Raising the next generation of rock'n'rollers isn't easy – but you know it's the right thing to do. Granted, it takes a little work to pull your little ones from the inexorable draw of such kid-friendly earworms as Baby Shark, but before long, they'll be screaming, "Breakin' the law!" from the top of the dresser and you’ll be shedding a proud parental tear in turn.
Getting your children into the heavy stuff is a wonderful experience for sure, but one nearly usurped by their uncanny ability to play their faves into oblivion. Whether your own little ones are hooked on Blippi or Plini, you can expect to be innervated beyond all sense by hour three of listening to it. For this reason alone, kid’s headphones are a life-saving purchase.
Headphones are a fantastic way to allow your children to learn, play and indulge without adding auditory stress to your already-bulging plate. They’re great for engaging your kids in transit, and for enabling them quiet time to themselves besides. But you need kid-friendly ones, not only to fit the smaller head but also to protect the sensitive ear. Here, I’ve narrowed down the countless options out there to a tight nine – nine of the best kid’s headphones available today, from plush pairs to customisable cans and beyond.
To get you started, my top pick goes to the JBL Jr 310 BT headphones. They have a volume cap of 85dB, an awesome 30 hour battery life and sound great - just as you'd expect from JBL.
If you want to know a little more about what makes one pair of kid’s headphones better than the other, you can head straight over to my Buyer’s Advice section below; there, I break down the various components that make a pair of child-friendly headphones both suitable and safe. If you want to get straight to the reviews, though, read right on ahead!
The quick list
My top pick goes to these Bluetooth headphones from JBL. Like all the headphones in this list, they have a volume cap (85dB) and sound the business. They're easy for little rockers to use, are lightweight and have a 30-hour battery life.
With two volume cap levels and available in a variety of colour variations, the Gorsun Premium A66 wired headphones come highly recommended. They fold away, are lightweight and comfortable too - and they feature audio sharing.
While these eye-catching headphones have awesome LED light strips on each earcup, don't dismiss them as nothing more than a gimmick. They have 40mm drivers for top sound, three volume limit settings and excellent battery life.
I'm pretty sure your little rockers will love POGS. Not only do these colourful wired headphones have SafeSound enabled, they sound cracking and are robust. Best of all, they can be customised with a range of POGS Doodas to make them unique.
For comfort, sound and a brilliant price, you can't go far wrong with this set of kids' headphones from Philips. They have a volume limiter, snazzy design and somehow manage to feature noise-cancelling ear cushions.
The Snug Play+ headphones have been made for 3-8 year-olds, with each pair featuring a sharing port so several Snug Plays can be connected together. They come in a wide range of colours and designs, are foldable, and have 40mm drivers.
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The BuddyPhones Play headphones are a robust bit of kit that can stand up to everyday wear and tear. They can be customised, have three volume control levels and there's a built-in mic for family chat. Battery life clocks in at 14-hours.
These Peppa-Pig-emblazoned headphones are an inexpensive option for your children, being at once practical, versatile and fun to look at. There’s a nifty fold-up design, Bluetooth connectivity and an optional wired-listening mode, as well as a decent volume cap for the safety of your kids’ ears.
Here's a nice option for kids aged between 2-7 years old from the team at Kidrox. The headphones sound decent for the price and a perfect for using with a tablet. There are three colour designs, each with their own cartoon tiger motif.
Our top headphone pick
✅ Buy if you want the best all-round headphones for kids: JBL are well known for their audio gear, and these headphones for youngsters simply rock.
❌ Avoid if you want something a bit more discreet: The colour choices may be a little garish for some kids.
Audio rating: ★★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★★
Battery rating: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
These great looking Bluetooth over-ear headphones come with a serious Hi-Fi pedigree, but still manage to look child-friendly in their bold range of colour combinations. Comfort is the name of the game here, with padded ear cups and a soft headband.
Reassuringly, there’s a volume cap of 85dB, so even if the little one is just beginning their hard rock education with AC/DC, Kiss, or Metallica, there’s zero fear of sonic overload.
The cups have chunky, easy to use control buttons, while inside lurk 32mm dynamic drivers. The JR 310 BT are light (115g) and foldable, so can easily pop into a school bag, and have a generous 30 hours of battery life.
There's also a built-in volume control for the built-in microphone – and for a touch of individuality, the JBL Jr 310 BT come with reusable stickers.
Best for travel
✅ Buy if you want a top set of cans for travelling: A lightweight and durable pair of headphones that survive a bumpy journey.
❌ Avoid if you want Bluetooth: Yeah, there's no Bluetooth here, so wired is the only way for your kids to rock out.
Audio rating: ★★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★★
Battery rating: N/A wired
Overall: ★★★★★
The Gorsun Premium A66 are a cracking pair of headphones for young music fans - and perfect for holidays as they’re robust, comfortable, lightweight and fold away easily. There’s no need to worry about a jumble of wires either when they’re removed from a messy bag, as they feature a tangle-free nylon cord.
Sound quality from these headphones is great and the volume cap has two settings: 85dB and 94dB which gives parents a bit of flexibility when it comes to listening levels. The Gorsun Premium A66 also have sharing functionality so two headphones can be joined through a port on the headphones - no splitter required.
The icing on the cake is the fact that these headphones also come in a wide range of colour variations - and they're incredibly budget friendly.
Best for fun
✅ Buy if you want a fun pair of cans: With LED lights in each ear cup, these are guaranteed to look great on the move.
❌ Avoid if you want flashing lights over wireless: While the lights are cool, they only work with a wired connection.
Audio rating: ★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★½
Battery rating: ★★★★½
Overall: ★★★★½
These budget kids headphones don’t just have an indefatigable battery, they come with LED lights on each ear cup. These lights flash, pump and strobe but only when the headphones are being used in wired mode – that’s to prevent a drain on the battery during Bluetooth operation.
Unusually, they feature large 40mm drivers, better for bass, and volume sensitivity is variable. It can be set between 74dB, 85dB and 94dB. The levels are set via a key combination to prevent accidental adjustment.
The ear pads are nicely cushioned, while the adjustable headband should ensure long term comfort.
The iClever boasts a class leading 40 hour playtime, with a fast recharge. Bluetooth is the highly efficient v5.0 flavour, which goes some way to explaining this longevity. 10 minutes will get you four hours in the bank, just the thing when you’re in a mad rush. There’s also a built-in microphone for online education and chit chatting.
Best unique design
✅ Buy if you want to add custom touches: POGS are awesome because Doodas can be added for a neat design twist.
❌ Avoid if you want wireless headphones: Another pair of wired headphones won't be the top choice for some.
Audio rating: ★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★½
Battery rating: N/A wired
Overall: ★★★★½
POGS have a good name when it comes to their audio gear and children will love these colourful wired headphones.
They come with a one-metre QuickSafe cable and are SafeSound enabled which limits audio output to a maximum of 85 db. They can be bended, twisted and thrown about thanks to their robust design and it’s also possible to connect multiple POGS together with the included POGLink cable - perfect for kids to enjoy music together.
The come in four different colours: blue, green, pink and yellow - and POGS Doodas can be added to customise their look.
Best for comfort
✅ Buy if you want comfort: Ergonomically adjustable, these headphones are comfy to wear for long spells.
❌ Avoid if you want a cool look: The colourful design might be a turn off - and they do look a little cheap.
Audio rating: ★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★
Battery rating: N/A wired
Overall: ★★★★
We’re all aware of the Philips name when it comes to electronics, so it’s great to see the Dutch firm tuning their attention to the children’s headphones market with the neat SHK2000.
The first thing you’ll notice about these wired headphones is the price which is an absolute bargain when it comes to grabbing one of the best kids’ headphones around. Like most headphones designed for little ones, the Philips SHK2000 have a volume limiter, with sound capped at 85 dB.
These headphones are also very comfortable for wee rockers to wear and are ergonomically adjustable. Not only that, but the Philips SHK2000 have noise-cancelling ear cushions and the sound doesn’t disappoint.
Best colours
✅ Buy if you colourful design is important: The Snug Play+ come in load of colour and design variations.
❌ Avoid if you want sophistication: These are not aimed at older kids, who'll prefer something a bit more refined.
Audio rating: ★★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★★
Battery rating: N/A wired
Overall: ★★★★
The Snug Play+ headphones deserve a place in our list to the best kids’ headphones thanks to their top price, performance and range of design variations.
Volume limits, as you would expect, are present and correct while every pair features a sharing port, so multiple Snug Play+ can be connected so music or audio books can be shared.
The headphones are specifically designed for the 3-8-year-old age range and are soft and comfortable, foldable, and they also boast 40mm drivers for an above average audio performance that should keep everyone happy.
As mentioned, the Snug Play+ come in a huge variety of colours and designs: from sci-fi and beach designs to cartoon animals, robots and monster trucks, so there's bound to be something in the range to suit your little rocker.
Most durable headphones
✅ Buy if you want a robust pair of headphones: These headphones are surprisingly tough-wearing and can be slung in a bag without much consideration.
❌ Avoid if you more battery: Your little rocker will only get 14 hours of playback from a single charge - we'd like to see that increased.
Audio rating: ★★★½
Comfort rating: ★★★
Battery rating: ★★★
Overall: ★★★½
Available in pink, blue or green, the BuddyPhones Play are Bluetooth wireless on-ears for the youngest of rockers.
They are volume limited and use hypoallergenic materials as part of their robust and durable design. They also come with a bunch of decals, so kids can customise them for fun.
There’s a choice of four volume modes: 75dB Toddler Mode, 85dB Kid Mode, 94dB Travel Mode and StudyMode. The latter isn’t for music, it uses DSP to enhance the clarity of spoken audio content, which could help with online lessons.
A BuddyCable system allows children to listen together, and there’s a built-in mic for family chat or homeschooling. The downside here is the battery life, which weighs in at around 14 hours from a full charge. That's not as poor as some of the headphones in my list, but its nowhere near what some other models can offer.
Just keep that in mind if you're planning a long journey with the family.
Best budget option
✅ Buy if your budget is tight: Another win for Lexibook with these headphones which are as cheap as chips.
❌ Avoid if you want long battery life: You'll only get around 4 hours of battery life with these Bluetooth headphones - still not bad for the price though.
Audio rating: ★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★
Battery rating: ★★½
Overall: ★★★
These Lexibook kid’s headphones are a great budget option, not in the least for the varied branded options from which you are able to choose. While there are many notable variants on offer, the I'm interested in is the Peppa Pig model – a set you’re certain not to lose easily thanks to its playful, bright blue-and-yellow colour scheme.
While Peppa Pig’s an icon for everyone, these headphones are definitely aimed at younger children by virtue of their hard 85dB volume limit. The handy fold-up design makes them a cinch to carry around, and the headphones themselves will carry 4 hours’ worth of wireless playtime in charge. You can also plug in an aux cable for wired listening.
These Lexibook Bluetooth headphones, though both portable and versatile, aren’t the most impressive kid’s headphones on the market. But for something cheap and cheerful – with a bonus mascot smiling gamely on the ear cups – these headphones are a fine choice indeed.
Best for toddlers
✅ Buy if your toddler want to listen to music: These are aimed at 2-7 year olds and will certainly keep them happy.
❌ Avoid if you more a touch more colour: There are only 3 colour variations available currently - a bit of a shame.
Audio rating: ★★★
Comfort rating: ★★★
Battery rating: N/A wired
Overall: ★★★
The on-ear, wired Kidrox toddler headphones are aimed specifically at children ages between 2-7 year old and come in three colour combinations: Black, turquoise and orange, with each featuring their own cartoon tiger face design.
They’re really a no-frills headphone option which I'm totally fine with considering their low price. Like all the options I've highlighted, the Kidrox headphones have a volume limiter of 85dB and their flat-wire design means there’s no annoying tangles to get in the way.
Sure, the sound isn’t out of this world, but if you’re looking for a pair of headphones for safe use on a tablet with a headphone jack, these are a decent option for your rockin' toddler.
FAQ
Why should I buy a pair of kid’s headphones?
You’ll already be very much in tune with the various benefits associated with owning a decent pair of headphones; a good set enables you to enjoy your heavy faves in peace, whether you’re avoiding disrupting others in your home or hoping to avoid being disrupted in the middle of Boris’ Pink. The same benefits naturally apply your little ones – but why might they need a pair designed specifically for children?
For one, most headphones are designed to be a little too large for the juvenile skull; even adjustable headphones will not often go small enough to fit a child’s head. Earbuds, meanwhile, are a non-starter for children on account of their potential as a choking hazard. As such, headphones for children are the safest comfortable option. Another key factor is that of volume. Kid’s headphones are safer for children on account of having a volume limiter built in.
These, collectively, are reason enough to get a separate pair of kid’s headphones for your little one to explore your Spotify playlists with – but there’s another, more basic reason to pick up a pair. Put simply: would you be willing to risk your own swanky audiophile headphones in the greasy hands of your own offspring?
What is volume limiting?
As I mentioned, volume limiting is a key reason for which children's headphones are a great purchase for your own little ones. Volume limiters are as they sound; they cap the max volume at which a set of headphones can play, ensuring your kids don’t damage their hearing inadvertently – either through exposure to loud transients, or through prolonged listening at higher volumes.
The World Health Organisation’ recommends an 85dB-limited volume range for young listeners, advice echoed by both the Hearing Health foundation and the US OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administrator). While most of my featured kid’s headphones brick-wall at this ear-friendly 85dB limit, a few have higher 94dB limiters. This louder mode is effectively for use when travelling, when the headphones need to compete with a higher level of ambient noise (trains, planes and automobiles).
These volume limiters are an essential backstop for preventing damage to young lugholes, and should be a non-negotiable safety consideration when you’re looking to buy. If you get a set of headphones with a higher volume limiter, take care that your children don’t listen at max volume in quieter environments.
Further, make sure your kids aren’t in their cans for most of the day; prolonged listening even at that relatively low ceiling can still cause damage over time.
What are the best headphones for children?
The best kid’s headphones are designed with the safety of your children in mind. Not only do they fit well and comfortably, but they are also equipped with volume limiters. Some kid’s headphones are more dumbed-down than others, and connect simply with a 3.5mm aux jack; not all share this simplicity though, which is a good thing for kids listening to music and videos on higher-tech smart devices.
Bluetooth is standard on many models, and in some cases the battery life matches or even exceeds what you’ll find on grown-up headphones.
Children's headphones are well-designed if they’re made with longevity in mind; it’s all too easy for small, inquisitive hands to break a set of cheap headphones, as you may have already discovered with any variety of personal belongings at home. If your infant has an appetite for destruction, you have two options: buy something flexible and bulletproof, or opt for something cheaper and wired. Either way, you’ll find plenty of options above.
If you have two kids, you might also look for headphones that offer a buddy pairing mode. These are headphones with a built-in splitter, so one pair can plug into or pair with a device and another can listen in. Your twins can discover AC/DC simultaneously!
Finally, If your child attends lessons online, likes to video-call friends and relatives, or is an avid gamer-in-the-making, you’ll probably want a set of kid’s headphones with a built-in microphone too.
How long should kids wear headphones?
Your children’s ears are highly sensitive, and very susceptible to damage as they develop over time. This is why volume limiters are so common, and so essential, in each set.
However, they’re not a panacea for avoidable hearing damage in young kids. After all, prolonged exposure to even moderately loud sounds is enough to cause lasting damage and hearing loss – not just in children, but in adults too.
The UK Hearing Conservation Association recommends that children spend no more than 60 minutes in headphones each day, listening at 60% of the set’s maximum volume. Obviously, you can use your discretion as a parent here – and a few more hours here or there in a given week might not be too harmful overall, if you’re judicious with volume – but heeding these guidelines even vaguely could be the difference between safe and unsafe listening.
Why you can trust us
Louder’s writers and reviewers are a collection of passionate music fans, musicians and professional product testers, who between them have racked up years of product testing and written thousands of words on music listening gear across hundreds of reviews on Louder and for other publications.
As lifelong music fans, the whole Louder team are serious about the tech we listen to our favourite artists on. We want them to sound amazing, giving us all the detail those bands intended us to hear, and deliver the perfect balance of bass, mids and highs.
We take into account every aspect, covering audio quality, comfort, Bluetooth capability, battery life and value for money.
We test products in a variety of settings too, from distraction-free intentional listening at home where we can really focus on the music, to our daily commute to the office and out and about on journeys to the gym, pub, shops etc.
These scenarios are real-world and mean we can experience products exactly as you would and report our findings honestly.
Meet the experts
Steve is a home entertainment technology specialist who contributes to a variety of UK websites and mags, including Louder Sound, Yahoo UK, Trusted Reviews, T3, The Luxe Review and Home Cinema Choice. Steve began his career as a music journo, writing for legendary rock weekly Sounds, under the nom de plume Steve Keaton. His coverage of post punk music was cited in the 2015 British Library exhibition Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination, as a seminal influence on the Goth music scene.
James Grimshaw is a freelance writer and music obsessive with over a decade in music and audio writing. They’ve lent their audio-tech opinions (amongst others) to the likes of Guitar World, MusicRadar and the London Evening Standard – before which, they covered everything music and Leeds through their section-editorship of national e-magazine The State Of The Arts. When they aren’t blasting esoteric noise-rock around the house, they’re playing out with esoteric noise-rock bands in DIY venues across the country; James will evangelise to you about Tera Melos until the sun comes up.
Latest updates
Recent updates
04/03/25: A new FAQ section has been included along with a section detailing why you can trust the Louder team. There's also now a "meet our experts" section so you get to know the faces behind the creation on this guide and we've added a new entry at no.7 in our list in the best budget section.
Read more
You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
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