Best Toddler Headphones: Rated and Ranked 2024

Whether your kids are setting aside their best toddler books in exchange for a video game or cartoon movie or listening to an audiobook, having the best toddler headphones is a must for little, developing ears.

These clever audio accessories limit volume while protecting your child's delicate ears. And the best ones are as durable as the best toddler travel beds—which means you can totally pack them for your next exciting all-inclusive family vacation.

What to look for in the best toddler headphones

"When choosing the right headphones for toddlers, it is important to consider the decibel levels," says Dr. James Walker of Welzo, an online health resource. "Exposure to loud noises can cause permanent hearing damage, especially in young children whose ears are still developing."

It's something every parent should be concerned with, and a topic we're particularly careful about. We want kids to have fun, listen to audiobooks and get a kick out of learning programming—but they should be kept safe.

When shopping for headphones for the best toddler headphones, Dr. Walker says there are a few things to keep in mind beyond just design and colors.

"Look for models that have a built-in volume limiter or a volume control feature that allows you to set the maximum volume," Walker says of the best headphones for toddlers. "Use a sound level meter app on your phone to check the decibel level of the headphones before allowing your child to use them."

"Also, be sure to supervise your toddler while they are using headphones and limit their use to no more than one hour per day. Regular breaks should also be taken to give their ears a rest."

The best toddler headphones 2024

• Best overall: Snug Play+ Volume Limiting Headphones
• Best budget: ELECDER i37 Kids Headphones 
• Best toddler headphones for planes: Nenos Kids' Headphones
• Best Bluetooth: Belkin SoundForm Mini
• Best for 2-year-olds: Kidrox Toddler Headphones

Best overall

Snug Play+ Volume Limiting Headphones

For the price under-$25 price and functionality, these Snug Play+ headphones for toddlers are a steal. This set offers a sharing port that connects from one side to a media source with the option to connect the other side to a second set of headphones. This way, no one's left out of the listening fun and adventures!

These lightweight, comfortable headphones automatically limit volume to protect little ears. With 25,000 ratings and a 4.5-star average, Snug Play+ is our favorite toddler headphones pick overall thanks to sound quality and built-to-last construction.

Plus, these come in 25 cool, kid-friendly designs that are popular for in-school use once your toddler reaches, pre-k, kindergarten and beyond. Expect your kids to brag to all their friends about these adorable, durable headphones.

Pros

• Perfectly fits a toddler and children's ears
• Convenient sharing port
• Superior sound quality
• Volume limiting function at 93 decibels
• Durable

Cons

• Limited size options, but perfect for most toddlers

Best budget

ELECDER i37 Kids Headphones

Good news for budget-minded parents—some of the best toddler headphones are easy on the wallet. These portable, durable, no-tangle headphones have an adjustable band for comfort and fold-up to take wherever your child goes.

Complete with stereo sound that'll have your kid sitting happy, this multicolor, adjustable pair rings in under $10. At that price, you can buy a few backups of these headphones safe for kids and teens. One for their to-go bag, one for home, one for the car and all the other places they'll go.

We preferred this model to the popular, bestselling Jlab Jbuddies Studio headphones.

Pros

• Budget-friendly price
• Adjustable fit
• Choose from many color options and prints
• Easily fold up for on-the-go listening
• One-year hassle-free protection guarantee means you'll rely on these long-term

Cons

• No microphone, remote or volume control

Best toddler headphones for planes

Nenos Kids' Headphones

Taking kids on an airplane can be difficult, but not with these clever, durable headphones for toddlers. With $11.99 Nenos Headphones, even the longest trips are way easier. Great for both smaller heads and older kids thanks to an adjustable band, they'll keep this set for years to come.

Volume-limiting for protection, these lightweight headphones are foldable and made for prolonged periods of use (like flying). It's no wonder Nenos has more than 11,000 ratings and a nearly perfect 4.6-star average.

The best part is that no splitters are required to share audio. Simply plug right into the Nenos and let the fun begin.

Pros

• Great for air travel
• Comes in multiple colors
• Affordable
• Perfect for travel and extended use
• Does not need splitters
• Volume-limiting protection

Cons

• Some say volume output is lower than expected

Best Bluetooth

Belkin SoundForm Mini

The best toddler headphones for your audio-obsessed littles are these handsome Belkin kids' Bluetooth headphones that provide cushioned ear pads. A Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet and a max listening volume is 85 decibels to keep ears safe makes them an impressive find for any age or stage.

Priced from below $40, these investment pieces are worth every penny—especially because the 28 to 30 hour battery life keeps kids busy for hours. Plus, with simple touch controls, they can navigate without you. These are also excellent at eliminating background noise.

This brand also makes some of the most sought-after and reliable adult headphones. We love the quality, overall value, fun-to-look-at color options and durability of this set.

Pros

• Convenient Bluetooth connectivity promises a wireless experience
• Long battery life
• 30-foot Bluetooth range
• Volume limiting with easy controls
• Withstands spills and accidents for up to two years
• Parents report that these maintain up to 20 hours of charge even after years of use
• No daisy chain

Cons

• Take a bit of direction-reading to pair the Bluetooth

Best for 2-year-olds

Kidrox Toddler Headphones

Parents of 2-year-olds love these adorable Kidrox Volume-Limiting Headphones. Kids love them for their irresistible designs. Made from durable materials, there's no skimping on sound quality. These doctor-recommended headphones are compatible with all devices through a 3.5 mm AUX jack port.

This is a great first pair of wired headphones as your two-year-old begins discovering the glory of tablets, audiobooks and Bluey on demand.

Our own kids report these are "fun to wear," and "feel like toys for our ears."

Pros

• Made for smaller toddlers around 1.5 to 2.5-years-old
• Volume-limiting to 85 decibels
• Break-resistant
• Loads of cute designs

Cons

• There's no microphone
• Wired design is cumbersome for some children

FAQs

Which are the best headphones for autistic toddlers?

"Children with autism tend to be hypersensitive to sounds, so noise-canceling or sound-reducing headphones can be beneficial for reducing sensory overload," says Ashleigh Evans, BCBA and content creator at Blue ABA Indiana.

"Noise-canceling headphones can be dangerous in certain situations, as the child may not hear important information like a fire alarm or a caregiver calling their name. However, noise-reducing headphones reduce the level of noise, but only to a safe level."

How much a toddler with autism should use headphones?

Even the best toddler headphones may need to be modified for a toddler with autism.

"As long as the headphones are not impeding the toddler’s ability to take in environmental stimuli and communicate with those around them, they are safe to use throughout the day, Evans says.

"Try out a few different types of headphones to find the best fit and type for the child, as sensory challenges may also result in them finding headphones (or anything on their ears or head) aversive."

Looking for more sensory soothers? These weighted blankets for kids with ADHD, autism and anxiety work wonders.

What decibel levels are safe for toddlers?

"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children's headphones should have a volume limit of 85 decibels or less," Walker adds.

"This is the same as the maximum volume level recommended for adults to listen to for no more than eight hours per day."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not updated universal guidance on toddler headphones this year.

What is the best style of headphones for toddlers?

Little listeners need over-the-head-and-ear headphones rather than earbuds. Earbuds are simply too small (and potentially dangerous as they're choking hazards) for little ones.

How we chose the best toddler headphones

We looked at a variety of factors ranging from health and wellness to design, durability and overall value. The highest marks were given to headphones with easy-to-operate volume controls, because safety is of the utmost importance. Then, we considered the availability of fun designs and engaging colors—after all, kids love eye-catching designs.

We tested several models to see if they were drop-and-crack-resistant. Headphones for kids certainly should stand up to the everyday rigors of life with little ones. Finally, we looked for value-driven designs at affordable prices, because kids grow quickly.