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

You might think that the main benefit to buying headphones for your children is so 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. 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. Here’s everything you need to know about purchasing headphones for your child.

Should I get wired or wireless headphones for my kid?

Some of that decision is dependent on how much money you want to spend and whether you want to worry about needing to recharge headphones on a regular basis. Many of the headphones listed here have decent battery life, but they are typically more expensive than a wired solution.

However, if your child is particularly young, wired headphones can be a strangling risk, so always supervise them while they’re using their headphones, especially if there are younger kiddos in the house.

What’s the maximum recommended noise level for children?

Generally, many auditory health organizations recommend that the ideal noise level for a child is about 70 decibels, and then volumes should never exceed 85 decibels. (Anything above 85 decibels is deemed dangerous.) Most adult headphones peak at about 115 decibels, which is why it’s important to use a dedicated solution for your child. The limit is a limit too, not a guide, so always aim to play music a little quieter if you can.

Can a child use earphones?

In-ear buds are great for adults, but they’re not recommended for children. That’s because developing ears are more sensitive to noise damage because their nerve fivers are still growing. Also, due to having smaller external auditory canals, the eardrum is always closer to the sound source, so you don’t want that to be exacerbated by earbuds. Ears are too delicate to risk their safety.

How long should my child use the headphones for?

Similar to limiting screen time, it’s sensible to restrict your child’s use of headphones to a maximum of two hours a day. Any longer than that can damage your child’s ears, even if they’re using a volume limiter.