Wireless headphones free you from listening to music or watching a film close to your stereo system. These headphones don't plug in directly to a television, computer, or mp3 player, but communicate via infrared or radio signals to a central base station. You can be free to listen to a variety of audio inputs while you roam around, cook, or exercise without snarling cords or excessive background noise.

A convenient technology, wireless headphones are designed to work with most stereo components so you can hear a basketball game, the sound effects of your gaming machine, or some jazz. Wireless headphones work by receiving a signal from a stationary device. That base station is what plugs in manually to many audio inputs, such as your CD player and cable television. Each wireless headphone system connects a certain number of these audio channels simultaneously. Usually, the base station holds the wireless headphones while they are charging their reusable battery.

Sometimes, "wireless" headphones refer specifically to those that work through an infrared beam, similar to how a remote control works. These headphones have a limited distance you can stray from the base station, usually no more than 30 feet (9 m) along the line of sight. These can be contrasted with "cordless" headphones that utilize radio waves. Both the base station and headphones can be set to a few channels between certain frequencies that should not interfere with regular radio broadcasts. This is how your cordless telephone communicates. The radio-type wireless headphones have a much wider range, up to 300 feet (90 m) with a signal of 2.4 GHz, and will work through walls. It's common to refer to any listening device that doesn't have a cord as wireless headphones.

In selecting wireless headphones, consider what features are most important to you. High sound quality will depend on the type of earphones, the power of the speakers, and the range of their bass and treble. You might want to change the volume directly on the headphones, rather than on the base station. Try on a variety of headphones to make sure they fit your head and ears comfortably. Some brands of wireless headphones will have a stronger signal that more easily penetrates walls, while others are compatible with your car stereo. The battery life will also be a determining factor, as they range from about 1-6 hours. Some models are based on rechargeable batteries to lower the total cost of ownership. An investment in this gadget brings crisp, portable sound where it's most convenient.