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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• COMPLY's biggest strength: It's a model-specific cushion set built only for Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 and Gen 2, with contoured memory foam and a moisture-resistant SmartSkin surface.
• COMPLY's biggest trade-off: The fit is locked to one headphone family — if you don't own a QuietComfort Ultra, it's not for you.
• Hmoke's biggest strength: Extra-thick slow-rebound memory foam wrapped in soft protein leather, designed to revive a JBL E55BT with a simple swap.
• Hmoke's biggest trade-off: It's a single-model pad too (JBL E55BT only), and the focus is on comfort and appearance rather than the specialty surface treatment COMPLY uses.
• Who COMPLY is for: Bose QuietComfort Ultra owners who want maximum noise isolation and a plush, protective over-ear fit.
• Who Hmoke is for: JBL E55BT owners who want to bring tired, worn pads back to life without replacing the headphones.
COMPLY's replacement pads exist for exactly one purpose: refreshing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 1 and Gen 2. The cushions are made of soft, breathable memory foam with a contoured over-ear shape, and the stated goal is a secure fit that delivers maximum noise isolation. If you already own these Bose headphones and the stock pads have flattened out, hardened, or started to feel less plush than they used to, this is the direct fix.
The standout feature is what COMPLY calls SmartSkin protection — a moisture-resistant, easy-to-clean surface that's meant to keep the pads feeling fresh and extend their usable life. That matters for anyone who wears headphones for long stretches: commuters, remote workers on back-to-back calls, travelers on long flights. Breathable foam plus a wipeable surface is a sensible combination for daily, multi-hour use.
Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't own Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 or Gen 2 headphones. The product is explicit about this — it will not fit other Bose models, and it won't fit other brands at all. Installation is a snap-on design, but COMPLY notes that proper alignment matters for fit, comfort, and listening performance, so take your time seating them. If you want a cushion set that works across several headphone models, this isn't that product. It's a precision part for one headphone family, and it's best treated that way.
Hmoke's pads are built for the JBL E55BT, and the pitch is refreshingly practical: your headphones still work, so why replace the whole thing when a new pair of cushions will do? The construction is high-density slow-rebound memory foam wrapped in premium soft protein leather, and Hmoke describes the feel as soft from the very first wear — no break-in period, no pressure build-up during long sessions.
The "extra thick" descriptor matters here. Thicker cushions change how the headphone sits on your head: they add a bit more distance between the driver and your ear, and they can restore the plushness that flat, compressed stock pads have lost. If your E55BT pads have gone shiny, cracked, or thin, these are designed to bring back both the look and the comfort. Hmoke also includes a plastic removal tool, so you don't need to improvise with a screwdriver or fingernails — the swap is described as a few-minute job with no special tools.
Who should skip it? Again, this is a model-specific pad: JBL E55BT only. If your headphones aren't E55BT, keep looking. And if you want a specialty moisture-resistant surface treatment, Hmoke doesn't claim one — its strengths are foam density, leather softness, thickness, and ease of installation. Hmoke also positions itself as a replacement-pad specialist and offers to answer questions within 24 hours, which is a nice touch for first-time pad swappers.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Bose QuietComfort Ultra owners → COMPLY Memory Foam Replacement. It's the only one of the two designed for that headphone.
• Best for maximum noise isolation → COMPLY. Its contoured over-ear shape is explicitly built around isolation.
• Best for a thicker, plusher feel → Hmoke. "Extra thick" cushions with slow-rebound foam are the headline feature.
• Best for easy cleaning and freshness → COMPLY. The SmartSkin surface is moisture-resistant and wipeable.
• Best for a tool-free, beginner-friendly swap → Hmoke. It ships with a removal tool and is pitched as a few-minute job.
• Best for reviving old headphones instead of buying new ones → Hmoke. That's the core of its pitch.
• Best for long daily wear sessions → either, honestly. Both lean on breathable or slow-rebound memory foam for all-day comfort.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: which headphones do you actually own? If you have Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 or Gen 2, I'd buy the COMPLY pads — the contoured fit, isolation-focused design, and SmartSkin surface make it the more purpose-built option for a premium headphone. If you have JBL E55BT, I'd buy the Hmoke pads — thicker foam, soft protein leather, and an included tool make it the more practical refresh. Neither is "better" in the abstract; they're built for different headphones. Match the pad to your model, and check the current price on Amazon before you commit. My overall pick for the more specialized, isolation-minded buyer is the COMPLY set.
FAQ
You can, but it's a comfort question more than a technical one. The COMPLY pads use breathable memory foam with a moisture-resistant surface, which helps during long wear, while the Hmoke pads use slow-rebound foam and soft protein leather that Hmoke says stays comfortable without pressure build-up. Side sleepers will still feel the headband and cup pressure regardless of pad choice.
The cups should sit around your ears, not press on them, with the headband centered on top of your head. COMPLY notes that proper installation and alignment of the pads are important for fit, comfort, and listening performance, so make sure the cushions are seated evenly before you judge the fit.
Adjust the headband so the cups seal gently against your head without clamping. COMPLY's contoured over-ear design is shaped for a secure fit and maximum noise isolation, so a correct seal is part of the point. Hmoke's extra-thick cushions change the spacing slightly, so re-adjust the headband after installing them.
Snug but not tight — you should be able to wear them for hours without soreness. Hmoke specifically describes its foam and leather as staying comfortable during long wear with no swelling or pain, while COMPLY emphasizes all-day comfort and a secure, isolating fit. If either set feels painful, the pads are likely misaligned or the headband needs adjusting.
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