Best headphones for kids: Comfort, safety, and durability win every time from Mashable

These days, raising kids means being inundated with technology. Everywhere you turn, there’s a little one with a device of some kind in their hand. Like it or not, technology is just as much a part of our kids’ daily lives as it is our own. And more often than not, parents have given their wee one a set of headphones to listen to their favorite show or game. While headphones for babies and kids certainly have their place — listening to music, a show, or even just to block out background noise — they aren’t without their drawbacks.

You might think that the main benefit to buying headphones for your children is that you don’t have to hear what they’re listening to, but there’s actually a more important reason. Your child’s ears are super sensitive while they’re developing and it’s possible to damage them by hearing sounds over 85 decibels. Adult headphones just aren’t the best idea for them to use, as they can crank the volume way past a safe listening level. That is, at least not unless you can convince them to lower the volume, which is pretty unlikely.

Instead, you’re best off purchasing a pair of headphones designed specifically for children. They tend to fit better on little heads and all of the best headphones for kids contain a volume limiter so the sound can’t get too high and potentially damage their hearing. Adult headphones are bulkier and heavier than headphones designed specifically for kids. Plus, the very best headphones can be expensive, and we all know kids are hard on their belongings. If you give them your headphones to use, or purchase a set of adult headphones just for them, you could be shelling out a lot of money for a replacement pair when they inevitably get broken. This is just one more reason why you’re better off buying your kid their own set of headphones.

Finding the best headphones for children is about more than just fun, colorful designs, and affordability. Whether you’re looking for a set of Bluetooth headphones, wired headphones, a budget-friendly model, or something that’ll stand up to daily wear and tear, here are the best headphones for kids, based on features, volume limits, and overall comfort.

Best for younger kids: KidRox Tiger-Ear kids headphones

Who it’s for:

Cute and cheerful, these wired headphones provide little kids with a safe listening experience. Toddlers and young kids will appreciate the look of these fun and colorful headphones, and parents will appreciate how affordable and durable they are.

Why we picked this:

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 child will enjoy wearing them, feeling like they get to show off their tiger-loving self in a set of cans designed specifically for small heads. In terms of features, they have a built-in volume restrictor of 85 decibels — the absolute maximum noise level recommended by authorities 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.

Battery life: n/a | Colors: Black, turquoise, orange | Volume limitations: 85 decibels

Best budget headphones: Maxell children’s headphones

Who it’s for:

These on-ear headphones are ideal for parents who need affordable and kid-safe wired headphones. Don’t sweat it if your kid loses or breaks these, as they’re easy on your wallet.

Why we picked this:

The Maxell children’s headphones certainly won’t win any prizes for looks or style. However, they’re super lightweight, which young kids will appreciate. Despite their lightweight design, they also sound pretty good thanks to a 30mm driver, and they contain a volume limiter so things can’t get too loud for your child. Granted, the limiter is set to 90 dB, which is less than ideal, as it’s just above the recommended maximum sound level for kids, but it’s a promising start for very inexpensive headphones. If you want to keep costs down or your child is likely to break them easily so you want something easily replaceable, these are one of the best options to pursue.

Battery life: n/a | Colors: Black | Volume limitations: 90 decibels

Best sound quality: Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Plus

Who it’s for:

Older kids who are ready for a more sophisticated set of headphones will love these cans from Puro Sound Labs. A step above most cheap headphones, they offer great sound while still protecting ear drums. Not only do these on-ear wireless headphones have smart features to keep kids’ ears safe, but they also come in a range of fun colors, too.

Why we picked this:

The Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Plus headphones look like something an adult might wear, so you can be pretty confident that your older child will love them, too. Not only do they look good, but they sound great too, providing some of the best audio quality out of any set of headphones for kids. There’s an 85 dB limiter tied into them, so your kids won’t have to risk their hearing being damaged while they listen. With a 20-hour battery life and USB-C charging, they’re easy to power up and will last for days. Ambient noise isolation makes up for their lack of active noise cancellation, too.

Battery life: 20 hours | Colors: Black, blue, green, white, purple, pink | Volume limitations: 85 decibels

Best for older kids: Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus

Who it’s for:

Older kids who are ready for headphones with adult-quality sound and active noise cancellation. The looks scream cool but the sound levels stay low — a winner for parents and pre-teens alike. Because they combine ANC with an extra-long battery life, they’re equally suited for travel, listening to music, and remote schooling.

Why we picked this:

If your kid is desperate to look cool, but you want to keep them and their hearing safe, then look to the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet headphones. These on-ear wireless headphones look almost as fashionable as adult headphones, but they include useful technology to keep your child’s hearing safe. They have a limited volume of 85 dB, which can be further reduced by up to 22 dB courtesy of the active noise cancellation that’s built into these headphones. A steady battery life of 22 hours means you won’t have to recharge them often, but you can always switch them over to the wired mode if need be.

Battery life: 35 hours (23 hours with ANC) | Colors: Black, blue, red, white, teal, pink | Volume limitations: 85 decibels

Best for comfort and security: CozyPhones Kids Headphones

Who it’s for:

Can’t keep headphones on your kid? Try these — just keep the volume low.

Why we picked this:

If your child hates wearing conventional headphones, no matter how cute the ear cups may look, then CozyPhones Kids Headphones headbands are the perfect solution. They work like a regular headband but contain ultra-thin speakers for listening to music. Soft and stretchy, they’re easy for your child to wear and just as easy for them to store safely afterward. The headbands are even washable, for when life’s little accidents happen. The only real downside with these is that the volume limiter is set to a maximum of 90 dB, which is a little high for our liking. Other than that, they provide a good solution to a common issue.

Battery life: n/a | Colors: Orange fox, Green frog, Green monster, Black panda, Yellow lion, Purple frog, Pink kitty | Volume limitations: 90 decibels

Best for kids who want wireless: Puro Sound Labs JuniorJams Plus

Who it’s for:

Kids who have already developed an ear for music will love these big kid headphones. If your little listener doesn’t want to be tied down by a cord while enjoying music, stories, or games, these Bluetooth headphones for kids are just the ticket. As a bonus, you don’t have to listen to them play the same songs over and over and over…

Why we picked this:

The new Puro Sound Labs JuniorJams Plus give kids a wireless range of up to 30 feet. While they might limit harmful volumes over 85dB, these headphones still emit crystal-clear sounds thanks to advanced sound-optimizing technology that isolates 87% of ambient noise. Parents won’t have to worry about frequent recharging because the lithium-ion battery has a working life of 22 hours. Plush vegan leather covers the ear cups and headband in softness for comfortable all-day wear. The plastic frame is flexible yet still lightweight.

Battery life: 22 hours | Colors: Black, blue, pink, green, teal, purple | Volume limitations: 85 decibels