If you’re a bit of an audiophile, you might enjoy using your Bluetooth TV headphones with a wired connection more. Wired connections provide a more stable connection and can handle more data, making audio quality smoother. (BestReviews)
Wearing headphones while watching TV is great when you don't want to disturb others nearby. It can also provide a more immersive viewing and listening experience.
There are many excellent Bluetooth headphones you can use while watching TV. While some are explicitly designed for TV watching, others are more versatile and can also be used for listening to music. There are several things to look for when shopping for Bluetooth headphones.
Bluetooth TV headphones work similarly to portable Bluetooth headphones. However, most smartphones, tablets and laptops have built-in Bluetooth capability, which isn’t available on many TVs. Bluetooth headphones come with a transmitter that syncs them with a TV. They usually use a Radio Corporation of America connector, optical cable or auxiliary input.
Most Bluetooth TV headphones have a bulky over-ear design. These typically offer a broader soundstage and more powerful bass. However, if you don't like the idea of wearing large headphones while watching TV, you can opt for earbud-style headphones. Earbuds are more compact, lightweight and great for traveling. However, the battery usually doesn't last as long as those on over-ear headphones.
Bluetooth headphones are less bulky, but they can have problems with connection stability. The best headphones offer low latency for smooth listening and work well within a range of several hundred feet. However, if you’d prefer a more stable connection, many Bluetooth TV headphones have wired connectivity options. This allows you to switch between wireless and wired connections whenever you want.
Spending a lot of time setting up your Bluetooth headphones can be frustrating, so look for headphones with a simple setup. Most of the time, Bluetooth headphones come pre-paired with a transmitter. Other headphones may require an additional installation or connection setup.
If you plan on wearing your headphones for extended periods of TV watching, you should make sure they're comfortable. Try to find headphones with added headbands and ear cups. These make it easier to trap in sound for a more immersive listening experience. Your Bluetooth headphones should also have an ergonomic design that conforms to the shape of your ears and head.
Battery life varies between different Bluetooth headphones, but you should look for a pair that offers at least 6-10 hours on a full charge. Some headphones can last up to 40 hours but take longer to charge fully. If you plan on using your Bluetooth headphones frequently, it’s best to leave them charging when you’re finished. That way, you’re ready to go for next time.
If you like to exercise while watching TV, ensure that they’re sweat-resistant. Moisture can damage headphones without an Ingress Protection rating. An IP rating indicates how resistant they are to dust and water. For example, headphones with an IPX4 rating are splash-resistant but haven’t been sufficiently tested for dust protection.
Many Bluetooth TV headphones are designed strictly for TV watching, but some have connectivity options that let you connect them to any Bluetooth-enabled device. If you stream a lot of content on portable devices such as a laptop, tablet or phone, versatile headphones make it easy to switch between them and your TV.
Avantree HT41899 Dual Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Headphones: available at Amazon
This two-pack of Bluetooth headphones delivers excellent audio quality and supports RCA, auxiliary, and optical cable connections. This makes them compatible with any TV. The Bluetooth setup is straightforward and the personalized volume feature lets users adjust volume levels independently.
Makemate BKM300 Wireless TV Headphones: available at Amazon
These headphones are affordable and deliver clear, no-static sound quality. They have several connectivity options, an impressive 165-foot wireless range and a lightweight build with plush leather ear cups. They also last 15 hours and have volume memory.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: available at Amazon
You won’t be disappointed with these durable Bose headphones if you don’t mind spending around $380. They offer fantastic sound quality and have controls for managing music playback and phone calls. Plus, they use SimpleSync technology to pair with Bose sound bars.
Avantree Opera Wireless Headphones: available at Amazon
These headphones have a sleek design and offer superior comfort thanks to swiveling ear cups and ultra-soft ear pads. They have a 164-foot extended range and a one-click mute button. The opera transmitter charging stand supports microphone input. This makes it easy to set up for TVs without a working audio jack.
Avantree HT4186 Wireless Headphones Earbuds: available at Amazon
These lightweight earbuds are perfect if you don’t want to wear bulky headphones while watching TV. They’re universally compatible and support FastStream Bluetooth for low latency and no lip-sync delay. Also, they can work without the included wireless transmitter for a stable wired connection.
Golvery Wireless TV Headphones: available at Amazon
These headphones are pre-paired with the wireless transmitter for an easy TV setup. They work well with cellphones for music listening and phone calls, support FastStream codec and come with a 24-month warranty.
Avantree Ensemble Wireless Headphones: available at Amazon
These wide-compatibility headphones offer a hassle-free setup and work well with non-smart TVs. They're equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, last up to 35 hours and take just 2 hours to charge fully. Plus, they stay connected for up to 100 feet.
Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones: available at Amazon
These headphones have custom 40-millimeter drivers for high-resolution audio and booming bass. The noise-canceling feature reduces low and mid-range ambient sound frequencies by up to 90%. The foam ear cups mold around the ears for superior comfort.
Tuinyo Bluetooth Headphones Wireless: available at Amazon
Don’t be turned off by the low price. These headphones offer solid audio quality and are versatile enough to use with smartphones, tablets and computers. They can connect to devices enabled with a voice assistant such as Siri and last 40 hours on a full charge.
Nasuque Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
These earbuds have a sleek design with ergonomic hooks for a secure fit and come with a plug-and-play wireless transmitter. They offer rich bass, high-fidelity stereo audio and zero latency for a smooth listening experience.
TechGarden Wireless Over-Ear TV Headset: available at Amazon
These headphones are built for durability and comfort. They have a soft, adjustable headband, a lightweight feel and fully sealed ear pads for immersive listening. Plus, multiple headsets can be connected using the same wireless transmitter.
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Kevin Luna is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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