If you want simple, kid-focused wired headphones for school or travel, choose rockpapa Comfort Kids Headphones; if you need a wired headset with an inline microphone and USB-C connection, choose Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK. For kids with microphone needs such as calls or remote lessons, the Audio-Technica is the clear fit; the Rockpapa has no microphone.
rockpapa Comfort Kids Headphones vs Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK at a Glance
• rockpapa Comfort Kids Headphones: A straightforward 3.5 mm wired design, soft ear cushions, and a 4.9-foot cord suit schoolwork and travel; the major trade-off is that it has no microphone or inline controls.
• Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK: Its USB-C connection and inline mic make calls and media control easier; the trade-off is that it requires a USB-C port rather than a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack.
• For a child who mainly listens to audio on compatible devices, Rockpapa is the simpler fit.
• For a child who needs to speak on calls or adjust playback from the cord, Audio-Technica is the more useful choice.
Rockpapa is a basic wired pair designed with younger listeners in mind. Its 3.5 mm plug works with devices that have a compatible headphone jack, and the 4.9-foot cord gives a child some room to use a tablet, laptop, or other device without holding it right next to their head. The cord ends in a 90-degree plug, a practical shape when a device is being held or carried.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The fit and carry details make sense for school bags and trips. Rockpapa has soft ear cushions, a padded headband, and a lightweight, foldable design with rotating hinges for storage. It also lists 40 mm dynamic drivers and sound isolation. Those details suggest a listening-focused headphone, rather than a headset built around calls.
The ATH-S120C-BK is the more capable option for two-way communication. It connects through USB-C and includes an inline microphone and controls for play, pause, track skipping, volume adjustment, and answering or ending calls. For a child joining remote classes or talking with family, having a mic on the headphone cable is the practical difference between these two models.
Its lightweight, compact on-ear design folds flat for storage. Audio-Technica describes it as suitable for extended listening, but the on-ear fit is a different wearing style from an over-ear design. The product information also lists a weight of 111 g. That gives a buyer a concrete sense of its light construction, though comfort still depends on the individual listener and how the headphones fit.
The main thing to check is the device connection. This model uses USB-C, so it is suited to devices with a compatible USB-C port—not devices that only have a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It is a wired model, not a Bluetooth headset. Choose it for a child who needs the microphone and cord controls; skip it if the intended device lacks USB-C or the child needs a standard 3.5 mm plug.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a child with microphone needs → Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK. It includes an inline microphone for calls; Rockpapa does not have one.
• Best for USB-C phones, tablets, or computers → Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK. Confirm the device has a compatible port before choosing it.
• Best for controlling playback from the cable → Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK. Its inline controls cover playback, track changes, volume, and calls.
• Best for a longer stated cord → rockpapa Comfort Kids Headphones. Its cord is 4.9 feet; the Audio-Technica sheet does not specify a cord length.
• Best for folding into a compact shape → Either, for different storage styles. Rockpapa folds, while Audio-Technica’s housings fold flat.
• Best for a child who only needs to listen → rockpapa Comfort Kids Headphones, if the device has a 3.5 mm jack. Its design is uncomplicated, but it lacks a mic and volume control.
• Best for video calls and voice chats → Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK, if the device has USB-C. Its microphone and call controls make it the more suitable of these two.
These aren’t interchangeable just because both are wired, foldable headphones. The connector decides whether they can work with the intended device, and the microphone decides whether the child can speak through the headset. For example, someone searching for the best wireless in ear headphones for library use is looking for a different form factor and wireless connection altogether: neither of these options is wireless or an in-ear model.
The microphone also does not change the fact that both products connect by cable. If you’re considering long battery life bone conduction headphones for video calls or bone conduction headphones for streaming, those searches point to a different kind of product. Neither model here is bone conduction, and neither relies on a battery for wireless listening. The choice between these two is about wired compatibility, fit, and whether a microphone is needed.
My Verdict
I’d choose the Audio-Technica ATH-S120C-BK for a child who needs a microphone for calls or remote lessons, provided their device has USB-C.
Its inline mic and controls address the biggest gap in the Rockpapa design.
I’d pick Rockpapa instead for simple listening on a device with a 3.5 mm jack.
Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since the right fit depends first on the child’s device and use.
No. The Rockpapa model is listed as a wired headphone without a microphone, and it does not include volume control. Choose the Audio-Technica if the child needs to speak during calls.
It uses a USB-C connector, not a 3.5 mm plug. Check that the intended phone, tablet, or computer has a compatible USB-C port.
The Audio-Technica is the better match if the child needs to talk during class because it has an inline microphone and call controls. Rockpapa can suit listening to a class, but it has no microphone.
No. Both are wired models. Rockpapa connects through 3.5 mm, while the ATH-S120C-BK connects through USB-C.
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