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It’s not uncommon for children to have favorite shows. In fact, most have a collection of shows that they could watch on repeat for days. Great, right? Well, not so much if you have to listen to the same lines and witty jokes all day long because your toddler refuses to watch something else.
So, what can you do? Invest in a pair of great (and safe) headphones for your children! In this review, we have a few great recommendations.
Since starting Headphone Critics, we've been able to test a wide variety of headphones, some great for kids, others...not so much.
According to our tests, the best headphones for kids are the Puro Sound Labs BT2200. These studio-level headphones are designed for kids, with safety features like volume limiting, and are incredibly easy to use and durable.
Here's those and some other great headphones for children.
A Quick Look: Kid-Friendly Headphones
Safe, high-quality, and affordable - everything your child deserves in a pair of kids headphones.
With padded earpieces and bright, kid-friendly colors, these headphones are at the top of every child’s holiday wish list.
Comfortable to wear and designed for a perfect fit, these headphones are ideal for everyday use.
Lightweight and great for small ears, these basic headphones offer everything necessary for a seamless audio experience.
Ideal for the cat-loving kid in your life, the Rixton headphones are a great gift for anyone who likes a bit of glitz and glam in their headphones.
The PureQuiet is a pair of headphones that guarantee comfort and ease of use, as well as stylistic appeal.
7 Best Headphones For Kids We Recommend:
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Puro is well-known for selling kid-specific headphones that look more grown-up than other models. Although the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 comes with a hefty price tag than most kids headphones, their excellent audio quality makes them a worthwhile investment.
Thanks to their patent-pending Puro Balanced Response Curve, your kids will enjoy the finest genuine studio-grade audio quality, including full dynamic bass and clear, crisp vocals all within the recommended range of 85dB. Their built-in microphone makes them great for entertainment, phone calls, and online learning.
These high-quality Bluetooth headphones are geared for kids, boasting unmatched durability and classic appearance. They are available in 5 vibrant colors and conform to the standard volume limit - their volume is limited to reach a maximum of 85dB. This works to protect your child’s eardrums and preserve their hearing. Its volume limiter perfectly restricts volume whether you're using a USB cord or in the wireless. Plus, a unique cable that features a built-in audio splitter enables your children to connect two headphones with the same device.
Besides being volume limited, these kids headphones are Bluetooth compatible and can be used with a variety of modern devices with the touch of a button. The one-touch Bluetooth pairing with Android, iPhone, and other compatible devices guarantees hassle-free listening, whereas the 30-foot range enables free movement. Each full charge of the headphones gives kids 18 hours of battery life and up to 200 hours of standby.
When it comes to durability, quality, and protective features for your kids, these headphones are unmatched. Unlike other kids headphones, which are designed with cheap, breakable plastic, the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 have well-constructed aluminum frames. You can rest assured that they're sturdy enough to take a beating and still work well for your child. And because they're wireless, you won't have to worry about your kids yanking the cables around or the cables wrapping around their necks.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
If you're searching for kids headphones that will fit your little ones perfectly, stay in place without much effort, and that they'll love to use, CozyPhones has exactly what you need. These headphones are great for young children who have problems tolerating traditional headphones. Each pair of headphones is shaped like an adorable character and is soft, as well as wearable, resembling a cozy headband.
They're so comfortable that your kids can even fall asleep while wearing them. Their volume limit is specially designed to protect the hearing of sensitive young ears. Each set is volume limited to 90dB, thus keeping your kid's ears safe from loud noises.
In addition, the built-in speakers are thin and barely noticeable. The plug of the headphones is a 3.5mm stereo plug, while the cord is braided for durability, and tangle-free. As guaranteed by the manufacturer, these kids headphones will not interfere with the proper wearing of seatbelts or positions in car seats.
Kids are often hard on their toys and that's why CozyPhones are designed to be used by kids. They feature an expandable and flexible fleece band that will not rip. Plus, their sturdy 3.5mm stereo plug and pliable 52-inch braided cord will neither twist nor snap under daily use.
Besides being super adorable and different from normal, boring headphones, CozyPhones headphones because they're fun to wear. When you purchase CozyPhones, you're selecting an exciting, simple to use, and relaxing solution for your kids to enjoy music without any risk of hurting their ears.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
The Lil Gadgets headphones are designed for children of 4 years of age and older, boasting vibrant colors, and cordless design. They are compatible with Bluetooth and have cushioned earpieces that give them added comfort. This affordable pair of headphones are foldable and feature two ports that you can use to connect multiple headphones.
The left earcup's outer panel features a volume/navigation dial and a power/pairing button. Your kid can answer and end phone calls by simply pressing the power button briefly. It also features a 3.5mm aux input and a micro USB port. They have an impressive 12-hour battery and charge via USB cable. Both the USB and 3.5mm cable that allows children to listen with the headphones plugged in should the battery die.
Aside from the audio cable and the USB charging cable, the LilGadgets Untangled Pro headphones come with a drawstring pouch to enable easy stowing. Your child can also immerse in the audio without distraction, thanks to the passive noise reduction feature. Not to mention, their effective volume-limiting function helps protect your kid's hearing. However, its maximum volume is slightly above the standard 85dB, so you'll have to closely monitor your kids to ensure they're not blaring music.
JLab JBuddies Studio Bluetooth Over-Ear Kids Headphones | 13 Hour Battery Life | Studio Volume Safe | Volume Limiter | Folding | Adjustable | Noise Isolation | with Mic | Gray/Blue
Pros
Cons
Summary:
The JBuddies headphones have been designed specifically to fit children's heads with comfort and ease, and without slipping or sliding off. They perform well both as gaming headphones and for classwork.
They can be worn by kids that range from 2 to 8 years of age and features eco-leather cushioned earpieces that provide all-day comfort. Each pair features built-in volume control and a maximum volume level (85 dB) that keeps little ears safe from volume-related damage.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Like many children’s headphones, these are wireless, eliminating the possibility of children getting tangled in cords and frustrated. They are incredibly lightweight but still durable and have a quick recharge time.
On a single charge, these Bluetooth headphones boast up to 12 hours of battery life and your kids can use the headphone's quick charge feature to get about 1 hour of additional life with only 10 minutes of charging time. Their buttons are easy for children to use and navigate, with all controls being child-friendly. Let your child unleash their creativity and customize their own JBL headphones with the custom stickers. The JR300BT also keeps the volume below 85dB to protect your little ones’ hearing.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
These Riwbox kids headphones come in two cute cat-eared colors and boast a reliable wireless connection. They can be used wired or wireless, and come with a braided cord for wired use. Bluetooth connection, one paired, is instant and reliable. As a volume control headphone, Riwbox is ideal for streaming movies, listening to music, and even studying.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Available in three colors, the PuroQuiet headphones use active noise-cancelling technology. They have a safe maximum sound volume and are fully wireless, using Bluetooth. They have a long battery life (22 hours) and recharge quickly.
Why Your Kids Need Volume Limiting Headphones
Preventing Hearing Loss
The best kids headphones have one basic but crucial task - to act as parental tools that help you protect your kid's hearing. Children love to listen to their music at loud volumes but they are unaware of the risks of overly loud audio. Certain headphone volume levels are too hazardous, even for adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that when purchasing kids headphones, you need to go for those that have an 85dB-limited volume range.
Hearing loss caused by high volume levels are permanent and can have long-term effects on your child’s academic performance. That's why it's always wise to purchase volume control and limiting headphones, which can not only protect your kid's ears but help them manage Facetime and online education.
Headphones that are designed specifically for children will help to prevent hearing loss by keeping the volume level at a reasonable level. Luckily, some of the best headphones for kids on the market enable parents to customize volume limits depending on their environment. As long as you can moderate the volume level of your child’s headphones and create safety measures, they will be safe from potential hearing loss.
Keeps Volume Level at 85dB
Many headphones designed for kids have a volume limiter that will keep the volume level at or below the recommended level of 85dB. Wireless headphones with Bluetooth capabilities may also help in this case as most Bluetooth headphones keep the volume down to a certain specified limit.
To avoid any other possible damage from excessive volume levels, be sure to avoid having the headphones connected to any amplifiers.
Choosing Headphones for Your Kids
If you're looking to purchase a pair of kids headphones, there's no shortage of solid choices on the market that are specially designed for young audiophiles. They tend to be lightweight and feature onboard volume limiters to protect children from damaging their hearing. Generally, the best kids headphones should feature all these qualities and durable construction that can handle some roughhousing, not to mention an onboard microphone to enable kids to communicate with their parents.
Other important things to consider include:
Price
The price of the headphones is an important factor to consider. Headphones designed for kids are typically less expensive than regular headphones, to begin with. So it should be easy enough to find a pair of headphones that are affordable and effective. Headphones come in many different styles and colors that your kids will enjoy, and finding a pair of affordable headphones is a bonus for your wallet.
Headphone Type
Before you buy kids headphones, you need to know which device will work best for your child in terms of comfort and performance. Generally, there are five different types of headphones to choose from that all have their unique appeal and functionalities. These types are semi-open, open-air, earbuds, closed/sealed, supra-aural, and circumoral. To determine which type of headphones to get for your child, it is important to know how each type works.
Semi-open headphones are specifically designed to not completely close. They may not be as effective at isolating sounds as closed headphones, and they are usually used for recording purposes.
Open-air headphones are designed with open backs that allow sound to escape. This allows air to circulate through the headphones, providing an extra level of comfort to those who wear them. They also tend to produce high-quality sound.
Earbuds are designed to be some of the most convenient headphone types on the market. They are lightweight and easily portable, which is useful for when you are on the go with your child. They fit into your child’s ears snugly and allow them to enjoy the audio peacefully. However, it's not always wise to go for earbuds and other in-ear models because the closer the device is to your kid's inner ear, the more harm it could cause.
Closed/sealed headphones are designed with closed backs that prevent the audio from escaping. This type is well-suited for noisy environments and works to prevent your child from getting distracted by any other outside noise surrounding them. It is also useful if your child uses music as a method to focus on important tasks.
Supra-aural headphones are designed similarly to circumaural headphones, except they are the lighter and better-fitting alternative. They fit around your child’s head and works to provide excellent sound quality.
Circumaural headphones also fit around your child’s head, but they are a little bit heavier than supra-aural headphones. Both types have excellent sound quality, but they are not as effective in blocking out background noise as closed headphones are.
Design
Most kids will take a fun, colorful set of headphones over a boring black adult pair any day. They'll want something that suits their taste, which can be anything from color to fun design variations. A comfortable design is also paramount when it comes to selecting the best kid's headphones.
Durability
If you're planning to buy kids headphones, you must ensure they're built to last. Durable headphones are critical for kids no matter what type of design they have. Children are not usually the most gentle people and they will tend to shove their headphones into their backpacks when they are ready to store them or even toss them around recklessly sometimes. They are bound to break at least a few headphones in their life out of pure abandon. Staying away from expensive headphones and finding a pair that is heavily durable and tough will be your best bet.
Volume Protection
Your child will benefit from headphones that have a volume limiting features so they do not suffer damage to their hearing. You may also have to teach them about sound safety and safe listening. Set some ground rules for their headphone use so they know to avoid excessive volume levels.
As an extra safety measure, teach them the importance of paying attention to their surroundings while using their headphones. This will help them to properly exercise caution while they are using headphones in a public space.
Wired or Wireless
Choosing between wireless and wired headphones may be difficult for some parents, but wireless usually have more advantages than wired. Children are very active and tend to bounce around a lot. Unlike wired kids headphones, wire-free headsets will give children the freedom they need to be active and give them a good listening experience.
The downside to wireless Bluetooth headphones, however, is that the audio quality may sometimes be questionable. If you are searching for headphones for their audio quality, wired headphones would be the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of headphones are best for kids?
Over ear wireless headphones are generally the best for kids. They're the safest, most comfortable, and almost all smart devices use Bluetooth technology which creates no need for messy wires.
When is it safe for kids to use headphones?
As long as the volume is kept at 50% or lower, headphones are safe for kids. However, it's a good rule of thumb to wait until your kids are able to walk, and know how to use the headphones before taking your eye off of them while they're listening.
Do I need volume limiting headphones?
You should definitely consider volume limiting headphones, but most devices also have parental controls that allow for volume limiting, so it's not always needed within the headphones themselves.
Are Noise Cancelling Kids Headphones Safe for Your Children?
Yes, headphones with noise cancelling features and technology are safe for your kids. Actually, they can even help with volume control. Because these headphones block ambient sound around your kids, they can hear and concentrate on what they're listening to better.
So, you won't have to worry about your children cranking up the volume of their headphones to unsafe levels to enjoy their music over the noise. One disadvantage here is that if you try to get your kid's attention while they're using noise-cancelling headphones, they might not be able to hear you.
Conclusion
Overall, make sure that the headphones that you choose to purchase for your child are durable, affordable, built with high-quality audio capabilities combined with high-quality volume control. As an added criteria, your child will adore their new headphones even more if it has an adorable and interesting design.
