Teens use their headphones for listening to music, watching videos, gaming, chatting with friends, and even for anxiety when they’re at the dentist. They often carry their microphones with them, so they need headphones that are easy to throw in a backpack and connect to new devices. A teens’ headphones are a status symbol, so stylish options with all the features are important.
I will discuss the top headphones for teens that are easily transported and useful for teen activities. The best headphones for teens have many connectivity options, including Bluetooth and NFC, with multiple devices. Headphones that fold and come with a carrying case are best for teens that carry their headphones with them to school, friends’ houses, and everywhere else. The best headsets for teens are wireless and have a long playtime.
| Best Quality Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Best Budget Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | iJoy Matte Wireless Headphones | See On Amazon |
| Best Value Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | Foldable Wireless and Wired Headset | See On Amazon |
| Best Premium Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Best Mid-Range Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Best Gaming Headphones for TeensSee On Amazon |  | Sennheiser Game ONE | See On Amazon |
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are ideal for teens because of their superior sound quality, long playtime, and convenient folding technology.
Soundcore focuses on providing a high res sound quality for listening to movies and music. This headset provides an immersive experience through bass-intensifying technology and two full-range 40mm audio drivers. This experience is amplified through hybrid active noise canceling that blocks out up to 90% of low- and mid-frequency sounds.
The Life Q20 headphones are capable of fast charging. With just five minutes of charging, you get an additional four hours of playtime.
One downside is that they only come in black, blue, and white (perfect for those having an all-white set-up), which may be a bit basic for some teens. They are affordable, but not on the lowest end of the price range for headphones.
There is a newer version of these headphones, but they do not have BassUp technology.
The iJoy rechargeable wireless headphones are the best affordable set for teens because they come in many colors, have crisp sound quality, and do not cost too much to replace if the teen breaks them.
The iJoy headphones have seven different colors for teens to represent their personalities. This also makes it easier to keep them separate from their friends with the same set. They are over-ear headphones, so teens find them comfortable and good at noise canceling.
The headphones have a micro SD card slot and an FM radio receiver. One downside is that they charge by micro USB, which is becoming less common. Moreover, they only have an eight-hour playtime, which may not work for teens who live in their headphones.
A major bonus for these headphones is they come with a six-month warranty for a free replacement regardless of how they break. This is great for teens who are rough on electronics.
Teens often judge their technology first by looks and this headset will not disappoint them. It has great quality for the price and a long warranty. Teens will appreciate being able to fold them so they do not take up as much space in their backpacks.
The Zihinic headset is another affordable option for teens. They connect through both Bluetooth and 3.5-millimeter auxiliary, so they work for both personal use, where Bluetooth is often available, and computer labs at school, where teens may be required to connect with a wire. However, users report a slight delay between the video and audio when using Bluetooth.
With over 50,000 reviews, this is one of the highest-rated headphones in this price range. Students, in particular, appreciate the convenience and quality of the Zihnic headset but if you need a headphone particularly for studying, there are also other options available.
The Zihnic headset folds and stores in an included case for protection when teens throw them into their bags. Even if it still gets damaged, the company offers a 12-month warranty.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best high-end headphones for teens. Sony has the name brand, style, features, and quality teens demand.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 which is also on our list of the best headphones under $400 are industry-leading premium headphones that even the pickiest teens will love. They are ultra-comfortable and lightweight with a sleek profile.
Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones can keep up with even the busiest teens and for teens that have a collection of vinyl records. They last all day without charging, fold into a small case for easy transport, and work in any environment.
These headphones can do it all. There is no video lag and the sound quality, both listening and speaking, is superior. Most importantly, digital noise-cancellation technology is its best feature. Teens will appreciate the ability of these headphones to block out voices, crying, and snoring.
Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are the best mid-range option for teens. They have a clear sound quality and hybrid active noise cancellation. With NFC connectivity, multiple microphones, and one of the longest-lasting playtimes, these headphones are sure to satisfy any teen.
Teens who want high-quality headphones but who do not want to spend hundreds of dollars will love the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones. These have many of the same, or better, specifications as much higher priced models. For example, 60 hours of playtime is far more than most headphones on the market.
The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones have hybrid active noise cancellation that adapts to many environments and allows for a transparency mode to let in some ambient noise. These over-ear microphones rotate up to 15 degrees, making them some of the most comfortable fit for teens.
Teens control the headphones through the Soundcore app. They can customize the EQ and update the firmware. The headphones can be paired with two different devices at one time. Pairing is quick and easy with NFC technology.
The Sennheiser Game One headset is best for teens who do a lot of gaming. It is an open acoustic gaming headset for spatial sound and a microphone for chatting with friends while gaming.
The Sennheiser Game One headset sets itself apart from others in this article because it is primarily for gamers. The open back headphones give a more realistic, immersive gaming experience than closed back headphones.
The Sennheiser Game One headset is wired, so most teens will not want to use it with their phones, tablets, and non-gaming devices. However, the wire is two meters long, making it convenient for gaming with devices that are not handheld.
Even though the Sennheiser Game One headset weighs over twice as much as many other headsets recommended here, it is considered lightweight for a gaming headset. This might make it less desirable than other options for teens since they tend to carry their headsets to friends’ houses, school, and gaming competitions. Also, the wire is too long to be practical while walking.
Teens are always on the go and need devices that have long playtimes. Some headphones only last for four or five hours, which probably is not enough for teens.
Playtime is affected by whether the teen uses the headphones in noise-canceling mode. Some long play times reported are done so with only the most basic features activated, which would not include noise-canceling.
Most headphones have an auxiliary connection. The best headphones for teens also allow for wireless connectivity through Bluetooth 5.0. A couple of models even provide for NFC connectivity.
Teens probably want there to be at least Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity so they can listen wirelessly. Even the most basic models recommended here have Bluetooth connectivity.
Teens need headphones that pack away into their backpacks easily and that will not get damaged. The best headphones fold into an included case.
Some headphones come with a soft-sided pouch, which would not be the best for teens. Look for headphones that come with a hardshell case.
Microphones are most useful for people who use headphones for phone calls. Teens probably do not need a microphone for calls since they do not make many calls but if you want to know the difference between a gaming headset and a headphones with mic, we have an article for that.
Microphones are essential for gaming, however. Teens who want to use headphones for gaming would need a microphone, but most general headphones are not the best for gaming.
Bluetooth 5 is the most recent version of Bluetooth and is used by many devices. Teens will find it easy to pair with devices that have Bluetooth 5. We have recommendations here for the best Bluetooth headphones.
The fastest way to pair headphones to a device is through NFC. The teen just taps the device to the headphones and they are paired.
It is important to have a wired option, such as with a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary, for when the headphones are low on charge or when the device cannot be connected through Bluetooth.
Not all headphones work when they are not charged, even with the wired option. Be sure to check the manual and information if this is a concern. With headphones that have a long playtime, however, this is less of an issue.
Teens appreciate trendy, luxurious headphones, but their budget may call for more affordable options. There is a wide range of prices and features, so even the pickiest teen should be able to find headphones that suit their needs.
We also have a headphone buying guide here that you might be interested in.