6 Best Headphones for Babies and Children, Tested by Little Ears
In a nutshell:
Based on the author’s product testing, we chose Mumba Baby Earmuffs as the overall best baby headphones, due to a combination of their high levels of noise protection and our child tester’s eagerness to wear them.
You strive to keep baby safe and sound, whether they’re resting in their crib, sitting in their car seat or crawling around at home. But there’s one important measure you might be forgetting: Investing in baby ear protection.
Baby headphones, also known as noise-canceling headphones for babies, shield little ones from disruptive and harmful noise, which is more prevalent than you may think. “Children are more sensitive to loud sounds than adults, so headphones can keep your child comfortable. But they can also help protect children from noise-induced hearing loss,” says Michelle Neidleman Kennedy, AUD, an audiologist and tinnitus expert in New Jersey. The best baby headphones work by reducing noise. By doing so, they prevent ear damage and can even “allow baby to sleep while in a loud environment,” adds Neidleman Kennedy.
I’m a mom of four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10, and I sometimes need to take my younger children into louder-than-preferred spots to keep up with their big brothers. My family put several top baby noise-canceling headphones to the test to see how they stacked up against the competition. Overall, I found that some kids are simply more comfortable with the idea of wearing baby headphones than others. It takes practice and patience to get most children to wear baby headphones—and some of these devices are more baby-friendly than others.
Keep reading to learn all about baby headphones, then browse what we determined are the best options on the market.
Baby headphones are an important purchase. Here’s how we arrived at our choices:
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We tested the top noise-canceling headphones for babies and children with multiple kids, including a 5-month-old, a one-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 10-year-old. The headphones were worn sitting up and lying down, and we turned on loud music and had older children describe how effective they were at blocking loud noises, and evaluated the headphones for ease of fitting and adjusting, comfort, ability to stay in place, noise reduction, features and value for money.
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We consulted with an audiologist for information on what to look for in baby headphones, as well as important elements to consider.
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Every family’s experience with a product is unique, which is why we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked for in baby headphones, and how well these models worked for their children.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best baby headphones
- High NRR rating
- Several colorways
- Durable materials
- No carrying case
- May leave marks on baby’s head after long use
The Mumba Baby Earmuffs regularly receive high marks from parents thanks to their high noise reduction rating (NRR) rating of 31 decibels and lightweight feel. But to me, these stood out from the pack for a very important reason: my anti-headphone one-year-old actually liked them!
The headphones, which are designed for kids aged 3 months to 2+ years, have soft ear cups, and don’t feel tight once they’re in place. The headband has built-in padding as well to prevent friction on baby’s head. They also have a wide range of color combinations to make them appealing for little ones—my daughter even smiled while wearing them, which was a rarity during testing. Mumba’s baby ear muffs performed well during noise testing as well: As I blasted music, my 4-year-old complained that she couldn’t hear it.
These headphones are relatively easy to adjust, although it takes a little force. I recommend making the adjustment before putting them on your child’s head. They also are not difficult to put on—just put them over your child’s ears, headband-style, and move on. The fit is snug once they’re on, making it tough for kids without good hand-eye coordination to remove. Mumba’s headphones don’t come with a carrying case, but they’re durable. During testing, they made it through being thrown across the room and landing on hard flooring with no scratches or dents.
Material: Leather, plastic | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“The ear cups are cushiony and soft, and my daughter wore them for longer than the others. She even smiled!”
Best headphones for younger kids
- Anti-slip headband
- Included travel bag
- Relatively easy to adjust
- Finding ideal placement takes time
- May be too small for older toddlers
The reality of baby headphones is that there is often a learning curve to get your child to wear them. Still, anything you can do to get them on and keep them in place is a win. The Alpine Muffy Baby headphones have several layers in place to help keep them on baby’s head, including a stretchy, soft anti-slip headband. The headphones require a little assembly on your part when they arrive, but that was easier than I anticipated. Just thread the headband through an opening in the cup and secure a special flap on top. The process is the same when you need to adjust the positioning of the ear cups, which I would recommend doing when they’re not on your child’s head.
My 1-year-old was not impressed with the feeling of the elastic headband, but my friend’s 5-month-old tolerated them just fine. My older kids also reported that the Muffy Baby headphones were comfortable to wear. The Alpine Muffy Baby headphones have a lower NRR rating of 23 dB, but my 4-year-old had trouble hearing loud music when they were in place. Another nice perk of these headphones is the included carrying case. It’s roomy enough for the headphones, along with a binky or two—perfect for travel.
Material: Plastic, polyester | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“The headband is thick, and the ear cups are tough.”
Best budget-friendly headphones
- Affordable
- Easy to adjust
- Several color options
- Lower NRR rating
- Ear cups feel firmer than others
While the ProCase Baby Ear Protection headphones have slightly less features than the competition, they’re proof that it’s possible to get a decent pair of baby headphones for $10. These headphones are easy to adjust and have padding around the ear cups and band. That padding felt a little more firm and slid around more than counterparts on more expensive models, but it still got the job done.
ProCase’s headphones have a lower NRR rating of 22 dB, but our kid testers say they still noticeably reduced noise. Despite their low price tag, the headphones are sturdy and survived being thrown across the room by a one-year-old. These headphones come in blue, pink, and sky blue, giving parents options to choose from. At almost a third of a pound, these felt slightly heavier than similar styles we tried, but it was nothing that was obvious to our kid testers.
Material: Sponge, plastic | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean with neutral detergent or warm water
Our product tester says:
“These are much cheaper than the competition. They're a little heavier than others and the ear cups are slightly more firm, but they're a decent comparison.”
Best noise-canceling headphones for toddlers
- Broad age range
- Fun designs
- Soft padding
- No carrying case
- Adjustment requires a little force
At nearly $30, the Muted Kids Noise Canceling Ear Muffs are on the higher price end of baby headphones. But my choosy one-year-old liked them—and willingly wore them the longest out of all the headphones we tested, making the price tag worth it to me. Once a child hits the toddler years, and is reliably able to grasp and pull things off their head, you need their cooperation to keep headphones on their noggins. Muted headphones come in a series of fun patterns that kids are drawn to, which could make it more likely that your child, like mine, will want to wear them.
The headphones feature an NRR rating of 27 dB and feature soft ear cups that create a tight but comfortable fit. They don’t slip once they’re in place, and did a good job blocking out loud music, according to our older kid testers. Muted’s headphones have a durable structure that survived landing on a hardwood floor. And, while they didn’t come with an included carrying case, they’re strong enough to toss in a backpack or bag and tote around.
Material: Plastic | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“My daughter kept these on and wore them several times, which was impressive! I think the pattern was what drew her in, but they were comfortable enough for her to continue to wear them.”
Best long-lasting baby headphones
- Can be worn from infant to teenage years
- Easy to adjust
- Lifetime warranty
- Lower NRR rating
- Hinges vulnerable to bending
Many products for babies will only last so long, but the JLab JBuddies Protect Earmuffs have an impressive lifespan that’s designed to guard your child’s hearing through the teenage years. Both my one-year-old and my 10-year-old could wear these—and I was surprised to find they fit on me, too!
Our kid testers reported that these were the most comfortable headphones we tried. The JLab JBuddies headphones are easy to adjust, with ear cups that go up and down as needed. The headphones have a lower NRR rating of 23 dB; our kid testers shared that they still could hear some noise when the headphones were in place, but it was softer than normal. While the headphones are durable and survived the throw test, they also have a lifetime warranty for the just in case. The only potential issue is the hinges around the ear cups. They’re sturdy-feeling, but they do seem to be more vulnerable than the rest of the headphones. These headphones are foldable, making for a nice space-saving feature.
Material: Foam, plastic metal | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“These headphones were some of the most comfortable ones we tested. The ear cups are soft and cushiony and the headphones don't feel tight when they're on.”
Best durable baby headphones
- High NRR rating
- 10 colors and patterns
- Sturdy design
- No carrying case
- Higher price tag
Baby Banz is a big name in the baby headphones world—they’ve shown up on a slew of famous kids, including Prince George. And while they might be fit for royalty, they’re also notable for being extremely durable. Our kid testers threw these headphones across the room and onto hard flooring with no visible damage or scratching.
Baby Banz are simple to use, with the ability to make fine adjustments before placing these headphones on your child. Our kid testers reported that these headphones were comfortable, and that they softened noise when loud music was on. With an NRR rating of 31 dB, the Baby Banz earmuffs were one of the most protective pairs we tested. The headphones don’t come with a carrying case but, given their durability, I would feel confident tossing these in a backpack and carrying them along with other loose stuff. At just 6.7 ounces, Baby Banz are lightweight, too. You can choose from 10 different colors and patterns to find one that suits your little one.
Material: Neoprene, plastic | Cleaning instructions: Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“These headphones are sturdy. They survived being thrown across the room and onto hardwood flooring several times with no problem. There are no obvious parts that could break off, and the headphones held up great.”
Any noise above 85 decibels (dB)—a measurement of a sound—poses a risk to a child’s health and calls for baby headphones. (This decibel level is on par with the sound of heavy traffic.) “Noise-induced hearing loss can occur after only a few minutes without hearing protection,” Neidleman Kennedy says. For that matter, you should consider getting earplugs for yourself too. “If your child needs to wear headphones, it’s also too loud for you or your older children, so consider wearing noise protection as well,” Neidleman Kennedy adds. “Adults can use foam ear plugs or get custom noise plugs that are conformed to their ears.” There are several common settings that are usually super-noisy. The average sporting event, for example, can be 105 dB or higher. Other potentially dangerous environments include (but aren’t limited to):
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Large events like weddings, concerts and parades
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Busy environments like restaurants
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Public transportation like airplanes and subways
Unsure if a place is too loud for baby’s ears? Neidleman Kennedy recommends downloading a sound level meter app for guidance (Decibel X is free, highly-rated and available on iOS and Android devices.) When in doubt, play it safe and opt for baby ear protection.
The best baby headphones have a few key features you’ll want to keep an eye out for: “Parents should look for headphones that can be adjusted to fit comfortably and snugly over their child’s ears and head,” Neidleman Kennedy says. Additionally, there are NRR levels on headphones, which reflect how much the headphones are lowering the noise level. The higher the number, the more noise reduction. Neidleman Kennedy advises selecting headphones with an NRR rating close to 30 dB. Last but not least, stick to earmuff- or headband-style baby headphones that can be adjusted to ensure a snug, comfortable fit.
Most younger babies will wear baby headphones, although some will protest more than others. For toddlers, consider choosing a pair of headphones in a bright color or pattern to make them more appealing.
About the writer:
Korin Miller is a journalist who has written dozens of health features for The Bump. She specializes in commerce, wellness and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Forbes, WSJ, SELF, Prevention and more. Korin is a mom to four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old. She has a master’s degree from American University and lives by the beach.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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