The best headphones for kids

Comfort, safety, and durability wins every time.

By Joseph Green, Matt Ford

Nov. 7, 2023

Credit: Pexels

Snug Play+

Best For Listening Together

Pros & Cons

Laelr Headphones Headband

Best For Comfort

Pros & Cons

Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids

Best For Younger Kids

Pros & Cons

Biggerfive Kids Wireless

Best for Wireless Sound

Pros & Cons

iClever Bluetooth Kids

Best For Teenagers

Pros & Cons

Buying headphones for your kids sounds like a good idea. For starters, you won't have to listen to their terrible YouTube videos for the umpteenth time. Or Baby Shark. Or any other kids' entertainment that's been boring a hole into your brain lately.

But there's a more important reason to buy your kids some headphones. Your child's ears are super sensitive while they're still developing and it's possible to damage them with sounds of over 85 decibels. Using adult headphones isn't the best idea. Not unless you can convince them to lower the volume, which is harder than it should be. We all know what those little tykes are like. Chances are they'll crank the volume back up the second you leave the room.

Instead, you're better off purchasing a pair of headphones designed specifically for children. Kids' headphones will fit better on little heads and usually have a volume limiter to keep the decibels down. But how do you sort one set of kids' headphones from another? We've done some research and put together some helpful info.

Do kids need wired or wireless headphones?

It depends on how much you want to spend, and whether you can recharge headphones on a regular basis. Many of the wireless headphones listed in this roundup have decent battery life, but they are typically more expensive than wired versions. However, if your child is particularly young, wired headphones can be a risk, so always supervise them while they're using their headphones.

What's the maximum noise level for children?

Generally, many auditory health organisations recommend that the ideal noise level for a child is about 70 decibels, and that volumes should never exceed 85 decibels. Most adult headphones peak at about 115 decibels, which is why it's important to use a dedicated solution for your child. The limit is a limit too, not a guide, so always aim to play music a little quieter if you can.

Can a child use earbuds?

In-ear buds are great for adults, but they're not recommended for children. Developing ears are more sensitive to noise damage because their nerve fibres are still growing. Also, due to having smaller external auditory canals, the eardrum is always closer to the sound source. Their little ears are just too delicate to put at risk.

Is there a limit of headphone use for kids?

Similarly to limiting screen time, it's sensible to restrict your child's use of headphones to a maximum of two hours a day. Any longer than that can damage your child's ears, even if they're using a volume limiter.

What are the best headphones for kids?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many options out there, but we've tried to give you a clear picture of the best headphones for your kids. We recommend checking out everything on this list, because there really is something for everyone and every budget right here.

These are the best headphones for kids in 2023.

Snug Play+

Best For Listening Together

The good

Durable build Multiple pairs connect together Lots of design options

The Bad

For young kids only

The Bottomline

If you don't mind forking out for multiple pairs, these are a great option for large families.

Specs

Battery Life: N/A
Colours: Various
Max Volume: 93db
Type: Wired

Snug Play+ isn’t just a cool name, it’s entirely accurate. These fun headphones with fit snugly and comfortably. Aimed at kids from 2-10, they are made for a younger age bracket, with lots of colourful designs to grab their attention.

The volume is capped at 93 decibels — though it’s best to keep it lower than that — but what we really like is that they’re perfect for families or pals.

You can connect one pair to a device, then hook the headphones up with another pair at the same time, linking them in a daisy chain-like effect. This allows multiple kids to enjoy the same sounds all at once.

Laelr Headphones Headband

Best For Comfort

The good

Comfortable design Very cute Range of 50m Washable fabric

The Bad

No volume limiter

The Bottomline

Ideal for the child who hates the feeling of headphones.

Specs

Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
Colours: Blue, Brown, Yellow
Max Volume: N/A
Type: Wireless

If your child hates wearing conventional headphones, no matter how cute the ear cups may look, check out the Laelr Headphones Headband.

It works like a regular headband but it contains ultra thin speakers for listening to music. Soft and stretchy, it's easy for your child to wear and just as easy to store safely afterwards. It's even washable — just remove the speaker.

There's no built-in volume limiter, so be sure to manage your kids' volume. There are other bonuses though, including a generous Bluetooth range of up to 50 metres and compatibility with Siri for iOS users.

Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids

Best For Younger Kids

The good

Cute look Designed for small heads Volume limitation

The Bad

Short cable 3.5mm input only Your kid will grow out of them

The Bottomline

These roar-some headphones are perfect for your toddler.

Specs

Battery Life: N/A
Colours: Orange, black, turquoise
Max Volume: 85db
Type: Wired

All kids love cute things and the Kidrox Tiger-Ear Kids Headphones are very cute indeed. The ear cups are softly cushioned and have a tiger face on their exterior so they look super playful and charming. Your little one will love showing these off to their school chums.

In terms of features, these headphones have a built-in volume restrictor of 85 decibels — the maximum noise level recommended for children.

The only downside is that the connective cable is a little short, so your kiddo will need to be close to their music-playing device.

Biggerfive Kids Wireless

Best for Wireless Sound

The good

Colourful LEDs Wireless and wired option Excellent battery

The Bad

More expensive Higher volume limiter

The Bottomline

These colourful headphones will keep kids entertained for literally days, but best for older kids.

Specs

Battery Life: Up to 50 hours
Colour: Purple, Blue, Pink
Max Volume: 94db
Type: Wireless

The Biggerfive Kids Wireless Headphones are a bit more advanced than some other options on this list. Your kids will get added fun and features. First up, there’s a choice of seven LED light colours — not to mention colour headband options. The lights even dance to the music.

They’re easy on the ears, too, with soft silicone ear cushions and a volume limiter that keeps the music at either 85 or 94 decibels.

They have a seriously impressive battery life of 50 hours, making these perfect for those long car journeys or family holidays.

iClever Bluetooth Kids

Best For Teenagers

The good

Varying volume limits Four LED modes Bluetooth 5.2 Monster battery life

The Bad

A touch more expensive Not for younger kids

The Bottomline

Specs

Battery Life: Up to 55 hours
Colours: Various
Max Volume: 94dB
Type: Wireless

The iClever Bluetooth Kids Headphones are the most expensive option here. But they’re also the smartest and most advanced, with LED light modes, call connectivity, and up-to-date Bluetooth technology. With the bigger price and features, these will best suit a teenager who needs them for the computer.

Your kids will get plenty of bang for their buck. They have a massive battery life of up to 55 hours. That’s a lot of time for studying. Or a lot of time for gaming.

The LED lights have four modes but they can also be turned off to save battery. You can also set the volume limit between 74, 85, and 94dB.