This article about the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Baby was written by baby travel expert Celine Brewer and may contain affiliate links.
As a parent, I completely understand the desire to keep noise levels to a minimum for your baby. Not only for their protection against potentially damaging noises, but no parent wants their sleeping baby woken up. This couldn’t be more true than when flying with a baby! The best way to protect your baby’s delicate eardrums is with a pair of baby noise canceling headphones.
Imagine you’ve just gotten your baby to sleep on the airplane, only to have them woken by a loud passenger or a crying baby. This happened to me on a flight home from Paris we were seated right next to the toilets – the slamming bathroom door constantly woke our baby! I was so incredibly frustrated, I’ve never wished for different airplane seats or noise cancelling headphones for my baby more!
The other very practical reason to get headphones for babies is for taking your baby to events (like sporting events). You want to make sure your baby’s ears are protected. Babies have very tender ears with ear canals that are smaller than our own, which is why ear specialists recommend that babies not be exposed to sounds and noises above 60 decibels. The Hearing Health Foundation published a great list for the decibel levels of everyday noises.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that repeated and prolonged exposure to loud noises above the recommended threshold can lead to ear damage. So, how do you protect your baby’s hearing? One way is to invest in a good pair of baby noise-canceling headphones when traveling with a baby.
My Top Picks for Noise Cancelling Headphones for Babies:
I know you don’t always have time to read, so here are my top picks for the best noise cancelling headphones for babies:
Best Overall Baby Ear Protection:
BANZBaby – is my top choice for baby headphones for concerts, sporting events, festivals, race events and even flying. These noise canceling headphones are designed specifically for babies. They are VERY well rated, they offer NRR 31dB noise protection for your baby’s delicate ears.
Best Baby Ear Protection for Ages 0-3:
Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection – with a specially designed soft headband, these noise cancelling headphones fit on children aged up to 3 years old.
What You’ll Find in this Article on the Best Baby Ear Protection
Best Baby Noise Canceling Headphones For Airplanes, Concerts, and Fireworks
1. BANZBaby Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection
- Noise Reduction - NRR 31dB
- Age Suitability - newborns to 2 years old
- Weight - 142g
Available in a plethora of stylish colors and striking patterns, the funky Banz Infant Hearing Protection Headphones are one of the best baby headphones on the market.
Firstly, these Banz Baby headphones have an NRR of 31 dB which is higher than many baby sound cancelling headphones available today. (I explain NRR in more detail below).
Designed for babies aged 0-2 and built to last, these ear protection headphones for babies remain perfectly usable as your child grows. The ear cup on the BANZ Baby infant hearing protection earmuff is made of soft cushioned material and the generous amount of padding offered by the headband provides your baby great comfort.
I think the Baby BANZ ear protection earmuffs are a great choice to protect your baby's delicate ears.
2. Alpine Headphones for Babies
- Noise Reduction - NRR 26dB
- Age Suitability - 0 to 3 years old
- Weight - 100g
These comfortable and stylish earmuffs from Alpine are terrific value for money and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs. The Alpine headphones for babies have a baby-proof design that's available in cute giraffe print, pink, blue, or black. They have an elastic band that wraps around your baby’s head, which keeps pressure off those soft spots and prevents things like red marks and irritation on their skin.
These baby headphones for noise reduction are hypoallergenic and come with an extra headband as well, in case you lose or have to wash one of them. They have padded ear cups that are made with multiple layers of foam to block out noise up to 23dB. Each pack includes a little carry bag for added convenience.
The cherry on top is that the elastic is easily adjustable with a simple two-click system. All this combined helps Alpine earmuffs be some of the best infant noise cancelling headphones.
3. The Baby Ear Protection Noise Canceling Headphones by Mumba
- Noise Reduction - NRR 31dB
- Age Suitability - 3 months to 3 years old
- Weight - 103g
These headphones for babies by Mumba offer everything you need to keep your baby's ears safe between 3 and 24 months, but some kids will be able to use them until the age of 3 years with no problem at all.
At such an affordable price point you will be pleasantly surprised that they offer a NRR 31 dB protection level. They are available in colors such as pink, blue and yellow. Not only are they effective in canceling almost any noise that comes your baby's way, but also come with soft cushioning on the top so that they are gentle on the baby’s head while doing so making them excellent baby headphones for plane travel.
Soft and comfy, the large internal space of the earcups offers zero pressure on baby’s ears so that they will keep them on longer without fussing because. These newborn baby ear protection headphones are light, safe, durable, and cute - everything you are looking for in soundproof baby headphones, all in one.
4. BBTKCARE Baby Ear Protection Noise Canceling Headphones
- Noise Reduction - Not specified
- Age Suitability - 3 to 24 months old
- Weight - 180g
These ergonomically designed headphones for babies aged 3-24 months come with a super cozy and adjustable headband for the perfect fit. The capacity of these baby noise cancelling headphones to effectively block out outside noise makes them perfect baby headphones for concerts, sporting events and other outdoor entertainment.
These BBTKCARE baby headphones are made of leather and plastic and have incredibly soft padding so that babies can doze off while wearing them comfortably and still have that necessary baby ear protection for concerts.
Apart from being lightweight and easy to use, they are also available in a wide range of fun colors and are quite affordable as well!
5. Friday 7Care Baby Noise Canceling Headphones
- Noise Reduction - Reduce Noise 4 to 6 Times
- Age Suitability - 0 to 2 years old
- Weight - 119g
Friday 7Care is a socially conscious company that not only donates proceeds to charities, but also plants trees to make the world a greener and better place.
These baby noise headphones provide utmost comfort with their cushioned headband and adjustable earmuffs. The Friday 7Care baby noise canceling headphones are flexible and sturdy enough to withstand accidents during playtime and come in a wide variety of colors ranging from black, blue, green to pink to match your little one's personality.
As a bonus, these also come with a 5-year warranty to ensure the most longevity on your investment and making them one of the best baby headphones to buy.
6. Snug Toddler & Infant Hearing Protection
- Noise Reduction - NRR 26dB
- Age Suitability - 0 to 2 years old
- Weight - not specified
Easy on the pocket and functional, these noise-canceling headphones for babies from Snug are a favorite among parents. The Snug toddler and infant headphones feature a head strap that is padded and cushioned so it stays comfortably on your little one's head. The earmuffs do not put pressure on their ears so you don't have to worry about them getting hurt. Plus, the adjustable head strap grows as your baby gets older, so it can be used up to age two and above.
One thing to note is that these headphones are a little bulkier than the other ones on this list, so they make better baby concert headphones than baby headphones for airplanes when you want to pack light.
Some reviews also mentioned that babies get a little sweaty if the headphones are worn outside on a sunny day, but other than that this is a great pair of baby noise canceling headphones.
7. Alitamei Baby Noise Canceling Headphones
- Noise Reduction - NRR 31dB
- Age Suitability - 0 to 3 years old
- Weight - not specified
Boasting a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 31dB, these headphones from Alitamei are a budget-friendly, no-compromise pair of headphones.
They are adjustable to fit any baby’s head and come in four bright, fun colors to choose from. They do not exert any pressure on their little heads, making it super comfortable for babies. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a three-year warranty for the product, which makes the decision even easier to make!
8. Muted Designer Hearing Protection For Infants & Kids
- Noise Reduction - NRR 27dB
- Age Suitability - Toddler to Teen
These adorable headphones come in a variety of trendy patterns like robots and flamingos. Not only do the Muted Designer hearing protection headphones for babies look incredibly cute, but with a padded headband and soft cushioned ear cups, these earmuffs are comfy too. Apart from being ideal for children with sensory processing issues and autism, they are also highly adjustable which makes them great for use by anyone, from toddlers, teens, to even adults.
Most importantly, they meet the ANSI requirements and are certified safe with an NRR of 27 decibels, meaning your child will still be able to hear what's going on around them, just with less external buzz. They collapse easily for added convenience which makes them easy to handle during travel and packing.
Should Babies Wear Noise Cancelling Headphones on a Plane?
You may be wondering about flying with a baby and if you should invest in a pair of baby headphones for flying.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, takeoff and landing will be the loudest times on the airplane. During the flight the noise level will be lower. Keep in mind that it will be louder at the rear of the cabin and near the engines. Based on the NIOSH findings, it’s not necessary for babies to wear ear protection headphones for planes.
The biggest consideration in purchasing baby ear protection for flying is if you think it will help your baby sleep. While, some parents find that the humming white noise from the airplane can help their baby to sleep, others find the noise of announcements, passengers or toilet doors will wake up their baby. In this instance, noise cancelling headphones for flying might help baby sleep.
However, you want to make sure when you purchase the best baby ear protection for flying that they fit properly and will be comfortable for your baby to sleep on the airplane.
What to Look for When Buying Baby Ear Protection Headphones
Here are some factors to be kept in mind when you are purchasing headphones for baby ear protection.
NRR Rating (Noise Reduction Rating)
NRR values say a lot about a pair of baby noise cancelling headphones. NRR, short for Noise Reduction Rating, is a means to measure the ability of a pair of headphones to cancel out noise. The higher the NRR value, the better the noise-cancellation.
If you are looking for baby headphones to just drown out some noise, baby noise blocking headphones with lower ratings can work fine. But, if you think you will ever have your baby with you at a concert or a fireworks show, it’s wise to invest in a pair of baby soundproof headphones with a higher rating.
Size/Weight of Baby Noise Canceling Headphones
Another thing to remember while looking for baby headphones for flying or concerts is to pick a pair that is neither too big nor too heavy on their little heads.
It’s a good idea to check the description of the pair of infant noise cancelling headphones that you’re eyeing for its dimensions, size, and weight in order to avoid ordering something that is simply too bulky for your little one.
Age of Baby
If you want to get the best value for money, then consider the age of your baby when buying headphones for them. Not only will this help you pick one that suits your baby best from among the wide variety of colors and styles, but most importantly, will help you choose one that will sit sturdily on top of their little heads and ears.
Baby noise reduction headphones that can be adjusted at the headband are always the best choice as this allows them to grow right alongside your child as they get bigger. And we all know how fast that can be!
Comfort
As parents, we know that after safety, comfort is a top priority when it comes to choosing baby travel essentials.
It’s a good idea to pick baby ear protection for flying, concerts, sporting events, etc that are softly padded and have a comfortable covering.
Furthermore, ensuring that baby headphones fit as your child grows is one thing, but also making sure that they fit well is another. And the only thing that can guarantee that is adjustable baby sound proof headphones.
Packable Baby Headphones
Baby headphones for flying should be compact and fold easily. When folded, some noise canceling baby headphones can even fit into the pocket of a diaper bag or stroller bag.
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.