The Best Headphones for Teens
Looking for the perfect set of headphones for a teen? There are a few considerations you need to think about before deciding on your purchase.
Budget and Brand - how much you have to spend will determine the type and brand of headphones for your teen. Brands such as Beats are expensive but very popular with teenagers.
Type and Use - Does your teen want in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones, And do you want them to be wireless or corded? This is often decided by user preference and how the headphones will be used.
For example, sporty teens will use headphones when working out or when walking. So they will probably prefer wireless or corded earbuds. If they are for home use, you may prefer on or over ear, which can offer a fuller sound.
Comfort - how the headphones feel is obviously very important. Does the ear become warm with a small amount of use? Do the earbuds fit in the ear properly? If buying online, you can quite often read reviews which give you an idea of comfort.
Sound Quality - sound quality is normally in line with the price. The outstanding sound quality of Bose headphones is matched with a higher price tag. Again, if you can't try the headphones out, reading reviews can help determine how good the sound quality is. Going with a reputable brand such as Bose or Sennheiser often guarantees excellent sound quality as they have a reputation to uphold.
Bluetooth Capability - do you want the headphones to be able to connect wirelessly to a device via Bluetooth or are you happy with traditional corded headphones? Just bear in mind, it will cost more for the wireless variety to match the sound quality of traditional headphones.
Closed back headphones or open backed headphones - closed back headphones block out surrounding noise and tend to be better for out of home use perhaps for commuting on a bus. The downside is they can make your ears a bit warm and the sound isn't as natural sounding.
Open back headphones allow air to pass through the speaker cups creating a more natural sound. They are better for at home use where there is less background noise.
* Please note we get a small commission for purchases made through links in this article
Budget and Brand - how much you have to spend will determine the type and brand of headphones for your teen. Brands such as Beats are expensive but very popular with teenagers.
Type and Use - Does your teen want in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones, And do you want them to be wireless or corded? This is often decided by user preference and how the headphones will be used.
For example, sporty teens will use headphones when working out or when walking. So they will probably prefer wireless or corded earbuds. If they are for home use, you may prefer on or over ear, which can offer a fuller sound.
Comfort - how the headphones feel is obviously very important. Does the ear become warm with a small amount of use? Do the earbuds fit in the ear properly? If buying online, you can quite often read reviews which give you an idea of comfort.
Sound Quality - sound quality is normally in line with the price. The outstanding sound quality of Bose headphones is matched with a higher price tag. Again, if you can't try the headphones out, reading reviews can help determine how good the sound quality is. Going with a reputable brand such as Bose or Sennheiser often guarantees excellent sound quality as they have a reputation to uphold.
Bluetooth Capability - do you want the headphones to be able to connect wirelessly to a device via Bluetooth or are you happy with traditional corded headphones? Just bear in mind, it will cost more for the wireless variety to match the sound quality of traditional headphones.
Closed back headphones or open backed headphones - closed back headphones block out surrounding noise and tend to be better for out of home use perhaps for commuting on a bus. The downside is they can make your ears a bit warm and the sound isn't as natural sounding.
Open back headphones allow air to pass through the speaker cups creating a more natural sound. They are better for at home use where there is less background noise.
* Please note we get a small commission for purchases made through links in this article
Beats Solo 3 Wireless On Ear Headphones
The Beats Solo 3 are popular headphones wireless and come in many different colors.
The battery life is phenomenal with up to 40 hours. Impressively they offer 3 hours of playback on just 5 minutes of charge! Perfect for the teen who forgets to charge their device. Good padding and have an adjustable fit ensure the headphones are comfortable to wear. |
They make a great portable option as not only are they wireless but foldable to a compact size. Excellent for travel.
Additionally they are compatible with most iOS and Android devices. With award winning beats sound, it's hard to pick a better pair of on ear headphones for a teenager.
Additionally they are compatible with most iOS and Android devices. With award winning beats sound, it's hard to pick a better pair of on ear headphones for a teenager.
Beats EP-On Ear Headphones
If you winced at the price tag of the Beats Solo 3, but your teenager is set on the Beats headphone brand, comprise with the Beats EP-On Ear headphones.
These affordable Beats headphones offer excellent sound quality. Additionally the lightweight design with heavily cushioned earpads are extremely comfortable. |
What may be a deal breaker is that there is no wireless option. They are also not the most portable. They don't fold down and will take a lot of space in your bag.
They therefore make a great choice for at home use. They are also a good choice, if your teen is set on a pair of Beats to take out the house, but you don't want to break the bank.
They therefore make a great choice for at home use. They are also a good choice, if your teen is set on a pair of Beats to take out the house, but you don't want to break the bank.
Tozo T10 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
Tozo are not are well known brand of headphone manufacturer. However, their wireless offering has ranked up over thousands of 5* reviews on amazon which are well worth checking out.
They are waterproof so perfect for use outdoors even in the rain. It also doesn't matter if you wear them and work up a sweat, which makes them an excellent choice for use while exercising. Although, they're not suitable for swimming. |
The shape of the T10 perfectly fits the contour of the ear so the earbud stays in position while you exercise.
They have a charge time of approximately 2 hours for a maximum of 6 hours use.
Other features include one step pairing so you can easily connect them with your mobile via bluetooth.
These are great headphones for use outside the house. Discreet and affordable.
They have a charge time of approximately 2 hours for a maximum of 6 hours use.
Other features include one step pairing so you can easily connect them with your mobile via bluetooth.
These are great headphones for use outside the house. Discreet and affordable.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
The Bose wireless headphones excel in blocking out the world around you. With 3 levels of noise cancellation teens can really immerse themselve in their music.
The sound is also second to none, with balanced audio with any volume. You can connect the headphones with Alexa to ask for any song as well as enjoy entertainment, get information, and manage your day — all without looking at your phone |
The headphones also feature easy bluetooth pairing, 20 hours of battery life, and a durable, comfortable fit
Also, you can use the Bose Connect app to adjust the level of noise cancellation, unlock Bose AR*, enable music sharing, manage Bluetooth connections, and access software updates.
Also, you can use the Bose Connect app to adjust the level of noise cancellation, unlock Bose AR*, enable music sharing, manage Bluetooth connections, and access software updates.
Panasonic ErgoFit Wired In Ear Earbuds
Sometimes, you just want something inexpensive which does the job. If so, a pair of wired in ear buds are probably the best choice.
The Panasonic ergofit headphones have 3 different earbud sizes (small, medium and large) with each pack so you can choose the best size for your ear. There's 15 different color options to choose from. |
They are integrated with a microphone and remote for hands free calls.
The 3.6 foot cord can easily be threaded through a jacket, bag or backpack for easy listening.
The 3.6 foot cord can easily be threaded through a jacket, bag or backpack for easy listening.
Pasonomi Wireless Earbuds
Excellent sound quality and with no wires at all, these are a top choice if you rate portability of headphones.
They are quick to pair with a Bluetooth enable device. They come in a case which not only protects the headphones it charges them too. The charging case provide charge for approximately 18 times, that's around 72 hours. |
The headphones themselves are waterproof so can be used in the rain or are sweatproof when working out. The charging case isn't waterproof though.
The sound quality is good at this price point with a solid bass.
There are 3 options of ear tips which ensure a snug fit for different ear sizes.
The sound quality is good at this price point with a solid bass.
There are 3 options of ear tips which ensure a snug fit for different ear sizes.
Sony Wireless Bluetooth Ear Cancelling Headphones
These budget pair of Sony headphones are well worth checking out if you're looking for a pair of branded headphones at an affordable price.
They are comfortable headphones with spacious ear pads which give ears room to breath. The padding is sufficient although maybe not as thick as on more expensive options. |
They have a noise cancellation feature which eliminates some of the background noise, but not quite as well as those at a higher price point.
The audio quality is good, with a balanced sound. You can also tune your headphones to the perfect sound with the free Sony headphone connect app.
The built in battery gives 35 hours of power and they are rechargeable via USB. Quick charging gives 60 minutes of playtime through a 10 minute charge.
Overall for the price an excellent pair of wireless headphones.
The audio quality is good, with a balanced sound. You can also tune your headphones to the perfect sound with the free Sony headphone connect app.
The built in battery gives 35 hours of power and they are rechargeable via USB. Quick charging gives 60 minutes of playtime through a 10 minute charge.
Overall for the price an excellent pair of wireless headphones.
Apple Airpods
Airpods are wireless earphones produced by Apple. They are good and work well with iphones and apple devices but they are also pricey!
Very simple to set up, just a one tap set up for all your Apple devices. The sound is great and the battery life is good at five hours. They have a wireless charging case which works very well. |
They have one size fits all design,
The music is controlled by Siri rather than an inline remote.
They are good but they cost a lot of money. Some teens may be set on a pair of these, however they are lots of other alternatives which may be worth considering.
The music is controlled by Siri rather than an inline remote.
They are good but they cost a lot of money. Some teens may be set on a pair of these, however they are lots of other alternatives which may be worth considering.
Best Value - Over the Ear Wireless Headphones
They are wireless with up to 6 hours battery life on a 2 hours charge. The bluetooth has a range of around 10m.
There's also a built in microphone and the headphones feature a well-closed around-ear cushion.
There's also a built in microphone and the headphones feature a well-closed around-ear cushion.
They are super easy to pair with your devices.
They have an excellent battery life (of 40 hours). A quick 5 minutes charge will give you 3 hours more playtime.
The sound quality is excellent although some have commented a bit overpowering with an emphasis on bass.
They have an excellent battery life (of 40 hours). A quick 5 minutes charge will give you 3 hours more playtime.
The sound quality is excellent although some have commented a bit overpowering with an emphasis on bass.
Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless Headphones
Bose are known for creating headphones and speakers with excellent sound quality and these wireless headphones are of no exception - perfect for the teen who likes to listen to music on the go.
If clear, crisp audio is important to the teen you are buying for. the acoustic package is designed to deliver sound so clear and powerful it will motivate him to go faster, lift heavier and train longer. The headphones are comfortable to wear, won't fall out in hard workouts and sweat resistant |
If you worried about a teenager losing their earbuds than worry not, you can track down lost earbuds using the Bose connect app's “find my buds” feature.
Off a single charge, the earbuds play for up to five hours, and the fully charged case gives you an additional 10 hours of music, ready to play when you are.
When not in use, the charging case is designed with built in magnets to keep the earbuds securely in place. Play or pause tracks and access your phone's Siri or your Google assistant right from the earbud. You can even take phone calls through the right earbud only.
Off a single charge, the earbuds play for up to five hours, and the fully charged case gives you an additional 10 hours of music, ready to play when you are.
When not in use, the charging case is designed with built in magnets to keep the earbuds securely in place. Play or pause tracks and access your phone's Siri or your Google assistant right from the earbud. You can even take phone calls through the right earbud only.