Are AirPods Right for Kids? Examining Fit, Functionality, and Child-Friendly Factors

Kids today are exposed to tech and trends like AirPods at a much younger age than before due to platforms like YouTube. And, of course, all kids want the fancy gadgets that the YouTubers use. But it’s not always that easy since it can cost a lot of money to buy such an expensive set of earphones just to find they can’t use them. So, do AirPods fit in kids’ ears?

AirPods can fit in kids’ ears, but it depends on the child’s age and the size of their ears. Standard AirPods is similar to Apple’s EarPods in size and shape, so you can test with the cheaper earphones. AirPods Pro is more likely to fit because they have replaceable ear tips in different sizes.

It’s good to know that AirPods can fit your kids, but some factors could affect how well they fit. There are also some risks involved, and depending on your circumstances, you may prefer not to give them AirPods. Let’s look at how you can determine if AirPods will fit your kids and the potential downsides.

Do AirPods Fit In Kids’ Ears?

AirPods can fit in kids’ ears. All models of AirPods (except the overhead AirPods Max) are small enough to fit into most ear types, including children’s ears. The size of the child’s ears is a major determining factor, though, so there are exceptions.

So, how can you know if AirPods will fit in your child’s ears before spending the money?

AirPods (1^st Gen, 2^nd Gen, And 3^rd Gen)

All generations of the standard range of AirPods are similar in size and shape, with only slight changes between versions. So, if one fits, the others will likely also fit. If you can get a pair of AirPods to test safely, you can determine whether they will fit.

Another option is to use regular wired Apple EarPods. Their size and shape are nearly identical to the standard AirPods, so if they fit, there’s an excellent chance that the AirPods will also fit. EarPods are also considerably cheaper than AirPods, so you can test the fit without spending too much money.

AirPods Pro (1^st Gen And 2^nd Gen)

Apple’s premium range of in-ear wireless earphones, the AirPods Pro, has many added features and advantages. One of those is that each earbud has a replaceable ear tip. Unlike regular AirPods, only the front end goes into your ears, and you can replace that with another one in a different size. The AirPods Pro 1st generation comes with three different-sized tips included, and the AirPods Pro 2nd generation (both Lightning and USB-C versions) even includes four sizes of ear tips.

This is a great benefit for kids since whether they will fit is less of an issue. If they don’t fit, you can simply get a pair of ear tips that do. Some manufacturers offer extra small ear tips specifically designed for kids.

AirPods Max

Apple’s over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, should have no problem fitting most kids. The headband is fully adjustable, making the headphones easy to fit over even small heads. They are much heavier than in-ear AirPods, though, so depending on the age of your kids, they could find them uncomfortable or too heavy.

Is AirPods A Good Fit For Kids?

Now we know that AirPods can fit kids, but another side of the question is, should they? We have to approach this aspect of the question from a few different angles.

What Does Apple Say?

Apple does not explicitly state that it approves or disapproves of kids using AirPods. Unlike Apple’s other products, like iPhones and iPads, the company does not build any child safety features into AirPods. There’s no health or safety statement on Apple’s website or documentation.

For all purposes, we can accept that Apple’s stance is similar to those of other earphone manufacturers – that the devices are essentially safe for kids to use, and it’s up to the parents to regulate their use to ensure safety.

Are AirPods Safe For Kids?

Depending on the kids’ age, there can be a few safety concerns to giving them AirPods.

AirPods as a Choking Hazard

AirPods are a choking hazard. The widely accepted criteria for determining a choking hazard are based on objects with a diameter of 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) or smaller. As AirPods measure approximately 1.22 inches, they meet this criteria and pose a choking risk, especially for young children. It’s important to exercise caution, as even older children might inadvertently leave their AirPods lying around, creating a hazard for younger siblings or kids who may be tempted to put them in their mouths.

Risk of Swallowing AirPods

It’s easy to swallow AirPods. The New York Post reported on a 7-year-old who accidentally swallowed one of his AirPods after temporarily holding it in his mouth “by the long end.” Though it didn’t do any harm we are aware of, that doesn’t mean it could never harm a child’s intestines. Parents know how quickly these kinds of accidents can happen, so is it worth the risk?

Volume Control and Hearing Risk

AirPods don’t limit their volume. Specially-designed children’s headphones have built-in volume limits to keep them from pushing the volume too high. AirPods don’t have such safety measures, and kids are likely to try and push the volume as high as possible. This will damage their hearing, as it could for anyone, but in young and developing ears, the risk is so much higher.

A study conducted among adolescents between 12 and 19 years old found that those who regularly used earphones had a 4.5-fold higher risk of hearing loss and an 8.4-fold higher risk of developing subjective hearing problems than those who did not.

Not all kids are the same. Some will handle their AirPods responsibly; in those cases, there’s no reason to be concerned. But it’s still important to be aware of the potential risks before spending money on an expensive set of AirPods for your child.

Other Risks Of Giving AirPods To Kids

School Bans and Distractions

Many schools have banned AirPods because they cause distractions and can even help kids cheat on tests and exams. Because of their small size, it’s relatively easy to hide an AirPod somewhere and sneak it into an exam room, allowing you to communicate with someone else while writing the test.

Risk of Loss or Misplacement

Kids can quickly lose or misplace items. Especially in the case of something small, like AirPods, they can accidentally lose them on a cupboard, under a bed, between seats in the car, on the floor where they can get vacuumed up, or even in a pocket where they can end up in the laundry. That’s a $200 to $600 accident that very few people want to make.

Theft Issues

Theft is a significant problem, especially for kids. Their AirPods can easily get stolen from a backpack at school, and even though they have the option to use the “Find My” app to locate them, it’s not perfect. Someone who knows how these things work can get the AirPods reset and linked with another iCloud account very quickly.

Conclusion

AirPods will fit most children’s ears, especially the AirPods Pro because you can replace their ear tips with a pair that will fit perfectly. However, you should know that there is a risk involved. Your child could have an expensive accident with the AirPods, or they could harm their health or hearing, so take that into consideration when weighing up your options.

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