How Wirecutter Tests Children’s Headphones

Out of the thousands of products Wirecutter tests, only a small fraction ever earn the title of "top pick." Some of these products continue to impress us year after year, proving to be more durable and delightful than the competition. 

To celebrate these iconic products, Wirecutter introduced its first-ever Hall of Fame award, honoring 50 items that have remained top recommendations for at least six consecutive years.

In this episode we talk with four veteran Wirecutter journalists to go behind the scenes on some of the most beloved Hall of Fame inductees, including an indispensable multitool, the best ice cream scoop you’ll ever use, headphones that actually protect kids’ hearing, and more. 
 

This episode covers:

• What makes a product Hall of Fame worthy: The criteria behind selecting 50 legendary picks that have survived at least six years of rigorous, head-to-head testing against newer models.
• The ultimate  multi-tool: Home improvement writer Doug Mahoney explains why the lightweight Leatherman Skeletool CX offers the right balance of essential tools without unnecessary bulk.
• The perfect ice cream scoop: Kitchen writer Lesley Stockton demystifies the Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop, patented in the 1930s, which uses heat-conductive fluid inside the handle to effortlessly roll hard ice cream into smooth, perfect spheres. 
• Protective headphones: Audio writer Lauren Dragan discusses her groundbreaking testing of children's headphones and why the volume-limiting Puro Sound Labs BT2200 has remained our top recommendation for nearly a decade.
• A superior air purifier: Tim Heffernan, who covers air and water filtration, highlights the Coway Airmega Mighty air purifier, the most popular product Wirecutter has ever tested.

Products we recommend:

• The best multi-tool: Leatherman Skeletool CX
• The ultimate toilet clog buster: Korky 99-4A Beehive Max Performance Plunger
• Our longtime favorite ice cream scoop: Zeroll 1020 Original Ice Cream Scoop
• The best coffee grinder: Baratza Encore
• The best kids headphones for music and videos: Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus
• A great air purifier: Coway Airmega Mighty (AP-1512HH)

Additional reading:

• The Winners of Our 2026 Hall of Fame 
• This Air Purifier Is the Most Popular Wirecutter Product of All Time 
• We Tested Headphones for Schoolkids. Some Were Worryingly Loud.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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