Who says that toys are just for kids? Okay, so the Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet by Hasbro may be the ultimate space-age helmet for kids, but it is also lots of fun for adults. At the touch of a button, the Optimus Prime helmet transforms your voice to make it sound like a robotic Transformer, or any other mechanized alien creature, for that matter. It all depends on the pitch and tone of your voice, which gives kids and adults alike a lot of creative options for role-playing. It also provides a fun way to spend time with your kids.

In addition to the helmet's cool-sounding voice-changing capabilities, this sci-fi device also includes five different battle phrases vocalized by Optimus Prime. A third mode emits the unique sound of Optimus Prime converting from a truck to battle robot mode and back. We found the helmet's sound to be clear, loud and easily understood, no matter which mode you are in or what tone of voice you use.

The helmet is designed to fit everyone from age five on up thanks to adjustable straps inside the headgear that provide a custom fit. We quickly learned that the key to comfort is to make sure the headgear fits securely on your head and not on the bridge of your nose. The front and back straps -- which are often all that need to be adjusted -- were easy to adjust; the side strap, however, is nearly impossible to adjust without a lot of patience, muscle power and the use of a screwdriver or knife to pry the strap loose from its post.

The Voice Changer Helmet is sure to be a hit with kids and especially Transformers fans, but we also think it makes for a great Halloween get-up and a fun way for adults to loosen up and reconnect with their kids. What better way to escape the pressures of Earth than to put on a helmet and rule the galaxy for a moment? On second thought, you don't want to have your kid ruling the galaxy alone; you'd better buy two Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmets.


Pros: Voice changer makes your voice sound like a robot, sound is clear and easily understood, helmet's straps adjust to fit everyone from age five on up
Cons: Straps take a bit of tweaking to provide a comfortable fit for adults, side strap difficult to adjust