Let’s be honest, not everyone wants to hear a YouTuber's latest ‘get ready with me’, the sound of a Roblox battle or yet another episode of Bluey on repeat. If the school holidays have taught me anything, it’s that the best kids' headphones can be worth their weight in gold.
Unlike standard models, kids’ headphones are designed with younger users in mind, with flexible, adjustable designs that prioritise safety and comfort, whether they’re used for work, rest or play.
Most importantly, kids’ headphones incorporate volume-limiting technology, protecting their sensitive ears from prolonged loud noise exposure. While some regular headphones can hit volumes as high as 136dB – a level that’s potentially damaging even for adults – the World Health Organisation recommends a maximum of 85dB for children over extended periods. As such, I’ve focused on noise-limiting models to give parents added peace of mind.
It’s also worth considering the practical side – whether your child needs wireless headphones, wired designs, bone-conduction headphones, or foldable options to tuck inside their school bag or hand luggage. Along with some mini helpers, I’ve tested a range of kid-friendly headphones designed for everyday use, perfect for tuning in to everything from audiobooks to action-packed games.
Overall, the Belkin SoundForm mini headphones emerged as the top performer during testing, but there were several other excellent designs across the board, ranging from budget-friendly options to trendy headphones for teens. Keep scrolling to find out which pairs impressed.
How I tested
With the help of a band of mini testers aged 8-13, I spent six weeks putting a variety of kids’ headphones through physical, hands-on testing. From car journey audiobooks to YouTube research on the Romans for a school project, and, let's be honest here, more hours of Roblox than I care to admit – each product was put through its paces in real-life settings. During testing, the following criteria were considered:
- Sound quality: Of course, sound quality was a major consideration. I wanted headphones that genuinely sound good.
- Safety: I wanted headphones with safe sound level limits to protect kids’ hearing.
- Battery life: Not only did the headphones need to provide a decent amount of runtime (for long journeys and study sessions), they were also assessed on how long they took to recharge.
- Comfort: From padded ear cups and headbands to ease of adjustment, finding comfortable headphone designs was crucial.
- Value for money: Kid and teen appeal was considered against quality, design and price.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products aimed at children and parents, trialling them in the same way as your family would use them in real life.
Lucy Cotterill is a freelance writer, blogger and mum of two who has written several parenting and family review features for IndyBest, including the best trampolines and best play tents. Having consistently reviewed products aimed at children and families since 2012, Lucy prides herself on scrutinising product features, seeking out pros and cons and helping parents make informed purchase decisions.
The best kids’ headphones for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Belkin SoundForm Mini Wireless On-Ear Headphones for Kids: £29.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Groov-e Kidz Wireless Headphones for Kids: £12.49, Amazon.co.uk
- Best noise-cancelling – JBL 470NC Headphones: £62, Very.co.uk
- Best for teens – Beats Solo 4 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones: £150, Amazon.co.uk
- Best bone conduction – My First Headphones AirWaves: £39.99, Boots.com
Belkin SoundForm mini wireless headphones for kids
Best: Kids' headphones overall
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: Pink, blue, black, white, purple, mint
Volume limit: 85dB
Why we love it
- Excellent value for money
- Up to 30 hours of battery life
- Super-fast charging
- Includes cute stickers for personalisation
- Easy to adjust
- Soft ear cushions
Take note
- May be a little tight for older children
- Stickers may peel off over time
These headphones were a clear favourite with my mini testers, and at just £30, they offer excellent value for money. Kids will love to take their pick from a wide choice of bright colourways (depending on the retailer), and they can use the sticker sheet included to add a fun, personalised touch. While the stickers may peel off over time, I love the option to add a name label, which is handy if your kids are forgetful or forever leaving things behind.
I was genuinely impressed with the overall quality of these headphones. Despite their relatively budget-friendly price tag, they were robust and durable, with a stylish, premium feel. The ear cups are soft and well-padded, and while the headband isn’t cushioned, my testers found it comfortable and easy to adjust – simply pulling the cups downward to extend the fit. Belkin recommends these headphones for children aged three years and up, but they are a little snug on some older children.
Being wireless, the headphones give kids complete freedom to move around unrestricted. With the volume safely capped at 85dB, the audio quality was crystal clear, while the built-in microphone earned bonus points by supporting FaceTime conversations with friends.
During testing, the runtime of these headphones actually exceeded the 30 hours advertised, making them one of the best performers on test in terms of battery life. While they’re quick to recharge, the 3.5mm aux cable can be connected directly to your devices if the battery starts to run low. These are comfy, safe, and effective. They’re all you need in a good set of kids’ headphones.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon.co.uk
Groov-e kidz wireless headphones for kids
Best: Budget kids' headphones
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: Blue and pink
Volume limit: 85dB or 100dB
Why we love it
- Budget-friendly price tag
- Up to 20 hours of runtime
- Compact folding design
Take note
- Adjustable sound levels go up to 100dB
If you’re looking for budget-friendly headphones that your kids will actually want to wear, this pair is pretty hard to beat on price. Designed with both wired and wireless functionality, the headphones even have a built-in microphone, which is ideal for calls, voice notes or chatting with friends during gaming sessions.
These headphones are clearly designed with kids’ comfort in mind. The soft, padded ear cups and cushioned headband kept my mini testers calm and content, even over more extended periods. I loved how easy it was to adjust the fit, while the folding design was a big plus point for throwing in a backpack when taking outside the home. While the blue or pink colourways may feel a tad cliche, that’s not a deal-breaker.
With about 20 hours of playback per charge, these wireless headphones helped keep my mini tester entertained for the full length of a long car journey. It is worth mentioning, however, that the volume limiter isn't automatic – you need to manually toggle the switch to set it at either 85dB or 100dB. I found that the audio quality was noticeably clearer at the 85dB setting, which also happens to be the safer choice for younger ears.
Buy now £13.44, Amazon.co.uk
JBL 470NC headphones for kids
Best: Noise-cancelling kids' headphones
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: White, pink, blue
Volume limit: 85dB
Why we love it
- Active noise cancelling is ideal for travel
- Parents can track volume and usage via the app
- Up to 50 hours of battery life
- Stickers for personalisation
Take note
- Optional noise-cancelling feature can make conversations tricky
- Pricier than some other options
This pair of headphones is an excellent all-arounder. Kids can use these headphones wirelessly via Bluetooth, or connect directly to a device using the 3.5mm audio cable.
The headphones are easy to adjust as your child grows (they even fit comfortably on my head), and the folding, flexible design makes them ideal for travel. The padded headband and soft over-ear cups kept my testers comfortable, even during extended use.
Although at the higher end of the price range I tested, these headphones have several standout features. Active noise cancelling meant, at the press of a button, my mini tester could instantly block out background noise – helping her focus during study sessions or zone out in noisy environments.
But while that’s a great feature for focus, it honestly works too well. Noise-cancelling made it much harder for my daughter to hear me, which is annoying when dinner is ready.
The battery life is another major plus. JBL claims up to 50 hours on a single charge, and I found they live up to that promise. The JBL app was another great addition – putting parents firmly in control. Quick to set up and easy to use, the app enables you to manage volume levels (capped at 85dB), set daily listening limits, and even monitor your child’s usage. The latter can be a helpful tool for managing screen time, too, if your kids are using the headphones with a tablet.
Buy now £50.00, Very.co.uk
Beats solo 4 wireless Bluetooth on-ear headphones
Best: Headphones for teens
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: Black, slate blue, cloud pink
Volume limit: N/A
Why we love it
- Stylish and lightweight
- Foldable design with robust protective carry case
- Impressive, immersive sound quality
- Long battery life and rapid charging
Take note
- No volume limit
- Expensive
For music-loving teens who want headphones that combine on-trend style with good audio quality, this pair will be high on their wishlist. While these headphones certainly don’t come cheap, everything about them oozes quality. From the plastic-free packaging and robust protective carry case to the lightweight, foldable design with plush ear cushions, these headphones have a premium feel.
My 13-year-old tester had these Beats up and running within minutes, effortlessly pairing them with her Apple devices (the Beats are also compatible with Android). The on-ear design and sliding adjustable headband provided a secure fit, even during physical activity, while the muted colourways secured her fashion-conscious seal of approval.
While the uncapped volume makes them less suitable for young children, I was seriously impressed by the sound quality. These are really for adults, so they’re noticeably superior to the other headphones I tested. The Beats offer personalised audio, too – even tracking head movements for a truly immersive experience, with the built-in microphone making for clear conversations and responsive voice control.
The battery life was incredible, too. During testing, I saw more than 45 hours of playback from a single charge. My teen tester loved being able to check how much battery was remaining, using a single tap of the power button. If the battery did start to run low, the fast-charge USB-C cable can provide about five hours of battery life in just 10 minutes.
They’re perfect for teens, but younger listeners need something with a decibel limit.
Buy now £150.00, Amazon.co.uk
Yoto wireless headphones for kids
Best: First headphones for kids
Wireless: Yes
Mic: No
Colourways: Orange
Volume limit: Can be set via the Yoto app
Why we love it
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Up to 20 hours of battery life
- 'Daisy chain' feature for siblings
- Compact fold and carry bag for travel
Take note
- No built-in microphone
- Only one choice of colour
At the top of IndyBest’s guide to the best kids’ audio players, Yoto certainly knows a thing or two about creating fun, screen-free audio content. It was no suprise that the brand’s lightweight, flexible and brightly coloured wireless headphones really stood out during testing.
Suitable for children aged three and above, the small ear cups and well-cushioned design make an excellent first pair of headphones for younger children. Despite their compact size, they offer significant adjustment, too, fitting my eight- and 12-year-old testers comfortably even during longer periods of listening.
They’re very safe, too, as you can set the volume limit in the app. You can also set separate day and night volume limits, so you can have a higher limit in the day when kids are in the back of a noisy car and a lower limit in the evening when they need to wind down.
I loved the compact folding design, complete with a drawstring bag that’s really convenient for travel. The daisy-chain feature was another big hit, enabling my eight-year-old tester to share audiobooks with her older sister, as the same audio can be shared between more than one set of headphones. Battery life is up to 20 hours, although I found that it drained slightly faster when using the daisy-chain function.
There’s no microphone on these headphones, though, which could make them less appealing to older children who enjoy gaming or chatting with friends. These headphones are also currently only available in bright orange, which might not be to everyone’s taste.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon.co.uk
JLab JBuddies studio two-in-one wireless headphones for kids
Best: Kids' headphones for a long battery life
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: Pink, blue
Volume limit: 85dB or 95dB
Why we love it
- Up to 65 hours of battery life
- Comfortable ear cups
- Foldable and easy to adjust
- Share mode ideal for siblings (requires two pairs)
- Easy, accessible controls
Take note
- Less premium aesthetic than some other options
- May be too small for some older tweens/teens
These lightweight headphones offer excellent value for money, but, as you might expect for a pair retailing at less than £20, they don’t look as premium as the other models I tested. The headphones are designed for children aged 6-16 years, and my eight-year-old had no trouble adjusting the size independently. The soft, on-ear cushions kept my mini tester comfortable and focused during homework sessions and while playing Roblox. She also found the accessible buttons on the back of the left ear cup intuitive to use, easily pausing, skipping tracks and adjusting the volume.
With the option to use this pair either wired or wireless, the JBuddies have the longest battery life on test, with up to 65 hours of playtime per charge (a significant improvement on the brand’s previous model). That’s perfect for long car, plane, and train trips, and it gives the headphones enough juice to last for a weekend trip to the grandparents’.
While there’s no carry bag with these headphones, the foldable design is ideal for school bags and travel. If you have a second pair, your child can even share audio on a single device, via the smart wireless share mode.
Buy now £19.99, Argos.co.uk
My First headphones airwaves
Best: Bone conduction kids' headphones
Wireless: Yes
Mic: Yes
Colourways: Blue, pink
Volume limit: 85dB
Why we love it
- Super-lightweight, flexible design
- Sweatproof and water-resistant
- Simple to use
- Air conduction helps kids maintain an awareness of their surroundings
Take note
- Battery life is relatively short
- Children with long hair may find it harder to put on the headphones independently
If you’re concerned about safety, these headphones are definitely worth considering. They deliver impressively clear audio, capped at a safe 85dB, without covering or restricting your child’s ears.
Like swimming headphones, they use bone conduction, so kids can hear the outside world as well as their music. There was some audio leakage when I sat close to my mini tester, but I loved how the open-ear design helps children maintain an awareness of their surroundings, which is ideal when walking to and from school.
Although kids with long hair may struggle to put on these headphones independently, once in place, they kept my tester comfortable over longer periods (with no compression, sweaty ears, or irritation in sight).
The flexible design was a huge plus point, and it was able to withstand a fair bit of manhandling by an enthusiastic eight-year-old. The controls are kid-friendly, too – my tester was able to tap to pause, play and adjust the volume without assistance.
Battery life came in at about eight hours, which is a bit shorter than the over-ear headphones I tested. That said, with a recharge time of about 90 minutes, it's quick and easy to give the battery a boost when needed.
Buy now £39.99, Boots.com
What are the best kids’ headphones?
After thorough and enthusiastic testing, the Belkin SoundForm mini wireless headphones confidently take the top spot. The headphones come with excellent wireless battery life, and my mini testers happily wore these comfortable headphones for hours, enjoying plenty of clear, safe audio.
If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, the Groov-e kidz wireless headphones for kids offer many of the same features for less.
Prepared to blow the budget for a teen? You can’t beat the dynamic audio and sleek aesthetic of the Beats solo 4.
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