The Mpow CH1 are on-ear headphones designed for kids. These brightly-colored on-ears have a 3.5mm port on the right ear cup so you can connect them to another pair of headphones and listen to the same audio. They don't have the most versatile performance, as they don't have a microphone and struggle to isolate against background noises. Their unbalanced sound profile may not be ideal for all listeners, either. However, thanks to their wired-only design, listeners don't have to worry about latency or running out of battery, which is nice.
Our Verdict
The Mpow CH1 are poor for mixed usage. These kids' headphones have an unbalanced sound profile that's lacking a bit of low-bass, so they aren't suitable for listening to bass-heavy music genres. They also struggle to block out background noise, so they may not be ideal to wear while traveling or working in an office. They aren't stable enough to wear to the gym, and they don't have a microphone for making phone calls. Fortunately, their wired design offers negligible latency for wired gaming.
- Brightly-colored design for kids.
- Negligible latency.
- No microphone.
- No sound customization options.
- Not stable enough for exercise.
- Terrible noise isolation performance.
The Mpow CH1 are inadequate for neutral sound. Their sound profile is pretty unbalanced, and while vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, they're also a bit honky and harsh. These headphones are lacking a lot of low-bass, too, so audio doesn't have a thumpy, punchy quality. Unfortunately, there aren't any sound customization features.
- Brightly-colored design for kids.
- No sound customization options.
- Inconsistent audio delivery.
The Mpow CH1 are bad for commute and travel. They struggle to block out background noises, so listeners may hear bus and plane engines and the sounds of fellow passengers talking. Their bulky design isn't very portable, and they may not be comfortable enough to wear for long bus rides.
- Brightly-colored design for kids.
- Not comfortable for all listeners.
- Terrible noise isolation performance.
The Mpow CH1 are poor for sports and fitness. They aren't designed for this use, and they aren't stable enough to stay on listeners' heads during workouts. Their bulky on-ear design isn't very portable, either. Listeners with larger heads may also find these headphones uncomfortable.
- Brightly-colored design for kids.
- Not comfortable for all listeners.
- Not stable enough for exercise.
The Mpow CH1 are poor for office use, though they likely won't be used in this context since they're designed for kids. They don't isolate against a lot of background noises, and they leak a bit of sound, which may be distracting for people working nearby. They're passably comfortable, but listeners with large heads may feel fatigued after long listening sessions.
- Brightly-colored design for kids.
- Not comfortable for all listeners.
- Terrible noise isolation performance.
The Mpow CH1 are wired-only headphones, so they aren't suitable for wireless gaming.
The Mpow CH1 are disappointing for wired gaming. Listeners can plug them into their PC or PS4 and Xbox One controllers, and thanks to their wired connection, they have negligible latency. However, they don't have a microphone, so you can't communicate with your teammates. They also don't have a very comfortable fit for listeners with large heads.
- Negligible latency.
- No microphone.
- Not comfortable for all listeners.
The Mpow CH1 don't have a microphone, so they aren't suitable for making phone calls.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Mpow CH1 come in several different color variants: Blue and Yellow, Pink, Blue and Green, and Cherry Pink. We tested the Blue and Yellow variant, and you can see the label for the model we tested here. We expect the other color variants to perform similarly. If you come across another variant, let us know in the discussions.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Mpow CH1 are on-ear headphones that come in lots of bright colors for young listeners. Like many kids' headphones, the manufacturer claims that they have an 85db volume limit, however, they can reach volumes of up to 100db. Their sound profile isn't very balanced, and they don't come with a microphone. If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, and the best wireless Bluetooth headphones.
The JBL JR300BT Wireless are better headphones for kids than the Mpow CH1. The JBL are more comfortable, more stable, and better-built. Their sound profile is more balanced, and they leak less noise. They also have a microphone, which the Mpow lack. However, the JBL are wireless-only headphones, while the Mpow are wired-only.
The Mpow CH9 Wireless are better headphones for kids than the Mpow CH1. The CH9 are better-built, and they have a more stable fit. They also delivery audio more consistently. Unlike the CH1, you can use them wirelessly, and they come with a microphone.
The Puro JuniorJams Wireless are better headphones for kids than the Mpow CH1. The Puro are better-built, and they can be used wirelessly, unlike the Mpow. They also come with a microphone and they leak less noise. While their sound profile is bass-heavy, it's ultimately more balanced than the Mpow.
The Mpow CH6 are better headphones than the Mpow CH1. The CH6 are better-built, and they have a more stable fit. Their sound profile is much more balanced, too. They leak less noise, and they come with a microphone and a volume limit switch, which the CH1 lack.
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