The Best Headphones for Kids of 2024

Our previous "Best Overall" pick for volume-limiting kids' headphones, the Puro Sound Labs BT2200 is a really competitive option if you like the PuroQuiet but want something a bit cheaper. The main difference between the two is the lack of noise-cancellationand the price, which drops to around $70 on sale (compared to $100).

In our tests, the BT2200s played at about 82-84.6dB(a) when used wirelessly at full volume, with about 12 hours of battery life. And because they run off their own internal power when in Bluetooth mode, there's no risk of them being overpowered. When used wired with our standard source (an iPhone 7 Plus with the Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter), they topped outright at the 85dB(a) threshold, assuming you plug the volume-limiting cable in the right way.

Our one issue is that the cable can easily be plugged in the wrong way (I did, the first time). This pushed the max volume to 96-100dB(a) in our tests, which could cause damage. The cable does have "Headphones→" written on it so you know which end is which, but these should really be designed so the cable only plugs in the correct way.

As long as you're willing to police this issue (or just have your kids use them wirelessly) these are a premium product that would be perfect for an older child. They're stylish, offer soft padding in their ear cups, and arebuilt like a premium product, and they have rock-solid user reviews over the years. If you don't need noise cancellation for your kids' headphones, these are a perfect backup pick.

Though these are marketed as working primarily with LeapFrog's line of tablets and other devices, these are standard over-ear headphones like all the rest on this list, which means that they'll work with any audio source that has a headphone jack. They're well-built, comfy, and a bit bigger than the other models on this list, so they'll be a bit loose on a toddler, but will fit an older child or a preteen well.

These are marketed as having a maximum volume of 85dB(a), but in our tests they output around 88dB(a), with certain songs pushing them up to 90 or 91dB(a) for short stretches. That's a bit louder than the ideal value, so you'll want to set volume limits on whatever device you're using so they fall safely within the recommended levels. Still, for a good pair of all-around headphones for a slightly older child these aren't a bad bet—if you take precautions.

And now for something completely different: the Cozyphones. These uniquely designed headphones have thin drivers that are inserted into a stretchy, fabric headband. The concept is neat, but the fabric felt very warm after just a few minutes and older kids may just not want to wear them.

In our lab testing, these also proved to be just too loud for our liking. They hit between 93-95dB(a) in our tests, which is above our preferred threshold of 85dB(a). That may be fine for short bursts, but it's too close for our comfort and we think there are better options available on this list.

These super-popular wireless headphones are not a bad alternative to the Puro BT2200 Bluetooth model. Even though we have some reservations about the wired version (the LilGadgets Connect+ Premium), these were much better. They're still more flimsy than the Puro BT2200s, but they seem comfy and well-built.

In our tests, these did a great job of keeping noise to the recommended level—when used wirelessly. With Bluetooth, we observed sound levels of 83-87dB(a), which is close enough to the mark. The issue is that the included wire doesn't do enough (if anything) to limit volume, and in wired mode, these got up to 92.4-96dB(a). That's a bit too loud according to the experts, so if the battery runs out or you need to use the wire, you'll want to set hard volume limits on your device.

Kidz Gear makes two of the most popular kid-friendly headphones on the market, and this wired pair is affordable and available in a bunch of fun, bright colors. They're also quite flimsy and mostly made of plastic, but the biggest issue is that they don't have a built-in volume-limiting cable. Instead, these headphones rely on an adapter to do the heavy lifting.

The main problem is that the adapter is small and easy to lose. It's even easier to remove intentionally. And while these tested below the recommended level with the adapter (hovering between 82-85dB(a)), they were way too loud without it, topping out at around 108dB(a). Unless you plan to watch your kids like a hawk all of the time, these aren't the best option for safe listening.

The LilGadgets Connect+ Premium headphones were probably the most intriguing pair of headphones we tested in this group. These are affordable and they feel like they're well-built, with a removable cable and two ports so you can hook up a second pair of headphones. In our tests, they were too loud to be used at full volume (94-96dB(a)), but generally, these seem like a decent pick if you can lock in lower volume limits.

Where these get real fishy is when we compare them to the other models pictured above: the Snug Play+ and Nenos Children's Best headphones; they are identical, despite being from ostensibly different companies. This is because many manufacturers, particularly in China, let you purchase products like this in bulk, apply your own branding, and sell them through a service like Amazon.

The problem with that model is it's very difficult to get customer service issues resolved in a timely manner, there's no guarantee the company you're buying it from has done any actual safety testing, and there is usually a wide variance in build quality. Our advice? Play it safe and go with one of our better picks above.