Headphones are considered a must-have school item for many children, akin to a laptop. The best headphones for kids need to fit comfortably, so they acquiesce to wearing them, but a children’s pair must also deliver quality sound at a safe decibel level. A number of organizations, including the World Health Organization, point out the impact that exposure to loud sounds can have on hearing and hearing loss. So it’s especially important to look for those with volume limits, like the JLab JBuddies Pro or Skullcandy Grom, whether the pair is for school, airplane rides or movie streaming at home.
The best headphones for kids fit comfortably and have volume limiters to help protect your child’s ... More hearing.
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It’s super important for parents to monitor their child’s headphone volume levels. “Most headphones specifically marketed for kids have volume limiters built in to prevent excessive sound levels,” says Dr. Michael Rothschild, a pediatric ENT. “Be careful to check this function by listening yourself. Not all limiters are created equal, and some cheaper models don’t deliver the safety that they claim.”
With those guidelines in mind, here are the best headphones for kids that suit a variety of needs and preferences.
JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless Over-Ear Kids Headphones
Battery life: 35 hours | Wireless: Yes | Noise canceling: No | Case: No | Earcup style: Over ear | Volume limiter: Yes (85/95 decibels)
Pros:
Comfortable fit
Long battery life
Durable
Cons:
May be too big for kids 7 and younger
Limited color options
These JBuddies Pro Wireless Over-Ear kids headphones are supremely comfortable, durable and come with all the necessary features at an easier-to-stomach price tag. These JBuddies are designed for older kids, starting around age 8 and up, so they might be too big on younger kids. They include a shareport, easy controls, a cable and aux port for plugging in, built-in mic and yes, the all-important 85 decibel volume limiter. There is a switch on one of the earcups that allows a parent or wearer to increase the volume output to 95 decibels, which isn’t ideal for those concerned about hearing loss, but the switch is a bit hard to reach. They’re adjustable and fold in half, too. Colors are limited to just two options.
Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala says her older kids rely on these headphones, using them for everything from school to plane rides to listening to music and movies on their iPads. They much prefer the over-ear, comfortable and adjustable fit of these earcups to their previous set of Puro Sound Labs BT2200s. “They love these,” she says. “I never have to fight with them to put them on, and they never complain about their ears hurting as they’ve done with other pairs.” Sala confirms that her kids have squished these into overloaded backpacks and yet, they’ve held up without issue.
Some users have connectivity issues after long use
May feel too tight to sensitive kids
Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Plus volume-limiting Bluetooth headphones for kids have 20 hours of battery time, volume limiting to 85 decibels, one-touch Bluetooth pairing and daisy chain sharing (the built-in audio splitter enables two headphones to connect to the same device). A built-in microphone and optional cable is included, too. All of these features add up to a pretty spectacular total package, giving them a higher price, but one that might be worth splurging on.
These Puros can feel a bit snug to some and might be better for younger or smaller children. You might consider purchasing Puro’s over-the-ear cup add-ons if your children complain.
These headphones feel high-quality, but Sala says her family ran into some quality issues with the three pairs they owned over the years, including connectivity and sound. It’s worth noting that Puro Sound Labs is a small, family-owned business that was started with the one of the family’s daughters, Niki Russell, who has noise-induced hearing loss.
Best Value Headphones For Kids
Great Headphones For A Fraction Of The Cost
Amazon
Powmee M2 Kids Headphones
Battery life: N/A | Wireless: No | Noise canceling: Yes | Case: No | Earcup style: On ear | Volume limiter: No
Pros:
No battery to recharge
Smaller fit for younger kids
Padded earcups and headband
Cons:
No noise limiter
The name of the game with the Powmee M2 kids headphones is value—getting a lot for a reasonable price. They retail for less than $15 and can often be found on sale in various color options. The smaller size and lightweight nature of the headphones mean they’re suitable for kids ages 3 and up. While the wired 3.5mm jack might be a negative to some, the tethered connection means that these headphones never need to be recharged and are ready to be used day after day. They fold up so they can be packed away more easily, and folding the padded earcups inward provides a place to wrap the cord to keep it tidy. Despite the low price, the Powmee M2 headphones have a low return rate and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 10,000 reviews.
Best Kids Headphones For School
Extra Long Battery Life And Built-In Mic Make Them Ideal
Skullcandy
Skullcandy Grom Wireless Kid's Headphones
Battery life: 45 hours | Wireless: Yes | Noise canceling: No | Case: No | Earcup style: On ear | Volume limiter: Yes (85 decibels)
Pros:
Extra-long battery life and fast quick-charge
Can be used wired or wirelessly
Audio sharing feature
Cons:
May not appeal to older kids
The Skullcandy Grom wireless kid's headphones work great for school and learning-related tasks because they're so versatile. They can be used wired or wirelessly to adapt to different types of school devices such as tablets or Chromebooks over the years. (They're great for non-school tasks, too.)
Used wirelessly, the Grom headphones feature an impressive 45 hours of battery life. They can also be quick-charged in ten minutes to get four hours of power. This article's coauthor, Tyler Hayes, has had his kids try the headphones, and both his 11-year-old and 13-year-old said they were comfortable once they got the headband adjusted right. These headphones are geared for kids ages 6 and up, but they even fit his head, too. As a parent, he really likes the simplified on-board volume and media controls that make it easy for his kids to use these immediately. There is an 85 decibel volume limiter, but it can be overridden for loud situations like on an airplane, if need be.
Best Gaming Headphones For Kids
Premium Gaming Features Without A Premium Price
Best Buy
Razer Blackshark V2 X Wired Gaming Headset
Battery life: N/A | Wireless: No | Noise canceling: Yes | Case: No | Earcup style: Over ear | Volume limiter: No
Pros:
Supported across all gaming consoles and computers
Comfortable padding
Audio sharing feature
Cons:
Not wireless
No volume limiter
The Razer Blackshark V2 X headphones are a great gaming option to give kids a premium experience without breaking the bank. They have the specific gaming features that many older kids want, but one of the ways these headphones keep their price down is by forgoing the wireless option. These still work great with a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation or even gaming on an iPad. Hayes' 13-year-old son is a big fan of the ultra thick padding around the ears and across the headband. There’s a dedicated mute button as well as a volume knob for ease-of-use. The microphone quality also gets high marks from his son, who relies on its use while playing Fortnite.
Sharing capabilities; two kids can listen simultaneously
Can be used with or without the wire
Cons:
Slightly louder than other kid models
Not the most durable
LilGadgets Untangled Pro Wireless Kids Headphones are designed for kids age 4 and older with comfort in mind. The ear pads and adjustable headband have a breathable mesh material, and the ear pieces flex to accommodate different fit preferences. We love that these include a “Shareport,” so two kids can listen to one device at once from their own headphones without specialized cables. The Untangled Pro comes with a 4-foot nylon braided audio cable with inline microphone for wired use as needed.
We should point out that the volume of these headphones is limited to 93 decibels, which is louder than other headphones on this list, so you may want to monitor the volume to maintain safe listening. Also, Sala says her kids broke two pairs of LilGadgets wired kids headphones in short order, so durability may be an issue for some with these.
In addition to a host of features that make Buddyphones Cosmos+ headphones a great choice for kids of all ages, this pair is our top pick for toddlers due to a "Toddler Mode" setting that limits volume output to 75 decibels, the lowest of any of the headphones on this list. Parents can also adjust that switch to 85 decibels in "Kids Mode" for older children, as well as up to 94 decibels for louder environments.
The soft ear cushions are comfortable for young kids and active noise canceling minimizes further external volume and noise. The adjustable boom microphone and Studymode switch come in handy for older kids. According to the brand, Studymode “isolates voices and enhances the clarity, making them ideal for online classes.” These kid headphones come in an array of colorful hues that feature cute cartoon characters like a lion or pirate.
Best Kids Headphones For Teens
For Teenage Taste With Up To 50 Hours Of Listening Time
Beats
Beats Solo 4 Wireless Headphones
Battery life: 50 hours | Wireless: Yes | Noise canceling: No | Case: Yes | Earcup style: On ear | Volume limiter: No
Pros:
Long battery life
Quick charging available for short-term use
Adjustable earcups
Cons:
No volume limiter
Teens appreciate the sleek design and elevated specs of Beats Solo 4 wireless Bluetooth headphones. With a battery life up to 50 hours, they can enjoy extended use between charging sessions. When the battery does get low, the “Fast Fuel” option let you get five hours of playback time after only 10 minutes of charging. In addition to delivering excellent sound, these headphones are equipped to take calls and activate Siri via on-ear controls. The controls are a bit more advanced when compared to more kid-oriented headphones, too. There’s playback (two presses to skip forward, three to skip backward), as well as pause. The cushioned earcups are adjustable, and the headphones are foldable. Beats Solo 4 headphones are available in multiple colors.
Note to parents: Beats Solo 4 headphones do not have a built-in volume limiter. They soar over 100 decibels. If you don’t think your teen is mature enough to follow safe hearing guidelines, consider another pair. You can also look to limit volume in the iPhone's Settings app.
A number of the kids headphones on our list include passive noise cancellation or noise isolation by physically blocking some of the external noise simply by covering the ear. However, active noise-canceling (ANC) is a more sophisticated technology that relies on microphones and speakers to detect and neutralize external sound by creating and playing back another sound wave that results in a quieter, easier sound for the wearer.
These PuroQuiet-Plus headphones for kids include that active noise-canceling feature, so parents can simply flick a switch and bring the background noise sound down about 22 decibels, with 78% noise isolation. This makes these headphones an ideal pair for travel. The volume limiter ensures output is limited to a maximum of 85 decibels. In addition to these safety features, PuroQuiets have one-touch Bluetooth pairing with most devices, a built-in microphone, a 30-foot range, a long battery life and daisy chain sharing via a built-in audio splitter.
Best Ear And Hearing Protection For Kids
A Hefty Set Of Earmuffs To Protect Young Ears
Amazon
Vanderfields Kids Ear Protection Earmuffs
Battery life: N/A | Wireless: N/A | Noise canceling: No | Case: No | Earcup style: Over ear | Volume limiter: N/A
Pros:
Budget-friendly
Durable
Comfortable fit
Cons:
Ear protection only
There are many instances when wearing ear protection is a must for children, from concerts to travel. Vanderfields Kids Ear Protection earmuffs, designed for 3-year-olds and up, provide passive noise canceling and sound reduction, meaning they physically reduce external sounds by covering the child’s ears. The headphones have a signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of 26 decibels and a noise-reduction rating (NRR) of 20 decibels. They’re durable, adjustable and foldable.
Reviewers generally praise the fit and comfort of the memory foam padding on the headband and ears. Keep in mind that these are earmuffs, not headphones, so you can’t play music or otherwise listen to anything on them. In some extra noisy situations, you may want to layer in additional protection, the manufacturer warns. Take a look at Healthy Hearing for a helpful breakdown of some decibel levels of common sounds from sirens to fireworks shows.
Coauthor Tyler Hayes updated this story, using his kids’ experience and his more than 12 years of reviewing consumer audio tech. He has personally put the Skullcandy Grom, Beats Solo 4 and Razer BlackShark V2 X headphones on his head to give them a spin.
Margaret Badore is an experienced product tester and the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vettted. She oversees this article.
We investigated the risks of hearing damage that headphones impose, and spoke with Dr. Michael Rothschild, clinical professor of otolaryngology and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, about the best headphones for kids.
Finally, we monitor new releases and review this article regularly to ensure we provide the best and most accurate information possible. It was last checked for accuracy and updated in August 2024.
How We Chose The Best Headphones For Kids
After consulting with a doctor and reviewing the medical literature, we surveyed the market and evaluated dozens of popular headphone pairs to see if they met our standards.
Dozens of kid-specific headphones were considered for this list, in addition to the tens of more general headphone options that may work for kids.
We curated this list based on a great deal of criteria including safe decibel limits, safety features and comfort (ear padding and headband adjustability to best fit kids).
We have also used a number of these headphones in our homes, and if we didn’t have firsthand testing experience with a pair, we asked other parents for their opinions and read deeply into the reviews, searching out repeat complaints or praise.
Headphones for kids tend to have smaller headbands and earcups which lets them better fit small heads. Some kids may prefer earcups that go around their ears or sit on top, however Rothschild doesn’t recommend in-ear headphones or earbuds for kids. If your child needs to wear the headphones for extended sessions, you may want extra comfort features like padding on the headband.
Power
While wireless headphones are becoming the norm, if you’re constantly finding dead headphones, you may want to consider some wired ones which don’t need to be charged. Wired headphones mean one fewer thing for parents or kids to remember to charge.
Ports
For wireless headphones, check which port type they are compatible with, as USB-C becomes more widely used. Getting stuck with an old, aging micro-USB or similar may mean you need to keep old cables around or have fewer charging options.
Microphone
Usually we think of headphones being used passively, for watching movies or consuming other content. But if headphones include a microphone they can also be used for video calls with family or school.
Design
There are a lot of finer design details to consider when selecting headphones, including the shape of the wired 3.5mm jack—is it L-shaped or straight? (An angled jack is less likely to be bent and broken.) If the headphones are for travel or to take to school on a daily basis, you might want a pair that easily folds up and can be packed tightly. However, that might not matter for a headset that stays at home with your kid’s game system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Earbuds Or Headphones Better For Kids?
The best type of headphones for kids are a pair they’ll feel comfortable wearing. Headphones, more than in-ear buds, tend to be more convenient for children to use independently and to operate safely so they don’t damage their hearing. A volume limiter of 85 decibels or less is ideal, like on our Best Overall pick, the JLabs JBuddies Pros.
In terms of the earcup style for young children, Rothschild prefers on-ear headphones that sit on the outside of the ear but don’t cover it completely. The in-ear models can pose a hazard, especially to youngest children both in terms of a choking hazard and getting lost in the ear canal. Over-ear models can make it harder for kids to hear outside noise, he notes, which may include a car if wearing outside or even a parent calling for dinner. Some children find these models more comfortable, however, as Sala’s children did.
Are Wireless Headphones Safe For Kids?
Over the years, there have been concerns about the possible connection between cancer and other health issues due to exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from wireless devices. Rothschild weighs in: “It really doesn’t seem that there is a significant cancer risk from the non-ionizing radiation associated with Bluetooth technology. Of course, that’s the sort of thing that it might take decades to pick up on if there was some sort of small effect, but Bluetooth is significantly less energy than the radiation emitted by a standard cell phone. So, I don’t see a problem with that right now.”
Another option is simply to cut down your child’s time using things like headphones and cell phones to limit their overall exposure.
Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Good For Kids?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association thinks so. It suggests that parents: “Consider investing in noise-canceling headphones. This helps prevent the urge—and need—for kids to crank the volume.”
Rothschild says noise-canceling headphones are OK as long as they’re used in an appropriate setting. “They block out sound, which could be a safety risk if they were being used out in public and the user didn’t hear a car, siren or someone calling to them,” he says. “It’s probably fine for use in a noisy environment where you wouldn’t be walking around anyway, like a train or a plane.”
Can Headphones Damage Kids’ Hearing?
Yes, headphones can damage kids’ hearing if they’re not used properly at safe volume levels and for safe durations of time. “Prolonged exposure to loud sound can be dangerous, especially for young children,” says Rothschild. “Noise trauma can cause temporary or even permanent hearing loss.”
While there’s some debate about what the max volume should be limited to in order to protect hearing, the typical current industry standard is 85 decibels max in terms of safe output in headphones for kids. Some research puts that number lower at 70 decibels, especially if listened to for longer periods of time at higher volumes.
A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear someone else’s music when they are wearing headphones, the sound is too loud and should be turned down, Rothschild notes. “But with high-quality over-the-ear headphones, even extremely loud volumes may be undetectable by anyone else,” he says. This is why volume-limiting headphones are a must for children.
