(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,156 ratings.
PCMag's Editors' Choice for kids' headphones: active noise cancelling, a long rated battery, and an 80 dB limit (iClever's figure; PCMag published no measurement) that PCMag says can't be bypassed. Just 6% of Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars. The catches are hollow-sounding mids, no water-resistance rating, and WIRED's 10-year-olds found it a bit small.
Top complaints
- Hollow mids and boomy bass
PCMag says a deliberate dip in the 2 to 4 kHz range makes the mids sound hollow and the audio empty at times, and the extra bass muddies orchestral music. Mic quality is average.
Source: PCMag iClever BTH20 review - Small for older kids
WIRED says its 10-year-old testers found the BTH20 a bit small, so it's best for younger kids. PCMag found it adjustable and comfortable, even on an adult head.
- Charging issues, no IP rating, and hiss on high ANC
Amazon's summary says battery life gets mixed reviews, with some owners having charging issues. PCMag notes there's no IP rating, the buttons feel a little cheap, the high ANC setting adds a hiss when nothing is playing, and the power button needs about a four-second hold.
What owners love
- Lower volume cap that kids can't override
PCMag says it caps volume at 80 dB rather than the usual 85, and calls the limiting smart and impossible to circumvent, unlike many kids' headphones it has tested. iClever claims up to 40 dB of noise reduction; PCMag didn't measure either figure.
Source: PCMag iClever BTH20 review - Very long battery
PCMag cites up to 60 hours with ANC off and 35 hours with it on, and never ran it flat in testing. A 10-minute charge gives up to 5 hours.
Source: PCMag iClever BTH20 review - Comfortable, with ANC owners like
PCMag praises the plush, firmly attached leatherette pads and gentle clamp. Amazon owners call the noise cancellation excellent in loud environments, praise the sound and value, and one says it works well for autistic children.
- Your child is older, about 10+ (WIRED's testers found it small)
- You need water resistance
- Your child often lies on their headphones (a different iClever model squealed for Wirecutter)
- Flights and noisy places (ANC with two levels)
- Parents who want a limit kids can't override
- Younger kids, roughly 3 and up
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- PCMag: 4.5/5 Editors' Choice and best kids' headphones overall (roundup updated 2026-05-10), reviewed at $54.99. The cons: pricier than rivals, and mids can be hollow.
- WIRED: Mentioned under its iClever pick ($37): passive and active noise cancelling, a 60-hour battery and an 80-decibel limit, but its 10-year-old testers found it a bit small.