headphones due to one thing — the installed volume limiter. While limited to a slightly higher 93 dB than others on this list, its affordable price (around $25), durable construction, and small size make it perfect for very young kids.
Pros
- Affordable
- Volume-Limited (93 dB)
- Lightweight
- Audio Sharing
Cons
- Wired-only
JVC HAKD10W
Brand: JVC
Form Factor: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth
Microphone: None
Weight: 8.3 ounces
Battery: 16 hours of continuous use
There is not much to say about this entry into this list of the best kids headphones except to talk about its plainness. The JVC HAKD10W is the very definition of a standard kid-friendly, volume-limited pair of headphones. Its best features are its lightweight, the secure 7-step headband sizes, and the easy-to-use volume and device controls. Even with these advantages, though, the HAKD10W is one of the weaker choices on this list. Instead of JVC’s model, we suggest getting our best value pick — the Zamkol ZH100 instead.
Pros
- Volume-Limited (85 dB)
- Lightweight
- 7-Step Headband Adjustments
Cons
- Poor Battery Life
- Micro-USB Charging
Brand: CozyPhones
Form Factor: Headband In-Ear
Connectivity: Wired
Microphone: No
Weight: 0.80 ounces
Battery: Not Applicable
Finally, the last entry into this list of the best kids headphones is CozyPhones’ Kids Headphones. Fairly cheap at around $20, the CozyPhones is an odd combination of headphones and headbands. These are probably the best headphones you can get for very young kids due to their soft and form-fitting shape. While it does have a higher volume limit at 90 dB, parents can easily change the volume through the small panel on the right side of the headband. Aside from its tech features, the CozyPhones also has several dozen designs, from Sesame Street’s Abby to one with the Batman logo to choose from.
Pros
- Affordable
- Volume-Limited (90 dB)
- Lightweight
Cons
- Wired-only
Things to Keep in Mind When Picking the Best Kids Headphones
Picking the best kids headphones is different from choosing other types of accessories. Compared to gaming headsets or wireless earbuds, there are a lot of different things to consider when getting headphones for kids. Chief among these factors are its size and weight, durability and construction quality, the installed hearing-safe features and volume controls, its kid-friendly design, sound and mic quality, as well as its battery capacity. We will go over them one by one in this segment to give you a better idea of what you should expect from a pair of headphones for kids.
Size and Weight
Let us start off with the headphone size and weight. As we said earlier, kids need different-sized things. Whether it’s a bike, shoes, gloves, or anything else people might wear, kids need things that fit them. Children have smaller heads than adults. This means that aside from earbuds, headphones and headsets for kids need to be smaller too to fit them. This fit is not limited to its size either. Since children have softer bones, the headphones should also have a gentler clamping force compared to headphones for adults.
Aside from its overall size, weight is also a factor when choosing the best headphones for kids. Similar to having oversized headphones, a heavy pair will lead to more than just discomfort for your kid. Headphones with a strong clamping force and heavy weight combined with habitual headphone use may cause bone deformities or problems with your child. This is similar to how children with heavy backpacks form backbone problems and neck pain. So, when picking headphones, make sure your kid will be comfortable with the size and weight of the one you chose during everyday use.
Durability and Construction Quality
The second thing to think about when picking the best kids headphones is their durability and construction quality. Due to being made specifically for kids, these headphones are made to be stronger and more durable compared to other headphones. Companies usually do this by using hardier materials like rigid PVC and aluminum in their construction. This is to ensure that it can last the manhandling and remain intact despite being thrown from places.
A good part of a headphone’s durability is due to how well it is constructed. Badly made headphones would not just have cracks and bad audio quality; they could also have plastic and metal burrs, exposed wires, and other dangerous and wounding faults. When choosing your child’s headphones, always buy mobile accessories from trusted brands and resellers to ensure their quality and your child’s safety.
Hearing-Safe and Volume Controls
Your top concern when it comes to keeping your child’s hearing and headphones use is whether they have volume limiting features. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects that one in four or 2.5 billion people worldwide will have some form of hearing loss by 2050. While a lot of these cases will be due to diseases and other factors, noise and loud sounds also play a huge part, especially for children. Because of this factor, the WHO’s “Make Listening Safe” initiative suggests a maximum of only 40 hours of 75-decibel sounds (similar to a strong vacuum cleaner or a washing machine on heavy) for children to protect their hearing. When picking the best kids headphones, make sure it has volume-limiting capabilities, a parental volume control app, or other similar measures.
Kid-Friendly, Non-Toxic, and Non-Choking Design
Another factor to think about when getting a pair of kids headphones is its non-toxic and kid-friendly design. Compared to adults, young kids might still have the tendency to put things in their mouths or to put their fingers where they are not supposed to. While you should not expect everything on the headphones to be made of food-grade materials, you should expect them to be made from non-toxic. Your chosen headphones should also be designed to not have many small detachable parts to prevent ingestion and accidental choking hazards for your kid. Aside from that, you should also look out for sharp edges and badly angled hinges that may cut or pinch your child.
Sound and Mic Quality
While most parents might think that getting a pair of high-quality headphones for their kid is a waste, it is not an open-and-shut case. Even if getting them a set of planar magnetic headphones is overkill, kids do understand the differences in audio quality. This difference is especially obvious if they have online classes or listen to audiobooks. A good pair of headphones may be the difference between your kid getting a high grade or not due to how clearly they understand their teacher’s explanations. Parents should look for headphones that have a neutral sound that is even from the bass to the trebles. A pair with that kind of sound can be perfect for listening to teachers on Zoom or Google Meet, talking with their friends on Discord, or just listening to audiobooks.
Also read: How To Set Up Parental Controls On iPhone and iPad
Battery (for Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones)
A consideration only for wireless or Bluetooth headphones is their battery. There are two main things to think about when talking about headphone batteries — their capacity and charging methods. When it comes to battery capacity, the only thing you need to know is the higher it is, the longer your kid will be able to use their headphones without charging. In terms of charging methods, headsets usually have wireless charging and wired charging, or both. Most wireless charging headphones will use Qi Charging which would be easier for your kids to use. Either way, consider these factors when picking the best kids wireless headphones.
Battery (for Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones)
A consideration only for wireless or Bluetooth headphones is their battery. There are two main things to think about when talking about headphone batteries — their capacity and charging methods. When it comes to battery capacity, the only thing you need to know is the higher it is, the longer your kid will be able to use their headphones without charging. In terms of charging methods, headsets usually have wireless charging and wired charging, or both. Most wireless charging headphones will use Qi Charging which would be easier for your kids to use. Either way, consider these factors when picking the best kids wireless headphones.
Additional Features
Every model of headphones for kids will be unique as some will have more features or less compared to others. Always check if a model has additional features like noise-cancellation, audio sharing, or replaceable and removable parts. These features may be the difference between getting a good deal or buying a mediocre pair of headphones.
Cost
Finally, the last factor when getting the best kids headphones is its cost. Find a balance between what your kid needs and what your wallet can afford. While the best of the best is always good, a cheaper option might be a better option as long as it has a good audio quality or a parental volume control app. Regardless of which you choose, you cannot go wrong with the headphones for kids we have on this list!
Also read: Best Budget Tablets For Kids
Best Kids Headphones FAQs
Before we leave, we want to give you the answers to a few common frequently asked questions about the best kids headphones.
