Parenting can’t possibly get more complicated than now when life is tech-driven and our kids are so much savvier than we are. As parents, we want them to experience its wonders and keep a safe space for them at the same time. Even when it comes to earbuds, We found some are better than others at achieving both. So to share that experience, we put together this list of the best earbuds for kids.
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“It’s just earbuds,” some of us might think, but it can do some real, lasting harm to tiny ears if you’re not careful about the choice you make for your little one or even your teens. But, are they completely safe and how do you know you’re shopping for the right merch? We got top tips to help you spot the best and the worst when you go shopping so keep reading.
Best earbuds for kids for 2021 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons
To give you a quick glance at our top picks for earbuds for girls and boys, the table below summarizes some of the key features you need to know. Read further below for details on key features, pros, and cons.
| Image | Brand | Product Dimensions | Item Weight | Battery Life | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL   | MIFA | 1.93 x 0.98 x 1.93 inches | 0.124 ounces | 5 hours without case 30 hours with case | Check price |
PREMIUM PICK   | L.O.L | 4 x 5.13 x 8 inches | Not specified | 5 hours without case 25 hours with case | Check price |
BEST VALUE   | Joysico | 5.59 x 2.68 x 1.18 inches | 0.64 ounces | Not applicable | Check price |
  | iLuv | 2.6 x 1.35 x 1.1 inches | 2.89 ounces | 8 hours without case 20 hours with case | Check price |
  | JVC | 7.28 x 1.69 x 2.87 inches | 0.17 ounces | 6 hours without case 15 hours with case | Check price |
  | Picun | 4.65 x 3.7 x 1.65 inches | 4.2 ounces | 6 hours without case 36 hours with case | Check price |
  | Otium | 5 x 4.02 x 1.81 inches | 3.84 ounces | 9 hours | Check price |
1. MIFA Wireless BlueTooth Earbuds with Built-in Mic
- BlueTooth connectivity
- 30 hours of continuous play
- Built-in mic
- Hi-Fi stereo surround sound
For older kids, these earbuds can create a listening experience quite like no other. I must confess, I got one for myself after I’ve tried it once. It’s designed to be easy on the ear. What we all agree on that we like so much about this product is that it’s almost never out of battery. Perfect for long hauls!
2. L.O.L. Surprise! Fashionable Wireless Earbuds for Girls
- Guaranteed original L.O.L. merch
- 3D stereo surround sound
- 25 hours of continuous playtime
- Built-in mic
- Fast charging
Looking for a gift for the Little Miss? What’s not to love about this product? It’s a welcome addition to any girl’s treasure trove. We’ve gifted it to our goddaughters many times and it never ceases to impress.
3. Joysico Wired In-ear Earbuds with Ear Hook for Small Ears
- Soft-touch controls
- Pick-up and end calls
- Access Siri & other personal assistants
- Wide device compatibility
- Comes with 4 replacement tips
Unlike the MIFA Wireless BlueTooth Earbuds with Built-in Mic, younger kids will have a safer listening experience with this product from Joysico. The addition of four replacement tips and controls at the comfort of your child’s fingertips earns for a fraction of the cost of most branded earbuds earns it the Best Value spot in this list of the best earbuds for kids.
4. iLuv TB100 Cordless Earbuds with Hands-Free Mic with Waterproof Protection — Best User Rated Earbuds
- Up to 20 hours of battery life with case
- IPX6 Waterproof material
- 14 colors to choose from
- Four eartips
Definitely suited for older kids, it adds a modern minimalist vibe to the listening experience of your tweens and teens. More importantly, the sound output is excellent with up to 20 hours of continuous play. It also comes in a case which comes handy to prevent loss and damage.
5. JVC Gumy Truly Wireless Bluetooth, Water Resistant earbuds — Best Branded Earbuds
- IPX4 Waterproof material
- Ergonomic design
- Compatible with voice assistants
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
Made to fill the senses, JVC delivers stunning sound quality it’s known for in two tiny earbuds! The best part is that this product comes at an average price point! Impress your child with excellent quality and a brand name to go with it without breaking the bank – now that’s what I call win-win!
6. Picun W20 Bluetooth Touch Control Earbuds — Best Earbuds For Older Kids
- IPX8 Waterproof material
- Easy touch control
- Built-in HD mic
- Up to 36 hours of playtime
Guaranteed to wow the discriminating taste of older children, you’ll be so satisfied watching how these earbuds impress them. Well, if they don’t, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind wearing them yourself instead. So, you’ll never have to fear it’ll be a waste.
7. Otium in-ear Stereo Bass Earbuds with ear hooks — Best Over-Ear Earbuds
- IPX7 waterproof material
- Remote phone access
- Comes with 4 eartips in XS, S, M, L sizes
The best earbuds aren’t always the ones with the longest playing time. Sometimes, if you’re trying to limit screen time like we actively do at home, it might actually be beneficial to give kids devices with limited battery life. These earbuds can limit listening time which, if they overdo, can cause ear injuries or even lead to painful headaches.
Best Earbuds for Boys & Girls: Buying Guide
Kids today like to have the same tech that us moms and dads like to have. It wouldn’t hurt to give them the same experience – yes, including those little munchkins – for as long as we keep it safe for them. Though that’s always a given, we wouldn’t be surprised if even the most well meaning parents forget to add that into their shopping equation.
So, here’s our one-cent on the top things to keep an eye out for when shopping for earbuds for your kids.
Design & Style
These are top considerations to make and that should significantly cut down your list to a manageable few, trust me. We don’t mean choosing the right colors or picking out the trendiest look. You should be looking at designs and styles that are suitable for your child’s age.
For one, make sure smaller kids won’t choke. Wireless earbuds can be so tiny, they’re just not appropriate for use by very young boys and girls. How old is the minimum? You know your kids better – it might be earlier for some while others might be more responsible later. Make sure your child is past the stage where he or she grabs anything and puts it in the mouth.
Weight & Dimensions
That said, an L.O.L. Surprise! Fashionable Wireless Earbuds for Girls will definitely be worth it for your own primary and middle school baby girl but not for your two-year old. If you ask me, kids younger than three would best be using huge headphones or none at all.
Children have smaller ears and earbuds sized for average adults are simply not the best choice. A wired product like the Joysico Wired In-ear Earbuds with Ear Hook for Small Ears would be safer and more ideal.
Older kids may get away with JVC Gumy Truly Wireless Bluetooth, Water Resistant earbuds or a Picun W20 Bluetooth Touch Control Earbuds.
Device Compatibility
Before you even shop, make sure to check compatibility with your device. If you’re shopping in-store, ask to have the earbuds connected to your device on-the-spot. If you’re shopping online, make sure to check compatibility and ask the seller if you’re not sure. Miss that and it could be valuable money helplessly flushed in the drain.
Battery Life
With any tech, the longer the battery life, the better, and earbuds are no exception. For earbuds, you want a rechargeable carry case so you can charge the earbuds and the carry case before you take off.
That should give your child longer hours of playtime – and, you know those moments can be precious for your own peace and quiet, or even concentration, most especially when you’re driving and have to keep your eyes on the road.
Check out the iLuv TB100 Cordless Earbuds with Hands-Free Mic with Waterproof Protection. It’s capable of up to 20 hours of continuous play and it’s absolutely safe for younger children. Older children who can get pretty serious about their music will also thank you for MIFA Wireless BlueTooth Earbuds with Built-in Mic which boasts of up to 30 hours of charge.
Price
Get real! Children will break anything in under five minutes! Okay, that might be an exaggeration but, sooner or later those earbuds will break and they’ll be bugging you for a replacement.
So, earbuds don’t have to be expensive. You just need something functional and safe for your child’s age. That’s not to say you shouldn’t get a trendier option or a more expensive brand. But, know that when you buy cheap earbuds for kids, that doesn’t make it work any less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are earbuds safe for children?
There are several considerations to make. For us, the topmost consideration is your child’s age. If she or he is less than two years old, it may be too early to get your child to wear earbuds. They’re practically a choking hazard!
If they really have to be put on one such as to drown out ambient noise, it might be best to use headphones instead. Wireless earbuds are best worn by school-aged kids, or at least when your child has stopped putting things in his or her mouth.
Q: Do earbuds come in different sizes?
Yes! Two other factors to consider, in fact, are the size and weight of the earbuds. You don’t want them to be too big or too heavy or it will create stress and even cause ear pain or headaches.
You should also agree on listening periods with your kids. Tell your child about possible consequences of continuous listening and high volumes like hearing impairment.
Q: Are BlueTooth earbuds safe for children?
There has been a long-standing debate about that. What I found out from digging around on the web and gathered from our paedia as well is that devices running on BlueTooth are safe.
BlueTooth earbuds, like other BlueTooth devices, emit a low level of radiation. This is what some say causes health problems. Our take on that as parents is that we can let our kids continue to enjoy the conveniences that come with the technology but also that limitations have to be set. For us, too much or too little of anything can be bad, even with wireless earbuds.
Conclusion
The best earbuds for kids are more than just instruments for listening to good music or to learn something new. It’s a sensory experience that even small kids shouldn’t miss out on.
As parents, our role is to facilitate that experience and make sure that they’re getting the most good while avoiding the risks at the same time. So, don’t be overly focused on shopping for the right earbuds, you’d also want to make sure that your child is listening to good stuff. Make sure those parental controls are swiped on.
