Are you on the hunt for the best headphones for a teenager? We’ve got you covered with an in-depth round-up that might just get your teenager to crack a smile! Ah, it’s the simple things in life.
As our kids get older and transition from being boisterous tweens to angsty teens, they’re usually looking for a way to switch off from the outside world. Some teens will want to flick through the pages of a good book to decompress, but it’s more likely that they’ll want to blast their favorite tunes or watch the newest Netflix releases without being disturbed.
Whether you’re dealing with teen boys or girls, they’ve probably come to you more than once asking for a trendy pair of headphones with great sound quality.
As well as being on-trend and essential for most modern youngsters (or so they say!), these clever bits of tech can come in handy on long road trips and plane journeys when silence is truly golden.
However, there are so many things to consider when buying the right headphones. Therefore we have done much of the hard work for you, we have sourced the best headphones for teenagers and looked at the specs and prices to make the job easier for you. We checked out a range of different headphones and their specs including volume control, ergonomic design, charging time and unique features. Below is the best of the best.
Which pair of headphones are best for teens?
If you’re searching for the best headphones for teens, then you may be wondering what specs you’ll need to consider before pressing “Add to Cart”.
While expensive noise canceling headphones are becoming all the rage these days, they may not be the right choice for casual listeners. However, it’s worth noting that if your teen is looking for something that will help them study better in loud environments, then blocking out external noise could be a major benefit so a pair of active noise cancellation could be top of the wishlist.
On the other hand, something flimsy and cheap will probably break within a few months if your teen is clumsy or uses their headphones for hours each day. Therefore do consider your price range as you start searching.
Many teenagers will want to wear their headphones while exercising, moving between rooms, or relaxing outside. For this reason, we feel that wireless headphones are a must and often the best choice.
As most smartphone manufacturers have also removed all headphone jacks to encourage people to purchase Bluetooth buds with Bluetooth connectivity (sneaky, we know!), most wired headphones will be completely useless for modern teens.
Overall, choosing the right pair of headphones for your teen will come down to their personal taste. Stylish youngsters may appreciate a set of fashionable Beats headphones while audiophiles will love the crisp and balanced sound of Bose headphones.
As there are so many options on the market, we’ve attempted to make your life easier by curating a shortlist of the best headphones for teens in 2023. These top picks are the perfect choice for older kids who will get hours of use from a set of headphones.
Just be aware that prices can range massively depending on the specs and brand you choose. So, bear this in mind before enthusiastically grabbing that credit card!
Best Headphones For Teenagers: The Ultimate Shortlist
These options are all tried and tested by teens, and there should be something on this list that’s suitable for every budget. Plan your budget before you start going too deep into your research as affordable price is often a key purchasing factor.
You can also buy them directly from Amazon by clicking the links!
Luxury Headphones Teenagers Want:
Beats Solo3 Headphones
To kick off our list of the best headphones for teens, we’ve got the Beats Solo3. These headphones have been around for years, and they remain one of the finest options available for fashion-conscious teens who want to fit in with the cool kids.
These headphones are always going on and off sale, so keep an eye out for Black Friday deals, Prime Day discounts, and cuts from local retailers if you want to snag them at the best price possible.
Not only are they available in several gorgeous colorways (Rose Gold is very popular with teenage girls), but they offer a quick-charging feature that offers 3 hours of playback time from a short 5-minute charge. If you charge them fully, you’ll get around 40 hours of battery life which is genuinely impressive. These are ergonomically designed on-ear cushioned ear-cups that optimise sound delivery and have an adjustable headband, to ensure all-day comfort.
The main drawback to these headphones is that some people find them slightly too small. So, proceed with caution if you’re a large-headed family! It’s also said that they’re quite bass-heavy, but few teens will have an issue with this.
Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
If your teen is passionate about music, you may want to grab a pair of Bose QuietComfort 45s. These are widely seen as the most comfortable and reliable noise canceling headphones on the market, and they produce a well-balanced sound that is bound to boost any teen’s listening experience.
Although you might not be keen on the noise canceling aspect (it’s hard enough to get teens to listen to you!), these headphones have an “Aware” mode that allows you to be heard above loud music. If your teen is cramming for an exam and needs to focus, they can switch over to “Quiet” mode and block out their surroundings in a flash this is ideal if using for online classes too.
These headphones are easy to pair with just about any device and have an excellent built-in microphone that blocks out ambient noise and background noise during calls.
If we’re being honest, we’d save these for slightly older teens as they’ll need to be looked after and may be wasted on anyone who isn’t a total audiophile!
Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro offer excellent noise cancellation for a pair of earbuds, and they’re sleek, attractive, and can be customized with silicone tips to perfectly fit your teen’s ears. These in-ear headphones are topping many teenagers’ wishlists as they are easily portable and high quality. Plus they are Apple which is a status symbol in itself.
Not only is the sound quality here unbeatable but these headphones are crafted with internally tapered tips that keep the buds securely in place. The signature side vents also equalize the pressure in your teen’s ears, making them feel completely weightless.
If they ever need to hear what’s happening around them, they can just press the force sensor on the side of the buds. Trust us – they’ll be jerked back to reality in a split second!
Just a heads up – these may not be a great choice for forgetful or klutzy teens, as the buds are quite easily lost if they’re not placed right back in the case after use. The audio quality is great and they pair easily which again is another plus for online learning too.
Mid-level Headphones for Young People
Skullcandy Crusher Headphones
The Skullcandy Crusher Headphones are a firm favorite amongst teens, as they come in bright colors and have excellent sound quality for the price.
You can expect a full charge to offer around 40 hours of playback time, but the fast-charging feature gives teens up to 3 hours of juice in just 10 minutes.
These active noise-cancelling headphones aren’t as sophisticated as it is on top-of-the-range models. However, the sound isolating fit and excellent microphone make these some of the most popular headphones for young people.
Mixx AX1
The Mixx AX1 headphones will give your teens decent active noise canceling technology, 20 hours of playback time with a long battery life, a quick-charging feature, and a resonant, thumping bass that will lift any tune for music lovers everywhere.
They also allow your teen to pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume using the headset itself. This can be seriously handy if they’re constantly on the move.
They’re not overly bulky, which also makes them an excellent choice for teen girls who may struggle with the headband size on one-size-fits-all models.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you’re looking for the best headphones for teens with long-lasting battery life, then you’ll want to add the Anker Soundcore Life Q20s to your shortlist of pairs to pick up.
Despite offering excellent sound quality, top-notch battery life, and an impressive Bluetooth range, these headphones remain reasonably priced.
We’d say that the major selling point here is the fact that the battery life can run for up to 60 hours if your teen isn’t using all the high-tech features. That’s higher than any of our other picks and means they can be charged once-a-week tops! They also offer a comfortable design making them an ideal choice for those who want to remain plugged in and listening for long periods of time.
PowerLocus Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
If your teen is desperate for a stylish pair of wireless headphones (but you can’t stretch your budget to pay for a pair of Beats!), then the PowerLocus Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones are an excellent alternative and top the list of best-selling headphones.
They’re extremely well-reviewed on Amazon and have managed to retain an impressive 4.5-star rating from a whopping 30,000 verified reviews. These PowerLocus headphones are extremely comfortable and can be easily resized to fit your teen’s head. They also offer sound quality that rivals even the most expensive picks on our list.
Offering 15 hours of playtime and a generous 24-month warranty, these headphones are a fantastic mid-range option for teens who aren’t bothered by a lack of branding but still want quality sound.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
If your teen is hankering for a pair of AirPods, then these are the perfect alternative for a pair of portable headphones.
They’re way cheaper than the AirPods and they offer active noise canceling, personalized EQ settings, heavy bass, and up to 26 hours of playback from a single charge.
Although they might not slot into all ears perfectly at first, they come with 9 pairs of different EarTips to help your teen find an ideal and comfortable fit.
Budget Headphones for Savvy Shoppers
iJoy Bluetooth Foldable Headphones
If you’re on a shoestring budget, then you can’t do better than the iJoy Bluetooth Foldable Headphones.
Offering five-button controls, a foldable design, and a surprisingly solid listening experience, these hidden gems are a must-buy for parents who are pinching pennies or for younger children who may not look after headphones too well.
These headphones are available in several vibrant colors, including orange, lime, blue, and pink, allowing your teens to express themselves without shelling out for a pair of Beats.
Tuinyo Bluetooth Headphones
The Tuinyo Bluetooth Headphones will always be one of the best headphones for teens as they’re attractive, affordable, and easy to transport.
They come in several different colors and include a microphone which is ideal for gaming and phone calls.
They also provide up to 14 hours of listening time along with a fast-charging feature that will have your teen on the move in no time. If they still run out of juice while they’re on the move, these headphones come with a handy wire that will keep your teens bopping along to their favorite tunes without needing to recharge.
We’d recommend these for any teens that are clamoring for a pair of Beats as they look very similar to the Solo3s but are a fraction of the price.
In Summary
Hopefully, this list of the best headphones for teenagers has helped you out. If you’re unsure, present this list to your young people and discuss things with them!
If you decide to purchase any of these headphones, let us know how they perform! Do you have any other suggestions that have pleased your teenagers? If so, we’d love to hear about them.
For more ideas on gifts for teens read 18 Cool Scientific Gifts for Teenagers and 15 of the Best Perfumes for Teens in 2023
