Choosing the best headphone ear pads, sometimes called ear cushions, usually means finding pads that are well-made and fit your headphones properly. The headphone ear pads should also feel comfortable to you when you wear your headphones. Even the highest quality pads won’t mean much if you don’t like the way that they feel on your ears.
One of the best ways to buy headphone ear pads is to contact the manufacturer of your headphones. The ear pads sold by your headphone manufacturer may cost a bit more than a generic ear pads, but they are typically made specifically for a particular set of headphones, which means you are assured of a good fit. Usually, these will stay on your headphones and are less likely to get lost or damaged.
The company that manufactured your headphones may not have many options available to choose from, so you may have to look elsewhere if you want to upgrade your headphone ear pads or choose a different style. Many stores that specialize in audio components will have generic pads or after-market pads that will fit your type of headphones. The key to choosing those types of headphone ear pads is finding a good quality pair that fits.
Most ear pads are made of foam or rubber, but the quality can vary. Cheaper ear pads might have very light, less-dense foam than the higher-quality equivalent. The denser the foam is, the longer it tends to last. Some headphone ear pads, particularly for larger head phones, have a vinyl covering around the foam padding, which can be more comfortable as well as last longer than plain, exposed foam ear pads. Smaller earphones can have foam or rubber ear pads, while larger headphones are usually only made of foam.
While shopping at specialty audio stores can be a good choice to find headphone ear pads, there are many choices available online as well. In addition to having a large variety of styles and quality to choose from, there are online outlets that sell headphone ear pads in bulk. If you have smaller headphones, you may find that you lose the ear pads a lot. Buying them in bulk means you won’t have to worry about losing them because you have plenty of replacements.
For larger or custom-made headphones, you may want to try to find ear pads at a traditional brick-and-mortar store first. That way, you can ensure they fit your headphones and will be a comfortable fit for you. If they fit but cost more than you would like to pay, you can always compare prices online for the best deal possible.