Here’s a rundown of the 10 best cat ear headphones that will make you feel all kawaii

NameConnectivityLEDMicPrice Razer Kraken Kitty RGB USB Gaming Headset Best OverallUSB-AYBoomBUY SOMIC G951 Strong Runner-UpUSB-AYBoomBUY Riwbox CT-7S Best for KidsBluetooth 5.0 & 3.5mm wireYIn-lineBUY iClever Kids Cat Ear Headphones Budget Pick for Kids3.5mm wireYN/ABUY TCJJ Cat Ear Headphones Budget Pick for AdultsBluetooth 5.0 & 3.5mm wireYBuilt-inBUY Edifier HECATE G2 II Best for Gaming3.5mm wireYBoomBUY YOWU 3G Best Wireless Connection StabilityBluetooth 5.0, UCB-CYBuilt-inBUY iClever BoostCare Most Durable3.5mm wireNIn-lineBUY Censi Moecen Best Noise IsolationBluetooth 4.0 & 3.5mm wireNBuilt-inBUY Axent Wear Wireless Cat Ear Headphones (2021) Best LED lights3.5mm wireYBuilt-inBUY

Headphones nowadays come in different shapes and sizes. Some may look more like your average headphones but some are much more unique — perhaps with flashing LEDs and cat ears.

Kitty headphones or cat ear headphones have gained popularity through the years and you may want one for your own reasons. However, if you tried to buy one right off the bat, you may have learned the hard way that choosing one is not easy. Apart from their unique design, you also have to consider what’s inside to make sure that you’ll enjoy using them.

Lucky for you, once you know what to actually look for, it will be easier. More than that, once you find out which cat ear headphones are the best, all you really have to do is choose. So, that’s what we’re going to do here!

How Did the ‘Cat Ear Headphones’ Phenom Start?

Cat ear headphones trace their roots to the Japanese concept of Nekomimi. This is a type of moe anthropomorphism in Japanese anime or manga where human characters are given cat-like qualities. This includes sharp teeth, feline tails, and, yes, cat ears. It was started in 1924 by a novelist and children’s literature author named Kenji Miyazawa.

In Western pop culture, there is also a concept of feline characters led by the infamous Catwoman from DC Comics. Other characters who exhibit cat-like behaviors are DC’s Cheetah and Marvel’s Black Cat.

Fast forward to 2014. An animé artist named Wenqing Yan was working on an animation where she started designing cat ear headphones. This was where the seed was planted. Together with her co-founder and then best friend, Victoria Hu, they sought to make these cat ear headphones a reality and set the wheel in motion.

The cat ear headphones are close to becoming a reality! More info here http://t.co/TDRkIK1vQE pic.twitter.com/4UL6W9yMbi

— Wenqing Yan (@Yuumei_Art) May 9, 2014

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The downfall of a partnership

However, the story didn’t just end there. Raising the fund is just one part of the puzzle. Manufacturing the product at scale is a whole different monster. This is where the partnership took a big downfall.

Through her written account Looking Back, Looking Onward on DeviantArt.com, Yan chronicled the events that took place from the conception of the idea up until earning her success.

Long story short, they went through a legal battle. Although it did not come to a redressed ending, Yan was left to push the product forward.

Birth of the cat ear headphones market

After learning about the whole situation, Brookstone reached out to Yan with a partnership proposal at hand, particularly to help Yan in the production of the headphones. For Yan, it was a no-brainer deal. Brookstone had the capacity to deliver on the promise of high-quality production, while cat ear headphones already had the attention of major media outlets.

Fast forward to October 30, 2015, the first pair of Axent Wear Cat Ear Headphones was finally shipped to the backers.

Unfortunately, Brookstone’s supposed capacity to deliver high-quality headphones didn’t pan out well. In an effort to make the special headphones happen with a limited budget, most models turned out faulty and had to be returned.

The pool of unsatisfied customers created a market gap that other competing brands quickly recognized. Before you know it, big names such as Razer started jumping onto the trend with their own Kraken Kitty.

How to Pick the Best Cat Ear Headphones

Whether you are an otaku, streamer, gamer, or just someone who wants to wear something uniquely cute on your head, cat ear headphones would be a great addition to your look.

However, choosing the best one is not just a question of design or color. You also need to consider things such as compatibility, sound quality, mic quality, and more. This makes things a little more challenging — but not if you know what to look for.

Razer Kraken Kitty RGB USB Gaming Headset

Key features

• Connectivity: Wired USB-A
• Microphone: Boom w/ Active Noise Cancellation
• Battery: N/A
• LED Lights: Yes – Razer Chroma
• Surround Sound: 7.1
• Other Features: Cooling gel cushions, streamer companion app

When you talk about cat ear headphones or headphones in general, you just couldn’t avoid talking about Razer and their Kraken Kitty. The Razer Kraken Kitty is the cat-eared representative of the notorious Razer Kraken Family.

The Kraken Kitty are wired gaming headphones that connect through a USB-A type of connection. If you’re more of a wireless person, you’ll be glad to know that these headphones also come with a Bluetooth-ready variant.

These headphones feature Razer Chroma LED Lights from ear cup to cat ears. Razer Chroma is Razer’s proprietary RGB light system that features 16.8 million colors, patterns, and in-game lighting effects. You can easily customize this through the Chroma Studio while additional interactive effects can be set through the Streamer Companion App.

Much like the others in the Kraken family, the Kraken Kitty feature the THX Spatial Audio. This is a 7.1 surround sound system that lets you stand right in the middle of the action. They also feature Razer’s noise-cancelling HyperClear Cardioid Microphone. Say goodbye to the excuses made by your teammates about not hearing you.

Onto the cons, the Kraken Kitty seems to lack functionality as it does not have the on-ear mute button that the other Kraken headphones have. It is also noticeably big and heavy especially with the addition of the cat ears.

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SOMIC G951

Key features

• Connectivity: Wired USB
• Microphone: Boom
• Battery: N/A
• LED Lights: Yes – Breathing LED Light Effect
• Surround Sound: 7.1
• Other Features: Passive Noise Cancellation, Vibration System, Detachable cat ears, Self-adjusting headband, on-ear controls

Next on the list is the SOMIC G951. Not only do these wired headphones come with detachable cat ears, but they also come with a long list of features too!

To start it off, the SOMIC G951 feature 7.1 surround sound for more realistic and immersive game sounds. If that’s not enough, they also have an interesting vibration system that elevates the gaming experience to a 4D level.

These headphones feature on-ear controls where you’ll be able to switch off the vibration and LED light, dial-up or down the volume, and mute the microphone. The ear cups are also quite large and sealed to provide passive noise cancellation. Their size and weight don’t make them quite ideal for kids.

The majority of the space on the outer part of the earcups is occupied by the LED light panel. Speaking of LEDs, the G951 only has a breathing light effect and nothing more.

The headphones also feature a self-adjusting headband as compared to the more common snap-lock type.

In the end, the SOMIC G951 are great for their price but they will always be good for runners-up only against a product like the Kraken Kitty. The G951 suffer from comfort issues. They are heavy and the ear paddings are noticeably not very thick. The leather lining isn’t very breathable as well.

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Riwbox CT-7S Cat Ear Bluetooth Headphones

Key features

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 or Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: In-line
• Battery: 5 hours
• LED Lights: Yes – Music Sync
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: Volume Limit, Foldable, On-ear controls

The first and best kid-friendly pick on this list are the Riwbox CT-7S Cat Ear Bluetooth Headphones. For parents looking for cute cat ear headphones for their kid/s, you can start here.

The Riwbox CT-7S are great headphones with multiple connectivity options. You can connect them through a Bluetooth 5.0 connection or a detachable 3.5mm audio jack. Wirelessly, they can last up to 5 hours and are especially useful for kids who switch between devices such as their iPads, gaming consoles, and more.

The headphones’ LED lights are on the cat ears themselves with a music sync effect. The LED lights can easily be turned on or off through the on-ear controls on the left earcup. Unfortunately, the music sync effect is the only effect you’re getting with the CT-7S.

Being headphones for kids, the CT-7S features a volume limit of 85db — which is just the right volume for your little ones. The headphones are also light and foldable making them great for your road trips and vacations with your kids.

That said, these headphones are not as durable as the ones that adults ususally choose. The lack of durability and absence of warranty can explain the low price — there had to be a trade-off somewhere to keep them affordable. To add to that, the low battery life also gets further drained by the use of the LED lights.

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iClever Kids Cat Ear Headphones

Key features

• Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: N/A
• Battery: N/A
• LED Lights: Yes – 3 Light Modes
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: Food grade silicone, tangle-free chords, Warranty

Here’s another one for the kids — and by this, we mean for parents. The iClever Kids Cat Ear Headphones are great for those who are looking to give their kids something cute and useful without having to break the bank. These headphones are simple but complete enough, plus you won’t need to go above $20 to get them!

The iClever Kids Cat Ear Headphones are wired headphones that can connect to any device that can accommodate a 3.5mm jack. They can be used with tablets, smartphones, and even some gaming consoles.

They feature LED lights on their cat ears and the light modes can be changed by tapping the back of the ears. For one tap, the lights will be steady. For two taps, the lights will blink. And finally, three taps will bring out the strobe lights effect.

These headphones are loaded with kid-friendly features. Apart from the 85db volume limit, the entirety of the frame of the headphones are also made out of food-grade silicone instead of metal. This makes them extremely flexible and (safely) chewable — although we don’t recommend snacking on this of course. The tangle-free chords are also a great addition.

The iClever Kids Cat Ear Headphones come with an 18-month replacement warranty. This willingness of the manufacturer to include a relatively long warranty period gives us confidence in the product.

At 5.10 ounces, they can be quite heavy for kids. The headphones also do not offer a strong clamping force so you might find your kid occasionally bringing these back up. The absence of a mic is also a bummer, but we guess that’s the big trade-off for the low price.

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TCJJ Cat Ear Headphones

Key features

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 and Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: Built-in
• Battery: 10 hours
• LED Lights: Yes
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: Foldable, SD Card Slot, On-ear controls

Here’s another budget pick — and for the adults this time. The TCJJ Cat Ear Headphones were originally made for kids. However, due to their size and features, they aren’t bad for adults as well, especially for those who are looking for something affordable yet adorable.

The TCJJ cat ear headphones are over-ear headphones powered by Bluetooth 5.0. The headphones have a 10-hour battery life making them good for gaming, and casual use. You also have the option to connect them via a 3.5mm audio jack cable.

These foldable headphones have LED lights that fill the cat ears and the paw print design on the ear cups. The standard and only light effect you’ll get from these is a glowing or breathing light effect.

The mic of the TCJJ is only a simple built-in microphone without any form of noise cancellation. This mic is located on the left ear cup where you’ll also find the on-ear controls together with the charging and audio ports. You’ll also find something interesting besides those ports — an SD card slot. If you’ve owned an MP3 back in the day, you probably know how this works and you’ll probably enjoy it again too.

They are pretty great for their price, but they are definitely for those who are willing to trade off quality for affordability. The TCJJ cat ear headphones’ mic is bad so if you’re thinking of using these for calls, then you’re better off looking away. They are also not very comfortable and you may experience battery issues such as uneven battery consumption between their two speakers.

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Edifier HECATE G2 II

Key features

• Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: Boom
• Battery: N/A
• LED Lights: Yes – Breathing lights effect and color change
• Surround Sound: 7.1
• Other Features: Soft leather padding, Detachable cat ears, 50mm audio drivers, EDIFIER Gaming Center

Who says you can’t look kawaii while gaming? The Edifier HECATE G2 II are cat ear headphones with a set of features built for gamers. If you’re looking to replace your gaming headphones with something that’s more comical and (perhaps) less-threatening, these could be what you’re looking for.

The Edifier HECATE G2 II are wired for low latency and are equipped with 50mm audio drivers for stronger and detailed audio. They also feature 7.1 surround sound that would let you detect your enemies from all directions — these are gaming headphones after all.

The G2 II feature a standard detachable boom mic. The mic settings can be adjusted through the EDIFIER Gaming Center software. With the app, you’ll be able to adjust microphone echo and also play with other settings such as volume and equalizer.

The Edifier HECATE G2 II aren’t exactly bright and colorful unlike some of the headphones in this list. These headphones’ LED lights are limited only to the HECATE logo on the ear cups. And, although they can change to 16.8 Million colors, the lights are limited only to a breathing effect.

The absence of noise cancellation, passive or active, puts a dent in these headphones’ quality. In fact, you can even experience sound leaks with these. Overall, they are great budget alternatives to the Razer Kitty headphones because of their similarities in look and sound, but they are still leagues away from each other overall.

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YOWU 3G

Key features

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 or USB-C
• Microphone: Built-in
• Battery: 48 hours
• LED Lights: Yes – customizable RGB and 4 light modes.
• Surround Sound: 7.1
• Other Features: Companion app, Supports aptX, passive noise cancellation, 40mm drivers

As cat ear headphones rose to fame, so did other novelty headphones and the YOWU 3G Cat Ear Headphones proves that. These fox ear headphones show us that cat ear headphones have now grown into a category already rather than a specific type of product.

Onto the YOWU 3G, these Bluetooth 5.0 headphones can easily connect to any Bluetooth-ready device from your smartphone to your tablet. Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable connection and — not to mention — the headphones also support the aptX codecs. This is one of the best Bluetooth codecs today.

They can also connect through a USB to Type-C connection — making them great also for PC and laptop users. Although, the built-in mic is not the best one out there so call audio can be a little sketchy.

The LED lights on the YOWU G3 are placed on the fox ears and on the ear cups. YOWU has done a pretty solid job in allowing users to customize these lights through the YOWU App. More specifically, the app allows you to change light effects, light modes, colors, and adjust other non-light related settings such as sound effects.

Other features include a massive 48-hour battery and soft PU leather ear paddings that provide passive noise cancellation. They also have 40mm drivers and 7.1 surround sound so they’re not just cute but powerful and immersive as well.

Build quality on these can use some improvement, though. The leather paddings crack after some time and even the ears can come off if you’re not careful. Since YOWU is a China-based company, replacement parts aren’t readily available too so be extra careful with these.

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iClever BoostCare

Key features

• Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: In-line
• Battery: N/A
• LED Lights: N/A
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: Volume Limit, In-line controls, Heat-resistant and food-grade built

Here’s another one from iClever! The iClever BoostCare Cat Ear Headphones are kid-friendly wired headphones packaged in a heat-resistant and food-grade frame. These headphones are the most durable on this list so if you’re looking for something that won’t tear when you wear them, these would serve you well.

The iClever BoostCare Cat Ear Headphones are very flexible. The headphones can be, literally, twisted and turned without breaking because of the material used for the build.

The cable on these headphones features a 3.5mm jack so they’re easily compatible with laptops, smartphones, and some gaming consoles as well. Along the cable are in-line controls — but it’s not what you would expect.

Instead of pause or volume buttons, the headphones feature a multipurpose button as well as a volume switch. The volume switch is primarily used to adjust the volume limit of the headphones since you have two options: 85dB or 94dB.

Unlike the majority of the products we’ve listed out here, there are no LED lights anywhere on the headphones. The cat ears are made out of a flexible non-toxic material while the ear cups simply feature a printed cat silhouette design.

Unfortunately, these headphones may be physically durable but that’s just about it. The sound isn’t very good and is quite soft also. As on-ears,ear cups are also small compared to over-ears. So, despite featuring protein leather paddings, the ear cups are more likely to squeeze the sensitive parts of the ears and cause pain.

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Censi Moecen

Key features

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 or Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: Built-in
• Battery: 10 hours
• LED Lights: N/A
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: IPX4 rating, Passive noise cancellation, 40mm drivers

They’re sleek, they’re adorable, and you won’t hear a single thing when you have them on. If you’re looking for cat ear headphones that can double up as an effective passive noise cancelling headphones, then the Censi Moecen are what you’re looking for.

Unlike other cat ear headphones that usually cater to gamers, the Censi Moecen accommodate leisure and comfort. Instead of blinking LED lights and colorful designs, these headphones feature detachable cat ears and Korean protein leather paddings. Because of that, these headphones have great noise isolation for a soulful day in bed listening to your favorite music.

You can choose from the wireless or wired version of these foldable headphones. The wireless version features Bluetooth 4.0 with 10-hour battery life. On the other hand, the wired version sports a 3.5mm audio jack. The headphones also feature 40mm drivers for a bigger sound.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the Censi Moecen is the IPX4 rating. With this, the headphones are safe against sprays and splashes of water. Looking for a new workout buddy that could handle the sweat? Well, here you have it!

The built-in microphone on these headphones are not that good and you would end up sounding like you’re underwater. They are also quite heavy, especially for kids, and the clamping force can be a little too tight.

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Axent Wear Wireless Cat Ear Headphones (2021)

Key features

• Connectivity: Bluetooth or Wired (3.5mm)
• Microphone: Built-in
• Battery: 30 hours
• LED Lights: Yes – 12 color options and 6 light modes
• Surround Sound: N/A
• Other Features: Speaker cat ears, fast charging

Now, for those of you who want something that’s bright and loud, the Axent Wear Wireless Cat Ear Headphones (2021) are a fitting choice. Apart from having LED lights with 12 color options and 6 light modes, you’ll also find some interesting features in these headphones.

First up, cat ear speakers — yup, you read this one correctly. These cat ear headphones’ cat ears are far from ordinary. They have built-in loudspeakers that you can use to blast some music across the room. Plus, the speakers also light up together with the headphones’ ear cups.

The Axent Wear Wireless Cat Ear Headphones (2021) allow two connectivity options: wireless and wired. The Bluetooth version wasn’t specified but the cable for wired use has a 3.5mm jack. They also have a 30-hour battery with fast charging that can fully juice up the headphones in 1.5 hours.

The mic is a simple built-in microphone that does not have any special qualities like noise cancellation. Also, at 1.01 lbs (460g), heavy is an understatement for these headphones. This weight can cause a little discomfort which is really to be expected when you’re wearing loudspeakers on your head.

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Notable Mentions

There are a lot of cat ear headphones out there today and some good ones just missed the cut for our 10 best. However, not being in the top 10 does not mean the headphones are horrible already — it just so happens that some may have exhibited more desirable qualities.

While the top 10 are worth an extra look, some notable mentions are also still worth mentioning. Given the right circumstances, these remaining picks can definitely give some of the headphones on our top 10 a run for their money.

Conclusion

Cat ear headphones have really risen to fame in the past years, but there’s really nobody to blame here. Whether you’re a diehard otaku, a fashionable gamer, or just a parent looking to give their kid something cute, cat ear headphones just get it, don’t they?

These cute and stylish headphones quite literally add some color to our lives and some have been exceeding our expectations in terms of sound quality. We’re fortunate enough to choose from so many of these headphones today.

More than that, after reading this article you’re probably fortunate enough to know how and where to look. That is if you haven’t taken your pick already.

Tell us in the comments which one you’re going for and why!