You can connect two headphones to your PC using a 3.5mm splitter, Bluetooth pairing, USB ports, or a combination of these — the method depends on your headphone types and whether you need separate volume control

Windows and most PC operating systems let you send audio to multiple headphones at once, but the setup differs based on whether your headphones connect wirelessly or with a cable. If both headphones are Bluetooth, you can pair them both to your PC and route audio to both simultaneously. If one or both use a cable, you'll need either a physical splitter or a USB hub with separate audio outputs. The simplest route for most people is a 3.5mm audio splitter — a small adapter that costs $5 to $15 and lets you plug two wired headphones into one jack.

Each method has a different trade-off. A splitter requires no software setup but reduces volume slightly and gives you no independent control over each headphone. Bluetooth pairing is wireless but may only play through one headphone at a time on older PCs. USB headphones let you control each one separately but take up multiple ports. The right choice depends on what headphones you already own and whether you need to adjust volume for each one independently.

Key Takeaways

  • A 3.5mm splitter is the cheapest and fastest way to use two wired headphones on one PC jack, with no software setup required.
  • Bluetooth headphones can be paired to your PC one at a time through Settings, then both will receive audio if your PC supports dual Bluetooth audio output.
  • USB headphones need separate USB ports and can be controlled individually through Windows Sound settings.
  • You can mix wired and Bluetooth headphones by plugging the wired one into a jack or USB adapter and pairing the Bluetooth one through Settings.
  • Splitters work with any headphone type but reduce volume slightly, so choose one rated for your headphone impedance if possible.

Using a 3.5mm splitter for two wired headphones

A 3.5mm audio splitter is a Y-shaped adapter with one input jack and two output jacks. You plug it into your PC's headphone jack, then plug both headphones into the splitter's two outputs. Both headphones will play the same audio at the same volume. This method requires no software setup, no drivers, and works on any PC with a 3.5mm jack. You can find splitters at any electronics store or online — search for "3.5mm audio splitter" or "headphone splitter."

The main trade-off is a slight loss of volume — the audio signal is split between two headphones, so each one receives less power than it would alone. If your headphones are already quiet or have low impedance, you may notice the difference. Most splitters cost between $5 and $15. Avoid splitters marketed as microphone splitters, which are wired differently and won't work for audio output. If you want to reduce volume loss, look for a splitter with a built-in amplifier, though these cost more and require a power source.

Pairing two Bluetooth headphones to your PC

Windows 10 and Windows 11 let you pair multiple Bluetooth headphones to your PC, though both will receive the same audio. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices (or Devices on Windows 10), and click Add device. Put your first headphones in pairing mode — usually by holding the power button for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks — then select them from the list. Repeat the process for your second headphones. Once both are paired, they'll stay connected to your PC until you unpair them.

Once both are paired, Windows will send audio to whichever one you set as the default device in Sound settings. To switch which headphones are active, right-click the volume icon in your system tray, select Open Volume mixer, and look for the headphones listed under Advanced. Some newer PCs support simultaneous audio to multiple Bluetooth devices, but this is not standard — most will only play through one at a time unless you use third-party software. Check your PC's Bluetooth specifications or test with both headphones to see if yours supports dual output.

Connecting two USB headphones

USB headphones connect directly to a USB port and appear as separate audio devices in Windows. If you have two USB headphones, plug each one into its own USB port. Both will show up in your Sound settings under Output devices. To send audio to both at once, you'll need to use software that supports multiple audio outputs — most games and media players do not do this by default. However, you can set one as your primary device and switch to the other when needed.

The easier approach is to set one USB headphone as your default device and the other as a secondary option. Right-click the volume icon, select Open Volume mixer, and under Advanced you'll see all connected audio devices. Click the one you want to use and select Set as default. To switch between them, repeat the process. Some USB headphones come with their own software that may offer additional routing options — check the manufacturer's website for your model to see if a control panel is available.

Mixing wired and Bluetooth headphones

You can use one wired headphone and one Bluetooth headphone at the same time by plugging the wired one into your 3.5mm jack and pairing the Bluetooth one through Settings. Both will receive audio simultaneously, though you cannot control the volume of each one independently — they'll both play at whatever volume your PC is set to. This is a practical option if you own one of each type and want to share audio with someone else.

If you want separate volume control, use a USB audio adapter instead. Plug your wired headphones into a USB audio adapter (a small device that converts a 3.5mm jack to USB, costing $10 to $25), then plug that adapter into one USB port and your Bluetooth headphones into the system. This gives you two separate audio devices that you can control individually through Sound settings. The USB adapter appears as a second audio output device, so you can set one as default and switch to the other when needed.

Using software to route audio to specific headphones

Some applications let you choose which headphones receive audio without switching your default device. In Discord, for example, you can set input and output devices separately in User Settings under Voice & Video. OBS Studio (used for streaming) lets you assign different audio sources to different outputs. Zoom also lets you choose which device receives audio during a call. Most games do not offer this level of control, but streaming and music production software often does.

If you need fine control over which headphones hear what, look for software that supports virtual audio cables or audio routing. VB-Audio Virtual Cable is a free tool that creates virtual audio devices you can route to different headphones, though it requires some setup and technical knowledge. For most everyday use — watching videos, listening to music, or gaming — a splitter or dual Bluetooth setup is simpler and faster than learning audio routing software.

Troubleshooting when one or both headphones stop working

If you're using a splitter and one headphone is silent, check that both are plugged in fully — a loose connection can cut off one side. If both are plugged in but quiet, try adjusting your PC volume to maximum and the headphone volume to maximum, then lower the PC volume to a comfortable level. If one headphone still produces no sound, try swapping it with the other to see if the problem follows the headphone or stays in that jack of the splitter.

If you're using Bluetooth and one headphone disconnects, it may have fallen out of pairing range or the battery may be low. Move closer to your PC and check the headphone battery. If it still doesn't work, forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair it again. For USB headphones, try unplugging and replugging the cable, or restarting your PC. If Windows doesn't recognize a USB headphone at all, check Device Manager — right-click the Start button and select it — and look for any devices with a yellow warning icon. Right-click and select Update driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will using a splitter damage my headphones?

No. A splitter straightforward divides the audio signal; it does not send extra power or voltage to your headphones. The only downside is reduced volume because the signal is shared. If your headphones are already loud, you won't notice any difference.

Can I control the volume of each headphone separately?

Not with a splitter — both headphones will always play at the same volume. With two USB headphones or a USB adapter plus Bluetooth, you can set each as a separate device in Sound settings and control them independently through Windows, though most software will only let you adjust the overall PC volume.

Do both Bluetooth headphones have to be the same brand?

No. Any Bluetooth headphones can be paired to your PC regardless of brand. Windows will treat them as separate devices and send audio to both if your PC supports dual Bluetooth output, which varies by model and driver.

What if my PC doesn't have a 3.5mm jack?

Many newer laptops and desktops have removed the 3.5mm jack. In that case, use a USB audio adapter (a small dongle that adds a 3.5mm jack via USB) or connect both headphones via Bluetooth or USB. A USB adapter costs $10 to $20 and works with any headphones that have a 3.5mm plug.

Can I use two headphones on a gaming console or phone instead?

This article covers PC only. Most gaming consoles and phones have different audio routing systems and may not support two headphones at once without third-party hardware or software.