12 Best Kids Headphones (2025), Hearing Protection and More
A Wireless Gaming Headset
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Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
SteelSeries
Arctis Nova 5X Wireless
When the Razer BlackShark V2 X finally gave up the ghost, my eldest switched to this wireless SteelSeries headset. She loves it. Our pick for multiplatform gaming in our Best Gaming Headsets guide, the Arctis Nova 5X comes with a handy USB dongle and Bluetooth support. This wireless headset can go up to 60 hours on a single charge, has a retractable microphone, and offers great sound quality for the money, with audio presets for many popular games.
The ear cups are soft and comfortable even after several hours, the adjustable headband ensures a snug fit, and the controls are within easy reach on the right can. My daughter also loves having a wireless headset, as she can get up and move around freely without snagging a cable, and there’s nothing to clear out of the way of the robot vacuum. This headset is not volume-limited and is advertised for adults, but teens will love it (just make sure you warn them about cranking the volume too loud).
Ages: 15+. This pair is not volume-limited.
Protect Those Headphones
Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Even durable headphones are easy to damage. We have lost pairs to folks standing on them, cats and robot vacuums attacking the cables, and chairs rolling over them. I have learned that a stand or holder is worth the investment if it keeps those cans off the floor. Even if your kids only sometimes remember to use it, that could extend the likely lifespan of their headphones.
We use the Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand with Wireless Charger ($80), which also has a spot for charging your phone on the base, but there’s no need to spend that much. This New Bee Headphone Stand ($7) will do the trick. My PC gaming eldest has a Hanger Mount ($13) clamped to the desk, and it works great for keeping that headset out of the way when it’s not in use.
Other Headphones We Liked
These headphones didn’t quite earn a place above, but we still liked them.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Juice Pro Wireless Headphones for £35: For the 10-year-old kids in one of my wife’s classes, these headphones were singled out as the best because they are very comfy, they are wireless, and they offer decent active noise cancellation. Sound quality is decent, the headphones are hard-wearing, and they are made from 100 percent recycled plastics. They are also cheap for folks in the UK (sadly, unavailable stateside).
BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun for $80: These headphones by Onanoff offer three volume-limiting options at 75, 85, or 94 decibels, but that top limit should only ever be used for short periods (50 minutes or less). There are stickers to customize the cans, and they are well-padded, but the verdict from the kids was just “OK.” The presence of ANC and 42-hour battery life is welcome. The 3.5-mm audio port allows for plugging in, and we love that you can also use it to link two pairs of Buddyphones and share audio (handy if your kids are sharing a tablet to watch a movie).
Headphones We Didn’t Like
These headphones did not pass muster, for either us or our kids.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Juice Animals Wired Headphones: Simon really wanted to like these headphones as they are made entirely from recycled plastic, 20 percent of the profits go to The Born Free Foundation, and they come in fun panda or tiger designs. They are also very affordable. But, sadly, both pairs we tested developed faults within the first week.
StoryPhones: While the idea of headphones that play stories based on “StoryShields” you attach is clever, enabling kids to switch stories easily, the StoryPhones are too expensive for the build and sound quality, extra stories are pricey, and the shields are easily lost.
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