In this article we will be looking at what makes headphones durable enough for use in the classroom. We will also look at examples of the best headphones on the market currently for use in the school environment.
We will cover only the best headphones which have a proven track record of being hard wearing, and durable enough for long lasting use in the classroom.
Let’s dive right in!
“Hi I’m Jessica from Aeon Reviews, here we will look at the most durable headphones for the classroom.”
With school budgets being more stretched than ever it is important that you aren’t choosing equipment for the classroom which you are going to end up buying again months, or sometimes weeks, down the line due to breakage.
It is easy to assume that all headphones aimed at school children have been designed and tested with durability in mind. However this is often not always the case.
There are however some great hard wearing headphones on the market which have been designed and built with durability in mind.
Continue reading for what to look for when buying such headphones, and also our recommendations for the best durable headphones for schools.
What To Look For In Durable Classroom Headphones (Buyer’s Guide)
There are a number of areas to consider when buying durable headphones for the classroom.
Material
Headphones in general are almost predominantly made from some kind of plastic, which is typically due to it being a long lasting and durable material.
However also consider what the ear pads themselves are made of. This may be a consideration if you plan to clean the ear pads on a regular basis. You also don’t want ear pads which will begin peeling a few months into their life.
Ear pads with a rubber cover will likely last longer than a leather or imitation leather finish for example.
Cable
Often a target for teeth, and also the more adventurous student who tries to use their headset as a lasso!
Consider a cable with a braided sheath for maximum protection of the cable.
Flexibility
The more rigid a device is, the more likely it is that the device may be damaged when dropped, due to how the shock is distributed.
Ideally look for a headset which has a flexible headset. This will help with falls, and also extend the life of the headphones due to continuous wearing and removing of the headsets.
Accessories
Typically, many headphones will come with the option of a microphone.
However be wary of the type of microphone included, as some will protrude from the headset considerably. This can increase the likelihood of having something that breaks away from the headset itself.
You may wish to consider a headset which has a short stem, rather than one which reaches around to the mouth area.
Some headphones also come with a carry case. This is something that is often overlooked, but it can actually increase the life span of the headphones considerably if they are stored away in a suitable manner after each use.
Build
It is usually better to look for headphones which have any wires etc. enclosed within the headphones themselves. Headphones which have exposed wires and metal parts may be more susceptible to breakage if the parts are exposed.
Indestructible Headphones For Schools?
A question that is often asked is do indestructible headphones which can be used in the classroom exist?
Unfortunately technology hasn’t advanced to the point where headphones can be made completely Indestructible.
However there are headphones which are beginning to offer parts which are unbreakable.
For example the Brenthaven and GumDrop headphones, which we review later, claim to offer unbreakable or break resistant headbands.
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Most Durable Headphones For The Classroom
Now we will look at four headphones which are great for use in the classroom environment.
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1/ Brenthaven Edge Rugged Over Ear Headphones (Best Headset With Mic)
2/ GumDrop Droptech B1 Over-Ear Headphones (Best Design)
3/ Egghead Heavy Duty Kids’ Headphones (Best Entry Level Headphones)
4/ Kaysent Heavy Duty Headphones (Best Bulk Buy Headphones)
1/ Brenthaven Edge Rugged Over Ear Headphone & Headset
If you are looking for a durable headset with a built in mic, then look no further than the Brenthaven Rugged Over Ear Headset.
Key Features
Age Range – K-12, Primary School, High School
Unbreakable Headband
Tested Against Falls Up to 6ft
Compatibility – Any device with 3.5mm port (works with iPads, Tablets, Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks and MacBooks)
Pros
The Brenthaven headphones offer durability, but also audio quality of a level that can be used for testing and assessment purposes.
Featuring a durable but flexible design, these headphones have been drop tested up to an impressive 6 feet.
The included breakaway adapter ensures the headphone connector never breaks away inside the device.
Included is a braided, chew proof, 5ft cord.
Also the headband is adjustable. twistable, and (the manufacturer claims) unbreakable.
The ear pads are wipeable and also replaceable.
It also features a mic with inline volume control.
The mic itself is built in such a way that it doesn’t protrude from the headset too much, so there are no concerns about the mic bending or snapping off.
These headphones are compatible with iPads, Tablets, Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks and MacBooks via a 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
No complicated setup or installation here either, as these are simply plug and play.
Still not convinced? You can be assured of the quality with a 2 year guarantee.
All these features are included in the mic-less headphone version also.
Finally there is also a bulk buy option if you require several of these headphones.
Cons
There isn’t much to fault with the Brenthaven Edge, however it doesn’t come with any kind of carry/storage case like it’s competitors does.
Final Opinion
A great pair of headphones whose makers have thought of pretty much everything when it comes to hard wearing headphones for the classroom. Recommended.
2/ GumDrop Droptech B1 Over-Ear Headphones
You may think that the eye-catching and colorful design of the Droptech B1 by GumDrop may mean there have been compromises when it comes to durability and build quality.
However this couldn’t be further from the truth with these hard wearing and great value headphones.
Key Features
Age Range – K-12, Primary School, High School
Break Resistant & Adjustable Headband
Tested Against Falls Up to 4ft
Compatibility – Any device with 3.5mm port (works with iPads, Tablets, Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks and MacBooks)
Pros
The Droptech B1’s are durable but also offer a high-quality analogue signal.
The headband is break resistant and also tested to withstand falls of up to 4ft.
A braided 6ft long chew proof cord is also included for extra durability in this area.
GumDrop have also reinforced all of the connection points for added toughness
The included ear pads are wipe clean and hard wearing.
These are one of the most comfortable heavy duty headphones. The headband easily twists to required positions, and also the ear pads are nice and padded.
The Droptech B1 are available in a range of colors, and there is also a version with a mic included if needed.
Cons
The word ‘proof’ can often be a bold claim when used with this type of product. And this is the case here with the term ‘chew proof’.
If you have a child who is a chewer, then they may find it more difficult to chew through the braided cord, but will likely make it through eventually.
The ear pads on these also don’t appear replaceable. However they are durable enough to likely last the lifetime of the headphones.
Final Opinion
Another great pair of headphones which have many features which make them long lasting when used in the classroom.
I love the design of these, and they have a really nice price point also.
A good option if you have students who are picky about what they wear.
3/ Egghead Heavy Duty Kids’ Headphone
If you are looking for a durable, but budget friendly set of headphones, then check out the Egghead Heavy Duty Kids’ Headphone.
Key Features
Age Range – K-10, Primary School
Adjustable Headband
Removable Ear Pads
Compatibility – Any device with 3.5mm port (works with iPads, Tablets, Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks and MacBooks)
Pros
The Egghead headphones are designed primarily with students in mind.
This means you can facilitate a comfortable learning experience for the student, but with a degree of noise reduction to help them focus.
The heavy duty ABS plastic headband is both durable, comfortable, and adjustable.
Despite having removable ear pads there is little chance of these coming loose accidentally.
Not only are the ear pads washable & replaceable, they also offer a degree of noise reduction due to their closed back design.
A heavy duty six-foot braided cord is included, which won’t tangle, and is chew and kink resistant.
The 3.5mm plug is designed in such a way as to reduce accidental disconnection.
Finally, a re-sealable and writeable storage bag is included with each pair.
You can choose from blue or red color schemes, and you also have the option to purchase in packs of 10.
Cons
These headphones aren’t for children with larger heads.
So you may find children in the higher grades, such as 11 and 12 may find these too snug. However these are great for grades 10 and under.
Final Opinion
A great pair of entry level headphones. Comfortable, hard wearing, and designed to help students focus.
4/ Kaysent Heavy Duty Headphones
If you are looking for a bulk buy option for durable headphones for the classroom, then this offering from Kaysent is a great option.
These headphones are a good choice if you want to move towards a more professional looking headphone.
I like that the Kaysent headphones really do look like some of the more expensive on-ear headphones on the market.
Key Features
Age Range – K-12, Primary School, High School
Adjustable Headband
Removable Earpads
Foldable Design
Compatibility – Any device with 3.5mm port (works with iPads, Tablets, Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks and MacBooks)
Pros
The letherette ear pads consist of enough padding to allow for a comfortable listening experience over long periods.
The sound quality is also great for headphones in this price range.
The adjustable band also allows for a comfortable fit across a range of ages. In fact these are one of the few headphones which can be used from kindergarten up to 12th grade level, and in some cases even adults!
The cord is 5ft long and the 3.5mm connector allows for connection to a range of devices.
Finally the included black fabric bag is a nice touch and comes in handy for storing the headphones away at the end of class.
For reassurance, these headphones also come with a 1 year warranty.
Finally you have the option of purchasing just in black, or in a range of colors.
Cons
Although listed as heavy duty headphones, the build of these is such that they may struggle to withstand the more severe bumps, drops, and knocks.
They also lack some of the features of the previous headphones in terms of durability (such as a braided cord).
However these headphones are certainly more durable than your average classroom headphones.
Final Opinion
Professional looking and outstanding value. A great option if you are looking to bulk buy headphones for a whole class.
Conclusion…
It has never been a better time to pick up some durable headphones for the classroom.
There are some really hard wearing models on the market today, which also include options for color, design, and bulk buy options.
I hope this article has been useful in helping you choose a pair of the most durable headphones for the classroom.
Check out aeonreviews.com for more articles like this, such as our article on the best electronic keyboards for the classroom.
Finally a good article on this subject. There are so many ‘durable’ headphones out there which don’t look like they would last 5 mins in most classrooms! Thanks.