The Best Kids’ Headphones for Sensitive Little Ears
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As writers and testers for WIRED, we spend all day immersed in personal technology of all kinds. It's probably no surprise that if we work on a computer during the day and enjoy gaming in our downtime, our kids do too. Reviewer Adrienne So has a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old who attended school remotely and play video games. Reviewer Simon Hill has a 12- and a 15-year-old. Between us, we—well, our kids—have tested most of the kid headphones on the market, including everything we're recommending here.
These are our top picks, along with some advice—such as why you might want a pair of child-specific headphones. Don't forget to check out our other parenting guides, such as the Best Kid Tablets and the Best Kid Podcasts. Looking for a pair for yourself? Check out our list of the Best Headphones.
Why Kid-Specific Headphones?
Some of the criteria that we use for evaluating adult headphones simply don't apply for small children (although it's still worth taking a look). Sound quality matters a little less. We look for ease of use, different colors (Adrienne's daughter won't use anything that's not pink), comfort, and durability.
Most headphones that are explicitly for children have a feature called output limitation, which automatically reduces the volume to about 85 decibels. That is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's limit for workplace exposure and about what you'd hear in heavy traffic. However, that's still really high!
Even if your child's headphones have volume output limitation, it's a good idea to check on them every so often. To test whether the volume is too high I note whether my kid can hear me when I sit next to them and say, “Time to give your brother a turn.” If she can't hear me, the volume needs to go down.
How We Test
We have four kids between us, and they test every pair of cans. They use the headphones normally for at least a week, which means some gaming, video streaming, chatting with friends, and maybe even studying. Simon’s wife is also a teacher, so she uses the headphones with different classes in school, which is a great way to test their broader appeal and durability. We also squeeze each set onto our own heads, where possible, to listen to the sound quality and to fully test noise limitation, noise cancellation, and any other notable features.
Updated November 2024: We added headphones from SteelSeries, Juice, BuddyPhones, and iClever, new sections for honorable mentions and how we test, removed discontinued headphones, and updated prices throughout.
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- Photograph: Belkin
Best Kids Headphones Overall
Belkin Soundform MiniThese have an all-important option for Adrienne's 9-year-old—they come in pink! They fit her really well, and I was shocked that the wired version costs only $19. You can spend a bit more for Bluetooth compatibility, although that's more than I want to fiddle with. The build quality is sturdy, and the ear cups have padding.
They also have 30 hours of battery life and are water-resistant. I can just barely squeeze my own head into these, and they sound pretty good, even if they are noticeably stiffer and less comfortable than some of our other picks. If you want a sturdy, affordable, durable pair at a price that's not completely outrageous, this is probably your best bet.
Ages: 2+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Also Great
Skullcandy Grom WirelessWith an understated design and a cool skull logo, these wireless headphones are a winner with most kids. They feel solid, with a large volume dial behind the left ear, and the cans fold in for easy travel. The adjustable Velcro strap inside the headband makes adjusting for different-sized heads easy. You can use them wirelessly with Bluetooth for up to 40 hours in our testing, and they are quick to recharge via the USB-C port. The sound quality is better than average for this price.
Although wireless, you get a 3.5-mm cable in the box, and these headphones also have a nifty sharing trick. You can plug another pair into the 3.5-mm port to share sound (perfect for watching movies on road trips). While these headphones are volume-limited, there is an override designed for noisy environments like flights. We have concerns about kids accidentally activating it since you simply click the volume dial further. I like that this makes a wee red skull visible on the volume dial, so at least you know at a glance.
Ages: 6+. Volume limited to 85 decibels (override function for loud environments).
- Photograph: JLab Audio
A Good First Pair
JLab Audio JBuddies Folding HeadphonesThese were Adriennes’ kids’ first headphones, and unlike some of the other pairs here, they came with stickers. The ear cups are tiny—they’re designed to fit children ages 2 and up—but they fold for more convenient storage and portability. These are output-volume-limiting and made for wired use. Our pairs saw heavy use for about a year before they were destroyed.
Ages: 2+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Upgrade Pick
Puro Sound Labs BT2200s HeadphonesBy far the best-looking and best-sounding kids' headphones Simon has tested, the Puro Sound Labs BT2200s are also some of the most expensive. The metal cans come in a range of eye-catching colors with shiny chamfered edges. The physical buttons on the left are easy to use, and he particularly like the textured power button.
Simon's daughter says the over-ear pads are very comfortable (there are interchangeable on-ear pads). She paired these headphones with her phone (they support Bluetooth 5.1). They come with a 3.5 mm audio cable if you prefer to plug in or the battery runs down. We got the advertised 20 hours of battery life from a full charge, and they recharge via USB-C. There is also a built-in mic that works well for calls. While they don’t have ANC, they are quite effective at blocking out environmental noise. These headphones come with a handy zip-up case. Puro Labs also offers replacement ear cups ($19) for these headphones to extend their life. There's also an active noise-canceling version if they need the headphones for school.
Ages: 2+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Amazon
An Ultra-Cheap Wired Pair
Powmee M1 Kids HeadphonesWhen Adrienne's daughter started remote learning, her public elementary school distributed Chromebooks and these wired headphones, which plug into a 3.5-mm headphone jack. The build quality is impressive, considering that they're so affordable. Both the band and the ear cups have plenty of comfortable padding, and they still work after several years of being chucked into a bin at the end of every remote class. They're adjustable and come in several colors.
However, Adrienne's daughter started to say that they didn't sound very good. Mom's head does not fit into these headphones, so it was difficult to check her assessment, but that's when we moved on to another pair.
Ages: 3+. Not volume limited. - Photograph: Simon Hill
Affordable Noise Cancellation
Altec Lansing Kid Safe 2-in-2 ANC HeadphonesBoth Simon's kids found these headphones comfortable. His wife is a teacher and took them into school, and her class loved the look of these headphones. One student who tried them said, “It’s like my ears are being cuddled.” They are roomy enough for older kids and maybe even teens. Altec Lansing offers a wide range of color combos (we opted for the classy black and purple).
Simon tried these himself, and the sound quality was surprisingly good. You can use them wirelessly with Bluetooth for up to 15 hours, but there’s also a detachable 3.5-mm audio cable you can plug in. It’s unusual to get active noise canceling at this price, and it works reasonably well to block background noise. The headphones feel durable and score an IPX4 rating, so you don’t need to worry about splashes and can wipe them clean with a cloth. The cans rotate and fold up neatly for stowing.
Ages: 7+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Kids Earbuds
myFirst CareBudsSome kids may prefer earbuds to headphones, particularly if they see Mum and Dad using AirPods or something similar. The myFirst Carebuds look like Apple’s earbuds, but they come in two-tone blue or white and pink, and you get several ear tip sizes in the box for a comfy fit. They are easy to pair via Bluetooth 5.3, and they are volume limited. The sound quality is just okay, and there’s often some static noise, but my daughter loved the design, and they are much easier to take out with you than a set of headphones. They are IPX4 rated, so rain and small splashes are nothing to worry about.
The manufacturer says they have ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation), but we had no trouble hearing everything around us. This may be due to a safety feature called Smart Transparency Mode, which triggers when you move around. We got close to the suggested six hours of battery life, and the charging case offers an extra 25 hours and recharges in under two hours via USB-C. The touch controls work fairly well, but younger kids may accidentally pause what they are listening to.
Ages: 3+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Cheap but Durable
iClever Cat Ear Kids Headphones (IC-HS25)Given the light-up cat ears, Simon's tween daughter felt these on-ear headphones were a bit too young for her, but his wife tried them with the 7- and 8-year-olds in one of her classes at school, and they were a big hit. They are very affordable and have a permanently attached 3.5-mm cable with no controls (this can be a positive for younger kids who may accidentally press buttons). Sadly, the sound quality is limited, and music sounds flat, but they are fine for audio books and videos.
We also tested the iClever Wireless Kids Headphones (BTH22) ($20). They are comfier, add Bluetooth as an option, and can be volume-limited to 74 or 85 decibels. You get a cable with them, but wireless battery life goes up to 60 hours. The iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones (BTH-18) ($25) are similar but add light-up cans (which reduce the battery life) and allow you to change the limit up to 94 decibels. If you want noise cancellation, the wireless iClever BTH20 ($55) offers both passive and active noise cancellation, along with a 60-hour battery life and an 80-decibel limit, but our 10-year-old testers found them a bit small, so they are best for younger kids (aged 3 years and up). There are several models in iClever’s confusing lineup, so check the feature list before you buy to avoid disappointment. All three sets of headphones fold neatly into a compact shape. The durability of iClever’s headphones is impressive. They have now served a full school term with my wife’s class and still work perfectly.
Ages: 3+. Volume limited to 85 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Headphones for Teens
Puro Sound Labs PuroProWhy should volume-limiting headphones just be for kids? Teens and adults are also at risk of hearing damage. This set of over-ear cans from Puro Sound Labs has a conservative design in black and is big enough for some adults. Older kids and teens may also prefer headphones that look more grown-up. They are comfortable, with replaceable pads, and fold easily into a handy carry case. Using them wirelessly with Bluetooth, we got around 30 hours, and they offer two levels of active noise cancellation (ANC). The sound is excellent to my ears, and the ANC impressed me.
The 85-decibel limit allows you to listen safely for up to eight hours, but the amount of time you can tolerate higher volumes without damage drops off rapidly, so the 95-decibel limit should not be used for more than 50 minutes (it’s for flights and super noisy environments). Thankfully, it’s fiddly to activate, so I don’t think you could accidentally change the limit. These headphones also have a mic that’s handy for calls. On the downside, recharging is via a MicroUSB (why not USB-C?), and they are relatively pricey.
Ages: 13+. Volume limited to 85 or 95 decibels.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
A Gaming Headset
Razer KrakenA good gaming headset is essential, but it can be tricky to find a reasonably affordable option for your kids. Simon's daughter has gone through a few, but the Razer Kraken headset is the one that stuck. This headset ticks every box with great sound, comfortable over-ear cans, and a noise-isolating mic for group chat, with easy mute controls on the cable. There’s also 7.1 surround sound. She has been using this headset for Xbox gaming for a couple of years now, and it’s still going strong, though it has become grubby and picked up some paint stains.
The thick padding on the headband and cooling gel in the ear pads make these comfy, and they are relatively lightweight. The 3.5mm jack means you can use them with any gaming console or PC. These headphones are not specifically for kids, so you must drill them about safe volume levels as they are not limited to 85 decibels. The price also varies quite a bit, so shop around. Razer has updated this line a few times, and there are several different models, so make sure you read the feature list before you buy.
Ages: 5+. This pair is not volume-limited.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Another Gaming Option
Razer BlackShark V2 XWhile Simon's eldest is not “in love” with this gaming headset, it was a faithful PC gaming companion for around four years, until the robot vacuum chewed the cable beyond repair. It’s lightweight and comfortable, doesn’t get too warm, and has a volume knob and Mute Mic button on the left can. There’s also 7.1 surround sound that boosts immersion, plus decent noise cancellation, and this headset works with anything you can plug a 3.5-mm jack into, with a splitter to plug in the mic separately for PC.
You have to install Razer’s software to get the surround sound working, though that’s less annoying if you have other Razer peripherals. We had some concerns about longevity, as this headset feels potentially fragile, but it has survived some rough handling. While you can undoubtedly do better, you will have to spend a lot more, and this has proven to be a solid buy for the entry-level asking price.
Ages: 5+. Not volume limited.
- Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
A Wireless Gaming Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X WirelessWhen the Razer BlackShark V2 X finally gave up the ghost, my eldest switched to this wireless SteelSeries headset. She loves it. Our pick for multiplatform gaming in our Best Gaming Headsets guide, the Arctis Nova 5X comes with a handy USB dongle and Bluetooth support. This wireless headset can go up to 60 hours on a single charge, has a retractable microphone, and offers great sound quality for the money, with audio presets for many popular games.
The ear cups are soft and comfortable even after several hours, the adjustable headband ensures a snug fit, and the controls are within easy reach on the right can. My daughter also loves having a wireless headset, as she can get up and move around freely without snagging a cable, and there’s nothing to clear out of the way of the robot vacuum. This headset is not volume-limited and is advertised for adults, but teens will love it (just make sure you warn them about cranking the volume too loud).
Ages: 15+. This pair is not volume-limited.
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Photograph: Simon HillOther Headphones We Liked
Honorable MentionsThese headphones didn't quite earn a place above, but we still liked them.
Juice Pro Wireless Headphones for £35: For the 10-year-old kids in one of my wife’s classes, these headphones were singled out as the best because they are very comfy, they are wireless, and they offer decent active noise cancellation. Sound quality is decent, the headphones are hard-wearing, and they are made from 100 percent recycled plastics. They are also cheap for folks in the UK (sadly, unavailable stateside).
BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun for $100: These headphones by Onanoff offer three volume-limiting options at 75, 85, or 94 decibels, but that top limit should only ever be used for short periods (50 minutes or less). There are stickers to customize the cans, and they are well padded, but the verdict from the kids was just “OK.” The presence of ANC and 42-hour battery life is welcome. The 3.5-mm audio port allows for plugging in, and we love that you can also use it to link two pairs of Buddyphones and share audio (handy if your kids are sharing a tablet to watch a movie).
Photograph: Simon HillHeadphones We Didn't Like
Dishonorable MentionsThese headphones did not pass muster, for either us or our kids.
Juice Animals Wired Headphones for £20: Simon really wanted to like these headphones as they are made entirely from recycled plastic, 20 percent of the profits go to The Born Free Foundation, and they come in fun panda or tiger designs. They are also very affordable. But, sadly, both pairs we tested developed faults within the first week.
StoryPhones for $100: While the idea of headphones that play stories based on “StoryShields” you attach is clever, enabling kids to switch stories easily, the StoryPhones are too expensive for the build and sound quality, extra stories are pricey, and the shields are easily lost.
Photograph: Simon HillProtect Those Headphones
Headphone Stands and HoldersEven durable headphones are easy to damage. We have lost pairs to folks standing on them, cats and robot vacuums attacking the cables, and chairs rolling over them. I have learned that a stand or holder is worth the investment if it keeps those cans off the floor. Even if your kids only sometimes remember to use it, that could extend the likely lifespan of their headphones.
We use the Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand with Wireless Charger ($80), which also has a spot for charging your phone on the base, but there’s no need to spend that much. This New Bee Headphone Stand ($9) will do the trick. My PC gaming eldest has a Hanger Mount ($13) clamped to the desk, and it works great for keeping that headset out of the way when it’s not in use.
