Whether listening to tunes on their phones, watching movies on a flight, gaming on their computer, or taking in some videos on YouTube, these days, our kids are more connected than ever before. Buying a pair of headphones is a simple way to give the adults in the family a little peace and quiet and let your kids rock out to their favorite tracks without upsetting the neighbors. However, kids ears are far more sensitive to noise than adults’ ears, and ensuring your kid’s hearing isn’t damaged while they get their fill of their favorite tunes or getting their game on requires kitting them out with a pair of headphones specially made for young users. To help you do so, in this article we’ll introduce you to the top 25 headphones for kids currently on the market.
We reviewed dozens of headphones for kids to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of factors, including volume limitation features, noise-cancellation capacity, comfort, adjustability, age suitability, cost, and average customer reviews.
Having considered a large number of headphones for kids, we chose the Puro JuniorJams Volume Limiting Headphones as our top pick overall. These headphones tick all the boxes, boasting a foldable, adjustable design, a volume limit of 85 decibels, noise-cancellation capacities, Bluetooth compatibility, 22-hour battery life, a durable but lightweight plastic frame, and a daisy-chain cable that lets your kid connect their headphones with a second pair to share their tunes with their friends.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Headphones for Kids
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Headphones for Kids Overall | Puro JuniorJams Volume Limiting Headphones | 4.7 |
| Best In-Ear Headphones for Kids | Symphonized Kids In-Ear Headphones | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Buy | Vogek Wired On-Ear Child Headphones | 4.8 |
| Best Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones for Kids | EasySM Kids Bluetooth Headphones | 4.8 |
| Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids | SIMOLIO Wireless Kids' Headphones | 4.6 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Headphones for Kids Overall: Puro JuniorJams Volume-Limiting Headphones
Simply put, the Puro JuniorJams Volume-Limiting Headphones are an extremely well-made pair of headphones that tick every box that needs ticking. Not only are these headphones very easy to use, comfortable, and built to last, they’re also among the safest models for kids currently on the market and offer the type of sound quality you’d expect to find in only far more advanced and expensive models designed for use by adults.
Let’s unpack that a little with a closer look at the JuniorJams’ features and specs.
Firstly, these headphones use 4.0 Bluetooth technology that eliminates the frustrations of wired, cabled headphones and lets your kid use any Bluetooth-compatible device within a 30-foot range for a whopping 22 hours between charges. Secondly, these headphones have a volume limit of 85 decibels, which makes them safe to use for as long as 8 hours per day for even younger kids and also eliminates any fears you might have of your kid raising the volume when you’re not there to keep an eye on them. Thirdly, the JuniorJams use advanced sound-optimizing “Balanced Response Curve” technology that improves sound quality and blocks out 87% of ambient noise, meaning your kid will be able to use these headphones at lower volumes than with other models. Finally, the JuniorJams use a foldable, adjustable design that lets you pack them away easily in a backpack and ensures they’ll still be a good fit for your kid a few years down the line.
While these headphones are slightly pricier than other models on our list, their outstanding build quality, sound quality, and safety features make them a great choice for any parent keen to give their kids the best listening experience without compromising on safety.
Puro JuniorJams Volume Limiting Headphones Key Features:
- Bluetooth compatible
- Impressive noise-canceling capabilities
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Foldable and adjustable design
- 22-hour battery life
Best In-Ear Headphones for Kids: Symphonized Kids In-Ear Headphones
The Symphonized Kids In-Ear Headphones are a great choice of headphones for kids who aren’t keen on the bulk and weight of over-ear models.
These sleek, stylish little headphones come in a variety of colors and with three sizes of earpiece that ensure a good fit for your kid, whatever their age. In addition to the superior acoustics provided by their use of handcrafted, all-natural wood, these headphones have noise-cancellation capabilities that effectively eliminate ambient noise to improve the user’s listening experience and ensure your kid doesn’t have to crank the volume in order to hear their tunes in noisy environments. However, even if your kid does happen to prefer their beats served loud, these headphones’ max volume limit of 85 decibels ensures they can do so safely.
Finally, these headphones also score high on convenience owing to their use of voice-activated controls that let your kid skip tracks, pause or play music, and even answer calls from their buddies without having to touch their phone.
All in all, these headphones are a good choice for kids over 5 years of age and for parents who want to give their kid earphones that provide excellent sound quality without compromising on safety, practicality, and convenience.
Symphonized Kids In-Ear Headphones Key Features:
- In-ear design
- Use handcrafted, all-natural wood for improved acoustics
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Voice control function
- Recommended for kids aged 5 and over
Best Budget Headphones for Kids: Vogek Wired On-Ear Child Headphones
Parents looking to give their kids a pair of headphones that score high on safety and sound quality without breaking the bank will be hard-pressed to find a better option on the market than the incredibly reasonably priced Vogek Wired On-Ear Child Headphones.
These headphones cost around the same price as a deli sandwich or 6-pack of beer but in return for your modest outlay offer a product that’s sure to serve your kid well for many years to come.
First and foremost, these on-ear headphones tick the most important box that needs ticking in any headphones for kids by using an 85-decibel volume limit, which makes them suitable even for kids as young as three years of age. They also use super-soft protein earmuffs that are comfortable to wear for extended periods and an adjustable headband that ensures they’re a snug fit on younger kids but also sufficiently extendable that your kid is unlikely to outgrow them in a hurry. Other endearing features included in these headphones are a sharing port that lets your kids share their tunes with their siblings or friends, tangle-free wires, and an in-line microphone that’s ideal for hands-free chatting on FaceTime or other video chat apps.
And the downsides? While sturdy enough to deal with the occasional drop, these aren’t the most robust headphones you’re likely to come across and a little less rugged than most other headphones on our list. That said, given these headphones’ bargain-basement price, this seems a very minor failing and not something that should rule them out as an option unless your kid happens to be especially clumsy or careless!
Vogek Wired On-Ear Child Headphones Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- 3.5 aux sharing port
- In-line microphone
- Adjustable and stretchable headband
- Soft protein earmuffs
- Tangle-free wires
Best Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones for Kids: EasySM Kids Bluetooth Headphones
The EasySM Kids Bluetooth Headphones are among the most affordable sets of Bluetooth headphones on the market. Given their low price, however, these headphones pack a surprisingly impressive array of features and outstanding sound quality.
These headphones use a 400 mAh battery that charges in 4-5 hours and has a very respectable 14-hour runtime per charge. And if you or your kid neglect to recharge between uses, the EasySM comes with an aux cable that lets your kid continue listening to their jams the old-fashioned way when the battery is out of juice. The EasySM also use simple button controls on the earcup that let your kid play, pause, and skip through tracks without having to touch the Bluetooth device to which they are connected.
Other kid-friendly touches and features found in these headphones include an 85-decibel volume limit that makes them ideal for younger kids, a soft headband and nicely padded ear cushions that are removable and washable, a lightweight of 3.17 ounces, and a child safety mode.
The bottom line? All told, these are just about the most convenient and practical headphones out there for younger kids and offer an awful lot of “bang” for—relatively speaking—very few bucks.
EasySM Kids Bluetooth Headphones Key Features:
- Volume limiter feature
- Child safety mode
- Bluetooth compatible
- Aux cable included
- Removable and washable ear cushions
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids: SIMOLIO Wireless Kids’ Headphones
In the SIMOLIO Wireless Kids’ Headphones we find a pair of headphones that strike the perfect balance between fun, safety, and quality of sound.
These headphones have a three-level volume limiter that lets you select between max volumes of 75, 85, and 94 decibels. This feature is ideal for parents who are particularly concerned about their kid’s hearing and also those who want to buy their kid a pair of headphones that will be suitable for many years to come. Most kids are likely to crave a little more ‘oomph’ volume-wise when they reach their early teens, and while most kids’ models with an 85-decibel limit will then have to be replaced by a newer, louder model, the SIMOLIO will let them progress from lower to higher volume limits as they grow.
These headphones also offer Bluetooth compatibility and passive noise cancelation, which is provided by a pair of plush ear cushions that vastly reduce the amount of ambient noise that can reach the ear of the listener. And in terms of durability, the SIMOLIO performs as well as any other headphones for kids we’ve come across, using an elastic, foldable, and twistable headband that’s capable of enduring even serious rough treatment without breaking.
Finally, these headphones also come with a hardshell carry case and an auxiliary cable that lets your kid continue listening if their appetite for audio happens to outlast the 15-hour battery life.
SIMOLIO Wireless Kids’ Headphones Key Features:
- Bluetooth compatible
- Passive noise cancellation
- 15-hour battery life between charges
- Carry case and aux cable included
- Foldable, twistable, and virtually unbreakable design
- Adjustable volume limiter
- One-year warranty
Who Should Buy Headphones for Kids
Whether on a long family road trip, flying on vacation, watching cartoons, rocking out to tunes on their phones, or playing video games, kids nowadays are more connected to varying forms of audio than ever before. Consequently, it’s more important than ever that we take the necessary measures to ensure no damage is done to their young ears.
According to the World Health Organization, an incredible 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of developing hearing loss as a result of excessive and/or unsafe use of personal audio devices.
Children’s hearing doesn’t fully develop until they reach their teens. Prior to reaching full development, their hearing is more liable to damage from loud music than adults and listening to loud music (over 90 decibels) for as little as half an hour per day could potentially have a serious impact on their hearing later in life. Given that adult headphones can reach maximum decibel levels of well over 100, these models of headphones simply aren’t an option if you want to let your kid listen to their music, watch videos, or play games safely. Kids models, however, usually come with a much lower max decibel level or have a volume limiter control feature that lets you preset max volumes.
The bottom line? If you come across any pair of headphones that don’t have a max decibel level under 90 decibels or without a limiter feature, they’re not going to be a safe option for your kid’s hearing.
Headphones for your kids are perfect for a number of reasons, but if you’re trying to get your kid outside for a bit more fresh air, you could try The Best Drones For Kids.
Important Features to Consider
- Volume limiter. This feature usually takes the form of a button or switch that lets you present the maximum decibel level on headphones to a volume that’s safe for your kids. However, some kids’ headphones simply offer a max volume of 85 decibels (the recommended limit for kids under 12) without an adjustment switch that lets you switch between “adult” and “kid” modes with higher and lower max volumes. In terms of safety, this is the most important feature to look for in headphones for your kid.
- Noise cancellation. Noise-canceling headphones for kids reduce or eliminate background noise so the listener can hear audio more clearly. Using headphones that block out ambient noise can significantly enhance safety as it means the user doesn’t have to turn the volume up on their device quite so high in order to hear their tunes clearly.
- Wireless or wired? There are pros and cons to both wireless and wired headphones. Wired models typically have no compatibility issues and can be used with any device (unless that is, your kid happens to be using one of the latest iPhones models that don’t have headphone sockets). They also let your kid listen to their music or plug into their gaming devices, laptops, etc. without having to worry about the battery life of their headphones and/or have to wait while their headphones recharge. On the downside, cables can be frustrating, untidy, and even a health hazard for younger kids who may trip on them or, worse, get them tangled around their neck.
- Wireless Bluetooth headphones, on the other hand, allow your kid to listen cable-free and let you control both the volume and playlists from a compatible Bluetooth device. The only downside to Bluetooth headphones is that they have a limited battery life—a problem that’s easily mitigated if you simply teach your kid to put them on charge after every use!
- Headphones or earphones (over-ear or in-ear)? While there are pros and cons to both headphones and earphones, headphones are generally a far safer option for younger kids, for whom in-ear earphones and earbuds represent a significant choking hazard and risk to the delicate ear canal. One of the main advantages of earphones for older kids is their lightweight and streamline design, but this usually comes at a cost to noise-cancellation capabilities, which, as revealed above, can lead to your kids cranking up the volume on their earphones higher than is necessary with headphones. When choosing headphones for your kid, we recommend opting for a pair with headbands that are both adjustable and nicely padded, with the former feature ensuring your kids won’t outgrow their headphones in a hurry and the latter that they’ll be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods.
Looking for a gift for your kid? If so, then why not check out our guide to The Best Gifts for Fourteen-Year-Old Boys?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of headphones are best for kids?
When choosing headphones for your kids, the most important concern should always be safety. Most kids’ models use a volume-limiting feature that lets you select a maximum output level in decibels or have a built-in max output level that is at or below the maximum recommended decibel level for young users. For kids under twelve, the recommended max decibel level for safe listening is 85 decibels, which is roughly 25 dB below the max decibel level found on models of headphones designed for adults.
A pair of headphones’ format is also a key factor in whether or not they will be suitable for your kid. Generally, speaking, headphones can be lumped into two broad categories: in-ear and over-ear. Typically, over-ear models are the more suitable of the two for younger kids owing to their superior durability and robustness, noise-cancellation capabilities (which, as explained above, lets your kids listen at a lower volume), and reduced risk to the ear canal.
Can noise-canceling headphones cause hearing loss?
The general consensus among experts in the field of aural health is that noise-canceling headphones can actually be less damaging to your kids’ hearing than regular headphones. This is mainly because noise-canceling headphones, by reducing interference from ambient noise, let your kid hear their music clearly at lower volumes.
Which is more harmful, earphones or headphones?
Both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones can present a risk to your kid’s hearing if used at volumes above the recommended decibel level for kids (85 decibels) or for extended periods on a daily basis.
However, because earbuds are placed inside the ear, they are more likely to cause damage to the ear canal and, moreover, can increase volume by up to ten decibels owing to the fact that they reach further into the ear. Headphones, on the other hand, are worn over the ear and consequently block out ambient noise, which means they let your kid listen to music at lower volumes and reduce the total decibel level of sound reaching their ears.
Do wired headphones sound better?
While the sound quality offered by wired and wireless headphones differs, that difference is very difficult to detect when listening to digital music. Bluetooth headphones typically support up to 768 kbps and wired headphones a maximum of 2,304 kbps, which seems to suggest that wired models are likely to sound a great deal better than their wireless counterparts. However, the fact that the vast majority of digital audio files run at a mere 256 kbps means that both wired and wireless headphones will produce very similar sound quality with these files. As such, unless you’re kid happens to be branching out into the world of vinyl, the variance in the quality of sound produced by these two types of headphones should not be a concern
Other Headphones for Kids We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other sets of headphones for kids. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best headphones for kids list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your kid. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Budget Headphones for Kids
- Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones for Kids
- Noise-canceling Headphones for Kids
- Wired Headphones for Kids
Budget Headphones for Kids
These headphones come with 4 sets of replaceable stickers to let your kids decorate them to suit their own tastes. They also have a 85-decibel volume limit, a tangle-free cable, and an adjustable headband, all of which make them both very practical headphones for younger kids and great value for money.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Adjustable headband
- 4 sets of replaceable stickers for DIY decoration
Cost: $12.99
These chic little headphones boast an audio sharing port that lets your kid’s friends join the party and listen along. They also have a volume-limiting safety function, foldable design, and very comfortable, pillow-like ear cushions.
Key Features:
- 93-decibel volume limit
- Recommended for kids aged 3-8
- Audio sharing connection port
Cost: $14.95
Woice Kids Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
These very reasonably priced headphones have a volume limiter that allows you to choose between max volumes of 85 or 110 decibels, a respectable battery life of 6 to 8 hours, and a micro SD card slot that lets you play your chosen playlists without need for an external device.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- 6 to 8-hour battery life
- Micro SD card slot
- 6-month warranty
Cost: $17.99
These fuss- and frill-free headphones may lack the bells and whistles found in many pricier models but are sturdily built, very comfortable, and offer surprisingly high sound quality for such a reasonably priced pair of headphones.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Padded, adjustable headband
- Suitable for kids aged 3 and over
Cost: $9.99
Midola Kids Bluetooth Headphones
For parents looking to buy their kids Bluetooth-compatible wireless headphones, there are very few models on the market that offer the high-quality sound provided by these headphones at quite so favorable a price. In addition to their Bluetooth-compatibility, the Midola also offers all safety features needed for younger kids, above-average battery life, and super-simple controls located on one of the earcups.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth compatible
- 85-decibel volume limiter
- 8-hour battery life
Wireless/Bluetooth Headphones for Kids
Mpow CH9 Kids Bluetooth Headphones
These foldable, adjustable Bluetooth headphones have a 33-foot range, 14-hour battery life, and a volume control function that allows you to select between 85 and 95 decibels, making them ideal for both younger kids and teens.
Key Features:
- Volume limited (85-95 decibels)
- 33-foot wireless range
- 14-hour battery life
Cost: $27.99
Picun Kids Bluetooth Headphones
These simple, easy-to-use headphones are designed for kids aged two and over and have all the features required for safe listening, including an 85-decibel volume limit, a no-pinch hinge, and soft, comfortable ear cushions.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- 14-hour battery life
- Designed for kids aged 2 and over
Cost: $19.99
WOICE Wireless Bluetooth Kids Headphones
These headphones are the quirkier and slightly cuter sibling of the WOICE model featured in our budget picks. Like their less funky family member, these headphones boast a volume limiter feature, an audio sharing port, a 12-month warranty, and offer exceptionally good value for money
Key Features:
- Flashing LED lights in headband
- Volume limiter feature
- Suitable for kids aged 2-16
- 1-year warranty
- Multiple color options available
Cost: $28.86
LilGadgets Untangled Bluetooth Headphones
These lightweight yet robust headphones are high performers in every metric by which headphones for kids might be judged, including sound quality, comfort, safety features, and battery life. They also come with an auxiliary cable in case your kid’s listening or gaming session outlasts the battery life and a sharing port to let your kid’s friends join in the fun.
Key Features:
- 12-hour battery life
- Ear pads made with SoftTouch breathable mesh material
- Audio share connection port
- A portion of each purchase goes towards bullying prevention and awareness in schools
Cost: $49.99
Riwbox BT05 Wings Kids Headphones
If cuteness if high on your list of priorities as regards your kid’s headphones’ appearance, this pair’s a winner all day long! These headphones offer far more than just appealing aesthetics, however, and also boast a 30-foot Bluetooth connection range, an adjustable volume limiter feature, and a built-in Micro SD card slot that lets you listen to all your favorite tracks directly from the device.
Key Features:
- Volume limiter feature
- 30-foot Bluetooth range
- Can be used with audio cable when battery dies
Noise-canceling Headphones for Kids
Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
These incredibly well-made headphones may be pricey but they’re also among the safest models on the market, built to last a lifetime, and produce far superior sound quality to the vast majority of their competitors in the kids’ headphones market.
Key Features:
- Make background noise up to 22 decibels quieter
- Bluetooth compatible
- 22-hour battery life
Cost: $99.99
These simple, frill-free headphones have a relatively short battery life but include a number of features that make them well worth a place on your shortlist nonetheless, including Bluetooth compatibility, a volume limiter feature, noise cancellation capability, and an auxiliary port that lets your kids carry on listening with a cable if the battery in the headphones dies.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- 5 to 6-hour battery life
- Suitable for kids aged 3 and over
Cost: $18.95
Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Kids’ Bluetooth Headphones
These headphones use a patent-pending noise-isolation feature capable of canceling out 82% of background noise, meaning your kid won’t have to crank up the volume quite so high to hear their music clearly. They also offer outstanding sound quality, long battery life, and a tough, durable build that’s sure to increase their life expectancy compared to more cheaply made models.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Passive noise isolation blocks 82% of ambient noise
- 18-hour battery life
Cost: $79.99
JLab JBuddies Kids’ Headphones
These headphones pack every feature and design characteristic you could possible ask for for your kid, including Bluetooth compatibility, plushly padded earmuffs, a 13-hour battery life, and 85-decibel volume limit.
Key Features:
- 13-hour battery life
- Bluetooth compatible
- 85-decibel volume limit
- 2-year warranty
Cost: $29.99
These incredibly cute headphones have a lot more to offer than looks alone, boasting a volume limiter feature to protect your kid’s hearing, comfortable and eco-friendly ear cushions, and an audio sharing port to let your kid listen along with a friend.
Key Features:
- Volume limiter feature
- Collapsible design
- Flashing LED lights in ears
Wired Headphones for Kids
LilGadgets Connect+ PRO Kids’ Headphones
These superbly comfortable and durable headphones have a share port that allows your kid to listen along with their friends. Their slightly higher volume limit (93 decibels) makes them ideally suited to young teens.
Key Features:
- 93-decibel volume limit
- Suitable for children aged 12 and over
- Connect+ Pro cable allows for sharing with friends
Cost: $26.95
Little Helpers VoliBat Over-Ear Headphones
These very cool, stylish headphones are ideal for kids aged 3 to 8 and offer plenty in the way of practicality and performance, boasting an 85-decibel volume limit, a sharing port to let your kid listen along with their friends, and use soft, bendable, twistable headband materials to reduce the risk of breakage.
Key Features:
- Recommended for kids aged 3-8
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Sharing port
- Tangle-resistant cord
Cost: $17.99
Sunvito Unicorn Headphones for Kids
They say always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn, and these quirky little headphones let your kids do just that! Beyond their cool design, the Sunvito Unicorn Headphones also offer a 85-decibel volume limit, plushly padded, comfortable earmuffs, and use flashing LED lights in the headband, horn, and ears to bring a little touch of bling to an already very stylish accessory.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Environmentally friendly materials
- One-year warranty
Cost: $16.99
JLab JBuddies Volume-Limiting Headphones
These groovy headphones are designed for kids under 5 years of age and use hypoallergenic ear cushions to protect sensitive skin, have a 90-decibel volume limit, and come with an incredible lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Key Features:
- 90-decibel volume limit
- Suitable for kids aged 2 to 6
- Hypoallergenic ear cushions
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $19.99
These simple, straightforward headphones offer excellent sound quality and their 85-decibel volume limit, super-soft ear cushions, and audio sharing port make them the ideal choice for younger kids.
Key Features:
- 85-decibel volume limit
- Recommended for kids aged 3-9
- Audio sharing port
Cost: $15.99
