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Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement — biggest strength: memory foam wrapped in breathable velour, sized and shaped for the Sennheiser HD 598 / HD 599 / HD 595 family, backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty and a video fitting guide.
• GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement — biggest trade-off: it's a velour pad, so it breathes well but won't give you the leather-style surface some people prefer, and it's aimed at Sennheiser's round-ish HD 5-series cups rather than Skullcandy's oval ones.
• Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — biggest strength: a leather-covered, slowly-rebounding foam cushion that fits a long list of Skullcandy models — Crusher Wireless/Evo/ANC, Hesh 3/EVO/ANC and Venue — and is designed to slot in without glue or tweezers.
• Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — biggest trade-off: the fit list is Skullcandy-specific, so if your headphones aren't on that list, it's the wrong pad no matter how good it looks.
• Who each pick is for: GEEKRIA for Sennheiser HD 5-series owners who want a velour feel; Niukeke for Skullcandy Crusher/Hesh/Venue owners who want a leather-look replacement that's quick to install.
The GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement is a two-piece set of earpads made from memory foam and covered in velour. That combination is the whole point: memory foam gives you a cushion that slowly conforms to the shape of your ear, while velour is the fabric a lot of people reach for when they want something that feels soft and doesn't trap heat the way a coated surface can. In my opinion, velour is the more comfortable choice for long listening sessions in a warm room — it's the reason the HD 5-series shipped with that kind of surface in the first place.
The compatibility list is where this pad earns its keep. It's built for the Sennheiser HD 598, HD 598SE, HD 598CS, HD 595, HD 599 and HD 599 SE, and GEEKRIA notes it will also fit other brands and models as long as you check the dimensions of your headphones first. That last part matters. The pad measures roughly 4.33 x 3.31 x 0.79 inches, so if you're trying to fit it to something that isn't a Sennheiser, measure before you commit. The set includes two replacement ear covers — the headphones themselves are not included, obviously — and there's a one-year manufacturer warranty attached.
So who should buy it? If you own an HD 598, HD 599 or HD 595 and the original pads have gone flat, cracked or started flaking, this is a straightforward way to bring the headphone back to a usable state without replacing the whole thing. The listing includes a video guide, which is genuinely useful if you've never pulled a Sennheiser pad off before — the HD 5-series mounting is a lip-and-groove design and it isn't always obvious the first time.
Who should skip it? Anyone whose headphones aren't on that compatibility list and don't match the dimensions. If you're dealing with a Skullcandy Crusher or a Hesh, this is not your pad — the mounting geometry is different. And if you specifically want a leather or leatherette surface against your ears, velour is the wrong material for you.
The Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads take the opposite approach. These are foam-sponge cushions wrapped in leather, finished in a burgundy color, and they're built for Skullcandy's lineup rather than Sennheiser's. The compatibility list is long: Skullcandy Crusher ANC, Crusher Evo, Crusher 360, Hesh ANC, Hesh Evo, Hesh 3 and Venue Wireless. Niukeke is explicit that you should confirm your headphone model before buying, and that's good advice — this pad is shaped for Skullcandy's oval cups, not for a round Sennheiser.
The design brief here is about fit and sealing. Niukeke describes the foam as slowly rebounding, wrapped in a soft leather that's meant to stay flexible and not dry out or peel over time, which is the typical failure mode on coated pads. The pitch is that a tight-sealing pad preserves sound quality and noise cancelling — and that's a real point, because on an ANC headphone a leaky cushion lets outside noise straight past the cancellation. These pads are described as fitting snugly without strangling your ears, and the foam is meant to reduce pressure rather than press in.
Installation is pitched as the easy part: no glue, no tweezers, just a few steps. If you've ever wrestled a pad back into a groove, you know that's the difference between a five-minute job and a frustrating half hour.
Who should buy it? Skullcandy Crusher, Hesh or Venue owners whose original pads have flattened, torn or started flaking, and who want a leather-look finish in a color that isn't plain black. If you use your Crusher Evo or Hesh ANC for commuting and the seal has degraded, a fresh set of cushions is the cheapest way to get that isolation back.
Who should skip it? Anyone with headphones outside the Skullcandy list. Also, if you specifically want a fabric feel against your ears, leather is the wrong call — it will run warmer over a long session. And the color is burgundy, not black, so if matching your original look matters, factor that in.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Skullcandy Crusher / Hesh / Venue owners → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. The compatibility list covers Crusher ANC, Evo, 360, Hesh ANC, Hesh Evo, Hesh 3 and Venue.
• Best for breathable, cool-feeling comfort → GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement. Velour over memory foam is the more ventilated option.
• Best for a leather-look finish and a tight seal → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. Leather over rebound foam, with the seal pitched as key to preserving ANC performance.
• Easiest install without tools → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. Niukeke states no glue or tweezers are needed. GEEKRIA's set leans on its video guide instead.
• Most forgiving if you're unsure about fit → GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement. It states it will fit other brands provided you check your headphone dimensions against its roughly 4.33 x 3.31 x 0.79 inch size.
• Warranty coverage → a tie. Both carry a one-year manufacturer warranty.
• Best for reviving a headphone you'd otherwise replace → whichever matches your model. Neither pad helps if it doesn't fit, so match the model first, then pick the material you prefer.
If I owned a Sennheiser HD 598, HD 599 or HD 595, I'd buy the GEEKRIA Comfort Velour Replacement. It's purpose-built for that headphone family, velour is the material those headphones were designed around, and the video guide removes most of the guesswork from the swap. If I owned a Skullcandy Crusher, Hesh or Venue, I'd buy the Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — the compatibility list is exactly right, the leather finish keeps the original look, and the tool-free install is a genuine plus on a headphone you use daily. Match the model first. Everything else is preference.
FAQ
It comes down to material. Velour on the GEEKRIA pad breathes and stays cooler, which I'd pick for warm rooms and long sessions. The Niukeke pad's leather surface gives a tighter seal and a softer, more padded feel, but it will run warmer over time.
A worn pad that no longer seals properly lets sound leak, which weakens bass and, on an ANC headphone, undercuts the noise cancelling. Niukeke specifically pitches its pads as fitting tightly to preserve sound quality and ANC. GEEKRIA's pads restore the original cushioning on the Sennheiser models.
I don't quote prices here — check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page. On value, the honest answer is that value only exists if the pad fits your headphone. Buy the one matched to your model; a cheaper pad that doesn't fit is worth nothing.
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