How to Pick the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids
Kids are more sensitive to loud sounds because of their smaller ear canals and eardrums. If left unchecked, prolonged noise exposure can cause long-term damage, like noise-induced hearing loss. The only problem is that finding a suitable pair for your little ones can be challenging. First, they must fit correctly, or the noise cancellation won’t be effective. They also need to be comfortable but durable and look appealing to kids. No worries, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled all the essential buying factors to consider when choosing noise-canceling headphones for kids. Also included are our top eight headphone picks to help get you started. So let’s dive in!
PuroQuiets
Key features
Form Factor: On-ear Noise Reduction: 22 dB via ANC Can play music: Yes Volume Limit: 85dB Weight: 0.5 lbs Battery Life: 23 hours (ANC on) and 35 hours (ANC off) Best for: 2 years old and up Other features: Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity, CVC 8.0 Microphone
Puro Sound Labs founder Dave Russell created the PuroQuiets headphones after discovering his daughter had noise-induced hearing loss. They specifically lessen noise exposure with a volume limiter and ANC technology, making them our best overall pick. So, protecting your child’s hearing with noise-canceling headphones or ear muffs is vital. Here’s what each does:
Noise-canceling headphones: These are also called active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones and use advanced technology to block noise. They sample background noise around you and create an opposing frequency. Both frequencies cancel each other out, thus reducing noise when played back. Ear muffs: These are hearing protectors that use thick padding (foam) to seal the ears. This is called passive noise isolation, similar to sticking your fingers in your ears to block out noise.
So, which is better? It depends on how your child uses them. Ear muffs are best for mid to high-frequency sounds, like loud cheering or fireworks shows. They have specific noise reduction ratings and safety certifications from organizations like The American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Conversely, ANC headphones are better at reducing consistent low-frequency sounds, like background chatter or thrumming appliances. They also don’t have safety certifications from ANSI. Typically, any noise reduction or volume-limiting estimates come from the manufacturers themselves. But, ANC headphones come with extra features. Some have better drivers, microphones, and wireless connectivity, making them ideal for online classes or music listening. For example, infants and toddlers have no use for regular audio headphones. As such, you’ll want to prioritize comfort and hearing protection instead. Children from 3 to 12 years old have more need for audio headphones for leisure or study. However, you’ll also want to prioritize those with volume limiters to ensure they’re not turning up their sound to dangerous levels. As for teenagers, you can go for headphones more focused on audio reproduction. Here are a few other comfort-related factors to consider when buying headphones for kids:
Weight: Ideally, kids’ headphones should weigh no more than 0.5 lbs. You don’t want a bulky pair of headphones weighing down heavily on their neck, especially if they have to wear them for long periods. Adjustability: Comfortable headphones should have some hardware adjustability to accommodate kids’ proportions. As such, you’ll want to choose headphones with an extendable headband and rotating ear cups. Clamping force: This determines how snugly the headphones fit around the head and ears. Ideally, the clamping force should deliver equal pressure on all contact points. It should be tight enough to stabilize the headphones and seal the ears. If they are too loose, they risk falling off if your child moves around a lot. Padding and materials: Ear cup padding protects the ears from the headphone hardware. For kids, you’ll want to go for foam or velour pads, which are breathable and soft, making them easy to wear for long periods. On the other hand, leather and pleather tend to feel firmer on the ears and can get quite warm. Ear cup size: Since children have smaller ears, it’s important to pay attention to how small, large, or shallow the ear cups are. Ear cups that are too small or shallow may make the ears feel cramped. And if they’re too big, they may not create a good seal for the ears, defeating the purpose of noise cancellation. Fit type: Common headphone fit types are over-ear and on-ear. Over-ears have bulky circular, oval, or D-shaped ear cups that cover the entire ear. And on-ears are more lightweight and allow better air circulation around the ears. Younger kids will benefit more from over-ears because they’re suitable for noise isolation. Older kids, however, can choose based on their preferences.
Here are some factors to consider: The ANC on these headphones reduces unwanted background noise by 78% to protect your child’s sensitive ears. They perform pretty well and are most effective on continuous noises, like vacuums or similar appliances. Sudden sounds like dog barks or clapping, however, don’t do so well. Younger kids can use these headphones safely thanks to a volume-limiting function that keeps the audio levels at a safe 85 dB. This prevents your child from pushing the volume higher than necessary. Build-wise, these headphones have an aluminum casing and comfy protein leather padding ideal for prolonged use. Furthermore, the PuroQuiets are equipped with a built-in mic and Bluetooth 5.0, freeing up your child from annoying cables that can get in the way. The battery is also pretty decent, offering 23 hours of listening with ANC. We tested them on a full charge and found they could last several days uncharged with minimal use. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
3M Kids Hearing Protection Plus
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: NRR 23dB (SNR 26dB) via passive noise isolation Can play music: No Weight: 0.93 lbs Best for: 3 to 12 years old Other features: ANSI S3.19-1974 Certified
If you want something purely for ear protection, the 3M Kids Hearing Protection Plus are an excellent option from a trustworthy brand specializing in professional safety. They’re super durable, comfortable for kids of all ages, and very well-made, making them our strong runner-up pick for noise protection. These ANSI-certified ear muffs have an NRR of 23dB, enough to protect your child’s ears in loud environments like amusement parks, live shows, etc. They also do exceptionally well at reducing noises like airplane engines, so they’re also a good travel accessory. In terms of build quality, these ear muffs feature enhanced comfort and durability. They have a reinforced cushion headband that feels flexible yet sturdy. And the soft ear cushions are dense enough to provide an effective seal around the ears. The overall adjustability works well, too. Although the headband itself doesn’t have an expansion mechanism, you can extend the ear cups via the metal pins to get a better fit. While testing this out, we found that they could even fit adult proportions. So, even if your kids lose interest in the ear muffs, you may still get some use out of them. CHECK LATEST PRICE AMAZON
PROHEAR 032
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: NRR 25dB (SNR 28dB) via passive noise isolation Can play music: No Weight: 0.43 lbs Best for: 3 years old and up Other features: ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 Certified, High Visibility Designs
Are you looking for a cheaper alternative? The PROHEAR 032 ear protectors provide affordable hearing protection for any environment. They’re made for toddlers and older children and come in colorful designs that appeal to all ages. These passive noise-canceling headphones reduce noise by 25dB and meet ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 standards. They’re decent enough at muffling audible distractions when your child needs to concentrate on studying. And they perform well in loud outdoor settings or events like sports matches, carnivals, and the like. On the plus side, the 360-degree rotatable ear cups are deep, so they’ll feel comfortable for your child even after extended use. You can also easily replace the ear pads by simply pulling them out and snapping a new one in place. Despite their price, PROHEAR 032s look good. They come in six high-visibility designs that even older teens (and some adults!) will like. The colors are fade-proof and make it easy to keep tabs on your kids in crowded settings. A true space-saver, you can fold the ear muffs into a more compact size and stow them away in the included travel drawstring bag. And because they’re so light, younger children won’t have a problem carrying them around. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Dr.meter EM-100 Kids Ear Protection
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: NRR 27dB (SNR 30dB) via passive noise isolation Can play music: No Weight: 0.50 lbs Best for: 8 months to 11 years old Other features: ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 Certified
The Dr.meter EM-100 Kids Ear Protection provide professional noise reduction specifically for smaller ears. They also have the highest NRR rating amongst the ear muffs on this list and are recommended even for babies and older kids. These ear muffs are ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 certified, making them ideal for kids attending loud outdoor events or helping with house chores. The high-density foam padding inside the ear cups reduces noise by 27dB. And the ridged headband design allows better heat dissipation, which makes them comfortable for active kids. Adjustability is also no problem with the 360-degree rotatable ear cups. You can lengthen or shorten the ear cups to suit kids of all ages. During our testing, we found they could fit adults with smaller proportions, too. The ear muffs’ low clamping force also minimizes discomfort so that even babies can wear them for long periods. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Snug Kids Ear Protection
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: NRR 25dB (SNR 28dB) via passive noise isolation Can play music: No Weight: 0.39 lbs Best for: 2 to 10 years old Other features: Overstimulation reduction for ASD children.
One in 44 children in the US has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), wherein overstimulation is a cause for concern. Fortunately, Snug created these ear muffs partly for this purpose. The Snug Kids Ear Protection muffs, in particular, are great for reducing overstimulation and come in many designs that kiddos will love. General loud noises, indoors or outdoors, can cause sensory overload in some ASD spectrum children. This causes feelings of distress, anxiety, and irritation, thus getting in the way of a child’s ability to focus. Using passive noise isolation, the Snug Kids Ear Muffs lessen surrounding noise by up to 25dB, which can significantly help kids with ASD. This lets them enjoy a quieter state of being and reduces stress by allowing them to pause and regroup when needed. The comfort level of these ear muffs is also quite good. They’re secure but very light when worn, which also helps kids feel relaxed and unconstricted. They don’t feel like they’re squeezing your head after prolonged use, as other ear muffs sometimes do. And the foam padding also does an excellent job of blocking noise. As for durability, you’ll get your money’s worth with these ear muffs. They feel decently sturdy in hand and have a bendable padded headband built to endure rough handling. With special metal hinges, you can fold them into a super-compact form and toss them in your child’s backpack without worrying about breaking them. The Snug Kids line also has a 5-year warranty, so you’ll be covered if your child is accident-prone or loves to tinker. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Alpine Muffy Baby
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: NRR 26dB (SNR 23dB) via passive noise isolation Can play music: No Weight: 0.41 lbs Best for: 3 months to 3 years old Other features: ANSI S3.19 and CE EN 352.1 Certified, BPA-free build, Elastic Headband, Travel Bag
The Alpine Muffy Baby ear muffs are an excellent option if you’re looking for something specifically for babies. They have unique safety features designed with babies’ sensitivities in mind and come in six colors. The ear muffs feature multi-layered foam padding that lessens ambient noise by 26dB. This ensures optimum protection so your baby’s ears won’t suffer whenever you’re in loud areas for extended periods, such as when traveling. They also help keep noise-sensitive babies and kids calm in crowded, busy settings. Our favorite feature on these ear muffs is the unique, diagonal headband. It looks almost like a seatbelt but is exceptionally soft and rests lightly across the baby’s forehead. This positioning keeps it away from the fontanelles, which are extremely fragile spots in the baby’s skull and take up to 18 months to form well. Another noteworthy feature is the ear muffs’ BPA-free design. BPA is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics that can cause developmental problems in children under two. Although this has more to do with baby bottles and food containers, it’s still good to know that these ear muffs are free from this harmful chemical. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
SuperEQ S2
Key features
Form Factor: On-ear Noise Reduction: 20-25dB via ANC Can play music: Yes Weight: 0.46 lbs Battery Life: 45 hours (wired, ANC on), 25 hours (Bluetooth, ANC off), 18 hours (Bluetooth, ANC on) Best for: 3 years old and up Other features: IPX4 build, Airplane Adapter Plug, Carrying Pouch, CVC 8.0 Noise Reduction Mic, Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
Is your child too easily distracted by background noise while studying? If so, the SuperEQ S2 headphones will take care of that for you. These headphones have the best ANC on this list. They also combine cool aesthetics and functionality, making them suited for online classes. Even older kids and teens will find them appealing. These headphones use feedback ANC with two mics in each ear cup. They work to cancel noise by 75%, thus improving your kid’s concentration when studying. We tried these out and were pleasantly surprised at how well the headphones blocked low to mid-frequency sounds. They’re effective against voices or background chatter, provided that the fit is adjusted to match the user well. However, they don’t do as well with higher-frequency noises. The CVC 8.0 noise-canceling mic and integrated Qualcomm QCC 3003 chip retain 90% of voice volume. And with Bluetooth 5.0, your kids can enjoy a high-quality wireless connection while sounding clear on voice or video calls. They can even opt between going wired or wireless, thanks to the included 3.5mm audio cable. The downside is that you’ll lose mic functionality, as it only works in wireless mode. Build-wise, the SuperEQ S2 headphones have a light, premium feel. The protein leather cushions are made with memory foam and feel soft on the ears for the first hour or so. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
JBL JR 460NC
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Noise Reduction: 15-20dB via ANC Can play music: Yes Volume Limit: 85dB Weight: 0.44 lbs Battery Life: 20 hours (ANC on) and 30 hours (ANC off) Best for: 5-11 years old Other features: Built-in Mic, Quick Charge Function, Detachable Audio Cable, Bluetooth Multipoint Connectivity
Children are never too young to develop a love for music, and if you think your child is one of them, you can start them with the JBL JR 460NC headphones. They have decent sound quality suited for young audiophiles and come with many features to suit other needs like gaming and studying. During testing, the 32mm drivers were found to deliver pretty good bass for headphones designed for kids. So if your child likes a bit of extra oomph in their music, they’ll enjoy these. They also come with a detachable 3.5mm audio cable, allowing them to play music from virtually any mobile device. Coupled with the ANC feature, the JR 460NC headphones also block up to 20dB of ambient noise. This doesn’t just improve audio quality and eliminate the need to raise the headphones’ volume but also helps minimize distractions while studying. Additionally, if the volume is a big concern for you, there’s no need to worry. These headphones also have a volume limiter that keeps all audio below 85dB. The JBL Jr 460NC’s features are a solid fit in a world where online classes are commonplace. They come with a built-in mic and a lengthy 20-hour battery life, which allows two full days of classes, and then some. Bluetooth connectivity also makes them a versatile gaming and learning accessory. Finally, although the headphones aren’t water-resistant, they still feel durable. They have high-quality plush ear cushions and a solid plastic build – great for kids who enjoy jamming to the music. CHECK THE LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
