I recently wanted to watch a movie with a friend while keeping the noise down, and my Windows laptop only likes to send audio to one Bluetooth headset at a time. After some testing and a fair bit of trial and error, I found a few reliable ways to stream audio to multiple Bluetooth headphones from a single Windows PC — and importantly, how to keep the delay (latency) low so lips and sound stay in sync. Below I explain the approaches that worked for me, step-by-step setups you can try, and the trade-offs to expect.
Why Windows doesn’t just do this by default
Windows can pair multiple Bluetooth devices, but audio output is typically limited to a single A2DP (stereo) sink. The Bluetooth stack in Windows was designed around the idea that one computer plays to one audio device — which is fine for most users, but painful when you want two listeners on two headsets. There are hardware and software workarounds; the best choice depends on whether you prioritise latency, audio quality, or simplicity.
Quick options — what I tried first
- Bluetooth transmitter dongle: A USB or 3.5mm transmitter that supports dual-pairing and aptX Low Latency (LL). This is the simplest way to get two headsets with low lag, but both headsets must support aptX LL to benefit.
- Windows + Voicemeeter + Virtual Audio Cable: A software route that duplicates audio to multiple Bluetooth sinks. Flexible and free (mostly), but setup is fiddly and latency can be higher.
- Hardware mixer/splitter: Wired solution — not Bluetooth — but if you’re after zero lag, plugging one or both listeners into a headphone amp or a wired splitter is the most reliable.
Best simple hardware solution: use a dual-pairing aptX LL transmitter
If ease-of-use and low latency matter most (watching movies, gaming), I recommend a dedicated Bluetooth transmitter that supports pairing two headsets and aptX LL. Brands I’ve used or tested: Avantree, TaoTronics (SoundSurge models), and 1Mii.
How I set it up:
- Plug the transmitter into the PC’s USB port or the headphone jack (depending on the model). For USB models, Windows often treats them as a sound card — choose it as the default output in Sound Settings.
- Put the transmitter into pairing mode (follow the manual) and then pair each headset in turn to the transmitter, not directly to Windows.
- Play video or music and enable aptX LL on the headsets if required. If both headsets support aptX LL, latency drops dramatically and audio/video remain in sync.
Pros: Easy, low latency, no complex configuration. Cons: Requires buying hardware; both headsets ideally support the same low-latency codec.
Flexible software method: Voicemeeter + Virtual Audio Cable (software duplication)
If you’d rather not buy hardware, you can route the PC’s audio to two Bluetooth headsets with software. I use VB-Audio’s Virtual Audio Cable plus Voicemeeter (Banana or Potato). It takes longer to set up but gives you control and the ability to mix audio sources.
Step-by-step (Windows 10/11):
- Download and install VB-Audio Virtual Cable and Voicemeeter Banana or Potato from VB-Audio’s site. Reboot if prompted.
- Pair both Bluetooth headsets to Windows as usual (Settings > Bluetooth & devices). Make sure both show as paired and connected. Note their names — Windows will expose them as separate audio outputs.
- Open Windows Sound Settings and set the VB-Audio Virtual Cable as the default output device. This captures all system sound into the virtual cable.
- Open Voicemeeter and set Hardware Out A1 to one Bluetooth headset (select the headset from the menu). Set Hardware Out A2 to the second Bluetooth headset. If a headset doesn’t appear, ensure it is connected and not claimed by another app.
- In Voicemeeter, route the virtual input (from the VB Cable) to the Hardware Outs by selecting the virtual input channel and enabling A1 and A2 outputs.
- Play audio — Voicemeeter will forward the audio to both headsets simultaneously.
Latency tuning:
- Open Voicemeeter’s System Settings and adjust buffer sizes. Lower buffers reduce latency but increase chances of dropouts. Start conservative and tweak downward until stutter appears, then back off slightly.
- Use the same codec settings for both headsets in Windows Bluetooth properties if possible. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t let you force aptX on both; codec negotiation is automatic.
Pros: Free or low-cost, very flexible, works with any Bluetooth headsets Windows can pair. Cons: More latency than aptX LL hardware solution; complex setup and occasional audio glitches depending on Bluetooth drivers and interference.
Tips to reduce Bluetooth audio lag
- Use aptX Low Latency or AAC where possible. aptX LL is the best for video. AAC is better on Apple devices but less consistent on Windows. SBC (the default) has higher latency.
- Use a USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter
- Keep headsets close to the transmitter
- Update drivers
- Avoid mixing wired and Bluetooth listeners
- Use wired for the host device
Troubleshooting common problems
If audio drops, stutters, or one headset shows much more delay than the other, try these steps I use when things go wrong:
- Disconnect and re-pair the headsets. A fresh pairing often fixes codec negotiation problems.
- Reboot the PC and restart Voicemeeter or the transmitter. Windows’ audio stack can get confused after long use.
- Try using one headset at a time to confirm each works cleanly on its own. If one is problematic, it may be the source of the issue.
- If using Voicemeeter, increase the buffer size slightly to stop dropouts at the cost of a bit more latency.
- For video streaming, if lips are still out of sync, try playing a local video file instead of streaming — browser buffering and streaming services can introduce their own delays that make Bluetooth lag more noticeable.
Future-proofing: LE Audio and Auracast
Bluetooth LE Audio (and Auracast broadcasting) promises multi-listener audio streams natively, solving many of these problems. Windows support is still catching up, and widespread headset support will take time. When LE Audio becomes mainstream and Windows implements Auracast well, pairing many headsets to one PC with low latency will be straightforward. For now, the transmitter + aptX LL route or the Voicemeeter software trick are the practical choices.
If you tell me which headsets and which Windows version you’re using, I can suggest the exact settings and a tailored step-by-step walkthrough for your setup — I’ve done this for friends with AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM5s, and cheaper budget Bluetooth buds and can point out model-specific quirks.
