If you want a simple wired connection from a Lightning-equipped iPhone to speakers or a car stereo, choose Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT; if you need kids’ headphones with a microphone for wireless listening and calls, choose iClever BTH12. These products serve different jobs: Belkin is an audio cable, while iClever is an over-ear Bluetooth headset. In this iclever vs belkin kids headphones comparison, the key question is whether you need to connect an iPhone to another audio system or give a child headphones they can wear.
• Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT’s strength: A straightforward 3.5 mm audio connection for compatible Lightning-equipped iPhones; its trade-off is that it is a cable, not headphones.
• iClever BTH12’s strength: Wireless listening, a built-in microphone, volume-limit settings, and up to 85 hours of stated playtime; its trade-off is that it needs charging for Bluetooth use.
• Belkin is for: Someone who wants to send iPhone audio to a car stereo, home speakers, or portable speakers with an auxiliary input.
• iClever is for: A child or teen who needs over-ear headphones for listening, calls, or school-related audio, with wired listening available as another option.
• The short version: Choose based on the job, not the brand. These are not two competing headphone models.
The Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT is a compact cable with a Lightning connector on one end and a 3.5 mm audio connection on the other. Its purpose is to route audio from a compatible iPhone to an auxiliary input, such as one on a car stereo, home speaker system, or portable speaker. If the goal is to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks through speakers rather than through headphones, that simple connection is the main appeal.
Belkin lists compatibility with the iPhone 14 series and earlier iPhone models that use Lightning. It is MFi-certified, and the listed cable length for this model is 3 feet. That length can suit a connection where the phone and audio input are close together, such as a phone near a car’s auxiliary port. Belkin also describes 6-foot and 3-foot length options across the product line, but the listed measurements for this specific model are 3 feet.
This is not a headset and does not include a microphone or wireless playback. It will not give a child something to wear for a video call, class, or independent listening. Skip it if you need headphones, a mic, or Bluetooth. For someone with a Lightning iPhone and an auxiliary audio system, though, it keeps the setup direct without requiring a separate adapter.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The iClever BTH12 is an over-ear kids’ headset built around Bluetooth 5.2, with a built-in microphone and a 3.5 mm audio jack. That mix makes it more adaptable than a wireless-only headset: a child can listen wirelessly, or connect through the included detachable audio cable when a wired connection is preferable. The microphone and call controls are useful for voice calls and other situations where the child needs to speak, not just hear audio.
Battery life is a major part of its appeal. iClever specifies up to 85 hours of playtime and says a 10-minute charge provides up to 7 hours of use. Those figures make the BTH12 worth considering for travel or busy family routines, when charging every day may be inconvenient. It charges via USB-C. The Bluetooth range is listed as 33 feet, which gives some room to move around while connected, though the actual setup still depends on the paired device and surroundings.
The headset also has LED lighting with four modes, controlled by a separate button. The lights can be switched off in Bluetooth mode to conserve battery. For parents weighing listening limits, the BTH12 offers settings of 74 or 85 dBA selected with a key combination. It has 40 mm drivers, and the product information lists a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range. Those specifications describe the audio hardware, but they do not by themselves guarantee how a child will perceive sound in every situation.
The trade-off is that this is a rechargeable headset with more features and controls than a basic cable. The lights may be fun for a child, but families who want a plain, unlit design may not value them. Skip it if all you need is an adapter-style cable to connect an iPhone to speakers. For children who need an actual headset with a mic, wireless use, and a wired fallback, it covers more of the everyday listening job.
• Best for Bluetooth listening → iClever BTH12. Bluetooth 5.2 supports wireless pairing, so a child does not need to stay physically connected to the device by the audio cable.
• Best for connecting an iPhone to speakers → Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT. It links a Lightning-equipped iPhone to a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for a car stereo, home system, or portable speaker.
• Best for a child who needs a microphone → iClever BTH12. Its built-in mic and call controls are intended for hands-free calls and other voice use.
• Best for long stretches between charges → iClever BTH12. The stated playtime is up to 85 hours, and the listed quick-charge figure is up to 7 hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge.
• Best for volume-limit options → iClever BTH12. Its volume can be set to 74 or 85 dBA using a key combination. The Belkin cable has no headphone volume-setting feature.
• Best for a minimal wired audio connection → Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT. It does one specific job: carry audio from a compatible Lightning iPhone to an auxiliary input.
• Best for a wired-or-wireless headset setup → iClever BTH12. It supports Bluetooth and includes a detachable 3.5 mm audio cable, giving the listener two connection options.
• Best for kids who like lighting effects → iClever BTH12. Its four LED modes add a visual feature; they can also be turned off in Bluetooth mode to save battery.
I would choose the iClever BTH12 for a child who needs headphones, especially for kids with microphone use such as calls or school-related audio. It is an actual over-ear headset, offers both wireless and wired listening, and includes two volume-limit settings. The Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT makes sense for a different need: connecting a compatible iPhone to speakers through an auxiliary input. In my opinion, the BTH12 is the more useful pick for a family shopping specifically for children’s headphones, while Belkin is the clear choice for the iPhone-to-speaker connection.
Before deciding, check what device the child will use. The Belkin cable is designed for Lightning-equipped iPhones, including the iPhone 14 series and earlier, and needs an audio system with a 3.5 mm auxiliary input. It does not replace headphones. If the child’s goal is to listen privately or speak into a microphone, this cable alone will not meet that need.
For the BTH12, consider whether wireless convenience or the wired option matters more. Bluetooth is helpful when the listening device can stay nearby without a cable running to the headset. The detachable 3.5 mm cable offers another route when a wired connection suits the situation. The headset’s 33-foot listed Bluetooth range is a specification, not a guarantee that every room or device arrangement will maintain the same connection.
Think about charging habits, too. The stated 85-hour playtime and quick-charge figure may reduce how often the headset needs to be plugged in, but Bluetooth use still depends on the rechargeable battery. The Belkin cable has no battery to recharge; in exchange, it is limited to its wired audio-connection role. If you are comparing total usefulness rather than a single feature, decide whether you need a cable for shared speakers or a wearable headset for a child.
Finally, consider what features the child will actually use. LED modes may appeal to some kids, while others may prefer a simpler headset. The two volume-limit settings are a specific feature of the iClever, but they do not turn the Belkin cable into a listening-safety device. For questions about current price, check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button; the right choice here should come down to compatibility and use, not an assumed price difference.
FAQ
The iClever BTH12 is the relevant option because it has a built-in microphone and controls for calls. The Belkin cable only connects audio equipment; it does not provide a mic for a child to speak through.
Yes. It supports wired and wireless connections and includes a detachable 3.5 mm audio cable. That provides a wired alternative when Bluetooth is not the preferred connection method.
The iClever BTH12 is the rechargeable headphone option, with USB-C charging and up to 85 hours of stated playtime. The Belkin AV10172bt03-WHT is a cable, so it does not function as a rechargeable headset.
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