Headphones for kids are made especially with the proportions of children in mind. You may be wondering what features you should look for in kids’ headphones. The features you should look for are no different than what you would look for in adult headphones.
In-Ear Headphones vs Over-the-Ear Headphones
You’ll need to decide if you want to get your kid in-ear or over-the-ear headphones. There are pros and cons to both. In-ear headphones are smaller than over-the-ear headphones, which makes them highly portable. They can fit in most bags or storage compartments in your home or car. However, their small size might not make the best choice for younger kids. Younger children may be more likely to lose or step on these headphones due to their small size. Because the headphones fit in the ear, some kids with sensitive ears may find that uncomfortable.
Over-the-ear headphones are larger, which means they are easily spotted, and your child is less likely to lose track of them. Their large size also means that, unlike in-ear headphones, they aren’t as portable. The cup that covers the ear has a soft filling to provide cushion and comfort, making them a better option for kids with sensitive inner ears.
Wired or Wireless Headphones?
Both in-ear and over-the-ear headphones can be wired or wireless. Wireless headphones typically connect via Bluetooth. As long as your child’s device has Bluetooth capability, they can use wireless headphones. There is a downside. Wireless headphones must be charged to use them. You’ll want to look for wireless headphones with fast charging capabilities and a long battery life. You may even want to buy two pair so that your child always has a fully charged pair of headphones ready and waiting for them.
Wired headphones have been the standard headphone style since their invention. The great thing about wired headphones is they don’t need to be charged. You simply plug them into a compatible device, and they are ready to use.
Mic Functionality
With so many kids engaged in virtual schooling, your kids may want a set of headphones with a microphone. This allows them to easily respond to teachers and classmates without the need to use the built-in mic function on their tablet or laptop. One option for remote learning would be the BuddyPhones Over Ear Kids Headset with Beam Mic, and it comes in pink or blue.
These headphones come with a 3.5mm jack, so you may need a converter to make it compatible with your specific smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Volume Control
As much as your kids may love cranking up the volume on their music, video, games, or favorite viral videos, having the volume up too high may be damaging to their ears. Some headphones made specifically for kids have volume controls, such as the BuddyPhones headphones. BuddyPhones limit the volume to a safe 85 decibels, which is the recommended highest level by the American Academy of Audiologists. But if you buy a pair without volume control, many smartphones and tablets have built-in volume control features that you may be able to access via the settings panel.
Find the perfect headphones for your children as well as a host of other accessories for phones and tablets.
This article was written by Jia Thomas, an AT&T employee and a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are her own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
