How do I choose good headphones for kids?
There are four main considerations when buying kids’ headphones:
Wired or wireless?: Safety-wise, wireless headphones are a great choice for children as it means no wires to get tangled up in or damaged. However, wireless headphones are usually more expensive than their wired counterparts, plus you need to remember to charge them or they can’t be used. The battery life of wireless headphones can vary greatly, but is usually around 15 to 20 hours. Some headphones have wired and wireless capabilities.
Noise-limiting technology: A must-have for kids’ headphones. This means that sound is limited to a level of around 85dB which is the safe recommended limit according to the World Health Organisation. This is an important way of reducing the risk of hearing damage in children.
Cost: While sound quality will undoubtedly be better in more expensive headphones, it’s possible to get a decent pair of kids’ headphones with all the important features without breaking the bank. If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend the iClever HS20 Kids Headphones which are durable and well-priced with noise-limiting technology.
Comfort: Fit is particularly important when buying headphones for children. Most headphones have an adjustable headband to help fit small heads and most have large cups which sit over the ear (kids don’t typically like using earbuds and these aren’t recommended for young children). Alternatively, options such as the Onanoff BuddyPhones with padded headbands and cushioned on-ear pads are super comfortable.
Are noise-cancelling headphones safe for kids?
Some of the best kids' headphones feature active or passive noise-cancelling features. This is technology that reduces ambient sound, helping you focus specifically on the audio you’re listening to. It’s a good feature to look for if you live in a particularly noisy environment or if your child struggles to concentrate due to outside distractions.
Active noise cancellation makes use of specific technology including microphones which actually analyse the noise in your environment and then counter it by producing their own mirrored sounds, thus eliminating the distracting effect. Passive noise cancellation is little more than physically blocking out a noise by placing a physical obstruction in or around the ear.
While most people experience no particular change when using active noise-cancelling headphones, some report a slight hissing sound or perhaps temporary dizziness. However, overall noise-cancelling is a good option if it causes children to reduce the overall volume of the sounds they're listening to. What’s more, by reducing ambient noise, noise-cancelling headphones may contribute to an overall lowering of stress hormones, which can have a positive effect on health.
Which headphone is good for kids?
We believe the best kids' headphones are the POGS Kids' Bluetooth Headphones (The Ghecko). For the ultimate in durability, versatility and clear sound quality, these noise-cancelling headphones really pack a punch, while combining all the essential elements needed for safe listening for kids.
Read next: Amazon Fire 7 Kids vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: Which is the best kids' tablet?
What is the noise limit for kids' headphones?
Around 85db is the safe noise limit for kids' ears, according to the World Health Organisation. Any louder increases the risk of hearing impairment. The best kids' headphones (particularly those for younger children) feature inbuilt volume limitation.
What are the best headphones for 11 year olds?
If your 11-year-old is into gaming, the JLab JBuddies Play Kids Gaming Headset is a good, affordable option at just £23. They feature adjustable sizing and volume limitation to 85dB without compromising on the quality of the audio. If you're looking to splash the cash, we also like the JBL JR On-Ear Headphones for noise-cancelling, wireless listening.
Can a 9-year-old wear headphones?
Yes, though it is recommended that they wear headphones with an in-built volume control to prevent any hearing damage.
Are Bluetooth or wired headphones better for kids?
Wireless headphones can be a great choice for children who fidget, move about a lot or forget they're wearing headphones and get tangled up/haul their smart device off a table. They can be more expensive and do need to be charged, however.
What is the best alternative to AirPods for kids?
We like the JLab Go Air Pop Trust Wireless Earbuds as a great alternative to AirPods for kids. They're suitable for kids aged three and over, boast an impressive 32-hour battery life and cost just £22, which is a lot more reasonable than most AirPods. Unfortunately they do not feature noise-limiting technology so are not recommended for younger children.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which headphones discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their families.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which kids' headphones had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across expert review sites and trusted tech publications, and what customers' reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we chose the best kids' headphones we thought would make the best buys in several interest categories.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.