As you age, you're likely to experience hearing loss, either from sudden loud sounds or sustained exposure to high-volume audio. It should come as no surprise that headphones and earphones are often to blame. These days, kids start using headphones at an early age, and the risk of hearing damage applies to them as well. If you want your kids to keep their hearing pristine for as long as possible, you need to make sure they listen at reasonable volumes. PCMag's audio analysts have independently tested dozens of kids' headphones, so you can trust that we know what to look for: mainly, volume limiting. Our current Editors' Choice, the iClever BTH20, offers that feature at an affordable price. Check out our top picks below—each earns its spot for good reason. And be sure to scroll past the list for some helpful guidance.
Overview
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![iClever BTH20]()
Best Kids' Headphones OveralliClever BTH20
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![EarFun K2 Kids]()
Best ValueEarFun K2 Kids
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![JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless]()
Best for Bass ResponseJLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
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![Onanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun]()
Best for PersonalizationOnanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun
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![Skullcandy Grom Wireless]()
Best for Adjustable FitSkullcandy Grom Wireless
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![iClever BTH20]()
Best Kids' Headphones OveralliClever BTH20
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The iClever BTH20 headphones for kids have one feature that gives them a major advantage over the rest: active noise cancellation. By reducing ambient sound, your kids can listen at lower volumes, thereby protecting their young ears from harm. They also happen to be cute for kids, comfortable to wear, and pack a longer battery life than most.
Who It's For
Quite simply, parents who want to protect their kids' hearing. With noise cancellation on board, the iClever sets a lower 80dB volume limit (most others set 85dB), which means less potential harm for developing ears.
Specs & Configurations
Active Noise Cancellation Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type Stereo 3.5mm Connection Type USB-C Type Circumaural (over-ear) Wireless Learn More iClever BTH20 Review -
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Credit: Tim Gideon
![EarFun K2 Kids]()
Best ValueEarFun K2 Kids
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The EarFun K2 Kids headphones look a little more grown-up than most others we test in this category and sound better too thanks to their commendable bass response. They offer two volume limiting modes (85dB and 94dB), feature an over-ear design that helps passively reduce surrounding noise, last up to 40 hours per charge, and use up-to-date Bluetooth standards. Best of all, they cost less than $30.
Who It’s For
For kids who care about sound quality, the K2 Kids headphones offer the AAC codec for better-than-basic streaming fidelity on Apple devices. Parents on a strict budget should also like the affordable price.
Specs & Configurations
Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type Stereo 3.5mm Connection Type USB-C Type Circumaural (over-ear) Wireless Learn More Earfun K2 Kids Review -
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![JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless]()
Best for Bass ResponseJLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless get 35 hours of battery life and deliver a surprisingly rich bass response at safe volumes. They also hide their volume limiter switch behind the fabric of the right earcup, a slight deterrent to your kid increasing the volume limit from 85 to 95dB. Build quality isn't top-notch, but they still feel comfortable.
Who It’s For
These are a good value for kids who prefer an over-ear design and parents who don't want to spend a lot. They are easy to travel with too, thanks to their collapsible, exceptionally lightweight design.
Specs & Configurations
Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type Stereo 3.5mm Connection Type USB-C Type Circumaural (over-ear) Wireless Learn More JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless Review -
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Credit: Tim Gideon
![Onanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun]()
Best for PersonalizationOnanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Onanoff BuddyPhone Pop Fun don't compete with other models on sound quality, but they earn a spot on this list because of their customizable design. They ship with color-matched stickers your kid can apply to the earcups and you can preview which ones come with each color variation before you buy. As for volume limiting, they offer 85db and 94dB listening modes.
Who It’s For
These budget-friendly headphones should appeal to kids who want to change how their headphones look every once in a while; it's possible to remove the stickers without leaving much residue at least once.
Specs & Configurations
Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type Stereo 3.5mm Connection Type USB-C Type Supra-aural (on-ear) Wireless Learn More Onanoff BuddyPhones Pop Fun Review -
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![Skullcandy Grom Wireless]()
Best for Adjustable FitSkullcandy Grom Wireless
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Skullcandy Grom Wireless headphones look a lot cooler than most kids' headphones we've tested and have an adjustable inner canvas headband strap that accommodates a variety of head sizes and shapes. The on-ear controls work reliably, too, and we like the neat audio sharing feature that works via the right earcup's 3.5mm input. Finally, they match surprisingly deep bass with sculpted highs for a mostly balanced audio response.
Who It’s For
If your kid is sensitive to how headphones fit or look, this set from Skullcandy should solve both issues. They back up their slick design with quality audio and up to 45 hours of battery life.
Specs & Configurations
Connection Type Bluetooth Connection Type Stereo 3.5mm Connection Type USB-C Type Circumaural (over-ear) Wireless Learn More Skullcandy Grom Wireless Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | ||||||||
Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
Best For | Best Kids' Headphones Overall | Best Value | Best for Bass Response | Best for Personalization | Best for Adjustable Fit | Best Kids' Headphones Overall | Best Value | Best for Bass Response |
Type | Circumaural (over-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) | Supra-aural (on-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) | Circumaural (over-ear) |
Wireless | ||||||||
True Wireless | ||||||||
Connection Type | Bluetooth, USB-C, Stereo 3.5mm | Bluetooth, Stereo 3.5mm, USB-C | Bluetooth, Stereo 3.5mm, USB-C | Bluetooth, Stereo 3.5mm, USB-C | Stereo 3.5mm, Bluetooth, USB-C | Bluetooth, USB-C, Stereo 3.5mm | Bluetooth, Stereo 3.5mm, USB-C | Bluetooth, Stereo 3.5mm, USB-C |
Water/Sweat-Resistant | ||||||||
Active Noise Cancellation |
Buying Guide: The Best Kids' Headphones for 2026
Why Are Wireless Headphones Better for Kids?
First, avoid headphones that don't offer volume limiting, no matter what colorful patterns or popular characters are on the headband. This is a requirement to make our list due to the hearing problems that continuous loud listening can cause.
Not every model limits volume in the same way, but our most straightforward advice is to go with Bluetooth headphones. They offer more control, whereas wired headphones partially rely on the internal amplifier of the connected computer, phone, or tablet. In the latter case, the advertised volume limit is more likely a goal rather than a completely accurate specification. Some primarily wireless models ship with audio cables for wired listening that can unlock higher volume levels, but you don't have to use them.
Of course, you can always institute a volume limit directly on your child's mobile device. In most cases, you can even password-protect these settings so your child can't change them back. We highly recommend this step for the wired models. Keep in mind that most volume-monitoring apps, like the Health app on iOS devices, merely measure the phone's volume output, not the output of the headphones themselves. In other words, you can max out the volume on an iPhone and get warnings that the levels are too loud despite the headphones limiting the levels on their end. Since several variables are at play here, we still recommend keeping the phone's volume shy of the maximum levels.
Otherwise, Bluetooth headphones are easier to take around than wired models because they don't require a cable. And nearly all the devices your kid uses have some sort of Bluetooth support, meaning you don't have to worry much about compatibility. Some headphones support newer versions of Bluetooth or offer higher-quality codecs than others.
The one advantage wired models have is that you don't have to worry about charging them. That said, most recent headphones we've tested can last upward of 20 hours per charge. To make charging easier, make sure to get a product with a USB-C port (the most common connector).
Most of the child-friendly models we test have an on-ear or over-ear design since in-ear models aren't popular with kids. We would like to see some earphones in this space eventually, as different listeners have different comfort preferences. For reference, over-ear models (circumaural) tend to fit more securely and passively block out more surrounding noise than their on-ear counterparts (supra-aural).
Recommended by Our Editors
Why Should Volume Max Out at 85dB for Kids' Headphones?
A volume level of 85dB is a good benchmark because it's safe to listen to audio at that level for as long as eight hours continuously, per The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Ostensibly, kids can listen to headphones at louder levels for shorter periods. Many models include a 94dB mode, for example, that can compensate for airplane cabin rumble or highway noise on a car trip. Be sure your child takes a break after about an hour, since that's the NIOSH-recommended cutoff for 94dB. Although we can understand why these high-volume modes exist, we don't like how easy some are to activate (usually, they are just a simultaneous button press or dial turn away). Why leave their discovery up to chance or create opportunities for kids to figure out the way to listen at higher volumes? They might not yet fully understand the consequences of prolonged exposure to loud sound, after all.
How Much Should You Spend on Kids' Headphones?
Finally, price is another major factor to consider. Most parents likely don't want to drop $100 on headphones for themselves, much less for their kids, often because they fear those headphones won't last long. Your kid might quickly outgrow a model with childish stickers or animal ears, for example, or suddenly need something with a better microphone for virtual classes. The good news is that there are plenty of options for under $50.
It's worth noting that some headphones and earphones for adults also use apps that let you set volume limits. These options are only suitable for older, more responsible kids, since they cost more and might not stand up as well to rough handling. Most kids' headphones lack an app, so you can't adjust the sound with an EQ or otherwise customize the experience.
Once you choose the right kids' headphones, check out our tips for taking care of them and using them properly.