The quick guide to kids' headphones

On-ear headphones are typically smaller and lighter than over-ear headphones. They feature ear cups that sit on top of the ears, which can be a good option for children who don't like the feeling of over-ear headphones completely covering their ears.

And then there’s the new kid on the block—open-ear headphones designed for kids. Also known as bone-conduction headphones (or even ‘off-ear headsets’), open-ear headphones are great for kids who don’t like the feeling of anything in or on their ears, as well as those who don’t like wearing a headband. They’re wireless, too, so they’re also excellent for active kids.

What about earbuds, though? We wouldn’t recommend them for younger kids. Wired, wireless, or true wireless, earbuds need to be inserted into the ear canal, which can increase the chance of damaging a young child’s hearing. Hygiene also doesn’t tend to top the list of concerns for many young kids and remembering to put earbuds back in their case after use is important. If earbuds are left lying around (or shoved into a pocket or bag) when they’re not in their case, lint and dirt can get stuck to them and end up in your kid’s ears. There’s an obvious risk of infection there, which is easily sidestepped by avoiding earbuds until a child is old enough to remember to store earbuds in their case when they’re not using them.

What are open-ear headphones for kids?

So what about those open-ear kids headphones we mentioned? Wireless open-ear headphones for kids are a new innovation that are getting a lot of attention for being super comfortable and super safe. We couldn’t agree more.

Why are they so safe? To start with, it’s all about the design. There’s no headband or ear cups, and users don’t need to put an earbud into their ear. Instead, open-ear headphones sit outside the ear canal. They rest just in front of the ear and transmit sound via the cheekbones using bone-conduction technology. This clever tech means no sound is being played directly into your child’s ears.

Comfort wise, open-ear headphones don’t require a tight fit, so they're less likely to cause discomfort or irritation. Plus, the fact that open-ear headphones don’t go into, or even onto the ear, makes them particularly hygienic—which can only be a bonus!

With no ear cups covering their ears, the other great safety benefit to open-ear headphones is that kids can hear external sounds at the same time as they’re listening to their headphones. If your child wants to play music when they’re outside, they’ll be more alert to what’s going on around them (traffic, for instance). Inside, they’ll still be able to hear you telling them it’s time to take a break!

Open-ear headphones for kids come with a great comfort advantage built-in: there’s no ear-cup to go on or over the ear. If your child doesn’t like the feeling of having their ears covered, open-ear headphones are perfect.

Obviously, a child’s head is smaller than an adult head, which is why it’s important to buy open-ear headphones specifically designed for children. In addition to that 85 dB volume limitation, kids’ open-ear headphones are built to snugly hug a child’s head. Adult open-ear headphones will fall straight off.  

Philips open-ear kids’ headphones have a flexible neckband with a springy titanium core. This allows the headphones to ‘hug’ your child’s head—keeping them gently but firmly in place. The neckband also loops up over the ears, so the headphones won’t slip down. 

Share their headphones with friends? Sure. Throw them in their backpack before putting other stuff on top? Why not. Accidentally spill their drink over them when the school bus, or your car, comes to an abrupt stop? It happens.

If making sure your child’s headphones are volume-limited and comfortable is important, making sure they’re robust enough to withstand your kid using them is surely going to be up there too. 

Are they tough enough? 

Admittedly, it can be hard to tell just how just how strong a pair of headphones are until you have them in your hand. 

If you’re shopping online, some things to look out for when considering whether a pair of headphones are going to be sturdy enough include:
 

• Is the headband (on-ear headphones) or neckband (open-ear headphones) strong yet flexible enough that you can adjust it easily?
• Do they come with a carrying case for travel or so you can store them safely when they’re not in use?
• If they’re on-ear headphones, check if they fold up for easy storage or so your kid can carry them in their pocket.
• Are they water resistant? Check if they have an IP rating. If they do, they’ll probably withstand a splash or two.

It’s well worth talking to the kids about what they want! You may think you know. But do you? You might feel pretty sure a younger child would want a brightly coloured pair, only to discover that they think the bright colours are ‘too childish’. Or that their favourite colour has changed since yesterday. And who knows whether an older child wants nothing more than headphones that light up, or when tweens are going to start thinking that wired models are cool again!

It’s also a smart idea to check whether the headphones your kids want are compatible with their devices. After all, a child might ask for a wired pair without realizing that the devices they use don’t have a headphone jack. 

So there you have it! Kids’ headphones come in all sorts of designs—in ear, on ear, open-ear, wireless, and wired. Headphones designed for kids should always be volume limited, and as long as you limit their listening time they’ll be safe for young ears.

Comfort means they feel good now, and they can be adjusted as your child grows. For younger kids, we advise on-ear and open-ear models as they’re generally more comfortable (and hygienic in the case of open-ear headphones!). 

If you want them to last, it’s best to go for a pair of kids’ headphones that have some toughness and flexibility. In terms of colour choice, we’re sorry to say that you’re on your own there. Best go ask the kids.