The Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones is our best wireless headphone and it is very applicable for watching TV as well as listening to music, watching movies in your home entertainment system the like. The transmitter only makes the use of 2 AAA batteries which are also included (but you can also provide your very own if you wish and this wireless headphone has a wireless transmitter that has a band frequency of 900 MHz or 926 MHz to be exact which allows the wireless transmission of the transmitter in a very powerful way. The range of this Sennheiser wireless headphone is up to 100 meters or up to 328 feet in total distance.
Our step-up pick is the Sony MDRRF985RK RF Wireless Stereo Headphones and this step-up pick is great and ideal for digital TVs, smart TVs, home entertainment systems, home theater systems and much more. Because it is powered by radio frequency, you can enjoy wireless streaming, listening and watching without much interference and up to a far and wide range compared to Bluetooth headphones. It is ideal for the digital optical outputs of TVs that are supported by this feature and it also has a digital audio converter by DB provided along with the transmitter and the receiver headphone.
The budget pick is the Artiste Digital Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphones and it is an ideal wireless headphone for use with TVs and smart TVs. The wireless headphone uses 2.4 GHz signal technology which has a 100 feet wireless range in total due to its high quality transmitter and it has a frequency response of 30 Hz up to 20 kHz so you can enjoy high quality sounds for a budget pick wireless headphone. The frequency hopping system has a total of 31 channels to choose from to give you the highest sound quality in its design and each full charge of the headphone batteries can last for up to 20 hours.
A Little Background
These headphones use RF or radio frequency when it comes to receiving data transmissions from a far-away device. They are also often used for smart TVs as reliable headphones because of their convenience and radio frequency. If you own a smart TV or a large sized flat screen TV with digital signal or satellite subscription then you should definitely watch while using a wireless headphone to avoid waking up the neighbors or your family members.
A wireless headphone is also called an RF or radio frequency headphone and can reach very far in its working distance. Compared to Bluetooth headphones, wireless headphones are different because they have strong signals. The only downside to owning an RF wireless headphone is possible interference with various medical equipment and home appliances.
Most wireless headphones that use radio frequency are the ones that have higher price ranges than regular Bluetooth powered headphones. Such headphones can also be dubbed as cordless headphones due to their portability. Most of these headphones also have a a docking station that doubles as its signal transmitter. A very common brand of wireless RF headphone would be the Sennheiser brand as well as the Sony brand due to their high-end headphones and audio monitoring products.
How We Picked
Here are some of the things you need to look for in any wireless headphone:
Signal transmission range – usually, RF wireless headphones range around 100 meters or 300 feet of coverage area due to its radio frequency for a wider transmission range so you can use it even through the thickest walls, ceilings and the like. It also gives off a good convenience as compared to the short ranges of Bluetooth wireless headphones.
Durability – a good wireless headphone should have a good skeleton and a great composition for its ear pads, head band and other parts of the headphone.
Noise cancellation – this one can refer to the type of noise cancellation that the wireless headphone can offer. The noise cancellation can be active or passive and this can affect the battery life. Active noise reduction or ANR consumes battery whereas PNR or passive noise reduction does not require batteries to run. Nonetheless, whichever makes you feel more comfortable; the noise reduction capability must be good and precise and are also highly reliable. Having a low noise on the background helps you focus your attention more than the chatter and the public noise all around you.
Battery life – since a wireless headphone is not wired into a device, it must have its own battery source. The battery must have a capacity that is good and long lasting, measured in mili-amperes or mA. You must know the average length of the standby time as well as the total talk time and play time so you know its average battery capacity in one go and you must also know or have an idea of the typical charging time of the headphone.
Our Pick
Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones
Our best wireless headphone is the Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphone and this wireless headphone has a wireless transmitter that has a band frequency of 900 MHz or 926 MHz to be exact which allows the wireless transmission of the transmitter in a very powerful way. The transmitter only makes the use of 2 AAA batteries which are also included (but you can also provide your very own if you wish. In fact, it is very applicable for watching TV as well as listening to music, watching movies in your home entertainment system the like.
Because it receives through walls, to your outdoor space and even through ceilings, it is very powerful in its reception, power and capability for a wireless headphone. Despite the distance, it can give you with a wide range of musical frequencies and a good bass response. Sound reproduction is very detailed and also very analytical for the audiophiles and the movie goers who are meticulous in sound quality and noise reduction capabilities. Moreover, it also has a convenient volume control in its design.
The open back design of the wireless headphone can let you wear the headphone for hours of watching movies, TV shows, listening to music and the like. Also, it is also very light weight at only 8 ounces for the receiver headphones and 6 ounces for the transmitter so it is travel friendly as well. It also has a frequency range for its radio frequencies which is selectable from 926 MHz up to 928 MHz and its frequency response is from 22 Hz up to 19,500 Hz so it can deliver you great sound quality.
The Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear is also equipped with less than 0.7 percent of total harmonic distortion or THD and there are also audio adapters at 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch. The operating time of the included battery is from 20 to 25 hours in its regular usage while the SPL or sound pressure level sensitivity is at 106 dB. They are also very comfortable to wear for people with glasses or prescription glasses so they are versatile in their design while the transducer has an open dynamic type for easy listening.
The modulation of the headphone is FM stereo and the transmitter only consumes 9 volts of DC power. The wireless headphones have comparable and surpassing quality compared to wired models. The headphones are not too loose at all and they are also not too tight so they are comfortable in a general sense and the reception in the same room is good and has little delays. The frequency response is flat with good highs and mid tones and the range of this Sennheiser wireless headphone is up to 100 meters or up to 328 feet in total distance. It is set to work with laptops, desktop computers, mp3 players, Blu-ray players, DVD players, satellite receivers, HD TVs, AV receivers and many more and a warranty of 2 years is ensured for the user in buying this wireless headphone.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
Like most headphones out there, the Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones have a few cons but they are not enough to break the deal about this best wireless headphone, such as the fact that its batteries are not rechargeable, but can be replaced when they run out.
Step-up Pick
Sony MDRRF985RK RF Wireless Stereo Headphones
This step-up pick, the Sony MDRRF985RK RF Wireless Stereo Headphone, is great and ideal for digital TVs, smart TVs, home entertainment systems, home theater systems and much more and it also has a digital audio converter by DB provided along with the transmitter and the receiver headphone. It is ideal for the digital optical outputs of TVs that are supported by this feature and the fact that it fits snugly onto your ears makes it very easy to wear and it does not fall off even if you are enjoying watching sports on your TV without the problem of the headphones coming off.
Because it is powered by radio frequency, you can enjoy wireless streaming, listening and watching without much interference and up to a far and wide range compared to Bluetooth headphones. The headphone has an over the ear or circumaural design so it keeps off the background noise to ensure that your sound quality is not ruined by the noise and it also has a closed back feature on its folding mechanism so it is able to keep your listening pleasures privately and the sound does not leak outside.
The volume control on this wireless headphone is also reliable and excellent and convenient and the fact that this wireless headphone is a plug and play product makes it very easy to set up in any TV or cable setting. The charging time of this headphone can take about 3 1/2 hours of charging time for it to charge fully and then you can use it for up to 25 hours of regular listening or watching TV and literally anything you want thanks to its very convenient charging dock or charging station. The headphone that uses wireless technology using radio frequency can span from 80 feet up to 150 feet of total working coverage area.
Budget Pick
Artiste Digital Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphones
Our budget pick is the Artiste Digital Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphone and this highly convenient wireless headphone also uses RF or radio frequency technology at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. It is an ideal wireless headphone for use with TVs and smart TVs and it is also equipped with an over the ear or circumaural design as a wireless headphone.
You can also use it for music other than TVs and home entertainment system and it has a frequency response of 30 Hz up to 20 kHz so you can enjoy high quality sounds for a budget pick wireless headphone. It uses stereo dock charging so you do not have to worry about inconvenient wall charging and the like and the wireless headphone uses 2.4 GHz signal technology which has a 100 feet wireless range in total due to its high quality transmitter.
The controls are very precise and wide in its options due to its memory preset for volume, alerts for low power and mute function as well as an indicator light for power and the headphones have a soft touch and a comfortable padding for hours of listening to music or enjoying a movie or a TV show. It uses standard Ni-MH batteries which are rechargeable and each full charge of the headphone batteries can last for up to 20 hours.
The frequency hopping system has a total of 31 channels to choose from to give you the highest sound quality in its design while the transmitter is also the charging dock, much like other RF wireless headphones out there. The deep bass sounds offer a rich music taste for audiophiles and movie goers and it comes with a 3.5 mm audio cable and there is also an RCA cable for your needs. There are adapters for AC power and DC power and the unit comes with one pair of AAA NiMH batteries that are rechargeable. It also comes with a user’s manual for your references. It already comes with a digital converter so you can use it for analog TVs as well as digital TVs without much problem at all.
Wireless Headphone with a Wide Frequency Range
Sony MDR-HW700DS Japan-Import Wireless Headphone 100-240V
The Sony MDR-HW700DS Japan-Import Wireless Headphone 100-240V has a wide frequency range and this high quality wireless headphone is rated for use on 100 volts systems as well as 240 volts systems due to its importation redesigning. It uses a lithium ion battery that is rechargeable and can be used for up to 12 hours without charging when fully charged and the power supply is built-in within the rechargeable battery. Its frequency range or bandwidth is from 5 Hz up to 25,000 Hz so you can definitely hear even the finest details possible.
The voice coil has an adoption material of CCAW which couples itself with the driver unit which measures 50 mm each for superior bass ranges and it supports a wide range of decoders or codecs such as Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, DTS, Master Audio, AAC, DTS 96/24, Pro Logic Ilz, LPCM 2 ch / 5.1 ch / 7.1 ch and much more in its amazing sound engineering and quality. It also comes with the needed charging USB cable at 1.5 meters on length plus an optical digital cable at 1.5 meters in length and it also comes with the needed AC adapter for international regional use.
It has outputs for HDMI and optical plus inputs for optical, stereo pin jack and HDMI (3) and it also has a closed back design so that your music will be all yours to enjoy at a private setting without the music leaking to the outside world. It has an over the ear or circumaural design so it fits perfectly and it also greatly reduces noise outside and from the background and you can also use it for the Xbox as a gaming headphone. The Sony Japan-Import Wireless Headphone is also a must-have if you want to enjoy stereo surround sound such as 5.1 channels or 7.1 channels.
Ideal Wireless Headphone with an Open Back Design
Sennheiser HDR 185 RF Wireless Headphone
With the Sennheiser HDR 185 RF Wireless Headphone, a dynamic sound will be achieved with this awesome and reliable wireless headphone from Sennheiser as it is highly applicable for the RS 185 system if you have it in your home or setting. In fact, you can also enjoy high quality and dynamic sound without losing details due to the transducers being of great quality in its designs. The wireless headphone has an open back design for better breathability and it is also circumaural or over the ear to prevent noise from getting in the way of your detailed and precise music pleasure.
The Sennheiser HDR 185 RF only requires any 2 AAA batteries to run as a wireless RF headphone and you can also use it for simultaneously listening for two similar headphones at the same time. Moreover, it is a beautiful addition if you want to add more headphones to your current wireless system and it is backed by a warranty of 2 years.
Wireless Headphone with an Auto Scanning System Feature
Royal WES 50 900-MHz Wireless Headphones
The Royal WES 50 900-MHz Wireless Headphones are definitely great for use in high fidelity systems as well as DVD players, TVs, smart TVs, satellite cable, home entertainment systems, home cinema, home theater and much more. The wireless headphones have a bandwidth frequency of 900 mHz as a wireless stereo headphone and they have a unique automatic scanning capability so you do not have to worry about interference. The two-way system of the wireless headphone adds to its convenience and ease of use and you can easily use the headphones wirelessly through your yard or lawn and through your house without the walls or the ceilings interfering with your signals due to the RF technology that is not present in Bluetooth models out there.
The headphones also have an automatic tuning function plus an off and on control that runs automatically and this wireless headphone has a closed back feature and has an over the ear design. The headphones are also very comfortable to wear for long hours and they are also relatively easy to set up.
Ideal Wireless Headphone for HD TVs
Sony Long Range Wireless Stereo Headphones
The Sony Long Range Wireless Stereo Headphones have a long range of coverage because of its high definition and high quality build and they can work on LCD TVs as well as LED TVs. It can also work for most VIZO products. It can be greatly recommended for HD TVs with great sound and picture quality or any flat screen TV and it is capable of working at a total average range distance of up to 26 feet and it also has a transmission angle of 90 degrees at 13 feet. Its battery is any standard AA battery that is alkaline and its PET diaphragms give you high quality bass and mids and trebles without much distortion at all. Its driver unit measure 40 mm in diameter for superior sound quality and you can also easily charge using the docking station.
It uses any nickel metal hydride battery and the included one can last for up to 28 hours on a single full charge and there is also a volume control on the headphones to help you control and adjust the volume as well as the power using the LED indicator light. The open air design keeps you aware of your surroundings even when enjoying music and it also has a handy mute feature. Its supplied battery is a Ni-Cad battery for superior endurance and longevity as a reliable wireless headphone and the audio jack spans at a total length of 38 inches overall.
It only charges in nearly 7 hours or less depending on circumstances and is a great convenience for its features and reliability as a wireless headphone that is always ready to use and you can still get great reception even up to 20 feet in range.
Ideal Wireless Headphone with an On Ear or Supra-Aural Design
Sennheiser RS 115 On-Ear RF Headphones
The Sennheiser RS 115 On-Ear RF Headphones have an on ear design and it also has a stylish look especially with the charging dock that doubles as the transmitter of the headphones. Its storage system is so neat and versatile and also compact in its design and its power consumption in decibels is at 65 dBA on its TR115 transmitter that has been integrated with the charging dock. It has a frequency response of 22 Hz up to 18,500 Hz so it is good in its wireless audio streaming capability and its operating time is up to 20 hours or less depending on usage. Its max SPL sensitivity is at 104 dB at 1 kHz and its THD or total harmonic distortion is less than 0.7 percent. Its acoustic principle is an open dynamic receiver (the HDR 115) and these RF wireless headphones are at 900 MHz as radio frequency wireless headphones and they also have an on the ear or supra-aural design for user comfort and portability. Overall, it has a very flat sound so it is also good for DJs and studio producers and the like.
Reliable Wireless Headphone with a Long Range of Transmission
Sony 150-feet Expanded Long-Range Wireless Headphones
With the Sony 150-feet Expanded Long-Range Wireless Headphones, you get a long range of operation for up to 150 feet in its total wireless range. There is also an easy volume control for this wireless headphone. Its dynamic stereo quality is very good due to the high quality 40 mm driver magnet speakers with neodymium materials and other ferrite magnets for a superior bass and rich highs and a good frequency range plus quality sound from 10 Hz up to 22,000 Hz all in all.
Its radio frequency signal is very reliable and does not pick up noise or reduce it during the time it transmits signals from your audio source so its noise reduction capabilities are good and it has an LED indicator for its power and also has a mute function which works even without RF signal. On a full charge, the wireless headphone can run for up to 25 hours of unstoppable enjoyment and it can be easily recharged on the docking station using electromagnetic induction within 3 1/2 hours of regular charging time and you can also use AA batteries in alkaline material for a battery option.
There are a total of 3 frequency channels which individually give you a fine tuning without distortion and signal loss at all and it has a closed air dynamic feature for its design and the headband can be easily adjusted for your needs. The soft padding of the headband and the ear pads add to the comfort level of the headphone and it also has an automatic scanning capability using the 3-channel selection or you can also use it to switch manually between channels for your convenience. It comes with the rechargeable battery, AC power adapters, the needed connecting cable and the transmitter, charger and docking station all in one other than the headphone and of course, it works even through walls due to being RF in its wireless technology.
Ideal Wireless Headphone for Home Theater Systems
Sony Wireless Stereo Headphone System
The Sony Wireless Stereo Headphone System can run for up to 10 hours of regular play time and you can use AAA batteries and its NiMH built-in battery can last for up to 7 hours but you can always replace it with a higher capacity of battery for your preferences. It is an ideal headphone that is wireless for home theaters, home entertainment systems and the like and its diaphragm has a long stroke design and has a diameter of 40 mm each for a crisp and clear sound. It has a signal range of up to 100 feet or 30 meters for superior performance and flexibility and adaptability.
The Competition
When it comes to other wireless headphones, we did not pick them because they were just regular old Bluetooth headphones and not really radio frequency or RF headphones and hence they are very short in range and in distance for its functionality and they are also quite unreliable for long distance or for TV use because not every TV has a Bluetooth technology equipped for it.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I consider in a wireless headphone?
A: According to eBay , do consider the transmission range, since not all RF wireless headphones have the same technology or the same working distance, although they are relatively similar in hundreds or value. Sound quality is also important so that you may enjoy your favorite music channel or movie without interruption from background noise.
The battery life must also be good because it is a deciding factor for the wireless headphone for longer use. Most wireless headphones have an integrated charging base station or dock for convenience. Comfort is also a must-have for any RF wireless headphones as you will wear it for hours of music or movies or TV shows.
Q: What are the differences between a Bluetooth headphone and a wireless headphone or RF headphone?
A: According to Headsets.com , while Bluetooth only covers a short range of up to 33 feet, wireless headphones can cover distances of up to 300 feet and can go through walls. They are both wireless but when we say wireless, it refers to the radio frequency or RF wireless headphones, not to be confused with wireless Bluetooth headphones.
Wrapping It Up
To wrap it up, the Sennheiser RS110 Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones is our best wireless headphone not just for TV use but also for music, studios and many other purposes whatsoever.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.