The 6 Best TV Headphones - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best wireless headphones for TV we've tested are the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019. While they have a gamer-centric look, their base station ensures a low latency connection, so your audio and visuals stay in sync. They also have over 17 hours of continuous battery life, and they're equipped with an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them.

These well-built and comfortable headphones have a well-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, making them well-suited for most kinds of audio content. That said, if you prefer a different sound, you can use their companion software to create custom EQ presets that you can then select using their onboard EQ preset cycling button. Their passive soundstage is quite alright, so your audio sounds open and natural, although it still seems like it's coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in the room around you.

Unfortunately, the boom mic isn't detachable, and they have a bulky design. They struggle to block out background noise, which could be frustrating if you watch TV in a noisy environment. However, if you're looking for comfortable wireless headphones and don't mind their gaming design, they're a solid choice.

The best home theater headphones specifically designed for this purpose that we've tested are the Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless. They have a specialized receiver dock that directly plugs into most TVs and lets you use them wirelessly with low audio latency. They're decently well-built and comfortable enough for binge-watching a couple of episodes at a time.

Thanks to their efficient control scheme located on the ear cups, you don't have to get up from the couch to adjust the volume or activate features like additional bass or surround sound. Although some users may find their sound profile is a bit bass-heavy by default, it doesn't completely overwhelm dialogue. Their extra thump and boom can also help make sound effects in action sequences seem a bit more immersive. Their continuous battery life is around 24 hours too, and they use rechargeable AAA batteries.

Unfortunately, their build quality is just satisfactory as the plastic elements used in their design feel low-grade and a bit cheap. They're also prone to inconsistent audio delivery, and you may especially notice a drop in bass if you wear glasses or have thick hair. That said, they're specifically designed for watching TV as they offer a low-latency experience and can be easily adjusted on the fly.

The best Bluetooth headphones for TV that we've tested are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016. While Bluetooth headphones often have high audio lag, these support the aptX-LL codec, which allows them to provide a low latency connection suitable for watching TV or movies. You need a Bluetooth adapter or transmitter that supports the codec to take advantage of it, however.

They have a comfortable, fairly breathable fit, with well-padded earcups. Their battery provides more than 30 hours of continuous playback, so they can last you through a few binge-watching sessions without running out of power, and in a pinch, you can use them passively. Their sound profile is well-balanced, with some extra low bass that adds thump and rumble to music and sound effects.

Unfortunately, while they have an ANC feature, it struggles to block out bass-range noises like the rumble of bus and plane engines, so they aren't ideal for isolating you from distractions during your commute. That said, if you're looking for headphones for watching TV and like the freedom of a wireless design, these are a solid choice.

The best headphones for watching TV under $100 that we've tested is the Logitech G433 Gaming Headset. These over-ear headphones designed for gaming have a wired design, ensuring that you can enjoy a movie or TV show with virtually no latency. They have a comfortable, reasonably breathable fit that shouldn't cause much fatigue, even if you wear them for long periods.

Their default sound profile is neutral, with a very accurate mid-range response that ensures voices are present and clear. If you prefer a different sound, you can customize them with an EQ and presets in the G HUB companion software. This software also gives you access to virtual surround sound features, although we don't test them currently. The 6.5-foot audio cable is long enough that you don't need to sit right next to the TV, and it's detachable, so you can replace it if it gets damaged.

Unfortunately, they aren't ideal for use outside a fairly quiet room since they do a poor job isolating you from ambient sound. They also leak a lot of audio, so you might bother people nearby if you use them with the volume cranked up. That said, their comfortable, wired design makes them a good choice for watching TV, and they offer quite a few customization features for a budget-friendly price.