For some, there’s nothing better than losing yourself in the world of cinema for an hour or two. However, not everyone can build the home theater of their dreams without annoying the downstairs neighbors. If you live in an apartment or want to watch the game without bothering your spouse, a good set of headphones is a great way to immerse yourself in your favorite programming.
Though wired cans will usually sound way better, there’s never been a better time to cut the cord. You don’t have to settle for a frustrating set of infrared headphones anymore: RF and Bluetooth cans have come a long way, and TV manufacturers including Samsung, Panasonic, and LG have all started to take wireless audio more seriously.
But what to buy? That’s where it gets a little sticky. Unless you own a TV that supports the aptX-Low Latency Bluetooth codec, or you buy a special transmitter, audio will lag considerably behind your video if you’re using Bluetooth headphones. On the other hand, RF headphones may introduce an unwanted amount of static if you live in an apartment, and headsets that use IR to transmit data require a clear line of sight at all times to work.
We’re not about to let you suffer through a bunch of headphones that don’t work. To save your sanity (and money) we’ve compiled a list of the best wireless headphones for TV on the market right now.
Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 SE
If your home is near a train track or other place with droning sound (boiler room, etc.) active noise cancellation (ANC) will let you watch your movies in peace. The Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 SE is compatible with the latest low-latency Bluetooth profile, so you can enjoy solid audio for around $200 provided you have the right hardware. There are several other options that tick these boxes, but we decided against them because the price increase is a little hard to justify. Additionally, these work great with mobile phones—so you don't have to buy more than one set of cans for your audio needs.
PROS
Battery life
Comfort
Adaptability
CONS
Confusing controls