I Watch TV With Headphones: Here’s How and Why You Should Too

Key Takeaways

• Streaming devices & smart TVs can connect to headphones easily for immersive sound & privacy.
• Most modern headphones offer noise cancellation for fewer distractions while watching TV.
• Watching TV with headphones supports multi-tasking & is considerate of others in shared spaces.

The podcast boom has united many of us in a love for intimate and immersive auditory experiences through our headphones. So why not bring that experience to our TVs? From noise cancellation to privacy, here’s how and why I prefer watching television with headphones.

How to Watch TV With Headphones

Fortunately, most streaming devices support a connection to a pair of headphones, either through the device’s native settings, an associated app, or a good old aux input.

Whether you want to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your Amazon Fire Stick or set up your Xbox X|S to play through wireless headphones, there is a way to do so with relative ease. One of the best features of the Roku mobile app is its private listening or headphone mode feature, which allows you to connect wired or Bluetooth headphones via your phone.

SmartTVs typically include this capability, as well. For example, according to a Samsung support page, Samsung TV models from 2014 to 2022 include a setting to pair Bluetooth headphones with your TV.

Why Watch TV With Headphones?

As a podcast producer, I’ll admit: I can get obsessive about audio. While plenty of speaker systems deliver outstanding sound, it’s not always possible to blast No Country for Old Men at full volume. Even when I have the option, I often prefer the audio dynamics of a set of headphones for watching my favorite films. Here’s why.

Immersive Sound

While not all streaming platforms support three-dimensional sound technology like Dolby Atmos, headphones inevitably create a more intimate listening experience. This is especially true with noise-cancelling headphones, which eliminate any external distractions like city traffic or your roommate’s Zoom call. All the best over-ear headsets of 2024 include noise-reducing technology to throw you straight into the action.

You don’t need to invest in an over-ear headset for noise cancellation anymore. Today, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 offer active noise cancellation technology that adapts to your environment. AirPods are my wireless headphones of choice because of their low profile. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds harness similar technology, but when comparing Galaxy Buds2 Pro to the second-gen AirPods Pro, Apple comes out on top for its advanced noise-cancellation.

Mobility

Maybe it’s the podcast enthusiast in me or just a sign of the times, but I’m a multi-tasker. Watching TV with headphones frees me from the shackles of the couch. I might not be able to bring the visual with me, but I appreciate being able to step away for a moment without having to pause. This is particularly relevant to live television.

Perhaps you’re watching live sports while you fold laundry. With the announcer in your ear, you’ll know when you need to turn your attention back to the screen for an instant replay.

Privacy

As an apartment dweller, I can’t always use my speaker system to its full potential. Whether you live in close proximity to a neighbor or share your space with a partner who has a different schedule, it can be useful to contain your TV’s audio to your ears only. Instead of reducing your speaker volume, headphones allow you to still engage with a film or series’ rich sound design at the intended level. While this is considerate of others, you’re also affording yourself some privacy. Feel empowered to binge your guilty pleasure show after a long day of work without judgment!

There are many reasons that watching TV with headphones can support your lifestyle. For some, it might even be preferable to buy a soundbar for a modern television that’s lacking in audio. Then again, watching movies can be better together, and there will surely be instances where it’s best to shed the headphones and commit to a shared experience.