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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear — biggest strength: an ultra-light build (0.04 kg) with an adjustable headband that grows with your child, plus a hard 85dB volume limit and 32mm neodymium drivers.
• Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear — biggest trade-off: no folding mechanism and a plastic shell, so it's less packable and less likely to survive being squashed in a backpack.
• EarFun S1 — biggest strength: a 90-degree foldable design at 118g, 40mm drivers for fuller sound, and 18-month hassle-free protection.
• EarFun S1 — biggest trade-off: it's heavier than the Philips and its 85dB limit is part of a selectable 74/85/94dB system, so the "safe" mode isn't the only option.
• Pick Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear if your priority is the lightest possible fit on a small head with an unchangeable 85dB ceiling.
• Pick EarFun S1 if your priority is portability, richer audio, and a longer warranty.
The Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear is built around one idea: fit a small head comfortably and don't let the volume get dangerous. The headband is adjustable and designed to grow with the child, the ear cushions are soft, and the whole thing weighs just 0.04 kg according to the spec sheet. In practice that means very little clamping pressure and very little weight pressing down on small ears — which is exactly what parents of younger kids complain about with adult headphones. The volume is limited to a maximum of 85dB, and unlike some headphones there's no override, no app, no second mode. It just stays capped. For a parent who doesn't want to monitor volume at all, that simplicity is the selling point.
Audio-wise, you get 32mm neodymium dynamic drivers with a frequency range of 10–24,000 Hz, 32 ohm impedance, and 106dB sensitivity. That's a friendly load for a phone, tablet, or a cheap kids' MP3 player — nothing exotic required to drive them. The sound is described as pure and balanced, which is what you want for schoolwork, audiobooks, and casual music rather than bass-heavy entertainment.
Who should buy it: parents of younger children (the sheet lists the age range as "Kid") who want a set-and-forget volume ceiling, a very light fit, and a headband that adapts as the child grows. Who should skip it: older kids or frequent travelers who need the headphones to fold flat, and anyone who wants a sturdier, more packable design. The enclosure is plastic and there's no fold — that's the honest limitation here. Also note the connectivity listing is a little odd on the data sheet (it shows a 3.5mm wired jack but also lists Bluetooth and touch controls), so if wireless matters to you, verify the exact variant before buying.
The EarFun S1 takes a different angle: it's a kids headphone that also behaves like a travel accessory. The headline feature is the 90-degree rotatable, foldable design at 118g. Fold it flat, toss it in a bag, and it takes up minimal space — that's the difference between a headphone that lives on a desk and one that actually goes to school, on a plane, or in a car. EarFun also notes the earcaps are ultra-soft and the headband adjustable, so it's aiming for a fatigue-free fit over longer listening sessions.
Sound is the other clear step up on paper. The S1 uses 40mm drivers with professional EarFun tuning, a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 32 ohm impedance, and 100dB sensitivity. EarFun specifically calls out clear mids and highs with strong bass — useful for educational videos and online classes, but also for music, entertainment videos, and audiobooks. The bigger driver size is the main reason to expect a fuller sound than the Philips' 32mm units.
The safety story is slightly more flexible than Philips'. The S1 is limited to 85dB, but the data sheet also references a selectable 74/85/94dB system. That's a meaningful difference in philosophy: Philips locks the ceiling, EarFun lets you decide. EarFun also highlights build quality — CPC safety certification, soft but sturdy materials that resist twisting, a gold-plated 3.5mm connector angled at 120 degrees, and 18-month hassle-free protection with responsive customer support.
Who should buy it: kids who carry their own headphones between home, school, and travel; parents who want a foldable, durable-feeling set with a warranty behind it; and families who want better sound for video and music. Who should skip it: parents who specifically want a permanently locked 85dB limit with zero user control, and anyone chasing the absolute lightest weight — 118g is light, but the Philips is dramatically lighter on the spec sheet.
• Best for the smallest heads → Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear. At 0.04 kg with soft cushions and a growing headband, it's the gentler fit.
• Best for travel and storage → EarFun S1. The 90-degree foldable design is made for bags and backpacks.
• Best for sound quality on paper → EarFun S1. 40mm drivers beat 32mm drivers, and EarFun tunes specifically for clear mids, highs, and strong bass.
• Best for a locked-in volume ceiling → Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear. 85dB max, no override, no second mode.
• Best for flexible volume control → EarFun S1. The 74/85/94dB system lets a parent or older kid choose the level.
• Best for warranty confidence → EarFun S1. EarFun backs it with 18-month hassle-free protection; Philips points you to customer service for manufacturer's warranty requests.
• Best for durability against twisting → EarFun S1. CPC safety certification and twist-resistant materials are explicitly called out.
• Best for a simple, low-cost daily driver → Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear. Wired 3.5mm, touch volume control, nothing to configure.
In my opinion, the EarFun S1 is the better all-round buy for most families. The foldable design, 40mm drivers, twist-resistant build, and 18-month warranty cover the things that actually break or get lost with kids' headphones. I'd pick the Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear instead if your child is on the younger, smaller side and you want the lightest possible fit with a volume cap that can't be changed. Match the pick to your kid's age and how the headphones will travel, and either one does the core job: protecting small ears at 85dB.
FAQ
what are the best headphones for small heads
which headphones are best for small heads
It depends on how the headphones will be used. For a light, stationary fit, the Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear's ultra-light 0.04 kg build and soft cushions are hard to beat. For a small head plus portability, the EarFun S1's foldable 118g design is the more practical choice. Both are on-ear, both use 32 ohm impedance, and both limit volume to 85dB.
what are the best noise cancelling headphones for small heads
Neither of these is a noise-cancelling headphone — the data sheets list noise control as "None" for both the Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear and the EarFun S1. Both are wired 3.5mm on-ear headphones with an 85dB volume limit. If active noise cancellation is a must-have, you'll need to look at a different category entirely.
what headphones are good for small heads
Look for low weight, an adjustable headband, and soft ear cushions. The Philips Coolplay Kids On-Ear fits that brief with its 0.04 kg build, and the EarFun S1 fits it with 118g, soft earcaps, and an adjustable headband. Both cap volume at 85dB, so either is a reasonable pick for a child's head.
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