How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a kid-safe, gift-ready pair of headphones with volume limits and a long battery, choose iClever Kids; if you need an open-ear set built for running, gym sessions, and staying aware of your surroundings, choose Monster Open Ear AC360.
• iClever Kids biggest strength: Purpose-built for children — two volume caps (74/85 dBA), Sound Refiner tech, BPA-free materials, and a fun cat-ear design with RGB lights.
• iClever Kids biggest trade-off: It's an over-ear kids' headphone with cat ears and a peach-pink look — not meant for adult workouts or all-weather sport.
• Monster Open Ear AC360 biggest strength: Open-ear fit that leaves your ears uncovered, IPX5 water resistance, and a rotating magnetic charging case with a lanyard for on-the-go use.
• Monster Open Ear AC360 biggest trade-off: No volume limiting and no wired option — it's wireless-only, with a shorter 24-hour total battery span than the iClever.
• Who iClever Kids is for: Parents buying for young children who want safer listening and a giftable design.
• Who Monster Open Ear AC360 is for: Adults who run, train, or commute and want to hear traffic and their surroundings.
The iClever Kids headphone is designed around one core idea: protecting small ears. It carries two volume limits — 74 dBA and 85 dBA — so a parent can pick the quieter mode for younger kids or the louder one for older children. On top of that, iClever's Sound Refiner Technology trims the 2–4 kHz range, which is the band most associated with high-frequency hearing strain. In my opinion, that combination is the single most important reason to buy this pair over a generic kids' headphone.
It's also built to actually be used by children. The materials are BPA-free, the headband adjusts, and the ear cups swivel up to 110° for a snug fit. At 159 g (158 g in the bullet spec) it's light enough for a small head, and it folds up for travel. Battery life is a standout: up to 60 hours with the RGB lights off, and a 10-minute fast charge gets you over 7 hours of playtime. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the wireless connection stable within about 10 meters, and the included 3.5 mm cable means it still works wired with tablets, laptops, and phones when the battery runs down or when a device has no Bluetooth.
Who should skip it? Anyone shopping for themselves as an adult. The cat-ear shape, RGB lighting, peach-pink colorway, and kitten sticker all point to a child's gift. The 40 mm dynamic drivers deliver balanced sound in a 20 Hz–20 kHz range, but the whole package is tuned for kids, not for critical listening or gym use. If you want an adult sport headphone, this isn't it.
The Monster Open Ear AC360 takes the opposite approach: it doesn't cover your ears at all. The open-ear design rests outside the ear canal, so you can hear music and still hear what's happening around you — traffic, a running partner, gym announcements. That's the entire reason this category exists, and it's the reason I'd point a runner or cyclist here.
Durability and sweat are handled with an IPX5 water resistance rating, which the specs describe as protection against rain and sweat. The fit is described as ergonomic, lightweight, and non-slip even during intense exercise. It uses a 16 mm dynamic driver with 98 dB sensitivity across a 20 Hz–20 kHz range, and it runs Bluetooth 6.0 for a fast, stable connection within roughly 10 meters.
Battery is 8 hours in a single stretch, extending to 24 hours total with the charging case. The case itself is unusual: a rotating magnetic cover that adds a bit of tactile fun, plus a complimentary lanyard so you can carry it around. Calls get DNN 6th-generation noise filtering for clearer voice pickup. Controls are touch-based. There's no headphone jack here — it's wireless only.
Who should skip it? Parents buying for a young child. There's no volume limiting and no wired fallback, and the age range is listed as adult. It's also worth noting the charge time is listed at 8 hours, so you'll want to plan charging around your routine. And with no active noise control, it won't isolate you from a noisy commute — which is by design for open-ear, but worth knowing before you buy.
• Best for young children → iClever Kids. Volume limits, Sound Refiner, and BPA-free materials are built specifically for kids.
• Best for running, cycling, and gym → Monster Open Ear AC360. Open-ear awareness plus IPX5 sweat and rain resistance.
• Best for long battery life → iClever Kids. Up to 60 hours with lights off versus 24 hours total on the AC360.
• Best for fast top-ups → iClever Kids. A 10-minute charge yields over 7 hours; the AC360 lists an 8-hour charge time.
• Best for hearing your surroundings → Monster Open Ear AC360. Nothing blocks your ear canal.
• Best for wired flexibility → iClever Kids. The included 3.5 mm cable works with non-Bluetooth devices; the AC360 has no jack.
• Best for gifting a child → iClever Kids. Cat ears, RGB lights, sticker, and gift packaging.
• Best for travel carry → Monster Open Ear AC360. The rotating magnetic charging case and lanyard are made for tossing in a bag.
For a child, I'd buy the iClever Kids without hesitation. The volume limits and Sound Refiner aren't marketing filler — they're the features a parent actually needs, and the 60-hour battery and wired option make it genuinely practical day to day. For myself or any adult who trains outdoors, I'd pick the Monster Open Ear AC360. The open-ear design and IPX5 rating fit that use case far better than a kids' headphone ever could. These two barely compete — they solve different problems. Match the product to the person, and you'll be happy either way. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
The iClever Kids. It has two volume limits and Sound Refiner Technology to protect young hearing, plus kid-friendly BPA-free materials and a lightweight, adjustable fit. The AC360 lists an adult age range and has no volume limiting.
Yes. It uses DNN 6th-generation smart noise filtering for HD calls, and touch controls handle playback and call management. There's no wired option, so calls require a Bluetooth connection.
Yes. It includes a detachable 3.5 mm audio cable, so it works wired with tablets, laptops, and phones. The AC360 is wireless only and has no headphone jack.
The Monster Open Ear AC360. Its IPX5 rating is described as preventing rain and sweat, and the open-ear, non-slip fit is built for exercise. The iClever Kids is designed for children's indoor and everyday listening, not outdoor training.
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