If you want to simplify your setup or if you want to watch movies and TV episodes without bothering others, headphones might be a terrific addition to your home theater. Dedicated TV headphones typically come with audio options like surround sound and bass control to help you get the most out of your program, in contrast to many headphones made for casual use. Also, they typically include wireless constructions to do away with audio wires running from your couch to your TV. Several dedicated TV headphones employ specialist docks and transmitters to ensure minimal latency and minimize bothersome lip-sync problems. Bluetooth wireless headphones, on the other hand, can have excessive audio lag that can cause your audio and visuals to become out of sync with one another.
You can see our picks for the top headphones for watching television below after we evaluated over 700 pairs of them. See our picks for the best wired headphones, best audiophile headphones, and best wireless gaming headsets.
1. Wireless Sennheiser RS 195
The Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless are the top TV headphones we’ve tested. These customized home theater headphones contain a receiver dock that fits into most TVs directly and enables low latency wireless use. To help improve audio quality, the controls on each ear cup let you quickly choose between music and voice modes and adjust the volume of each ear cup. The maker claims that they include “Personal Hearing” profiles that will improve your listening experience by adjusting the EQ to your particular tastes. Their bass-heavy sound profile adds added thud and rumble that enhances the immersion of sound effects in action moments without overpowering conversation. However, they are prone to audio delivery irregularities, and if you wear glasses or have thick hair, you can notice a decrease in bass.
These over-ear headphones fit nicely but don’t evenly distribute pressure, thus after a time, some areas of your head where they contact, such as below the earlobe and on top of the head, may get sore. On the plus side, they are solidly constructed, and when not in use, their stand serves as a charger. They run continuously for about 19 hours and are powered by rechargeable AAA batteries. But, it can be a deal-breaker if you want to use the headphones again later that day because they take more than eight hours to charge fully.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
Several of the top headphones for listening to music also rank highly for watching TV. The Sony WH-1000XM4s have excellent noise-cancelling technology, which is useful if the neighbors won’t keep the noise down, and they are wireless, so you don’t need to run a cable through your living room.
They are comfortable enough to wear while binge-watching a box set, and when you speak, they immediately engage the passthrough mode so you may converse with others without removing your headphones (even if it is just to tell them to keep it down).
However the actual selling factor is the sound quality. Since the XM3s, the low end has been slightly improved, and dynamic changes—from hushed conversation to ear-shattering explosions—are handled deftly. The timing is perfect, so the actors’ lips won’t be out of sync with the phrase. The best headphones money can buy, to put it simply.
3. Sony WF-1000XM3
The best true wireless earbuds from Sony are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and can easily handle both audio and video. Its wireless technology distributes sound to the left and right ears simultaneously, as opposed to relaying it from one earbud to the other. In other words, what you hear and what you see on the screen should be consistent.
They cram a lot of features, including cutting-edge noise-cancelling technology and simple touch controls, into a small package. These sound incredibly musical, natural, and expressive, precisely like Sony’s over-ear wireless headphones. They are difficult to beat if you prefer the comfort of earphones for situations like watching TV in bed.
4. Sony Wireless WH-CH710N
The Sony WH-CH710N Wireless are a reliable lower mid-range solution if you don’t want to give up a wireless connection. They lack a dock and only support SBC codec, which is the default Bluetooth codec, so they won’t perform better than our top Bluetooth pick, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless. The Sennheiser uses a wireless transmitter base to help reduce sync problems, however their latency is equally high and inferior to that of the Sennheiser. These over-ears have a bass-heavy sound profile right out of the box, adding extra boom, thump, and rumble to audio to help you get immersed in entertainment with lots of action scenes. Fans of dramas or comedies will like how the mix’s instrumentation and dialogue are audibly present and crisp throughout.
They are more durable than our more expensive options, can be used for extended movie marathons, last over 29 hours continuously, and charge completely in just over five hours. Their 1/8″ TRS cable allows you to use them wired in an emergency, but it might not be long enough to reach your couch while watching TV. Consider the Avantree HT5009 Wireless if you’re seeking for mid-range TV headphones with a wireless dock. They are less uncomfortable and less adaptable for other activities, such as commuting or utilizing at the office, despite having reduced latency and longer continuous battery life.
5. G433 by Logitech
The Logitech G433 are a set to take into consideration if you’re looking for the best wireless TV headphones at the lowest price. These gaming headphones may be used casually on the couch and contain a detachable microphone. The fact that they are not wireless might be a drawback for some, but the analog connection ensures that your sound and visuals will always be in sync. Although they won’t give action scenes the same thump and punch as the Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless, their sound profile is well-balanced. Elements like conversation and instruments sound present and clear, and the high-bass has been boosted to provide warmth.
They feature a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets for sound tuning if you prefer a different sound. It’s crucial to take the time to correct the fit, location, and seal of the headphones every time you wear them because they are regrettably highly prone to irregularities in the delivery of bass and treble. Moreover, the only control they offer is a volume wheel that by default scrolls indefinitely. The earcup padding appears to be prone to deterioration, although a spare pair is provided for replacement.
