Specially designed for children, the Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones stand out for their Bluetooth wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, an 85 dB volume limiter and ease of use. Combining comfort and safety, these headphones, available for €39, allow kids to enjoy their music, podcasts or stories while preserving their hearing.
Included accessories
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid Bluetooth headphones comes in a basic box, with a set of essential accessories. These include a USB-C to USB-A cable, enabling fast and convenient recharging. In addition, a mini-jack to mini-jack cable is supplied, making it possible to use the headphones in wired mode when the battery is flat, with Bluetooth-incompatible sources or for a latency-free connection. Intuitive, schematic instructions are also provided to help parents and children get to grips with headphones.
Presentation
85 dB volume limiter
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid Bluetooth headphones are designed to protect children’s hearing, thanks to an 85 dB volume limiter. Their neutral sound reproduction makes them ideal for listening to stories or soft music, avoiding any aggressive sounds. However, during testing, we noticed that the volume sometimes rose to 87 dB, with Apple’s integrated app (iOS 13 and above), slightly exceeding the advertised limit.
ANC
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones feature active noise cancelling (ANC) that can be activated even without a Bluetooth connection, enabling it to be used in wired mode via a dedicated button. Its effectiveness is noticeable on a wide range of ambient sounds: traffic noise, such as cars driving at around 20 km/h, only become perceptible at a distance of 10 to 15 meters. Household noises such as shouting, wind, lawnmowers and footsteps on hard floors are greatly attenuated, although certain sounds such as the crunching of pebbles underfoot remain slightly audible.
Compared with other models tested, such as the Altec Lansing AL Nanophone, the ANC of these headphones proves particularly effective for its price. It should be noted, however, that a slight background noise, characteristic of noise reduction systems, is perceptible when ANC is activated.
Note, however, that it does not have a transparency mode, and therefore does not allow you to hear surrounding noises without removing the headphones.
Bluetooth or wired
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid noise-cancelling headphones are very flexibility thanks to their dual wireless and wired connectivity. In Bluetooth mode, they have a stable range of up to 10 meters, allowing appreciable freedom of movement, especially for children.
When used wired via their integrated mini-jack port and supplied cable, they become compatible with many devices, including children’s storytelling devices, guaranteeing versatility for young users. Here, they provide perfect image and sound synchronization, and are therefore suitable for gaming use. However, they do not feature a microphone, making it impossible to use the voice chat of online games.
Up to 30 hours of playback
As far as battery life is concerned, headphones prove to be enduring, with up to 30 hours of Bluetooth listening without active noise cancellation, and around 24 hours with ANC activated. This means extended use without frequent recharging, an asset for long journeys or intensive listening sessions. Finally, the fact that the headphones can be used in wired mode even when the battery is empty makes them a reliable and practical companion for children. Note that in this case, the ANC will not be usable.
Wearing comfort
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid Bluetooth headphones feature a foldable design and 90° swiveling earcups, making them easy to carry and store in a bag. Tested by a 14-year-old teenager, they were found to exert too much pressure on the jaw, which can lead to discomfort during prolonged use. Thanks to its adjustable headband, it’s better suited to smaller heads, especially those aged 7-11. Although they can get warm, the soft ear pads offer good comfort.
The headphones feel robust when handled, inspiring confidence in their durability. What’s more, their IPX4 certification protects them from splashes, a valuable asset for everyday use. How comfortable they are will depend on the user, but for young children, they seem to be suitable for regular use.
Intuitive operation
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones are intuitive to use, thanks to an interface that can be controlled entirely via physical buttons, eliminating the need to use a phone or tablet. The headphones are equipped with several well-thought-out controls: there is a multifunction button for switching the device on/off (long press of 3 seconds), play/pause, and answering/ending a call.
A dedicated slide button activates or deactivates the active noise cancelling with a simple movement. Finally, two other buttons let you adjust the volume and navigate between tracks. A flashing LED indicator completes the package, providing visual feedback on the status of headphones. There are also voice prompts: “Powering on, welcome to Altec Lansing” when switched on, “Pairing” “Connected” and “Powering off”. The prompts are also audible when the ANC is activated.
Key specifications
- Wireless Bluetooth headphones for children aged 7 and over
- Volume control technology: 85 dB
- ANC
- Water resistance: IPX4
- Bluetooth mode and mini-jack cable
- Up to 30 hours of autonomy without ANC and 24 hours with ANC
- Weight: 179g
Listening conditions
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones were tested by 14-year-old Raphaël. They were connected via Bluetooth to an iPhone X, and to a PC using the supplied 3.5mm mini-jack cable. The wireless connection proved stable.
Our impressions
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid Bluetooth headphones offered a pleasant listening experience, especially during sessions lasting around 30 minutes. They had a neutral, balanced sound that made them particularly suitable for podcasts, songs and soft music, highlighting voices without any harshness. This makes them an ideal choice for young children, who can enjoy a soothing sound without auditory fatigue.
The effective ANC is a real asset, enabling isolation from outside distractions. Whether we were listening to a story, immersing ourselves in a musical universe or concentrating on homework, these headphones helped us stay in our own bubble and remain concentrated. A fine performance, especially for a model at this price, designed above all for a young audience.
Who are the Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones designed for?
The Altec Lansing ANC Wireless Kid headphones are aimed primarily at children and pre-teens, thanks to a design that is adjusted to small heads, their announced 85 dB volume limiter and their ease of use with intuitive physical buttons. They are particularly well-suited to kids aged 7 to 11, but may also be suitable for slightly older children, provided the pressure on the jaw isn’t uncomfortable.
They will particularly appeal to parents concerned about protecting their children’s hearing, while offering them a versatile pair of headphones, which can be used in Bluetooth or wired mode. Thanks to their neutral sound and effective noise reduction, they’re ideal for listening to stories, nursery rhymes, podcasts or soft music, promoting concentration and relaxation. So they are an excellent choice for use at home, on the move or even to accompany schoolwork.
We liked
- The value for money
- The effective ANC
- The versatile connection method (Bluetooth or wired)
- The intuitive operation
- The sturdy, foldable format
We would have liked
- A transparency mode
Test carried out by Raphaël Cassar.
