How to Pick the Right Wireless Headphones for Your TV
If you’re looking for a way to watch TV without disturbing others in the room, or if you need headphones to amplify sound so you can fully enjoy your favorite shows and movies, then you’ll want to invest in a good pair of wireless headphones. But picking the perfect digital wireless headphones for TV isn’t always easy. Setting up an audio-rich home theater-like ambiance minus speakers, soundbars, and other bulky tools is not quite possible with regular headphones. Plus, you’ll need to consider various factors – such as transmission range, battery life, sound quality, and budget – to pick a headphone set that’ll best fit your viewing behavior. Weighing in all these parameters can get overwhelming for even the staunchest cinephile. Not to worry; in this buyer’s guide, we’ll show you how to pick the perfect wireless headphones for TV and what factors to consider when shopping. Let’s get right to it!
Sennheiser RS 195
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: RF Range: 328ft Frequency range: 17 – 22KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: Yes Battery life: 18 hours Additional Features: Personalized sound settings, speech, and listening modes
Sennheiser offers several quality RF headphones, and the Sennheiser RS 195 headphones are a great option from this RS-series collection. Aside from wireless audio support, some TVs also come with multiple audio output options, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, a digital optical output, an RCA output, a USB audio output, and HDMI. However, some TVs only support the 3.5 mm audio output. Wireless headphones that utilize Bluetooth audio transmitters also come with their own set of connectors. If the transmitter’s connectors aren’t compatible with any of your TV’s options, then you will need to get additional adapters to establish a proper connection. However, if your TV already has built-in Bluetooth, you don’t have to worry about looking for headphones that come with a transmitter. Regular Bluetooth headphones will do just fine. Bluetooth TV headphones are more common on the market since most smart TVs now come with built-in Bluetooth support. They have a wireless range of up to 30 meters. However, they are prone to experience limited lag due to codec mismatch or interference. RF TV headphones are a solid choice for TVs that don’t support Bluetooth. These typically connect to any TV with an RCA audio output. Also, RF offers a longer range of up to 328 feet and isn’t susceptible to interferences such as walls or ceilings. It also experiences less latency compared to Bluetooth. Lastly, IR TV headphones offer the best sound quality with almost zero latency due to fast transmission rates. They are a decent option for people who prioritize colorful audio. However, you must be well aligned and remain close to the transmitter to receive a stable connection. A good pair of TV headphones should be able to pick up details like background sound, whispers, or other sound effects that you will typically miss in an open environment. Here’s what to look out for to determine the overall sound quality of your headphones:
Sound signature
Headphones come with different sound signatures. This refers to the nature of the sound produced after the drivers are adjusted to amplify or reduce certain frequencies. Your headphones can have a neutral (flat), bright, bassy, or v-shaped sound signature, among others. For optimal TV viewing, you should aim for a neutral sound signature. This type of sound signature doesn’t enhance or add ‘color’ to the sound, so you get to listen to the audio as it was originally produced to sound like. However, if you like your audio to be more colorful so you can enjoy a bit of music alongside your audio, then a V-shaped sound signature is also an adequate choice. You will have more enhanced highs and lows but reduced mids.
Frequency range
The frequency range refers to the spectrum of frequencies your headphones can produce. These are measured in Hertz (Hz) and extend from one limit (low frequencies) to another end (high frequencies). Headphones are typically capable of producing a frequency range of about 20 to 20kHz, which is within the standard human hearing range. However, some headphones have a broader frequency range with lows that go down to 10Hz. These low frequencies can be felt more than heard. But it has lower chances of distortion when the sound goes closer to the 20-20KHz limit than typical headphones. When the connection between the transmitting and receiving device turns bad, you tend to experience latency. So when does the connection turn bad? Well, it can be environmental, such as interfering wireless devices or insufficient line-of-sight coverage with the TV. The other factor is hardware-related, where factors like transmission range, audio codec, and the quality of the headphones and transmitter come into play.
Transmission range
Depending on the position of your TV in the living room, the transmission range can be a crucial factor. Connection quality is the best when you are well within the maximum transmission range allowed. But not all headphones have the same transmission range. In general, Bluetooth headphones have a much shorter range than RF headphones. Unless the Bluetooth headphones are equipped with version 5.0 or higher, the range will be limited to about 164 feet or less. RF headphones have a more extended range of around 328 feet. You should also note that interferences such as wireless Wi-Fi- speakers, walls, and other physical objects can also affect the range. So having headphones that are advertised with up to 164-feet range doesn’t mean that you are going to enjoy the range fully.
Audio codec
Codec (Coder-decoder) is a program that compresses the audio file for faster file transmission. Audio codec only applies to Bluetooth headphones. This is because Bluetooth connection can only handle sending audio signals of a limited size. So large files from the source need to be compressed to fit within the bandwidth and then decompressed when transferred to the headphones so you can get the audio in its exact form. Audio codec is the software that makes this possible. There are a few codecs concerning Bluetooth audio that we should be aware of:
Low Complexity Subband Coding (SBC) Advanced audio codec (AAC) LDAC aptX aptX Low Latency
All Bluetooth devices support SBC. That’s the baseline codec for transmitting Bluetooth audio. However, it is known to have the worst compression algorithm in terms of quality and bandwidth, but they have the highest adoption rate since they are free. If possible, choose headphones that use aptX (HD or LL). It has a better compression algorithm than SBC and effectively minimizes audio lag when you’re watching TV. With this in mind, here are a few guiding factors that will help you find a comfortable set of headphones:
Form factor: This refers to the general size and shape of the headphones. You can either have on-ear, over-ear, or in-ear (earbuds) headphones. Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for watching TV than the other options. Ear cup padding: You want to choose headphones that come with soft and breathable ear cup padding, so you don’t sweat or feel irritated around your ears. Clamping force: Choose over-ear headphones with a light clamping force that doesn’t press your temples. However, they shouldn’t be so loose that they slide down. Adjustability: You need a headset with an adjustable headband that fits perfectly on your head. The ear cups should also swivel so you can easily adjust them to sit flush and snugly against your ears. Ear tip size and material (for in-ears): Choose earbuds with ear tips of various sizes so you can get a comfortable fit. Prioritize foam ear tips as they are comfortable and easily conform to your ear canal for a perfect fit.
Other than having a high-capacity battery, the charging speed is important. Some headphones with fast-charging capability can give you an hour of playtime for just 15 mins of charging time. You can watch at least a whole episode of Grey’s Anatomy with that!
Passthrough
Some wireless headphones come with a sound pass-through feature that supports the existing wired sound system. So, your wireless headphones can share the same audio with your existing soundbar or stereo. This lets you listen to the TV through the headphones at a comfortable volume while the rest of your family/friends listen through the home speaker system.
Multi-device pairing
If you use the same set of headphones for your smartphone, PC, and TV, you could opt for headphones that offer multi-device/multipoint pairing. This feature lets the user pair with multiple devices simultaneously, but can only play audio from one device at a time. Picture a scenario where your phone rings when you are connected to the TV. You don’t have to shuffle around clumsily trying to reach your phone. Your headphones will simply switch the connection (either automatically or by pressing a button) to the call on the second paired device (your smartphone) so you can answer it quickly.
Equalizer options
Users looking for a more immersive sound experience can benefit from a set of headphones that comes with equalizer presets. This helps boost specific frequencies or amplify the vocals for optimal listening. Also, a fully customizable equalizer will let you play around with the settings to get a sound that’s more to your liking. Some headphones come with both preset and fully customizable equalizer settings.
Active noise cancellation
Lastly, you can find headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This uses advanced technology to keep out background noise so you can only focus on the TV’s audio. Noise-canceling headphones can come in handy if you are the only one in the room who wants to watch something on the TV, but doesn’t want to get distracted by the other people around. These headphones feature a closed-back design that helps cut out ambient noise and keeps most of the sound within the ear cup. With this feature, these headphones successfully tackle the sound leakage issue experienced with their predecessor, the RS 185. Also, this model is designed to optimize your listening by offering an immersive sound experience. They come with equalizer presets, including a selectable hearing boost with a noise suppression mode so the dialogue can be heard more clearly. They also include a music listening mode for a more dynamic sound experience that accurately depicts the beats in the music. Moreover, these headphones have onboard controls that let you select between speech and music enhancement modes. You can also adjust the volume straight from the headphones by up to 90 decibels. The RF transmitter supports analog and digital audio input. It can also be used as a charge cradle and docking station. These fantastic features come with a high price tag. Still, it’s sure to provide value for money for anyone looking to enjoy both music and movies. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Avantree HT5009
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: Bluetooth Range: 164ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: Yes Battery life: 40 hours Additional Features: Bluetooth 5.0, automatic pairing, Dual-Link,
The Avantree HT5009 headphones come in at a close second for their long battery life, which extends up to 40 hours. You can use them all day without having to recharge them. Also, they are compatible with most of the TVs on the market as they utilize a Bluetooth transmitter that supports optical, AUX, and RCA audio outputs. These headphones are optimized for comfort with soft padded earmuffs that help cut out background noise. The headband also features soft padding and is adjustable for a comfortable fit. If you are worried about audio lag, you’ll be happy to know that the transmitter comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and Class 1 Bluetooth range – meaning it experiences less than 40 ms audio latency. At this level, the audio lag is almost unnoticeable. Plus, the headphones will connect automatically to the transmitter when they’re powered on, so you won’t need to wait for them to pair or walk through extra setup steps. Furthermore, the transmitter is integrated with Dual-Link Technology, which lets you add a second set of headphones to the connection so you and your friend can both watch TV with your headphones on. However, the second set of headphones also needs to support the built-in FastStream codec so you can continue enjoying limited audio lag. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Makemate BKM200
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: Qualcomm Bluetooth technology Range: 165ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: No Battery life: 15 hours Additional Features: Hi-res streaming that’s interference-free, minimal lag, auto-off feature
The Makemate BKM200 headphones earn our Best Budget rank for their budget-friendly price while not skimping on several excellent features. One of these is the ingenious technology that makes these headphones almost interference-free. They come with Qualcomm’s Bluetooth technology with CS8670 chips that provide hi-res audio streaming even over sturdy obstacles. This technology ensures your headphones experience minimal interference or static sound for the best hi-fi stereo surround sound. It also reduces audio lag so you can perfectly synchronize the TV’s images and audio. The over-ear design comes with a padded neckband and soft memory-foam protein leather earmuffs for a comfortable fit. These earmuffs are fully-sealed to help prevent sound leakage and also contribute to noise cancellation. Moreover, the headband and ear cups are adjustable, and you can rotate the ear cups by up to 90 degrees for a more secure fit. The headsets automatically shut down in about 5 minutes when there is no sound, which helps save battery. The best part is that they’re designed with a volume memory feature, so you don’t have to readjust the volume every time you switch them back on. While the transmitter does support optical coaxial, AUX, and RCA audio outputs, they do not connect to smart TVs automatically. To make your headphones connect to your smart TV, you will have to go to your sound settings and switch to the PCM option. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
TV Ears Dual Digital
Key features
Form Factor: In-ear Wireless Tech: IF Range: 25ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: No Battery life: 8 hours Additional Features: Voice clarifying circuitry, designed for hard-of-hearing individuals
The TV Ears Dual Digital are voice-clarifying or assistive listening headphones that are designed for the hearing impaired. Instead of the typical over-the-head design, these headphones have an under-chin style, which makes them a bit more comfortable to wear for people who use hearing aids. As for the performance, the TV Ears Dual Digital utilize Speed of Light Infrared Technology (SoLIT) for fast audio transmission. This Infrared technology is safe for pacemakers and doesn’t interfere with your telephone. To help you grasp every detail of whatever you are listening to, they are integrated with Voice-Clarifying Circuitry, which increases the volume of the dialog while decreasing the background sound effects. This makes it easier to hear whispers and understand accents better. The headsets have an IF digital transmitter that can hold and charge two headsets. It can also pair with multiple devices. Plus, these are compatible with almost all TVs, since they have options to connect via an AUX cord, digital optical, or analog port. And this model comes in two headsets per order, so you can either share them with a loved one or extend listening hours with a backup. However, while the under-chin style can come in handy for people with glasses or hearing aids, the front-positioning can feel a bit awkward. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
AudioRange OTE-1000
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: RF Range: 100 ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: None Passthrough support: No Battery life: 8 hours Additional Features: Easy volume control, made for hard-of-hearing individuals, easy setup
If you need assistive-listening headphones but earbuds aren’t your idea of comfort, then the AudioRange OTE-1000 could work for you. They are over-ear headphones designed for seniors and individuals who are hard of hearing. The easy set-up design and large tactile buttons on the headphones also help make these headphones very senior-friendly. They offer assistive hearing by making the dialogue clearer, so you don’t always have to turn up the volume too loud when watching TV. The headphones are fitted with large buttons to easily adjust power and volume controls, even without taking them off. They are further integrated with soft padding on the ear cups and the headband for a more comfortable fit. The headband is also adjustable. Despite the bulky size, they have a lightweight form factor that weighs just below 2 lbs. Additionally, they are pretty simple to set up. Even someone without technical knowledge can make them work in just a few steps. Once the RF transmitter is connected and your headphones are powered on, it only takes a few seconds for you to get sound on your headset. Plus, the transmitter is compatible with both Digital and analog TVs, audio receivers, satellite boxes, and more. However, while they do have a closed-back design, the ear padding isn’t sealing enough to prevent a bit of sound from leaking out, or to cut out background noise. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sennheiser Flex 5000
Key features
Form Factor: Earbuds Wireless Tech: RF Range: 2oo ft Frequency range: 15Hz-15KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: No Battery life: 12 hours Additional Features: Can wirelessly connect any wired headphones to a TV, multiple hearing profiles
The Sennheiser Flex 5000 RF transmitter/receiver set offers an easy solution to connecting wired earbuds to the TV. No, you don’t have to plug them directly into the TV. Instead, you only need to connect the headphones to the portable RV audio transmitter provided in the kit. This set also comes with Sennheiser’s MX475 wireless earbuds that can be used for TV because they connect directly to a portable pod. The pod then connects wirelessly to the slim, brick-shaped docking station. The wired TV earphones have built-in independent speaker channels for a rich stereo sound. Plus, since they are inserted in the ear canal, they can help to block out most of the ambient noise. Moreover, Sennheiser includes three selectable hearing profiles to help improve speech and music playback. It also consists of a speech intelligibility feature that reduces the TV’s background noise, thus making the dialogue sound clearer. The price is the most significant drawback. It’s a bit expensive for a transmitter/receiver set with only a single set of wired in-ear headphones. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also Good: Avantree Medley 6018
Another great earbud option is the Avantree Medley 6018, thanks to their enhanced listening experience. They offer a “clear dialogue” sound mode that can help improve the clarity of conversations in your favorite movies and TV shows. Plus, their volume can go higher than many other TV headphones. These two features combined guarantee a satisfactory listening experience. Moreover, the Medleys are universally compatible – thanks to their AUX, Optical, and RCA input cables. You can use these Bluetooth earbuds with any TV on the market, guaranteed. These earphones can be prone to falling out of your ears, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect fit and position to enjoy your TV without interruption. What makes them an equally attractive option (as the others on this list) is their simple two-step ‘plug-in and power on’ setup process. Have an older non-smart TV you wish to use these headphones with? They’ll pair seamlessly with that too! CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sony L600
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: RF Range: 98.43 ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: No Battery life: 17 hours Additional Features: Dolby Atmos support, theater mode
The Sony L600 headphones are our pick for Best for Movies because of their many features designed to give you the best TV and movie-watching experience. For one, you can choose between five listening modes based on what you’re watching: theater, game, sport, voice, or neutral. The headphones offer Dolby Atmos support – meaning you can enjoy surround sound while watching your favorite movie. This feature gives you a truly immersive experience by making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action while you watch your movie. On top of that, these headphones have a decent battery life, coming in at 17 hours. Going so long between charges means you’ll be able to watch your movies and TV shows worry-free. Moreover, you can easily charge them when the time comes by simply hanging them on their charging base. They’ll start charging automatically – no further steps necessary. While these headphones make for a fantastic movie-watching experience, their sound quality is a bit lacking when it comes to music because some tracks can end up sounding flat. This is why these headphones may not be the best option if you’re keen on watching movies with epic soundtracks. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also Good: Sony MDR-RF995RK
For an immersive movie experience, the Sony MDR-RF995RK headphones are also worth having in your corner. These headphones offer a dynamic sound with 1.57-inch drivers that deliver crystal clear sound and a voice mode button that enhances the vocals for clearer speech. Additionally, they offer a meaningful bass boost so that you don’t miss out on the sound effects of your favorite shows. Noise-reduction technology paired with a closed-back design lets you concentrate on the movie by blocking out most of the ambient noise. These headphones also have a 20-hour battery life – meaning you can enjoy a movie marathon without worrying about pausing to recharge the headphones. While they come with soft padding around the ears, they are a narrow fit, so they may feel tight and decrease your comfort level during long TV-watching sessions. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Avantree Quartet
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: RF Range: 328 ft Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: Yes Battery life: 20 hours Additional Features: Can pair with up to 100 headphones for group listening, assistive listening system
If you need to be able to listen in large groups, the Avantree Quartet Wireless Headphones are the best choice on this list. You can pair up to 100 total add-on headphones to one audio source, making them perfect for a backyard movie night or large gathering without waking up the entire neighborhood. Plus, each headphone set has individual volume control, so everyone can decide the perfect volume level to suit them. These headphones also have broad compatibility, thanks to their ability to connect with an OPT, RCA, or AUX jack. Their passthrough support allows both non-headphone users and headphone users to enjoy audio at the same time, too. These headphones are the noise-isolating type, so if your group gathering is outdoors, you may want to make sure you’re not somewhere too noisy when using them. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
JVC EXOFIELD XP-EXT1
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: RF Range: 100 ft Frequency range: 12Hz-24KHz Noise Cancellation: Passive Passthrough support: No Battery life: 12 hours Additional Features: Dedicated smartphone app, Dolby Atmos support, realistic sound field
The JVC EXOFIELD XP-EXT1 are our favorite home theater headphones. These headphones are in a league of their own – thanks to their realistic multi-channel sound field (7.1.4 channels). This feature makes it seem like you’re listening through speakers instead of headphones and allows you to have an immersive home theater experience like no other! The headphones also offer Dolby Atmost support that makes for a truly fascinating experience, when combined with the spatial sound features. On top of that, these headphones have a dedicated smartphone app that you can use to calibrate your headphones to your specific listening characteristics – and achieve the ultimate customized listening experience. Plus, the 12-hour battery life and large, soft ear pads guarantee comfortable listening through all of your movie marathons. While we think these headphones are fantastic for a thrilling home theater experience, they come at a steep price that may not be within everyone’s budget. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Yamaha YH-L700A
Key features
Form Factor: Over-ear Wireless Tech: Bluetooth Range: 33 ft Frequency range: 8Hz-40KHz Noise Cancellation: Active Passthrough support: No Battery life: 34 hours Additional Features: 3D sound field, ambient sound, intelligent equalization
The Yamaha YH-L700A Wireless Headphones are our best pick for Smart TVs with built-in Bluetooth. Their Bluetooth 5 with aptX Adaptive gives you a stable wireless connection with outstanding streaming quality from your TV. Furthermore, these headphones utilize a 3D sound field with head tracking that allows you to experience immersive TV and movie viewing. The listening-optimizing ability of these headphones, combined with their ability to equalize your audio intelligently, helps you enjoy your TV audio at its best. These features optimize sound in real-time and let you enjoy full-range audio even at lower volumes. Plus, their advanced noise-canceling technology ensures you can enjoy your TV shows and music – at optimum clarity – without distraction from outside noise. Plus, they’re foldable, which makes them quite portable to be used on the go! But while the smart features of these headphones offer an optimized TV watching experience, their unique shape and rough exterior may need some getting used to. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also Good: Sony WH-1000XM4
If you have a smart TV with built-in Bluetooth, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are another excellent choice for you. For these headphones, Sony collaborated with Sony Music Studios Tokyo to build the Edge AI system, designed to rebuild audio after compression for a more accurate sound. The AI also helps to analyze music in real-time to offer richer and fuller audio. It can identify elements in music, including instruments and genre, to restore the sound to a high-fidelity level. Moreover, the headphones have a built-in mic that lets you efficiently perform daily tasks using Alexa voice control. Touch sensors on the headset allow you to activate the voice assistant with just a tap of your finger. As the next step from the Sony WH-1000XM3, these headphones come with a longer battery life that can extend up to 30 hours on a single charge. However, they do come with a high price tag. The touch controls also may need a bit of getting used to as they are quite sensitive. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Notable Mentions
While the products mentioned above are our favorite wireless headphones for TV, there are still a few other options that we think are great but didn’t quite make it to the main list. Check out these notable mentions below. This is because they are integrated with surround sound and bass boost mode to enhance the sound. Plus, the headset comes with cleverly designed controls that offer easy access to the sound settings. The soft padded earmuffs coupled with the closed-back design help you block out ambient noise for maximum concentration. They also do a good job of keeping the majority of the sound in, so you don’t bother people sitting next to you. Not to mention, this model is a significant upgrade from the Sennheiser RS 165, as they sport a longer range of 328 feet. Their predecessor only has a 100-ft range. As for the technology behind it, these are RF headphones that utilize Kleer wireless technology. The advantage is that they have a high resistance to wireless interference and low sound latency. While they may offer enhanced bass, the lows can sound a bit distorted when audio is played at high volumes. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON The earbuds are designed with a flexible neckband so you can fold them and store them in your pocket. The neckband also has a soft elastic rubber lining to keep it from slipping off your neck. Not to mention, the ear tips come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The transmitter supports optical, AUC, or RCA audio output ports, so you can easily connect your headsets to almost any TV. Connecting the earbuds to the transmitter is also a breeze. They will automatically connect to the transmitter once it’s switched on. Being budget-priced doesn’t mean that you have to deal with audio lag. These headphones experience less than 40ms audio latency, which is almost undetectable. While they may be decent headphones, they aren’t without fault. The volume can come in a bit too loud when connecting them to the TV. You need to adjust the volume first before putting them on to avoid damaging your hearing. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
