You’re probably wondering how we came up with the concept of highlighting the best cat ear headphones. It is a unique category of headphones, and we didn’t know anything about it until recently. However, we were astounded by the popularity and demand for cat ear headphones when we first came across them on the market. Yes, they are well-liked.
Cat ear headphones are stylish headphones that are also useful. They’re cute and fashionable, but finding the best cat ear headphones, especially those that will be popular in 2022, can be difficult.
We’ll go over everything about cat ear headphones in this comprehensive guide, from how they came to be to cat ear headphones reviews (along with pros and cons). Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about cat ear headphones.
Why Are Cat Ear Headphones So Popular?
Japan is where the fascination with cat ears began, specifically for women with cat ears. A figure in a book penned by Kenji Miyazawa in 1924 was the first woman with cat ears. The first manga and anime showing fictitious characters with cat ears debuted a few years later, and the interest quickly spread around the world. Girls with cat ears are known as Nekomimi in manga and anime (which means cat ears: Neko – cat, Mimi –ears).
DC Comics published the first comic book featuring Catwoman in 1940. That was the first time Nekomimi girl appeared in the United States. The craze for cat ears and Nekomimi females grew and extended throughout the fashion and gaming industries, among other places. Cat ears have made their way into the audio industry and have become quite popular.
The concept of cat ear headphones was created by Wenqing Yan (aka YUUMEI). She created the concept in 2014 as an illustrator, designer, and animation artist. Wenqing and her best friend Victoria Hu quickly decided to make the idea a reality. They came up with the name Axent Wear Cat Ear Headphones and started an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the product. The campaign was a huge success, raising around $3.5M, much beyond their expectations (the goal was $250K).
As a result, they had no choice but to develop the first pair of cat ear headphones. Unfortunately, the technique was not straightforward. The relationship between Wenquing and Victoria fell apart, and they became entangled in a legal battle over the Axent Wear brand, delaying the release by more than six months.
Following the conclusion of the legal battle, Brookstone met YUUMEI and offered her a partnership. She agreed, and they began delivering their cat ear headphones a few months later.
Best Cat Ear Headphones
1. Brookstone Wired Cat Ear Headphones
The Brookstone Wired Cat Ear Headphones are a high-quality and elegant pair of cat ear headphones. These headphones appealed to us not only because of their aesthetics but also their sound quality.
The fact that the “cat ears” are speakers made us very happy. As a result, you can turn on the speakers and share the music with your pals while listening to your favorite music.
The headphones are lightweight and have plush, foamy ear pads. The headphones are very simple to use; all you have to do is plug them in and turn them on. The removable boom mic is another element of the headphones that drew us in. As a result, these headphones are appropriate if you are a gamer.
Pros:
- In-line volume controls that work smoothly; forward and backward, play and pause
- Noise reduction with comfortable ear padding
- LED accent lights with independent control
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Lucky Wireless Bluetooth Cat Ear Headphones
The Lucky Wireless Cat Ear Headphones are an excellent solution for people who don’t like corded headphones.
The headphones come in seven distinct colors, giving you plenty of options. They appear to be fashionable and appealing. They’re also very comfortable to wear for long periods, and the headband is adjustable to fit a range of head sizes. As a result, these headphones can comfortably accommodate any head size.
The Bluetooth capability allows you to connect them to almost any smartphone or tablet that supports Bluetooth (4.2 version). You can connect the audio cord to the 3.5 mm connector if you need to use them as wired headphones.
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Noise-cancelling technology is included.
- Simple to connect and utilize
Cons:
- Smooth Bluetooth connectivity; works with any Bluetooth-enabled device.
3. Soundbot SB277 Cat Ear Headphones
Soundbot’s Sb277 Cat Ear Headphones are among the most comfortable and high-quality cat ear headphones. When we say premium-end, we don’t mean the price; we’re talking about the headphones’ luxury feel. Also, we’re sure you’re wondering why we included a section about the best pink cat ear headphone.
The headphones are sturdy and include an adjustable headband for added comfort. The ear cups may be folded and rotated 90 degrees. The headphones are easy to carry along because of their portability.
The headphones have incredible battery life. Wireless streaming allows you to listen to music for up to 11 hours. Finally, the headphones’ chord has noise-canceling functions that help to reduce outside noise and increase sound quality.
Pros:
- The headband is durable and flexible for extra comfort.
- Premium drivers with high performance deliver outstanding sound quality.
- Swivel ear cups that swivel 90 degrees for travel and storage
Cons:
- The microphone does not work seamlessly
4. SOMIC G951s Stereo Gaming Headset
The best purple kitten headphones on the market are the Somic G951s Cat Ear Headphones. They’re also among the best and most affordable gaming cat ear headphones.
The fact that the headphones are fashionable does not exclude them from being utilized for gaming. These headphones are fantastic in every way. Comfort, the convenience of usage, sound quality, driver performance, and so on are all factors to consider.
The headphones offer an ergonomic design that ensures a comfortable fit. The ear cups are soft leather, and the head beam is self-adjustable. The big ear cups provide great noise isolation and almost eliminate interference.
You can easily take the cat ears off if necessary. The sound quality of these headphones is outstanding. The 40 mm in diameter high-fidelity speakers deliver detailed and precise sound.
Pros:
- Excellent sound; we could hear even the tiniest details during gameplay. Excellent noise cancellation
- For extended use, it’s lightweight and comfy.
Cons:
- Expensive
5. iClever Kids Headphones
While children can wear the other best cat ear headphones on our list, this one is made specifically for them. One of the comfiest headphones for kids is the iClever Kids Headphones (even adults can use them, as we did; however, the ear cups felt somewhat small). The design, on the other hand, is adorable and childish.
The earpads are quite pleasant and supportive. Even grownups can wear it because of the flexible headbands. The headphones’ foldable shape makes them convenient to transport when traveling.
Second, the headphones have built-in volume controls to protect children’s ears from excessive volume (the same feature is also found in the best baby headphones). Finally, the cat ear headphones are compatible with all 3.5 mm jack-equipped devices.
Pros:
- The comfiest cat ear headphones are available.
- Kids-friendly
- Lightweight and long-lasting
Cons:
- There was no issue with the headphones.
What are the Things to Look for When Buying the Best Cat Ear Headphones?
Design
Most cat ear headphones have the same basic design, with the cat ears perched above the headband. You can, however, choose between on-ear and over-ear variants, as well as the color and whether or not LED lights are included. Some models will feature single-color LED illumination, while others will feature multi-color LED lighting.
Comfort
It is an obvious choice. When purchasing cat ear headphones, it is critical to consider their comfort level. Make sure the ear cup and headband covers are made of quality material. Avoid buying cat ear headphones with faux leather ear cups/headbands; the material might make your ears sweaty, especially in the heat. Ensure the headband is adjustable and the ear cups rotate for enhanced comfort.
Connectivity
Whether you prefer wired or wireless headphones are entirely up to you. If you want to escape the hassles of tangled connections, Bluetooth/wireless headphones are available. Furthermore, while most individuals purchase cat ear headphones for their trendy design, wires detract from that appeal. Bluetooth/wireless headphones, on the other hand, may cost more than traditional wired headphones.
Battery life
The battery life of headphones varies from 4 to 9 hours, depending on the price and how they are used. You’ll get more playtime if you switch off the LED lights and don’t use the speakers in the cat ears. As a result, none of these wireless cat ear headphones offer a long battery life.
Sound quality
As previously stated, most of these cat ear headphones use low-cost drivers. As a result, don’t expect incredibly precise reproduction, deep bass, or dazzling highs. You’ll have to put up with average sound quality. While some cat ear headphones sound better than others, none are outstanding.
Budget
As previously stated, most cat ear headphones are made by unnamed generic companies and are often affordable. You can find many wired cat ear headphones for under $50. Some of them cost less than $20.
Conclusion on Best Cat Ear Headphones
I hope you have decided (without much misunderstanding) which of the best cat ear headphones you want to buy now that you know everything there is to know about cat ear headphones, thanks to our guide. I recommend doing so before completing a purchase if you haven’t done so.