We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a complete, ready-to-use pair of small on-ear headphones for a child to take to school, choose AILIHEN I35; if you need replacement earpads to bring a pair of Sennheiser Momentum or HD1 On-Ear headphones back to life, choose SOULWIT Earpads.
• AILIHEN I35 — biggest strength: a full headphone in one box — 93dB volume-limited drivers, an inline mic, a foldable adjustable frame, and a 3.5mm plug that fits Chromebooks, laptops, tablets and phones. Nothing extra to buy.
• AILIHEN I35 — biggest trade-off: it's a kid-focused wired on-ear, not a hi-fi or noise-cancelling headphone. There's no active noise control, and the 93dB ceiling keeps loud playback deliberately modest.
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest strength: a direct-fit refresh kit for Sennheiser Momentum 1/2 and HD1 On-Ear models, with protein leather, thicker high-density foam and stitched inner seams for durability.
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest trade-off: it is not a headphone. Compatibility is narrow — if your model isn't on the list, these pads are not for you.
• Who each is for: AILIHEN I35 → a parent buying a first pair for a child aged 3+; SOULWIT Earpads → an adult who already owns a compatible Sennheiser on-ear and wants to restore its fit, bass and looks.
The I35 is built around one idea: give a child a pair of headphones that fits, stays comfortable, and can't get dangerously loud. The 93dB volume limit is the headline here. Instead of relying on a parent to monitor the volume dial, the headphone caps output by design, which matters for younger listeners whose ears are still developing.
The physical design backs that up. It's an on-ear model at just 5.92 ounces, with a pillow-soft headband and memory-protein ear cushions that are meant to reduce fatigue over a long school day. The headband adjusts, so it covers the range of head sizes you'd expect from a kid aged 3 and up — meaning it can grow with a child rather than being outgrown in a year. It folds down too, which is the difference between a pair that survives a backpack and one that doesn't.
Connectivity is deliberately simple: a standard 3.5mm jack on a braided cable, plus an inline HD microphone and a single button for play/pause and calls. That single jack is what makes it a genuine school headphone — it works with Chromebooks, laptops, desktops, tablets, MP3 players and any other device with a 3.5mm port, with no pairing, charging or app to manage. The 32-ohm impedance and 20Hz–20,000Hz dynamic driver are modest, standard specs, and that's fine: this is a listening-and-learning headphone, not a critical-listening one.
Who should buy it: parents who want a safe, comfortable, wired on-ear headphone for a young child, especially for classroom use, remote lessons, audiobooks and travel. The indigo color and foldable frame suit kids rather than adults.
Who should skip it: anyone wanting wireless freedom, active noise cancellation or serious bass. It's a 3.5mm wired headphone with no noise control, so commuters and audiophiles should look elsewhere.
The SOULWIT Earpads solve a different problem entirely. They don't produce sound — they restore it. If you own Sennheiser Momentum 1 On-Ear, Momentum 2 On-Ear or HD1 On-Ear headphones and the original pads have flattened, cracked or started flaking, these are a direct replacement.
The material choices are the whole argument. SOULWIT uses protein leather over extra-thick, high-density noise-isolation foam, which does two jobs: it seals better against your ear for stronger bass, and it cushions harder than worn-out stock foam. When pads collapse, the driver sits closer to your ear and the seal breaks down, which is exactly why tired headphones start sounding thin. Fresh, properly modeled pads restore the fit the headphone was tuned around.
SOULWIT also addresses the classic failure point: the seams. Stitching has been added on the inside seams of each pad specifically to stop them splitting — the thing that usually kills a cheap replacement pad within months. Installation is designed to be finished in a few minutes without tools.
Who should buy it: anyone with a compatible Sennheiser on-ear whose pads are worn out and who wants the headphone to look and feel new again.
Who should skip it: anyone who doesn't own a Momentum 1/2 or HD1 On-Ear. Compatibility is explicitly limited to those models, and SOULWIT asks buyers to check their model first. If your headphone isn't on that list, these pads simply don't apply to you.
• Best for a child's first headphone → AILIHEN I35. It's a complete, wired, volume-limited on-ear with everything in the box.
• Best for hearing-safe listening → AILIHEN I35. The 93dB limit is a hardware cap, not a setting a child can undo.
• Best for classroom and Chromebook use → AILIHEN I35. The 3.5mm jack and inline mic cover lessons, calls and audiobooks with no setup.
• Best for travel and storage → AILIHEN I35. The foldable, adjustable, 5.92-ounce frame packs down easily.
• Best for reviving an existing Sennheiser on-ear → SOULWIT Earpads. They're made for Momentum 1/2 and HD1 On-Ear models specifically.
• Best for bass and seal restoration → SOULWIT Earpads. The thicker high-density foam and protein leather are designed to conform to your ear.
• Best for long-term durability of the pad itself → SOULWIT Earpads. Stitched inner seams target the splitting that ends most pads' lives.
• Best if you want zero maintenance → AILIHEN I35. New headphone, nothing to replace; the SOULWIT route only makes sense if you already own the right Sennheiser.
In my opinion, most shoppers searching "small on ear headphones" for a child should buy the AILIHEN I35. It's the only one of the two that is actually a headphone, and the combination of a 93dB safety cap, a light 5.92-ounce foldable frame and a universal 3.5mm plug with an inline mic is exactly what a school-age kid needs. I'd only point you to the SOULWIT Earpads if you already own a Sennheiser Momentum 1/2 or HD1 On-Ear and want to restore its comfort, bass and appearance. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding — and if you're buying the pads, verify your headphone model first.
FAQ
what are good headphones for small ears
For small ears, an on-ear design generally fits better than an over-ear one because the cups sit against the ear rather than around it. The AILIHEN I35 is built for this — on-ear placement, memory-protein cushions and an adjustable headband sized for kids aged 3 and up.
Yes, that's what it's designed for. The 93dB volume limit protects young ears, the inline microphone handles calls and class audio, and the 3.5mm jack plugs straight into Chromebooks, laptops and tablets without pairing or charging.
Only if you own Sennheiser Momentum 1 On-Ear, Momentum 2 On-Ear or HD1 On-Ear headphones. SOULWIT states compatibility is limited to those models and asks buyers to confirm their model before purchase — they won't fit other brands.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: AILIHEN Over Ear Headphones vs Yealink UH35, small on ear headphones, headphones for small heads