10 Best Headphones for Kids – Safe and Durable [2023]

Best Headphones for Kids Feature
Best Headphones for Kids Feature

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Discover our top picks for the best headphones for kids that can meet your child’s every need.

NameVolume LimitConnectivitySuitable AgePrice
iClever BTH12 Best Overall74, 85, or 94dBWireless3 years old and upBUY
Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Strong Runner-Up85dBWireless2 years old and upBUY
Zamkol Kids Wireless Headphones Best Budget85 or 95dBWireless6-16 years oldBUY
POGS ‘The Gecko’ Kids Headphones Safest Choice85dBWireless3-12 years oldBUY
CozyPhones Kids Headphones Most Comfortable90dBWired3-8 years oldBUY
LilGadgets Connect+ PRO Most Durable93dBWired6 years old and upBUY
Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets Best for Travel85dBWireless2 years old and upBUY
Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones Best for Toddlers85dBWired1-8 years oldBUY
BuddyPhones School+ Wireless Best for Online Classes75, 85, or 94dBWireless3-13 years oldBUY
JLab JBuddies Play Best for Gaming85dBWireless6 years old and upBUY

How to Pick the Best Headphones for Kids

If your child needs headphones for school or recreation, you’ve probably considered lending them an old pair you don’t use anymore.

Unfortunately, this isn’t such a good idea.

For instance, since children’s ears are smaller than adults’, using adult headphones can be uncomfortable for them. Additionally, typical headphones can reach volumes as high as 136 decibels (dB), which may be too much for your child’s ears to handle.

Together, these factors – size, comfort, and volume – demonstrate some key considerations when selecting the best headphones for kids.

Let’s discuss these in detail.

Why should kids’ headphones have volume limits?

Volume-limiting headphones are designed with resistors, which automatically limit or reduce sound output.

Headphones’ volume limits are usually set at around 85 dB, which experts recommend as the maximum volume for safe listening. Going beyond that may result in irreparable damage to your children’s ears.

Even worse, children have a higher risk for noise-induced hearing loss, as their narrow ear canal tends to amplify sound.

Consistently listening to audio at high volumes can permanently damage the sensory cells in their ears, leading to gradual hearing loss.

Using volume-limited headphones ensures your kids are protected, even when they listen to audio at max volume.

On average, most headphones’ output volume ranges from 75 to 136 dB – way beyond the safe threshold. So, to avoid headphones that may be too loud for your kids, always check the product’s label and description. These should specify if the headphones are volume-limiting or not.

Headphone safety components for kids

The best headphones for kids should also be made with materials that ensure they are safe for all ages; after all, children tend to fiddle around with things they’re curious about, increasing the risk of minor injury.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

Non-toxic materials

Children are notorious for putting almost anything into their mouths. Apart from teething toddlers, these little rascals will bite, chew, and even swallow random objects as doing so helps reduce their stress levels or simply dispels their boredom.

So, it’s extra important to ensure the headphones your kid is chewing on are made from non-toxic or food-grade materials. For example, plastic parts made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC) are non-toxic and durable.

If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, you may want to emphasize getting headphones with non-toxic materials since chewing can be a stimming behavior.
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Pinch-free hinges

Some kids’ headphones are designed to be compact. To achieve this, manufacturers have included hinges so they can be easily folded and carried around.

These hinges can potentially pinch your child’s skin or even catch in their hair. Pinch-free hinges in their headphones will prevent painful situations like these from happening and ensure safe listening.

Will they match your child’s age?

If you’ve tried scouring the market for headphones for children, you’ve probably come across “suggested ages” for the headphones’ user. For example, there are headphones suitable for kids aged three and up, but there are products that can only be used by those aged ten and above.

This is because the term “children” encompasses a wide range of ages, which translates to differences in function and build.

Headphones recommended for toddlers and infants will prioritize protection over audio reproduction. On the other hand, headphones for teenagers focus more on sound quality and functionality.

Moreover, kids grow quickly, so headphones that fit a seven-year-old well will be pretty big on a three-year-old. Likewise, headphones meant for a five-year-old will be too snug for a ten-year-old. Thus, using headphones that don’t match your child’s age will give them an uncomfortable experience.

Additionally, these suggested ages also take safety into account. Headphones with parts that pose choking hazards aren’t recommended for younger kids. So, following the suggested ages is essential for ensuring both comfort and protection of your child.

To check if a pair of headphones matches your child’s age, look at the manufacturer’s website or the product page. You can also read through user reviews to see if the headphones you’re eyeing suit your child.

What will the child use them for?

Apart from being safe and comfortable, a good pair of headphones must also be functional. In looking for the best headphones for kids, you should also consider what activity they will be used for. Of course, the product you pick must be the one that best fits your needs.

Here are a few common uses for kids’ headphones and the extra features you should consider for each:

  • Online Classes or School: Headphones with mic are the best option for online classes. This option removes the need to buy a separate mic for audio input, for your kid’s convenience.
You’ll ideally want a boom mic with your headphones, as this offers better audio pickup than other types.
  • Travel: Being out and about means being exposed to all kinds of external noises from the environment. That’s why finding good noise-canceling headphones is essential for travel. This will drown out the noise and distractions from the outside, ensuring your child won’t feel the need to keep increasing the headphones’ volume to hear audio properly.
  • Casual Music Listening: For recreational use, you may want to look for headphones that allow audio sharing. This means your child can connect to the same device using different headsets. This can be a good bonding opportunity for children of the same age. Plus, it can also prevent them from fighting over one device!
  • Gaming: Sound effects from games can be quite loud, so volume-limiting headphones are a good option. But, for an immersive game experience, you may also want to look for headphones with surround sound. For older children who play with friends, headphones with a good mic will also be a huge plus.

Wired or wireless: which is better for children?

Both wired and wireless headphones have their ups and downs in terms of portability, functionality, and safety for your children.

That said, wireless headphones may be the safer choice.

Using wireless headphones removes the risk of minor injuries from wires.

Headphones with long wires, particularly, can pose a strangling hazard for younger kids who might try playing with them.

If you’re concerned about the ‘negative effects of Bluetooth’, rest assured that this has been disproven. Please read our guide on the safety of Bluetooth headphones’ radiation for more info.

Wireless headphones are also portable, making them a convenient pick for kids who love moving around while listening to music.

However, wireless headphones rely on a battery to be operational and require charging every now and then.

And so, wired headphones may be a more practical choice for kids who need to use their headphones for extended periods, as they may find the constant need to charge inconvenient or disruptive.

Durability

Most kids are rather rough and careless with their belongings, including headphones.

Getting a pair of flimsy headphones made from a thin sheet of plastic will likely result in having to buy another pair soon after. To avoid wasting money on these breakable products, you must invest in more durable headphones.

Here are some features to consider to ensure your headphones’ durability:

  • Materials: Regular plastic headphones often crack and break at the slightest impact. The most durable headphones often use Polycarbonate bodies with metal headbands – but they’re usually a bit too heavy for kids. Picking headphones made with high-quality polycarbonate like the Connect+ PRO can be the best middle ground between longevity and your kid’s comfort.
  • Warranty: You may also want to pick headphones that offer a solid warranty just to be safe – you’ll never know what kids may do with their headphones. Besides, a longer warranty indicates the brand’s confidence in its product’s longevity and durability.
  • Texture: As a precaution, avoid rubbery textures on anything your kids use, including headphones. The rubber in new products is vulcanized and tends to deteriorate over time – it’s called the sticky rubber syndrome. This deteriorating rubber may lead to dangerous contamination for your kids.

Sound quality

Many parents think that young children are not sensitive to acoustics and it is not worth the trouble/money to get a pair with great sound quality.

While it doesn’t have to be audiophile-quality, it must still be an enjoyable listening experience. Otherwise, your child is unlikely to continue using the pair of headphones you’ve specially bought for them.

If they have online classes, having good sound quality is also a crucial aspect to prioritize for their headphones. Being able to hear the lessons and their classmates can help improve their overall class performance and understand what the teachers are talking about.

Look for a pair that has a neutral sound signature. This means that the bass is not overly emphasized, the mids are not recessed, and the trebles are not overly bright. This way, the headphones are perfect for listening to music, audiobooks, or even Zoom classes.

Check out our article on audio frequency spectrum to find out more.

Battery life

Depending on the activity they will be doing, your kids can use their headphones anywhere from a few minutes to many hours. So, they would need a pair of headphones to keep up with that.

A long battery life ensures your child’s headphones won’t die in the middle of an online class, or during travel.

Keep in mind, though, that headphones also vary widely in their battery life. For example, good headphones for kids can typically last around 15-20 hours before needing another charge. But some options, like the iClever BTH12, can go for up to 40 hours of playback time.

However, even if a pair of headphones can last 35 hours, if it takes 3 hours to charge them, they will be unusable for a long time. In contrast, buying headphones that last 25 hours but charge in one hour can give your kids more time to use them.

You should also look for a quick charge feature for the headphones you’re picking. In a pinch, having enough battery for 2-3 hours of use after around 10 minutes of charging can be very useful.

Comfort

For children, comfort is king – they’ll absolutely refuse to wear anything other than that. Unfortunately, even headphones with the best features will mean nothing if the child it’s meant for can’t wear it.

So, to ensure your kid’s headphones are comfortable for wear, here are some things to watch out for:

  • Headband padding: Headbands should have soft padding to not create pressure and discomfort after listening for a long time.
  • Adjustable headband: This allows kids’ headphones to fit heads of different sizes. This will allow your child to continue using the headphones as they grow and share with siblings/other children of different age groups.
  • Plush ear pads: Ear pads cover the ears, and if they are made from thin cushions, your child will be more likely to feel the pressure from the ear cups and even suffer headaches.
  • Reasonable clamping force: The headphones should be snug while worn, but the clamping force cannot be too strong. This may result in headaches if used for more than 10 mins.
  • Weight: Heavy headphones can put additional pressure and reduce the effective usage time. Aim for a pair of kids’ headphones less than 200g.

Aesthetics

Children often want to stand out from the crowd and like quirky-looking stuff to show off to their classmates and friends. So, for them, the aesthetic aspect of the headphones is a big deal.

Fortunately, manufacturers know that the first thing kids are concerned about is how cool the headphones will look. The variety of designs and colors available gives you loads of options to choose from. Just ensure you get their input to find out what styles are quirky to be seen in.

If you want the headphones to be shared among your children of different ages, getting a pair with a cutesy design is definitely not the way to go (unless everyone agrees on that style!).

Go for a more neutral or understated look so that your older children (especially those in the tween group between 9 to 12 years old) will not protest when they have to share the headphones with their younger siblings.

10 Best Headphones for Kids in 2023

Best Headphones for Kids

iClever BTH12

Best Overall
Close look at iClever BTH12 (From: Amazon)
Close look at iClever BTH12 (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 3 – 21 years old
  • Form Factor: Over-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth/Wired
  • Volume Limit: 74/85/94dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.38 lb
  • Battery: 55 hours

The iClever BTH12 check and surpass all the boxes for headphones for kids, making them our best overall pick for this list.

The best thing about the BTH12 is their emphasis on safety. They offer three different modes that ensure your child’s safety regardless of the activity they’re doing:

  • Normal mode (74 dB): a low-volume mode perfect for protecting the ears of your little ones.
  • Learning mode (85 dB): works best for regular use, following WHO’s recommendation on safe volume limits.
  • Travel mode (94 dB): uses a higher volume limit that effectively blocks out ambient noises while traveling.

Designed specifically for kids, these headphones are made with adjustable headband sliders and synthetic protein ear cushions, to ensure a precise, perfect, and comfortable fit.

The adjustable sliders are more flimsy than the rest of the headband, so make sure to handle these parts with extra care.

The iClever BTH12 also feature a share function, which lets different users listen to the same device. This is perfect for kids who want to bond with their siblings by listening to music together.

What’s more, these wireless headphones can last up to 55 hours of use, making them a convenient option, especially for traveling. Plus, if you ever run out of charge, you can simply switch to wired mode with the detachable 3.5mm cable.

The headphones also come with a built-in mic, so they can also be used during online classes.

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Puro Sound Labs BT2200s

Strong Runner-Up
Close look at the Puro Sound Labs BT2200s (From: Amazon)
Close look at the Puro Sound Labs BT2200s (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 2 – 21 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth/Wired
  • Volume Limit: 85dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.33 lb
  • Battery: 20 hours

The Puro Labs BT2200s offer an outstanding balance of safety, durability, comfort, and noise isolation. Together, these features make the BT2200s a strong runner-up on this list.

The BT2200s are built with your kid’s safety in mind. These headphones boast a patent-pending Puro Balanced Response Curve, designed to tune out mid-bass noise for clearer, crisper sound.

This feature is accompanied by a volume limit of up to 85 dB so your child can still be safe while enjoying great sound quality with crisp, clear vocals and dynamic bass.

However, with only an 85dB volume limit, these headphones lack the versatility in volume limits that the iClever BTH12 have.

Furthermore, these headphones emphasize comfort in their design. They were created with removable on-ear cups, which can be switched to over-ear cups, depending on your child’s preference. These ear cups also provide passive noise isolation, making them a great companion for travel.

Another noteworthy highlight of this product is daisy chain sharing. This is a unique cable carrying a built-in audio splitter, which allows two headphones to connect to the same device for watching or listening together.

However, note that the BT2200s have a battery life of only around 22 hours. So, this might not be the best option for children who need to use their headphones wirelessly for long periods of time. Fortunately, the headphones do come with a detachable wire that can be used if your battery runs out.

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Zamkol Kids ZH100 Wireless Headphones

Best Budget
Close look at Zamkol Kids ZH100 Wireless Headphones (From: Amazon)
Close look at Zamkol Kids ZH100 Wireless Headphones (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 6 – 16 years old
  • Form Factor: Over-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Volume Limit: 85dB/95dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: No
  • Weight: 0.63 lbs
  • Battery: 40 hours

If you’re looking for protective, comfortable, functional headphones that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Zamkol Kids Wireless Headphones.

These headphones can be a good starting point for kids’ use, thanks to their comfortable design and built-in volume limits. Offering comfort and functionality at an affordable price, the ZH100 definitely deserve the title of the Best Budget Headphones on our list.

The ZH100 have variable volume limits: 85 dB and 95 dB. The higher limit allows your child to experience clearer, better sound during travel when there’s a lot of background noise. The lower limit, meanwhile, guarantees their ears’ safety as they use the headphones.

Though budget-friendly, the headphones don’t skimp on other key features. The plush padded ear pads and quick-adjust headband prioritize perfect fit and comfort. The adjustable metal sliders on the headband also add durability.

These headphones also offer passive noise cancellation through their over-ear pads for an improved listening experience.

The ZH100 are completely wireless, with a battery life of around 40 hours. They’re also foldable and portable, and come with a built-in microphone. This makes them easy to be carried on the go and used whenever, wherever.

However, there are features not available in this product compared to its pricier counterparts. For instance, the ZH100 do not come with a cable to allow optional use as a wired headset. They also do not support added features like audio sharing, and their overall sound quality is quite mediocre.

Interested in this product? Check out our in-depth review here: Zamkol ZH100 Review

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POGS ‘The Gecko’ Kids Headphones

Safest Choice
Close look at the POGS ‘The Gecko’ Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)
Close look at the POGS ‘The Gecko’ Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 3 – 12 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Volume Limit: 85dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.31 lbs
  • Battery: 12 hours

The POGS “The Gecko” Kids Headphones prioritize your child’s safety, above all. They are made with BPA-free, BFR-free, non-toxic, eco-friendly materials and are especially suitable for younger kids who tend to lick or munch on anything.

If you’re environment-conscious, you’ll also be happy to know that POGS try to use recycled materials where possible. The brand has sworn off single-use plastics, and has committed to zero-waste manufacturing, keeping kids’ safety as well as environmental protection in mind.

Additionally, The Gecko utilize hypoallergenic ear cushions for extra comfort. These ear cups also passively limit outside noise, preventing the need to increase the headphones’ volume.

The brand’s safety promise extends to your child’s hearing with SafeSound protection. This sets the headphones’ maximum volume to 85 dB, consistent with WHO standards.

Completely wireless, the headphones are built to reduce potential injuries from wired headsets. On the plus side, they come with a detachable cable for easier listening.

Despite its emphasis on comfort, The Gecko don’t skimp on other features, either. They deliver superior sound, which your kids can share with others through the 3.2 ft. POGlink cable. This wire comes in the box and connects different POGS headphones together for shared listening.

A downside to the POGS headphones, though, is their limited battery life. With only 12 hours of playback time, this may require multiple charges throughout the day after heavy usage. Fortunately, you only need 2 hours of charging time to get this device fully charged.

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CozyPhones Kids Headphones

Most Comfortable
Close look at CozyPhones Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)
Close look at CozyPhones Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 3 – 8 years old
  • Form Factor: Headband
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Volume Limit: 90dB
  • Microphone: No
  • Audio Share: No
  • Weight: 0.05 lbs

The Stoneburry CozyPhones are unique headphones that combine the practicality of earbuds with the comfortable fit of over-ear headphones. The soft fleece headband and cushioned ear pads eliminate the clamping force that regular headphones typically have, thus maximizing the comfort of your little ones.

These lightweight headphones are engineered with a soft, washable fleece headband worn around your kid’s head. At only 0.05 lbs, they don’t exert any weight or pressure on your child’s head, thus ensuring their utmost comfort.

The Stoneburry CozyPhones work such that the speakers are placed inside the fleece headband itself, thus removing the need for ear cups. As a result, your child will hear the audio from the part of the headband resting atop the ears.

Due to their form factor, these headphones have poor noise isolation. This may let ambient noise interfere with audio quality, thus forcing your kid to amp up the volume.

Interestingly, these headphones have a maximum volume of 90 dB. This is higher than the WHO-recommended threshold of only 85 dB. The additional 5dB is likely added to make up for the lack of sound isolation with this model.

The Stoneburry CozyPhones utilize a wired connection, which removes the need for extra materials that add weight and bulk to the device. The headphones’ cable is a 52-inch braided cord that’s kink, twist, and break-resistant under normal usage. These are compatible with most laptops, and phones and tablets with an audio jack.

CozyPhones also offer lifetime support for these headphones – which says a lot about their confidence in the product.

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LilGadgets Connect+ PRO

Most Durable
Close look at LilGadgets Connect+ PRO (From: Amazon)
Close look at LilGadgets Connect+ PRO (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 6+ years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Volume Limiting: Yes, 93dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.55 lbs
  • Battery: N/A

If your primary consideration in looking for kids’ headphones is longevity and durability, you can never go wrong with the LilGadgets Connect+ PRO. Made from top-shelf polycarbonate and reinforced stainless steel extenders, it’s no surprise they bagged the title of the Most Durable Headphones on our list.

The LilGadgets Connect+ PRO utilize a patent-pending design, which boosts their durability. The Connect+ PRO feature industrial-grade steel extenders that add toughness, allowing this product to withstand tumbling, dropping, and pulling. The use of polycarbonates also strengthens the headphones’ exterior for added protection.

Even the headphones’ cable has been designed, keeping sturdiness in mind. This 52-inch audio cable comes encased in premium braided nylon, ensuring it won’t break or come apart easily.

These headphones are the successors of the LilGadgets Kids Premium, which had a shorter 48-inch cable.

But don’t be fooled; durability isn’t the only facet these headphones excel at. The Connect+ PRO also value comfort. Fully adjustable, these can easily fit your child’s ears. Both the headband and ear cups are also padded for better cushioning, thus utilizing the brand’s trademarked SoftTouch fabric for a delicate feel and snug fit.

Furthermore, the Connect PRO+ have volume limits of 93 dB to protect your child’s hearing. These headphones also use passive noise isolation to reduce outside noise. The integrated SharePort technology, meanwhile, allows your little ones to share what they’re listening to with others.

Unfortunately, the headphones’ inline microphone and control button are built into the detachable cable. So if the cord breaks, you lose access to both features. On the upside, these cables are easily replaceable or upgradeable.

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Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets

Best for Travel
Close look at PuroQuiets (From: Amazon)
Close look at PuroQuiets (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 2 – 9 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Wired/Bluetooth
  • Volume Limiting: Yes, 85dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.37 lbs
  • Battery: Up to 23 hours with ANC (35 hours w/o ANC)

For traveling, you want a pair of headphones that have efficient noise cancellation, portability, and good battery life. Well, the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets tick all these boxes, earning the title of the Best for Travel Headphones on this list.

Engineered with active noise-cancellation (ANC), these headphones are perfect for blocking ambient noise during travel.

The perfect travel companion, PuroQuiets can negate as much as 78% (-22dB) of daily background noises. To maximize this functionality, the PuroQuiets also offer up to 35 hours of playtime without ANC, and 23 hours with ANC on. On standby, these headphones also boast up to 200 hours of battery, making them practical for long trips.

What’s more, the PuroQuiets also support playback through a 3.5mm audio cable if you want to avoid using Bluetooth. This can also extend your battery life drastically.

It’s worth noting that you will still need some battery to use the ANC, even in wired mode.

The PuroQuiets also have a lot to offer regarding safety and functionality. They come with a maximum volume of 85 dB for safe listening. They also allow audio sharing to other headphones or speakers, so your child can enjoy listening with others. Your child can also take calls on the go using the headphones’ built-in mic.

Unfortunately, the PuroQuiets’ unique cylindrical headband may cause the headphones to have a poor fit on your kid’s head. The ear cup’s diameter is also relatively small for over-ear headphones, so there’s a chance they’ll squish your kid’s ears.

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Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones

Best for Toddlers
Close look at Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)
Close look at Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 1 – 8 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Volume Limiting: Automatic to 85dB
  • Microphone: No
  • Audio Share: No
  • Weight: 0.4 lbs
  • Battery: N/A

The Kidrox Tiger-Ear Headphones offer a pair of visually-appealing headphones for kids with three different characters on the ear cups. They use wired connectivity with a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing the headphones to be super light at only 0.4 lbs.

These headphones set the maximum volume limit to 85dB to protect your kids’ hearing. Their small size and light weight make the Kidrox Tiger-Ear a perfect choice for toddlers. You’d be happy to know that the Kidrox Tiger-Ear are among a handful of options for headphones that can fit even 1-3-year-olds.

We all know toddlers love to chew on anything. But thankfully, the body of these headphones is made from BPA-Free, non-toxic material with soft on-ear cushions on each ear cup.

BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and resins since the 1950s. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it’s safe in very low levels – but better safe than sorry!

While these headphones are quite portable, they don’t have foldable hinges – which could be a hindrance to some on long travels. The volume limit is certainly great for kids’ safety, but poor noise isolation often causes ambient noise to drown out the sound.

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BuddyPhones School+ Wireless

Best for Online Classes
Close look at the BuddyPhones School+ Wireless (From: Amazon)
Close look at the BuddyPhones School+ Wireless (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 3 – 13 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Volume Limit: 75/85/94dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.37 lbs
  • Battery: 20 hours

The BuddyPhones School+ Wireless are the perfect companion for online classes. These headphones were created to ensure seamless use for school, with the included boom mic and the StudyMode feature.

The best thing about the School+ Wireless is the inclusion of a detachable boom mic. This allows for high-quality voice recording for your child’s group presentations and class participation. Furthermore, this mic uses passive noise suppression to cleverly pick up your child’s voice while minimizing background noises.

In addition, the headphones feature a patented StudyMode, which helps your kid concentrate better during class. This feature isolates voices from other sounds, making it easier for your child to listen clearly to the teacher. This also makes rewatching lessons easier and more engaging.

Apart from these study-oriented features, the School+ Wireless also incorporate 3 different volume limit settings: Toddler Mode, Kids Mode, and Travel Mode.

These settings feature limits of 74, 85, and 94 dB, respectively. These maximum volume levels ensure a fun but safe listening experience for your child.

The headphones come wireless by default, making it easier for your child to move around during class. With an average battery life of 20 hours, the School+ Wireless can certainly last a whole day’s worth of classes. They can also be worn for long hours, thanks to their comfortable and adjustable design.

Unfortunately, these headphones suffer in terms of build quality and durability. They’re on the flimsier side, so they must be handled with care.

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JLab JBuddies Play

Best for Gaming
Close look at the JLab JBuddies Play (From: Amazon)
Close look at the JLab JBuddies Play (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 6 years and up
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth
  • Volume Limit: 85dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: No
  • Weight: 0.33 lbs
  • Battery: 22 hours

The JLab JBuddies Play headphones offer features such as a boom mic, aptX codec, low-latency mode, and console compatibility, making it the perfect gaming companion.

Though designed with rich audio for gaming, the JBuddies Play still have built-in volume limits to protect your child’s hearing. Designed specifically for children, these are indeed the best gaming headphones for kids.

The headphones’ boom mic allows kids to communicate with their gaming companions clearly and easily. It is also retractable, so it’s easy to get out of the way when playing solo.

To upgrade your child’s gaming experience, the JBuddies Play also come with super-low 60ms latency for reduced sound delay. With the inclusion of aptX codec, these headphones deliver a seamless audio experience tuned expllicitly for gaming.

To top it, the JBuddies Play are compatible not only with PC and mobile, but even with other gaming consoles. With the included AUX console cord, your child can easily connect to PS4, Xbox, or Switch. The cord also allows quick, convenient access to the volume controls.

The JBuddies Play headphones also emphasize sound quality by increasing mid- to high-frequency audio for a more immersive gaming experience. But, despite this emphasis on sound, these headphones still operate at a maximum volume of 85 dB. This way, you won’t need to worry about noise-induced hearing loss, even when your child jacks up the game volume.

A downside to the JBuddies Play, however, is its build quality. The headphones may feel a bit flimsy, especially with materials mostly made from plastic.

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Notable Mentions

While the list above offers excellent options for your kids, it’s understandable to want to see what else is available in the market today. That’s why, here are some bonus options that didn’t quite reach the top ten but are still worth considering.

iClever HS19 Kids Headphones

Close look at iClever HS19 Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)
Close look at iClever HS19 Kids Headphones (From: Amazon)

Key features:

  • Connection: Wired
  • Volume limit switch: choose from 85dB or 94dB limit
  • Hypoallergenic ear cushions
  • Adjustable headband
  • Lightweight design
  • Multiple color combination options
  • Compatibility with most devices

iClever proves that it understands everything a kid needs in a pair of headphones. Nothing demonstrates this better than the iClever HS19 Kids Headphones, with all its kid-friendly characteristics.

The HS19 use two maximum volume limits. Depending on the activity, you can choose to either stay on the safe 85 dB limit or go slightly up to 94 dB. The latter is extra helpful when your kids need additional volume to mask ambient noise.

These headphones also support audio sharing. All your kids need to do is plug another set of headphones into HS19’s sharing port, and it’s all set. No splitters needed! Not to mention, with the use of a 3.5mm AUX input, the iCleverHS19 is compatible with most devices.

Lightweight and built with a flexible plastic frame with a thick cushion, the HS19’s headband is comfortable to wear, even after hours of use. These headphones are covered with vegan leather, making them safe even for kids with sensitive skin.

However, these headphones are lacking in terms of build quality. While the iClever HS19 has reinforced nylon cords that prevent tangling and can withstand various activities, the same can’t be said for the headband. The mostly-plastic headband won’t stand a chance against kids who treat their belongings quite roughly.

The good news is, the iClever HS19 come with up to 18 months warranty from iClever, and lifetime customer service support, should they break under your child’s care.

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BuddyPhones Explore+

Close look at BuddyPhones Explore+ (From: Amazon)
Close look at BuddyPhones Explore+ (From: Amazon)

Key features

  • Appropriate Age: 3 – 10 years old
  • Form Factor: On-ear
  • Connectivity: Wired
  • Volume Limit:85dB
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Audio Share: Yes
  • Weight: 0.23 lbs

The BuddyPhones Explore+ are another brand of kids’ headphones worth noting. These headphones are perfect for kids who enjoy bonding with others through listening.

With features such as a daisy-chain, which can accommodate up to 4 people, the Explore+ could be the best way for your kids to watch videos together without having to set up your home entertainment system.

You would be happy to know that the Explore+ has a set volume limit of 85 dB, as recommended by the WHO. This ensures your child and their friends can enjoy together without damaging their hearing.

Furthermore, the Explore+ are also made from certified BPA-free materials, making them suitable for kids with skin sensitivity. This also ensures the safety of toddlers and young ones who like licking or biting on their stuff.

These headphones are super light at only 0.23 lbs. They also come with sweat-wicking ear pad cushions, which are perfect if you have active little explorers. These ear pads are also built with soft protein PU leather for added comfort. Finally, the adjustable headband ensures they fit your child’s ears perfectly.

Unfortunately, the build quality and durability are likely issues with this pair. The Explore+ headphones’ plastic body feels thinner and flimsier than other products on this list. Additionally, the included cable isn’t braided and therefore prone to kinks – but it’s easily replaceable.

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Bonus: Best Headphones for Babies

In case you’re thinking about bringing your baby to a wedding, a party, or even when their brother or sister is playing an instrument at home, you’re on the right track. Even babies’ hearing should be protected.

Parents looking to do this could purchase ear muffs that do not play any sound to help protect their precious little one’s hearing against unnecessary noise.

Ear muffs are generally a better alternative to protect your baby’s hearing than noise-canceling headphones. Their smaller ear canals mean babies hear sounds much louder than adults, including the humming noise from headphones

If playing music is necessary, you can also look at our list of the best noise-canceling headphones for kids.

Baby Banz Earmuffs – Infant Hearing Protection

Baby Banz Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection

To protect your baby’s delicate ears, you want hearing protectors that aren’t only comfortable but can also provide effective noise reduction. With a noise reduction rating of 31 dB, the Baby Banz Earmuffs do this job well.

A well-known brand of children’s safety equipment, the Baby Banz have a proven track record in guaranteeing kids’ protection. These ear muffs effectively block out background noise for a peaceful sleep.

The Baby Banz Earmuffs are also lightweight for extra comfort and fit cozily on your infant’s ears. However, being lightweight, this product wasn’t made with the sturdiest, most durable materials. So, extra care must be taken to ensure this lasts your baby a long time.

Prince George with his ear muff
Prince George with his ear muff

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