Sometimes, watching TV calls for a more private listening experience. Maybe there's construction noise outside that only Active Noise Cancellation can drown out, or maybe your viewing partner has fallen asleep and you don't want to disturb them. In these moments, switching your TV audio to headphones lets you watch what you want in peace — and in total immersion.

A premium pair of over-ear headphones can sound every bit as rich as a traditional audio setup. And even if you already have a surround-sound system at home, there are plenty of reasons to periodically swap audio from your TV speakers to your headphones. In this guide, we'll explain how to connect headphones to your TV. There are a few ways to do it, but some of the most obvious options (using Bluetooth or a traditional audio jack, for example) may not be the best or even the simplest.

Can you use Bluetooth headphones to connect to your TV?

Most modern televisions are Bluetooth-compatible. You should be able to use your Bluetooth headphones with your TV if you own at least a mid-range model dating back to 2015 or later.

Each television model has its own configuration instructions, so if you’ve kept the user manual around, look in there for the specifics. If not, don’t worry — the same general walkthrough applies to most TVs. To connect headphones to your TV via Bluetooth:

• Enable “pairing mode” on your Bluetooth headphones. You can usually do this by pressing and holding the power button, or by pressing a dedicated pairing button.
• Navigate to your TV’s “Settings” menu. When you’ve found the menu, look for a key phrase like “Bluetooth”, “Sound”, or “Connected Devices” and click on it to open up the Bluetooth device settings.
• Enable Bluetooth on your TV (if it isn't already on). If you’ve never used Bluetooth with your TV before, you must enable it. You can usually do this via a toggle on-off switch.
• Look for an option like "Add Device" or "Pair New Device". When you click on this option, your device should show up in the list if it’s in “pairing mode”. Simply click on your device, and wait for pairing to complete.

Even if you can connect your headphones to your TV via Bluetooth, better options may be available. While Bluetooth has a lot going for it, it shines best when WiFi isn't readily available. And since WiFi isn't usually a problem in most homes, a WiFi-connected home theater system typically offers higher bandwidth, better sound quality, and a more extensive bluetooth range in case you need to move around while keeping one eye on the TV.

Can you use an audio jack to connect headphones to your TV?

The 3.5mm audio jack (also known as a headphone jack or aux port) has been the traditional way to connect headphones to TVs since the 1980s. While many newer TV models have eliminated this port in favor of wireless solutions, you can still find adapters for digital optical output or RCA ports if needed.

Though a wired connection offers some advantages—no charging, zero latency, and freedom from wireless interference—it comes with serious limitations. The cable length restricts your movement, and a standard 3.5mm connection may not support surround sound. For most people, a WiFi-powered headphone connection is a superior alternative to the wired audio jack of yore.

How to use Sonos TV Audio Swap

If you have a pair of Sonos Ace headphones and a compatible Sonos soundbar, the best and simplest way to connect your headphones to your TV audio is via the TV Audio Swap feature.

This WiFi-powered connection offers the best of all worlds: immersive surround sound quality, the range and portability of a wireless connection, and a simple and easy setup.

Setting up TV Audio Swap for the first time

To set up TV Audio Swap, first set up Sonos Ace in the Sonos App and connect it to your iOS or Android device. You must also enable WiFi on your Sonos home theater speaker in order for it to work with TV Audio Swap. Once that’s done, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the “Settings” menu in the Sonos app and select your Sonos Ace in the “Headphones” section.
• Under “Home Theater”, select “+ Add TV Audio Swap”.
• Select the speaker you’d like to use, then follow the instructions to complete the setup.

Swapping audio from your TV to Sonos Ace

Once you’ve set up TV Audio Swap, it’s easy to switch your audio source from your TV to Sonos Ace:

• Make sure your TV is on and that your TV audio is playing through your home theater speaker.
• Swap TV audio by long-pressing the “Content Key” on the right ear cup of Sonos Ace. You can also swap audio directly from the Sonos app by using the “Swap” button on Sonos Ace’s info screen.

When to swap audio to Sonos Ace for a better listening experience

TV Audio Swap is the best way to optimize your sound experience to your viewing situation. For example, if you’re dealing with a lot of external noise, you can swap to Sonos Ace and benefit from Active Noise Cancellation. This can be an especially effective way to hear dialogue better.

And while you may worry about a loss in sound quality when swapping audio from a premium soundbar like Arc Ultra, Sonos Ace offers a singularly immersive experience for individual watchers. That’s thanks to Dolby Atmos technology, which creates a virtual soundstage that surrounds you in hyperrealistic sound from every direction. It even tracks your head dynamically, adapting the sound to keep you in the middle of every scene.

Sonos-quality sound, from your soundbar to your headphones

When choosing headphones, it’s important to consider how your headphones connect to the media devices you use the most. An otherwise great pair of headphones may not be ideal if it can only connect to your TV via Bluetooth or an audio jack. For a truly seamless and top-quality sound experience, you’ll want headphones that can connect to your TV via WiFi at the push of a button.

We designed Sonos Ace with a full range of audio experiences in mind — from listening on the go to watching a movie in the privacy of your home. Wherever you take Sonos Ace, you’ll enjoy lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth and USB-C, plus connectivity with Sonos home theater, Active Noise Cancellation, and up to 30 hours of battery life.

If you’re interested in headphones like you’ve never heard them before, get in touch with a Sonos expert by phone or chat.