Best wireless TV headphones for 2023
by Crutchfield’s
Colin M.
Jul 06, 2023
In this article: Our top wireless TV headphone picks for sound that’s clear and steady…
- Best over-ear TV headphones — Sennheiser RS 195
- Best in-ear TV headphones — Sennheiser RS 5200
- Best true wireless TV headphones — Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2
- Best value for TV headphones — Sennheiser RS 175
…Plus some introductory information about TV headphones and how they compare with other kinds of wireless headphones.
A dedicated pair of high-quality wireless TV headphones offers a clean solo TV listening experience with a flexible, wire-free set up. These systems are helpful for folks with hearing loss and are especially good at clarifying dialogue. The audio mix in many shows and movies makes quiet conversations and calm moments notoriously difficult to understand. A good set of TV headphones solves that problem handily with additional clarity and volume.
TV headphones are also an excellent option for anyone after the rest of their household has gone to bed. If you want to enjoy your TV late at night without disturbing your family or roommates, these sets are an easy, effective go-to. You won’t send rumbles through the house with every onscreen explosion or worry folks that there’s a gangster making deals in the living room while they sleep. (Or maybe that’s just me on the crime drama kick.)
Just how “wireless” are these headphones?
Most dedicated TV headphones come with a wireless transmitter. This transmitter connects directly to your TV, usually with either an optical digital cable or a 3.5mm miniplug. The transmitter then sends a strong, low-latency signal to the headphones for rich audio detail that stays in sync with the action on your screen.
The transmitter and headphones are generally paired right out of the box, so there’s no need to re-pair them every time you watch TV. This makes getting started easier. And the range provided by these systems can extend up to a couple hundred feet or more, giving you plenty of room to move around during commercials or if you need to step away for a moment.
All of the Sennheiser RS Series wireless TV headphones on our list below include a wireless transmitter that shares these features. There’s a reason this line of headphones has been one of our best sellers for years.
Can’t I just use Bluetooth?
In short, it depends. Lots of TVs can send a Bluetooth signal to either a sound bar or a pair of headphones. Bluetooth is a great wireless technology for a lot of applications, but the latency, range, and bandwidth of Bluetooth can vary a lot depending on what device(s) you’re specifically using. And the wireless transmission provided by dedicated TV headphones tends to outperform Bluetooth in these areas.
It’s the low-latency transmission you get with TV headphones that’s the biggest plus for most people. Nothing throws off your viewing experience like sound that’s out of sync. Especially with dialogue, it can feel like a distractingly bad dub.
That being said, Bluetooth headphones that support aptX Adaptive or other high-quality codecs can be a great fit. Like many other kinds of technology, Bluetooth advances over time, so there are more and better options now than there were even a few years ago. In fact, our true wireless pick below happens to use a high-bandwidth version of Bluetooth.
Sony’s WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter is a great example of a middle ground between TV headphones and standard Bluetooth headphones. This transmitter connects to Sony BRAVIA XR TVs via an optical cable or USB. It can then send a Bluetooth signal to a wide range of Sony’s great-sounding wireless headphones like the popular WH-1000XM5. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 and supports the SBC Low Latency codec, allowing to pass even high-bandwidth formats like Dolby Atmos.
Best wireless TV headphones, by type
The list below breaks down our favorite picks by style and fit of headphone: over-ear, in-ear, and true wireless. Plus, we’ve included an extra pick for budget-conscious folks looking for maximum bang for their buck. These picks should help you find something that’s comfortable and works for you.
Best over-ear TV headphones — Sennhesier RS 195
The Sennhesier RS 195 delivers crystal-clear sound for extended listening with thick, soft padding on its headband and earcups. The extensive 18-hour battery life ensures you’re not running out of juice in the middle of the action. The transmitter also acts as a dock that charges the headphones while you’re not using them.
These high-quality ‘phones have an over-ear design that helps keep out external distractions, so you can focus on what you’re watching. And easy-to-use controls are built into the right earcup, including volume and a variety of listening modes that help you personalize the sound for your needs.
Details
- over-the-ear, closed-back design helps keep out external noise
- connect to TV with either the included optical digital or stereo 3.
5mm miniplug cable
- multi-receiver mode enables two people to listen to the same source (requires additional compatible headset)
- wireless range: up to 328 feet (line of sight)
- battery life: up to 18 hours with a full charge using the included batteries
The clarity and range are phenomenal. And the headphones are one of the most comfortable I have ever used with very intuitive and simple volume controls.
Martin – Crutchfield Customer from Sarasota, FL
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews
Best in-ear TV headphones — Sennhesier RS 5200
The lightweight Sennheiser RS 5200 are easy to comfortably fit in your ear, with four different eartip styles to choose from. There are two pairs of standard silicone tips, one pair of foam tips that are acoustically transparent so you can maintain awareness of your environment, and a pair of closed memory foam tips with a noise-isolating seal for when you want to shut out the world.
These in-ear headphones feature 12-hour battery life and a convenient transmitter that acts as a docking and charging station. They even turn off automatically while not in use to save battery power.
With several listening modes and presets accessible on the lanyard’s controls, including a speech boosting button, you can easily customize your sound to fit your needs, too.
Details
- lightweight “stethoscope-style” lanyard receiver with attached in-ear headphones
- connect to TV with either the included optical digital or stereo 3.5mm miniplug cable
- four pairs of eartips for proper fit and comfort
- RF wireless transmitter range: up to 200 feet
- built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of operation
I have owned this headset for several years. It is so easy to use and enjoyable I ordered a set for my son. I am sure he will enjoy them as I have.
Donald – Crutchfield Customer from Waipahu, HI
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Best true wireless TV headphones — Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2
The Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2 combines the flexibility and convenience of a “true wireless” design with reliablity of a dedicated pair of TV headphones. A transmitter connects directly to your TV and is paired with the earbuds right out of the box. You can also use Bluetooth to pair with other devices, like your phone, letting you jam to your favorite tunes or take hands-free calls.
You can adjust the volume, pick up (or hang up) calls, control music playback, and more with tactile controls built into the earbuds. You can also access the controls and tinker with your settings via the free Sennheiser TV Clear app for Apple® and Android®.
The earbuds hold up to 15 hours of battery life and can be charged by being placed inside the included carrying case, which banks up to 22 additional hours of power. You can also wirelessly recharge via compatible Qi chargers (sold separately)
Details
- 100% wire-free earbuds with no connecting cord between left and right earbuds
- wireless connection to transmitter or any Bluetooth-enabled device
- transmitter connects to TV with either the included optical digital or stereo 3.
5mm miniplug cable
- “Ambient Awareness” mode lets you hear external sounds and voices
- Bluetooth wireless transmitter range: up to 60 feet
- built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 15 hours of operation
- carrying case banks up to 22 hours of power to wirelessly recharge headphones
There’s no headband or connecting cord in the way. That’s a game changer if you like to lunch while you watch TV!
Jeff – Crutchfield headphone expert
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews
Best value for TV headphones — Sennheiser RS 175
The Sennheiser RS 175 have been one of our best-selling pairs of TV headphones for years, hitting just the right cross-section between price and performance. These comfy over-ear headphones feature selectable sound modes including virtual surround sound and a dynamic bass boost that can be accessed with the built-in earcup controls.
The rechargeable battery lasts 18 hours and can be charged by docking the headphones on the transmitter. If you have an extra headset on hand (sold separately), you can watch TV with a partner while you both listen at volume levels that suit your separate needs. No more fighting over the remote!
Details
- over-the-ear, closed-back design helps keep out external noise
- connect to TV with either the included optical digital or stereo 3.5mm miniplug cable
- multi-receiver mode enables two people to listen to the same source (requires additional compatible headset)
- wireless range: up to 328 feet (line of sight)
- battery life: up to 18 hours with a full charge using the included batteries
I bought this for my mother in law. She can control her volume independently of the actual TV speakers, and the rest of us can hear at our own level and we can all enjoy watching movies together. Very simple for me to set up and for her to use. Perfect!
Steve – Crutchfield Customer from Hartford City, IN
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Popular questions customers ask
Wireless TV headphones can aid in your perception of voices. Some models have advanced surround sound processing, which can help isolate voices and make them clearer in the mix. Others have modes can compensate for hearing loss and boost common speech frequencies to make dialogue more intelligible.
Most models have some form of volume adjustment available right on the earcups. Some also include controls for different listening modes, bass boost, and left/right channel balance.
Most wireless TV headphones have either an analog 3.5mm connection or an optical digital connection (or both). The good news is that most TV headsets come with the cables you’ll need to make those connections.
Wireless TV headphones can last anywhere from 12 to 20 hours on a single charge (depending on the model) before they need to go back on their charging cradle.
Wireless TV headphone systems come in two parts: a transmitter and the headphones. The transmitter gets hooked up to your TV. Once it’s connected, go into your TV’s settings and pick the right audio output (optical or 3.5mm, often listed as “headphones” or “headphone output”). The transmitter then takes the signal from your TV and sends it to the headphones.
Retekess TA006 wireless Over-Ear Headphones for TV Watching with Charging Dock
- Overview
- SPEC
- FAQ
- INQUIRY
- Product Reviews
Quiet listening
With this TV headset, you’ll be able to listen to your favorite TV shows and movies at your own volume, without disturbing those around you.
Easy setup
Just power up the transmitter base and then connect the transmitter to your TV. The transmitter can be connected to your TV in 4 different ways (supports coaxial, optical, 3.5 audio, and RCA connections), making it compatible with almost all TVs on the market.
When the transmitter is on, remove the headset from the transmitter base, and the wireless headset will start and connect to the transmitter automatically within 5 seconds.
Long playback time
Up to 8 hours of battery life allows you to watch and listen for long periods of time without frequent recharging. When the battery does need to be recharged, you simply place the headphones on the transmitter, which doubles as a charging dock, it is convenient.
Listen from a distance
This wireless TV headset has a stable and reliable connection of up to 100 feet/30 meters (unless there are tall obstacles in the way or wireless interference). You can roam the room at will without audio interruption.
Use as a wired headset
Connect the included 3. 5mm audio cable to the AUX jack on the headset, and plug the other end into your smartphone, tablet, laptop, MP3 player, and other mobile devices, suitable for outdoor use.
Comfortable headset
The headset has soft, roomy ear pads and an adjustable headband length for hours of comfortable wear.
Specifications of Transmitter | Specifications of Headphone | ||
Voltage | DC5V | Voltage | 3.7V(450mAhbuilt-in rechargeable battery) |
WorkCurrent | 80mA | WorkCurrent | 55mA |
Modulate | 50Khz | Worktime | around 8hours |
Mode | Stereo | Charge time | 4hours |
WorkRange | 100ft(30meters) | S/Nratio | ≥60dB |
Distortion | ≤1% | ||
Frequency response | 60-15,000Hz |
Question: Can 1 transmitter connect two or more earphones?
Answer: Yes, the product includes a transmitter and a headset, but you can pair additional Bluetooth headsets with the transmitter, and the audio is transmitted to all headsets connected to the transmitter.
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How to connect wireless Bluetooth headphones to TV
For a long time I did not want to sit down to write this article, and not even because I was lazy, but simply the topic of connecting Bluetooth headphones to Smart TVs is very “dark”. It all started with the fact that I bought myself Bluetooth headphones and connected them to my Philips TV, which runs on Android TV. Everything connected very easily and without problems. I thought why not write detailed instructions on how to connect wireless headphones to TVs. Moreover, many modern TVs have Bluetooth support.
But somehow I didn’t really want to write only about Philips TVs, I decided to make a general instruction and show how you can also connect Bluetooth headphones with LG, Samsung and Sony TVs. There, since I don’t have these TVs, and I can’t check everything from personal experience, I started looking for information on the Internet. And then it began. If Philips and Sony TVs that run on Android TV connect to wireless headphones without problems, then LG with webOS and Samsung Smart TVs have a complete mess there.
It is clear that the TV must have a built-in Bluetooth adapter. But you probably know that almost all TVs work only with original devices (cameras, adapters, remotes, etc.). With headphones, it’s about the same story. You can easily connect an original Bluetooth stereo headset to LG and Samsung TVs. But ordinary headphones are unlikely to connect. But it depends on the TV model, series, firmware version, year of production, and what the hell. The porridge is such that after studying this topic for several hours, my brain boiled.
It seems that in the new models of Samsung TVs it is already possible to connect any Bluetooth headphones. There is also a service menu where you can try to enable support for this function. But again, it all depends on the series and model. LG has a similar story. And according to LG support, you can only connect original headphones. But again, not on all models.
To avoid confusion, I will divide this article into three sections. I’ll tell you about each manufacturer separately. I’ll show you how you can try to connect Bluetooth headphones in the TV settings.
In order not to waste time, I advise you to immediately make sure that your TV has built-in Bluetooth (if you have a Smart TV, then most likely it is). In some models, it must be connected with a separate branded adapter. You can see the characteristics of your model on the official website.
If your TV does not have Bluetooth, or it flatly refuses to see headphones, then you can use a special Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the 3.5 mm output of the TV (it is also possible to connect via RCA (tulip), or optical audio output), and to it already headphones are connected. I will tell you more about such adapters at the end of the article (or read the article about Bluetooth transmitters at the link above).
Bluetooth headphones + Philips and Sony TVs on Android TV
Since I have a Philips TV (Philips 43PUS7150/12 model on Android TV), and I successfully paired it with my JBL E45BT headphones, I will first of all talk about this platform.
Important! I have no way to test the connection on my Sony TV. But, since Sony also uses Android TV as a Smart TV platform, I think that everything will work. I hope they did not make restrictions on connecting Bluetooth devices.
Go to the Android TV menu and select “Wired and wireless networks” at the very bottom.
Next turn on Bluetooth and select “Search for Bluetooth device”.
The TV will prompt you to turn on the device and place it up to 5 meters away. Turn on your headphones and press the “Search” button. Headphones must be in pairing mode. The blue Bluetooth indicator should flash. If it does not blink, then most likely you need to press and hold the power button, or a separate button with the corresponding icon.
The TV should see our headphones. Select them and click Connect.
Next, select the device type. Select “Headphones”. And I got a message that “Connected to JBL E45BT”.
The sound from the TV began to sound through the headphones. You can control them in the TV settings. Item “Remove device”. There you can disable or remove the wireless headset.
After turning on the power of the headphones, the sound from the TV speakers immediately goes to them. When I turn off the headphones, the built-in speakers sound.
With these TVs sorted out. If you have something to add, or have questions – write in the comments.
Connecting Bluetooth headphones to a Samsung TV
Let’s move on to Samsung TVs, which have a complete mess in this topic. As I wrote at the beginning of the article, it seems that new models of certain series support the connection of Bluetooth headphones from any manufacturer. At least I saw a video where Beats headphones were connected to the J series TV without any problems.
I don’t know what Samsung TV you have, what firmware it has, Smart TV version, etc., but I advise you to try it. And suddenly everything will turn out and will work.
Connect: Open the TV settings. Go to “Sound” – “Speaker settings”. Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and place them near the TV. They must be in connected mode. The blue indicator should flash. Select “List of Bluetooth Headphones”.
If you do not have the “List of Bluetooth headphones” item, or it is inactive, then you can try to activate it in the service menu of the TV. More on this in the article below.
Menu appearance may vary slightly.
Next, the TV should find our wireless headphones.
Select them and the devices will be paired. The sound from the Samsung TV will be transmitted via Bluetooth to the headphones. If you turn them off, the sound will come out through the speakers of the TV.
For K series
In the settings you need to open the “Sound” section, then “Select speaker” and “Bluetooth audio”.
Activation of the “List of Bluetooth headphones” section in the service menu
I will not describe the whole process, but simply add a video in which the author tells and shows everything in detail. There you can see the entire connection process.
If you managed to enable support for Bluetooth headphones on your Samsung TV using the service menu, then write about it in the comments to this article, and do not forget to say thanks to the author of this video.
Let me remind you that a lot depends on the series and model of your TV. If it does not work, then you can describe your case in the comments, or use the solution that I will discuss at the end of this article.
How to connect Bluetooth headphones to LG TV
Too bad I don’t have an LG webOS TV to check it out myself. There is not much information on the Internet on this topic. But as far as I understand, LG is still more difficult with connecting Bluetooth devices. Only original devices can be connected. That is, original LG headphones, soundbar, etc. You can do this in the settings, in the “Sound” section – “LG sound synchronization (wireless)”.
And even if your TV model has built-in Bluetooth, it is used primarily to connect the LG Magic Remote and other branded devices.
You can also try to connect your headset as follows:
This is an instruction from the official site. But as far as I understand, only branded headsets are connected this way.
Connecting Bluetooth devices via the LG TV Plus app
There is an app for Android and iOS called LG TV Plus. It is designed to control LG TVs that run on webOS.
It seems that this application has something to do with it, right? But I found a video that shows how almost any Bluetooth device can be connected to an LG TV via LG TV Plus. Including headphones and speaker. But I can’t say for sure, starting from which version of webOS there is such an opportunity. It appears that since webOS 3.0.
How it works: install LG TV Plus on your smartphone or tablet. We go into the application and connect to our TV. In the application settings there is a section “Bluetooth Agent”. Through this agent, you can connect wireless headphones to your LG TV.
Here is a video (on the “Bluetooth Agent” function from 3:48):
Thanks to the author of the video!
If the TV does not have Bluetooth or headphones are not connected: Solution
There are devices such as Bluetooth transmitters. They can be used not only with TVs, but also with other devices. Their task is to take sound from a TV via cable (from a 3.5 mm, RCA, or optical output) and transmit via Bluetooth to any wireless headphones.
They look something like this:
This is a universal solution for almost any TV, even an old one. It is enough to connect the cable from the transmitter to the TV output under the headphones, and connect your headset to the transmitter. These adapters are usually powered by a built-in battery. USB cable for power/charging is included. If your TV has a USB port, you can connect the adapter to it.
There are many such transmitters on the market. There are many Chinese, cheap devices. Read more about them in this article: Bluetooth transmitter for TV (headphones). What is it, how does it work and how to choose?
Terminals
As it turned out, only TVs running on the Android TV system allow you to easily connect Bluetooth headsets and output sound to them. For such popular manufacturers as LG and Samsung, everything is very ambiguous in this regard. There are certain series and models that have the function of connecting Bluetooth headphones. And LG still fails to give users the ability to choose which Bluetooth devices they want to connect to their TVs. And don’t limit them to only branded accessories.
In any case, you can always buy an inexpensive transmitter and output sound wirelessly with it. Yes, these are additional costs and inconvenience in the form of another device, but if there is no other way, then the solution is not bad.
Write in the comments. Share useful information and ask questions. I will gladly answer everyone!
Wireless headphones for TV – how to choose, connect and use?
A device with which you can watch your favorite movie, even if it’s late or the child is doing homework – these are wireless headphones for TV. There are many varieties of such devices, so before making your choice, you need to consider them all.
Can I connect wireless headphones to my TV?
Such a gadget as wireless headphones for TV appeared recently, until that time people used ordinary wired headphones, which limited movement and did not allow moving away from the screen. With wireless headphones, the user has the option to move away from the screen if the signal distance is respected. You can connect wireless headphones to your TV in different ways, depending on what technology the manufacturer used.
How do wireless TV headphones work?
The ways in which wireless headphones for TV receive sound signals are different:
- radio channel in the VHF band – provides a stable, reliable connection;
- infrared connection – made with high ripple signal within line of sight;
- Wi-Fi – works in the router zone, has good coverage and a stable signal;
- Bluetooth – provides connection to the TV and other equipment, works at a distance of up to 10 m.
Wireless headphones for TV for the hearing impaired
Such a modern device as wireless headphones for TV for the hearing impaired – the ability to watch TV programs and movies without problems for people with hearing problems. Ordinary television sound can be reflected, distorted or attenuated, and for a hearing impaired person this becomes a serious hindrance. Turning the sound on to the maximum in urban conditions is also often not an option. Wireless headphones help solve these problems, and a hearing-impaired person can listen to TV from almost anywhere in the apartment.
What are wireless TV headphones?
Before answering the question of which wireless headphones are best for TV, you should find out what they are:
- compact in-ear – very small, but not always comfortable for many hours of use;
- on-ear – earmuffs with headband, lightweight and comfortable;
- full size – covers the entire ear, but may be too heavy.
Bluetooth TV headphones
The most common and cheapest option is wireless headphones for TV with a Bluetooth adapter. This option is popular with many users. Not all TVs support Bluetooth, so you need a special adapter to connect headphones. The convenience of such wireless headphones is that they can be connected to any device that supports Bluetooth – a tablet, smartphone, computer.
Radio headphones for TV
Using a TV with wireless headphones operating in the radio band is very convenient – the gadget provides excellent sound quality and a significant reception range, which is not available to other varieties. Most modern televisions are already equipped with the blocks necessary to transmit the radio signal to the headphones. Experts call the only drawback of radio headphones a weak resistance to interference that may appear due to the operation of devices or equipment that uses a radio signal.
Infrared TV headphones
Not only remote controls can be operated via infrared. To successfully use infrared wireless headphones, you need to connect the IR block, which is included with the device, to the TV. Using them to watch TV, you can not go far – any obstacle immediately degrades the signal.
Wi-Fi headphones for TV
Modern wireless headphones for smart TV work using Wi-Fi connection. If the TV is not equipped with a special unit for receiving and transmitting Wi-Fi signals, it must be purchased separately. Wi-Fi headphones provide good signal range, wide range, excellent sound quality, convenience and ease of use. The only drawback is the small selection of Wi-Fi headphones for the TV.
How to choose wireless headphones for TV?
In addition to the way information is transmitted, wireless headphones have other criteria that you should pay attention to when buying. How to choose wireless headphones for a TV – technical parameters:
- frequency and frequency range – these criteria are important if the user is going to listen to music and the sound quality is important to him;
- impedance – this parameter shows the signal impedance at the input, which directly affects the headphone volume;
- sensitivity – the sound depth depends on this parameter, the higher the sensitivity, the better;
- THD – demonstrates possible sound distortion, the lower the THD, the better.
Wireless TV headphones performance:
- Comfort – The headphones should be tried on to evaluate how comfortable they are to move, sit, lie down.
- Power supply – headphones can be powered by batteries or rechargeable batteries, the second type of accessory is more expensive, but more economical.
- Weight – too heavy device will be uncomfortable in long-term use, headphones are lighter with batteries than with batteries.
- Range – a criterion that determines how far you can move with headphones from the TV.
- Noise Cancellation – This feature enhances sound quality by blocking out background noise.
- The volume control is a handy option that allows you to decrease or increase the volume without the TV remote control.
- Ability to control headphones from a mobile device, listen to the radio, switch to a wired connection.
These comfort-enhancing features are found on higher-priced wireless headphones.
Disadvantages of wireless headphones:
- Obstacles and other equipment can interfere with high-quality signal reception;
- batteries can run out at the wrong time;
- due to batteries and accumulators, the headphones may be too heavy and large;
- the price of such headphones is higher than wired ones.
TOP wireless headphones for TV
Many people are afraid to buy wireless headphones for fear that they need to be recharged very often or they will break quickly. The TOP of the best wireless headphones for TV includes only cool models that have proven their durability and comfort:
- Sony MDR-RF865RK – wireless headphones for TV with 3-channel transmitter, use radio signal for reception, battery life – more than 24 hours, very long range – 100 m.
- Sennheiser RS 175 – excellent wireless headphones for TV use a radio signal, are distinguished by power and high sensitivity, this model is also appreciated for its durability.
- LG TONE – wireless headphones for LG TV, signal transmission via Bluetooth, reception range – 10-15 m, easy to operate, provide good volume, look interesting.
- Philips SHC8535 – model with neodymium magnets, known for their power of attraction, they use a radio signal for reception, good noise protection.
- Plantronics BackBeat PRO – versatile Bluetooth headphones that can also be used with a smartphone, durable, excellent noise reduction, wide range, microphone included.
How do I connect my wireless headphones to my TV?
When the device has already been purchased, it is necessary to connect the wireless headphones to the TV:
- Bluetooth headphones : activate the headset and enter the TV settings, find the “Bluetooth” section and start searching for available devices for subsequent pairing.
- IR headphones : install the IR transmitter on the TV and on the headphone housing, select the IR audio output and turn on the speakers.