These days, kids are tuned into audio-producing devices for both entertainment and education. Headphones are the best option for creating a discreet, effective listening experience, but the solution is not as simple as it may appear.
What is the Best Wireless Headphones for Kids in 2020?
To give you a better idea of what makes an excellent children’s headphone, we’ve compiled a buyer’s guide in addition to testing and reviewing several great child-friendly headphones.
Product | Volume Control | Bluetooth Compatibility | Battery Life | Padded | Optional AUX Cord | Sharing Option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75, 85, and 94 decibel limits | Yes | 14 hours | Hypoallergenic | 2.5-foot AUX cord | 3.5-mm gold-plated buddy cord | ||
LilGadgets (People’s Choice) | 93 decibels | Yes | 12 hours | Yes with mesh fabric covers | 2.5-mm AUX cable | Integrated shareport | |
MindKoo (Best Price) | Yes, unspecified | Yes | Extended | Yes | 2.5-mm AUX cable | No | |
| 85 decibels | Yes | 18 hours | Yes | 3.5-mm AUX cable | No | ||
| 65, 85, and 94 decibel limits | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | Yes | Integrated cable splitter |
Read more:
Best Globe For Kids
Best Mp3 Player for Kids
Best Wifi Baby Monitor
Best Baby Activity Center
Best Baby Play Mat
1. ONANOFF BuddyPhones Play – Best Wireless Headphones for Kids (Editor’s Choice)
The BuddyPhones children’s headphones are safe, comfortable, and designed to withstand the heavy beating kids typically give their gear.
What’s more, these audio listening devices feature safe volume limits that provide parents and caregivers with the opportunity to cap the maximum noise level at either 75, 85, or 94 decibels.
Beyond that, these headphones are compatible with any Bluetooth device, which means you get to altogether eliminate the hazardous cord you probably associate with headphones.
Geared Toward Comfort
The BuddyPhones are extremely comfortable. They boast hypoallergenic cushions with tons of ear padding. Needless to say, the band can be adjusted to fit a growing head.
Comprehensive Design
While these headphones are compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, they also feature an optional 2.5-foot AUX cable for when your child wants to connect directly to their listening device.
Each pair of headphones comes with a soft storage bag and a set of kid-friendly decorative stickers. They are designed and sized for children three and older. What’s more, they collapse for storage and travel.
- Safe volume limits at 75, 85, and 94 dB
- Features an adjustable headband
- Hypoallergenic ear padding
- Comes in four fun color options and includes decorative stickers for personalization
- Collapses into a compact soft bag that is included with headphones
- Includes a buddy cord for shared listening
- Bluetooth compatible plus optional cable connection
- Long battery life
- Expensive
2. LilGadgets – Untangled Pro Premium Children’s Headphones (People’s Choice)
LilGadgets Untangled Pro Premium headphones are wireless Bluetooth-enabled listening devices with plenty of child-friendly features. Sized for children 4-years and older, these padded earmuff-style headphones are designed to stay put.
The company is so sure of their ingenuity, they offer customers a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee in addition to a lengthy warranty. They are also philanthropically inclined. In fact, a small portion of each headphone purchase goes toward bullying prevention and awareness in schools.
If that sort of progress isn’t enough to have you hooked, LilGadgets is also an extremely environmentally friendly company that has made some serious commitments toward waste reduction and carbon offsets development for their company.
Expert Engineering
While the headphones are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices, they also come with a 3.5-millimeter AUX cable. This fallback option enables users to connect to a device without having to use battery power.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Meanwhile, headband and ear pads are covered with a soft breathable mesh that prevents the buildup of moisture and germs.
https://youtu.be/on8VdpkAqDE
- Both compatible with Bluetooth as well as a traditional headphone cable
- Features padded earmuffs and covered in a soft mesh fabric
- Stays on children’s heads
- 100-percent satisfaction guaranteed
- Can be endlessly linked with other LilGadget headphones thanks to the sharing port
- Volume control button
- Various LED light modes
- Foldable design
- Expensive
- Minimal noise cancellation
3. MindKoo – Cat Ear Headphones (Best Price)
These affordably priced cat ear headphones are a great option for any stylish, animal-loving child in your family. They feature loads of useful features, including Bluetooth compatibility, LED glowing lights, and an optional AUX jack.
They are also incredibly plush, which makes them a suitable option for elongated listening sessions. They also happen to be backed by a generous 12-month warranty from the date of purchase.
A Distinct Design
The MindKoo headphones come in four different colors, including black with blue highlights, light pink, white with pink highlights, and pink with white highlights.
Priced to Sell
What’s more, these headphones boast easy access to button controls. These can be used to do things such as change a song, alter the volume, or play around with the LED light modes.
- Stylish cat-inspired design with glowing LED lights
- Compatible with both a Bluetooth and AUX jack
- Extremely affordable
- Soft fabric-lined ear cups
- Comes in multiple colorways
- Volume control
- Plastic is not extremely durable
- Hair can be snagged by headband
4. eKids – Best Theme Headphones
eKids makes ten different movie-themed Bluetooth headphones. Each pair of headphones features a unique colorway and detailed embellishments on both the headband and ear cups.
While aesthetically pleasing, these headphones are also premium performers. They boast volume control, a rechargeable battery, and a built-in microphone.
Children have their choice between a wide range of movie themes including cult classics, such as Black Panther and Star Wars.
Extended Use
The eKids Bluetooth headphones provide a whopping 18 hours of continuous playtime. They also come with a 3.5-millimeter audio cable can be attached to the AUX jack for battery-free listening.
Volume Control
The highest decibel level available with these is 85, making these headphones incredibly safe for youngsters. The volume switch is somewhat concealed behind the headband but still easy to access.
The headphones also boast a built-in active circuit that produces clear acoustics.
- Bluetooth compatible with an optional AUX jack
- Several commercial movie designs and colorways to choose from
- Padded ear cups and an extendable headband that can even fit adults
- Affordable
- USB line-in cord
- Foldable
- No storage bag included
- A limited number of movie designs
5. ONANOFF BuddyPhones Wave – Best Waterproof Headphones for Kids
BuddyPhone Wave wireless Bluetooth headphones enable a safe listening experience for youngsters. In fact, these headphones limited the maximum volume to considerably safe levels, including 75, 85, and 94 decibels.
One of the most unique features of these headphones is they are water and spill-proof with a rating of Ip67. They are also compatible with all Bluetooth devices within 30-feet.
Their battery life is extensive too. As a matter of fact, a single charge can last up to 10 days when used for 2 to 3 hours per day.
Soft as a Pillow
If your child is someone that often misplaces their possessions, you’ll love the custom name tags. What’s more, an integrated audio cable splitter makes these headphones suitable for a shared listening experience.
Unique Appearance
These whimsical skins appeal to modern-day children and make these headphones great gifts. Best of all, each BuddyPhone headphone set is backed by a 100-percent customer satisfaction guarantee.
- Comes with gold-plated BuddyCable for shared listening
- Comes with a 2.5-foot cable for battery-free listening
- Rechargeable battery with an extremely long life
- Study mode with vocal clarity at 94 decibels
- Comes with a soft travel bag
- Collapsible
- Wonderful designs for young children
- Waterproof
- Expensive
- Fragile materials
Best Wireless Headphones for Kids – Buyer’s Guide
If you have a young child, chances are they are going to request or need a pair of headphones at some point.
Before you settle on an inexpensive pair of earbuds or spend an egregious about on a pair of Beats, consider purchasing a safe and affordable pair of over-the-ear headphones.
Read along to learn more about important considerations when it comes to child-sized headphones.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Pair of Children’s Headphones
Volume Control
Many children’s headphones offer a few optional volume settings, most failing to rise above 94 decibels. It is important to note that headphones with easy-to-access volume buttons make it easier for children to by-pass safe volume levels. As such, headphones with lockable settings are ideal for mischievous little ones.
Comfort
Most pediatricians warn that earbuds pose a danger to little ones when inserted directly into the ear cavity. These devices have the potential to irritate or damage the ear canal. Meanwhile, over-the-ear headphones are typically more comfortable and minimally distracting.
They also produce a more resilient sound barrier than the earbud alternatives. Also, they stay put. What’s more, parents don’t have to worry about finding a precise size as long as the headband is adjustable and age recommendations line up.
What’s more, hypoallergenic padding prevents the potential for allergy-related irritation. Beyond that, soft, breathable fabric covers make headphones wearable for an extended period of time.
Battery and Bluetooth
Many modern headphones are Bluetooth-compatible. This means they can be utilized without the use of a cable. This is ideal for children because it removes a strangling hazard.
Not to mention, dealing with knotted cords is quite the nuisance. With that being said, Bluetooth-compatible headphones depend on some sort of battery power, which is yet another element that demands our consumer attention.
Quality Bluetooth headphones contain rechargeable batteries with an extended life. Some batteries can last as long as several days when used for a limited number of hours per day.
Meanwhile, most headphones also feature an option AUX-in port, so that they can also be used the old fashion way too.
Sound Cancelling
Unlike earbuds, earmuff-style headphones are more likely to be noise canceling. The thick padding helps to provide an airtight barrier between your child’s ears and the outside world.
Aesthetic Design
Children’s headphones typically come in brighter colors and boast more whimsical designs than the adult ones.
The headphones on our list feature a diverse lineup of colorways and skins.
Popular skins include animals, symbols, and pop culture references.
Playful, unique designs help children to identify their possessions better.
Personalized headphones also make excellent gifts for little ones.
Warranty
Many manufacturers back their headphones with money-back guarantees and extended warranties. These protect consumers from having to take a loss over a defective product.
Storage and Travel
Since headphones are typically used with portable devices, it is best if they can fold into a small shape for easy transportation. Better yet, consumers should be on the lookout for pairs that collapse. Bonus points go to brands that give you a soft carry case.
Durability
One of the most common complaints about headphones is that they break easily.
You’ve got to anticipate that any pair of headphones you buy your child is going to take a beating.
Headphones are often lugged around at the bottom of a child’s backpack if not carelessly tossed on their bedroom floor.
For this reason, we are a huge advocate of fabric-covered metal frames and cordless options.
While plastic is soft and pliable, metal is more resilient to being toppled with school books.
Common Kid Concerns
Now that we’ve covered all the considerations that would concern adults, let’s focus a bit on what children look for in their headphones. First of all, the more colorful and fun the better.
There are so many engaging and meaningful designs out there. Some products even boast kitschy accessories and LED lights. Talk to your child about what sort of headphones appeal to them.
Beyond that, most children can’t stand products that are uncomfortable. Common complaints about headphones are that they are too tight, sharp, itchy, loose. What’s more, some headphones are more prone to trapping hair than other.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a pair of headphones for your child can be a dizzying experience. On one hand, you want to choose a pair that will please your child while providing them with a high-quality audio experience.
On the other hand, you want a pair that will be both safe and reliable. We chose five unique products to test and review, all of which managed to either meet or exceed these contrasting objectives.
We hope that this, alongside our buying guide, helps to provide you with some positive guidance as you navigate the world of child-friendly headphones. Happy listening!