As the world becomes more and more connected through technology the use of headphones has increased substantially. Headphones allow kids to enjoy music and have conversations from anywhere at any time. Selecting the best noise-canceling headphones for kids is not always easy but we will guide you through them.
While we reviewed only the very best noise-canceling headphones for kids our top pick is the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets Volume Limited On-Ear Active Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones. They are one of the leading companies in this market and their products are safe, durable, and affordable. This model is a popular choice that receives a lot of rave reviews.
The importance of quality noise-canceling headphones for kids cannot be overstated. We always strive to give our kids the best and try to protect them from any possible dangers that could affect their health or cause long-term injury.
Important: Potential Harm
Of all the possible hazards, one that is often ignored or not recognized as a danger is damage to our children’s hearing. Due to their smaller ear canals, their eardrums are closer to the sound source, noise tends to be amplified. If exposed for a long time at a high volume it could result in partial to complete hearing loss known as noise-induced hearing loss
More and more young people are showing signs of Noise-induced Hearing loss, as much as 1 in 5 teens.
When sound vibrations enter the cochlea the fluid inside it causes the hairs to move. If the volume is too loud, it will have stronger vibrations and cause the hair cells to move too much. This results in temporary hearing loss. Hair cells take time to recover.
The 8 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids:
1. Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets Volume Limited Active Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
| Dimensions | 8.23 x 7.01 x 2.32 inches |
| Weight | 5.9 ounces |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wired |
When Puro Sound Labs founder realized his daughter was suffering from noise-induced hearing loss, he started looking at developing a system that would assist in preventing other children from having the same problem.
You can protect your child’s sensitive ears with Active Noise-Canceling. The Puro Quiet headphones reduce the daily noise and background sound by 22 decibels with ANC technology. With active noise cancellation, background noise is reduced by 78%. This enables kids to hear clearly in loud environments without having to increase the volume beyond safe listening levels.
It has a volume-limiting function that keeps the audio levels at 85 decibels which cannot be bypassed to ensure that your child won’t be able to increase the volume levels. 85 Decibels is the maximum volume recommended for safe sound listening as stipulated by most organizations.
These are wireless headphones with Bluetooth 5.0. They are easily Bluetooth paired with iPhones, Android, and other compatible devices. It has a 30 feet connectivity range which means you are able to move around freely and because there are no wires, there is no danger of getting entangled or tripping over audio cables.
They are super user-friendly. Even small children will be able to operate the buttons for power, and active noise cancellation on the side of the earcups.
Another benefit is the long battery life. You can enjoy up to 23 hours of listening with the ANC activated and 35 hours if not activated, plus 200 hours of standby.
A 3.5 to 3.5 audio cable which is volume-limited is included that can be used in case the battery runs out. The lithium battery can be quickly recharged with a USB cable which is supplied.
They also feature Daisy Chain Sharing. Two headphones can be connected to the same device with the use of a unique cable that features a built-in audio splitter.
These lightweight headphones are perfect for boys, girls, and teens. The on-ear cups and adjustable headband are both fitted with soft protein leather padding giving extra comfort and are durable enough to withstand rough handling by children.
The built-in microphone is great for online learning, gaming, or chatting
There was feedback from some users that the fit is too tight making them uncomfortable to wear. It will get looser with use and the headband can be stretched out a bit. The headphones use a micro-USB cable which can only be plugged in, in a certain way. It is suggested that the cable be inserted under supervision until children understand how to use them.
2. Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Volume Limited Kids’ Bluetooth Headphones
| Dimensions | 8.62 x 7.17 x 2.6 inches |
| Weight | 1 pounds |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wired |
This is another great product from Puro Sound Labs and it offers the maximum protection for kids.
These headphones are designed to limit the decibel volume to 85 decibels which is the World Health Organization recommendation. They are therefore made for protecting your child’s eardrums from early hearing damage. With a fully passive design, background noise is reduced by 82%.
The Puro Sound Labs BT2200s headphones are sturdily built with an aluminum frame to provide a very durable product. The headband and earcups are padded for added comfort and the headband is adjustable to feel comfortable for your child. The headband and ear pads are made with durable materials that will withstand rough handling from children
They are rated as an excellent lightweight, noise isolating, and safe set of headphones for children
These headphones produce a very impressive sound quality which is clear, crisp, with strong full bass. This sound quality is achieved while remaining within the safety limit of 85 decibels. The built-in microphone is a welcome addition for online learning which has become more relevant since Covid 19 and self-isolation.
Bluetooth pairing with iPhone, Android, and other compatible devices is easily initiated and a 30-foot range means that you can move around freely without the dangers of getting entangled in audio cables. The battery gives you 20 hours of listening pleasure and 200 hours of standby.
They also allow for Daisy Chain Sharing. This is a cable featuring a built-in audio splitter that allows two headphones to connect with the same device.
They are somewhat pricey but you get quality durable headphones that are safe and work well.
3. iClever BTH03 Kids Headphones
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 2.63 x 7.08 inches |
| Weight | 6.08 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wireless, Bluetooth5.0 |
I Clever BTH03 for Kids headphones have dual 40 mm drivers and an extended frequency. This delivers a great sound quality at a maximum volume limited to 85 decibels that is a safe level for kids. They also include a set of LED lights on the earpieces which can be turned on or off when they want. This combo of music and lights adds an element of fun.
The audio quality is both impressive and safe. A built-in volume limiter prevents the sound from exceeding 85 decibels which is the maximum volume recommended for children but the headphones still produce an all-around stereo sound of good quality.
With the built-in microphone, your child can have one-on-one tutoring that is very clear. With convenient shortcut buttons on the headphone like power, volume control, microphone, there is no need to reach for the phone anymore. An audio cable is supplied and can be used if you are not planning to go out.
Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a stable wireless connection. It is effective up to 33 feet away and the fade in and fade out is no longer a problem. The rechargeable battery allows for 25 hours of uninterrupted listening. Pairing with Bluetooth 5.0 technology is virtually instantaneous with any device that has Bluetooth.
These headphones have been designed to be very durable. Kids play rough, which is why these headphones are built to withstand rough handling. They are made of a flexible and foldable durable plastic headband that is fully adjustable. The foldable headphones will feel comfortable all day with the synthetic protein cushions. They are lightweight and can be easily folded to fit in a backpack.
The overall opinion is that the iCleverBTH03 is very good value for money.
4. BuddyPhones Wave Bluetooth Volume-Limiting Kids Headphones
| Dimensions | 6.69 x 5.91 x 2.36 inches |
| Weight | 3.84 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wireless, Bluetooth |
Buddy Phones have won Awards in the Category, SAFE AUDIO FOR KIDS, for innovative design and features. To protect your child’s hearing, the Buddy headphones have built-in volume-limiting circuitry that restricts the volume to a maximum sound level of 85 decibels. It is wireless and claims to be the first waterproof headphone.
12.5% of Kids between the ages of 6 and 19 have hearing loss due to using headphones that are too loud. There are four volume settings, which can be selected depending on the child’s age, or surroundings. The options are 75-decibel Toddler Mode, 85-decibel Kid Mode, 94-decibel Travel Mode, and, Study Mode. Study mode enhances the clarity of the spoken sound to help children to listen and learn.
Pairing is easy and quick with any device that has Bluetooth. It has a listening range of 20 feet and the battery will give a listening time of up to 18 hours. It has a backup Buddy Cable enabling use without the battery and for sharing.
Buddy Phones are made from high-quality and safe materials to ensure that they are compliant with all safety and environmental standards. The materials are also durable and able to withstand any rough treatment your child may dish out.
The headphones are fitted with anti-allergic cushions and are comfortable to wear and the headband is adjustable for a perfect, tight but comfortable fit. Headphones can fold and are compact to fit easily into the provided carrying case.
These are highly-rated popular headphones for kids. They are waterproof, safe, and most kids love the look. They are available in a range of funky colors.
5. JuniorJams Volume Limiting Headphones for Kids
| Dimensions | 8.11 x 5.75 x 2.01 inches |
| Weight | 13 ounces |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.0 |
Yes, once again, we feature a Puro product but it is only because they make so many excellent noise-canceling headphones for kids. These are safe and work well while still being highly affordable.
With Junior Jams your child can use the headphones for up to 8 hours per day without damaging the eardrums although it is advised not to use headphones for more than an hour at a time. The volume maxes out at 85 decibels which is a safe volume to prevent hearing loss. It also has Bluetooth and great sound quality.
These Headphones limit volumes to 85 decibels which is the recommended volume for preventing hearing loss. Limiting the volume does not affect the Audio Quality which is crisp and clear. This is achieved by the sound optimizing Puro Balanced Response Curve that means outside noise is limited by 87%.
Bluetooth v 4.0 is very efficient with a listening range of up to 30 feet which allows for free movement and eliminates getting entangled in audio cables. It will pair easily with any device that has Bluetooth. A 3.5 mm auxiliary audio-limiter cable set to a max of 85 decibels can be connected if required. ( For example, on airplane screens that do not have Bluetooth).
The lithium-ion battery has a listening time of 22 hours and 260 hours standby. It can be quickly recharged with a USB cable which is included in the Box.
It has the handy Daisy Chain Technology that allows two headsets to be connected and play audio from a single source. Useful for parents helping their children with school work, or friends listening to music together.
Junior Jams headphones are great for using for a long time. The ear cups are wrapped in luxuriously soft vegan leather and are made of very durable hard plastic. The headband is padded and lightweight and can be smoothly adjusted to ensure a perfect fit.
All of the controls are large and easy to use. The circular ear cups rotate at 90 degrees, which enables them to be folded easily for travel or storage. There is a soft carry bag included in the box that will keep the headphones clean and safe while not being used.
The majority of reviews praised the sound quality, comfort, and praised the Customer Service for rapid response when problems did occur.
6. Griffin Penguin Kazoo MyPhones Kids Volume-Limiting Headphones
| Dimensions | 9.45 x 6.69 x 3.15 inches |
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wired |
If you want to get your younger kids to enjoy their headphones you cannot go wrong with these super-cute Penguin-designed volume-limiting headphones. They are wired but will still work with most devices including Android, iOS, and PC.
They are comfortable over-the-ear headphones with safe volume-limiting ability.
These are popular and highly affordable. They are great for younger kids and also make excellent gifts. You can safely keep your child entertained on long trips or when the family is watching other shows or sport. The fun design makes them a hit with younger kids.
7. Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones
| Dimensions | 7.4 x 5.8 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 5.29 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wired |
Although not specifically designed for children these are adjustable and will fit smaller heads comfortably. What is important is that they are of good quality and highly affordable. Sony is a trusted brand that is known for reliable, durable products at a fair price.
The only downside is that younger kids might find the plain black design a bit boring but at least they will not outgrow them in 6 months when the current design they used to love is no longer “cool”.
They are over-ear wired headphones with effective noise isolation. If you are looking for a budget set of headphones for slightly older kids or those, not into cute funky designs these are worth considering.
8. Spiderman Kids Ear Protectors Earmuffs Toddler Ear Protection and Headphones
| Dimensions | 8 x 5 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 14.9 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wired |
Back to the more funky options, we have the Spiderman Kids Ear Protectors Earmuffs Toddler Ear Protection and Headphones. Most kids love Spiderman so these are a popular choice. They are great value for money and highly versatile.
These are wired over-ear headphones or earmuffs. They are easy to use and fully adjustable. They have volume limiting to ensure the safety of your child’s ears and are extremely comfortable. Another benefit is that they are light and foldable so easy to carry around for kids on the move.
At this price, they make great gifts and these are a top-selling option.
The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids Buyer’s Guide
Here are a few important points to consider when choosing noise-canceling headphones for your child.
Noise-canceling ability
This is the main thing to consider. As we have discussed, young ears are more sensitive, and loud noise can do permanent damage. The quality of the noise-canceling is critical. We go into more detail in the FAQ below if you want to know more.
Comfortable fit
The fit is important for several reasons. Naturally, you want them to be comfortable and secure but the fit also needs to be right for noise-canceling to be effective.
To block out background noise which will help the child it is very important to choose a pair of headphones that fit well, which will seal effectively. This will ensure the noise-canceling feature works well enough to block out background noise which will help your child to concentrate better.
A good fit will also ensure they do not fall off easily.
Looks
While we all want headphones that look great, many children are a bit more particular. They have different tastes to teens and adults.
Children are in most cases more interested in headphones having bright colors and fun designs than the technical details. It is important that they enjoy them and make use of them so find the design and colors your child will appreciate.
Connectivity
The two main options are Wired or Wireless. There are pro’s and con’s for both but the pro’s for wireless far outweigh con’s and is recommended for the following reasons:
- Wires can get in the way of your child’s movement
- The wire may get tangled and damaged after a while
- Offers better protection since wireless can’t produce sounds louder than those that it is designed for
Unless you have a specific reason to consider a wired set, for example with a non-Bluetooth device, rather go for wireless headphones. It will give active kids much more freedom.
Durability
Durability is always important but more so with children. They are naturally more active and often a bit less careful than adults. Transporting, storing, and general use can cause damage to fragile headphones.
Look at the build quality, the materials used, and the design.
Ease of use
You do not want to get the kids’ complex headphones. Although young kids are often better with technology than the older folk, keep it simple. Look for noise-canceling headphones that are simple and user-friendly. There is not much they need to do with them once they are set up so the easier to use the better.
Price
While you cannot put a price on the safety of your kid’s hearing, you do not want to spend a fortune. Look for quality noise-canceling headphones at a fair price. We have reviewed several great options. The point is that they will grow out of them in a few years so, without compromising on quality and safety, look for something affordable.
FAQs
When is noise too loud for my kids?
Noise that is too loud is harmful and can lead to noise- reduced hearing loss.
You must therefore look for suitable noise-reduction or noise-cancellation headphones for kids.
Listening to music on headphones should ideally be played at 70 to 85 decibels dependent on the age of the child and should not be used for longer than 60 minutes at a time. To avoid damaging your child’s hearing noise-canceling headphones up to a maximum of 85 decibels must be chosen.
Noise-canceling headphones reduce background noises such as the roar of an airplane engine and acute loud noises which can cause hearing problems. They also need protection from low-level noise such as automobile and train traffic.
An indication of decibel ratings of different types of machinery and noises in different environments:
| 60 – 70 decibels | Background noise or shouting |
| 85 decibels | Lawnmower |
| 74 – 104 decibels | Movie theater |
| 94 – 110 decibel | Music through headphones, sporting events and, concerts |
How does noise reduction work in noise-canceling headphones?
There are two different types of noise reduction:
Passive noise cancellation (PNC)
This is a method of filtering out noise by relying solely on hardware alone such as earmuffs that are heavily padded or headphones designed to make a tight seal around the ears to drastically reduce noise.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
Noise-canceling headphones use inbuilt microphones to analyze outside noises and create anti-noise frequencies that are mixed in with your music playback. This effectively cancels out the sound of your surroundings using analog or digital filters. This allows you to listen to music, lectures, or whatever you are listening to without distraction.
The importance of choosing headphones with the capability of limiting the volume to a maximum of 85 decibels has already been discussed.
Final thoughts
The best headphones are those that have reliable volume-limiting capabilities and noise-cancellation technology while also fitting comfortably and correctly.
At the end of the day, the safety of our child’s hearing is the most important thing to us and we should do everything possible to protect that. Invest in a quality set that is durable and looks good. We have reviewed some of the very best options available right now.
