There is a lot more that goes into finding headphones for your child than for yourself because you need to consider sound quality, function, the overall design, comfort, and whether or not they have volume control. We carefully considered design, sound quality, value, purpose, volume control, and style when reviewing products. These are the best kids headphones available now. The Riwbox WT-7S Bluetooth Headphones are our top pick for good reason—they’re stylish, easy to use, and provide great sound quality for children. They are equipped with Bluetooth technology, have an optional wire if the battery runs out, and have a built-in microphone. There are b uttons along the side to control volume, skip songs, answer/end calls, and turn the LED lights on the sides on/off. They have an over-the-ear design with comfort padding along the top and sides and are available in several kid-friendly color options. They are also lightweight, feature padding across the top and around the ears, and are sized to fit kids between 3-8 years old. The cord reaches 9.5 feet and the earbuds have a built-in pause/play button for easy control. Finally, they come in several fun designs including a unicorn, llama, spaceship, and airplane. These headphones also include a volume-limiting function to protect little ears and have a foldable design for easy storage and portability. Bluetooth connectivity works for up to 30 feet and the headphones also feature a built-in microphone for voice and video calls. There are control buttons built right into the headphones, including volume control which is limited to protect little ears, and the headphones are designed to block out 85 percent of outside noise. These headphones also feature adjustable sizing and are very flexible, so they are not easily damaged. These headphones have a comfortable fit with padding along the headband and around the ears and are size adjustable. Your tween will be able to use this set with their Apple or Android phone and easily pick up calls and chat with the built-in microphone. While they deliver crisp and clear sound quality, they don’t have regulated volume control for little ears. These headphones also have a foldable design for storage and portability, a tangle-free cord, and are noise-canceling. The US Environmental Protection Agency notes that “noise levels at 85dB or above can be harmful to your hearing,” which is why volume control is so important for kids’ headphones. To understand how loud harmful sounds could be in the real world, the sound of a blender is around 88dB, according to Purdue University. Of course, the length of exposure to this level of noise does play a factor in its effects on hearing, but it’s best to not take any chances.
Comfort & Fit
Comfort is very important when choosing the right headphones for your child. The wrong fit could result in them turning the volume up too loud because they feel like they can’t hear. Also, if you’ve invested in headphones with volume control, you run the risk of your child refusing to wear them if they’re not comfortable. “Providing headphones designed for a child’s smaller head is important for fit and comfort,” explains Johnson, “over-the-ear styles can be adjusted as the child grows and should cover most of the outer ear”. The best headphones for your child depend on their size and what they will be using them for. Look for things like padding over the top of the headphones and around the ears (if they are over-the-ears). Also, you’ll want them to be adjustable so that your kid can get as much of a custom fit as possible. When selecting headphones for your child, make sure to pay attention to the age range on the packaging so that you don’t accidentally get your child a pair that is too large or too small.
Design & Style
There are a few different design and style options to keep in mind when shopping for headphones for your child. First, headphones and earbuds can come wired, wireless (usually Bluetooth enabled), or have the option of both. Wired options are good if your child isn’t great at keeping track of things, however, they could pose a strangulation risk to younger children. Wireless headphones allow for more mobility, however, they can be lost (especially if they’re small, individual earbuds) and have to be regularly recharged. The two main styles of headphones are over-the-ear or earbuds. Earbuds are small and tuck right into the ear, leaving the head free of any kind of band. Over-the-ear headphones are similar to earmuffs. They are connected by a band that sits on top of the head, and each speaker sits over the ear rather than going into it like an earbud. Earbuds typically are not the best choice for younger kids because the volume is harder for parents to control and young kids may not be aware enough to know when the volume is too high.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include materials, design, and user reviews. The drawback here is that if a parent or caregiver is trying to get their child’s attention while they’re wearing noise-cancelling headphones, the child might not be able to hear it. Thankfully, noise-cancelling headphones don’t completely drown out outside noise, so if there’s an emergency and an alarm goes off, chances are high that your child will still hear the alert.
