Summary
There is a whole industry of headphones made just for children, which makes sense given the current trend of kid-friendly consumer gadgets. Yet, in our minds, when we hear the term “kid-friendly,” we can picture items that are more disposable than those aimed for adults. However, that isn’t the case with the headphones that made it into our top picks for children.
To prevent our children from injuring their eardrums, we would want our child-sized headphones to include volume limits that can be adjusted by parents. Each and every one of the items on our list meets this critical criterion, but we also wanted to recommend several that provide outstanding noise-cancelling, integrated microphones for audio and video chats, and extended battery life, whether you’re on the go all day or stuck in a classroom.
Puro Sound PuroQuiet Plus
Noise-canceling for kiddos
We couldn’t wait to try out the updated PuroQuiet Plus after being huge admirers of Puro Sound’s first PuroQuiet headphones. The results have been quite positive, even though Digital Trends’ Copy Editor Suzanne Sutherland let her small children to try on the headsets.
First and foremost, it must be mentioned that these headphones are active noise-canceling (ANC) and effectively filter out background noise and distractions, making them ideal for children who struggle to focus. For cans meant for children, that’s a huge plus since it means they can easily block out annoying noises. The PuroQuiet Plus has an 85 dB volume cutoff as well, and according to Puro Sound, the internal volume limiting feature will progressively lower the level as the child gets closer to the cap, protecting their ears from, well, sound.
The PuroQuiet Plus have worked well for her kid, according to Sutherland. He has no problems pairing them with his iPhone, iPad, and Chromebook for homework. “The Bluetooth range is pretty insane,” according to her. Connected to her phone on a different level and across a brick building were her son’s headphones. According to the manufacturer, the PuroQuiet Plus has a battery life of up to 35 hours when active noise cancellation is turned off, something the family may brag about.
Just like its forerunners, the PuroQuiet Plus provide pleasant, well-balanced sound that works with any kind of music. Comes in six vibrant colors, the PuroQuiet Plus have large, intuitive controls on the earcups.
Pogs The Gecko
The best kids headphones for music
The Bluetooth-enabled Gecko headphones are ideal for developing children who are becoming more music-loving, who are beginning to develop an ear for high-quality sound, and who are generally more particular about the headphones they use. The 32mm Neodymium drivers are just the right size to be kid-friendly while yet producing a respectable amount of bass. Additionally, you have SafeSound, which will ensure that the level remains below 85 dB. You can get the most out of your music without fiddling with the controls by using the Sound Clarity Tuning app. Additionally, the PogLink cable has a music-sharing function that allows you to link many headphones together, so you may listen to music with your buddies.
The adjustable headband can also accommodate quickly developing adolescents, and the earcups—which give the Gecko its name—are meant to remain in place even during vigorous play. On the other hand, younger children may find that the headphones are too wide for their ears. Plus, it should be sturdy enough to endure falls, twists, and unintentional sit-downs since that was the design goal.
BuddyPhones School+
The best kids headphones for school
Designed for younger students from the ground up, the School+ boast volume-limiting circuitry that places a limit on how loud the headphones get, following the under-85 decibels rule. The headphones themselves offer a snug and adaptable fit, but not to a constricting degree. The hypoallergenic cushioning is a nice addition, too, especially for longer classroom sessions where the ears, neck, and head can start to sweat.
Whether they’re using them at home for remote learning, in the classroom, or for other shared learning experiences, the included BuddyJack system makes it easy to connect more than one pair of headphones together (up to four at once). There’s even a handy in-line mic for speaking and taking calls. Add in the travel bag, decorative stickers, and extra audio cable, and it becomes clear why the BuddyPhones School+ are among the best sets of headphones for at-home learning.
LilGadgets BestBuds
The best earbuds for kids
Not all young listeners are interested in bulky headphones. As an alternative to Apple AirPods or comparable earphones, the LilGadgets BestBuds are a good option. The fact that they are connected headphones with a volume restriction is something we really like. Remember that these guys can only produce a maximum of 73 dB, which is just below the 85 dB suggested by the World Health Organization, so they aren’t exactly booming. Nonetheless, the integrated passive noise isolation ought to assist in balancing the level of ambient noise with that of the source. Although it lacks wireless capabilities compared to the highly acclaimed AirPods, the LilGadgets BestBuds cord is tangle-free and has a mini-splitter for connecting an additional pair of headphones for simultaneous listening.
With BestBuds, you get a robust carrying bag, three different earphone tips to accommodate different ear sizes, and wireless headphones that are perfect for traveling or flying. The LilGadgets BestBuds are great for first earbuds since they are comfortable, have simple settings (including an in-line mic), and come in three colors: pink, blue, and black.
JLab JBuddies Pro
The best for volume controls
Restricting the level of our children’s headphones is vital since we do not want them to harm their eardrums. This highlights the significance of items such as the JLab JBuddies Pro. These Bluetooth headphones include a built-in volume control, so parents can choose the maximum level for their children to listen to. They also look and sound fantastic.
For quieter settings, the switch may be turned down to 85 dB, while for louder ones, it can be turned up to 95 dB. Additionally, you may anticipate up to 35 hours of listening time, albeit this number may vary depending on the headphones’ volume settings and the activation of active noise cancellation (ANC). The 3.5 mm Share Port is another feature that we really like. It lets your child connect the JBuddies Pro to another pair of wired headphones, so they can listen to music with a friend or sibling.
LilGadgets Untangled Pro
Best kids headphones for sharing
Once again, LilGadgets takes home the prize for finest sharing capabilities in our roundup. With strengthened stainless steel extenders and sturdy polycarbonate construction, the Untangled Pro headphones are built to last. The Untangled Pro are well worth the investment due to their durability, especially if your children like to be harsh with their devices. The headphones have a 12-hour playing time and a 180-hour standby time, so they’re great for anyone that listen actively. The Untangled include a 93 dB volume limit and passive noise isolation as standard features.
An important function of the Untangled Pro is its integrated SharePort, which eliminates the need for a splitter. This allows a family member or friend to easily daisy-chain multiple headphones onto a single audio source by connecting an additional pair of headphones directly to the Untangled. With every purchase, you can help fund anti-bullying programs with the LilGadgets Untangled Pro, which come in ten different colors.
CozyPhones Kids Headphones
The most comfortable headphones for kids
Not every child is a good candidate for headphones. Some youngsters may hate having that extra weight around their ears, while others could discover that they slip off all the time. But there is an alternate: these cozy fleece headbands with tiny speakers built right in.
The provided wire is 52 inches long, so there’s plenty of slack for connecting to devices in both the front and rear of the vehicle. The fabric wraps are completely detachable from the headphones inside, so you can machine wash the headband between usage. Get your pick of adorable designs including foxes, pandas, purple froggys, and monsters—all of which are sturdy enough to fit in a school bag without bending or breaking. In case your child has a propensity to get entangled in cords, remember to factor in the additional length.
EarFun K2 Kids Bluetooth Headphones
Best headphones for older kids
You should prioritize the EarFun Kids Bluetooth Headphones if you are seeking for a fantastic set of children’s headphones that won’t drain your money account. These headphones, which come in three colors (blue, pink, and dark black), have a basic style that older children are more likely to like. Wearing these headphones for extended periods of time in the automobile is a breeze, and you can use the built-in microphone to chat with friends or play games. You may use the included auxiliary cable or Bluetooth to let your youngster connect wirelessly to a host device, making them ideal for school.
With two built-in volume limits—85 dB for Study Mode and 94 dB for Travel Mode—the EarFun Kids sound fantastic and perform well. With no noise-cancelling technology, the 40 hours of battery life claimed by EarFun is reasonable for a headset in this price range.
The K2s are unbeatable for the money, plus they’re lightweight and collapsible, so they’re great for throwing in a bag.
Onandoff BuddyPhones PlayEars+
Most adorable kids headphones
Without a doubt, these headphones are the cutest ones ever manufactured. The $50 Onanoff BuddyPhones PlayEars+ are an obvious choice if you want to impress a youngster (or grandchild, niece, nephew, or kid) who is of the appropriate age. You won’t find active noise cancellation or transparent listening on these headphones, but that’s to be expected considering the price point.
There are three different listening modes with different volume cutoffs (75, 85, and 95 dB), a built-in microphone, a 24-hour battery life, and Bluetooth and cable connectivity options. Plus, you can use the included BuddyLink connection to link several PlayEars+ headsets together. A lovely sheet of stickers and a travel bag were even sneaked in by Onanoff.
When it comes to animals, you may choose from a pink cat, a gray dog, a brown fox, or a white polar bear. Looking for something that the majority of children will adore? The PlayEars+ are a safe bet, even if they won’t win any prizes for audiophile headphones of the year.
In search of further choices in headphones? Take a look at our compiled lists of the top earbuds, noise-canceling headphones, and headphones in general. Check out our top cheap headphones guide if you’re trying to save money when buying.
