Our top picks
Best overall microphone for kids: Genround Magic Voice Mic
"This handheld karaoke mic features Bluetooth speaker functionality, excellent surround sound, and a variety of fun lights and sounds with a kid-friendly robot design. "
Best for toddlers: Fisher-Price Rock & Record Microphone
"The perfect first mic, this fun and educational pick features both a record and play back mode and catchy learning tunes that teach ABCs, 123s, and more."
Best for duets: Little Pretenders Karaoke Machine (With 2x Mics)
"Great for sharing, this microphone and stand set comes with a second mic for epic duets -- it's also lightweight and easy to set up."
Best kids karaoke mic: Move2Play Kidz Bop Mic
"There's no console needed for karaoke night with this handy mic, which can stream popular music apps from your phone and adjust voice and music volume."
Best for Frozen fans: Disney Frozen 2 Sing Along Mic
"It's easy to put on a show-stopper with this Frozen 2-themed mic, which features decorative flashing lights and singalong tracks from the film."
Best mic with stand: VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine
"Older kids will get a kick out of the functionality of this mic, which lets them adjust voice volume in songs for karaoke, use unique voice effects, and add light effects to their performances."
Best for tweens: BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Mic
"Bluetooth functionality makes streaming popular music apps to this handheld karaoke mic a breeze, and support for a 32 GB micro SD card lets them record tracks and play them back."
Best 'proper' microphone: Shure SM58 + GLXD24 Wireless System
"A great investment for a child who's serious about music, this wireless mic system is the real deal, offering professional-quality sound clarity and recording quality."
Best karaoke microphone: Singing Machine Bluetooth Karaoke System
"The party gets itself started with this classic karaoke machine, which features flashy disco lights, Bluetooth compatibility, and even a CD player for those old-school jams."
In this article:
If your little one’s turning into a crooner, you’ll no doubt want to encourage their passion with fun technology like microphones, but the “real thing” can be pricey!
Opting for a kids’ microphone gives them the practice they want plus fun, age-appropriate features, without the sticker shock for parents.
Having spent more than 12 hours researching kid-friendly microphones, we’ve unearthed the best ones on the market. So here they are, along with notes on why we love them and what you should look out for.
Microphones for toddlers and younger kids
Best overall microphone for kids
Runs on: Rechargeable battery
Compatible with: All smartphones, iPads, and Bluetooth-enabled PCs
Connects via: Bluetooth, USB cable, AUX
Quality audio in a highly functional, kid-friendly design is what you get with the Genround Magic Voice Mic (check price on Amazon), which offers 360-degree surround sound, whether they’re using the device as a speaker or performing their own hits.
Performances are enhanced by voice-changing filters and color-changing LED lights which emit from the “eyes” of the robot-themed microphone.
Bluetooth connectivity allows easy streaming from popular apps like Spotify and Apple Music when using compatible devices, which include all smartphones, iPads, and some PCs.
A two to three-hour charge will buy you five hours of use, so battery life vs. charge time doesn’t feel imbalanced.
What we love
- It's easy for kids to use on their own after a few tries, the battery life is significant, and there's fun voice changing filters and lights to experiment with -- in other words, it will keep them occupied for ages.
Watch for
- Some users have found the microphone's companion app to be difficult to use, and it doesn't allow you to control device volume remotely.
Best for toddlers
Runs on: 2 AAA batteries (included)
Compatible with: N/A
Connects via: N/A
This Learn Rock & Record Microphone (check price on Amazon) teaches your toddler the ABCs, colors, counting, and parts of the body.
It allows your little ones to record their voices and play them back with music and effects.
It comes preloaded with educational songs, giving your little ones a jump-start on their education.
While it’s a lot of fun as a learning toy for toddlers, it doesn’t have real karaoke functionality, so you may want something more complex if your child is older.
What we love
- We love the quality of this toy. If your kids are as rough on toys as mine are, you'll love that it won’t fall apart after the first drop, throw, or slam. It is a perfect educational tool for toddlers (which is why it's named “Best for Toddlers!)”
Watch for
- This is NOT a real microphone in that it will not amplify your little one’s voice. It will simply record his voice and play it back to you. If you're looking for an actual microphone, this is not it!
Best for duets
Runs on: 4 AA batteries (included)
Compatible with: N/A
Connects via: AUX
If your kids (aka. the lead singer and backup vocalist!) are just about ready to take their stage show on the road, don’t let them leave home without the LP Kids Karaoke Machine (check price on Amazon).
The dual microphones and stand with a built-in speaker are the perfect setup for a duet; while a simple, safe AUX connection and flip of a switch are all that’s needed to operate.
Cool and colorful flashing lights in the stand’s base trigger when they sing, adding extra pizazz to their performance.
When they’re in the mood for a little accompaniment, they can tap the left foot pedal for tunes to sing along with, or the right pedal to trigger ‘applause’ sound effects.
What we love
- Setup is painless, it's lightweight and easy to tote from room to room (i.e., they can carry it themselves), the speaker is built into the base, and since two karaoke microphones are included, it's the perfect setup for siblings to share.
Watch for
- Since it's powered by replaceable batteries, battery life, and the need for replacements, will be a concern.
Best kids karaoke mic
Runs on: Rechargeable batteries
Compatible with: All smartphones, iPads, and Bluetooth-enabled PCs
Connects via: Bluetooth
A kids karaoke microphone doesn’t have to require a big, clunky console, as the fun and functional Move2Play Kidz Bop Mic (check price on Amazon) proves.
Kids can stream music using any of their favorite apps, use voice-changing filters and echo control, and adjust the volume of the voice and music to achieve the perfect sound for their performance.
The rechargeable battery in this wireless Bluetooth karaoke mic is impressive, offering up to eight hours of playtime on a 2-hour charge.
Plus, it doubles as a speaker, and will still amplify their talking and singing when not synced up.
What we love
- They can enjoy the benefits of karaoke (including a voice changer) without the drawback of a space-hogging console, plus it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and features a great charge-to-use time ratio.
Watch for
- Some users have found that Bluetooth connectivity doesn't drop from this device when taking a phone call, so if the kids are streaming on your device, be sure to disconnect before you pick up.
Best for Frozen fans
Runs on: 2 AAA batteries
Compatible with: Some MP3 players and AUX devices
Connects via: AUX
If your kids just can’t let go of their Frozen fandom (that’s the last one, promise), Disney Frozen 2 Sing-Along Mic (check price on Amazon) is a fun kid’s microphone for indulging their natural desire to sing along with their favorite tunes.
Audio from the film is built right into the mic, but it can also connect via AUX cord to a compatible MP3 player, or another audio device, to act as a speaker.
Flashing LED lights from the icy “crown” add extra sparkle to the device, which is adorned with images of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf gazing toward the sky.
What we love
- All their favorite Frozen 2 songs are built right in, so there's no need to connect to a device if you don't want to, especially for younger children.
Watch for
- While it's shaped like a microphone and offers audio playback, this device can't actually record or amplify your child's voice.
Top microphones for tweens
Best mic with stand
Runs on: 2 AA batteries (included)
Compatible with: MP3 players and smartphones
Connects via: USB cable
The VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine (check price on Amazon) comes with six games, sound effects, and disco ball LED lights.
You may even want to borrow this gadget for your next party!
When connected to your music source, it turns down the vocals allowing your little one to croon away to his favorite songs.
It also comes preloaded with eight original songs and can record up to five minutes of singing.
If your littles are anything like mine, this means you will be listening to their fresh tracks over and over and over.
What we love
- We love how easy this is for our kids to use, and that it can be used with or without an external device! We also love all the extra features like voice changing effects.
Watch for
- This unit is top-heavy and prone to tipping over. Use it on a sturdy surface. When using it with an external device, you must have device’s volume turned up, or you won’t be able to hear very well.
Best for tweens
Runs on: Rechargeable Battery
Compatible with: All Smartphones, iPad, and PCs
Connects via: Bluetooth, USB, microSD
This BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone (check price on Walmart), awarded “Best For Tweens,” will have your child singing away for up to five hours on a single charge.
That’s a good thing, right?
With its ergonomic design, volume control, adjusting echo, and changing songs can all be done right on the microphone.
It’s available in a wide range of colors, including trendy, rose gold, and its built-in audio means no need to connect to speakers to project their tunes.
Of course, this isn’t just a wireless karaoke microphone for kids — it’s also great for ‘show tunes night’ with the whole family!
What we love
- It features a long-lasting rechargeable battery and a headphone jack.
- It’s compatible with all smartphones and PCs.
Watch for
- The possibility of the USB charging port pushing into the microphone. Use a gentle touch when plugging it in, or it can cease to charge.
Top microphones for teens
Best 'proper' microphone
Runs on: N/A
Compatible with: N/A
Connects via: Standard mic cable
A far cry in professional quality from the rest of the kids’ microphones featured here, the Shure Wireless Microphone System (check price on eBay) is a great pick for an older child or teen who’s serious about developing their skills.
Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery that allows 16 hours of use, they’ll be able to stay focused on projecting or recording pro-quality sound without stopping for a dead battery.
This system is an investment, but the high-quality audio it produces means it’s a great starter for an aspiring professional singer or podcaster.
With that in mind, it’s also a lot more complex than your average microphone for kids, so they’ll almost definitely need help setting up.
What we love
- It's a real, proper microphone that can amplify and record pro-quality audio
Watch for
- It's a big investment, and it's more complex than typical microphones for kids
Best karaoke microphone
Our opinion
Runs on: Electrical outlet, not suitable for set up by a child
Compatible with: Any Bluetooth enabled device
Connects via: USB cable, Bluetooth
The Singing Machine Karaoke System (check price at Walmart) is sure to be a hit at your kids’ birthday parties with its powerful built-in speaker and 54 LED dimmable disco lights.
In addition to Bluetooth devices, it plays CDs, allowing your kids and their friends to access a wide range of music options.
Your child can use their own USB cord to connect to a smartphone so they can record their musical masterpieces through a recording app.
The system also features two wired microphone ports, so with two compatible karaoke microphones, the stage is set for a duet.
What we love
- We love that you can connect to many different musical sources, increasing song choices. We also love the colorful LED lights and voice changer.
Watch for
- The included microphone seems to break quickly, and the sound quality is not great, especially when interfering objects are near. Since this machine comes with a cord, it's always best to keep a close watch on your child if they are playing with it, as cords can be dangerous.
The Best Kids Microphone: Final Verdict
This was close, but, standing out above all the others as the best kids microphone, is the BONAOK Kids Wireless Karaoke Mic (check price on Amazon).
We believe this Bluetooth microphone appeals to older and younger kids alike, though super littles might need a bit more help!
It features a more grown-up style that will appeal to tweens and teens, unlike microphones for younger kids, such as the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn (check price on Amazon), or the cute Disney Frozen 2 Sing-Along Mic (check price on Amazon).
It’s easy to use but offers functionality, sound quality, and a sleeker appearance than a typical kids’ microphone.
We like that this is a simple karaoke microphone that takes up less room than full-on karaoke machines like the Singing Machine Bluetooth Karaoke System. This feature saves space in our toy-encroaching madness of a home.
About our trusted parent reviewers
Natalie Grant is a classically trained musician who has performed professionally with orchestras and bands around the world.
She’s also a preschool music teacher with over 7 years of experience. Natalie is a mother of three and brings her lived experience of music, children, and teaching to bear in this review.
FAQs
What are the benefits of singing for children?
Singing has numerous benefits for children. To more easily understand them, we’ve divided our information into groups which include younger children and older children.
Benefits of singing for younger kids
Music and singing have been a part of our lives since we were teeny tiny.
Remember your favorite shows from childhood and all the singing you participated in? Maybe you still know the words to some of the songs.
How about your children’s favorite shows and those songs you can’t get out of your head (no matter how hard you try)?
It turns out that singing is one of the best ways to learn. It also helps with emotional expression, while dancing can, simultaneously, improve motor skills.
Singing has been shown to enhance brain development and language recognition!
Benefits of singing for older kids
Older kids are not lost to the benefits of singing.
I have a seven-year-old who already has senioritis. Yes, she’s more than ready for high-school graduation while in second grade.
However, she loves to sing. Practicing for her solo in the Christmas program brought her to life.
Singing is a great learning tool for older kids who may be a bit burnt out with traditional education. I remember my French teacher in high school making us sing songs in French.
To this day, I still remember them. “Alouette,” anyone?
Singing should be more about fun than learning, though, with its repetition and catchy lyrics, we do, of course, learn.
Listening to our favorite songs can enhance our mood exponentially and this benefits all of us. In short, singing has tons of benefits for everyone.
What to look for in a kids’ microphone
Here’s a list of features to look for when shopping for a kid’s microphone. We used many of the following factors when reviewing our microphone models.
Durability
“I like spending my hard-earned money on toys that break shortly after purchase,” said No-one-ever!
Durability can be subjective, too, as some children are much gentler with their toys than others. Still, finding a quality, high-grade plastic or metal is definitely your best bet.
Power: Rechargeable vs. Batteries
Should your child fall in love with microphones that require batteries, and they will, you’ll need to purchase a load of backup batteries.
This can become costly, especially if the microphone is high-drain. Then there’s the matter of disposing of said batteries.
My personal preference is to use a power source or rechargeable batteries to save on waste and money.
If your child’s microphone requires batteries, always make sure that they are fastened in tight, as batteries can do a lot of damage if swallowed. If your child does swallow a battery, seek medical attention immediately.
Compatibility
Tech devices that connect to the ones you own can be fun, but only if compatible. In other words: before buying a Bluetooth-compatible wireless mic, make sure your mobile device or computer uses the technology.
This isn’t too hard, as the typical laptop or mobile device made within the past five years will meet this requirement.
On the flip side, however, if your child’s mic needs an AUX cord, you may need a converter to use it with some iPhones.
Simply put, consider all device compatibility before presenting the mic to your child.
Age appropriate
You are making this purchase in hopes your child will enjoy it, so confirming its age appropriateness is essential.
A toddler will not understand how to operate a more advanced microphone, and a teenager will definitely not be cool with a toddler toy microphone.
Looking for these key features is extremely important, especially if, like me, you’re looking to distract your child so you can get dinner started real quick!
You can’t go wrong with a durable microphone that holds your child’s interest.
