If you want to immerse yourself in your favorite movie or TV show, your home theater headphones should be comfortable to wear for hours and have the lowest possible latency. They should also have enough range so that you can comfortably sit on your couch while still enjoying a lag-less viewing experience. Sound quality, isolation, and leakage are also important based on the content you’re going to be watching and your home environment.

So far, we've reviewed 284 headsets and below are our recommendations for the best TV headphones of 2018. See also our recommendations for the best wireless TV headphones.

1. Best TV Headphones: Astro A50

   

   Astro A50

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   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.5

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best TV headphones are the Astro A50. The features that make them great for gaming also make them a good option for watching movies and regular TV shows. They have a low latency wireless connection with a good range, a sturdy build quality and a comfortable design that's decently breathable.

   The included base station provides a bunch of connection options that will work with your TV and home theater system. They have an optical, USB and regular line-in so you can use a regular AUX cable plugged into your TV or speaker. They also have dock charging which makes them a bit more convenient than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 or the Logitech G933, especially if you want to display them next to your console or TV. 

   See our review

2. Easier-to-use Alternative: Sennheiser RS 185

   

   Sennheiser RS 185

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   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Open-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want a more typical home theater headphone that you will strictly use for watching movies, then get the Sennheiser RS 185. They do not have as many features as the Astro A50 and do not look as premium or feel as well built for their price. But on the upside, they're easier to use and have a decent amount of connection options, including RCA inputs (not available on the similarly designed, closed-back RS 165). They also come with an RF transmitter stand so they connect immediately without requiring a pairing procedure unlike Bluetooth headphones like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. The stand also acts as a charging dock, so you have a dedicated spot to rest your headphones when they're not in use, which is pretty convenient. 

   See our review

3. More Versatile Alternative: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

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   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want headphones for your TV but also want them to be versatile enough for outside use and to connect them to your phone from time to time, then get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They don’t have a dock like the Astro A50 or the Sennheiser RS 185, so they won't be as convenient. You also have to purchase an aptX Low-Latency Bluetooth dongle to get the best latency performance for watching video content. However, on the upside, they're a great choice for everyday casual use and offer great performance for their relatively affordable price point.

   Unfortunately, they don’t isolate as much noise as other high-end ANC headphones, but you’ll be satisfied with the extra bass they pack, especially with exciting action movies. They also have a great 30-hour battery life that will last you a few days, and a comfortable and durable build that's easy to use with intuitive controls. 

   Overall, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are one of the most versatile over-ears we’ve reviewed so far and with the appropriate dongle, they're a good choice for watching TV.

   See our review

4. Best Budget TV Headphones: Logitech G433

   

   Logitech G433

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.0

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : No
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you do not mind a wired design, the best budget TV headphones are the Logitech G433. They won't be as convenient as the wireless headphones on this list since you may need an AUX extension cord for your home theater setup. They also do not feel as durable as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 or the Astro A50.

   On the upside, they have a surprisingly well-balanced sound that's on par with much more expensive headphones, and their low latency wired connection makes them a suitable option for watching a lot of video content. They also have a casual design that you can take outdoors and come with a mobile-friendly cable that you can use with your phone. 

   Overall, the G433 are a great, budget gaming headset, with an excellent mic, and a versatile design that is also suitable for watching movies and outdoor use.

   See our review

5. Open-Back Alternative: Superlux HD 681

   

   Superlux HD 681

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   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Semi-Open

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for an open-back alternative to the Logitech G433, get the Superlux HD 681. By design, they won’t be as versatile in everyday casual uses since they barely isolate noise and leak a lot, but they are still a great budget choice for critical listening and watching TV. Since they are wired headphones, you won’t have any latency issues while watching video content and they perform very well considering their low price.

   Unfortunately, they feel cheaply made and you will be limited by the range of their cable, so you might have to buy an extension cord if you can’t sit close to the TV. The ear padding might also be a bit stiff for long watching sessions. Overall, the Philips SHP9500 would be a better choice but they are discontinued and very hard to find at the moment, so the Superlux681 are the next best budget open-back option.

   See our review