If you’ve arrived here wondering what sets headphones for kids apart from regular headphones, you’ve certainly arrived at the right place! As an adult, buying a pair of headphones is relatively easy. In most cases, we will look for comfort and performance while trying to keep costs reasonable.
Things change when we need to buy headphones for kids though, there are more factors and safety regulations to think about before we go into making a purchase. We will talk more about that below, but first, here are the winners from our selection of the best headphones for kids.
The brand tries to offer a bass-forward audio experience while retaining clear mids and highs without going above 85dB.
Our Premium Award goes to the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Kids Headphones. Although wireless headphones aren’t recommended for toddlers, older kids will like this more ‘grownup’ looking headset. With studio-grade audio quality and a passive design that blocks up to 82% of ambient background noise, the BT2200 provides kids with clear and crisp sound. Even better is the long-lasting battery that goes up to 18 hours on a single charge, ensuring the fun never stops.
With smaller 32 mm drivers and a maximum audio output level of 85dB, the JBL JR 300 Headphones for Kids will provide loads of entertainment while ensuring safety. They designed their comfortable padded ear cups for smaller ears, and its limited features ensure parents are in control.
Our budget pick is the Snug Play+ Kids Headphones. They’re available in various colors and patterns and offer an affordable plug-and-play experience. Snug has gone all out here by including a foldable design that makes travel and storage easy.
The cushioned headband and soft ear cushions provide maximum comfort while putting out excellent audio quality. Although the Play+ does not have an in-line control or microphone, it’s a sure winner for those on a tighter budget.
Our Premium Award goes to the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Kids Headphones. Although wireless headphones aren’t recommended for toddlers, older kids will like this more ‘grownup’ looking headset. With studio-grade audio quality and a passive design that blocks up to 82% of ambient background noise, the BT2200 provides kids with clear and crisp sound. Even better is the long-lasting battery that goes up to 18 hours on a single charge, ensuring the fun never stops.
Most headphones for kids have a sound limitation to protect kids’ ears. However, our award for the safest headphones goes to the iClever HS14. Its build quality is unique in that it can be bent and crushed without damage. Choking hazards are a concern among little kids, and iClever has also tried to ensure that they made the tangle-free wire from a premium nylon fabric that is sturdy enough to withstand pulling and dragging. Whether your child has a knack for breaking things or they’re somewhat clumsy, the HS14 will protect them from themselves. Did we mention it also has outstanding sound quality and is a snug fit for all ages?
When are kids old enough for headphones?
There is no set age at which a child should be allowed to use headphones, but generally, ages four and up are appropriate. Headphones require some form of control, and you need to make sure your children understand the responsibility that goes along with them.
Headphones are not the most durable items, and a toddler could easily throw them onto the floor and break them. Sure, some headphones are more durable than others, but your child should not be using them as a toy. If your child can ask for headphones, then they are likely ready for them.
Are headphones safer than earbuds?
There’s a common myth that headphones can be regarded as safer than earbuds when looking at sound intensity. Earbuds fit directly into the ear canal, so some may assume the sound level will cause more hearing damage. However, this is false and means that buying any pair of headphones will not deal less damage. Over-ear headphones especially can lock sound in and have the same effect as an earbud would. It’s all about volume control and sound limitation when protecting your children’s ears.
Enjoy the Music and Protect Their Hearing
When we reach our mid-thirties, most of us will have some form of hearing loss compared to children. The reasoning behind this is that they have not yet been exposed to loud noises for an extended period of time.
When we mention loud noises, you’re likely thinking of all the possible sounds that may have depreciated your hearing over time. Maybe it was listening to the television and radio over the years. Perhaps it was general day-to-day life in a busy city, but in most cases, however, it is high levels of volume directed to your ear canal at close proximity. What do we keep near our ears for long periods of time? Well, the answer lies in the very thing you seek to buy today. Headphones can be the main culprit of hearing loss.
Don’t let this scare you; it doesn’t mean you’re going to go deaf anytime soon. As technology evolves, however, we have seen a new generation of entertainment arise. Most of us only had access to computers and headphones in our teen years. With the rise of tablets, smartphones, and smartwatches, our children have discarded their toys and want to traverse into the digital playground. As parents, it is our responsibility to make sure we protect them at all times and to ensure what we buy keeps their hearing healthy for many years to come.
Note
What is the recommended volume for headphones?
If your child wants to start listening to music or shows, then a pair of headphones below 85 decibels (dB) is a good starting point. Decibels are the measurement of sound and fluctuate depending on the type of thing you’re listening to.
Generally, a whisper would be around 30 dB, a conversation would be about 60 dB, a loud motorcycle engine would be 95 dB, and anything over 120 dB would cause immediate damage to your ears. Therefore, the trick when choosing headphones is to get something that is around 85 dB to provide enough performance for an enjoyable listening experience but doesn’t damage your ears over time. Statically, noise above 70 dB may damage your hearing if played for prolonged periods, so it is suggested that you keep listening times to a 1-hour maximum.
Headphones’ decibel values are not the only way you can ensure you protect your children against high volumes. Various apps can limit the actual volume on your device. Setting and locking your child’s tablet at 50 percent of the maximum volume will guarantee that safe listening levels stay consistent.
Features to Look for When Buying Headphones for Kids
01Build Quality
When looking at build quality in headphones, it is vital to consider three things: durability, flexibility, and comfort. The headset should be durable in that it doesn’t shatter when handled by kids. Try looking out for manufactures who use high-quality plastics, so the headset lasts a long time but is lightweight at the same time.
Secondly, the headphones should be flexible enough to conform to the shape of your head. Adjustable headbands and earcups that swivel are great at molding the headset for a custom fit. Finally, comfort is the most important part of the build. The earcups should be soft and padded to ensure breathability and sound isolation. The ear padding should keep the music inside and the background noise out.
02Drivers
If someone mentions the word drivers, you may think of computer software or your drivers’ license. However, when we’re speaking about audio, it is the component inside your headphones responsible for the sound. The general rule to follow is, the more drivers inside, and the larger they are in scale, the louder and clearer the listening experience will be. Most retailers will design drivers ranging anywhere from 40 mm to 50 mm. Since they geared the headphones above towards kids, they won’t be needing all that power anyway.
03Microphones and In-Line Controllers
Most headphones nowadays have built-in microphones and in-line controllers. These nifty little buttons will allow you to control the volume of your headphones and mute your microphone when needed. If your child wants to use their headphones to answer calls and speak to their friends online, be sure that it has a microphone. Additionally, if you’d like to prevent any online communication, then buying a pair of headphones without a microphone will be an excellent step towards stopping your child from speaking to strangers altogether.
04Compatibility
Before making your headphone purchase, essential to make sure it can connect to the device, your child intends to use. Some headphones have an audio splitter that comes with an audio and microphone connection that is separate. These will not fit into your standard iPhone so make sure you get one with a 3.5mm connection. However, these splitters are pretty easy to spot and usually have a green and pink band on the connector.
On the other hand, 3.5 mm is an industry-standard for all computers, smartphones, and tablets. The only downside to the 3.5 mm connection is that your microphone will not work on a PC. Whatever the case may be, just be aware that headphones can come with anything ranging from USB to 3.5mm support, and not all devices will work out of the box.
05Brands and Warranty
Well-known brands will often charge higher prices for headphones that offer the same performance as cheaper competitors. As a consumer, you will always want to get high quality and within a budget price if possible. There are multiple headphone manufactures, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish if you’re getting real value for money. Therefore, when buying your kids a pair of headphones, make sure it comes with some form of a warranty. These warranties can shield against manufacturing defaults or guarantee some form of durability. Your kids will use the headphones every day, so make sure you can get at least six months out of them.
06Frequency
Brands like to advertise high-frequency ranges as a highlight of their headphone’s specifications. Frequency relates to sound and is measured in hertz or Hz. Generally, the higher or broader the frequency range, the higher the probability the headphones will replicate the audio as intended by the creator. So, what is a good frequency range, you may ask?
Well, statistically, the human hearing range is around 20 to 20 000 Hz. The lows are about 20 to 250 Hz, the mids are in the 250 to 4000 Hz region, and the highs or treble make up the remaining 20 000Hz. Now, if a brand goes advertising, they offer a 50 000 Hz experience for your child, don’t be fooled as they likely won’t be able to hear that anyway. However, a broader frequency range does mean more detail in the audio separation.
07Wired or Wireless Headphones
When deciding to go wired or wireless, this all comes down to personal preference. If you’re buying a pair of headphones for younger kids, we would advise you to go with wired. Wireless headphones are often more expensive and can introduce audio delay and compatibility issues. Additionally, they will also require charging and will not be a plug-and-play experience. Children will then have to be even more responsible to ensure that their headphones are always charged up and ready for use.
However, on that note, wireless headphones for kids do provide better mobility and freedom. If your child is old enough and has had their fair share of headphones, then wireless will be the next step to elevate their listening experience.
08Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation headphones for kids are sometimes marketed as ‘ambient noise reduction, allowing the sound to stay inside the headset and keep background noise out. Most over-ear headphones are also ‘closed-back and will result in less sound leakage. Be wary of ‘open-back designs because they may appear as headphones, but the earcups are not entirely sealed. These kinds of headphones allow you to listen to your surroundings but come at the disadvantage of everyone hearing what you’re listening to. For purposes of this list, we have only included closed-back headphones for kids.
