If you want wireless earbuds with adjustable sound and long battery life for toddlers, choose JLab; if you need simple, wired on-ear headphones with a foldable design, choose JVC HAS160B. These are very different listening setups: JLab is the more flexible choice for movement, while JVC offers a headband and a direct 3.5 mm connection.
• JLab Go Air Pop: Bluetooth earbuds with three EQ options, independent-earbud use, and 35+ hours of total listening time; the trade-off is that they are in-ear and need to fit securely.
• JVC HAS160B: Lightweight-style, foldable on-ear headphones with soft earpads and a wired 3.5 mm connection; the trade-off is that they do not offer Bluetooth or a built-in microphone.
• Choose JLab if you want wireless listening, a charging case, and the option to use one earbud at a time.
• Choose JVC HAS160B if you prefer a headband, on-ear pads, and a cable connection.
• For toddlers, the better fit depends less on a broad “headphones for kids” label and more on whether in-ear earbuds or on-ear headphones are the more suitable style for your child.
JLab Go Air Pop is the more modern and flexible option in this comparison. It connects over Bluetooth and comes with a charging case, so there is no headphone cable running from the listening device to a child’s ears. The listed battery life is 9+ hours per earbud and 26+ additional hours from the case, for 35+ hours total. That extended total is useful for families who want to charge less often, although the earbuds still need to go back into the case when they need charging.
The practical draw is the set of small everyday conveniences. The buds have touch controls, and the JLab app lets users adjust EQ settings and manage those controls. Three sound settings—Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced—give listeners a choice of sound profiles for speech, music, or other audio. Dual Connect means either earbud can be used on its own, which can be helpful if a child or caregiver wants one ear free. The product also includes three gel-tip sizes, and its IPX4 rating indicates resistance to sweat and light rain.
For a toddler, that combination may appeal to a parent looking for wireless earbuds with a case and several ways to use them. But earbuds sit inside the ear, and the included small, medium, and large tips do not guarantee a comfortable or secure fit for every child. The listed age description includes kids, but that is not a substitute for checking fit and supervising use. JLab’s Bluetooth connection also means the listening device must support wireless audio.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Who should skip it: Skip JLab if your child dislikes in-ear tips, or if you specifically need a wired headset with an on-ear headband.
As a search for the best lightweight neckband headphones for toddlers suggests, some parents may be looking for a band that rests around the neck. Neither model here is a neckband: JLab is a pair of separate true wireless earbuds, and JVC is a headband-style pair. That distinction matters because their fit and handling are different. JLab keeps the earbuds separate and stores them in its case; it does not provide a neckband connecting the buds.
JVC HAS160B takes the opposite approach. These are wired, on-ear headphones with soft earpads and a headband that adjusts to the listener. The headband frame is described as stainless steel, while the headphones fold flat for easier packing. Their 30 mm dynamic drivers and stated frequency range of 12–24,000 Hz describe the audio hardware, but those figures alone do not establish how a particular listener will judge the sound.
The 3.5 mm plug makes the JVC a straightforward option for a compatible device with a headphone jack. There is no Bluetooth pairing or separate earbud case to keep track of. The on-ear pads also offer a different feel from JLab’s in-ear tips, and the product information describes them as providing sound isolation. That may suit a child who prefers headphones resting on the ears rather than something inserted into them. The folding design is useful when the headphones need to travel in a bag, though the cable remains part of the setup.
The main compromises are clear: the JVC is wired, so the listener is physically connected to the audio source, and the product information identifies the style as having no microphone. That makes it less suited to wireless listening or calls. It also does not offer the EQ options, app controls, or independent-earbud use found on JLab. Its appeal is simpler: a headband, soft on-ear pads, and a standard wired connection.
Who should skip it: Skip JVC HAS160B if you need Bluetooth, a built-in microphone, or the freedom to move without a headphone cable.
Parents searching for the best neckband headphones for toddlers or a hifi stereo bluetooth headset for toddlers should note that the JVC is not Bluetooth and neither choice is a neckband. JLab is the only wireless option of these two, but it is true wireless rather than a connected neckband design. The JVC’s wired setup may be a better match for a compatible device and a child who prefers headband headphones, but the cable is a real part of the daily-use equation.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wireless listening → JLab. It connects by Bluetooth, while JVC HAS160B uses a 3.5 mm cable.
• Best for changing sound profiles → JLab. Its three EQ settings are Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced.
• Best for using just one side → JLab. Dual Connect supports either earbud independently.
• Best for a fold-flat design → JVC HAS160B. It folds flat for carrying in a bag.
• Best for a long stated total between charges → JLab. The listed total is 35+ hours, counting the earbuds and charging case.
• Best for a device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack → JVC HAS160B. It is a wired headset, so the device needs a compatible jack.
• Best for resistance to sweat and light rain → JLab. It has an IPX4 rating; that is not a claim that it is waterproof.
For toddlers, the form factor deserves particular attention. JLab may be convenient when wireless use and independent earbuds are priorities, but its in-ear tips have to suit the child. JVC avoids in-ear tips and uses an adjustable headband, but it requires a cable and a compatible jack. The product information does not provide a toddler-specific fit measurement for either model, so it would be unwise to assume that either one will fit every young child.
In my opinion, I would choose JLab for a toddler if the child is comfortable with in-ear tips and wireless use is the priority. The long stated total battery life, three EQ settings, and one-earbud option give it more flexibility for everyday listening.
I would choose JVC HAS160B instead for a child who prefers on-ear headphones and will use a device with a 3.5 mm jack. It is the more straightforward wired design, but the cable and lack of a microphone limit its flexibility.
Before choosing either model for a young child, think about the listening setup as well as the headphones themselves. JLab requires a Bluetooth-compatible audio source and a child who can tolerate in-ear tips. JVC requires a device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and the cable means the listener stays connected to that device. Neither product is described as a neckband, so shoppers specifically seeking that shape will need to consider a different design.
Fit is another practical question. JLab includes three gel-tip sizes, but having several sizes does not ensure that one will fit every toddler comfortably. JVC has an adjustable headband and soft on-ear pads, but the available specifications do not state child-specific dimensions. If a child is sensitive to earbuds or headbands, the style itself may be the deciding factor before battery life or audio controls.
FAQ
There is no universal fit answer. JLab uses in-ear earbuds and connects by Bluetooth; JVC uses an adjustable headband with on-ear pads and a 3.5 mm cable. For a toddler, choose based on which form factor and connection suit the child and the listening device.
No. JLab Go Air Pop consists of separate true wireless earbuds, while JVC HAS160B is a foldable, wired headband-style headphone. Neither has a neckband joining the earpieces.
JLab’s listed battery life is 9+ hours per earbud, with 26+ additional hours from its charging case, for 35+ hours total. JVC HAS160B is wired, so it does not use a headphone battery for wireless playback.
The product is wired and uses a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Its product information identifies it as having no microphone, so it is not the right choice if you need Bluetooth listening or a built-in mic for calls.
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