Best Toddler Headphones for Plane Travel [2022]

Are you looking for the perfect toddler headphones for plane travel? Look no further, we’ve compared 10 of the best toddler headphones on the market to help you make the best choice.

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Best Toddler Headphones for Plane Travel Comparison Guide

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Why You Should Buy Your Toddler Headphones

Even though many long-haul airlines provide headphones either for free or for a small fee, you may still want to get headphones for your toddler. Here’s why:

Plane Noise Protection

Planes are noisy, with engine sounds mixed with the thrust of the winds and all that topped with the noises from inside the cabin. Having headphones, especially those noise-cancelling ones, can make your toddler feel more relaxed on a flight.

Right Fit

The headphones airlines provide are typically for adults. Although they may be adjustable, they might still not sit well on your child’s head. So it’s better to have those that fit them perfectly.

Keep Your Toddler Entertained

Headphones will enable your toddler to stay busy watching cartoons, movies or playing games on their toddler tablet. You can view our top toddler tablet recommendations here.

Suitable Sound

Headphones for toddlers are designed with a safe volume level, so these are usually under 85 dB. In contrast, normal headphones can have sound up to 100 dB, which can be potentially harmful.


Wireless vs Wired Toddler Headphones

One of the important considerations when buying headphones air travel with your toddler is whether to go with wired or wireless headphones. Both have their pros and cons. 

With wired headphones, you don’t have to worry about them running out of charge. This can come in handy when you have a red-eye flight. However, the wires can get all tangled, especially in the hands of a child. 

On the other hand, wireless headphones for toddlers provide the convenience of no wires. Plus, they can connect with a wide range of devices via Bluetooth, so fewer compatibility issues. The only drawback is that depending on their battery life, they may not last that long before needing a recharge. 


How to Choose the Best Headphone for Your Toddler

Just like everything else that you buy for your toddler, you want the best headphones for them as well. Based on their unique needs and sensitivity to sound, here are some things to consider:

Volume Control

Most headphones for kids, especially toddlers as young as two, already have a low volume limit. However, if the headphones feature parental volume control, that would be even better. 

That way, you can adjust the volume yourself as appropriate. In the plane, you can keep the volume high (up to 90 dB) as there’s already a lot of noise. 

Noise Cancellation

This is a feature of headphones that is not essential but is recommended. That said, the level of noise cancellation also varies from model to model. 

Ideally, you want some level of noise cancellation, so your toddler can hear the sound of the video or game they are playing.

Comfort

When looking for the best toddler headphones for planes, look for those that have soft cushioning, not just on the ear pads but also the headband. An uncomfortable headset can do more harm than good as it will irritate their ears, and they might just not want to wear them at all. If you want to Minimize toddler tantrums during your flight, make sure your toddler is comfortable and relaxed.

Comfort is also linked with appropriate size. Make sure the headphones are adjustable and age-appropriate. 

Battery Life

This, of course, is relevant to wireless headphones. Longer battery life is a plus for such headphones, so you don’t have to charge them frequently. Not all flights would have the outlets to charge the headphones. 

Also, look out for quick charging headphones that don’t take ages to charge fully. 


9 Best Toddler Headphones

Here are the 9 best toddler headphones for plane travel on the market in 2022:

1.  Snug Play+ Kids Headphones – Best Toddler Headphones Overall

Snug Play+ Kids Headphones

The Snug Play+ Kids Headphones are the best headphone for a toddler, as they check all the boxes. These wired headphones have volume control with a max sound of 93 dB. The sound is pretty clear and crisp, thanks to its large 40 mm drivers. 

More importantly, these feature comfy padded ear cups and headbands. Also, the construction is pretty solid, so they will last a long time, even with a toddler using them. Another great feature is that the cable is detachable, so you can store it separately while travelling and avoid the annoying tangling of wires. 

These are adjustable, which means you won’t have to upgrade anytime soon as your child grows. 

Pros

  • Lots of colour choices
  • Quality sound
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Not foldable


2. JVC Tiny Phones Kids Stereo Headphones – Best Budget Toddler Headphones

JVC Tiny Phones Kids Stereo Headphones

If you’ve got a kid whose toys don’t last that long, you probably want to start off with something cheaper. The JVC Tiny Phones Headphones are the best affordable headphones that pack in good sound with a nice design. 

With built-in volume control, these are also the safest headphones for kids aged three or over. The colourful design of these wired headphones makes them fun for kids. Plus, the generous padding on the ear cups keeps things comfy for hours. 

These feature an adjustable headband. However, the headband is not padded, but it’s very soft and lightweight plastic. 

Pros

  • Adjustable size
  • Short cord (ideal for toddler plane travel)
  • Fun design
  • Safe sound limit

Cons

  • No padding on the headband


3.  iClever Kids Headphones – Best Folding Headphones for Toddlers

  iClever Kids Headphones

The iClever Kids Headphones are the best wired headphones for travel because they fold and would fit in your child’s carry-on conveniently. 

These are over-ear headphones that will cover their ears entirely, providing some noise isolation as well on the plane. There’s also a microphone on it, so they can play games with voice interaction. While the normal sound range is up to 85 dB, it can also be increased to 94 dB in travel mode to allow clearer sound in a noisy plane cabin. 

The headband is adjustable and soft on the head. For such an affordable price, this headset has more than decent quality of sound. 

Pros

  • Comfortable earpads
  • Easy to store and carry
  • Marked adjustment
  • Available in multiple colour combos

Cons

  • Not the most durable


4.  iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones – Best Wireless Headphones for Toddlers

iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones

As one of the best children’s headphones for flying, these iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones connect via Bluetooth to any device but can also be connected with a wire thanks to the additional 3.5 mm audio jack. So when the battery runs out, you can also connect with a wire. 

With ample padding, these iClever headphones are comfortable to wear. The size is adjustable manually on each side. Also, the headband is quite flexible and also quite durable, so it’s great for packing in the luggage too. 

The playback time is up to 22 hours on a full charge. Your kid can easily control it via the controls on the ear cup. 

Pros

  • Durable, travel-friendly design
  • Long playback time
  • Audio jack
  • Memory ear pads

Cons

  • A little bulky


5. Philips Wireless Headphones for Kids – Best for Comfort

 Philips Wireless Headphones for Kids

The Philips Wireless Headphones are hands down the best headphones for kids on airplane on account of their streamlined design and comfort. With soft but not bulky padding, the earpads don’t irritate the ears or cause burden even when wearing for a long time (which they shouldn’t anyway). 

The run time is an impressive 28 hours, with a range of 10 meters, which is good enough for a plane. You can control these headphones with the Philips app on your phone. The app even automatically adjusts volume if it’s too high for a child’s hearing, so these are also the safest headphones for kids.

These charge with a USB-C cable, which comes with the package. 

Pros

  • Changing light
  • Foldable design with storage case
  • Soft padding
  • Mobile app connection

Cons

  • Pricey


6. Kidrox Tiger-Ear Headphones – Best Headphones for 1 Year Old

Kidrox Tiger-Ear Headphones - Best Headphones for 1 Year Old

If you’re looking for headphones for a 1 year old, the Kidrox Toger-Ear Headphones are a good choice. Although the brand recommended age is two years and over, these small headphones are suitable for a one-year-old as well according to reviews, although they should be supervised at all times.

With cute tiger theme ear cups, any toddler would readily want to wear these headphones. The headband is suitably padded and is adjustable to fit their head comfortably. The sound capacity is a safe 85 dB or low. 

Made from a flexible plastic material, the headband is twistable. Therefore, fewer chances of your kid breaking them in a week!

Pros

  • Kid-friendly design
  • Durable
  • Universal compatibility
  • Adjustable size

Cons

  • Sound quality is average


7. SIMOLIO Kid’s Bluetooth Headphones – Best Headphones for 2 Year Old

The SIMOLIO Kid’s Wireless Headphones are one of the best headphones for 2 year olds. This is also a good baby headset for flying as they come with a convenient zippered carrying case made of EVA. These fold easily to fit into the small case that you can keep in your kid’s backpack. 

Whilst they can connect via Bluetooth, you can also connect them to the plane screen with a wire (3.5 mm audio jack). 

There’s also a built-in microphone, so they can also talk on the phone. The best part is that there are three levels of volume: 75, 85, and 94 dB. Therefore, you can select the range as suitable at the moment. 

Pros

  • Travel-friendly case
  • Foldable 
  • Malleable shape (elastic metal strips)
  • Multi-level volume control

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • Controls have a learning curve


8. Gorsun Kid’s Bluetooth Headphones – Best Headphones for 3 Year Old

Your three year old would probably want a better audio experience, so these gorsun headphones can be the best toddler headphones for a road trip or air travel. These are wireless Bluetooth headphones with a minimalistic design and easy controls, available in multiple vibrant colours. 

With safety certifications from Europe, this particular headset is also safe in terms of audio, limiting it to a safe 85 dB. These also fold to take less space in the backpack or luggage. The padding on the ear cups is quite generous and made from synthetic wicking material. 

The total playback time is 12 hours; if you have a long flight or road trip, you can also connect with the included wire. 

Pros

  • Versatile connectivity
  • Adjustable and foldable
  • Rubber ear cups
  • Safe volume level

Cons

  • No microphone


9. Philips On-Ear Headphones for Kids – Best Noise Isolating Headphones for Toddlers

If you’re looking for noise-isolating headphones, look no further than these Philips headphones for kids. Since these are wired headphones, they have an extremely lightweight ergonomic design. So not only will they keep all the cabin noise out but also be very gentle on your kid’s head and ears. 

The sound is always under 85 dB, even on the highest setting. The soft ear cushion envelops the ears, keeping all the external noise at bay. Plus, the quality of sound is good, as is normally the case with a brand like Philips. 

These are the best on-ear headphones for travel, combining comfort and quality. 

Pros

  • Good noise isolation
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Universal compatibility
  • Adjustable size

Cons

  • Not foldable


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