The Best Kids' Headphones for 2023

Dec 04, 2023

By our thirties, if not sooner, the vast majority of us have some form of hearing loss compared with the pristine abilities of a young person's ears. Kids can hear frequencies older people can't, mainly because they haven't been exposed to the loud elements of the world for as much time as we have. Aside from quick, intense bursts of loud sound, the main reason for hearing loss is prolonged, continuous exposure to audio at high levels. It should come as no surprise then that headphones and earphones are the culprits behind much of the gradual hearing loss in adults. In the smartphone and tablet era, kids start listening to headphones from an early age, so the need to keep overall volume levels to a reasonable maximum is real.

Also, kids break, lose, or simply tire of things. All of these issues factor into the decisions manufacturers make when they design headphones for kids. Excellent sound quality with volume limitation might be all your child needs, but perhaps a waterproof build or a budget-friendly price are more important to you. We listed the best models we've tested to date here and also cover what you need to know before making a purchase.

First off, avoid headphones that don't offer volume limiting no matter what colorful patterns or popular characters are on the headband. Not all kids' headphones keep the volume to a reasonable level but it's a requirement to make our list.

Although most kids' headphones aim for volume levels below 85dB, not every model limits volume in the same way. Perhaps the most straightforward is to go with a wireless pair that connects via Bluetooth because those shouldn't exceed the limits in place. Just note that some primarily wireless models ship with audio cables for wired listening that can unlock higher volume levels. That's the case with the LilGadgets Untangled Pro.

LilGadgets cofounder Jason Hembrey acknowledges this, stating that there's simply more control with Bluetooth, whereas wired headphones rely on the internal amplifier of the connected computer, phone, or tablet. According to Hembrey, "A device with a weaker internal amplifier will sound quieter than one with a stronger internal amplifier." We tested some wired options that manage to stay below 85dB—but some have recessed defeat switches that allow the volume to get just as loud as normal adult headphones. Simply put, with wired models, the volume limits advertised are more likely to be a goal rather than a completely accurate specification.

Most of the child-friendly models available are on-ear or over-ear headphones; in-ear models aren't popular in this realm. Thus, the main variant in models we've tested is whether they use a cable or are wireless—or both.

Of course, you can always institute a volume limit directly on your child's mobile device within the settings menu. In most cases, you can even pass-protect these settings so your child can't change them back. We highly recommend this step for the wired options that are more likely to exceed the 85 dB threshold.

Another facet of the volume debate is just what level is necessary to set as a limit. The norm across the kids' headphone realm seems to be 85dB.

LilGadgets says that this level is based upon safe listening for eight continuous hours and that headphones can be somewhat louder if your child is listening for shorter continuous periods—thus, the Untangled Pro headphones intentionally reach a volume level of 93dB, which allows them to better compete with airplane rumble or car noises on road trips. As long as the listening session doesn't exceed two hours before there's at least a 10-minute break, LilGadgets contests that volume levels up to 93dB are safe, and are more likely to create a better listening experience for your child.

So if you're going to monitor your child's headphone usage, perhaps the LilGadgets methodology makes sense for you. But if you're worried that it will be difficult to do, a hard stop at 85dB could be the better solution.

Interestingly, the second-generation AirPods Pro offer an adaptive transparency mode that reduces any outside noise past the 85dB threshold. So, it's not just kids that can benefit from keeping things to a lower volume.

These days, if a pair of headphones for adults has a cable without an inline remote or microphone, it had better be a professional model for the recording studio or a home theater setup. Most people connect their headphones to their smartphone and often use them to take calls on the go, after all.

With kids' headphones, however, it's less clear whether the lack of a mic is a disadvantage. Not every parent necessarily wants a mic built into headphones for their child. For instance, you might not want to encourage your child to use their headphones like a gaming headset. We cover this aspect in each of our reviews.

Finally, price is likely to play a major factor in your buying decision. Most parents I know are hesitant to drop $100 on headphones for themselves, much less their kids, often in fear that those headphones are likely to break easily in the hands of a child. The good news is there are plenty of options for under $50. If a pair seems too expensive for what it offers, we call that out in the review.

Once you choose the right headphones for your kids, check out our tips on taking care of them and using them the right way. And for more buying advice for little ones, head over to our lists of the best phones for kids, the best tablets for kids, and the best laptops for kids.