Let your kids live out their rockstar dreams and enjoy hours of karaoke fun by getting them a versatile microphone for kids! Not sure you want to invest in a full-blown karaoke machine? A Bluetooth-enabled karaoke microphone for kids might be exactly what you’re looking for. Simply turn on the Bluetooth function and pair it with the device of your choice, then play music through your phone or with the help of a karaoke app, and you’re done!
That’s not all you can do with a modern microphone, though – they also function as a basic microphone your rising star can sing into as they imagine themselves at center stage, encouraging self-confidence and performing in front of others.
Which features should you look for in a microphone for kids? Can you use the microphone for karaoke? Check out our buyers’ guide below for tips on what to look for when choosing the best microphone for kids, read product reviews, and frequently asked questions, and check out our awards for the best microphones for kids in different categories.
If you want to expand on your kids’ musical prowess, consider taking a look at some of our other fun and melodic recommendations:
BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
Use it as a wireless microphone on its own, or use Bluetooth to connect to the device of your choice for singing karaoke. You can also play music and record your own voice.
Quick Safety Tips for Kids and Microphones
A microphone is a pretty safe toy to use with kids, but there are a couple of points to consider. The first is the volume of the music. Prolonged exposure to loud music can end up as hearing loss or tinnitus later in life, so find the volume control button on your microphone and teach kids how to use it. Set limits as to how loud the music is allowed to go (adult ears will thank you for this, too!).
Another potential danger comes from dropping the microphone. To avoid this, consider buying a lightweight yet sturdy microphone that can withstand some heavy use, but also won’t hurt little toes if they get something dropped on them.
Also, make sure that there are no loose pieces that can be removed from the microphone. This can potentially be a choking hazard, especially for toddlers.
Buyer’s Guide
Microphones aren’t really complicated toys overall, however, there are a few key features that you might want to consider before just getting one.
Budget
Set your budget first before you start browsing. There is a huge range of price points, so you’re sure to find something that appeals no matter your budget. Consider factors like how often the microphone will be used and how durable a product it is as well. For example, a kids’ toy microphone made out of plastic might break more easily if played with roughly than one made out of metal that costs a few dollars more. You might end up saving a bit of money in the long run by not having to buy a replacement.
Batteries
Check whether the microphone you’ve chosen has rechargeable batteries, or if it will require purchasing replacements. It’s also worth verifying how long the microphone will last on a single charge, and the average time it takes to fully charge, so you know what time the karaoke party will have to wind down. Hint: If you’re planning to give a microphone as a gift, especially to a younger child, it might be a good idea to open the package ahead of time so you can charge the battery and the toy can be used straight out of the box.
Versatile Capabilities
Karaoke microphones for kids have come a long way in recent years and, depending on the price point, can include tons of cool extra features and versatile capabilities. Many of them have Bluetooth capabilities, which allow them to connect to smartphone apps to play music straight from the microphone in addition to functioning as a straightforward mic.
Some will also have sound effects or voice-changing features, so you can sing with the voice of a robot, for example. Other features might include pre-programmed songs, noise reduction, built-in speakers, and elevated sound quality, but remember that with additional fancy features you’ll often see an increase in price as well. Figure out which features are must-haves for you, and which features are on the nice-to-have list.
Ease of Use
The sound quality doesn’t matter if you can’t figure out how to turn the darn thing on. With many features come many buttons, so when you’re choosing a microphone for kids consider whether or not you want them to be able to operate it by themselves.
If you’re buying a microphone for family karaoke parties this might not be necessary, but if you’ve got a young performer who wants to sing their heart out in front of the mirror every day, a microphone simple enough for a child to operate independently might be a huge plus. Look at photos of the product to see if buttons on the microphone are labeled, and read reviews to find out if other kids were able to handle operating the microphone on their own.
Durability
Durability is always a consideration when buying any children’s toy, and a microphone is no different. Popular toys that get heavy use are sometimes worth investing a little more money in order to buy a more durable option that will last for a long time and can handle rougher use, such as getting dropped frequently. If your children tend to be very gentle with their toys or the microphone will only be used occasionally, you might be able to get away with a cheaper option.
Metal is stronger than plastic, so metal microphones tend to last longer, but don’t write plastic off automatically – there are some very well-made options out there. You can help prolong the life of your kids’ microphone by following all instructions for use, keeping it away from water and any other liquids that might cause damage, and storing it carefully when not in use.
Audio Quality
Bells and whistles are great but the sound quality is what you’re here for! Look for features like background noise filters to make sure that the singer’s voice is all the audience will be hearing. Reviews from others who have purchased the mic are a great way to determine if others are satisfied with the audio quality.
LED Lights
Many karaoke microphones for kids come with fun built-in extras, such as LED lights. This is an easy way to elevate a karaoke performance, especially if the lights have additional features such as the ability to flash in time to the music. While flashing LED lights are not necessary to have for a microphone to work, they are a fun extra that can elevate a toy like this from ‘cool’ to ‘awesome’.
Bluetooth Capability
Many microphones these days have Bluetooth capabilities that allow you to hook up your microphone to a phone, tablet, or other device and play a backing track while you sing along. This can turn a simple microphone into a functional karaoke machine.
While Bluetooth functions are now a common feature, they’re not found on every microphone, so don’t assume that every microphone will have it. If this feature is a must-have for you, read the description carefully to be sure your chosen model has it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Karaoke Microphone for Kids?
If you’re purchasing a microphone specifically for karaoke, look for one that has features such as noise cancellation and built-in speakers. You can also look for a whole karaoke machine for kids to make the whole process more streamlined, and as a bonus, these machines sometimes come with more than one microphone so you can sing duets, too.
How Do I Charge My Kids’ Microphones?
Most of the microphones for kids on our list have rechargeable batteries and use standard USB charging cables. Simply plug one end of the USB charging cable into your microphone, and the other end into an adapter, then plug it into the wall. Charging times may vary depending on the model you have purchased, so check your manual if you have questions specific to your model.
Can a Condenser Mic Work for Karaoke?
While you can use a condenser mic for karaoke, they’re not ideal. Condenser mics tend to be a lot more sensitive at picking up background noise, are more likely to produce feedback, and are more fragile as well, so more likely to become damaged if dropped.
How Far Away From Your Mouth Should You Hold a Microphone?
This will depend on how loudly you are singing. If you’re singing at a quieter volume, hold the microphone closer to your face, around 6 inches away from your mouth. If you’re channeling Whitney or Adele and really belting it out, hold the microphone a bit further away, around 10 inches away from your mouth. This might vary depending on your specific microphone, so the best way to find out is through trial and error, but these distances should give you an idea of where to start.