Difficulty hearing the TV? You could add a soundbar, which would not only make the audio louder and clearer, but also make voices louder. Of course, explosive episodes of Only murders in the building It is the very definition of a disturbance of the peace. Before your spouse or roommate kicks you out, consider using a set of wireless TV headphones. You’ll hear everything much better and reduce the number of murderous glances directed your way. All that’s left is to figure out which is the best wireless TV headset for your specific needs. And while we ask questions, how much should you expect to pay?
I can’t say that there is one pair of TV headphones that is vastly superior to another; they all have their merits. Ultimately, it depends on your budget and level of technical knowledge. It’s hard to beat the convenience and simplicity of a good set with a rechargeable battery and portable charging dock, but you can probably save money by choosing simple headphones or earbuds.
Below, I’ve rounded up what I consider to be the best options across several categories. Some of them I tested firsthand; others have earned a spot here based on reputation and user reviews. There’s a good chance you’ll be happy with either one.
(Looking for the best way to listen to music on your phone? You might like our list of the best wireless earbuds or the best AirPods Pro alternatives priced under $100.)
Avantree
Avantree makes several wireless TV headphones; Ensemble stands out for offering great value for money. Its charging base is also a Bluetooth 5.0 transmitter, which can be paired with a second set of headphones if anyone wants to join in on the private listening action. The earbuds themselves promise up to 35 hours of playback on a charge and can also be paired with a phone or tablet. There’s also a wired option if you want to connect an old stereo (or iPod). I haven’t tested them, but the 4.4-star average from over 11,000 buyers indicates a solid pair of headphones.
TV Ouvidos Inc.
Don’t like the idea of a bulky headband or the over- and over-ear cushions? TV Ears resemble the top half of a medical stethoscope, sliding into the ears and hanging under the chin. The product has improved considerably over the years, with digital transmission replacing analogue, replaceable battery and five-year warranty. Simply connect the base station to your TV’s optical or coaxial audio port.
Sennheiser consumer audio
With age comes hearing loss; sometimes light, sometimes more than light. Sennheiser’s headphones address this head-on, with a speech mode specifically designed to help you hear voices and seven separate listening “profiles” (selected via a simple analog dial on the base station) to find the best quality of audio for your hearing ability. These large, comfortable headphones promise up to 18 hours on a charge, with a range of up to 100 meters (although line of sight is required). Note, however, that since these are not Bluetooth headphones, they won’t work with anything other than your TV.
ZVOX
At first glance, these may look like typical Bluetooth headphones. And they are, with one exception: the same AccuVoice technology built into the Zvox soundbars is here too. Couple that with active noise cancellation (ANC), which helps block out ambient noise, and you’ve got a great, affordable option that’s good for TV and more. Another nice plus: you can buy them in black, blue, pink or white!
Litter
Do you think you prefer headphones over earbuds? There’s no better option than Apple’s flagship AirPods, which offer unmatched noise-canceling capabilities and up to six hours of battery life. And if you use an Apple TV device for streaming, you can also take advantage of AirPods’ very cool spatial audio features, which create a virtual yet extremely realistic 360-degree surround sound effect in your living room.
EarFun
Similar to the AirPods Pro in many ways, but much more affordable, these headphones offer an impressive list of features and very good sound quality. Since they promise low-latency connectivity, you shouldn’t encounter any audio sync issues when watching TV. Thanks to multipoint connectivity, you can pair them with more than one device (your phone and your TV, for example). And EarFun’s companion app lets you adjust the equalizer settings to better tailor the audio experience to your preference (handy if you have trouble hearing certain tracks). AirPods are great, no doubt, but I suspect many TV show viewers would be just as happy with the EarFun Air S.
Common questions
How do wireless TV headphones work?
First, there are “traditional” TV headphones designed expressly for this purpose. This includes a base station that connects to your TV and streams audio to your headphones using some type of wireless technology – usually RF, infrared, or Bluetooth. This base station usually functions as a charging base for headphones.
Next comes Bluetooth, the short-range wireless technology that’s now built into most TVs and streaming devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, etc.). This eliminates the need for a base station and, in fact, opens the door to virtually any Bluetooth or wireless headset – perhaps even ones you already own.
For example, I paired Anker’s Soundcore Space Q45 Bluetooth headphones with a Hisense U7H TV and voila: wireless private listening. No extra equipment required, no switching modes or inputs. When I turned on the headphones, that’s when the sound played. When I turned them off it went back to the TV speakers. (Your mileage may vary depending on the age and capabilities of your TV and headphones.)
Similarly, if you have a Roku TV or streaming device, you can use the Roku app to turn on a feature called Private Listening, which directs audio from the TV to any headphones or earbuds that are connected or paired with your telephone.
What is the difference between wireless and Bluetooth headphones for TV?
There are two types of “wireless” headphones you can use with a TV. The first uses radio frequency (RF) receivers, which connect to your TV’s analog output and convert the sound into a wireless signal that your headphones can pick up. This type of connection is always lag-free, but as the headphone battery starts to get low, you may notice some static.
The other option is Bluetooth, which uses a short-range wireless connection between the headphones and the TV to stream audio. Your TV will need to have Bluetooth built in, or you can add an adapter and connect your headphones to the adapter.
Can you use any wireless headphones for TV?
Yes, you can use a pair of wireless headphones you already have at home with your TV, as long as it has built-in Bluetooth. If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, you’ll need an adapter to pair the headphones. your television.
How do I know if my TV has Bluetooth?
If you know the model number of the TV you purchased, you can easily search the resources online to find out whether it has Bluetooth or not. In most cases, though, you probably don’t know this, so the easiest way to check your Bluetooth will be in the settings. You’ll want to use your TV remote to navigate to the Settings menu, find the Sound section, and look under Sound Output.
This can vary slightly by TV, so you may have to do a little digging in the Settings menu to get the information.
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