10 best kids headphones to buy in Australia in 2024
Screen time just got a lot more fun for kids - and peaceful for Mum and Dad
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All parents have the best intentions when it comes to screen time, but sometimes it's unavoidable - and extremely useful.
In fact, screens are everywhere and kids can get a lot of good from them - learning and playing and having fun - as long as screens are simply one part of their day, not the whole part.
Now that we've got the "we all use screens and truly, it's OK: you're still a great parent" disclaimer out of the way, let's celebrate the truly magical parenting milestone: the moment a child is able to use a screen - unaided - AND will happily keep a pair of headphones on their head.
But the real trick of getting your kids to wear headphones is buying them a pair they like - and one that is safe for their young ears. Which is where we come in. We've rounded up the best options to suit different styles and different budgets - so if you're looking for your child's first pair or you're ready to upgrade, keep reading!
Best overall headphones
iClever BTH03 Kids Headphones, from $31.98 (was $42.99), Amazon
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These are Amazon’s #1 best-selling headphones for a reason. They not only deliver a full sound experience but the volume is limited to an output of 94dB so you don’t need to worry about things being too loud for your kiddo’s ears, and they’re wireless so no need to untangle cords. If they’re facetime-ing their friends, there’s a built-in microphone so they can talk hands-free to their friends and family.
One Amazon customer uploaded a five-star review saying, "My 4 year old son loves these head phones and even wears them when they aren’t connected to a device. There is an option to have lights on the outside of the head phones which he loves and I’m happy the volume is limited. My son usually has his iPad volume full blast but when I set the volume level on his headphones he doesn’t seem to adjust the volume which is great. The headphones can be set at higher volume than I would like them to go but as mentioned above, I don’t think he touches the volume. Great product, I would definitely recommend."
Connectivity: wireless | Form Factor: one ear | Colour: pink, blue, red
Buddyphones Play Plus Headphones, $69.95, The Iconic
Buddyphones Play Plus Headphones
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These wireless headphones from Buddyphones can be tailored to your child's age, needs and environment with three settings - kid, toddler and travel - and a kid-proof safety mechanism to use in quiet, normal and loud situations. They are durable and offer 20 hours of battery life to see you through that extra long trip or wait at the airport. They're also available in pink, yellow and grey and come with decorative stickers and name tag stickers to customise for each child.
Connectivity: wireless | Form factor: on ear | Colour: pink, grey, yellow, blue
Best bluetooth wireless kids headphones
LeapFrog LeapPods Max, $49, Target
LeapFrog LeapPods Max
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These headphones offer more than just hours of music listening with awesome audio adventures, physical challenges, mindfulness activities and much more. The over-ear style provides comfort and volume safety for kids and you can listen immediately with no downloads necessary. Plus, you can also connect to your own device for fave music tunes or podcasts.
"Love these headphones. My 4 year old will sit and listen without needing to connect to any other devices and seems captivated."
Connectivity: wireless | Form factor: on ear | Colour: green and white
Moki Lil’ Kids Headphones, $25.46 (was $29.99), Myer
Moki Li'l Kids Headphones
These cute and colourful headphones are especially for little people with an adjustable, flexible headband and a cloth cable that is hard to tangle up. With volume limiting technology and small earpieces, they’re perfect for the smallest little tech-heads.
One Myer customer left a review saying, "Nice colours, My toddler love it. very comfortable even I have used them."
Connectivity: Wired | Form factor: on ear | Colour: Blue
Best JBL Kids Headphones
JBL Kids Wireless Headphones, $69.95, JBL
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This is a great wireless option from JBL. They have a soft padded headband and ear cushions for total comfort and have child-friendly controls so they’re easy for little fingers to operate. With a 12 hour battery life, these will last way longer than their screen time limits, and they’re also foldable and customisable, with stickers included so your kids can decorate them however they like.
One happy shopper posted the following review: "This product meets all the needs that myself and my daughter were looking for in a pair of headphones! They are user friendly, smart look comfortable and all round amazing! My asd daughter wanted a pair of headphones without wires that didn’t trigger her sensory needs as there was no leads to tangle or brush against her skin! She could connect them the first time and there after pop them on and away she went! The microphone was useful and great quality when she was speaking to her dad on Skype while he was away was fantastic it meant she could speak to him with her headphones on without the worry of disturbing anyone else! Great job JBL by Harmon it met every requirement with ease! The battery life on these once charged lasted a fair while so that was a massive bonus!"
Connectivity: wireless | Form: on ear | Colour: red and blue
Best wired headphones
MEE audio KidJamz 3 Child Safe Headphones, $29.95, Amazon
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These wired headphones are great if you have a kid (like mine) who tends to lose their headphones if they’re not plugged in. These are volume-limiting so they’re super safe for little ears and have a microphone for online learning or video calls with fam.
"Volume isn’t too loud but loud enough for my daughter to listen happily and for me not hear anything," reported one parent, while another said, "Great headphones for my 6 year old son. I like how the volume can be controlled to prevent hearing damage. They are comfortable and look good and seem well made."
Connectivity: wired | Form: on ear | Colour: pink, blue, black
Two-pack Moki Popper Kids Headphones, $60.30, Kogan
Moki Popper Unicorn Kids Headphones Two Pack
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This two-pack is a great bargain if you’ve got multiple kids or you’re looking for some birthday presents, and if they’re anything like my kids, they’ll go nuts for the adorable unicorn design. These are wired so they’re harder to lose but the flat cable is easy to untangle.
Connectivity: wired | Form: on ear | Colour: blue with unicorn motif
Best kids earphones for school
JBL Kids On-ear Headphones $39, The Good Guys
We have these headphones at home and they’re cheap and cheerful and do a great job. They’re wired (so easier to keep track of them and it means you don’t need to rely on bluetooth) and they’re compact so they can be folded away when you’re not using them. And at this price, I don't mind sending them off to school in the schoolbag.
One JBL customer left a review saying, "Purchase this as an early Xmas present for my son and the moment he put them on well wow. The sound was clear and fantastic. My fave feature is the volume control for a child this is very important. The soft earphones also make a difference, compare to other headphones he has tried it really has made a difference. Because of this product have bought another pair for my partner too. Highly recommended."
Connectivity: wired | Form: on ear | Colour: red and blue
Best alternative headphones
KIDSBAND Kids Headphones, $20.99, Amazon
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This stretchy comfy set of headphones is perfect for kids who don't like to wear headphones. Simply slip on like a headband! They're wireless so won't get tangled and are designed to minimise ear pressure. Great for travel, holidays, camping, listening to stories or music in bed.
One Amazon shopper left the following review: "I bought this product for my 5 year old for us to take a long road trip. The headphones were to help her sleep along the 17 hour drive and block out the noise from everyone else. These worked perfectly. She was able to sleep with them on and they connected to her tablet via Bluetooth so it was safe and there were no wires to worry about."
Connectivity: wired and wireless | Form: on ear | Colour: blue, brown, pink, purple
Best kid headphones for the plane and travel
Buddyphones Travel Kids Headphones, $29.95, The Iconic
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These comfy and collapsible headphones from Buddyphones are handy to take on your travels. They offer different volume modes depending on your child's age and surrounds, with Toddler, Kids and Travel. Ideal for safe listening and with a buddy cable included, ideal for sharing with siblings!
Connectivity: wired | Form: on ear | Colour: pink, blue
Best noise cancelling headphones
PuroQuiets Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, $218.96, Amazon
Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiets Noise Cancelling Headphone
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These lightweight noise cancelling headphones are fantastic for kids who need a little peace and quiet to concentrate on their studies, book, music or whatever they're listening to. This pair will block out surrounding sounds and allow your child to listen at a safe volume. They also have a chic and contemporary look that will suit older kids and teens as well as the little ones.
One parent uploaded the comment, "This is an amazing product. It helps my 5 year old stay focused in school, is easy to use, very high build quality and volume limited. It's stylish too."
Connectivity: wireless | Form: on ear | Colour: blue and white
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying kids headphones?
- Volume: This is an important factor to consider so make sure you choose kids headphones with volume limiting technology to protect your child's future hearing.
- Price: Naturally, as with anything in the tech world, you can pay a hefty price, especially if you want the best. However, there are safe reputable kids head phones available from around $30, even less. Just make sure they have the right features such as over ear listening and volume control.
- Comfort: Make sure you choose headphones that are comfortable for your child's delicate ears, and will stay in place. If your child finds them difficult to wear, there are many alternative stretchy headband style headphones that might work better.
- Over ear or in-ear: Only choose over-ear headphones for kids, as ear buds and inside ear headphones can damage their delicate inner ear
Is it safe for my child to wear headphones?
The answer is yes, however, as a parent, it's important to monitor the volume of headphones and how long your kids are using them.
The World Health Organisation states that a child should listen to a level of no more than 75dB, for no more than 40 hours per week.
Most kids headphones (and all the ones we've rounded up here) are fitted with volume limiting technology so they will never be too loud, but it's still not a great idea for them to listen for more than a few hours at a time - depending on their age.
Are wired or wireless headphones better for kids?
It comes down to personal preference and what you'll be using them for.
Some parents prefer wired as there is less chance of their child losing them if they're connected to their iPad or other device. They also like the fact that they don't have to rely on bluetooth or batteries to keep charged.
Others prefer wireless, especially if they have kids on the go and constantly moving around. It's also better for this kids who put things in their mouth and want to suck or chew the wire. It can also be a safer choice, as the wire can get tangled or pose a strangulation risk for little ones.
While you're here, why not check out our guide to the best nightlights and the best solution for kids who aren't quite ready for an iPhone. Ready to shop? Check out our coupons page for the latest steals and deals.
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