If you want a child-focused over-ear headset with active noise cancellation for video calls, choose TONOSHARK Kids; if you need open-ear earbuds that keep you aware of nearby sounds, choose Monster Open Ear AC520. The key difference is how they sit on your ears: TONOSHARK covers them, while Monster leaves them open. That makes the first a more natural fit for a child’s online learning setup and the second a more flexible pick for an adult who wants to hear what is happening around them.
TONOSHARK Kids vs Monster Open Ear AC520 at a Glance
• TONOSHARK Kids: Child-focused over-ear fit, active noise cancellation, and an adjustable headband; its closed-over-ear design is less suited to someone who wants to hear nearby conversation.
• Monster Open Ear AC520: Open-ear hooks preserve awareness of surrounding sounds, with up to 24 hours of listening when the case is included; it has no active noise cancellation.
• TONOSHARK Kids: Best suited to children ages 6–16 who need headphones for online learning, study, travel, or calls.
• Monster Open Ear AC520: Best suited to adults who prefer open-ear earbuds for calls, everyday listening, and active use.
• Choose TONOSHARK for a child’s more focused listening setup; choose Monster for open-ear awareness and a compact earbud format.
TONOSHARK Kids is the more direct match for a child who needs headphones for online classes and video calls. The over-ear design, soft cushions, and adjustable headband are intended to provide a comfortable fit for children ages 6–16. Its active noise cancellation is designed to help reduce distractions in places such as classrooms, busy environments, and during travel. That can matter when a child is trying to follow a teacher or concentrate on a lesson.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The practical details suit family routines, too. The headphones weigh 6.56 ounces, fold for packing, and come with a soft silicone carrying pouch. Bluetooth 5.3 handles wireless listening, while a 3.5 mm headphone jack gives the headset a wired connection option. Button controls keep the controls physical rather than touch-based.
I’d choose TONOSHARK for a child who needs an over-ear headset for schoolwork, calls, or travel. I’d skip it if the main need is to stay aware of nearby sounds or if the intended wearer wants open-ear earbuds rather than a headband-style headset. The product information lists a one-year warranty, but it does not provide a battery-life figure, so I wouldn’t assume a particular runtime for long days away from a charger.
Monster Open Ear AC520 is a different kind of product: open-ear earbuds with hooks, not a child-focused headband headset. Because the ears remain uncovered, the design is intended to let the wearer hear surrounding sounds and conversations. That’s useful for an adult taking calls while walking, working around other people, or moving between tasks where hearing the environment matters.
For video calls, the listed features include ENC clear-call technology and Bluetooth 6.0. The product description also notes low-latency audio and video synchronization. Battery life is specified as up to eight hours on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case. The case has a slide-open design, and the earbuds include a removable lanyard. IPX6 water resistance is listed for sweat and rain exposure.
I’d consider Monster for an adult who specifically wants open-ear listening, a case-based charging setup, and water resistance for active use. I would not choose it as the straightforward answer to “best kids headset for video calls”: the product information describes it for adults, and it has neither a headband nor active noise cancellation. Its open fit is an advantage for awareness, but a trade-off when the goal is to reduce surrounding distractions.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best fit for a child’s online classes or calls → TONOSHARK Kids. It is described for ages 6–16 and has an adjustable over-ear headband.
• Best for reducing listening distractions → TONOSHARK Kids. It includes active noise cancellation; Monster’s listed noise control is none.
• Best for headband headphones for video calls → TONOSHARK Kids. It has the over-ear, adjustable-headband format; Monster uses open-ear hooks.
• Best specified battery runtime → Monster Open Ear AC520. Its listed listening time reaches up to 24 hours with the charging case, including up to eight hours on a single charge.
• Best for a wired fallback → TONOSHARK Kids. It has a 3.5 mm jack, while Monster is listed without a headphone jack.
• Best for sweat or rainy-day use → Monster Open Ear AC520. Its IPX6 resistance is a specific feature; no water-resistance rating is provided for TONOSHARK.
• Best for packing in a child’s school bag → TONOSHARK Kids. It folds and comes with a carrying pouch; Monster instead emphasizes its charging case and removable lanyard.
The main decision is not which one has more features in the abstract. It is whether the wearer needs a child-sized over-ear headset that helps limit distractions, or adult open-ear earbuds that leave the surroundings audible. For a quiet room and a child on a lesson call, those are very different jobs.
I would choose TONOSHARK Kids for a child who needs headphones for video calls and online learning. Its age range, adjustable over-ear fit, active noise cancellation, foldable design, and wired option make it the more relevant match for that use.
Monster Open Ear AC520 makes more sense for an adult who values awareness, water resistance, and a stated battery runtime. But for the best kids headphones for video calls, I’d pick TONOSHARK because its design is aimed at children and focused listening rather than open-ear convenience.
TONOSHARK Kids is the more suitable match based on the listed age range of 6–16, over-ear design, adjustable headband, and active noise cancellation. Monster is described as an adult open-ear product.
TONOSHARK Kids has active noise cancellation intended to help reduce distractions. Monster Open Ear AC520 has no listed noise control and is designed to let surrounding sounds remain audible.
Monster lists up to eight hours of listening from a single charge and up to 24 hours with its charging case. The TONOSHARK information does not specify battery runtime, so the figures cannot be compared directly.
Check the current price on Amazon before deciding. The better fit depends on the wearer and use: TONOSHARK for a child’s over-ear learning headset, or Monster for adult open-ear listening and awareness.
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