The Best Headphones for Kids in 2023 - MusicCritic (2024)

Headphones For Kids Buyers Guide

What to look for when buying kids Headphones?

You’re not buying headphones for yourself, so it might be more difficult to figure out what is important. You want a pair that your kids are going to love, but you also want to make sure that the headphones meet your expectations. The sound quality should be good, so your kids can listen to any type of audio. They should be comfortable for long listening, and they should be durable with some extra safety features included.

The way kids use headphones is slightly different from the way adults do. They tend to be a little rougher on things and, as a result, tend to break them. Children listen to different music and audio and watch different movies. Maybe you don’t need to have a product that focuses on rich enhancements and advanced innovation.

We have put together a short guide to answer some frequently asked questions. If you still have any uncertainties, read on so we can help clear things up.

Safety

It may actually seem a little unnatural to put headphones on a young child. Most of us didn’t wear headphones when we were young, so it may be a little difficult to wrap our minds around it. Headphones that are designed specifically for kids are a little different from adult engineered versions. Many contain food-safe materials, tangle-proof cords, and adjustable headbands - all for easy listening.

Also, many come equipped with volume limitations to keep the volume under a safe level. You can rest assured that the volume will never be too loud. Many parents find headphones really useful when traveling to help keep the kids happy with a movie or a show. Many also have noise-cancellation technology, so loud droning sounds like plan engines won’t be annoying or scary for kids.

Safety should be at the top of your list. Kids' headphones are designed a little differently; protecting their ears when listening is a high priority. The sound quality, comfort, and style are all add-ons when it comes to the features of a good set of kids' headphones. As long as the headphones are made with food-safe materials and the volume won’t damage the eardrums, even when listening for a long time, you can be confident that they will meet your needs.

Ease of use

Kids' headphones are designed with ease in mind as well. Wireless headphones have easy connectivity and compatibility. A good wireless set will have a good Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth 5 is the best connectivity for wireless headphones, but you can go a little lower. Great wireless earphones won't skip or disconnect, no matter what you're listening to.

Kids headphones are as easy to use as any headphones designed for adults. Kids these days are very technologically intuitive. They will be able to figure out how to use their new headphones really quickly, wireless or not. The amount of time you’ll need to spend helping out will be minimal.

Quality

Kids' headphones are built to the same standard as headphones for adults. In fact, kids tend to be a little bit harder on their products. As a result, companies have compensated by adding materials that will stand up to a little more abuse. Kids headphones tend to be stuffed in seatbacks and bags when traveling, so they have to be able to withstand the pressure.

No matter how old you are, good sound quality will make a difference. In the best kids' headphones, more important is the noise-cancellation technology. Anytime outside noise can be drowned out is a plus. That way, if they're wearing them on the road or listening while studying, outside distractions can be kept where they need to be.

Versatility

Most kid-friendly headphones are designed to fit children of many different sizes. Kids grow fast, so when making a purchase, versatility is important. You want to make sure that you’re not going to be replacing the pair of headphones when they go through a growth period. Along with designs that are more modern and teenager friendly, the sound quality will become more important as kids get older and start listening to more music.

Many headphones for kids are made to be suitable for children as young as three up to age 16. Adjustable headphones mean that as your kids grow, the headphones will fit them at any stage of life - they'll never have to stop listening.

Conclusion

It ought to be pretty easy to find a pair of headphones that are suitable for your kids. All of the picks on our list would make a good fit, depending on what you're looking for. We have tried to cover all bases in terms of age, style, and use of the headphones. The best kids' headphones these days are really impressive. Your kids will love listening with them as much as you’ll love the quiet.

Expert Tip

Going with wireless connectivity can be a huge advantage. As wireless earphones don't have wires, that's one less thing to trip over; it keeps the safety factor at a high. Most wireless earphones have battery lives that are really impressive. Whenever the battery dies, you can always reconnect your wireless headphones with a cable.

Did you know?

Kids eardrums don’t mature until ages 6-8. Until this age, kids are more susceptible to infections. The volume is especially important. At age 6-8, most kids' eardrums have matured to the level that they will stay at for the rest of their life.

If you've enjoyed this review by Music Critic, please leave a positive rating:

  • 5/5
  • 3 ratings

3 ratingsX

Very bad!BadHmmmOkeGood!
0%0%0%0%100%
The Best Headphones for Kids in 2023 - MusicCritic (2024)

FAQs

Can a 12 year old use headphones? ›

It can be safe for a child to use headphones or earbuds, depending on a combination of volume, listening duration, and the size of the ear canal. One song played at high volume will not likely damage a child's hearing.

How to choose headphones for kids? ›

The majority of kids' headphones tend to be more compact on-ear models. On-ear headphones are typically not as comfortable as over-ear headphones (also called around-ear headphones), but on-ear headphones can be better for younger kids with smaller heads. Smaller headphones are also more travel friendly.

What are the best wireless headphones for kids? ›

Our Top 6 Picks
  • EarFun K2 Kids. Best Value. Jump To Details. ...
  • Happy Plugs Play. Most Grown-Up Design. Jump To Details. ...
  • Onanoff BuddyPhones PlayEars+ Best for Animal Lovers. ...
  • JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless. Best for Bass Response. ...
  • Onanoff BuddyPhones School+ Best Mic Quality. ...
  • Onanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun. Best for Personalization.
Nov 21, 2023

Do headphones help kids with ADHD? ›

Though ADHD varies from person to person, being easily distracted by noises could be a part of a person's symptom profile, Kendra Mathys, PsyD, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, told Health. “If external noises are a distraction, being able to minimize that with noise-canceling headphones could be helpful,” she said.

Can 7 year olds use headphones? ›

The World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union recommend children listen to devices at no higher than 75 decibels for no longer than 40 hours a week. However, many products marketed as 'Kid Safe' do not limit the volume to 75 decibels.

What age should kids get AirPods? ›

Some elementary schools have banned AirPods, arguing that they cause students to become distracted and can help them cheat on tests. Ultimately, Apple says there's no age recommendation for AirPods, and it's up to parents to draw the line.

Are Bluetooth headphones OK for kids? ›

Wireless Headphones and Hearing Health in Children

Children who listen to music or programs at the maximum volume levels in headphones are at particular risk of hearing damage. Once hearing level is impaired, it can never be medically or surgically corrected.

Why do kids wear noise cancelling headphones? ›

Noise reduction headphones reduce the actual noise level (decibels) that the ears process but does not completely eliminate noise altogether. For children with auditory sensitivities, this enables them to participate in potentially loud environments without being overstimulated by the sounds around them.

What are the best headphones for tweens? ›

JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless In-Ear Headphones

These ear-buds are a good choice for tweens and teens who are looking for an affordable option. They have a secure fit and are sweatproof, making them ideal for active use. They also have a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.

Should kids use earbuds or headphones? ›

The age of students is an important factor to consider when deciding between headphones and earbuds. For younger students, most earbuds don't fit comfortably in their ears, and their volume levels can be unsafe. It is recommended to choose over-ear or on-ear headphones for kids in third grade and below.

Are JBL earbuds good for kids? ›

JBL Safe Sound

Quality sound has no age, but you want to be sure your kids are safe while having fun. With a maximum volume set under 85dB, they're free to enjoy JBL quality sound, safely.

Does Bose make headphones for kids? ›

The BOSEbuild headphones will be available on June 15, 2018 at build.bose.com for $149. The headphones are intended for kids ages 8 and older. More details and information can be found on the BOSEbuild site.

What age can kids use adult headphones? ›

There is no specific age recommended for most headphones or headsets, however it's important to consider your child's age and development. Loud music or noises can cause damage to the developing inner ear of younger children.

What age are pogs for? ›

POGS headphones are designed for kids from the age of 3 years and older.

What age should a kid get a VR headset? ›

Generally speaking, most VR headsets are not designed for children under the age of 13, and there's a variety of reasons: a child's eyesight is still developing, VR can make even some adults feel motion sickness, and there's not enough research yet about the long-term effects for children.

Are VR headsets bad for kids under 12? ›

Virtual Reality (VR) headsets can be unsafe for children. Sony recommends that its PlayStation VR headset users be aged 12 and above. Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR have an age recommendation of 13+. Virtual reality (VR) is a fast-growing technology, one that is becoming particularly popular amongst teens and kids.

Are noise Cancelling headphones good for children? ›

If your child tends to have sensitivity to sound, you can always try allowing him or her to use headphones to help cancel out some of that noise. Trying something like this could have a very positive effect on the child's stress level and ability to function on other tasks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 5616

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.