Kid-friendly consumer tech is all the rage these days, so it’s no surprise that there’s an entire market of headphones designed exclusively for young ones. But when we think “kid-friendly,” sometimes we imagine products that are built to be a bit more throwaway than their adult counterparts. That’s not the case with the products on our list of the best headphones for kids, though.
We want our child-tailored headphones to include parental-controlled volume limiters, to ensure our children aren’t harming their eardrums. Pretty much every entry on our list checks this vital box, but we also wanted to point you and yours toward products that offer exceptional noise-canceling, built-in mics for phone and video calls, and long-lasting batteries for schooldays or a long flight.
Best noise-canceling headphones for kids
Puro Sound PuroQuiet Plus
- Comfortable
- Solid Bluetooth performance
- Good sound quality
- Long-lasting battery
- Pricier than most kids headphones
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 169 grams |
| Battery life | Up to 35 hours |
| Special features | ANC, volume limiting, comfortable fit |
We were big fans of Puro Sound’s original PuroQuiet headphones, so were excited to take the new-and-improved PuroQuiet Plus for a spin. In fact, Digital Trends' own Copy Editor Suzanne Sutherland let her young children have at the headsets, and the results have been pretty good.
First and foremost, though, we can’t forget to mention that these are active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones that do a good job of blocking outside noise and distractions to help kids concentrate. That’s a major deal for junior-sized cans, allowing kids to flick a switch to tune out distracting background sounds. There’s an 85-decibel volume cutoff, too, and Puro Sound claims that as kids approach the cap, the PuroQuiet Plus use internal volume limiting to gradually dial down on those decibels to keep their ears safe and, um, sound.
Sutherland reports that the PuroQuiet Plus have been great for her son, who's had no issues connecting them to his phone, iPad, and Chromebook for schoolwork. "The Bluetooth range is pretty insane," she says. Her son's headphones were connecting to her phone on another floor and on the other side of a brick building. The family was also able to boast about the PuroQuiet Plus' battery life, which the company claims should last up to 35 hours with ANC disabled.
As with their predecessors, the PuroQuiet Plus have well-balanced sound for all types of music, and they're comfortable for lengthy listening sessions. The PuroQuiet Plus have big, easy-to-use controls on the earcups and they come in six bright colors.
The best budget headphones for kids
BuddyPhones POP Fun
- Lightweight
- Good battery life
- Foldable
- Poor microphone quality
- Awkward USB-C port placement
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 258 grams |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Special features | SafeAudio technology, microphone, |
The BuddyPhones POP Fun are wireless headphones designed for kids, prioritizing safety with their SafeAudio technology that limits volume to 85dB in Safe Mode and 94dB in POP Mode. This is essential since around 12.5% of children aged 6 to 19 face hearing loss from high-volume headphone use.
These lightweight, foldable headphones have a wireless range of up to 20 meters and an impressive 24-hour battery life. They come with four sticker sets for personalization and deliver clear sound even at maximum volume. They fit comfortably and are durable enough for children, featuring anti-allergenic cushioning and easy Bluetooth connectivity.
However, drawbacks include below-average microphone quality, a plasticky feel, awkward USB-C port placement, and occasional Bluetooth disconnects. Overall, they offer a solid option for parents seeking safe and fun headphones for their kids.
The best earbuds for kids
LilGadgets BestBuds
- Tangle-free, durable design
- Passive noise isolation
- Three earbud fits included
- Volume limiting is extra-low on these earbuds
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 22.96 grams |
| Battery life | N/A |
| Special features | Volume limiting, SharPort adapter, tangle-free cable, built-in controls |
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 World Health Organization's recommended 85-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 tips to fit most ear sizes 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.
The best headphones for older kids
EarFun K2 Kids Bluetooth Headphones
- Great price
- Comfortable and long-lasting
- Two built-in volume limiters
- Cheap build
- No noise-canceling
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 175 grams |
| Battery life | 40 hours |
| Special features | Volume limiting, microphone |
If you’re looking for a great pair of kids headphones that won’t break the bank, the EarFun Kids Bluetooth Headphones should be at the top of your list. Available in Blue, Pink, and Dark Black, these headphones' minimalist design will appeal more to older kids. They're comfortable headphones that can be worn for long car rides and they have an integrated microphone for gaming or talking with friends. They're also great for school, as your child can connect wirelessly to a host device via Bluetooth, or by using the provided auxiliary cable.
Performance-wise, the EarFun Kids sound great, and have two built-in volume limits: 85db for Study Mode and 94DB when they’re in Travel Mode. As far as battery goes, EarFun claims you should get up to 40 hours on a full charge, which checks out for a headset at this price, sans any noise-canceling tech.
Lightweight and foldable, the K2s are perfect for stuffing in a backpack, and they're hard to beat at the price.
The most unique headphones for kids
BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun
- ANC
- Volume limiting
- Fun designs
- Basic microphone
- ANC isn't great
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 227 grams |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Special features | Detachable boom microphone, study mode, SafeAudio technology |
The BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun ANC are wireless headphones specifically designed for children. They combine Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology with a focus on safe listening. To protect young ears, these headphones feature built-in volume-limiting circuitry that is always active. They typically offer multiple parent-selectable modes, including 75dB Toddler Mode, 85dB Kids Mode, and 94dB Travel Mode, which limit the maximum volume to safe levels based on the environment.
The inclusion of ANC is a significant feature, helping to block out distracting ambient noise. This can enhance concentration during study sessions or create a calmer experience while traveling.
The most versatile headphones for kids
JLab JBuddies Studio 2 Wireless +Wired
- Wired or Wireless
- Good price
- Different colors available
- Ear cups may be too small for older kids or those with larger ears
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 221 grams |
| Battery life | 65+ hours |
| Special features | Volume limiting, microphone, wired/wireless |
The JLab JBuddies Studio 2 Wireless headphones provide both wireless and wired modes, making them versatile for various situations. With an impressive battery life of over 65 hours in wireless mode, kids can enjoy extended use without needing frequent recharges.
One standout feature is the "Share Wireless mode," which allows two kids to listen to content simultaneously from a single device. This is ideal for watching movies on planes or during car rides.
Safety is a top priority, as these headphones come with adjustable Volume Safe settings at either 85 dB (recommended for regular use) or 95 dB (for louder environments). This ensures that children's hearing is protected while still allowing them to hear clearly.
For parents worried about hearing safety, these volume limits provide peace of mind without the need for constant supervision, as they prevent sound levels from exceeding safe limits.
The best waterproof headphones for kids
ONANOFF BuddyPhones Wave
- Creative design
- Basically water-proof
- Good battery life
- Size might not be right for every kid
| Specification: | |
| Weight | 109 grams |
| Battery life | 18 hours |
| Special features | Wired/wireless, microphone, waterproof |
The ONANOFF BuddyPhones Wave are innovative waterproof headphones designed for children. They offer four listening modes: Toddler Mode (75dB), Kids Mode (85dB), Travel Mode (94dB), and Study Mode for improved vocal clarity. With an IP67 waterproof rating, these headphones are ideal for beach and pool use, as well as for handling spills.
Available in four colorful designs—Blue Robot, Pink Unicorn, Green Monkey, and Yellow Bee—they provide up to 24 hours of battery life and support Bluetooth 4.2 with an 8-meter range. The BuddyCable system allows audio sharing among up to four friends.
Overall, the BuddyPhones Wave offer a great solution for parents focused on hearing protection and durability.
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.
