Noise cancelling headphones have become increasingly popular over the years. It can be hard to find the perfect pair for your little one. Finding the best noise cancelling headphones for kids will be easy after you read this guide. Packed with five product reviews to choose from and an in-depth buyer’s guide, you’ll learn exactly which pair is best for your family.
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Limited-edition Rose Gold QC 35...
- Three levels of world-class noise...
- Alexa-enabled for voice access to music,...
- Noise-rejecting dual-microphone system...
- Hassle-free Bluetooth pairing,...
Starting this list off is a noise cancelling headphone that is the best of the best. Bose is known for making incredible products and the QuietComfort 35 II is no exception. You’ll be able to choose from rose gold, silver, or black. There are three different levels of noise cancelation, allowing you to easily switch from one to another when needed.
One of the coolest features about these headphones is that they’re Alexa-enabled. This means you can easily use your voice to change the song, turn up the volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones have a noise-rejecting system paired with a dual-microphone to ensure crystal clear sound.
This also makes it so that the microphones pick up your voice without the need to repeat yourself. Pairing these headphones with your kid’s music device or cell phone is incredibly simple. There are also personalized settings and you can enable them with Bose AR to play audio-only augmented reality games.
What I Like:
- There’s a Bose app
- Amazing sound quality
- Easy to pair
- Dual microphone
- Trendy color options
- Three noise canceling levels
What I Don’t Like:
- Bass is really strong (could be a positive for some)
- App forgets devices sometimes
2. COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Next is the Cowin E7 Active noise cancelling headphones. These modern headphones come in black, white, green, red, purple, and blue. They provide significant noise reduction for things like traveling, loud public areas, and more. You’ll be able to easily focus on your task and enjoy whatever music or podcast you’re listening to.
One of the top reasons that kids love these headphones is that they bring incredible sound quality to the table when it comes to movie watching. This product is built using proprietary 40mm large-aperture drivers that help deliver just enough bass when needed. There is also an impressive microphone built into these headphones as well. This will make it easy for your child to call home, even if they’re hands are full.
It has NFC pairing that is aided by voice prompts that keeps the Bluetooth connect as stable as possible at all times. Another feature that kids love about these noise cancelling headphones is that the ear cups swivel 90-degrees. They’re incredibly comfortable on the ears and the skin and hair surrounding the ears.
The padding is also surprisingly durable as well. Fully charged, the Cowin E7 noise cancelling headphones can play audio for about 30 hours. Lastly, these are some of the best noise cancelling headphones because they come with an 18-month warranty, backed by friendly customer service.
What I Like:
- Come in a variety of colors
- Ear cups swivel
- Long battery life
- Comes with a warranty
- Responsive microphone
- Controlled bass
What I Don’t Like:
- Bass lessens during noise cancelling
- Buttons are placed awkwardly
3. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
- DIGITAL NOISE CANCELING: Industry...
- PHONE CALL: A built-in mic enables you...
- VOICE ASSISTANT: Alexa enabled for voice...
- QUICK ATTENTION MODE: Cover the right...
- PERSONAL NOISE CANCELLING: Adjusts...
Available in both silver and black, the Sony noise cancelling headphones are also one of the best options out there. If you’re looking for headphones that are practically soundproof, these are the ones you’ll want to get. There is a built-in microphone that allows you to access music, podcasts, the GPS, and more using just your voice.
You can also easily take calls without using your hands. These headphones are Alexa enabled, making them perfect for people who use other Alexa devices. One of the most unique things about these Sony headphones is that you can turn down the music by covering the right ear cup. Imagine sitting on an airplane and the stewardess asks you something. Instead of fumbling around for a button, you simply cover the right ear cup!
With that being said, there are also plenty of touch controls that allow you to manualing adjust things as needed. Another great thing about this product is that you can adjust the ambient of the sound you’re listening to. This includes things like the balance, treble, bass, and more. Once these bad boys are fully charged, you’ll be able to enjoy 30 hours of playtime. When you order these Sony headphones, you’ll get the headphones, a carrying case, charging cable, and an audio cable.
What I Like:
- Headphones are foldable
- Reduce sound features
- Long battery life
- Alexa enabled
- Easily change ambience
What I Don’t Like:
- Not many color options available
4. Bolton Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
The penultimate best noise cancelling headphones for kids are available in black, grey, and pink! With the touch of a button you’ll be able to cancel the noise around you in just one second. One of the best things about these Bolton headphones is that they take less than an hour to fully charge.
Once they’re all charged up, you’ll be able to play music, videos, or podcasts for up to 30 hours! These are Bluetooth-friendly and can easily be paired with just about any device. The Bluetooth connection is good up to nearly 70 feet. There are also non-music noise reduction modes that can keep out the business of the outside world without the need to blast music.
The Bolton active noise cancelling headphones are some of the best because they have a deep and accurate bass response. The built-in ear pads are incredibly comfortable to wear. The earmuffs swivel up to 90-degrees on both sides. These have a unique head-curved design that allows you to wear the headphones for extended periods of time without feeling any discomfort.
The double microphone noise reduction system not only makes it so you can clearly hear phone calls, but the person on the other end also hears you without all of the loud background noise. Lastly, there is a 24-month warranty that comes with excellent customer service.
What I Like:
- Swivel ear cups
- Head-curved design for comfort
- Bluetooth capabilities
- Fast charging
- Long battery life
- Non-music mode
What I Don’t Like:
- Not a lot of color options
- May be big on some kids
5. Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
- BLOCK UNWANTED BACKGROUND NOISE: Jabra...
- SMARTSOUND AUDIO: The revolutionary...
- LONG BATTERY LIFE HEADPHONES: Up to 36...
- UNMATCHED CALL QUALITY: The advanced...
- WATER RESISTANT: No matter the elements,...
Last but least, Jabra brings us one of the best noise-canceling headphones for kids on the market. With the Elite 85h wireless headphones, you’ll be able to quickly block out any unwanted background noise. These are quite advanced compared to others out there. When your surroundings get louder, the headphones will automatically increase the noise-canceling ability.
You’ll also be able to pick a color that you’re kid will love. It comes in navy, copper, gold/beige, and black. With Smartsound audio technology, these Bluetooth headphones personalize your listening experience. Out of all of the wireless headphones available, the Jabra Elite have a really long battery life. On a single charge, the battery will last 36 hours with the automatic noise-canceling feature on and even longer when it’s shut off.
Unmatched by any other headphone on the market is the call quality. There are eight built-in microphones on these headphones! The advanced technology uses six out of the eight to enhance call quality and cancel out any background noise that someone may hear. This is perfect for taking calls outside, as the person on the other end won’t hear any wind or disruptive elements thanks to the microphones.
Another amazing thing about things headphones is that they’re water and rain resistant. All of the internal components have a nanocoating to keep everything safe and sound.
What I Like:
- Slick design
- Automatic noise-canceling detection
- Long battery life
- Smartsound technology
- Eight microphones
- Water-resistant
What I Don’t Like:
- Doesn’t come with instructions
- Pairing can be difficult
Buying Guide
Whether you’re buying your child their first pair of headphones or you’re replacing an older pair, it’s a good idea to know what makes a product worth your money. In order to make it as easy as possible, I’ve included a buyer’s guide that is packed with useful information. Below you’ll read all about features that make noise-canceling headphones worth it. Let’s take a look at what you should keep your eyes peeled for.
Wired vs. Wireless
Some of the best noise-canceling headphones for kids are wireless, while others are not. This is one of those features that’s more of a preference than anything else. Just because a pair of headphones is wired, doesn’t necessarily make it better or worse than a wireless version. If you have the choice between the two, I’d highly suggest opting for wireless headphones.
They’re so much more convenient and you have one less part of the headphone set to keep track of. We all know how messy and clumsy kids can be. Not having a wire reduces the chance of the headphones breaking and it also removes a choking hazard. Something important to note is that wireless headphones do tend to be a bit more expensive than their wired counterparts.
Battery Life
Whether or not you opt for a wireless pair of headphones, they will need to be charged in order to use them. One of the main features you want to keep your eyes peeled for is the battery life. While one pair may have a fantastic battery that lasts 30 hours, another may only last 10. On average, noise-canceling headphones tend to have a battery life of around 25 hours after a full charge.
Many models let you listen with the noise-canceling circuitry turned off. This is incredibly convenient for when the battery runs dry before you have a chance to recharge the headphones. Something else to note on the topic of the battery is how fast the product charges.
You don’t want to have to wait around for hours as your headphones charge up. Many of the options listed above have a fast-charging battery that can charge in around two hours or less. You also want to avoid leaving headphones charging once the battery is full. This can damage the battery overtime and prevent it from fully charging in the future.
Fit
We all know that kids grow out of things quickly. Whether that’s winter jackets, shoes, or pants, it can be expensive to try to keep up with their growth spurts. Thankfully, most noise-canceling headphones will fit people their entire life. If you opt for an over the head headphone design, that will offer a plush and tighter fit that is better for kids. There are also noise-canceling headphones that are just the earbud.
Though these may be more compact and convenient, earbuds are the best option for kids as they continue to grow. If you’re buying online and don’t have the option to have your little one try on the headphones before buying, it’s a good idea to read reviews. Honest reviews left by real customers will tell you all about the fit and you might even be able to search “kids” under reviews and see if there are any specific remarks about that.
Adjustable Noise Cancellation
You may think that all noise-canceling headphones have the same abilities, but that’s just not the truth. If you read through all five reviews above, you’ll see that each product has a unique noise-canceling feature. One is able to sense the noise around you and adjust accordingly, while another will require you to manually change it to your preferences.
Some have ambiance options that come in handy. This means if you’re sitting in a city bus full of loud commuters, you can tap on the public transit option (or something along those lines) and the headphones will adjust for that setting. Sony is changing the game when it comes to this feature.
The company released a pair of noise-canceling headphones that not only automatically adjusts to external sound, but according to altitude as well. When you’re taking off and landing during a flight, the noise cancellation will decrease and while you’re flying it will stay at a comfortable level that remains manually adjustable. Cool huh?
Easy Access to Your Surroundings
A feature that many people don’t realize is important is the ability to quickly access your surroundings if needed. It’s common sense that hearing is an important sense that can keep us safe. Whether you need to hear if your stop is coming up during a trip on the subway or if someone next to you asks you a question, it’s crucial to be able to quickly stop the noise canceling aspect of the headphones. Some will automatically make surroundings more audible, others just require you to cup your ear, and some you have to take off completely in order to hear what’s going on around you.
Voice Control
Easily one of the best features that modern headphones have is voice control. Voice control allows you to easily switch the song, make a phone call, or pause the movie that you’re watching. The majority of headphones, in general, have this feature, but you may want to double-check to make sure it’s there if it’s something you’re looking forward to using.
Water-Resistance
Lastly, depending on your lifestyle or where you live, you may want to buy a pair of noise-canceling headphones that are water-resistant. This is perfect for those who live in a rainy or snowy area. Headphones can be expensive and making sure that your gear will stay safe even in the rain is important.
The majority of headphones are not water-resistant, which is why I bring this feature up. You may have to pay a little more, but it can be well worth it. Kids can be clumsy and it can end up saving you more money in the long run.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Brands
Here’s a little history about the best brands that make noise-canceling headphones.
Bose
Out of all of the companies known for making high-quality sound equipment, Bose is at the top of the list. This audio company was established in 1964 by Amar Bose and is based in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Sony
Sony is a Japanese conglomerate corporation that started in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan. With headquarters in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo, this company makes everything from headphones to televisions, to video game equipment.
Cowin
Cowin is a newer company that focuses primarily on audio equipment that is put through rigorous quality testing. The business mainly sells their products on Amazon and directly from their website.
Jabra
Created in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1993, Jabra is a global brand that specializes in audio and video equipment. Jabra Corporation was acquired by GN Audio in 2000 and makes some of the top headphones on the market.
Phillips
Phillips is one of the most diverse companies on this list and one of the largest electronic companies in the world. With a main focus on health technology, Phillips also produces headphones, lightbulbs, hardware, and more.
Marshall
Known best for making massive music equipment including amplifiers, Marshall has been around for decades and is a well-known company. Several famous musicians are known for wearing Marshall headphones in the studio.
FAQs
Q: Will noise-canceling headphones cancel out voices?
A: This is a bit harder to answer than you’d think. Are they able to? Yes. Something to note when it comes to canceling out voices is that a voice is naturally higher-pitched and at a different frequency than background noises in your surroundings. With that being said, you likely won’t be able to hear anyone around you, but it’s possible.
Q: Are noise-canceling headphones better than earplugs?
A: Overall, yes! Earplugs don’t give you the opportunity to listen to music, podcasts, or make phone calls. They’re specifically designed using the latest technology to reduce any background noise around you. While earplugs are great, they muffle the sound rather than get rid of it completely.
Q: Is noise-canceling any better than noise isolating headphones?
A: In general, most people prefer noise-canceling headphones. They’re much more effective and actually use the same technology that isolating headphones use. You’re getting twice as much reduction by buying one less product.
Q: Can you use noise-canceling headphones in the shower?
A: Even when a headphone is self-proclaimed to be waterproof, you may not want to wear them in the shower. Many times companies will claim that a product is waterproof to tell consumers that it will be safe if you drop it in a puddle or something similar. They’re not meant to be submerged. If you live somewhere like Portland where it rains a lot, it’s best to get a water-resistant pair just to be safe.
Q: Why do noise-canceling headphones cost more than normal headphones?
A: Noise-canceling headphones are much more advanced and have a lot more features than normal headphones. One of the main things that you’re paying for is a device that can reduce background noise and create soundproofing.
Bottom Line
Noise-canceling headphones are a great addition to just about everyone’s life. They can reduce anxiety during long days of travel and can allow you to focus on a movie or podcast without the distractions going on around you.
Out of all of the best noise-canceling headphones for kids reviewed above, I would have to say the best of the best goes to Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones. The automatic noise-canceling feature is top-notch! The ability to have a device that senses the noise around you and adjusts accordingly seems almost futuristic.
If you’re looking for a second option, the Bolton Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are another great choice. Remember to keep the buyer’s guide close by when you’re comparing products. Features like the battery life and whether or not the headphones are wired can make a big difference. Whichever product you get, I’m sure your kid will love it!