If you have a teenager, you know headphones are important to them. They use them to listen to music, stream videos, talk on the phone, and ignore you (lol). Finding the best headphones for teens can be difficult because teenagers are difficult.
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This post will help parents find the best headphones for teens, that they’ll love. Our list includes the popular brands that teenagers love, plus affordable options that rival the name brands.
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BEST OVER-EAR HEADPHONES FOR TEENS COMPARISON TABLE
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BEST HEADPHONES FOR TEENS
Our list of the best headphones for teens includes the most recognizable brands, along with affordable alternatives.
Each pair of headphones has something different to offer, depending on what your teen likes to listen to.
You’ll notice that our list only contains the best wireless headphones for teens. Wired headphones are a thing of the past for teenagers, especially since many phones have removed the headphone jack.
We provided the headphones below based on affordability, style, comfort, and price.
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PowerLocus Over-Ear Headphones
The PowerLocus Over-Ear Headphones are one of the most popular and best-selling headphones on Amazon.
With over 30,000 reviews and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, these are some of the best over-ear headphones for teenagers. Plus, they come at a great price.
These headphones have the highest playtime of the headphones on our list. That gives your teen has plenty of time to stream, talk on the phone, and attend virtual classes.
For parents looking for the most affordable headphones for their teens, these are the way to go. There are a lot of different colors to choose from, and they deliver on sound. I would consider these the best headphones for tweens.
The soft headphones, snug pad, and adjustable headbands make them great for long-term wear. These are the most comfortable headphones for traveling with a teen.
Pros
- A lot of color options
- Affordable
- Durable
- Foldable
- Travel case included
Cons
- Average sound
- Low bass
Beats Solo3 Headphones
If there is one iconic headphone brand that most teenagers love, it’s Beats by Dre. They are the most popular headphones for teenagers. The vibrant colors and logo increase the cool factor.
For parents wanting to get their teenagers these headphones, the Beats Solo3 Headphones are the most affordable model. These headphones usually go on sale a few times a year, so major holidays are the best time to buy them.
The quick charging allows your teen to get 3 hours of playtime from 5-minutes of charging. These are the only headphones equipped with an Apple H1 Chip, making them perfect for iPhones.
Android users will need to download the Beats app to use the one-touch pairing. Your teen will still get 40 hours of playtime.
Pros
- A lot of color options
- Quick-charging
- Emphasis on bass
- Perfect for music
Cons
- Expensive
- Some complaints of too much bass
- Requires app to use on Android phones
Beats Headphones for Teens
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Skullcandy Crusher Headphones
The Skullcandy Crusher Headphones are one of the coolest headphones on our list. The colors are unique and the sound is unbelievable for music-loving teenagers.
Skullcandy has some of the most popular headphones for teens. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your teenager, this is it.
A quick 10-minute charge will get your teen 3 hours of playtime, so they can get back to class, stream videos, or listen to their music. These are some of the most popular brands for teenagers, who are looking for headphones.
The most consistent complaint with these headphones is the Bluetooth distance. Many users complain that the distance isn’t as far as other brands. Also, if you use the adjustable bass for long periods, it will drain the battery.
Pros
- Unique colors available
- Rapid charge
- Travel case included
- Large buttons on headphones
- Adjustable bass
Cons
- Short Bluetooth distance
Jabra Elite Headphones
The Jabra Elite Headphones have the best sound quality of all of the headphones on our list. If you are looking for the best headphones for teenagers, these are it.
These offer an unmatched sound quality that your teenager will love. Unwanted background noise can be eliminated with the smart active noise cancellation feature. This feature detects background noise and activates noise-canceling when needed.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the SmartSound audio can personalize your listening experience. Use the app to create your style, and the headphones will adjust to your levels based on your setting and environment.
Listen to music for up to 36 hours between charges with ANC. If you go without using ANC, the battery life can last nearly 50 hours of playtime.
The fast charging feature allows you to get 5-hours of listening time after only 15 minutes of charging. There are so many features that your teenager will love, which makes these the best headphones for teens.
Pros
- Quality sound
- App for personalized sound
- Long-lasting batter
- Quick charge feature
Cons
- Expensive
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Headphones are our second favorite headphones for tweens. They are affordable, have a great battery life, include a travel pouch and long Bluetooth range.
The best thing about these headphones is the battery life. If your teen doesn’t use all the features, the battery life can be extended to 60 hours. That means they only need to be charged once a week with moderate to extensive use.
These headphones aren’t great for listening to music if your teen is a music-lover. The sound is okay, but other brands are better in terms of the bass, and delivery of a clear and crisp sound.
Overall, these are affordable headphones that tweens will love.
Pros
- Affordable
- Trave pouch included
- Comfortable ear cushions
Cons
- Decent sound quality for music
Sony WHXB900 Headphones
A list of headphones wouldn’t be complete without including a pair of Sony headphones. The Sony WHXB900 Headphones isolate sound with the active noise canceling feature. It also provides extra bass to bring the sound of your teen’s music to life.
Sony headphones are known for having excellent sound quality, so you can’t go wrong with this affordable model.
The charging time for these headphones is longer than other brands, but you get over 30 hours of playtime. Plus, there is a quick charging feature that allows you to get an hour of playtime with only 10 minutes of charging.
Pros
- Quick charging feature
- Extra bass
- Comfortable design
- Long battery life
Cons
- Long charge time (4 hours)
- More expensive than other brands
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Sony Headphones
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BEST EARBUD HEADPHONES FOR TEENS COMPARISON TABLE
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BEST EARBUD HEADPHONES FOR TEENS
Since there are different styles of headphones, and teenagers can be picky, we created a separate section for earbuds. These are the best earbud-style headphones for teens.
Bose Sport Earbuds
Much like AirPods, I couldn’t have a list of headphones without including Bose. The Bose Sport Earbuds are the best headphones for active teens. This model is the most affordable and perfect for teens that travel.
These earbuds are more compact compared to the other earbuds on our list. Although they are smaller, they still provide a strong sound.
The right earbud is the control, so once you teem removes it, the sound will pause. The control earbud setting can be updated in the Bose app.
There are some complaints about these headphones being uncomfortable. They may begin to hurt after wearing them for an extended time. Also, they are not as loud as the other earbuds on our list.
Overall, these are some of the best headphones for active teenagers.
Pros
- Swipe features to control music
- Perfect for active teens
- 15-minute quick charge
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 15 hours of playtime (with case)
- Not noise canceling like other models
- Must download the Bose app to use features
Bose Headphones
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
You can’t have a list of headphones without including Apple AirPods. If there is one thing, it is that Apple users love to use Apple products. If your teenager has an iPhone, I can almost guarantee they want a pair of AirPods
Since I am not an Apple user, I am not familiar with the features of these headphones. They receive great reviews on Amazon, as it seems Apple can do no wrong.
The best thing about these headphones is they are designed just for iPhones, so they work perfectly with iOS software. They connect quickly with 1-tap technology, and you can seamlessly switch between your Apple devices.
There is a known issue between Apple and Amazon, so if you use Amazon music these may not be the best option. I recommend a different pair until the issue is resolved with a firmware update.
Pros
- 1-tap connectivity
- Up to 24 hours of playtime (with case)
- Sweat and water-resistant for working out
- Designed just for iPhones
Cons
- Expensive
- Only works with iPhones
- Requires an iCloud account
- Compatibility issues with Amazon Music
Skullcandy Indy Evo True
The Skullcandy Indy Evo True Earbuds are popular earbuds, with over 20,000 units sold. These are the perfect headphones for teens that are active in sports or work out regularly.
With a battery life of nearly 30 hours, this is one of the most popular earbuds on our list for teenagers.
These earbuds are comfortable and provide additional bass for teens that love music. Plus, your teenager can use a single earbud, or both, whichever they want.
You can control your music or videos from these headphones so you can walk away from your phone without worrying.
I recently purchased these headphones to listen to music, stream movies, and video calls while working on the blog. They aren’t my work headphones, but I use them daily, and so far, so good.
Pros
- 3 EQ listening modes
- Mono or twin mode available
- Sweat-proof for workouts
- 30 hour battery life (with case)
- Different colors available
Cons
- Connectivity issues
- Difficult to fit in some ears
Samsung Galaxy Buds+
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are my favorite headphones for teenagers or adults, with an Android device. I have these headphones, and I love them.
The battery life is great, with around 11 hours of use on a single charge. With the charging case, you can get an additional 11 hours of charging, so that’s 22 hours of playtime. Plus, the quick charging gets one hour of play from three minutes of charging.
You can check the battery life of each earbud, which is crucial if you like to use a single earbud. As if that wasn’t enough, there is a find feature for locating lost earbuds. The lost earbud will beep, so it makes it easier to find.
My favorite feature is the ability to adjust the ambient volume. It’s like being about to control the volume around you, so it makes noise canceling to a new level.
Overall, these are the best headphones for teens. I would consider them the best overall earbuds for anyone with an Android device that wants a clear, clean, and crisp sound.
Pros
- Long battery life of continuous playtime
- Quick-charging features
- Can check battery life of earbuds
- Ambient sound feature
- 3 microphones for clear calls
- Find feature for lost earbud
- The case can be charged wireless or with wired
Cons
- Price
- Not good for workout
- Need to create a Samsung account
- Must agree to extensive terms & conditions
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
For teens that like headphones with an ear hook, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro is one of the best headphones.
These headphones have up to 35 hours of playtime with the charging case, so you can go days or even a week without charging.
For families that travel, these are the best earbuds for teens because of the battery life. The charging case can charge these headphones up to six times, before needing to be charged again.
Along with having a great battery life, these headphones are made from waterproof material, so your teen can work out with no worries.
The charging case charges these headphones quickly, so an hour and a half will get you nearly 10 hours of playtime.
For me, the best thing is the price. These headphones are less than $100, so you get great headphones at an affordable price.
Pros
- Affordable
- Up to 35 hours of battery life (with charging case)
- Switch between mono and stereo mode
- Quick charging
Cons
- May not fit all teens
- Expensive
JBL Tune 125TWS
JBL is a popular brand, especially for teenagers who want something cool, and parents who want an affordable price. The JBL Tune 125TWS are the best headphones for teens that love music.
For teenagers that spend their days listening to Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, and any other music platform these are perfect. The added bass makes it feels like you are in a concert, instead of streaming the song.
There are some drawbacks to these headphones for teenagers. The biggest complaint is the lack of isolation, so these headphones do not cancel noise. Although the sound comes through clear, it may be difficult to hear the highs if you are in a noisy environment.
Overall, these are the best headphones for music-loving teens. They are functional, affordable, and reliable.
Pros
- Up to 32 hours of battery life (with charging case)
- Increased bass for music lovers
- Dual connect functionality
- Fast-pairing (Android devices)
- Different colors available
Cons
- No isolation or noise-canceling
- Earbuds are larger than other brands
- Fast-pairing isn’t available on iOS devices
JBL Earbuds
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
GUIDE TO FINDING THE PERFECT HEADPHONES FOR TEENS
There are a few things to consider when looking for the perfect Bluetooth headphones for your teen.
The main factors we used to determine the best wireless headphones for teens are price, available features, battery life, and style.
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Price
Price is a crucial factor when trying to find headphones for teenagers. We know they can be expensive because they want the coolest brands.
Those brands come at a steep price, so looking for affordable options that offer similar features is a great alternative.
Tip: If your teen wants name-brand headphones, they tend to go down in price during certain holidays such as President’s Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, Christmas, and Cyber Monday.
Features
There are a few features that I’m sure your teen would love in their headphones. The most popular one is noise-canceling functionality. This gives them a better sound that removes outside noise.
Extra bass is important for kids that love music. Bass is the driver behind the music, so if your teen is obsessed with music, they’ll want headphones that emphasize bass.
Battery-Life
Battery life is one of the more essential features when looking for the best headphones for your teenager. The battery life is especially crucial if your family travels frequently. It can be easy for your teen to forget to charge.
Most wireless headphones have a battery life of at least 24 hours. Many of the headphones on our list have a quick-charging feature that provides two to three hours of playtime with only five or ten minutes of charging time. Hopefully, that’s enough to get your teen through a quick flight or road trip.
Style
There are different styles of headphones that your teen will love. The most popular style is Bluetooth wireless over-ear headphones, but some teens prefer wired headphones for some of their devices.
There are also earbud headphones that are perfect for active teens that do not like to have their ears covered. Over-ear headphones can be uncomfortable for long-term wear, so some teens prefer earbuds that go directly in their ears.
Although over-ear and earbuds are the most popular headphones, there are around-the-neck models that some teens may like.
For teenagers, style is crucial, so make sure you find the best ones that fit your teen’s style and personality.
