The Best Headphones for Kids in 2024
When it comes to providing your children with the perfect headphones for their music, classes, or gaming, choosing the right pair is crucial. With features like limited volume control and a snug fit, standard headphones just won't cut it. Fortunately, there's a wide array of options out there, but making a final decision can be a bit overwhelming.
To help you out, we've put together a list of the best kids' headphones of 2024, starting with the PowerLocus in vibrant blue. Check out more headphones for kids below to find the perfect fit for your little ones.
The Best Headphones for Kids
PowerLocus Kids Bluetooth Headphones
Best Overall
The PowerLocus kids headphones are multifunctional and easy to travel with. Designed with colorful LED lights, they add a fun, exciting flair to capture your kids’ attention. The headphones are the ideal wired and wireless option for kids. They come with a 3.5 mm audio cable for plug-and-play or a Bluetooth option without the need for wires.
On top of their nice design, these headphones are power-packed with features. They come with a 94db volume limit for safety and are equipped with Micro SD/TF mode and a built-in mic with crystal-clear sound. Furthermore, they are built to last, with adjustable sides and comfortable ear pads, and fold easily for storage or when on the go. All these features coupled with Hi-Fi stereo sound quality make these headphones a must-have for any child and the best overall choice on our list.
LilGadgets Kids Headphones
Most Lightweight
Get your kids through any terribly long plane ride with these premium headphones for kids from LilGadgets. Though they are sized for children ages 3-8, don’t knock the high-quality tech inside. The max volume can reach 93 decibels and the 40-millimeter drivers have a range of 20Hz to 20kHz, so your kid will get only the best sound quality and connections.
Compatible with all Apple and Android devices and most other devices with a headphone jack, these headphones are prepared to work with any gadget you have. If you have more than a few little ones at home, they can connect both of their LilGadgets headphones and share music and videos with SharePort technology.
Noot Foldable Wired Headset
Most Durable
Designed for kids aged 3 to 16, these headphones are very easy to handle. The padded soft cushions ensure a comfortable fit., and you can adjust the headphones on any head size with the help of the adjustable headband. For easy storage, these can also be folded!
The audio quality of these headphones is crisp and clear. With a max volume of 93dB (which is more than sufficient!), the comfortable ear cushion blocks outside noise – further limiting the need to turn the volume up to dangerous levels. These headphones are compatible with most devices.
iClever Kids Headphones
Best Design
The iClever HS14 headphones for kids are a great choice for everyday use, especially if you don’t want your kids to be listening to music at harmful volumes. These headphones have a volume limit of 94dB, but with the clear audio quality you wouldn’t need to go above 85 dB. Equipped with a stylish mic, they’re ideal for voice calls and compatible with almost all devices.
The dual sound stage drivers on the headphones ensure a more powerful performance. With the hypoallergenic ear cushions making them comfortable to wear, these have been built with premium material for maximum durability. Capable of withstanding impact without getting damaged, the lightweight frame is cushioned with plush, vegan leather and is flexible enough to fit most head sizes.
JBL JR 300 Headphones for Kids
Most Comfortable
Lightweight and designed just for kids, the crisp audio quality allows even the youngest of music listeners to experience a great listening experience. These feature a soft, cushioned padding that helps prevent noise leakage. With the simple control scheme being well-suited for young listeners, the 85 dB volume limiter ensures you don’t need to worry about ear damage.
These headphones come with a sticker set that allows kids to personalize and decorate the headphones according to their liking. With a frame made from high-quality plastic with faux leather padding, the fit of these headphones is fairly stable and doesn’t come off even after vigorous moving. Another plus? These headphones are available in three fun colors!
Elecder i41 Kids Headphones
Best Sound Quality
Last but not least, the Elceder i41 headphones are known for their excellent sound effect and powerful bass. Their adjustable design makes them suitable for both children and adults, and the lightweight design allows users to rock to all their favorite tunes free of pressure on the ears. The soft earmuffs not only make these earphones comfortable to wear but block background noise to promote a more immersive listening experience.
These headphones plug into any device with a 3.5mm jack. With its gracious cord length and tangle-free operation, these come with an in-built mic that eliminates the need to use a separate audio input device with these headphones.
Headphones for Kids: A Buyer’s Guide
To pick the most ideal headphones for kids successfully, you should consider the following factors:
Mic functionality
If you are getting headphones for your kid for gaming or virtual schooling purposes, you might want to look for headphones with a microphone. These allow your kids to engage and respond in the virtual class without using the in-built mic function on their laptop or tablet.
To ensure best buying practices, you might want to test the quality of the mic to ensure that it delivers clear, crisp audio without lag or interference.
Volume control
Loud volume can damage ears, especially those of kids. Headphones that come with a volume control feature allow you to increase or decrease the volume according to your liking.
Because all headphones come with volume control, this is one feature that you must keep in mind while buying a pair of headphones for your kids.
Design
Kids are usually more interested in the design of the headphone more than anything else. Headphones with a cool design usually make them happier than the ones with a dull and boring design, so make sure you pick something that’s exciting and flashy.
Luckily, these days you can easily find colorful headphones in the market – and some even come in 3D printed designs.
Durability
Since headphones for kids can be expensive, you must choose the model that offers good value for money. For that, you must check the durability of the headphones. Unfortunately, kids are not that careful with handling electronic gadgets – making it all the more important to pick a model that is designed to withstand heavy-duty use.
You should also pay importance to their overall quality and build. If you plan to purchase them online, you should check the customer’s reviews and ratings to get a better idea about the quality. It’s best to look for a product that comes with a warranty.
Fit
Some headphones can be very tight and uncomfortable to wear. Since kids’ ears tend to be sensitive, wearing headphones for long hours can irritate their skin. Hence, you must look for headphones with a comfortable fit.
One major feature that determines the fit of the headphones is the padding they feature. Padded ear cups help reduce the pressure on the ears, allowing your kids to use the headphones for hours without their ears hurting.
Ear cups featuring memory foam padding are usually the most comfortable on ears. And when it comes to the material covering the ear cups, it should be known that leather ear cups tend to run hot if exposed to direct sunlight – making it important to opt for headphones with a breathable fabric.
Audio quality
The audio quality of your headphones is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a set of headphones. This is because the audio quality determines how crisp and clear the audio being delivered is.
When it comes to wired and wireless headphones, the difference in sound will heavily depend on the brand quality. Different brands design their headphones with different EQ levels, and wired headphones tend to deliver a better sound quality since cabled headphones have higher kbps. To pick headphones with high audio quality, try to purchase headphones from a reputable brand.
Waterproof
Though not essential, this feature can still be very useful to have. The waterproof feature in headphones ensures that the headphones don’t get damaged if your kid accidentally spills water or any other liquid on them. Other than this, waterproof headphones are also far less likely to be damaged from sweat – making this a feature that ultimately increases the overall durability of the set.
In-Ear Headphones vs Over-the-Ear Headphones
Headphones are classified into two different types: over-the-ear headphones and in-ear headphones. Each type has its own pros and cons.
In-ear headphones are smaller in size than over-the-ear headphones, hence why these are more portable and can be easily carried in your bag. On the downside, smaller-sized headphones might not be the most suitable choice for kids as they can lose them easily or step on them without knowing.
Since these headphones are designed to fit in the ear, they can be uncomfortable for kids with sensitive ears.
Over-the-ear headphones are usually easier to take care of, and unlike earpods your child is less likely to lose track of them due to their large size. Featuring a soft cushioning that makes them much more comfortable to wear, they’re unfortunately not as are not portable and can be a hassle to carry.
Wired v. Wireless Headphones
Both over-the-ear headphones and in-ear headphones can be either wireless or wired. If you know you’re looking for one feature over the other, then you’ll want to check the product description prior to purchasing.
Wireless headphones need to be connected to Bluetooth to function. These are a great option if the device your kid is going to pair the headphones with has Bluetooth capability. These allow your kid to move around freely with the earphones on.
Keep in mind, however, that wireless headphones need to be charged for use. You must look for wireless headphones with long battery life, and some wireless headphones also feature quick charging which can be a useful feature to have.
Wired headphones, on the other hand, limit the mobility of your kid. On the flip side, these don’t need to be charged. Operation is as simple as plugging it into a compatible device, and since these use analog signals they usually deliver better audio quality!
FAQ
A: To protect your kids from damaging their ears from listening to high music, try to limit the time your kids spend wearing headphones. Also, make sure that they don’t listen to music above the volume of 85dB. The best way to do this is to pick headphones with a lower volume range.
A: Noise cancellation headphones reduce any background noise that might cause disturbances in the audio you are listening to on the headphones. This makes them a great choice for studying, as you can focus better with soft music playing in the background. If you're unsure if your headphones are noise canceling, you can always check the product description for further details or contact the manufacturer.
A: Yes! Headphones are safe for toddlers so as long as you are using the right size, low volume, and comfortable fitting headphones. You should also limit the time your kids use the headphones as listening to loud audio for longer durations of time can damage their ears.
A: As a general rule of thumb, you can clean your headphones by rubbing a small microfiber cloth at and around the exterior of the headpieces. To kill bacteria and eliminate sweat, you can spray a very thin layer of disinfectant spray.