The 6 Best TV Headphones - Spring 2020
Reviews

The best wireless headphones for TV that we've tested to date are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. While these headphones are designed for gaming, their retractable microphone and base station with a wide range of connectivity options make them a great choice for hooking up to your home theater system. They're quite comfortable thanks to their large, spacious, and well-padded ear cups, and they have volume control directly on the ear cups, so you can easily change the volume without reaching for the remote. Unfortunately, their headband limits their maximum size a bit, so they may be a bit tight for people with larger heads, though they should fit most people well.

Their out-of-the-box sound profile is very well-balanced and flat, and they don't sound boomy or muddy. If you want to customize their sound profile to suit your personal preferences, you can change their EQ within the companion software on Windows or macOS, or you can also adjust the bass directly on the transmitter base. Their transmitter base also works as a dock to hold your headphones and has a spot to charge one of the two included swappable batteries. The dock has a wide variety of connectivity options including optical, line-in, and USB. While the headphones are Bluetooth capable, connecting them to the TV this way isn't recommended as their high Bluetooth latency may result in sync issues.

Unfortunately, these headphones are quite expensive, but their versatile design means that you can likely use them as your day-to-day headphones, as well as for gaming, making their higher price tag worth it if you use your headphones for a wide range of activities. Overall, if you're looking for a comfortable pair of over-ear headphones with a wide range of connectivity options that fit in well with any setup, these are a great option.

If you don't need a microphone or don't like the bulky design of gaming headsets and want a more traditional pair of TV headphones for watching TV and movies, get the Sennheiser RS 185 RF, which are some of the best TV headphones we've tested. They don't have Bluetooth like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, but they're easier to set up with most home theater systems. They come with a dedicated RF transmitter stand that plugs into your TV and connects wirelessly with the headphones; it also works as a charging base for your headphones when you aren't using them.

These open-back headphones sound quite well balanced overall. Some may find them a little bright; however, this could help with dialogue and make the headphones feel more spacious. They use a pair of AAA batteries for power which can be charged when the headphones are placed on their dock; a single charge will last for up to 22 hours.

On the downside, they don't feel quite as well-made as you may expect at this price point. Also, since they're open-back, they aren't ideal if you have a noisy home environment as lots of background sound will seep in. They also leak a lot of sound, so those around you will hear what you're listening to. That said, their charging stand and on-ear audio control are both convenient, making them some of the best home theater headphones.

If you prefer the casual design and added noise isolation of ANC Bluetooth headphones but want to be able to use them wirelessly with your TV as well, then get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, the best TV headphones with Bluetooth. They don’t isolate as much noise as other ANC headphones and they don't have a dedicated wireless transmitter, but with the right accessories, they make for decent TV headphones thanks to their satisfying bass-rich sound and intuitive controls.

Since they're Bluetooth headphones, you’ll have to purchase an aptX Low Latency dongle to get the best latency performance for watching video content. It might take some time to get them set them up initially, but thankfully they support multi-device pairing so you can keep them paired to your TV even if you connect to another device. They have excellent 30-hour battery life and a comfortable and durable build that's easy to use with intuitive controls.

On the downside, they have a rather bulky design that isn’t the most aesthetically appealing. You may want to consider the Dolby Dimension Wireless if you’re looking for more stylish Bluetooth headphones that’ll look great on your TV stand, but they're rather expensive and might not provide as good value as the Plantronics for most users.

If you need headphones for your TV but don't want to spend too much, get the Logitech G433 as they're the best TV headphones in the budget category that we've tested to date. While they aren't wireless, these over-ear headphones have a detachable mic and are quite comfortable. Thanks to their wired design, they don't require a battery, so you don't need to worry about keeping them charged. They feature an in-line remote with volume control, so you can easily change the volume without needing to find your remote, and their build quality is quite decent for their price point.

Their out-of-the-box sound profile is quite well-balanced, with just a tiny extra thump of bass that isn't boomy or overpowering. Luckily, if you aren't happy with their sound, their companion software is compatible with both Windows and macOS and gives you access to a graphic EQ as well as presets. Their included cable is 6.5 feet long, so you may need an extension if you sit far away from your TV, and depending on your TV's connectivity options, you may need to purchase an aux to RCA adapter to plug them into your TV.

Unfortunately, their sound profile isn't consistent among users, so you may experience their bass or treble differently, especially if you wear glasses or have long hair. They also may not be the best choice to double as day-to-day headphones either as they isolate almost no background noise, and leak quite a bit of audio. Overall, however, if you want a pair of budget headphones for the TV and don't mind having a wire, these are a great option.