Best Headphones For Watching Movies? 4 Main Factors
Most of us love the feeling of going to the movies and smelling the buttery popcorn as we wait in the theater for the movie to start. The quality of sound and thunderous sound effects play a major role in the experience and atmosphere of seeing movies in the theater.
Can that level of sound quality be recreated from the comfort of your own home? If you enjoy staying at home (and saving a couple of bucks) – a quality home theater setup will make the experience that much better.
Both speakers and headphones play a big role in the enjoyment of listening at home. Keep reading to see how we selected the best headphones for watching movies and why they’re such an important addition to your personal home theater!
The Top 5 Best Headphones For Watching Movies
Listed below are 5 of the top choices for this purpose in the order of least expensive to the most expensive. There’s a pretty big range of options for everyone to choose from here. For some of these, you will need an external wireless transmitter for use with your TV. On the ones that you need that for, I linked you directly to the #1 best-selling model on Amazon.
For the all-in-one systems, you won’t need any additional gear to start using them right out of the box. I hope you enjoy this list, I’m sure there’s at least one model on here that will peak your interest!
- MPOW Thor Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
- COWIN E7 Active Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
- Sony MDRRF985RK Wireless RF Headphone System
- MEE Audio Matrix 3 Bluetooth
- Bose SoundLink Wireless II Around-Ear Headphones
How Did We Choose The Top 5 Picks?
Comfort, battery life, sound quality, and wired vs. wireless connectivity are the 4 most important factors to consider when you’re choosing a pair of ‘phones for this purpose. Each one plays an essential role in how much enjoyment you’ll get out of each specific pair.
The Top 5 Picks are listed in order of least to most expensive. To see an in-depth explanation of each of the 4 most important factors, take a look at the sections below!
Would You Sacrifice Comfort For Another Feature?
Another highly important aspect to consider is the comfort of the seat where you’ll be spending the next couple hours. If the chair you’re using isn’t very comfy, it will have an effect on your overall experience.
The same concept applies to the ‘phones you’re using. When you sit down to watch a movie that’s longer than an hour and a half – you probably don’t want to worry about adjusting the headphones more than enjoying the actual movie.
Extended Battery Life For Longer Movies
There are a lot of quality headphones that require charging and there are also some that do not. Some prefer to go with the ones that do not. Let’s say you forgot to turn your headphones off in a rush to get to work on time. When you get back home to listen or watch something, you plug your headphones in only to realize that they’re dead.
This is a problem to be avoided at all costs. If you’re hyper-vigilant about keeping devices charged you might not run into this problem on a regular basis. For most of us, we forget to charge (or power off) our ‘phones and the battery ends up dying.
If your headphones don’t have a battery life indicator and you start watching a 3 and a half hour movie, they might die halfway through the movie and interrupt the experience. This is one of the most common reasons some listeners prefer headphones that don’t require batteries or charging.
How Sound Quality Effects Your Viewing Experience
The actual quality of sound effects, the emotion of the actors, and the soundtrack of the movie itself all contribute to your overall opinion of the movie.
Watching with quality headphones will help create a better overall viewing experience. Watch the short video below to see an audiophile’s take on the difference between watching movies using headphones vs. speakers.
Wired vs. Wireless Connectivity
If you primarily use a gaming console, such as an Xbox or Playstation, to stream movies, you have a couple of different options. Xbox controllers give you the option to plug your headphones directly into the controller. This allows you to avoid having to use wireless headphones exclusively.
If you have a smart TV that allows you to connect via Bluetooth, using a solid pair of wireless headphones is usually the best option. If you primarily stream movies directly from your phone, a wireless connection is usually much more convenient. That being said, using a wireless vs. wired connection doesn’t matter quite as much. This also applies to streaming from a laptop or PC.
One of the most common issues that you might notice with wireless ‘phones, is the difference in sound quality. Most wired ‘phones have a higher volume output compared to most wireless cans. Depending on how you choose to look at it, you may end up sacrificing a little bit of audio quality in exchange for wireless convenience. This may not always be the case but it does play a factor in the bigger picture.
Now that you’ve taken a look our quick guide, let’s take a look at the first ‘phones on this list!
1. MPOW Thor Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones
Basic Features and Specifications:
- Listen for up to 8 hours on a single charge
- 40 mm drivers
- CSR Bluetooth Chip (for faster transmission speeds and lower latency)
- Memory Foam ear pads with protein leather covering
- Wire-free listening at up to 33 ft.
- Built-in microphone
- Compact folding design
- Frequency Response: 8-24,000 Hz
- Weight: 6.5 oz.
Watch the short video below to see a quick review!
The MPOW Thor on-ear ‘phones are perfect for you if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that also has all the basic features you would need for this purpose. They have a decent battery life, a built-in CSR chip, and a pretty decent Bluetooth range.
You will need an external Bluetooth transmitter which can be seen here. If you usually watch your entertainment on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop you will not need an external transmitter. If you want to see up-to-date pricing info and more customer reviews, click the button below!
2. COWIN E7 Active Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Basic Features and Specifications:
- ANC Technology (works in wired or wireless mode)
- 40 mm drivers (for balanced, accurate audio reproduction)
- Listen for up to 30 hours on a single charge
- NFC pairing technology built-in (for easy Bluetooth pairing)
- 90-degree swivelling ear cup design (protein covering)
- Built-in microphone (for hands-free calling/Skype)
- Carrying case included
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Weight: 13.6 oz.
Take a look at the short video below to see a quick review!
The COWIN E7 Active Noise-Cancelling ‘phones would be a great choice for you if you want noise-cancelling, NFC pairing, a solid battery life, and a compact folding design that won’t break the bank. Like the model above, you will also need an external Bluetooth transmitter if you plan on using these with your TV. The #1 best-selling one on Amazon can be found here.
If you usually watch your entertainment on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop you will not need an external transmitter. To see up-to-date pricing info and more customer reviews, click the button below!
3. Sony MDRRF985RK Wireless RF Headphone System
Basic Features and Specifications:
- RF Wireless Transmitter Included
- Comfortable over-ear design with plush ear cups
- Compact folding design (with adjustable headband)
- Listen wire-free for up to 25 hours on a single charge (enough to watch almost 8 full-length films)
- RF signal strong at up to 150 ft. away (with automatic tuning)
- 40 mm drivers
- Frequency Response: 10 – 22,000 Hz
- Weight: 11.29 oz.
Watch the short video below to see them in action!
The Sony MDRRF985RK Wireless RF System is perfect for you if you want the all-in-one setup that plugs directly into your flat-screen. It has the charging station that also doubles as a wireless transmitter, and docking port to keep your ‘phones in good condition. The transmission range, battery life, and a lightweight build are all great features to consider.
To see the most up-to-date pricing info and more customer reviews, click the button below!
4. MEE Audio Bluetooth Wireless Headphone System
Basic Features and Specifications:
- Bluetooth 4.0 and aptX/AAC codec built-in (for HD audio playback)
- Listen wire-free for up to 24 hours on a single charge
- Bluetooth signal is strong at up to 30 ft. away
- Memory foam earpads (for added comfort and custom fit)
- Compact folding design (denim carrying case included)
- Micro USB charger included
- Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
- Weight: 7.0 oz.
Watch the short video below to see a quick review!
The MEE Audio Bluetooth Wireless System is a great all-in-one package for watching your favorite movie right from your TV. It comes with a wireless transmitter, aptX and Bluetooth 4.0, and weighs only 7.0 ounces. The lighter weight will keep you comfortable for longer periods of viewing time and with a battery life of 24 hours, they don’t leave much for us to complain about.
All that, on top of the fact that the actual sound quality that these offer is above average (especially for Bluetooth) means you can enjoy hours and hours of quality entertainment.
To see the most up-to-date pricing info and more customer reviews, click the button below!
5. Bose SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones II
Basic Features and Specifications:
- Listen for up to 15 hours on a single charge
- Connect to up to 2 devices at a time
- NFC pairing (for hands-free Bluetooth connectivity)
- TriPort and Active EQ (for accurate audio playback response)
- Comfortable micro-suede Alcantra headband (for even weight distribution)
- Carrying case included
- Rechargeable battery via Micro USB cable
- Weight: 6.88 oz.
Take a look at the short video below to see an in-depth review!
The Bose SoundLink II is the perfect choice for you if you value a higher quality overall experience. They are quite a bit more expensive but the comfort and additional features might be worth it. You will need to invest in an external transmitter if you prefer watching your entertainment on a TV.
One of the best-selling wireless transmitters on Amazon can be seen here. If you usually watch entertainment on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, you can use the wired connection instead.
To see the most up-to-date pricing info and more customer reviews, click the button below!
Which One Looks The Best?
What do you think? Which pair of ‘phones looks the best? No matter which of the models above you decide to add to your personal home theater, we hope you enjoyed our picks for the Best Headphones For Watching Movies!
If you have any questions about how to connect them to your TV or would like more clarification about other specific features – let us know by leaving your question below! We always do our best to respond as quickly as possible and look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for stopping by to take a look at our list, we hope to see you here again!
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Hi, Dom,
Great article, I’ve found it very useful!
I bought a pair of headphones and to be honest, I am very disappointed with them. They really hurt my ears after watching TV for half an hour. Also, I often forget to recharge the batteries:) I bought them without knowing much about them and that was my mistake. This article really helps me to know how to buy headphones!
What brand of headphone would you suggest?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Daniella,
I’m sorry to hear that you had a negative experience with your purchase.
As far as my recommendation, it depends on what your budget is. If you can spend a little over $100 I would recommend either the V-Moda XS or the V-Moda Crossfade LP2s.
If you’re looking for something under $100, the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless are a great option.
None of the headphones I listed above have given me any problems in the area of discomfort.
I hope this helps and I feel confident that if you choose to go with any of them, you’ll be more than satisfied.
Thanks for tuning in, 🙂
Dom
I am so glad I found this article. I now know the factors I need to consider when purchasing a new headphone. I have been searching for a good headphone to purchase, I have used a lot of headphones but I still haven’t found the perfect product. I should try one of the headphones you recommended.Thanks for sharing this article.
Hey John,
I’m glad you found it too!
I feel confident that if you choose to go with any of the headphones I’ve reviewed so far, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. My personal favorites are the V-Modas.
If you need any further assistance as far as recommendations go, let me know, I’d be more than happy to help you out. 🙂
Thanks,
Dom
Hi!
First I thought, sound quality is of course the most important one but then I realised it´s actually comfort.
The sound has to be really good, no question asked but I think I would not bother about a little bit less sound quality in case the comfort is outstanding!
Would you buy noise cancelling headphones in case you really only use them at home for movies and music? They are ususally quite expensive, aren´t they? I think I´d spend that money on the next better sound quality without noise canceling.
Also, do any of these have surround sound or just stereo?
Puh, lot´s of writing! Thanks for your feedback man, great website! I love your articles
I couldn’t agree more Manny. Unless you’re someone who only listens to hi-res audio all the time, most headphones will be adequate. The sound quality definitely brings it all together (for movie watching especially).
It really depends, there are some noise-cancelling models that are under $100 (like the COWIN E7s above) but the NC feature usually won’t be as effective as a more expensive model. I personally think NC is a good feature to have whether you’re at home watching movies or listening to music and also for when you’re out and about.
In some cases, a good pair of NC headphones can easily outperform a home theater setup (that’s purely subjective though).
The Bose SoundLink II model has the ActiveEQ feature which is similar to surround sound but if you want the option to use Bass Boost and Virtual Surround Sound, Sennheiser has a few systems that do that.
Thanks for stopping by Manny, hopefully that helps!