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If you want a complete, ready-to-use wired over-ear headset for calls and meetings, choose Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000; if you need to convert an existing EPOS Impact 860 or Impact 1000 series headset from on-ear to over-ear comfort, choose Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible.
• Kensington H2000 — biggest strength: a full headset in one box: ergonomic over-ear design, swivel earcups, rotating boom mic, ENC microphones, inline controls, busylights and a 1.8 m USB-C cable.
• Kensington H2000 — biggest trade-off: it's a complete wired headset, not an accessory — if you already own a headset you like, it doesn't upgrade what you have.
• Headset Advisor Cushions — biggest strength: turns EPOS Impact 1000 series and Impact 860 headsets from on-ear to over-ear with high-density foam pads and a choice of leatherette or fabric.
• Headset Advisor Cushions — biggest trade-off: they only fit specific EPOS models, and they're third-party replacements, so audio may differ from the original pads.
• For whom: Kensington for anyone starting fresh who wants one plug-and-play headset; Headset Advisor for EPOS Impact owners chasing all-day comfort and better isolation without replacing the headset.
The H2000 is aimed squarely at people who live on calls. It's a wired USB-C headset with an ergonomic over-ear fit and swivel earcups, so the cups rotate to sit flat against your ears rather than pressing on them. That's the core difference between on-ear and over-ear designs: over-ear cups surround the ear instead of resting on it, and Kensington leans into that with cooling-gel infused memory foam earpads wrapped in breathable heat-transferring fabric. In my opinion, that combination is the reason this headset is pitched at "all-day" use rather than short bursts.
The microphone setup is where it earns its name. Kensington pairs passive noise cancellation — the physical isolation of the over-ear cups — with environmental noise-canceling (ENC) microphones that suppress background sounds for the person on the other end of the call, not just for you. The boom rotates up to 270°, so it can be worn on the left or right side, and the headset includes sidetone, which feeds a little of your own voice back so you don't shout. Add a busy light, a mute indicator, and inline controls for volume, play/pause, mute and busy, and you have a headset built for open offices, home offices with background noise, and back-to-back video meetings.
Who should buy it: the person who wants one box to solve the whole problem — headset, mic, controls, cable, dongle. Who should skip it: anyone who already owns an EPOS Impact headset and just wants softer ears, or anyone who needs a wireless-only setup.
Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible: Who It's For
This is a completely different kind of product, and it's important to be clear about that. It isn't a headset. It's a two-pack of replacement ear cushions made by Headset Advisor, designed to fit the EPOS Impact 1000 series (including the 1030 and 1060 variants) and the EPOS Impact 860. The whole point is transformation: these cushions convert those headsets from on-ear to over-ear style, which is exactly the upgrade people want when their ears ache after a long shift.
The construction is high-density foam that molds to the shape of your ear, available in ultra-soft leatherette or breathable fabric. Both options aim at the same outcome — comfort that holds up over long calls — but they feel different on the head and breathe differently, so the choice is really about your preference and your room temperature. Installation is tool-free, which matters if you've ever wrestled with glued-on pads; you pop the old ones off and seat the new ones without reaching for a screwdriver.
The second benefit is isolation. Moving from on-ear to over-ear physically surrounds the ear, which reduces how much background noise reaches you. That's passive isolation, not active noise cancellation — it won't erase a loud HVAC system, but in a busy home office or a noisy open floor it can make call audio noticeably easier to follow. Headset Advisor also includes a 1-year warranty covering rips, flaking and cosmetic defects.
Two caveats before you buy. First, these fit specific EPOS models only — check yours against the compatibility list. Second, Headset Advisor states plainly that these are third-party replacements, not made, endorsed or approved by EPOS, that audio performance may differ from the original on-ear cushions, and that EPOS provides no warranty or support for them. That's an honest disclosure, but it's a real consideration. Who should buy them: EPOS Impact owners whose headsets still work fine but whose ears don't. Who should skip them: anyone without a compatible EPOS headset, and anyone expecting a full headset out of the box.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for upgrading a headset you already own → Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible. If your EPOS Impact 860 or Impact 1000 series still performs well, new cushions are the targeted fix.
• Best for microphone quality on calls → Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000. ENC microphones suppress background noise for your listeners, and the 270° rotating boom works on either side.
• Best for physical noise isolation → Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible. The over-ear conversion is designed to reduce background noise reaching your ears; the H2000 achieves this through its own over-ear PNC design instead.
• Best for platform flexibility → Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000. Works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and more.
• Best for fitting an existing device → Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible. Built specifically for EPOS Impact 860 and Impact 1000 series, with tool-free installation.
• Best for material choice → Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible. Pick leatherette or fabric; the Kensington ships in one configuration with cooling-gel memory foam pads.
• Best for warranty coverage → Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000. A 2-year manufacturer warranty versus 1 year from Headset Advisor covering rips, flaking and cosmetic defects.
If price is the deciding factor for you, check the current price on Amazon for both — the page has a button for that, and I'd rather you compare real numbers than guess.
In my opinion, most people shopping this comparison should buy the Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000. It solves the entire problem — audio, microphone, controls, comfort, cable — in one purchase, and its over-ear design with cooling-gel memory foam is built for the all-day calling this category is about. I'd only steer you to the Headset Advisor Over-Ear Cushions Compatible if you already own an EPOS Impact 860 or Impact 1000 series headset that works well and you simply want it to sit around your ears instead of on them. In that specific case, the cushions are the smarter, more targeted move. For everyone else, start with the headset.
FAQ
what is over ear headset
what is the best over ear headset
There's no single answer, but in my opinion the Kensington Noise Cancelling H2000 is the stronger pick for most buyers because it's a full wired USB-C headset with ENC microphones, a 270° rotating boom, inline controls and busylights. If you already own an EPOS Impact headset, the Headset Advisor cushions may be the better fit for your situation.
what are over ear headsets
They're headsets with cups that enclose the ear, typically with foam padding for isolation and long-wear comfort. The Kensington H2000 uses cooling-gel memory foam pads with breathable fabric; the Headset Advisor cushions use high-density foam in leatherette or fabric to bring that same over-ear style to compatible EPOS models.
what is on ear headset
An on-ear headset rests on top of your ear instead of around it, which is the design the Headset Advisor cushions are meant to replace. If your EPOS Impact 860 or Impact 1000 series feels uncomfortable or lets in too much room noise, switching to over-ear cushions is exactly the upgrade those pads are designed for.
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