Top 11 Best Digital Wireless Headphones To Buy In 2019 [Buying Guide & Reviews]

best digital wireless headphones to buy

A few years ago, buying a digital wireless headphone would have been a terrible idea. The wireless connection technology was still at infancy, and the sound quality suffered because of that. However, thanks to advancement in technology, the latest range of wireless headphones have superior connection capabilities and deliver amazing CD quality sound.

Most probably, you first think about Bluetooth headphones whenever the word wireless headphone is mentioned. Trust us though, they are not the same thing. The only similarity is that they both employ a wireless connection, but that is as far as the similarities got. They use different connection technologies, and therefore deliver different sound qualities.

So, what exactly is a digital wireless headphone? We cover that next. 

What Are Digital Wireless Headphones and How Are They Different from Bluetooth Headphones?

Digital headphones, or wireless RF headphones as they are also known as, use an RF signal for connectivity. The headphone usually has a receiver that wirelessly connects to the base station. The base station is then connected to your digital TV via a digital connection like optical or coaxial cable, or analog connection like RCA stereo dual plugs, or the mini line out jack.

Bluetooth headphones on the other hand, connect using a standard Bluetooth connection. They do not require a base station, and can work with smartphones and most modern devices.

Bluetooth connection however, lags behind in terms of connection range and sound quality too. It however offers a more secure connection compared to an RF connection. 

Why You Would Want to Buy Digital Wireless TV Headphones

Digital TV headphones deliver lossless sound, and hearing conversations when watching movies will be a whole new experience for you. They are usually built for optimized speech intelligibility and allow you to hear even the lowest whispers with absolute clarity.

The superior sound quality also means that listening to music on digital headphones will be an immersive experience. This makes these headphones just perfect for audiophiles who prefer sound quality over everything else.

You also get a much better range of up to 150 feet compared to a measly 30 feet Bluetooth connection. The RF signal also goes through walls, meaning you get to enjoy even more freedom. You can listen to your favorite tunes as you go about with your chores, and you would never experience connection problems. 

What to Consider When Buying

Now that you know what wireless headphones are, it is time to get shopping for a set. However, before you begin your search, you need to understand what to look out for. Just like other headphone types, digital headphones offer different features one model to another. Here are a few things you should bear in mind: 

  1. Connection Type

Your TV set should have either an analog or digital audio output connection, and in many cases, both. The type of connection available is what determines the type of docking station you are going to buy. You should therefore make sure to check which connection your TV set offers before buying a digital headphone set.

If your TV only has RCA analog audio out connections, buying a wireless only wireless headphone will save you some money because you will not need the additional features a digital connection offers.

However, there are modern TVs that only have a digital output connection via optical or coaxial cable. This means that you will need to get a set that supports digital connections.

In our opinion though, it is best to go for a set that supports both analog and digital connections. The Sennheiser RS 175 is a good example of such a set. It is compatible with most TV sets, and offers an amazing sound experience too.

  1. Headphone Comfort

Apart from the connection type, the comfort you get from your headphone set is one of the most important considerations to make. You are going to spend lots of time using these, so it is better to get this part right from the start to avoid disappointments down the line.

The good thing however, is that these earpieces are made to be one of the most comfortable things you’ll ever wear around your ears. They usually have plush padding that makes them perfect for late nights watching movies. The fact that they have an over-ear design only adds to the comfort.

They are also designed to be lightweight and easily adjustable, allowing a snug, customized fit for different head sizes.

  1. Sound Quality

Generally speaking, digital headphones deliver a lossless connection, which means the sound quality is as good as it can get. The richness of sound however, varies one model to another, and it would therefore pay to spend some time testing out different models to find one that fits your sound preferences.

As TVs get slimmer, so does the sound from the speakers. They have useless fidelity in the mid-frequency ranges, making listening to conversations from the built-in speakers quite difficult. The best wireless headphones however, produce rich CD quality sound, making them a perfect substitution. They are therefore perfect for watching movies or playing games, since you will be able to hear conversations better. The improved sound quality is also great for listening to music.

Also, connecting your wireless headphones to your TV does not disable the in-built speakers, allowing for independent volume control for the TV speakers. Others can therefore, still listen via the in-built speakers if desired.

  1. Latency

Latency is the short delay it takes before you hear an audio. When listening to music, it is impossible to notice it, but it becomes quite noticeable when watching a movie or gaming. High latency will have the audio out of sync with the image on the screen.

Digital headphones use aptX audio codec that has significantly lower latency compared to other codecs, making for a barely noticeable out of sync levels.

  1. Battery Life

To get the best experience out of your TV headphones, get a pair that has battery life that lasts more than a couple of hours per charge. Good news is that most modern sets offer enough battery life to even last a couple of days between charges. The large over-ear design of these headphones allows them to carry larger capacity batteries compared to smaller in-ear types.

When shopping for wireless headphones for TV, make sure to confirm the battery type. While most will feature a built-in rechargeable battery, others are designed to use removable batteries. Depending on the model of your headset, it could feature a charging feature that lets you use rechargeable removable batteries, making work easier for you.

Remember however, that the volume level has a direct impact on your batter life. If you love higher volume levels, you will have less time between charges. In most wireless headphones, the docking station also doubles up as a charger, eliminating the need for USB charging cables. 

Digital Wireless Headphones We Picked 

This is a beautifully designed digital headphone set that delivers excellent sound and range as expected. It is also lightweight, allowing long hours of use. It’s best features however, are a quick charge feature that allows you to spend less time charging, pivoting hear shells that deliver excellent fit, and a self-adjusting inner headband. For added comfort.

The acoustics are tuned to deliver the best sound balance with deep bass and clear and crisp high tones.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Great sound
  • Has quick charge feature
  • Pivoting ear shells and self-adjusting inner headband give additional comfort

Cons

  • Is a little tight around the ears causing pain after extended times of use. 

This set includes 2 headphones making it perfect if you are going to have company when watching. It offers great range and sound too, and allows each user to adjust their volume level independently of the other. It however, does not have a built-in battery, so you will need to buy some before you can enjoy the quality sound. The over-ear design makes it perfectly comfortable for long hours of watching or playing games.

Pros

  • Offers great sound quality
  • Great range
  • Supports 2 channels
  • Comfortable over-ear design

Cons

  • Feels a little cheap
  • Does not have an inbuilt battery 

These brookstone headphones deliver crisp and clear audio across all frequency ranges up to a distance of 75 feet. It also features an automatic frequency switching technology that changes the frequency the headphone and docking station communicate at, ensuring that there is absolutely no interference from other devices. If that’s not all, the inbuilt rechargeable battery delivers up to 12 hours of play time on a single charge.

Pros

  • Packs a long lasting inbuilt rechargeable battery
  • Produces high quality sound with crisp highs and rumbling lows
  • Can be used up to a distance of 75 feet
  • Automatic frequency switching to minimize interference.

Cons

  • None that we could find 

The RS 165 model is a closed back wireless headphone that delivers great quality sound to a range of up to 100 feet. It features a selectable bass boost mode for a deeper rumble should you want it. The docking station also acts as a charging cradle for the inbuilt rechargeable battery and also supports simultaneous use of two pairs of headphones. To make it worth the money, Sennheiser give you a 2 year warranty with every purchase too.

Pros

  • Closed back design isolates surrounding noise better
  • Delivers high quality sound
  • Supports two headphones

Cons

  • Prone to sound dropouts 

If you are looking for an all-round digital headphone set that delivers excellently without breaking the bank, the RS160 fits the bill perfectly. It is designed to be amazingly comfortable with large cushioned padding that spreads pressure evenly around your ears. It does not clamp down too hard on your head to be uncomfortable. It also sounds great and delivers great range for up to two headphone receivers simultaneously.

Pros

  • Produces excellent sound quality
  • Delivers great range or 70+ feet through walls
  • Long battery life
  • Very easy to use
  • Amazingly comfortable

Cons

  • Padding material is low quality

 

This digital wireless TV headphone set is the perfect complement for your entertainment system at home. It features a compact ergonomic design that delivers great comfort for long hours of use, and a bass boost feature and surround sound for a more interesting experience. The wireless connection technology also remains amazingly clear and distortion free in any situation. It is also very easy to set up and use, and the convenient placement of control buttons on the headphones adds to the user experience.

Pros

  • Delivers great sound quality across all ranges
  • Built for amazing comfort
  • The ear pads fit nicely around the ears providing great external noise reduction
  • Very easy to set up and use

Cons

  • Beeping sound for low battery notification can be quite irritating

 

The openbackcircumaural design of these TV headphones delivers high quality dynamic sound. You can enjoy connectivity up to 328 feet away, but you’ll need a direct line of sight for such a long distance. The docking station supports both analog and digital inputs, making it perfect for any TV system. It is also a very comfortable set to own allowing for long hours of use without causing any discomfort whatsoever.

Pros

  • High frequency response range of 17 – 22,000 Hz.
  • Multi-receiver transmitter supports two pairs simultaneously
  • Comfortable padding makes for an awesome experience
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Open back design allows lots of environment noise in

 

This is another high quality wireless headphone for TV that delivers amazing sound quality to a maximum distance of 328 feet. It features selectable hearing boost presets and noise suppression technology to deliver a clearer experience when listening to music or audio. The multipurpose transmitter supports both audio and digital connections, and doubles up as a charging cradle for the digital headsets. You also get a 2-year Sennheiser warranty with every set purchased.

Pros

  • Extra-long range
  • Delivers CD quality sound
  • Built for absolute comfort
  • Control buttons are conveniently placed

Cons

  • Using hearing enhancement features limits available volume 

Other Models We Picked 

This Blurex wireless headphone is one of the many we reviewed and completely loved their performance. They feature a Phase-Lock Loop feature that locks in frequency and prevents signal loss when in use. It uses 2.4Ghz network for connectivity, and therefore suffers very little interference even with other wireless devices in the area. The 100ft range is very decent too. It however, only connects via a 3.5mm audio jack, this limiting your connection options.

Pros

  • Amazingly comfortable design
  • Long operating range
  • PPL feature prevents signal loss
  • Docking station doubles up as a charger

Cons

  • Limited connection options. Only supports 3.5mm audio jack

 

If you are looking for a digital headphone that are designed to offer comfort for expended listening without breaking the bank, this set is just perfect. The thick padding evenly spreads the pressure around your ears and also provide great muffling for surrounding noise. It outputs good quality sound, but not as exhilarating as more expensive brands.

Pros

  • Amazingly comfortable for the price
  • Sound is quite decent
  • Inbuilt battery delivers great battery life
  • Volume isn’t too loud making them perfect for kids

Cons

  • Does not support digital connection. Only option available is analog RCA

 

This wireless headphone is designed to deliver crisp and clear sound through all ranges and has a wireless transmitter that doubles up as a charging dock too. They have an extended operating range of up to 100 feet, are lightweight, and come with rechargeable batteries that offer up to 20 hours on a full charge. It can be used with your TV set, mp3 player, and smartphone too.

Pros

  • Can be used my a wide range of devices
  • Outputs great quality sound
  • Rechargeable batteries offer long play times

Cons

  • Interferes with other wireless devices

 

The RIF6 digital wireless headphone is a lightweight set that delivers great sound for an affordable price tag. It is quite comfortable and ideal for long use times, and delivers decent range when compared to Bluetooth connectivity. The RF wireless technology guarantees high quality sound and the rechargeable battery gives you very decent playtimes between charges.

Pros

  • Quite affordable wireless headphone set
  • Very comfortable ergonomic design
  • Adjustable headband for a snug fit

Cons

  • Sound quality is noticeably compressed 

FAQs

  • Can you hook up two Brookstone Digital Wireless TV headphones to the same TV?

Yes. The docking station of most digital wireless headphones support connecting two headsets. Each headset has independent volume control, allowing each user to set their preferred listening volume. The quality of connection is not affected by the number of headsets connected to the docking station.

  • Which digital wireless headphone is best?

it is quite difficult to say a specific wireless headphone for TV is the best. Different models offer a different balance between sound quality, comfort, and battery life. You would therefore, need to test a few models to find the best one for you. Sennheiser is however a popular brand in the industry and offer some of the best wireless RF headphones available.

  • How do digital wireless headphones work?

Digital headphones use an RF signal for connection. They feature a small RF receiver, and therefore need a transmitter to work. The transmitter is usually located in the docking station, which is connected to your Television set via a digital or analog connection.

  • What is an RF headphone?

A wireless RF headphone, or digital headphone as they are also called, uses a Radio Frequency to transmit audio. It delivers better sound quality and longer range compared to a Bluetooth connection, but is more prone to interference, and is also less secure compared to Bluetooth. It is therefore mostly used in headphones made for use around the home.

  • How can I hook up a digital TV headphone to my Samsung Galaxy phone?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect digital headphone to your phone. They use different technologies. A digital headphone uses RF signal while your smartphone uses Bluetooth. You will need to get a Bluetooth wireless headphone set to be able to enjoy music from your phone.

  • How do you charge digital headphones?

The docking station of most RF headphones doubles up as the charger. This eliminates the need for messy charging cables, and makes things tidier. To charge, simply place the headset on the docking station and check that the charging light is on. Please refer to your user manual for more information.

  • How can I select the best wireless headphones for my TV?

Different headphones offer different features in terms of sound quality, comfort, and battery life. To get the best ones for you, you will need to take these into consideration and find the best compromise for you. If you are more concerned about quality, the more pricey models like the Sennheiser RS185 will most definitely deliver better satisfaction. 

If you are looking for absolute convenience and an exhilarating TV watching experience, digital wireless headphones are the way to go. They provide superior sound quality with less restriction in terms of range. The list in this article provides a summary of the headsets we thought were worth their price tags. It is not a conclusive list, and it is possible for you to find a set you love that is not in the list. Whichever the case, we would love to know what you love best about your wireless headphone set so, please share in the comment section below.


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