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Updated: 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• defean Black Earpads — biggest strength: protein leather over high-density foam, a 12-month warranty, and installation that's basically line-up-and-press. Biggest trade-off: protein leather is the same class of material that tends to flake over time, and it fits only the Sony WH-H910N (not the WH-XB910N).
• Laifzen Lambskin NC 700 — biggest strength: genuine lambskin that resists sweat and skin oil, sewn seams, and a stamped mounting flange with an install tool included. Biggest trade-off: real leather costs more than PU, and natural lambskin varies slightly in firmness and thickness from pair to pair.
• Pick defean if your Sony WH-H910N pads are shot and you want a straightforward, warranty-backed fix.
• Pick Laifzen if your Bose NC 700 pads are due and you'd rather not replace them again in a year.
The defean Black Earpads are a single-purpose product: replacement cushions for the Sony WH-H910N h.ear on 3. That specificity matters, because the listing is explicit that they do not fit the Sony WH-XB910 / XB910N Extra Bass. If you own the h.ear on 3, you're in the right place; if you grabbed a similar-looking Sony model, check the model number on your headband before ordering anything.
What you get is a pair of protein leather pads over soft, high-density foam. Protein leather is the standard choice for this kind of replacement — it's smooth, wipes clean easily, and gives you that sealed-over-the-ear feel that helps passive isolation. The foam is the working part: it's what pushes back against your head and keeps the pad's opening snug around your ear so your headphone's noise cancelling has something to work with. Once pads flatten out, that seal goes soft and the ANC has less to grab onto, which is usually why people start shopping for replacements in the first place.
Installation is deliberately simple — align the pads and press around the edge until they seat. No tools, no glue, no prying. And defean backs it with a 12-month warranty plus a stated replacement-or-refund route if something's off, which is more coverage than most no-name pad sellers offer.
Laifzen Lambskin NC 700: Who It's For
Laifzen's pads are for the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, and the material story is the whole pitch. These are genuine lambskin, and per the maker the hide is sourced from unshorn young lambs specifically because it comes out softer and more delicate than standard sheepskin. If you've ever put on a pair of pads that feel cool and slightly plush against your face, that's the sensation being described here.
The durability argument is the one I find most interesting. PU leather — the synthetic coating on most stock and budget pads — eventually cracks and peels as sweat and skin oil break it down. Lambskin, per the manufacturer, resists sweat and skin oil and ages gradually instead of flaking, and the seams are stitched rather than heat-sealed so they don't split apart. That's the difference between a pad that looks tired after a year and one that just gets darker and softer.
Breathability is the second real benefit. Natural lambskin is porous, so it lets air move and moisture escape. Over-ear pads get warm, and a non-breathable surface traps that heat; a porous one stays noticeably cooler on long calls, flights, or work sessions. The high-density foam inside is there to keep a good seal for noise cancelling and sound. Laifzen also pre-cuts each mounting flange on a stamping machine for consistent dimensions, and includes a small install tool, a pair of scrims, and a manual in the box — a sign they expect you to actually do this yourself.
Two honest caveats. Real leather is priced accordingly, so budget shoppers should weigh whether lambskin matters to them or whether they just need a working pad. And because it's a natural material, firmness, thickness and texture vary slightly between pieces — Laifzen says they inspect and pair each set to keep it uniform, but two pads being perfectly identical isn't something leather guarantees.
Who should buy it: Bose NC 700 owners who wear their headphones for hours and want a cooler, softer, longer-lasting surface. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the cheapest possible fix, or who prefers a synthetic surface they can scrub without a second thought.
• Best for Sony WH-H910N owners → defean Black Earpads. It's built for that headphone and nothing else.
• Best for Bose NC 700 owners → Laifzen Lambskin NC 700. Same logic, opposite camp.
• Best for hot, long listening sessions → Laifzen. Porous lambskin breathes; protein leather doesn't.
• Best for sweat and oil resistance → Laifzen. Lambskin is described as resistant to both and ages instead of peeling.
• Best for the lowest-hassle install → defean. Align and press, no tool required.
• Best for a beginner-friendly install → Laifzen. The included tool and manual walk you through it.
• Best for warranty coverage → defean. A stated 12-month warranty plus free lifetime technical support.
• Best for a "buy it once" mindset → Laifzen. Sewn seams and real leather are built to outlast PU.
One thing both have in common: neither includes headphones. You're buying pads only. And both are aftermarket accessories, not original manufacturer parts — defean says so outright, and the same applies to Laifzen's relationship with Bose.
If price is the deciding factor for you, check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page rather than guessing from the materials alone — leather and protein leather sit in different budget brackets, but the gap shifts.
In my opinion, the honest answer depends entirely on which headphone is sitting on your desk — these two don't compete for the same buyer. If I owned a Bose NC 700 and wore it daily, I'd buy the Laifzen Lambskin NC 700. Real lambskin that resists sweat and oil, stitched seams, a breathable surface, and a stamped flange with an install tool is a combination that points to a pad you replace once rather than annually. If I owned a Sony WH-H910N and just wanted my headphone comfortable and sealed again without fuss, I'd buy the defean Black Earpads — it's purpose-built for that model and comes with a 12-month warranty. Match the pad to your headphone first; everything else is secondary.
FAQ
They're made specifically for the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Laifzen doesn't list compatibility with other Bose models, so treat them as NC 700-only.
Based on the materials, yes in one specific way: lambskin is described as resistant to sweat and skin oil and ages gradually, whereas PU-style leather tends to peel as those break it down. Laifzen also uses sewn seams, which resist splitting. The defean pads counter with a 12-month warranty.
They can. Both products rely on high-density foam to create a good seal around your ear, and ANC performance depends on that seal. Flattened or poorly fitted pads let sound in that the electronics then have to work harder to cancel — which is the main reason people replace pads at all.
Likely, yes. Laifzen notes its lambskin was selected to closely replicate the softness of Bose's original synthetic pad, and that leather softens further with use and facial oil. The defean pads use protein leather over soft foam, which is a more conventional replacement feel. As a natural material, lambskin also varies slightly in firmness and thickness between sets.
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