The Best Travel Headphones for Toddlers And Preschoolers: (Comfort and Noise Cancellation) -

When it comes to traveling with toddlers, a reliable pair of headphones can be a game-changer. Whether you’re trying to keep your little one entertained during a flight or creating a calm environment for them in a busy airport, having the right headphones ensures their comfort while protecting their delicate ears. For parents, the priorities are clear: comfort, active noise cancellation (ANC), and volume-limiting features that provide safe listening levels.

We’ve tested over ten headphones and these were the top five that made our list of recommended ones!

Table of Contents

1. BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun
(Our Top Pick!)

Volume-Limiting Options: Offers three SafeAudio® settings—75 dB for toddlers, 85 dB for kids, and 94 dB for travel mode—to protect young ears.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Equipped with hybrid ANC technology to reduce external noise, allowing for clear audio even in loud environments.
Connectivity: Supports both Bluetooth wireless and wired connections, ensuring continuous use even when the battery is low.
Battery Life: Provides up to 42 hours of playback time with ANC enabled, making it ideal for extended use.
Design: Features a foldable and adjustable headband with hypoallergenic, durable materials suitable for toddlers to young adults.
Additional Features: Includes a built-in microphone for calls and a StudyMode® that enhances vocal clarity for educational content.

Important Notes: I love that it offers three different volume modes! We use the toddler setting when we’re in the car, hotel, etc but we switch it into either kids or travel mode when we are on the airplane as there is a little more noise there. The ANC gets a B+ on these headphones, which is great considering that I’m comparing them to expensive adult ANC headphones. These also offer the largest ear cups, so ears aren’t being smashed (I’ve tested them for both my one and four-year-olds and both their ears fit completely inside of the ear cups. These headphones also offer the most padded ear cushions. My only con is that the headband is slightly too big for my 20-month-old. But we’re keeping them as she can still wear them now and she’ll grow into them. They are great for my four-year size wise.

2. Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus

Volume Limiting: Incorporates a volume limiter set at 85 dB to safeguard children’s hearing, adhering to recommended safety levels.
Active Noise Cancellation: Reduces ambient noise by up to 22 dB, complemented by 78% noise isolation, allowing for clear listening without increasing volume.
Connectivity: Utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 technology for wireless connections up to 32 feet and includes a built-in microphone suitable for online learning.
Battery Life: Offers up to 23 hours of playtime with ANC active and 35 hours without ANC, with USB-C charging for convenience.
Design: Features an adjustable headband and cushioned ear pads made from durable materials, ensuring comfort during extended use.
Additional Features: Includes a daisy-chain sharing cable, allowing two Puro headphones to connect to the same device for shared listening experiences.

Important Notes: This comes in as our second favorite headphones! I love that it comes with a hard shell case, making it easy to travel with without worrying about it getting smashed inside the travel bag. I also want to point out the ANC on these headphones are amazing, probably the best that we’ve experienced with kids headphones! The reason that these were not our top pick was simply because the ear cups were too small for my four-year-old. They work great for my one-year-old. I prefer having large and padded ear cushions simply because I do not love having my ears smashed down while wearing them, I want my ears to completely fit inside of the ear cushions. So I want my kids to have that same experience. If you’re not worried about that are having a younger child, these would be a fantastic choice.

3. JBL JR 460NC Kids Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Volume Limiting: Designed with JBL Safe Sound technology to limit volume below 85 dB, protecting children’s hearing.
Active Noise Cancellation: Features ANC to minimize ambient noise, providing an immersive listening experience.
Connectivity: Offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity and includes a built-in microphone for interactive communication.
Battery Life: Delivers up to 20 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours without ANC.
Design: Crafted with child-friendly, lightweight materials and a comfortable over-ear fit, suitable for kids.
Additional Features: Equipped with easy controls for kids to operate and supports quick charging capabilities.

Important notes: This is a good quality headphone that does the job. The stand-out features for this one are the price and the width of the ear cushions! I wish the headband had a little thicker padding on top.

4. iClever BTH20 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids

Volume Limiting: Features a safe volume limit of 80 dB to protect children’s hearing during use.
Active Noise Cancellation: Incorporates ANC technology to effectively reduce environmental noise, enhancing audio clarity.
Connectivity: Supports Bluetooth 5.4 for stable wireless connections and includes a built-in microphone for calls and online learning.
Battery Life: Provides up to 60 hours of playtime on a single charge, with Type-C fast charging capabilities.
Design: Designed with adjustable headbands and soft ear cushions for a comfortable fit, suitable for children.
Additional Features: Foldable design for easy portability and storage, making it convenient for travel.

Important notes: This is a great budget option! The ANC isn’t as great as the other options but these headphones do provide large ear cups, and the ear cushions are good. The padding on the headband part is great, too!

5. Lucid Audio Bluetooth HearMuffs for Infant/Toddler

Hearing Protection: Provides advanced hearing protection for infants and toddlers, safeguarding young ears from harmful noises.
Sound Amplification: Features sound amplification capabilities, allowing parents to communicate with their child without removing the earmuffs.
Connectivity: Equipped with Bluetooth functionality to stream music or soothing sounds directly to the earmuffs.
Design: Constructed with soft, comfortable materials and an adjustable headband to ensure a secure fit for infants and toddlers.
Battery Life: Offers extended battery life suitable for daily use, with rechargeable options available.
Additional Features: Includes a passive noise reduction feature to minimize ambient noise, creating a calm environment for the child.

Important notes– This is an option that I would include for a baby since the headband can be so small. I primarily would use it as a noise-cancellation device for loud airplanes, concerts, etc. You could also play some light calming music with these, too. I don’t love the material that they used for the ear cushions but for short amounts of time, I think it would do just fine!

When choosing travel headphones for your child, prioritizing their comfort and safety is key. Active noise cancellation helps block out distracting sounds, making travel less overwhelming for little ones, while volume-limiting features ensure their hearing is always protected. The options listed here cater to a variety of age groups and preferences, offering high-quality sound and durable designs. Whether you’re looking for something versatile like the BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun or a specific option for infants like the Lucid Audio HearMuffs, there’s a perfect fit for every family. Happy travels!