Anywhere you go today, you are sure to see a teenager with headphones attached, deeply immersed in their cell phones. Whether they are playing music, talking to a friend, watching a show, or listening to a podcast, teenagers use their phones for everything and prefer to do so without outside noise interfering. Headphones are a way for teenagers to create much-needed personal space and independence. While it’s important to monitor your teen’s cell phone use, purchasing a good set of headphones for them to enjoy their music (or whatever else) will make you parent of the year. Below are ten of the best selling and highly rated headphones for teens in the market today!
Headphone Safety
Before purchasing new headphones for your tween or teen, you should consider a few things and discuss them with your child.
- Hearing loss. While your tween or teen may roll their eyes, it’s important to discuss safe use of headphones with them! Listening to audio too loud on any headphones can result in permanent hearing loss.
- Driving. If your teen is of driving age, they should be reminded to never use the headphones while in the driver’s seat. They need to be able to hear emergency sirens as well as have complete use of all their senses while driving.
- Situational awareness. Remind your tween or teen that when they use headphones, this will inhibit their ability to hear their surroundings. They need to be taught to have situational awareness when using headphones. If they’re in a large crowd or in any situation that requires extra caution, they should refrain from using headphones.
- Courtesy. While this doesn’t fall under safety, you should also discuss headphone use etiquette with your tween or teen. Help them understand appropriate use of headphones and how to use common courtesy when interacting with others.
Now that you’ve discussed the above with your teen, it’s time to go headphone shopping!
13 Best Headphones for Teens at Any Budget
| Headphones | Features |
|---|---|
| OVER EAR HEADPHONES | |
Beats Solo 3 | |
Sony WH1000XM3 | |
Skullcandy S6CRW-K591 Crusher | |
Status Audio BT One | |
zihnic Headphones | |
Riwbox-WB5 | |
| BLUETOOTH EARBUDS | |
Apple AirPods | |
Samsung Galaxy Buds | |
TOZO T12 | |
| FITNESS HEADPHONES | |
Powerbeats Pro | |
Bluephonic Headphones | |
AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones | |
Bose SoundSport Pulse |
Over Ear Headphones
For serious audiophiles, when only the best sound will do, traditional over-ear headphones are a must. There are several options available that each have their own perks. Price range varies based on brand and features, but with headphones you usually can bet on getting what you pay for! Below are some of the best selling and most popular over ear headphones available now!
1. Beats Solo3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Ask any teenager which are the most popular headphones for teens and he or she will probably say Beats by Dr. Dre! The popularity of these headphones hasn’t waned since coming on the market. The Beats Solo3 wireless over-ear headphones are the gold standard for top quality sound. Available in multiple colors and finishes, these sleek styled headphones connect to cell phones wirelessly through builtin Bluetooth and offer an impressive 22 hours of battery life.
Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) dampens environmental noise, although it is not totally noise-cancelling. With stellar sound quality and a comfortable over-ear fit, the Beats Solo3 headphones are a great purchase if you’re looking for high quality.
2. Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones
The Sony WH1000XM3 over-ear headphones are top of the line for good reason. Their sound quality and noise-cancelling ability have long been considered the best on the market. The Sony M3 headphones are wireless thanks to Bluetooth connectivity and have built-in Alexa, so Amazon users can use the familiar service with headphones on.
Battery life is also superior, at up to 30 hours and uses a USBC charging cable for fast recharging. Controls on the right ear cover make skipping songs, answering calls, and controlling volume a breeze. If your teen wants top of the line, these headphones are it!
3. Skullcandy S6CRW-K591 Crusher
For good sound quality, consider the Skullcandy S6CRW-K591 Crusher headphones. This option comes in 4 different colors. It’s also foldable for easy portability and storage. The included travel bag is great for taking to the gym, school, or anywhere else.
The 40 hour battery life makes it easy to listen for extended periods without worrying about charging. Charging is done with the included USB cord. It also has a rapid charge mode with gives you 2 hours of listening time with only 10 minutes of charging.
Comfortable to wear for long periods, the Skullcandy Crushers also have good sound quality. Adjustable sensory bass allows you to customize your listening experience. The microphone is another good feature.
Overall, this product is quite good. The sound quality measures up to most others, but unfortunately these aren’t built as well as the Beats and Sony products above.
4. Status Audio BT One Wireless Headphones
For a good pair of lightweight, mid-priced wireless headphones, check out the Status Audio BT One. These headphones have Bluetooth 5.0 and are compatible with virtually all devices. This stylish option comes with great sound quality. Choose from Jet Black or Umber colors. You can fold these up and store or transport them in the included carrying case.
A 30-hour battery life means you won’t have to worry about losing battery, and a 25-meter range gives freedom with using these headphones. When the battery does finally need to be charged, it only takes about an hour for a complete recharge.
There are some things to be aware of. When using these headphones on a call, the microphone isn’t great so the person on the other end might not hear you well. The headband is a bit on the smaller side so if the user has a bigger head, this might not be the best option. Also, there is no noise cancellation with the Status Audio BT One Wireless Headphones.
5. zihnic Headphones
These highly rated headphones are popular for good reason! They have a great, comfortable feel and somehow manage to be soft, strong, and flexible all at the same time. Hence they are easy to wear for extended periods of time. Personally, I love the immersive listening experience they provide. You won’t be distracted by background noise with these!
Additionally, they fold up compactly into a small carrying case. I also find it convenient that you can control the volume and skip songs with a simple tap to the ear piece. Plus, there is a built-in microphone for hands-free communication.
You’ve got to love the freedom of movement with wireless headphones! With that said, it is also nice that you can add the wire to continue listening after the battery dies. These Zihnic headphones offer 14 hours of playtime after a 2.5 hour charge. And with Zihnic, you get a 12-month warranty, 100% customer satisfaction, and 24/7 customer support. You can’t beat that!
6. Riwbox WB5 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Foldable Headphones
For true value headphones, consider the Riwbox WB5 Bluetooth headphones. Available in black or white with sleek metal accents, these sturdy headphones are perfect for all your teen’s listening needs. With several different sound modes such as Rock, Pop, Classical and Jazz, users can match the sound to whichever type of music they’re listening to at the moment.
A built-in microphone and touch button controls means your teen can answer phone calls when in use. The bass is especially good on this set. This is a great bargain for quality headphones.
Earbuds
Earbuds are relatively new to the headphone market but are increasing in popularity by the day. These are designed to fit inside the ear canal, with no wires attached. Separate charging cases ensure hours of use with Bluetooth connectivity.
7. Apple AirPods With Wireless Charging Case
The original earbuds are the Apple AirPods. If your 13-year-old has an Apple device, these AirPods connect wirelessly to provide clear, crisp audio. These are also compatible with “Siri” so that users can que up Siri at any point to ask a question.
Phone calls can also be completed with these thanks to a built-in microphone. A quick, double tap of the AirPods will skip a song forward or press play. These are popular for a reason as teens have come to love the sleek, simple design! As a warning these don’t work as well with Amazon music.
8. Samsung Galaxy Buds
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are designed to work with any Android-powered phone or IOS phone, however some features are limited when paired with an iOS device. Similar in style and functionality to the Apple AirPods, the Samsung Buds offer great sound quality with a unique “Ambient Aware” mode. This is perfect for turning on when you still want to be able to hear your immediate surroundings.
The Samsung Buds come with three adjustable ear and wingtip sizes, and they are also water resistant. The earbuds charge in an included case that also doubles as wireless charger! They have 6 hours of battery life once charged, with an additional 7 hours of battery life in the case. Another benefit to these buds is that they can be worn and operated individually. So, if your teen wants to keep one ear open, they’re able to interchange the buds.
9. TOZO T12 Wireless
If your teen is wanting some earbuds but the price point of Apple AirPods or Samsung Buds are too high, consider the TOZO T12 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds. These headphones are highly rated and waterproof up to a meter deep for 30 minutes. These ear buds can even be used in the shower without an issue!
The included case is wireless charging capable with an extra nine hours of battery life for the earbuds to recharge after use. It also has an LED digital screen to show power level. The sound quality is superior with great sounding bass, especially for working out. These lower cost earbuds are perfect for the teen who wants the discreet look of ear buds without the name brand price!
Fitness Earphones
Popular with fitness buffs, the earphones below are still considered wireless, but are designed to better fit earlobes with a connecting wire that wraps behind the head. Most are water resistant to be able to withstand sweat and rain showers. If your teen or tween is an athlete, consider getting them one of the sets below!
10. Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones
If your kiddo wants top-of-the-line fitness earphones, consider Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds. These earbuds are all the rage right now and for good reason. Not only do they look cool, but they sound pretty amazing as well. Each ear piece has volume and track controls so you can choose to use one or both earbuds at a time. The battery lasts for up to 9 hours of listening time. These exercising earbuds are both sweat and water resistant, which is great for kids.
These earbuds for kids have adjustable ear hooks so they will fit just right. They come in 6 colors (black, ivory, moss, navy, cloud pink, and glacier blue). Bluetooth capability gives lots of options for listening to music and talking on a cell phone. Extended range allows you to go farther without losing connectivity.
Here are a couple things to note about these Powerbeats. While they are compatible with both Apple and android products, these tend to work better with Apple. Also, the earbuds need to be put in the charging case correctly or they won’t charge completely.
11. Bluephonic Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
The Bluephonic Bluetooth headphones feature Silent ComfortX noise reduction technology, providing stellar sound quality while dampening outside noise. Memory foam tip ear inserts ensure a custom fit to your teen or tween’s ear, while the ear hooks mold to the lobe for extra security. No matter how hard you run, jump, or play, these headphones will stay put!
Bluetooth technology enables users to be 33 feet away from the connected device and still be able to take calls and change songs. The sound quality on the Bluephonic headphones is comparable to the pricier Beats headphones of the same style. These headphones are a bargain for the price and made a perfect gift for my 10 year old.
12. AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones
You may not recognize the AfterShokz brand, but that doesn’t mean you won’t fall in love with their wireless Bluetooth headphones! In fact, they have been awarded several distinctions; they received the reddot award in 2016, the Good Design award in 2016, and were named England Athletics official headphones.
As a runner, I’m grateful to find sweat-resistant, lightweight headphones! Also, with a unique open ear design, you can still hear what’s going on around you while listening to your music! The audio comes out around your cheekbones so you can stay aware of your surroundings. In my opinion, this is an important safety feature for anyone running, walking, or biking around busy roads so you can hear traffic.
There are a few more things you may want to know about the AfterShokz Titanium Bone Conduction headphones: they come in plenty of color schemes to go with any one’s style preferences. And you can play up to 6 hours of music on a single charge. Take my word for it, you won’t regret this purchase!
13. Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones
Bose has long been a front runner in headphones. I can remember my dad purchasing a set with their patented noise-cancelling technology and being blown away by the sound quality. Years later, that same sound quality is available through the SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones. These headphones connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and have an added fitness component as it also tracks your pulse!
The data works with multiple fitness apps, including the Bose Connect App. StayHear tips ensure proper fit into your ear, while a cord secures the two buds together behind your neck. This set comes with a few different earpieces to ensure a custom fit. These also have a built-in microphone so that you can answer phone calls while in use. The sound quality on these headphones is excellent, but the battery life isn’t great.
FAQs
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is the wireless technology which shares information between devices. It allows you to play music on a device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.) while listening to the music on separate headphones or speakers. In other words, you can use your phone to play music on your earbuds.
Are earbuds or headphones better?
Depending on your lifestyle and hobbies, earbuds or headphones might be better for you. Earbuds are typically easier to use when exercising, while headphones are more comfortable when using for longer periods and for activities such as gaming. Those with excessive ear wax often find it better to use headphones.
What are the advantages of using wireless headphones or earbuds?
Wireless earbuds and headphones give you a lot more freedom of movement. Because you aren’t tethered to a device with a wire, you can exercise and do a variety of other activities more easily with wireless. Typically, wireless products also have a high quality of sound.
Final Thoughts
My pick for best headphones for teens or tweens would be the Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones. While these are certainly a splurge, I would also consider these an investment. While lower cost options may sound good enough, there is no substitute for the quality and durability these headphones offer. I have no doubt that if my teen or tween were to purchase these headphones, they would still be using them as full-grown adults!
