Onanoff

BuddyPhones Explore+

Bottom Line

These vibrant, kid-friendly headphones impressed us with their advanced features in our user testing.

Pros

Restricts maximum volume to 85 dB to protect young ears. Can connect via Bluetooth or cable. Built-in splitter allows two pairs of headphones to share the same audio source. In testing, kids found them highly comfortable.

Cons

Fit was a little too adjustable for our tester, and the storage pouch felt flimsy.

$24.99*

About the product

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones Review

Do the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones live up to its claims?

From movies to video games to computers, nearly every activity aimed at young children is full of noise. While they certainly don’t mind, a durable pair of kids' headphones can keep parents sane and increase concentration when completing homework. Even if you strive to create a low-tech world for your kids, headphones are beneficial for audiobooks and educational games.

Icelandic audio company Onanoff tailor-made BuddyPhones for young ears, ensuring they're kid-safe, kid-friendly and kid-proof. To protect kids' hearing, the Play+ Bluetooth headphones have a built-in sound control to “cap the volume at levels recommended for children by the World Health Organization.” Whether for home, school or on the road, Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones might be worth a try.

Testing the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones 

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim Onanoff makes about the Play+ Kids Headphones. They analyzed the headphones in a real-world environment with younger ears to ensure their quality, appearance, performance and ease of use. Here’s what they found.

What are the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones?

Listening to your favorite podcast or TV show has never been so accessible, thanks to the number of headphones and earbuds available. While earbuds are overwhelmingly popular with adults, they aren't suitable for small ears. Adult-sized headphones also pose a problem for the younger crowd. To appeal to toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-aged children, Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids headphones are designed for ages 2 to 10. Not only do they have an adjustable headband, the ear pads are also perfectly sized for little ears and covered with soft leather for comfort.

Inline Link: See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best kids headphones.

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones price and where to buy

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones retail for $49.99 on Amazon.

How to use Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones

BuddyPhones Play+ Headphones are kid-friendly, kid-proof and kid-safe. They're equipped with features kids love and will be able to operate independently and safety features that parents will appreciate. 

  • SafeAudio Modes: The Play+ Headphones offer three SafeAudio Modes to protect your little one’s hearing. Toddler Mode caps out at 75dB, which the WHO describes as being louder than normal conversation but quieter than a doorbell. Kids Mode goes up to 85dB, which is equivalent to heavy traffic when inside a car. At 94dB, the loudest mode, designed for travel, is equivalent to a motorcycle.
  • Study Mode: To concentrate on what matters, slide a switch that cuts out nonessential noise and makes spoken words clearer and more pronounced. This helps if you’re studying at school or with talkative siblings at home.
  • Wireless Bluetooth and Wired: You have the choice of using these headphones wirelessly or wired and can switch back and forth at will. For wireless listening, connect the Bluetooth to any device and enjoy coverage up to 20 meters. It will last up to 20 hours on a full battery. If the battery is low or you prefer a corded headset, use the audio jack instead.
  • Built-In Microphone: If your kids are talking during an online class or while video chatting with friends, they can use the built-in microphone. The audio quality is clear and sounds equivalent to speaking directly into the device.
  • BuddyLink Audio Sharing: Do you only have one device but multiple kids? The BuddyLink sharing cable allows multiple headphones to listen to one device simultaneously. This feature is beneficial if a sibling’s tablet runs out of battery or if a friend comes over.
  • Customizable: Even if two kids get the same color, they can customize the ear pads and make them their own with the included stickers. The headband also extends to fit multiple head sizes.
  • Travel: The Play+ headphones are foldable and effortlessly fit inside the included to-go bag for convenient travel. 

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones benefits

With several bright colors to choose from and interchangeable stickers for boys and girls for the outside of the ear pads, the Play+ Headphones are custom-made for kids. The size seems to be appropriate for the age range, as they're the ideal size for a 6-year-old child. Since they fold up and come with a storage bag, these headphones are also suitable for travel or taking back and forth to and from school. 

Another positive about these headphones is the aesthetic. While the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ are fairly high-tech for kids’ headphones considering the Bluetooth capability and additional features, they still appeal to a younger audience. The claims about featuring three levels of SafeAudio are accurate, and the volume seems to be appropriate for little ears. Also, the BuddyJack feature is beneficial for friends or siblings to listen to the same thing simultaneously.

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones drawbacks

While the SafeAudio feature is helpful to keep little ears safe from loud sounds, some might complain that the audio is too low. However, it’s an acceptable level set by the World Health Organization. Also, some users thought the cable was poor-quality and had concerns about whether it would last long after being used by a child, while others had an issue with one side of the headphones dying.

Should you get the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones?

Overall, the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones are exciting headphones that come in fun colors and include customizable stickers allowing kids to make them their own. You have the option of using these headphones wireless with Bluetooth or with the cable if you don’t want to worry about charging or connectivity. Importantly, they’re designed to protect your little ones’ hearing. If you’re looking for headphones suitable for toddlers, preschoolers or elementary-aged children, the Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Kids Headphones are an excellent pair for home, school or on the go.

Quality 5

These kids' headphones are comfortable, look chic and feel durable.

Performance 4

The sound was very low, but that's likely due to the SafeAudio feature. There was also an issue connecting to Bluetooth.

Accurate Product Claims 5

Onanoff BuddyPhones Play+ Headphones perform exactly as advertised.

Ease of Setup 5

It was simple to connect to Bluetooth, charge and adjust the headphones.

Appearance 5

Kids are excited to change out the stickers on the headphones.

 

Noise Control:
None
Frequency Response:
20 KHz
Headphones Jack:
3.5 mm Jack
Model Name:
Explore+
Connectivity Technology:
Wired
Wireless Communication Technology:
Bluetooth
Included Components:
Cable
Age Range (Description):
3+
Material:
Plastic
Specific Uses For Product:
Volume-Limiting Kids Headphones
Recommended Uses For Product:
Calling
Compatible Devices:
iPad, iPhone, Android, Tablets, PC
Control Type:
Volume Control
Cable Feature:
Detachable
Item Weight:
105 Grams
Water Resistance Level:
Not Water Resistant
Package Type:
Protective Packaging
Unit Count:
1 Count
Style:
Explore+
Control Method:
Touch
Number of Items:
1
Controller Type:
Wired Touch Controller
Carrying Case Color:
SnowWhite
Earpiece Shape:
Over-ear
Is Autographed:
No
UPC:
840173600207
Global Trade Identification Number:
00840173600207
Manufacturer:
ONANOFF
Product Dimensions:
7.6 x 2.95 x 7.2 inches
Item Weight:
3.7 ounces
ASIN:
B09D3RH18B
Item model number:
BP-EXPLOREP-WHITE-3
Customer Reviews:
4.3 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank:
#160,315 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #3,751 in Over-Ear Headphones
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer:
No
Date First Available:
August 20, 2021
Department:
unisex-child
Country of Origin:
China