The best headphones for movies are an excellent way to experience watching a film, and even some movie theatres are using them to deliver the best possible sound.
But not all headphones are the right choice for movies, because many headphones simply don't have the audio quality and performance to stand up to a movie experience. Here are our picks for the best headphones for movies:Our Picks
Best Overall Headphones for Movies
The RS175 system already has incredible Sennheiser audio quality, but also has bass boost and surround sound listening modes, to give your movies and music the full, rich sound they deserve. This system has a fantastic range, long battery life, and can support a huge range of inputs. The comfortable design is easy to wear, and on-ear controls make them fast to adjust. And we love the fact that two pairs of compatible headphones can be linked to the system, so you can share your movie experiences, even with headphones on.
Best for Immersive, Engrossing, Pure Movie Sound
These wireless headphones from Sony simulate 7.1 channel audio for a full, 3D surround sound movie experience. They have a big wireless range, fast charging time, and long battery life. The sound is full and dynamic, powered by big 40mm drivers, and makes for an incredible home theater movie experience.
Best Versatile Headphones for Movies and Everything Else
The Bose SoundLink headphones have deep, immersive sound with improved EQ to give great audio quality at any volume. These headphones can also be connected to two devices at once, so you can lose yourself in a movie, but also seamlessly switch over to answer a call.
The advanced microphone and side tone sound makes your calls clear on both ends, even with background noise. They can be used wired or wireless, paired with a huge range of devices, have a fast charge time and long battery life, and are an excellent all-around set of headphones for entertainment and daily life.
Best Headphones for Movies on a Plane or Commute
These QuietComfort headphones from Bose are specifically designed for air travel, with active noise filtering that removes engine hum, quiets crying babies, and helps you enjoy movies on an airplane better than ever before. They are lightweight, comfortable, foldable, and come with a traveling case to make your air travel easy and more relaxing.
Headphones for Movies Buyer's Guide
There are a few things to take into consideration when you are buying headphones for movies. Here are some of the most important.
Overall Sound Quality
While headphones for music often have bass boost or customized EQ settings, movies have different considerations. What is most important in headphones for movies is an overall high audio quality and high-quality components, because a movie needs to be able to deliver clarity in spoken dialogue, drama in music, and power in explosions (depending on the kind of movie you watch).
Everyone is familiar with the sensation of needing to turn up the volume during a quiet dialogue scene and then turn it down again during an action sequence, but you shouldn't have to do that. Good headphones for movies deliver excellent quality, clarity, and dynamic sound across the entire audio spectrum, no matter what kind of movie you prefer.
Spaciousness and Location
Closed-back headphones are designed to completely seal your ears from the outside world, enclosing you in the audio environment. These designs can be perfect if you are watching movies in a place with a lot of background noise and a distracting environment, like an airplane. Gamers often prefer closed-back headphones because they also provide very accurate information about a sound's location, which can be critical in a game environment, and help you identify where sounds are coming from.Open-back headphones do not completely seal your ears, allowing some environment noise into the acoustic environment of the film. They are usually the choice of sound design professionals, partly because they help to prevent ear fatigue over hours of working with audio, but also because it is more natural. Open-back headphones create a sense of spaciousness and openness in your movie experience, making the sound environment bigger and more immersive.
After all, in a theater or concert hall, you are hearing big, immersive sound from all directions, but with a sense of openness and space that adds to the sound landscape. Open-back headphones can also have practical advantages if you want to really enhance your film experience, but also need to be moderately attentive to a phone, doorbell, or other environment sounds.Latency
There are a lot of practical reasons to love wireless headphones, and the freedom of movement they create. For sports, chores, and music, wireless headphones are fantastic. However, for music and games, where you are watching the audio as well as hearing it, latency becomes a big concern. The truth is, low-quality wireless headphones often have latency issues, where you see something a bit before you hear it, due to a signal delay.
Nothing ruins a movie or gaming experience like latency. If you are looking for wireless headphones for movies, make sure you are choosing high-quality headphones with the most current wireless technology possible, in order to avoid latency and prevent distracting, annoying movie experiences.Versatility and Durability
In a perfect world, you would choose the ideal headphones for your home theater setup and movie enjoyment, and use different headphones for ordinary daily wear. However, many people want a more versatile, all-around pair of headphones that can go anywhere, any time.
There are headphones that can meet those needs, but keep in mind that you will want a very durable pair of headphones in that instance. Look for replaceable cables, replaceable ear pads, and high-quality materials that will last you throughout all your daily needs and challenges.Comparison Table
Best Headphones for Movies Reviews
Best Home Theater Headphones
The Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF headphones come with a sleek, stylish charging dock that doubles as a wireless transmitter, for an attractive setup in any environment. These go beyond simply a pair of headphones, to a whole new RF audio environment for your home, office, or studio. Using the RCA outputs of your DVD or Blu-Ray player, home theater amplifier, DVR, satellite or a/v receiver, computer, MP3 player, or television, the Sennheiser RS120 base station converts the audio and transmits an RF signal to the headphones.
The RF network creates interference-free reception through obstacles such as doors, walls, and ceilings, for up to 300 feet. It can also extend the range of your remote controls, through obstacles, from up to 120 feet away. The RS120 RF network can be used with the included headphones, or send a signal to multiple compatible headphones for multiple users to enjoy at once. The transmitter is automatically turned on and off when it receives audio input and charges the headphones when they are mounted on it, for up to 20 hours of battery life.
With this system, you can enjoy wireless audio from any analogue source without worrying about range or cord length. The headphones are lightweight and padded for comfort, and give classic Sennheiser performance. Sound is clear and detailed, with great balance and bass response. They are backed by a 2-year warranty.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF headphones bring a whole new wireless audio experience to your home theater. The system converts analogue audio signals into RF signals that can be transmitted to the headphones over distances of up to 300 feet, even through obstacles, and also recharges the impressive 20 hour battery life.
The sound is everything you would expect from Sennheiser: It's clear, rich, and detailed, adding an immersive aspect to movies, music, and games. You can purchase additional RF headphones and connect them to the same transmitter for shared experiences, and the lightweight, padded, ergonomic design is comfortable over prolonged wearing.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor headphones have incredible sound performance powered by proprietary 45mm large-aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. This creates exceptional clarity throughout the frequency range with deep, accurate bass.
The professional-quality sound is protected by a circumaural design that surrounds the ears and delivers sound isolation, even in noisy environments. However, the 90° swiveling earcups also allow simple one-ear monitoring when you don't want to be immersed in your audio, and for compact folding in transport and storage. These professional-grade studio headphones are made of comfortable, durable materials, and have a detachable cable. They come with a straight cable, coiled cable, and carrying case.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor headphones are designed for audio and music professionals, and have some of the design features preferred in studio environments, like a coiled cable and easy one-ear monitoring. However, the exceptional sound clarity and performance of these headphones will be welcome in any audio environment, and deliver fantastic performance in a home theater. They are comfortable, durable, and deliver exceptional sound.
Best Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
The award-winning Sennheiser RS 175 RF wireless headphone system has bass boost and surround sound listening modes, in a compact, ergonomic, comfortable package. These over-ear headphones have built-in audio controls for wireless adjustment any time you need it, and a stylish look in any environment. They have a line of sight range of up to 328 feet, and support both analogue and digital inputs.
These multi-purpose transmitter, and multi-receiver headphones offer incredible, immersive sound and wireless convenience and portability, and can pair with up to 2 pairs of headphones at once. They have up to 18 hours of battery life, and 8 hours full recharge time. They come with a 2-year warranty.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Sennheiser RS 175 RF wireless headphone system has an incredible Surround Sound mode for movies or Bass Boost mode for music, and overall excellent audio quality and clarity in any application. The RS175 RF system has an incredible range, but not through obstacles, and works with analogue or digital signals. The 18-hour battery life is long enough for any movie marathon, and the comfortable, ergonomic fit won't cause fatigue.
The Sony MDR-DS6500 Digital Wireless 3D surround headphone system features 7.1 channel 3D digital surround sound, at a fraction of the space and cost of a complete surround sound home theater audio system. The headphones have large, 40mm drivers and a wide frequency range to capture every sound.
They have a 20 hour battery life, and a sleek, stylish charging dock/transmitting station that will look great in any home theater environment. The real-time tuning creates a high quality, non-compressed RF signal with up to 328 feet in range. Charging time is approximately 3 hours.
Pros
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Summary
The Sony MDR-DS6500 Digital Wireless 3D surround headphone system is a great alternative to a big, expensive home audio setup, with immersive, 7.1 sound in the compact headphones. They have a big dynamic range for high-quality audio, and a big RF range for wireless convenience and freedom of movement. The long battery life and fast charging time is a bonus for this system.
Best Bluetooth/Wireless Headphones for Movies
The Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones II have the deep, immersive sound Bose is famous for, with improved EQ and best-in-class performance. These headphones can be used with the included headphone jack, or with the latest Bluetooth technology for seamless syncing with a huge variety of devices, and easy switching between two Bluetooth devices.
They have a wireless range of up to 30 feet, 15 hours of play time, and a 3-hour battery recharge time. However, just 15 minutes of charging time will give you up to 2 hours of play time, so you don't have to wait to hear your favorite film with the best audio possible. The advanced microphone system reduces background noise for clear calls even in windy or noisy environments. They even come with a carrying case.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones II deliver everything you are looking for in multi-purpose Bluetooth headphones. The ability to pair them with two devices and seamlessly switch between them, without having to look at your phone or find a remote, makes these a fantastic choice for work or workouts.
The enhanced microphone and sidetone make both ends of your calls clear and efficient. On-ear controls give you easy mobility and flexibility, and the ability to use them wired or wirelessly makes them even more versatile. And they have fantastic Bose sound, with crisp, strong audio at any volume.
Like the other Sennheiser systems, the RS165 system converts analogue audio inputs into an RF signal that is wirelessly transmitted to the headphones. The Sennheiser RS 165 RF wireless headphone system has a smaller range than some, at just 100 feet, but that's still plenty of range for almost any home theater needs. It has an 18-hour battery life, a stylish, ergonomic design, and a second set of headphones can be paired with the system, for shared experiences.
The Sennheiser RS 165 headphones have a closed back and circumaural design to reduce background noises and distractions, and fully immerse you in the movie environment. They have vibrant, detailed sound with minimum latency, and a bass boost listening mode for more impact. They have a 2-year warranty.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Sennheiser RS120 system has an on-ear design, which may not be as comfortable for some users, and doesn't eliminate as much background noise. The RS165 system has a circumaural design that provides better sound isolation, and has more intuitive controls, but doesn't have as much signal strength and range as the RS120.
Either system is a fantastic way to convert analogue signals from your TV, home audio system, or DVD player into a wireless RF signal, so you can enjoy superior Sennheiser sound for hours at a time, without being restricted in your movements.Best Budget Headphones for Movies
These Over Ear Bluetooth Wireless Headphones from August have big 50mm drivers for optimal sound quality from any device. They have warm, rich bass and clear, defined treble. Even better, the August Audio EQ app (for iOS or Android devices) allows you to tune and customize the headphones just the way you like, reproducing any sound stage you prefer. They can be used in wired mode, or with the swift, seamless Bluetooth NFC connections for fast pairing and wireless convenience, with low latency.
They can pair with two devices at the same time, for easy use of media devices without missing important phone calls. They have fast, easy controls on the earpad, and a lightweight, foldable design for easy portability. The light weight and comfort padding makes them comfortable to wear for long periods, and, with a 15-hour battery life, they can see you through work days, movie marathons, or even long flights. They have a stylish look, and come in a good selection of colors.
Pros
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Summary
The August Over Ear Bluetooth Wireless headphones don't have the durability and exceptional audio quality of more expensive models, but they perform exceptionally well for affordable headphones. They have a great look, good sound quality and response, and wired and wireless modes for use with nearly any device. Convenient controls built onto the ear cup, and augmented options with the companion app allow you to have a great movie experience with these headphones.
![Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones Mic, Wireless Wired Comfortable Foldable Stereo ANC Over Ear Headset, Low Latency TV PC Phone - ANC032 [24M Warranty]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41GCpH1-NTL.jpg "Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones Mic, Wireless Wired Comfortable Foldable Stereo ANC Over Ear Headset, Low Latency TV PC Phone - ANC032 [24M Warranty]")
The Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth 4.1 headphones can be used in wired or wireless modes. Active noise cancelling reduces low frequency background and ambient noise to increase the clarity and quality of your audio. They have precision-engineered 40mm stereo drivers for dynamic music listening.
Advanced Bluetooth CSR chipset ensures fast and stable linking with minimal lag time for smooth audio experiences. They are lightweight and fold for easy portability. The swiveling ear cups, adjustable headband, and hands-free control lets you make calls, adjust music tracks, and control volume all within the comfort of these headphones. They have up to 10 hours of Bluetooth battery life, a 2-year warranty, and come with a carrying pouch.
Pros
Cons
Summary
The Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth 4.1 headphones have wired and wireless modes, so you can connect them to a huge range of devices. Convenient on-ear controls, comfortable padding and light weight, and good battery life make these a versatile pair of headphones you can take anywhere. The active noise cancelling helps to reduce background noise and improve your audio experience.
Best Open Back Headphones for Movies
The Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional headphones are made of the highest quality materials for truly professional sound. The acoustic silk offers precision damping over the entire frequency range, reducing total harmonic distortion to just .05%. The hand-selected matched driver elements and high power neodymium magnets deliver maximum efficiency and an improved frequency response.
The aluminum voice coils have a very fast transient response, while remaining light weight. The specially modulated detachable connecting cable is made of Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper for the highest quality signal with no noise. They have a stylish titanium and silver finish, and come with a 2-year warranty.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional headphones are engineered to the highest standards, inside and out. The hand-matching of driver elements, high-quality materials, and attention to detail allow these headphones to deliver exceptional sound with incredible comfort. They have a great look, and are built to last, making them an excellent way to experience every sound in your favorite films for years to come.
The AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Reference-Class Premium Headphones were designed by AKG Acoustics in Vienna, in partnership with legendary music producer Quincy Jones. As you might expect, they are first rate in style, quality, and sound, with incredible features in a pair of headphones. The flat aluminum wire voice coil creates a strong, uniform magnetic field that increases accuracy and efficiency, while lowering impedance to create a realistic sound stage at low frequencies.
The patented two-layered diaphragm has accurate transient response, preventing unwanted vibration and reducing distortion. The bi-wired high performance cable has independent grounds for each motor assembly, which creates maximum possible stereo separation. The detachable OFC copper cables come in two different lengths, depending on your needs. The ear pads are designed in 3D to gently envelop the entire ear with a precise fit.
Different densities of foam provide unique comfort and an enduring fit. The headband is reinforced with a unbreakable metal arches, for lightweight suspension and durability without adding weight. The headband is stylish and comfortable, wrapped in real leather with a luxurious fit and finished with Quincy Jones’ own signature.Pros
Cons
Summary
The AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Reference-Class Premium headphones are designed for sound quality and clarity inside and out. The distinctive look and style of these headphones shows a rethinking of design, from the specially reimagined 3D earcups to the unique suspension headband. The patented dual-diaphragm system, aluminum voice coil, and innovative cable system provides exceptional sound signal with extremely low distortion. These headphones are built for premium music quality and exceptional sound experiences.
Best Headphones for Airplane Movies
The Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones give a deep, rich Bose sound, in compact, lightweight, portable headphones. They have the acoustic noise-cancelling capability that will remove engine hum and background noise from flights, cars, and other outside distractions, so that your sound is clearer, more immersive, and more soothing than before.
They have an inline microphone and remote for handling calls with ease, and come with an airline adapter, carrying case, and AAA battery. These headphones are portable, comfortable, and work to reduce background noise and create clear, pure, high-quality sound whenever you want it.Pros
Cons
Summary
The Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones are specifically designed for air travel, with advanced noise reduction that has the power to reduce airplane engine noise to nothing more than a whisper, and making your airline movies sound rich, deep, and powerful. They are also light weight and extremely comfortable, and pack down into a small case for traveling. The simple call handling, easy integration with your phone, and included airline adapter make these a great choice for frequent fliers.
The Skullcandy Crusher Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear headphones have incredible power, with two full-range 40mm audio drivers and two subwoofer drivers for a completely immersive audio experience with deep, powerful bass. The haptic bass levels are adjustable, so you can fine tune the headphones for your perfect level of bass response. The custom-tuned audio drivers complement all that bass with refined inner acoustics, and the noise-isolating ear cups reduce external noise and let your music shine.
These headphones can be used with a wire or with Bluetooth connectivity, and have a built-in mic and on-ear buttons for fast and easy call handling. They have an incredible 40 hours of battery life, and super-fast charging. Just 10 minutes charge gets up to 3 hours of battery life, and you can reach a full charge in only 2.5 hours. They fold down for travel. The full, deep, powerful sound of these headphones, along with their excellent noise isolation, immerses you fully in your music or moviesPros
Cons
Summary
The Skullcandy Crusher Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear headphones are specifically designed to give you great bass notes, with built-in subwoofers and dual audio drivers. They create rich, powerful, immersive sound with great isolation from the environment, and minimal audio leakage from the earcups. They are comfortable and easy to travel with, and have an incredible battery life and fast charging capabilities that make them easy to take anywhere, any time.
Best Headphones for Movies and Games
The HyperX Cloud II Gaming headset has everything a gamer needs for the best gaming experience, and is used by teams like TeamLiquid, SK Gaming, Intel Extreme Masters, and more. It has 7.1 virtual surround sound, huge 53mm neodymium magnets, and fantastic frequency response. With the included USB sound card, this headset provides active noise and echo cancelling. The memory foam ear pads create further sound isolation or can be replaced with the included velour ear pads for extra comfort.
The microphone is detachable, and chat and game volume can be controlled independently. This headset is compatible with PCs, Xbox, PS4, Mac, VR, and mobile devices. It's optimized for team chat, and compatible with Teamspeak, Discord, Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble, and Radiocall. The system comes with the USB audio card, an airplane adapter, extra ear cushions, and a travel bag. It also comes with free tech support and a 2-year warranty.Pros
Cons
Summary
The HyperX Cloud II Gaming headset is built to enhance every part of the gaming experience, from the good sound isolation and surround sound for full immersion, to easy management of team chat with ultimate clarity and echo suppression, and all the accessories you need. It's the headset of many pro gaming teams, and can bring your team to a whole new level.
The CORSAIR Void PRO RGB Wireless Gaming headset is a wireless PC gaming headset that is high on style. The RGB lighting system adds a whole new expression of style, and it's compatible with other Corsair RGB devices. The 50mm neodymium speaker drivers have rich, dynamic, accurate sound. The dual diversity antenna gives a wireless range of up to 40 feet, and the headset lasts for up to 16 hours of play on a single charge.
The optimized microphone can be muted by pushing up the boom arm, and has a LED mute indicator. The microphone reduces ambient noise and improves the quality of your voice. Memory foam ear pads provide greater comfort, and the ear cavity design improves noise isolation/ It is a comfortable, stylish, and durable gaming headset.Pros
Cons
Summary
The CORSAIR Void PRO RGB Wireless Gaming headset has full, dynamic 7.1 surround sound powered by big drivers. They have a great look, enhanced by RGB lighting control. The microphone has a fast and easy mute, LED mute lighting, enhanced voice quality, and noise suppression. The wireless range is good and battery life on this headset is excellent. It's a great choice for PC gaming.
Conclusion
The truth is, very few home audio or theater setups can really do justice to the enormous work and expense that goes into sound designing a movie. Movies are composed like music, with incredible rich, spatial detail in the sound, that sets the mood, creates the atmosphere, and even sometimes drives the plot. Even if a person invests in the speakers and amplifiers that help re-create movie theater sound, their room layout and basic acoustic properties of the space simply can't measure up to a theater standard.
The fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to experience a film the way the filmmaker intended is to experience it with a high-quality pair of headphones. And even when you don't want an immersive, cinematic experience, headphones can help reduce background noise and make it easier to concentrate. And for gamers, audio can not only enhance and enrich the gaming experience, but provide vital information about the game that they need to succeed.
A good pair of headphones adds an incredible layer of complexity and richness to all the media you consume, and can even make your calls sound clearer and more detailed, bringing you closer to those you care about. Choose the best headphones for movies and make every audio experience a better one.
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