A good pair of kid-tough headphones just might be the most important piece of technology you or your kids have. They bring the sound of all their music, games, YouTube videos, and streaming movies and shows to life, while keeping parents sane by not having to hear it all (if you've lived through Frozen, Moana, and Encanto on repeat, you'll know what we're talking about.
But just because they're kids, that doesn't mean they should get the cheapest cans you can find. Kids from toddlers to preteens need durable products with incredible flexibility and ruggedness, as well as comfort and hearing protection. Not to mention, they'll probably want a pair of headphones that can connect to their favorite gaming systems, tablets, and other mobile gear.
We’re pros when it comes to all things headphones, so we decided to direct our prowess toward younger listeners and their gear. Here’s a roundup of the best kids’ headphones that you can buy right now.
Puro Sound Labs BT2200s
The best wireless headphones for kids
- Great Bluetooth connectivity
- 20-hour battery
- Sound-capping technology
- Passive noice cancellation
- Expensive
Why you should buy them: The BT2200s boast long battery life, easy Bluetooth pairing and controls, and impressive sound isolation, including limiting volume to 85 decibels.
Who they're for: Kids and parents who want the best of wire-free listening at safe volume levels.
Why we picked the Puro Sound Labs BT2200s:
There's no denying the value of a good pair of Bluetooth headphones. The Puro Sound Labs BT2200s offer Bluetooth 5.0 pairing at a maximum range of 30 feet, making them a perfect quick-connect for your son or daughter's mobile companion (phone, tablet, laptop, etc.). Better yet, no wiring means zero tangled, frayed, or damaged cords. On a full charge, you can expect the headphones to last up to 20 hours for music playback and close to 200 hours on standby.
In terms of comfort and performance, the BT2200s conform to the World Health Organization's (WHO) long-recommended limit of 85 decibels. That limit was recently lowered to 80 decibels for all listeners and young kids specifically, but software that caps it at 85 dBs is still a great precaution, especially if listening times are kept below 40 hours a week.
Added to the audio cap is Puro Sound's Balanced Response Curve that pumps studio-quality sound into the cans, making for crisp highs and deep-bodied lows. If your child plans on using these for distance-learning applications, the built-in passive noise isolation will certainly come in handy. The feature blocks out up to 83% of ambient background noise, helping your youngster home in on their lessons. Plus, there's an onboard mic for calls and web applications, as well as basic Bluetooth commands, including play/pause and volume controls. The folks at Puro Sound certainly didn't skimp on engineering and performance, making the Puro Sound Labs BT2200s one of the best (and most expensive) choices of our roundup.
iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones
The best headphones for gaming
- Bluetooth for easy pairing with gaming devices
- Rotatable mic
- RGB lighting
- Strong battery life
- The mic can be intrusive unless it's retracted after use
Why you should buy them: With options for both wired and wireless connections and a rotatable mic, these iClever headphones are perfect for your child's next gaming session.
Who they're for: Kids who love online gaming and need a reliable set of headphones.
Why we picked the iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones:
Online gaming is a big draw the world over, and with titles like Minecraft being a major pull for kids, the iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones are the perfect choice for most young players. For starters, the headphones have the option of pairing to gaming consoles using Bluetooth, but can also be wired directly to controllers, TVs, and other peripherals, thanks to the included 3.5mm jack. When it comes time to jump online, the rotatable mic is easy to swing out, allowing your youngster to chat with ease among other players and peers. Best of all, when it's time to stop gaming, the telescopic design allows kids to retract the mic completely.
You can expect about 35 hours of playtime with the onboard RGB lights disabled and about 20 when they're turned on. Speaking of which, these headphones glow! With just a press of the light on/off toggle, you'll be treated to a luminous show from each headphone cup. The iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones are also available in three different colors: navy blue, pink, and standard blue.
Pogs The Gecko
The best music headphones for kids
- 32mm neodymium drivers
- Sound Clarity Tuning technology
- Super-durable design
- Music-sharing cable included
Why you should buy them: Your kids are ready for a high-quality music experience that includes sharing songs.
Who they're for: Kids who are starting to listen to a lot of music and want headphones that can keep up.
Why we picked The Gecko from Pogs:
The Bluetooth-powered Gecko headphones are made for growing kids who are getting more into music, starting to form an ear for audio quality, and are generally pickier when it comes to their headphones. The 32mm Neodymium drivers are small enough to be comfortable for kids' ears, but large enough to provide some powerful sound. There's also SafeSound to keep that volume down under 85 decibels. The Sound Clarity Tuning software can also help songs sound their best without having to worry too much about settings. There's also a music-sharing feature with the PogLink cable that can connect multiple headphones together for listening to music with friends.
We're also big fans of the design: The Gecko gets its name from earcups that are designed to stay on even during active times, and the adjustable headband can keep up with rapidly growing tweens, too. Plus, the design is made with drops, twists, and accidental sit-downs in mind, so it should be able to withstand a lot.
BuddyPhones School+
The best headphones for school
- Adaptable fit with volume limiting
- Hypoallergenic cushioning
- Mic and accessories included
- Great for virtual classrooms
- Best used for virtual classes, not in-person school
Why you should buy them: Your son or daughter needs a top-notch set of headphones designed for virtual learning.
Who it's for: Kids learning from home or on a hybrid at-home/at-school schedule.
Why we picked the BuddyPhone School+:
Designed for younger students from the ground up, the School+ boast volume-limiting circuitry that places a limit on how loud the headphones get, following the under-85 decibels rule. The headphones themselves offer a snug and adaptable fit, but not to a constricting degree. The hypoallergenic cushioning is a nice addition, too, especially for longer classroom sessions where the ears, neck, and head can start to sweat.
Whether they're using them at home for remote learning, in the classroom, or for other shared learning experiences, the included BuddyJack system makes it easy to connect more than one pair of headphones together (up to four at once). There's even a handy in-line mic for speaking and taking calls. Add in the travel bag, decorative stickers, and extra audio cable, and it becomes clear why the BuddyPhones School+ are among the best sets of headphones for at-home learning.
LilGadgets BestBuds
The best earbuds for kids
- Tangle-free, durable design
- Passive noise isolation
- Three earbud fits included
- Volume limiting is extra-low on these earbuds
Why you should buy them: Your youngster prefers a set of earbuds to headphones, and you want buds that'll deal with heavier wear and tear.
Who they're for: Young listeners with a penchant for tangling cables.
Why we picked the LilGadgets BestBuds:
Not every young listener wants a clunky set of headphones. For those wishing for something more in line with the Apple AirPods or similar earbuds, there are the LilGadgets BestBuds. What we love right off the bat is that these are volume-limited wired buds. Keep in mind, these guys max out at 73 decibels, which is a few decibels shy of the WHO's recommended 80-decibel limit, making these a bit on the quiet side. However, the built-in passive noise isolation should help to balance outside noise against source volume. While not wireless like the much-lauded AirPods, the LilGadgets BestBuds cable is tangle-free and comes with a mini-splitter for connecting another set of buds for shared listening.
BestBuds come with a set of three earbud covers to fit most ear size,s along with a sturdy travel case for hitting the road or taking to the skies. With a comfy fit, easy controls (plus an in-line mic), and three color options (blue, black, and pink), the LilGadgets BestBuds are the perfect starter earbuds.
LilGadgets Untangled Pro
The best headphones for sharing
- Durable materials
- Passive noise isolation
- SharePort connection
- Decibel capping is too high to be entirely safe
Why you should buy them: You want your kids to be able to share an audio source without both sets of headphones requiring cables.
Who they're for: Little listeners who want big sound and wireless listening.
Why we picked the LilGadgets Untangled Pro:
LilGadgets scores another laurel in our roundup, this time for best sharing capabilities. The Untangled Pro are a rock-solid set of Bluetooth 4.0 headphones made of durable polycarbonate and reinforced stainless steel extenders. If your kids are a bit rough with their electronics, the Untangled Pro are worth it for their endurance alone. For active listeners, the headphones will last up to 12 hours during playback and 180 hours on standby without a charge. Passive noise isolation comes standard with the Untangled, as does volume limiting, with the headphones capped at 93 decibels.
The big feature of the Untangled Pro is the built-in SharePort, which negates a splitter, meaning a friend or sibling can connect a second set of headphones directly to the Untangled, allowing for easy daisy-chaining on a single audio source. The LilGadgets Untangled Pro are available in 10 colors, and the proceeds of each sale go toward a series of antibullying initiatives.
CozyPhones Kids Headphones
The most comfortable headphones for kids
- Headband design with durable materials
- Removable fabric for washing
- Multiple animal designs
- Sound quality isn't as good as headphones can provide
Why you should buy them: Your kids hate the idea of bulky headphones or uncomfortable earbuds.
Who they're for: Kids who can't keep traditional headphones on. They're also perfect on cold days!
Why we picked the CozyPhones Kids Headphones:
Headphones aren't the best fit for every kid. Active kids may find they always fall off, while others may not like that weight around their ears. There's an alternative, though: these fleece headbands that include built-in, thin speakers for sound in a comfortable package.
The fabric wraps are totally removable from the headphones inside, allowing you to machine-wash the headband between uses, and the included cord is 52 inches long, which provides plenty of slack for connecting to devices in both the front and back of the car. You get a choice of styles, like a fox, panda, purple froggy, and monster, all of which can be easily crammed into a school backpack without worrying too much about damaging components. Do keep in mind the extra length if your youngster tends to get tangled in cords.
Looking for more headphone options? Check out our roundups of the best headphones overall, the best noise-canceling headphones, and the best earbuds. If you're shopping on a budget, our best cheap headphones guide may be a better fit.
