The Best Kids Headphones for 2023
Keep your kid busy and focused with ear-safe kids' headphones!
In today’s world of growing content, entertainment, and online learning, your kids are more likely to spend most of their day on their gadgets doing one thing or the other. And headphones are now a must-have, at least for your kids to enjoy the full experience of the class or movie!
Not only would headphones help your kids focus more, but they also keep distractions away and allow them to keep busy for a while.
Compared to regular adult headphones, kid headphones are specialized to look fancier and help prevent damage to your child’s ears. While there are a lot of kids’ headphones on the market, only a few of them prioritize comfort, style, budget, and volume limits.
Here we have put all this into consideration and provided you with the best kids’ headphones options on the market!
Our Top Picks
Runner Up
iClever BTH12 Bluetooth headphones
The perfect headphones for playful kids and long hours of use!
$36.95
Most cost-effective
JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless headphones
Great headphones for older kids at a budget-friendly price!
$29.81
Our Picks For You
Best Pick - Puro Sound Labs BT2200
Best Pick
Puro Sound Labs BT2200
Most expensive headphones on this list but 100% worth it!
The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 comes with a built-in mic, and also offers background noise isolation to help reduce external noise by almost 90%, so kids would not be distracted when they are in class. And if they are big on colors, there is a wide range of colors available. They come with a handy carry case too!
Who it is for
Get the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 if you are looking for a kid earphone that tops the market with its sound quality and style!
Why it is great
With their stylish round ear cups and aluminum headband, these gorgeous headphones are perfect for both younger kids and older kids. Your kid would not only fall in love with its design but also the audio quality. It produces clean clear deep bass tones and crisp treble tunes.
And expect that for this price you are in full control of the volume, and with its 85dB-limited volume range, you can be sure that your cutie's ear is safe from ear-damaging volumes!
Potential flaws
The only complaint we have about the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 is that the battery only lasts for 18 hours, which could be enough if you remember to always charge it when your kids go to bed, but in case you don't remember, the Puro’s can also be used wired via a 3.5mm jack.
Other features
The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 comes with a built-in mic, and also offers background noise isolation to help reduce external noise by almost 90%, so kids would not be distracted when they are in class. And if they are big on colors, there is a wide range of colors available, plus they come with a handy carry case too!
Runner Up - iClever BTH12 Bluetooth headphones
Runner Up
iClever BTH12 Bluetooth headphones
The perfect headphones for playful kids and long hours of use!
With the iClever's adjustable headband and cushioned ear pad, it would fit your child well while providing extra comfort all day long! The iClever boasts a 40-hour playtime, with fast recharge. Its Bluetooth connection is highly efficient and very easy to use. It also has a built-in microphone for online education and chit-chatting.
Who it is for
Get the iClever BTH12 Bluetooth headphones if you are looking for headphones with longer battery life, a kid-friendly design, with fancy L.E.D. lights on the ear cups.
Why it is great
The thoughtfulness in the design is solid enough to tell you why this pick made our list. It comes with a large 40mm speaker for better bass and sound quality. With a unique key combination It also gives you the option to set the volume limit between 74dB, 85dB, and 94dB, so your kids don't crank it up too high or mistakenly change the volume setting. This is not a feature you see in earphones around this affordable price!
Potential flaws
Your kids might not like that the lights on the ear cups only come on when the headphones are being used in wired mode (yes, it also has a wired mode!) And that’s to prevent the battery from draining faster during Bluetooth operation. Thoughtful right?
Other features
With the iClever's adjustable headband and cushioned ear pad, it would fit your child just right while providing extra comfort all day long! The iClever boasts a 40-hour playtime, with fast recharge. Its Bluetooth connection is highly efficient and very easy to use. It also has a built-in microphone for online education and chit-chatting.
Most cost-effective - JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless headphones
Most cost-effective
JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless headphones
Great headphones for older kids at a budget-friendly price!
Your kids would find controlling these headphones easy, with all the controls located on the bottom of the earcup. They will be able to play, pause, volume up or down, track forward and track back without any frustration. For those with two kiddos or your kids' friend tagging along, they can use the included AUX cord and share port to link their headphones. This way both kids can watch a movie together!
Who it is for
Get the JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless headphones if you are looking for budget-friendly headphones for older kids (seven and up).
Why it is great
These headphones have wide enough ear cups that your kids would find very comfortable. Just like the iClever, the Lab buddies pro has a solid battery life, delivering 35+ hours of healthy bass and clear sound! This pick also comes with a volume limiter switch tucked under the material of the right ear up to help regulate the volume your kid's ear is exposed to. This pick can also work with and without wires, in case the battery is down or your kid wants to share audio with a friend!
Potential flaws
The only drawback to this pick is the design, as some parents claim that it isn't stylish enough and looks cheap. But this is very relative and might not matter if your kid likes it.
Other features
Your kids would find controlling these headphones easy, with all the controls located on the bottom of the earcup. So they will be able to play, pause, volume up or down, track forward and track back without any frustration. The included AUX cord, and share port can be used to link their headphones so both kids can watch a movie together!
Almost made the cut - Riwbox Cat Ear Bluetooth Headphones
Almost made the cut
Who it is for
Get the Riwbox WT-7S Bluetooth Headphones if you are looking for top recommended stylish headphones for your kids!
Why it is great
Your kid will find these headphones easy to use and love their great sound quality. Like all other recommended picks it comes with Bluetooth technology and also has a wired option in case the battery runs out. It comes with a built-in microphone and buttons along the side so your kids can answer calls, control volume, chit-chat, skip songs and turn the LED lights on the sides on/off.
Potential flaws
Unlike the iClever BTH12 Bluetooth headphones, this pick allows your kid to turn on the fancy light in wireless mode, which would drain the battery faster. But as long as the Aux cord is around then you are good to go!
Other features
You’ll love that aside from its quality sound performance, it has comfortable padding along the top and sides for your child's entertainment! The Riwbox WT-7S LED flashes together with the rhythm of the sound being played. These headphones are perfect for students, kids, or teenagers.
Who This Is For
This review is for those who prioritize comfort for the younger kids you have around and want them to attend online classes, watch their favorite shows and listen to their favorite songs on their gadgets without distractions. This review is to help you make the best decision, so your little one can enjoy using headphones without any problems!
Do Headphones Damage Your Ears And Are They Safe For Children To Use?
Yes, headphones damage your ears, but they are also safe for children.
Research shows that frequent exposure to noise above 85 decibels (something like the sound of a blender or motorcycle) can cause gradual hearing loss over time. That is why brands have specialized in making headphones just for kids by adding volume limits to make them safer for children. Some headphones designed for children limit the volume to 85 decibels because kids don’t know when the volume becomes damaging while some allow parents to turn this limit on and off. This is part of the reason why we don’t recommend earbuds for kids because most of them don’t have volume limits and the closeness to the eardrum could be dangerous.
You should also know that some headphones claim to have sound limits but show no limit to how high they can go, so in this review, we suggested proven brands with certified value.
Are In-Ear Or Over-Ear Headphones More Comfortable/Safer For Children?
For your kids, comfortable headphones would provide a physically enjoyable listening experience that would not cause irritation or injury over time. While comfort is subjective and depends on factors like how well the headphones fit, the type of headphones also plays a big role. By design, in-ear headphones apply some level of pressure directly on your ears and into the ear canal, which for an adult could be bearable but for kids, it can be a very uncomfortable listening experience. While some headphones use earbuds to minimize this pressure, it is difficult to find an in-ear headphone that fits right.
On the other hand, because they are easy to wear and usually well-padded, over-ear headphones have the most comfortable design in the headphones business. Over-ear headphones do not apply as much pressure on your ear or head as in-ear headphones, the only pressure you might feel if it’s not the right fit. While in-ear headphones are great for adults we recommend going for over-ear headphones.
Why You Should Trust Us
Your kid’s comfort means less frustration for you, which means a happier experience for you and we want to be a small part of the reason you and your kids are satisfied with your purchase.
To find the best kids’ headphones, we examined headphones from brands with guaranteed performance, and user reviews, and compared quality across different prices. We have found the best kid’s headphones to suit you, so you can make an investment you are confident about!
How We Picked
We examined several factors including audio quality, volume control, design, fit, and suitability.
Audio Quality
For audio quality, most headphones perform great in the actual quality of sound they produce, but what of noise-canceling? Most kids’ headphones don’t offer active noise-canceling features. But this means that some kids might raise the volume too high. That is why we suggested brands that have passive noise cancellation or noise isolation to hit the balance between blocking some outside noise and providing your kids with their desired sound at lower, safer volumes.
Volume Control
When looking for kids’ headphones, a key feature to look for is volume limits or built-in volume control. This is very important for younger kids who may not know that excessive volume can harm their ears. This way you rest assured that your child’s ears are safe and they can’t easily increase the volume.
Comfort & Fit
Your child could be spending a lot of time on their phones or tablet, either watching a movie, attending class, or playing games for long hours. The best bet is to make sure that the headphones they use are well-padded and sit over their ears perfectly to prevent pain. Some headphones have age ranges to help you get the right size for your child.
Style/Design
The design of the headphone you choose to get depends on your kid’s needs, preferences, and sometimes budget. Some headphones work with cords and some use a Bluetooth connection while a few use both. If your kids are going to be using the headphones on different gadgets (smartphones, tablets, and iPods) we advise going with the Bluetooth options. They cost more but this way you don’t have to worry about whether the ports fit.
In-Ear Or Over-Ear
In-ear headphones also known as earbuds are small and tucked right into the ear, most times connected with a wire, leaving the head free of any kind of band. Over-the-ear headphones are linked by a band that relaxes on top of the head, and each speaker sits over the ear rather than going into it like an earbud. Research shows earbuds (in-ear headphones) are not advised for younger kids because they direct blast to the eardrums and the volume is harder for parents to control. That is why we preferred over-ear headphones while making our choices.
Price vs Quality
Fortunately, the market for kids’ stuff is oversaturated, with headphones from as low as $15 but this also means that value varies wildly. That is why we considered trusted brands and looked for brands with kid-focused value for a great price. This way you are sure you are getting a worthy buy!
Durability
Kids are always playing or doing something ridiculous to their toys and electronics, and you would love a headphone that can stand a little rough handling. Some professionals believe you shouldn’t spend a lot on headphones because of the need to change them when they spoil, but we believe that with a little supervision, durable headphones will last a while. Also, we have found that wireless options last longer.
Size
Kids move around a lot and the smaller or more portable the headphones, the better. The good thing is most headphones are foldable and some come with carrying options such as cases and pouches. But considering where and what your child is going to be using it for, the added bag might not be as helpful. Here we prioritized lightweight and portable designs.
How We Picked
Volume Control
When looking for kids' headphones, a key feature to look for is volume limits or built-in volume control. This is very important for younger kids to prevent ear damage.
Comfort and Fit
A comfortable headphone is needed because your child will be spending a lot of time on their phones or tablet, either watching a movie, attending class, or playing games for long hours.
Style/Design
The design of the headphone you choose to get depends on your kid's needs, preferences, and sometimes budget. Some headphones work with cords and some use a Bluetooth connection while a few use both.
Cost-Effectiveness
Fortunately, the market for kids' stuff is oversaturated. That is why we considered trusted brands with kids-focused value for a great price.
Care and miantenance
As an adult you should always try to monitor how long on end your kids use their headphones.
Allowing them to take breaks at intervals (every four to six hours) would go a long way in keeping their ears healthy.
To prevent the accumulation of germs, or bacteria you should clean your kid’s headphones as frequently as possible. Maybe once every two weeks or once every month depending on how frequently it’s been used.
To clean, first remove the ear pads and wash the exterior of the headphones with a piece of cloth dampened with soap and warm water.
Next, dry it with paper towels and then air dry it. You can also use alcohol or hand sanitizer and softly wipe down the body of the ear pads.
