How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a replacement pad built specifically for AirPods Max 1 & 2 with a stronger magnetic attachment and a cooling memory-foam feel for long basketball sessions, choose GEVO Ear Cushions Replacement; if you need a tool-assisted pad refresh that fits a long list of Bose QuietComfort and SoundLink around-ear models, choose Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads.
• GEVO's biggest strength: purpose-built fit for AirPods Max 1 & 2 with an upgraded magnetic design and slow-rebound memory foam wrapped in protein leather.
• GEVO's biggest trade-off: it only works with AirPods Max 1 & 2 — nothing else. If you own Bose or another brand, it is not an option.
• Hmoke's biggest strength: broad compatibility across a long list of Bose around-ear models, plus a plastic removal tool and a tool-free process that Hmoke says takes about three minutes.
• Hmoke's biggest trade-off: it is not made for AirPods Max, and the process is manual rather than magnetic, so it depends on you seating the pads evenly.
• Who GEVO is for: AirPods Max owners who want a drop-in, magnetically attached refresh with noise isolation tuned to the original sealing ring.
• Who Hmoke is for: Bose QC35/QC35 II and other compatible around-ear owners replacing cracked, peeling or flattened pads.
GEVO's replacement ear cushions exist for exactly one headphone family: AirPods Max 1 & 2. That narrow focus is the whole point. Instead of a universal pad that has to compromise across dozens of models, this is shaped around one earcup, with sealing rings designed to match the original. In my opinion, that spec detail matters more than anything else on the sheet, because a good seal is what keeps bass from leaking out and outside noise from leaking in.
The second thing that stands out is the magnetic design. GEVO describes it as upgraded and more powerful, with stronger suction and automatic adsorption, so the pads snap into place and stay attached without wrestling. There are no screws, no plastic pry tool, no guessing about orientation. For anyone who has fumbled with adhesive-backed pads, that is a genuinely nicer experience.
Materials are the slow-rebound memory foam and soft protein leather combination, plus a breathable dustproof net that GEVO says keeps dust out of the headphone and reduces heat buildup over long wear. If you wear your AirPods Max through a full game of pickup basketball or a long commute, that breathability claim is the one to care about. GEVO also rates the pads as built to last and backs them with a one-year manufacturer warranty. The package includes two cushions and four wipe pads.
Who should buy it: AirPods Max 1 or 2 owners whose original pads are worn, flattened or just due for a refresh, and who want the fastest possible swap. Who should skip it: anyone who does not own AirPods Max 1 or 2. The compatibility list is one line long, and that is deliberate.
Hmoke goes the opposite direction. This is a compatibility play, and it is a wide one: QC2, QC15, QC25, QC35 I, QC35 II, Ae2, Ae2i, Ae2w, SoundTrue Around-Ear and SoundTrue Around-Ear II, plus SoundLink Around-Ear and SoundLink Around-Ear II. If you have an aging Bose around-ear headset sitting in a drawer with peeling pads, there is a decent chance Hmoke covers it.
The installation story is the other headline. Hmoke says no special tools are required, that you remove the worn pads and fit the new pair in roughly three minutes, and that a plastic tool is included to help pry the old ones out and seat the new ones. That matters on Bose-style pads, which typically tuck into a groove around the earcup rather than clipping on magnetically. Getting that edge fully seated is what prevents the gaps and lifted edges Hmoke explicitly calls out.
On comfort, Hmoke uses memory foam to spread pressure more evenly, smooth protein leather against the skin, and a breathable inner mesh to improve airflow and reduce heat and moisture. Hmoke frames the whole product as a revival: replace cracked, peeling, flat or misshapen cushions instead of buying a new headset, restore comfort and a secure fit, and help keep sound in and noise out. A one-year manufacturer warranty is included, and Hmoke asks buyers to confirm their exact model before ordering, which is sensible given how many variants share similar shapes.
Who should buy it: owners of any compatible Bose around-ear model who want a straightforward at-home refresh with a tool in the box. Who should skip it: AirPods Max owners, since this pad is not made for that headphone.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Bose QC35/QC35 II and older Bose around-ear models → Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads. The compatibility list is the deciding factor here.
• Fastest, least fiddly install → GEVO. Magnetic adsorption and alignment beats tucking a pad edge into a groove.
• Most models covered by a single purchase → Hmoke. One pad design spans a long list of Bose headsets.
• Best for long listening sessions → both, on paper. Each uses slow-rebound memory foam with protein leather and a breathable layer, so the tie-breaker is which headphone you actually own.
• Best for cleaner isolation → GEVO. GEVO specifically describes sealing rings matched to the original headphone for superior noise isolation.
• Best for reviving a headset you already love → Hmoke. Its whole pitch is replacing worn pads instead of replacing the headphones.
• Best for a heads-up on ordering → Hmoke. Hmoke openly tells you to verify your model first; that is good advice for either purchase.
If you are also shopping for the earbuds or headset you will pair with these pads, this comparison is about pads only — but the same logic applies. A sealed, well-fitted cushion is what lets an extra bass true wireless earbuds setup or a waterproof true wireless earbuds pick actually sound like it should, and it is often the difference between a headset that feels like a keeper and one you stop reaching for.
If you own AirPods Max 1 or 2, I would buy the GEVO Ear Cushions Replacement. The magnetic attachment, the sealing rings matched to the original, and the breathable memory-foam build are exactly what I want in a pad that has to survive sweaty, high-motion use — including basketball. If you own a Bose QC35, QC35 II or any other model on Hmoke's list instead, buy the Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads; GEVO simply will not fit your headphone, and Hmoke's included tool makes the swap painless. Match the pad to the headphone you own, and you will be happy either way. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
No. GEVO's replacement ear cushions are listed as compatible only with AirPods Max 1 and 2. If you have a Bose QC35 or QC35 II, the Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads are the correct choice.
Both use slow-rebound memory foam, protein leather and a breathable layer, and both aim to restore the seal your worn pads have lost. GEVO specifically describes sealing rings matched to the original AirPods Max for improved noise isolation. A proper seal is what protects bass and blocks outside noise.
Value depends entirely on your headphone. GEVO is the better buy if you own AirPods Max 1 or 2; Hmoke is the better buy if you own a compatible Bose model, since a pad that does not fit has no value at all. Compare the current prices on Amazon once you have confirmed your model.
• Astro Gaming Logitech G vs Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK
• PowerLocus Over-Ear Headphones vs SDLOGAL Over Ear Headphones
• SEWOBYE Waterproof MP3 vs Dnniakm Bone Conduction Headphones
• MIDOLA Headphones vs TOZO Hybrid Active Noise
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.