How to Connect Any Wireless Headphones to Any TV

Sometimes in life, you just have to close everything off around you. Therefore, learning how to connect any wireless headphones to any TV will enhance your listening experience and make it more personal and intimate. Or maybe you want to wear headphones to cancel out the noise and keep the volume low for your neighbors at night.

If this is your first time attempting to connect wireless headphones to a TV, it’s not too difficult. But it is a bit more complicated than connecting to standard media devices like a smartphone, PC, or laptop. So, let’s explore your options and break them down in the simplest way.

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Best Methods for Connecting Wireless Headphones to TV

There are two main ways to connect your wireless headphones to a TV. You can connect directly with either wireless or Bluetooth connectivity options. Or you can connect your headphone’s transmitter with a 3.5mm connector or optical cable to your TV. You could also theoretically connect directly to the media source instead, but this guide is about connecting headphones wirelessly to your television.

Two types of wireless headphones can be used in this situation. The most commonly used are standard Bluetooth headphones as well as dedicated wireless headphones. Although they sound similar, there are a few defined differences to discuss.

Dedicated Wireless Headphones

Not all modern televisions have wireless connectivity. And if yours doesn’t, using dedicated wireless headphones is the best option. These type of headphones have their own wireless docking station that circumnavigates your TV’s lack of wireless connectivity.

Dedicated wireless headphones are known as RF (radio frequency) headphones and are connected to your TV via an optical cable or a 3.5mm analog connection. Your docking station is the wireless antenna that is used as the base to transmit signals to connect your headphones to the TV. These headphone models are more reliable than Bluetooth headphones and can cover a 300 feet range if unobstructed.

Possible operational issues…

You might get some issues if you already have a soundbar connected to your TV that uses analog or optical cable connections. You will have to switch between the two by constantly changing over wires, which could be a hassle. If your soundbar uses HDMI connections, this won’t be a problem.

Here are the best dedicated wireless headphone models that come recommended by myself as well as other audio experts…

Bluetooth Headphones

Most people naturally assume that Bluetooth headphones are the best option for wirelessly connecting to a television. And although it is a recommended method, they are not as effective as dedicated wireless headphones. But if you do buy the best Bluetooth headphones, they will work very well with a TV.

Most of the newer TV models support Bluetooth, but if you have an older television, you will need to take a different approach.

Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to a Bluetooth-supported TV should be relatively simple. Make sure that both your TV and headphones are set to ‘discovery’ mode so you can pair them together. Your TV should automatically detect your headphones and ask you to confirm the connection. If your TV doesn’t automatically detect your headphones, you will need to alter your TV settings.

Changing your TV settings…

Navigating to and changing your TV settings will be different depending on which model you are using. I would suggest that you check your TV manufacturer’s manual to find the exact instructions, but they are generally similar. You need to navigate to your ‘settings’ or ‘options’ menu on your TV and then click on the Bluetooth menu tab.

Then, make sure the Bluetooth function is enabled, and your headphones should automatically pair with your TV.

You might have to turn your TV on and off once your Bluetooth has been enabled, and that should do the trick. Let’s now check out some of the best Bluetooth headphones that can be used with your TV…

What Happens if My TV Doesn’t Have Bluetooth?

All these options sound great, but what if your television doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity? You’ve not been left behind in the dark ages because not all modern TVs have Bluetooth. But don’t worry because there are some ways around this issue. You will have to buy an audio transmitter/receiver adapter that can act as a Bluetooth conduit between your headphones and TV.

These practical adapters can be used to connect via a 3.5mm analog jack cable or even via optical cables. They are generally rechargeable and battery-powered, although some are powered by a USB port that gives you more adaptability. If your TV is an old model that only supports RCA jacks, you will need to purchase conversion cables.

I recommend that you buy top-quality audio transmitter adapters like the Monoprice Premium Bluetooth Transmitter or the very affordable Realm Portable Bluetooth Transmitter.

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones with Media Devices?

We live in an increasingly wireless world when Bluetooth connectivity is almost mandatory for digital media users. Most modern media devices support Bluetooth connections, which are changing the way we consume content. So, let’s now take a look at how to connect your Bluetooth headphones with TV fire sticks and gaming consoles to give you a few more options.

How to Connect Any Wireless Headphones to Any TV – Connecting with TV Streaming Sticks

Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV stick is a game-changing piece of technology. But how do you connect Bluetooth headphones to our Amazon Fire TV?

First, turn on your Bluetooth headphones and set them into ‘pairing’ mode. Then you need to navigate your Amazon devices’ settings to make a few changes. Select the ‘Remotes and Devices’ option, and then select ‘Bluetooth.’ Your Amazon device should automatically detect your headphones, but you will need to manually select your model from the list.

For more information, check out our article on How to use Bluetooth Speakers with an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Android TV Box

The first thing you should do is check to see if your Android TV box supports Bluetooth because some don’t. If your Android box does support Bluetooth, this process should be simple. Turn on your headphones and put them in pairing mode while navigating the settings of your Android TV box.

Once you have found ‘settings’ in the menu, you need to select the ‘Bluetooth’ tab. And from there, you can manually pair them together.

Apple TV

Apple TV products and Bluetooth headphones are highly compatible. The process of pairing them together is similar to the Amazon Fire TV method. Once again, turn on your headphones and put them in pairing mode. Go to your Apple TV ‘settings’ section and select the ‘Remotes and Devices’ tab.

Now click on the ‘Bluetooth’ options and then proceed to manually connect your headphones model to your Apple TV.

Sling TV 4K Stick

Another popular fire stick alternative is the Sling TV 4K model. To connect your Sling TV 4K, make sure your Bluetooth headphones are on and in pairing mode. You will then have to press and hold the ‘Remote’ button that is positioned at the top of the player.

A pairing box should then appear where you need to search for and select the ‘Searching for Accessories’ option. Then you need to follow the on-screen prompts to complete the final part of the pairing process.

Connecting with Gaming Consoles

PlayStation 4

Not all Bluetooth headphones work with PlayStation 4 consoles. If this is a major issue, you will have to buy a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver adapter which is the only viable way to wirelessly connect Bluetooth headphones to the console. However, PS4 does allow you to hook up wired headphones directly to your controller with a 3.5mm analog jack.

To set up the wired headphones, you will need to navigate to the ‘Devices’ subsection in your PS4 settings menu. You will need to select ‘Audio Devices’ and then ‘Output to Headphones. This is the best way to stream online platforms like Netflix via your PlayStation.

Xbox One

We regret to inform you that Xbox One doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity. But some of the newer models have built-in 3.5mm jack ports similar to the PS4. Older Xbox models do not support 3.5mm jacks either, so you will need to buy wired stereo headphones.

Looking for more information or a new pair of headphones?

In terms of info, you may be wondering How to Use Bluetooth, How to Connect Sony Bluetooth Headphones to any Device, How to Fix Sound Delay in Bluetooth Headphones, How to Reset Your Bluetooth Headphones, and Can you Connect to Two Bluetooth Speakers at Once?

Or, if it’s new Bluetooth headphones that you need, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best AptX Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Bluetooth Headphones Under $200, the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones, or the Best Bluetooth Headphones Under $100 you can buy in 2023.

How to Connect Any Wireless Headphones to Any TV – Final Thoughts

Learning the best way to connect wireless headphones to a TV isn’t rocket science. But your TV needs to support wireless connectivity or Bluetooth; if not, you will need an audio transmitter adapter. We have also learned that wireless connections are the most popular and practical, although Bluetooth connections are a solid and reliable substitute.

Once you have chosen one of these methods, pairing the devices in your TV settings is quite simple. In just a few clicks, your headphones and TV should be paired and ready for action.

Happy listening.

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