Search for kids headphones online, and you'll probably see the same few names. But only two — JBL and Philips — can be considered household brands. That's why I feel the Belkin Soundform Mini Wireless On-Ear Headphones for Kids are a much-needed addition to this genre. For one, these headphones use Bluetooth (also support wired), which is convenient. They also shake up the scene price-wise. You can get them at S$59 (launch promotion at S$40 till 3 Aug on Lazada).
Quick specs
- Volume cap of 85 decibels
- Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm jack
- Two-year warranty
- Battery life of up to 30 hours
What differentiates the Belkin and other kids headphones from standard headphones is usually a volume limiter. These Belkin headphones cap at 85 decibels (only when connected via Bluetooth). But that's still pretty loud, so I wouldn't recommend letting your child use them at maximum volume. They also have smaller ear cups that fit a child better. The headphones themselves are made of plastic, and lightweight at around 140g. But the headband isn't padded like JBL's headphones. Despite this, my 10-year-old daughter found the Belkin comfortable enough. These headphones takes up a bit more space than the JBL ones as you can't fold them. Belkin doesn't include a case or a bag.
The Belkin's ear cups are slightly larger than the ones on the JBL. This makes the former slightly more comfortable for older kids (and for me, while I was trying them out). The power and volume buttons are all on the right ear cup, along with the 3.5mm and micro-USB charging ports. There's a built-in mic, which is handy for online classes. But the biggest advantage here is the wireless factor. It makes things so much easier for kids. Because even as an adult, I sometimes forget I'm wearing wired headphones, and get tripped up by the cable. And you can still use them wired, as there's a 3.5mm jack, and the cable is included, too.
The Belkin Soundform Mini sounds good for its price and target audience. There's a bit more bass than I had expected. There's clear sound separation and a decent soundstage. Vocals, though, can sound overwhelmed, though still audible, in more hectic songs. The passive isolation could also be better, but that's probably because the ear cups are a tad small for me. Battery life is around 30 hours, and it takes around 2 hours to fully recharge it from zero.
With an official retail price of S$59, the Belkin Soundform Mini Wireless On-Ear Headphones for Kids are cheaper than the similarly Bluetooth-equipped JBL Jr310BT headphones for kids (S$79.90). Belkin also offers a two-year warranty compared to one year for JBL. The Belkin headphones are available now in four colours at Lazada.
Note: Review unit provided by Belkin.
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