Streaming Devices

There are a few reasons why you might need to factory reset your Chromecast. It might have stopped working properly and nothing else is fixing the problem, or you might have decided to sell your device.

The process for factory resetting your Chromecast depends on the generation of device that you have and whether the device is still connected to your Google Home app or you need to reset directly on the dongle. In this article, we’ll provide detailed instructions for each approach.

Remember, when you factory reset your device, you will erase all your data, including any customization you’ve made plus any third-party apps you’ve downloaded. You will have to sign into your device again and redownload any apps you would like to use.

How To Reset Your Chromecast

There are two ways to factory reset a Chromecast, either using the Chromecast app or, if that’s inaccessible, a hard reset on the device. When resetting on the device, the exact process for completing the reset depends on the generation of Chromecast you’re using.

How To Reset A Chromecast With The Google Home App

You can reset any Chromecast device using the Google Home app, as long as the connection between your device and your smartphone is working. The process is the same whether you’re using an Android phone or iPhone.

Launch the app on your smartphone and choose the linked Chromecast device that you would like to reset. Choose the Setting icon in the top right hand corner. When the menu opens, you will see three vertical dots in the right hand corner. Select this menu. Here you will see options to reboot or factory reset your Chromecast. Choose to reset and then confirm your selection to start the process.

If you do not see the factory reset option in your menu, it’s because the Chromecast that you’re connected to is running Chromecast with Google TV. This type of Chromecast needs to be reset from the Google Operating System menu following the instructions listed below.

If you cannot see your Chromecast at all, it may be because your smartphone and your device are not connected to the same Wi-Fi network, which is essential to establish a connection between them.

How To Reset A 1st Generation Chromecast

To factory reset your 1st Generation Chromecast for the dongle, make sure it’s plugged into your TV and its power source.

Hold down the side button on the dongle for 25 seconds until the usually lit LED light starts blinking red.

Release the button, and if your light starts to blink white, then you have successfully rebooted your device. Wait for it to restart itself.

How To Reset A Newer Chromecast (2nd And 3rd Generation And Ultra)

To factory reset your newer Chromecast, you will also need to ensure that your Chromecast dongle is plugged into your TV and its power source.

Again, find the side button and hold it down for about 10 seconds until the LED light starts to blink orange. Once the light turns white, you can release the button and your Chromecast will complete the factory reboot process.

Read our review of the Chromecast 4K Ultra here.

How To Reset A Chromecast With Google TV

If you’re using Chromecast on Google TV, the menu items you need to reset are located in the Google OS rather than the Google Home option. This is because the Chromecast is part of the broader Google TV ecosystem that’s operating your TV.

You will find your option to reset in the System menu. Choose About and you’ll find Factory Reset as an option.

How To Re-Setup Your Chromecast

If you factory reset your Chromecast, you’ll have to go through the setup process again. If it has been a while since you’ve done this, you might need a refresher.

First, make sure your Chromecast is plugged into your TV via HDMI and that it is also plugged into its power source.

Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Home app downloaded to your smartphone. If you’ve been having trouble with the app, it can be worth uninstalling and reinstalling to deal with any bugs. If you’re casting from your computer to Chromecast, you just need to ensure you have the latest version of Chrome installed.

Once the app is installed, click the + (plus) symbol at the top left hand corner, which gives you the option to set up a device. When you make this selection, you will be asked to choose a home for your device, at which point you’ll need to wait a few seconds for the app to do its thing before hitting continue.

If your Chromecast is switched on, your app should find the device and allow you to select it. You will then see a four character code on your screen. If your Chromecast is switched on, you should then be prompted to enter this code into your Chromecast, which you should do. You will also need to confirm that you’ve read the terms and conditions, and opt in or out of data sharing.

Next, you will need to pair your Chromecast with the Wi-Fi network, following the prompts on the screen to select the same network that your phone is connected to and entering your password.

You will now be taken through a series of service options, such as Google Assistant, that you can select or skip as you wish.

Once you have gotten through all of this, your Chromecast should be working again.

Troubleshooting Your Chromecast

If you’re thinking of factory resetting your Chromecast because it’s not working properly, you might want to consider troubleshooting a few common issues before committing to the reset. Remember that you will lose all of your data if you factory reset your device.

Check Your Wi-Fi

Often the problem with a Chromecast is that it cannot establish a strong connection with your smartphone due to Wi-Fi issues. Check that your Wi-Fi is functioning properly, and that both your smartphone and your Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

To check the Wi-Fi settings on your Chromecast, go to the settings menu and select Device Information, which should give you a Wi-Fi option and show you which network you are connected to.

Check Your Power Supply

If your Chromecast is not properly connected to its power source, or the power source is faulty, it will not function properly. You might need to purchase a new power brick to replace a faulty item. Make sure you choose an accessory that is compatible with the version of the Chromecast you’re using.

Reboot Your Device

If you have opened a lot of programs and overloaded your device’s CPU, it can get glitchy. The best thing you can do is turn it off and on again. This is a “reboot” rather than a factory reset. You will find the option to reboot in the Settings menu in your Google Home app, and then choose the three small dots in the right hand corner. The first option should be to Reboot (above Factory Reset).

Update Chrome

If you are having trouble casting from your PC or laptop to your Chromecast, it may be that you need to update the version of Chrome you’re using on your computer. In a Chrome tab, click on the three dots in the top right hand corner, which should tell you if there is a newer version of Chrome available. If there is an update, complete it and restart your browser before trying to cast again.

Update Google Home App

Equally, if you’re having trouble casting from your phone to your Chromecast, you may need to update your Google Home app. Updates are usually done automatically, but may not if you have disabled this option for some reason. Go to the Google Play Store of the Apple App Store and look for the app. If you do not have the newest version, it should alert you that an update is available.

Update Your Chromecast Firmware

Another possibility is that the firmware on your Chromecast is out of date. The firmware is what tells your hardware what to do. Your Chromecast should install updates automatically over Wi-Fi, but this may have been disabled for some reason.

To check your firmware, you should first go to the Google Support page and see what the most recent firmware is for the version of Chromecast you’re using.

You should then open the Google Home app, choose your Chromecast, and go to Settings to see the device information. Check the version of firmware that is installed there, and make sure it matches the latest version.

If the firmware is not up to date, you should start by rebooting your device (as described above), and once it has rebooted, head to the Settings menu, choose About, and then choose the System Update option. Your Chromecast should then update its firmware over the air.

Looking for a new streaming device? Find our recommendations for the best Android TV boxes here.

Google Chromecast FAQs

Do I have to factory reset my Chromecast?

If you are having trouble with your Chromecast, there are some troubleshooting procedures that you can perform before committing to a reset. Principally, you should check that your Wi-Fi connection is good and  your Chromecast and casting device are connected to the same network. You should also check that the apps you are using (Google Home app on smartphone and Chrome on PC) are updated to the latest versions.

How do I factory reset Chromecast with Google TV?

If you need to factory reset a Chromecast that works with Google TV, you’ll find the reset options in the OS settings menu rather than the settings menu for Google Home. But the process is still very simple. Head to Settings, System, About, and there you will find the Factory Reset option.

How do I fix the factory reset not appearing in Google Home for my Chromecast?

If you open your Google Home app and can’t see the Factory Reset option in your settings menu, it’s either because you’re using Chromecast with Google TV, in which case you need to head to the Google TV settings menu, or your app is not connecting to your device. In this case, you should troubleshoot the connection by making sure both devices are connected to the same stable Wi-Fi network and that you are using the latest versions of all software on your devices.

The Verdict

If your Google Chromecast is not working and you’ve troubleshooted all the usual problems, it may be time for a factory reset. You will also want to factory reset your device if you want to sell it, as this will clear all of your data.

You can factory reset either from the Google Home app on your smartphone or directly on the dongle if you can’t connect via the app. The process is slightly different on the dongle depending on the model you have, but it is pretty straightforward and just involves holding down the side button until the Chromecast realizes there is a problem and resets itself.

If you are using Chromecast with Google TV, you’ll need to complete your reset within the OS settings menu since the Chromecast is integrated into the broader Google TV system.

Chromecasts are still great devices for getting what you want to watch onto your big screen, so don’t give up! Try a factory reset.

Vizio makes some fantastic smart 4K TVs. You might fall in love with the crystal clear, bright, and colorful image you see in the shop. So, if you get set up at home and aren’t seeing the same picture quality, you will no doubt be disappointed.

This happens because the factory settings for your TV are rarely the best for viewing at home, where you might deal with sun glare during the day and prefer watching in the dark at night (rather than an evenly lit store). Plus, if you want to do some gaming on your big screen, the standard mode is not going to deliver the frames per second that you need.

But this is not a problem–it just means  making some adjustments to your picture settings. So, how do you do that, and how do you know the best picture settings for you?

In this article, I will take you through the Picture Options menu on your Vizio smart TV and what each setting does. I’ll also recommend the best default picture settings for each of the Vizio TV Series, and suggest when you should consider switching between modes.

But wait! Why doesn’t your Vizio TV come with the best picture settings already preset? This is about power consumption. Your TV’s default tends to be at a relatively low power consumption to ensure the TV meets its advertised Energy Star requirements. When you start fiddling, your TV will start eating up a bit more power.

How To Adjust Picture Quality: A Quick Guide

Even if you’re happy with the picture quality of your Vizio TV when you first plug it in, it is worth having a look at the Picture Settings so you know what mode you’re using and what other options you have.

Preset Picture Settings For Vizio Smart TV

You’ll find picture settings in the main menu under Picture Options. From here, your first option is to choose a picture mode, which are preset modes designed to combine the best settings for different situations. Vizio currently offers six different picture modes:

• Standard – This option tries to offer the best of all worlds and also meet the Energy Star requirements. You will almost certainly find that your TV is set to this by default.
• Calibrated – This is the best mode for watching if you are in a brightly lit room. It will help minimize the way reflected light compromises the picture.
• Calibrated Dark – This is the best mode for watching in a dark room and brings cinema elements to your TV.
• Vivid – This mode brightens colors and enhances contrast for a more vivid experience, but will use more power than your standard mode. This is probably the image you saw the TV displaying in the shop.
• Game – Game consoles tend to send information to your TV at a faster rate than movies, so this mode increases the frames per second, which again uses more energy.
• Computer – If you are hooking up your computer to your TV, this mode will give you the most comfortable monitor-style visibility.

While these modes are optimized for different situations, people’s viewing preferences and environments are different. So, while Calibrated Dark mode might be great for most dark rooms, you may still find that you want to make some further adjustments to customize the image for you.

Standard Picture Settings For Vizio Smart TV

To start this process, you’ll find a variety of basic picture controls in the main Picture Options menu:

• Auto Brightness Control – This lets your TV identify light levels with a sensor and make changes to the backlighting in response, for better viewing in light and dark rooms.
• Backlight – This manually changes the LED brightness of the screen.
• Brightness – This modifies the level of black in your image for a brighter or darker image.
• Contrast – This modifies the levels of white in your image, which impacts the contrast between the colors.
• Tint – This changes the overall hue of your image so you can bring out certain colors as desired.
• Sharpness – This changes the edge of the sharpness and can be used to improve the quality of non-HD content.

Advanced Picture Settings For Vizio Smart TV

You can also make further adjustments if you click into the Advanced Picture Setting Options on your menu:

• Color Temperature – This changes the warmth or coolness of the color.
• Black Detail – This changes the overall brightness of the picture.
• Active LED zones – This improves the contrast ratio of your image.
• Smooth Motion Effect – This adds fake frames to artificially increase frame rate and make the image smoother.
• Motion Blur Reduction – This uses backlight strobing to clarify motion, especially in fast-moving games.
• Reduce Signal Noise – This clears up mosquito noise in the background of your image without compromising resolution.
• Reduce Black Noise – This also clears up background noise in images for better picture quality.
• Gamma – This controls how images turn from black to white and influences all the grays in between. The higher the Gamma, the darker the shadows of your images.

If you have HDR content available that uses a greater range of colors than SDR content, you’ll also be able to toggle Full UHD Color on and off.

Recommended Picture Settings For Different Vizio TVs

If you’re keen on excellent picture quality, you might want to change your picture mode quite regularly. Day and night lighting demand different settings, and you might want to take advantage of vivid settings when watching the latest 4K content but not the local news.

But if you prefer to get your picture set up and pretty much leave it, then there are different recommended settings for Vizio TVs depending on the series you have. Below you will find the best type of setting for each of the TV series (as well as what each series is best for).

Vizio P Series Models

The Vizio P series is currently the flagship choice when it comes to Vizio smart TVs. The Quantum X is the best on the market. The picture quality on this one stands out with a color gamut of 3,000 nits, plus the screen has 792 local dimming zones. This is all controlled by Dolby Vision HDR, DHR10, HDR10+, and HLG processing. It can deliver 4K at 120 frames per second, which is ideal for gaming. When you buy, it comes with Vizio’s newest voice remote.

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For the best image in most circumstances on this screen, you’ll want to choose the Calibrated Dark preference and maybe make a few tweaks to the settings.

• Backlight – 50
• Brightness – 50
• Contrast – 50
• Tint – 0
• Sharpness – 0
• Color Temperature – Normal
• Reduce Signal Noise – Off
• Reduce Block Noise – Off
• Color Space – Auto
• Chrome – 4:4:4

If you’re watching HDR content, make sure to check that your Full UHD Color option is toggled on.

Vizio M Series Models

The M series is a little bit less sophisticated than the P series. The P series uses an IQ Ultra Processor, while the M series uses the slightly less powerful IQ Active Processor, but it still supports the same range of HDR formats.

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But this one isn’t as good for gaming since you won’t get 120 frames per second. The best in the series is currently the MQ7, which comes with the Vizio voice remote and is Alexa compatible.

For this series, make sure you choose the Calibrated Dark option and ensure that the settings are properly tweaked.

• Contrast – 50
• Brightness – 50
• Color Temperature – Normal

Again, if you’re watching HDR content, make sure Full UHD Color is switched on.

Vizio V Series Models

The more affordable V series offers lower brightness levels and a more limited power spectrum, but these sets are half the price of options in the M series. You still get full 4K with HDR Dolby Vision and the IQ Active processor.

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With TVs in this series, choose Calibrate mode, or Film Mode if it is available, and make sure that auto brightness control is switched on.

• Backlight – 50
• Brightness – 50
• Contrast – 50
• Color – 50
• Tint – 0
• Sharpness – 0
• Color Temperature – Normal
• Black Detail – Off
• Backlight Control – Off
• Gamma – 1.8

Again, remember that if you want to watch the latest HDR content, you should have Full HD Color switched on. This uses more power but produces a much better picture.

Vizio D Series Models

If you want something affordable that can still deliver HD, you might be looking at something in the D series, which uses a standard IQ processor rather than one of Vizio’s higher-end options. Many people are choosing these as second TVs or TVs for kids.

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Choose Calibrated Dark picture mode and make your adjustments from there.

• Backlight – 22
• Brightness – 50
• Contrast – 50
• Color – 50
• Tint – 0
• Sharpness – 0
• Color Temperature – Normal
• Black Detail – Off
• Reduce Noise – Off
• Color Space – Auto
• Gamma – 2.2

FAQs

What are the best picture settings for gaming on Vizio smart TV?

Vizio smart TVs have a gaming mode, which you should choose when gaming on your big screen. This setting provides maximum frames per second to ensure you get the smoothest possible image. You’ll probably notice smooth motion settings switched on.

If you want a Vizio TV for gaming, then get something in the P series, as it is the only series that has AMD FreeSync to ensure that your game input is read correctly. It’s also the only series  that can deliver 120 frames per second at 4K, which is ideal for XBox and Playstation gaming.

Read more about refresh rates and gaming screens and monitors here.

What are eco-settings on Vision smart TV?

If you’re worried about power consumption, you can turn on eco-settings on your Vizio smart TV. This will use sensors to automatically adjust the TV to the lowest necessary brightness levels to conserve power. Also, when you power up, your screen won’t light up but will still respond if you’re using the voice remote.

How can I make HDR brighter?

Using HDR tends to make your picture darker, and if you prefer a bright image you may already have tried adjusting the backlight all the way up.

Make sure you also change the Gamma value. You’ll want a relatively low Gamma setting to increase brightness.

What do I do if my Vizio TV is not producing HDR?

While most Vizio TVs will automatically detect HDR, sometimes you do need to enable this manually. Go to input settings and choose the HDMI port for your input and make sure that the Full UHD Color option is toggled on.

The Verdict

It’s always a bit disappointing when the picture quality of a TV looked amazing on the display floor but is not delivering the same quality at home. But you don’t have a faulty TV–your TV arrived with default settings. These aren’t designed to give you the best image, but rather to manage power output.

To ensure you get the vivid crystal clean image that you saw, and that your screen can adapt to different light levels, you need to play around in the picture settings.

Vizio has tried to make this easy by offering a range of picture modes for different circumstances. Choose the best one for your situation and TV, and then make a few tweaks as recommended here, to get the best possible image on your screen.

Not sure what to watch now that you are set up? Check out our recommendations for the best streaming services for 2022.

It can be wonderful to live in a rural area away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the constant sound of traffic, but “getting away from it all” also means positioning yourself further away from the transmitter stations that deliver over-the-air (OTA) TV signals and from cable providers, which might mean you need one of the best TV antenna boosters for rural areas.

If you are keen on OTA TV, you probably already have a long-distance outdoor TV antenna to pick up a signal from far away transmission towers, but you may still find you aren’t getting the signal quality you need. If you are using cable, you have probably already complained to your supplier and they have told you that it is inevitable that the quality of the signal will reduce over long distances. In both of these cases, a TV antenna booster, also known as an amplifier, can come in handy.

Amplifiers work by boosting the strength and speed of an existing broadcast signal, which means you get a better connection from a weak signal.

In this article, we will take you through the 5 best TV antenna boosters for rural areas as well as what to look for when choosing the right antenna to use, and how to install and use the booster for the best experience.

Product Quick Links

• 4-Port Digital Signal Amplifier
• Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier – Best Overall
• GE 4-Way HD Digital TV Antenna Amplifier – Best Budget
• Winegard LNA-100 Boost TV Antenna Amplifier
• Cimple Co 24db Distribution Amplifier

Product Comparison

4-Port Digital Signal Amplifier	Preamplifier 4-way splitter Best for high-frequency signals Read More	SHOP NOW	Preamplifier 4-way splitter Best for high-frequency signals
Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier	Preamplifier 20db typical gain 100v USB adaptor power source Read More	SHOP NOW	Preamplifier 20db typical gain 100v USB adaptor power source
GE 4-Way HD Digital TV Antenna Amplifier	Preamplifier 4-way splitter Indoor use Read More	SHOP NOW	Preamplifier 4-way splitter Indoor use
Winegard LNA-100 Boost TV Antenna Amplifier	Preamplifier Clear Circuit Technology 100V power adaptor Read More	SHOP NOW	Preamplifier Clear Circuit Technology 100V power adaptor
Cimple Co 24db Distribution Amplifier	Preamplifier 24db typical gain Heavy duty metal housing Read More	SHOP NOW	Preamplifier 24db typical gain Heavy duty metal housing

What Is A TV Antenna Booster?

A TV antenna amplifier boosts the signal of your antenna by increasing the transmission speed. For example, if you are watching a UHF (ultra high frequency) channel, your amplifier might boost the band from 400 MHz to 850 MHz. This push to the signal helps it travel further and maintain the strength of the signal.

These work with both OTA signals and cable TV signals. While most people realize that distance from the transmitter tower badly reduces OTA signal, not everyone realizes that the same is true for cable. If the supplier has to run the cable a very long distance from their closest hub to your house, your cable signal gets weaker over that long run. Amplifiers can also be used to enhance FM radio reception.

“Amplifier” is a general term for a device that can do a variety of things, but generally speaking these TV antenna boosters are a “preamplifier” which means they boost the signal as it is coming in from your antenna before it reaches any other device. They may also work as a “splitter.” Usually, if you send a signal from a single antenna to multiple televisions, they share the signal, again weakening it. A splitter ensures that each TV receives a copy of the full signal for better reception.

An amplifier does need a signal to work with, so if you aren’t getting any signal at all you’ll need to check out our recommendations for the best TV antennas for rural areas here. Bear in mind that amplifiers will not work with an antenna that has a built-in amplifier. Also, if you live close to a tower it is possible to amplify your signal too much, which will result in poorer rather than better reception.

5 Best TV Antenna Boosters In 2022

4-Port Digital Signal Amplifier

This amplifier is both a preamplifier that enhances the signal picked up by your antenna and a splitter that lets you send the signal to up to four different TVs without having to divide the signal and lose quality.

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Product Features

• Preamplifier
• 4-way splitter
• Best for high-frequency signals

This booster is particularly good for cable because it has an integrated equalizer that provides extra amplification for high-frequency channels, which tend to lose the most strength over long cable runs.

The booster is in a heavy-duty case that is designed to be wall mountable. You could use this with an indoor or an outdoor antenna as long as the run between the device and your TVs is not too long.

What we like: We like that this device does a very good job of boosting cable TV signals, which is an overlooked problem in many rural areas.

What we don’t like: We would have liked to see at least one coaxial cable included, or at least clearer information that this is required to get the set-up working.

Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier

This tiny device uses a 20db patented TwinAmp to amplify both VHF and UHF signals, helping you get a decent picture from even the faintest signal. It features super low noise and interference levels, which means you get a greater range.

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Product Features

• Preamplifier
• 20db typical gain
• 100v USB adaptor power source

This is a preamplifier that will boost your overall signal strength, but it is not compatible with amplified TV antennas. It can be mounted on either outdoor or indoor antennae and also removes RF signals that can interfere with the quality of your reception.

What we like: This is pretty much plug and play; just plug it in and you should start seeing an improvement in your signal.

What we don’t like: This is one of the most expensive options on the market, but you get what you pay for.

If you want something easy to use to boost the overall signal of all your OTA channels, this is a great investment for rural living.

GE 4-Way HD Digital TV Antenna Amplifier

This little device works as both a preamplifier, boosting the signal as it reaches your antenna, and a splitter for up to four TVs. This is important as it ensures that each TV receives a full signal, rather than sharing an already weak signal between multiple TVs.

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Product Features

• Preamplifier
• 4-way splitter
• Indoor use

This particular amplifier is designed for indoor use since it needs to reach both your antenna and the various TVs that need to connect to the router. The company also makes outdoor options, but without the splitter.

The device also works to filter out background electronic noise that could be interfering with your signal, including 4G/5G LTE interference.

What we like: This is both an amplifier and a splitter, which means that you can deal with two reception problems with one simple product if you want to send a signal to multiple TVs.

What we don’t like: This amplifier doesn’t come with any of the coaxial cables that you need to connect. These are easy enough to buy separately, but this is not clearly indicated so you may find yourself with an amplifier that you can’t use until after you order a coaxial cable too.

This is a great choice if you want to send a good signal to multiple TVs in a rural area, as it deals with both the problems of a weak signal and further degeneration of the signal when it is split between TVs.

Winegard LNA-100 Boost TV Antenna Amplifier

If you live in a rural area you probably have one TV that needs a decent signal, and you want something affordable that really works. This is what Winegard offers with this option.

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Product Features

• Pre-amplifier
• Clear Circuit Technology
• 100V power adaptor

This is a simpler option than many of the other boosters on this list, but it uses Clear Circuit Technology to get the lowest noise figure to ensure the best range of signals and the least pixelations.

What we like: This booster is easy to use, effective, and comes with a one-year warranty for your peace of mind.

What we don’t like: This booster is for indoor use only and can’t be used with big outdoor antennas.

What appeals about this booster is its simplicity. Most of the time you don’t want to put a lot of time and effort into installing your equipment; you want something plug and play that works, like this.

Cimple Co 24db Distribution Amplifier

This is a great booster that can work with all your entertainment. It not only boosts OTA channels but also cable TV signals and FM radio.

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Product Features

• Preamplifier
• 24db typical gain
• Heavy-duty metal housing

The manufacturers of this amplifier have taken into account the likelihood that your TV antenna is external and has to withstand local weather conditions. The amplifier is housed in a heavy-duty metal box and the coaxial mounting cables are built-in to avoid damage.

The device features an adjustable gain so that you can tweak it for whatever type of signal you are using, and the box is designed to be mountable for security.

What we like: This box is durable and can stand up to rain and wind while you are stuck inside looking for something to watch. We also like that it works for radio as well as TV.

What we don’t like: It can be frustrating to fiddle with settings when switching between different types of channels.

If the signal in your area is generally bad for everything from OTA to cable, this amplifier can help boost all the channels that you want to access.

What To Look For In A TV Antenna Booster

As with most things, the best TV antenna amplifier for you will depend on your specific signal issue. Also, amplifiers only boost an existing signal; they will not work if you are getting no signal at all. If you live far away from the transmission towers, you will need to invest in a long-distance antenna before an amplifier can have any effect.

You will see long-distance antennas that are also amplified. This should mean that you don’t need an amplifier, but you also can’t add an additional amplifier to an amplified antenna.

Once you have decided on a separate booster for your TV antenna, these are the main things to consider.

Indoor Or Outdoor

Where your antenna is installed will largely dictate whether you need an indoor or outdoor amplifier, as ideally, you should place the amplifier equidistant from your antenna and your TV. If your antenna is mounted high outside, you will need an outdoor booster which will need to come in a durable casing. If your antenna is indoors, you can get away with something simpler.

Splitter

How many TVs are using your signal? If you send a normal signal to multiple TVs it will weaken as it divides the signal between the TVs. A splitter ensures that each connected TV (usually up to 4) can receive a full copy of the original signal without diminishing it. If you only have one TV, you don’t have to pay for this feature. If you have multiple TVs that you use regularly, it is worth the extra dollars.

Special Features

Every company uses slightly different technology and terminology to give you the best signal, but when looking at the special features that they promote, there are a few things to consider.

Are you principally having trouble with one type of signal–for example, UHF vs VHF, or cable vs OTA? Look for features that deal with this specific problem. For example, Winegard amplifiers offer boosting power for a range of channels. In contrast, the 4-Port signal amplifier on our list is particularly good at boosting cable channels.

Focus on the features that you really need and try not to get too hung up on the jargon.

Thinking about cutting the cable and streaming instead? Read our full guide to media streaming here.

FAQs

How exactly does a TV antenna booster work?

TV antenna boosters increase the speed of a signal, which makes it stronger over longer distances. For example, if you are watching a UHF (ultra high frequency) channel, your amplifier might boost the band from 400 MHz to 850 MHz.

How do I install my antenna booster?

Your booster should be installed between your antenna and your TV and act as a communicator between the two. Simply plug your antenna output into the booster input and your booster input into your TV using coaxial cables (or to multiple TVs if your booster is also a splitter).

Can I use a TV antenna preamplifier and amplifier simultaneously?

“Amplifier” is a general term that refers to both preamplifiers, that boost the signal of your antenna, and distribution amplifiers, also known as splitters, which ensure that there is no signal reduction when you send the signal to multiple TVs. You can use both at the same time and many devices do both, but you cannot install an additional preamplifier to a TV antenna that is already amplified.

The Verdict

Bad TV reception is a common challenge for those living in rural areas. OTA transmission towers are far away and long cable runs badly reduce signal strength. A TV antenna amplifier can boost the power of the weak signal that you are using and help you get better reception.

If you are looking for the best possible amplifier to boost the signal that arrives at your antenna, we recommend the Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier. If it is your cable signal that is weak, try the 4-Port Digital Signal Amplifier. If you want to boost your signal but also need to send it to multiple TVs, try the GE 4-Way HD Digital TV Antenna Amplifier.

When you decide to cut the cable and move to streaming, the biggest challenge is deciding which of the many premium streaming services to get. The things you want to watch tend to be distributed across several, which means hefty monthly subscription fees. What can you do to get access to all the content that you want for an affordable price? You can try an IPTV service.

IPTV services give you access to live TV, on-demand content from all the most popular streaming services, and even access to live TV events like PPV fights for one subscription. However, they do function in a legal gray area, so finding one that is consistent and trustworthy can be a challenge. But don’t worry, we have you covered.

As well as taking you through exactly how IPTV services work, we’ll recommend the best IPTV services currently active in 2022.

Product Quick Links

Kemo IPTV	Starts at $70 per year 24-hour free trial 7,300 TV channels and 9,600 on-demand videos Based in the United States Read More	SHOP NOW	Starts at $70 per year 24-hour free trial 7,300 TV channels and 9,600 on-demand videos Based in the United States
Xtreme HD IPTV	Starts at $15.99 per month 36-hour trial for $3 20,000 live channels Read More	SHOP NOW	Starts at $15.99 per month 36-hour trial for $3 20,000 live channels
Beast IPTV	Starts at $10 per month 24-hour free trial 12,800 live channels and 25,000 VODs Read More	SHOP NOW	Starts at $10 per month 24-hour free trial 12,800 live channels and 25,000 VODs
IPTV Trends	Starts at $18.99 per month 36-hour trial for $3 20,000 live channels Read More	SHOP NOW	Starts at $18.99 per month 36-hour trial for $3 20,000 live channels
SpaceX IPTV	Starts at $50 for six months 3-day free trial period 2,000 live channels Read More	SHOP NOW	Starts at $50 for six months 3-day free trial period 2,000 live channels

What Is An IPTV Box?

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol TV, so it simply refers to entertainment that is delivered via the internet rather than over the air or traditional cable services. This means that things such as Netflix and Sling TV are IPTV services.

But while that is the original meaning of the term, this is not how it is used day-to-day. The term IPTV box is usually used to refer to a fully loaded TV box. This means that instead of you having to subscribe to and pay for a swathe of different streaming services to get access to the latest movies, shows, and things like PPV sporting events, these are already available on your TV box.

Not long ago, IPTV services mainly sold fully loaded boxes with their application already installed. But these days, you can subscribe to their service remotely and download their application onto any Android TV box that allows sideloaded applications.

This means that the application will work with an Android or Fire TV device that has developer options enabled, but you won’t be able to get the application working on something like a Roku device, which does not enable sideloading of apps from outside its app store.

But how do IPTV boxes and services give you access to so much content so cheaply?

Premium subscription services have formal licensing deals with copyright holders to let you stream content from their service. IPTV services don’t have these agreements. Rather, they get access to content for cheap, sometimes through individual subscriptions, and then let you see this content as a secondary user by “spilling” the content over and letting you “observe” it.

If this sounds legally dubious, it’s because it is. Technically the law does not cover this activity since no copyrighted content is being downloaded or displayed publicly. But it is clear that this type of activity is inconsistent with the spirit of the law, and it may only be a matter of time before the law catches up.

Does that mean that it is risky to use an IPTV box? Well, yes and no.

You are very unlikely to find yourself in legal trouble for using an IPTV box, especially if you protect your anonymity with a VPN. Legal authorities will be more concerned with going after the distributors of the content than you.

Your biggest risk is that the IPTV service provider will go out of business and you will wake up one day without access to all your content. You would be very unlikely to be able to pursue them legally.

5 Best IPTV Services In 2022

Considering this risk, you want to sign up to an IPTV service that is reliable. To help you do that, we have chosen the five best IPTV services currently active in 2022. They offer reliable services with huge amounts of content available.

Kemo IPTV

Kemo IPTV is definitely one of the slickest and most reliable IPTV services currently on the market, with access to more than 7,000 live TV channels and 9,600 on-demand options.

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• Starts at $70 per year
• 24-hour free trial
• 7,300 TV channels and 9,600 on-demand videos
• Based in the United States

Kemo stands out as one of the most transparent services when it comes to who is behind the service and how it works. That is reassuring given that channel lists are not provided with any IPTV service (see why in our buying guide).

This company is based in the United States and is easy to use. Simply download the APK onto your device(s) and enter your credentials. The guide to find what you are looking for is excellent. You can also favorite content, so you don’t have to go through all the channels to get to the ones you watch the most. It also has one of the best live TV catch-up services, with a full seven days available.

Kemo also lets you restream from your own server to up to ten different devices if you wish for a small fee.

What we liked: We like how user-friendly the Kemo IPTV interface is and also the relative transparency about the service in comparison to competitors.

What we didn’t like: At only $70 per year, this service appears cheap at first glance, but this is for one device. If you want to be able to watch on your TV, smartphone, and your computer, your annual subscription will add up quickly.

Despite pricing issues, this is still our top pick for the best and most reliable IPTV service currently on the market.

Xtreme HD IPTV

Xtreme HD IPTV is probably one of the best known names in the IPTV market, and they offer a comprehensive service that boasts 20,000 live channels before even considering VOD (videos on-demand).

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• Starts at $15.99 per month
• 36-hour trial available for $3
• 20,000 live channels

Xtreme HD IPTV is around the market average when it comes to price, but you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck. The fantastic interface means that you can find the content that you are looking for easily, and browsing is a relatively fun experience (this is not true of all IPTV services).

It works on most devices with an APK download and log-in, and you can try the service before you buy for just $3 for 36 hours. They also offer anonymous payment options if you prefer to keep your online activity private (don’t forget to use your VPN as well).

What we liked: We really like the online interface for this service both when it comes to the TV guide and managing your subscriptions. It is a lot more user-friendly than many competitors.

What we didn’t like: We don’t like the way they oversell their service in terms of the number of channels available. They have just as much content as everyone else, but I challenge you to find 20,000 channels!

Despite a little bit of over-the-top promotion, this is still a very good deal when looking for a complete entertainment package.

Beast IPTV

Beast IPTV is one of the most affordable IPTV services on the market, starting at just $10 per month. It’s significantly cheaper if you sign up for a longer term contract.

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• Starts at $10 per month
• 24-hour free trial
• 12,800 live channels and 25,000 VODs

Just because you are paying a little less doesn’t mean that you get less content. The service boasts 12,800 channels and 25,000 VODs. Sports fans will appreciate that this includes 380 football and sports channels.

This is easy to install on pretty much any device with the APK, and you can also restream channels to others for a small fee, which could make a nice business for big PPV events. The company is US-based, and you can make anonymous payments if you prefer.

What we liked: We like that Beast IPTV offers very affordable solutions and you can get the bare bones if that is what you want. You can just get what you need rather than having to get everything.

What we didn’t like: Their user interface may not be as slick as some of their competitors, and we’d like to see them work on this as the service progresses.

If you are looking for an affordable service to just deliver the basics, then Beast IPTV is one of your best options.

IPTV Trends

IPTV Trends stands out for the quality and usability of its interface both when it comes to watching and when it comes to managing your subscription.

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• Starts at $18.99 per month
• 36-hour trial available for $3
• 20,000 live channels

When you log into IPTV Trends, it feels very much like a user-friendly cable TV interface. And this extends to the section where you manage your account and can check for things like service outages.

It works on most devices with an APK download and log-in, and you can try the service before you buy for just $3 for 36 hours. You can connect up to five devices with your subscription, though each adds just a little to the cost. It is also one of the services with the best live TV catch-up applications.

What we liked: We think this user interface is one of the best and were very impressed with the quality of their TV catch-up, which is notoriously bad on IPTV.

What we didn’t like: We don’t like that every small addition also sees a small addition in cost; it feels a bit misleading.

Still, for anyone who wants their IPTV service to feel like their old cable service, you’ll be happy with IPTV Trends.

SpaceX IPTV

SpaceX has been in business for quite a few years, but they are still working hard to expand their customer base, including offering a three day free trial period.

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• Starts at $50 for six months
• 3-day free trial
• 2,000 live channels

SpaceX feels like a more focused service. It doesn’t offer the tens of thousands of channels that some services boast, but you won’t feel like anything is missing. Their UHD and 4K channels are also impressive.

It can be a bit confusing when you sign up as there are scores of different options based on where you live and what you want. Also, some people will find it concerning that they are based in China. But the quality of the service is as good as any other on this list.

What we liked: While 20,000 channels might sound good, that means browsing through a lot of things that you don’t want to find what you do want. We appreciated SpaceX’s more focused service.

What we didn’t like: We didn’t like how many different options there were to choose from; it just felt overwhelming when signing up.

If you are looking for a service that is affordable, has been in business for a while, and lets you make anonymous payments, SpaceX will tick a lot of boxes for you.

Buyer And User Guide

Choosing a good IPTV service can actually be really challenging because they provide so little information before you sign up. They tell you that they have tens of thousands of channels and on-demand videos, but you can’t see a list of what those are until after you join.

This is because they act in a legal gray area, and publicly advertising that they are sharing content that should only be available on services such as Netflix and Prime Video could be problematic for them.

But the truth is, most IPTV services offer the same content, which is all the popular TV channels and everything available on the mainstream streaming services as they are all based on the same model.

More important than what channels they offer is how reliable the service is. To get your head around this, you should look for recommendations. Only people who have used the services before can tell you how reliable it is in terms of uptime, video lag, and how easy it is to use.

All services work in the same way. You download an APK to the device(s) that you want to watch on, and this connects to their servers. This does mean that when it comes to TV boxes and smart TVs, your device needs to be jailbroken so that you can sideload apps since these APKs aren’t available in app stores.

Read our guide to sideloading apps onto an Android TV box here. If you have a Fire TV device, this is the guide that you need.

This means that you will be able to install IPTV services on Android TV boxes and even Fire Sticks but not on something like a Roku box or a Sony TV as they don’t allow sideloading.

When you download the APK, you will find that there are tens of thousands of channels, but that this is less impressive than you might expect. Not only do you have channels from all over the world that you won’t be interested in, but you tend to have multiple versions of each channel. You may have an SD, HD, FHD, and 4K version of some channels. This is why some services can boast that they have 20,000 channels.

FAQs

What is the difference between an IPTV box and an Android TV box?

All TV boxes are designed to connect your TV to the internet so that you can stream content directly to your big screen. The difference is that Android does this in the same way as your smartphone. You download apps to get access to the content that you want, and you need to pay for subscriptions to premium apps such as Netflix.

An IPTV box, on the other hand, comes with an app already installed that lets you get access to all the latest content in one place without additional costs. These services do act in a legally gray area.

What are IPTV service providers?

IPTV boxes don’t work on their own; they need to connect to the servers of an IPTV service provider to give you access to content. IPTV service providers let you see so much content by taking out affordable individual subscriptions to premium services and then letting their feed spill over so that those who have access to their services can also see the content.

Is using IPTV legal or illegal?

IPTV services act in a legally gray area. Technically, there are no laws surrounding their work. Laws focus on the downloading of copyrighted content and public showings of copyrighted content, neither of which apply. But while the law might not currently have specific language to deal with IPTV, it is clearly not within the spirit of the law.

Do you need a VPN when using IPTV?

While you are not technically doing anything illegal by accessing an IPTV service, it is still best to protect your anonymity by watching by using a VPN, which masks your online identity and makes it impossible for others to see what you are doing online. All VPNs drain internet speed a little and IPTV services tend to use a lot of bandwidth, so choose a VPN that offers the best speeds.

The Verdict

If you want access to all the latest entertainment content without having to subscribe to a bunch of different applications, let alone pay for them, then an IPTV service could be exactly what you are looking for.

When you sign up to an IPTV service, you gain access to their servers where you can watch live TV, including premium and PPV channels, and stream on-demand content usually only available with premium subscriptions.

While IPTV services function in a legal gray area, the risks are minimal, especially if you use a VPN. If this interests you, check out our recommendations for the best IPTV services.

Do you remember the days of running cables from your TV to your fancy speakers to try and create surround sound? Finding cables long enough and a way to safely hide them was always a challenge. But that is no longer necessary with Bluetooth TV transmitters.

Most modern TVs and speakers are Bluetooth-enabled, and you can now send your audio directly from your TV to your speakers wirelessly. But what happens if your TV (or your speakers) aren’t Bluetooth enabled? Well, you can plug in a Bluetooth transmitter or receiver to make them compatible.

In this article, we will explain exactly how Bluetooth transmitters work and share our top five best Bluetooth transmitters for TV. We have also put together a complete buying guide to tell you everything you need to know about choosing a Bluetooth transmitter for TV.

Product Quick Links

Swiitech Bluetoother Transmitter Receiver	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 aptX LL Pair two devices simultaneously Read More	SHOP NOW	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 aptX LL Pair two devices simultaneously
Avantree Oasis Plus Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL Supports surround and stereo sound Read More	SHOP NOW	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL Supports surround and stereo sound
Aisidra Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver v5.0	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL Small and compact device Read More	SHOP NOW	Transmitter and receiver Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL Small and compact device
Avantree Orbit Bluetooth 5.0 Audio Transmitter	Transmitters Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD Automatic 5.1 audio encoding Read More	SHOP NOW	Transmitters Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD Automatic 5.1 audio encoding
1Mii Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter for TV	Transmitter Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD AUX, RCA, Optical, and Coaxial inputs Read More	SHOP NOW	Transmitter Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD AUX, RCA, Optical, and Coaxial inputs

What Is A Bluetooth Transmitter For TV & Why Do You Need One?

Bluetooth transmitters transmit Bluetooth signals while Bluetooth receivers receive them. But what does that mean in practice?

If you want to send audio from a non-Bluetooth TV to your Bluetooth-enabled soundbar, you can plug a Bluetooth transmitter into your TV so it sends that signal and links the devices wirelessly.

Similarly, if your car stereo is not Bluetooth-enabled, you can plug a Bluetooth receiver into your stereo and it will be able to receive Bluetooth transmissions from your smartphone to play audio.

Most devices on the market can both transmit and receiver Bluetooth signals, making them transceivers, but you will also find devices that only transmit.

These are most useful for people who have older TVs that do not have Bluetooth built-in but want to send audio to their speakers wirelessly.

In this article, we are looking at solutions specific to this TV problem.

While there are many user cases for Bluetooth transmitters, one important one is connecting TV headphones for older users with hearing difficulties. Read our complete article on TV headphones for seniors here.

5 Best Bluetooth Transmitters For TV

Swiitech Bluetoother Transmitter Receiver

The Swiitech is the current market leader when it comes to Bluetooth transmitters because it is an affordable option that does it all.

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• Transmitter and receiver
• Bluetooth 5.0 aptX LL
• Pair two devices simultaneously

This easy-to-use device is both a transmitter and a receiver, so you can use it to send audio from your non-Bluetooth TV to your headphones or speakers. You can also use it to send audio from your smartphone to non-Bluetooth headphones or speakers. It uses AUX and RCA connections and can connect to your TV, car stereo, speakers, PC, and more.

It uses the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology and aptX LL to ensure that there is no lag between audio and image. When you use it with your TV, you will probably plug the device into a power source. But if you do choose to take it on the road, you get an 18-hour battery life. You can also pair two different devices at the same time. For example, send audio from your TV to two sets of headphones for late-night viewing.

What we like: We love how versatile this transceiver is. You can use just one device to meet all your Bluetooth audio needs. It also uses all the latest technology but comes at a low price.

What we don’t like: While this transceiver is designed to be used portably, it is a little bulkier than we would like.

If you are looking for something affordable and reliable to start transmitting audio from your TV wirelessly, the Swiitech is the market leader for a reason.

Avantree Oasis Plus Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver

Avantree is one of the biggest names in TV audio devices, so it is no surprise that they have produced a couple of good-quality Bluetooth transceivers that feature on this list.

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• Transmitter and receiver
• Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL
• Supports surround and stereo sound

This is both a transmitter and a receiver and is compatible with 99% of your devices that aren’t already Bluetooth-enabled. It connects via Bluetooth 5.0 using another aptX LL and HD.

You can connect to two audio receivers at the same time, and you can connect to soundbars and stereo systems that deliver surround sound without losing any sound quality.

What we like: We like that this device supports surround and stereo sound. After all, that’s why you bought the soundbar or fancy speakers.

What we don’t like: This is quite an expensive option, and while it is high-quality, it is difficult to understand why it is so much more expensive than some of its competitors.

If high-quality surround sound matters to you, then you will be very impressed with the zero-lag audio that you get with this Bluetooth transmitter.

Aisidra Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver v5.0

This device is ideal if you are looking for something small and compact that you can use not only with your TV but maybe also in the car or the office.

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• Transmitter and receiver
• Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL
• Small and compact device

This device is about the size of a dongle and has a rechargeable battery that delivers about 10 hours of audio on a single charge. This makes the Aisidra a realistic device to use in your car to connect to your car stereo.

Both a transmitter and a receiver, it has all the technology that you would expect, including AUX connection, Bluetooth 5.0, and aptX LL. You can connect to two different audio-receiving devices at the same time.

What we like: We like that this device is compact and portable. Many devices that say that they work in your car are really just too big for that function.

What we don’t like: Considering it is meant to be portable and multifunctional, we would like to see more audio input options, even if we never use them!

If you want a portable Bluetooth transmitter and receiver that you can use on all your audio devices, then this is definitely the way to go.

Avantree Orbit Bluetooth 5.0 Audio Transmitter

When it comes to your home cinema setup, you want high fidelity audio, and that is what this advanced Avantree model delivers.

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• Transmitters
• Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD
• Automatic 5.1 audio encoding

Unlike the other options on this list that are designed to be multifunctional, this transmitter is specifically for your TV. This means that while it is not a receiver, it has some important extra features.

You get the full range of connections, including OPT, AUX, and RCA. You can connect to two different audio receiving devices at a time. The transmitter not only supports stereo and surround sound but also has automatic 5.1 audio encoding for better image quality.

The device also has an LCD display, which lets you control various things such as the volume. But most importantly, it lets you control your Bluetooth pairing. On most transmitters that don’t have screens, you are pairing blind and can end up losing one of your connections if you have other Bluetooth enabled devices in the vicinity.

What we like: We like that this device is designed specifically to be part of a home entertainment system. This means that it does less, but it does it better!

What we don’t like: Obviously we’d like it if this device was a bit less expensive, but you are paying for quality. Your setup is only as good as the weakest link in the chain.

Those looking for a kit to support their serious home cinema and sound system setup will appreciate the quality of the audio that this device delivers.

1Mii Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter For TV

This is a simple and affordable device, but it stands out as being one of the few that comes with optical and coaxial inputs.

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• Transmitter
• Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL and HD
• AUX, RCA, Optical, and Coaxial inputs

There just aren’t that many Bluetooth transmitter options on the market if you need optical or coaxial inputs; devices that use these are generally assumed to be natively Bluetooth-enabled. But if you do need that kind of connection, you’ll be happy with this device.

It uses all the latest technology to deliver HHD audio to up to two audio receiving devices at a time. The transmitter delivers a 20-30m range indoors.

What we like: We like that this device is truly universal with its optical and coaxial inputs.

What we don’t like: Considering this is one of the few devices that supports optical and coaxial, we wish it was a receiver as well as a transmitter.

If you are looking for a Bluetooth transmitter that specifically supports optical and coaxial inputs, then this is the option for you.

What To Look For When Buying A Bluetooth Transmitter For TV

The first question to ask yourself is whether you need a transmitter or a transceiver. Will you only be using this device with your TV, or do you also want to be able to use it to receive Bluetooth signals on other devices, such as older speakers or your car stereo?

Once you have made this decision, you need to ensure that the solution you choose has the right connections for your TV. Most Bluetooth transmitters come with RCA and AUX connections, and this is fine for most devices. But if you need an optical or coaxial connection, you’ll need to shop around for a device. These do not come as standard as most devices with these connections are already Bluetooth-enabled.

Next, check that the transmitter uses the aptX Low Latency (aptX LL) Bluetooth audio codec. This will ensure that your audio and picture are in sync. Other codecs tend to result in a delay that will make watching very frustrating! If you want to choose stereo surround sound, also look for devices marketed as aptX HD.

Make sure that you choose Bluetooth 5.0 for the best range and audio quality when connecting. Of course, make sure that your speakers of headphones are also 5.0 compatible, or you will need to choose an earlier version.

Find our recommendations for the best soundbars to use with your TV here.

How To Connect Your Bluetooth Transmitter

You need to connect your Bluetooth transmitter directly to your TVs audio output, which will be optical audio, RCA, or AUX.

RCA outputs are color-coded red and white plugs usually located on the bottom or the side of the TV. You will have corresponding inputs or a single input on your transmitter, and it is just about matching your plugs to the outlets.

If you have an optical connection, also known as a TOSLINK, you will have a single port on the back of your TV that should be labeled “optical.” You will need an optical cable that is compatible with your transmitter to connect.

An AUX output will look a lot like your optical output except it will be labeled as AUX. Your transmitter should come with a cable that will connect to this output.

Once you connect your transmitter to the TV, you will also need to connect it to a powersource, and then you can put the transmitter into pairing mode. While instructions are different from different models, you usually just have to press a button to authorize pairing. You will then want to complete the pairing process with whatever device you want to connect with. This is called blind pairing since your transmitter can’t approve or deny specific devices. There are more expensive transmitters that have LED screens that will allow you to do this.

FAQs

Do all smart TVs come with Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is not a standard feature in all smart TVs, though it is becoming increasingly common. Older smart TVs and more affordable models probably won’t have built-in Bluetooth.

How do I know if my TV has Bluetooth?

You can check whether your TV has in-built Bluetooth in your Settings Menu under Sound and Sound Output. If you have Bluetooth, you should have an option to connect to Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Do Bluetooth audio transmitters work?

Yes, if you want to send your TV audio to a Bluetooth-enabled audio device without any of the cables, then a Bluetooth transmitter is just the bit of tech that you need. Just make sure to choose aptX LL technology so that there is no audio lag and you don’t end up hearing your audio out of sync with your image.

Where do I plug my Bluetooth transmitter into my TV?

Plug your Bluetooth transmitter into your TV’s audio output. This will be AUX or RCA connections on the back of your TV. You may also have digital options with newer TVs, but make sure you buy a transmitter that is compatible with these digital connections.

How do I connect my wireless headphones to a Bluetooth transmitter?

Once your Bluetooth transmitter is plugged into your TV and switched on, it will start transmitting, so you should be able to pair your headphones or speaker with your transmitter in the standard fashion. There should be a Bluetoooth pairing button on your transmitter that you can press to authorize pairing.

The Verdict

Gone are the days of trying to find five-meter RCA cables to connect your TV to your surround sound speakers. This can now be done wirelessly over Bluetooth — but only if both your transmitting device (your TV) and your receiving device (your speakers) are Bluetooth-enabled.

But if your TV is not Bluetooth-enabled, all is not lost! A simple Bluetooth transmitter can enable it to send a signal to your speakers.

There are plenty of options on the market. Choose something compatible with your TV’s audio output and that uses Bluetooth codec aptX LL, otherwise you might notice an annoying lag between the sound and the image on your screen.

It is a bit of a running joke and stereotype that older people listen to the TV at top volume when they start to lose their hearing. But this is a genuine problem! When your hearing starts to deteriorate, not only do you need the volume louder in general, but some sounds, such as voices, can be hard to pick out from the background noise.

Does this mean that your family and neighbors have to suffer from a loud TV? No! A good pair of TV headphones let you adjust the volume to your ideal level without disturbing others. You can usually listen on headphones while others listen on a soundbar.

The best TV headphones for seniors also offer lots of options to enhance and personalize sound, such as pulling out voices and ensuring that sudden loud noises don’t explode your eardrums while listening at loud volumes.

In this article, we will take you through the 10 best TV headphones for seniors and review a complete buying guide to help you find the right set.

Avantree HT5009 40Hrs Wireless Bluetooth Headphones	Over-ear headphones Can integrate with soundbar 40-hour battery life Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Can integrate with soundbar 40-hour battery life
Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless Headphone System	Over-ear headphones Adjustable sound modes 18-hour battery life Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Adjustable sound modes 18-hour battery life
Avantree Ensemble Wireless Headphones	Over-ear headphones Bluetooth 5.0 35-hour battery life Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Bluetooth 5.0 35-hour battery life
Avantree Wireless Earbuds for TV Listening	Earbud headphones Compatible with soundbar 20-hour battery life Read More	SHOP NOW	Earbud headphones Compatible with soundbar 20-hour battery life
Sony Wireless Headphones for TV	Over-ear headphones Radio Frequency transmission Various sound modes Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Radio Frequency transmission Various sound modes
Giveet Wireless Headphones Earbuds	Earbud headphones 16-hour battery life Works with multiple devices Read More	SHOP NOW	Earbud headphones 16-hour battery life Works with multiple devices
AudioRange Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphones	Over-ear headphones Big button controls Easy set up Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Big button controls Easy set up
Simolio Voice Enhanced Wireless Headphones	Over-ear headphones Comprehensive sound adjustment Different left and right ear Read More	SHOP NOW	Over-ear headphones Comprehensive sound adjustment Different left and right ear
SIMOLIO Infrared Wireless TV Headphones	Earbud headphones Comprehensive sound adjustment Different left and right ear Read More	SHOP NOW	Earbud headphones Comprehensive sound adjustment Different left and right ear
Avantree Wireless Headphones for TV Watching	Earbud headphones Use your own earbuds Personalize sound options Read More	SHOP NOW	Earbud headphones Use your own earbuds Personalize sound options

10 Best TV Headphones For Seniors

Avantree HT5009 40Hrs Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

These Avantree headphones are top of the range when it comes to TV headphones and offer pretty much everything that you could need, all while still being pretty affordable.

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• Over-ear headphones
• Can integrate with soundbar
• 40-hour battery life

These are classic over-the-ear headphones that work with your TV through a transmitter you plug directly into your TV. Sound is then delivered wirelessly to the headphones via Bluetooth.

What we really like about these headphones is that they work in a household where not everyone needs the same thing. You can hook up multiple headphones to the same transmitter and one person can listen through headphones while the rest use the soundbar.

They deliver 40 hours of listening on a single charge and are already optimized for clarity, especially when it comes to picking out voices.

What we like: We love that this is a solution that works for busy households where people want to watch together but one or more watchers could benefit from headphones.

What we don’t like: While we like that these pull out voices, we don’t like that there isn’t the ability to personalize for different listening needs.

Overall, we think this is the best option on the market if you’re looking to balance quality and affordability and if you want something that brings people together.

Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless Headphone System

These headphones aren’t specifically designed for seniors but rather for anyone who enjoys watching TV this way. But they have lots of features that make them ideal for seniors.

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• Over-ear headphones
• Adjustable sound modes
• 18-hour battery life

These are comfortable over-the-ear headphones that work with a transmission and charging terminal with a funky Sennheiser design. The headphones have an 18-hour battery life when fully charged and a range of 100 meters if you have to wander off.

What sets these headphones apart is that you can customize the sound delivery by adjusting the bass and other elements. A few minor adjustments can greatly improve how well older people hear the TV sound. The controls are on the ears, so you can make changes as the sound of what you are watching changes.

What we like: We like how these headphones give us complete control of our listening, and they are also great for older people who don’t want to use “senior technology.”

What we don’t like: These are sophisticated headphones, so on top of being quite expensive, you need to know a little about audio to get the adjustment just perfect.

Overall, those looking for great TV headphones for anyone and not just seniors will love this high-end technology.

Avantree Ensemble Wireless Headphones

You will see Avantree on the list several times because they are specialists in making good-quality TV headphones for seniors, and this is one of their more affordable models.

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• Over-the- ear headphones
• Bluetooth 5.0
• 35-hour battery life

These over-the-ear headphones have a comfortable design and can deliver audio for up to 35 hours on a single charge. They are easy to use; just connect the transmitter box directly to your TV audio. The transmitter also doubles as a charger and you can be fully charged in just two hours.

The headphones connect with Bluetooth 5.0 and are universally compatible. You can listen to audio from your cell phone or tablet as well as your TV. They have a 30 meter range, so you don’t lose audio if you pop to the kitchen. FastStream technology ensures that audio and images are perfectly synced.

What we like: The headphones are incredibly easy to use, and once they are set up, you are good to go.

What we don’t like: They lack some advanced features such as being able to control the volume in individual ears or enhance dialogue.

Overall, Avantree makes great headphones for TV, and these are one of their most affordable options that still offer great quality.

Avantree Wireless Earbuds For TV Listening

Yes, another Avantree product, but this is their solution for those who prefer earbuds to potentially heavy over-the-ear options.

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• Earbud headphones
• Compatible with soundbar
• 20-hour battery life

These headphones work in the same way as Avantree’s top-end over-the-ear headphones with enhanced voice recognition. You get 20 hours of battery life from a single charge.

Again, there is a transmitter that connects the headphones to your TV, and you can connect to your soundbar at the same time, which means that one person can listen on headphones while others use the soundbar.

What we like: This is excellent, social technology that allows families to watch together and appreciate the same great audio.

What we don’t like: Again, while we like that the headphones enhance voices, we wish that some of the sound elements were adjustable since everyone is different.

Overall, for those who prefer lighter earbuds to over-the-ear headphones, this is the best product on the market.

Sony Wireless Headphones For TV

Movie lovers who appreciate crisp sound will appreciate the quality of these surprisingly affordable Sony headphones for TV.

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• Over-the-ear headphones
• Radio frequency transmission
• Various sound modes

This is another over-the-ear set that works with a transmitter dock. But rather than using Bluetooth, it makes a radio frequency connection. This offers coverage up to 150 feet, even through walls and other obstacles.

The controls are on the headphones, and you get around 20 hours of battery life. There are lots of options for adjusting the sound, including noise-canceling and voice enhancement. These have been designed specifically for cinema rather than music, which means better high-fidelity sound for TV.

What we like: We like that these headphones can enhance the sound of voices, especially since distinguishing dialogue is one of the main problems older people experience when it comes to watching TV.

What we don’t like: These aren’t quite as easy to use as some of the options on the market. But once everything is set up and you have explored all the options, they are pretty user-friendly.

Overall, Sony has made a great pair of cinema headphones for both seniors and movie lovers in general.

Giveet Wireless Headphones Earbuds

Giveet also offers an earbud solution, and it is a highly affordable option for anyone who is experimenting with TV headphones.

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• Earbud headphones
• 16-hour battery life
• Works with multiple devices

These wireless earphones are comfortable and connect via a transmitter. Both need to be charged and provide 14-16 hours of battery life. But this does mean that they are portable.

The transmitter offers universal connection, so you can send sound to headphones, a soundbar, or both at the same time. It also works with smartphones, laptops, and other devices.

What we like: We appreciate that these headphones and their transmitter are lightweight and discreet, which many people prefer.

What we don’t like: We aren’t thrilled that you need to remember to charge the transmitter as well… Just one more thing to forget!

Overall, if you want something affordable, convenient, and discreet, these headphones tick a lot of boxes.

AudioRange Wireless TV Over-Ear Headphones

AudioRange was one of the original providers of headphones for seniors and set many of the standards for the market.

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• Over-the-ear headphones
• Big button controls
• Easy to set up

These over-the-ear headphones are ergonomically designed and about 25% lighter than comparable headphones. They use a transmitter, and the controls are on the side of the headphones. The buttons are extra large for easy access.

You get about eight hours of charge at a time and a 100 foot range. But what stands out about these headphones is that they are literally plug-and-play, and you don’t have to worry about pairing or other fiddly things. They also have an excellent customer help service.

What we like: We really like the aftercare that comes with this purchase. If you need to figure something out, you can usually get someone on the phone within minutes.

What we don’t like: We think the battery life could be longer, and for the more tech-savvy, the simplified instruction provided can be a bit frustrating.

Overall, AudioRange has made a name for themselves in this corner of the market not only for their technology but also their service.

SIMOLIO Voice Enhanced Wireless Headphones

These over-the-ear headphones are one of the best designs for those who have different hearing levels in each of their ears.

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• Over-the-ear headphones
• Comprehensive sound adjustment
• Different left and right ear

What matters most about these headphones is that you get complete control. Choose voice enhancement, noise canceling, adjust tone and base levels, and more. But more importantly, you can do this individually for each ear. This is important as hearing loss often affects one ear first.

The headphones themselves are comfortable and connect by a transmitter that also acts as a charging dock. You get about 10 hours of listening off a single charge.

What we like: We like that these headphones are specifically designed for those with different hearing levels in each ear, which includes many of the people who would benefit from TV headphones.

What we don’t like: We don’t like that you have to take the lithium battery out of the headphones to charge them.

Overall, if your hearing levels are different in each ear, then these are the ideal solution for TV watching.

SIMOLIO Infrared Wireless TV Headphones

SIMOLIO also offers some pretty good earbud headphones that offer voice highlighting for senior listeners.

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• Earbud headphones
• Comprehensive sound adjustment
• Different left and right ear

The headphones connect using infrared, which means that they have a shorter range than some other options. But how often do you watch TV from 10 meters away?

It connects via a transmitter, which also acts as a charging dock that delivers 15 hours of battery life.

All the controls are on the headphones themselves, and you get lots of options including voice enhancement and noise reduction modes. The headphones also automatically stabilize sounds, which prevent the ears from being damaged by sudden loud sounds when the volume is up high. You can also adjust the left and right ear individually, which is important for many with reduced hearing.

What we like: We like how you can personalize your listening to your specific hearing needs, down to different options for each ear.

What we don’t like: We aren’t fans of the aesthetic of this design, which looks like what it is: hearing assistive technology.

Overall, we think that people with specific hearing issues will appreciate how you can personalize these headphones, and you don’t need to struggle with a one-size-fits-all design.

Avantree Wireless Headphones For TV Watching

Our final choice is another earbud option from Avantree, which is affordable but uses a lot of the same great technology as their more expensive options.

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• Earbud headphones
• Use your own earbuds
• Personalize sound options

These headphones use the same transmitter deck as other Avantree options, but the headphones are different in that you can attach your own earbuds. This means that if you have a pair of headphones that are comfortable, you can attach them to your headphone kit instead of the earbuds that are included.

As well as receiving sound from your TV, the headphone kit offers features such as left and right hear balance control and enhanced high volume. You can block out ambient sound or specifically let it in. You can also program three preset audio profiles that you might use for your favorite programs.

What we like: We like that you can use your favorite headphones and that there are lots of options for personalizing your sound.

What we don’t like: Because you can do so much with these headphones, they are a bit harder to use than other options.

Overall, we think that these are some of the most convenient headphones for personalizing your experience while watching TV.

Buying Guide: TV Headphones For Seniors

Hopefully our list has shown you that there are lots of great options on the market when it comes to TV headphones for seniors. But how do you choose the right pair? These are the main things to consider.

Headphone Style

Basically, you need to choose between over-the-ear headphones and earbuds. There are a few other options out there, such as on-ear headphones that hook around and sit over the ear, but these are less common.

When it comes to the style of headphone, it is down to personal choice. But it is worth noting that earbuds aren’t compatible with hearing aids, but you may be able to wear over-the-ear headphones with a hearing aid.

Controls should usually be on the headphones, on the earpieces for over-the-ear options, and maybe around the neck for earbuds. These should be easy to use.

Sound Options

It is not just seniors who might be interested in TV headphones. Anyone who likes watching at top volume without disturbing others might consider them. But what differentiates “senior” TV headphones from standard TV headphones is that they tend to come with more options to personalize your sound choices.

Even standard headphones, if they are good-quality, might let you do things like adjust the bass. But with senior headphones, you should also be able to do things like choose “voice enhancement” mode to pull voices out from ambient noise. Some will also let you have different sound settings for different ears.

How many of these additional features you need depends on the hearing of the person who will be using them. It is worth making a list of features that you would like to have before you start shopping.

Connection

TV headphones are different from standard headphones as they usually come with a transmitter that you plug straight into your TV. This then sends sound to your headphones via Bluetooth, infrared, or radio. This dictates sound range, which can range from 10 to 100 meters. However, how often do you need to be able to hear your TV from more than 10 meters away?

Plugging the transmitter directly into your TV means better sound quality and less lag than if you connected your transmitter to your TV via Bluetooth.

The transmitter also means that you should be able to broadcast sound to more than one device at a time. This might be broadcasting to two separate pairs of headphones or broadcasting to headphones and a soundbar so that the rest of the family can watch normally.

If you are someone who enjoys watching on a tablet, laptop, or other device, you will want to find headphones that connect with these as well. The transmitter should be able to connect via micro-USB for example.

Looking for the best TV sound bars? Find our recommendations here.

Charging And Battery Life

In most cases, the transmitter will also act as a charging station. You’ll have a place to store your headphones when you aren’t using them, and they will charge automatically.

We have seen options that range from eight to 40 hours of listening time from a single charge. While hopefully eight hours is enough for any single listening session, forgetting to charge is a serious issue!

The easier it is to charge, the less likely you are to forget.

Looking for the best smart TVs for seniors? Find our recommendations here.

The Verdict

When you get older and your hearing is not what it used to be, watching TV can be frustrating. You might need to turn up the volume to levels where others in the house complain, and you still might struggle to make out some of the dialogue.

A good pair of TV headphones can make a big difference. Not only can they let you watch as loud as you want without disturbing others, but they also offer smart features that allow you to do things such as enhance dialogue for better listening.