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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• SINOWO Ear Cushions — biggest strength: a magnet-based attachment system that clicks straight onto AirPods Max with no tools, plus protein leather over high-density memory foam for all-day wear.
• SINOWO Ear Cushions — biggest trade-off: they fit AirPods Max only, so if your headphones aren't Apple's over-ears, they're simply the wrong part.
• Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — biggest strength: a broad Sony studio fit (MDR-7506, MDR-V6, MDR-CD900ST) with stitched inner seams that resist the cracking old pads are known for.
• Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — biggest trade-off: installation is a manual snap-in around the mounting posts rather than a magnetic auto-attach, so it takes a bit more fiddling.
• Who SINOWO is for: AirPods Max owners whose stock cushions have flattened or worn.
• Who Niukeke is for: Sony MDR-7506 / V6 / CD900ST owners who want their trusted workhorses comfortable again.
SINOWO's ear cushions are a single-purpose part built for one headphone: the Apple AirPods Max. That narrow focus is the whole point. Because the pads attach with an inner magnet, you place them on the earcups and they seat themselves — no prying, no clips to line up, no tools. For someone who has never opened up a pair of headphones, that's the least intimidating replacement process you can ask for.
The materials are the other half of the story. The outer surface is protein leather, which is the smooth, soft-feeling skin most people associate with premium headphone pads, and the core is high-density memory foam. The combination is designed to do two things at once: cushion your ears against hard friction during long listening sessions, and press evenly enough to help seal out outside noise. The pad's job is to restore the fit and the quiet you had when the headphones were new — not to change the tuning. The listed dimensions are 3.84 x 3.08 x 1.28 inches, so these are deep, full-size cushions rather than slim discs.
Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads: Who It's For
Niukeke's pads solve a different problem: keeping legendary Sony studio headphones alive. They're made for the Sony MDR-7506, MDR-V6 and MDR-CD900ST — the folding, coiled-cable workhorses that show up in studios, editing bays and home desks everywhere. These are headphones people keep for years, and the pads are usually the first thing to give out. Niukeke's pitch is that you don't replace the headphones, you replace the cushions.
The construction leans on two details. First, soft protein leather over memory foam that rebounds slowly, so the pad molds to your ear instead of fighting it. Second, an ultra-thin acoustic foam layer that's dust-proof, breathable and designed to limit sound leakage. That acoustic layer matters more than it sounds: on sealed studio headphones, the pad is part of the seal, and a worn-out pad is often why bass disappears and outside noise creeps in. Niukeke also stitches the inner seam, which is the specific spot where cheap pads tend to split over time.
Installation is tool-free but manual — you align the pads with the mounting posts inside the earcups and snap them into place. Buy these if you own one of those three Sony models and your current pads are cracked, flaking or flat. Skip them if you have any other Sony headphone; the listing is explicit that they don't fit other Sony models, and the same goes for every other brand. At 9.07 grams and 3.77 x 3.07 x 0.7 inches, these are thin, lightweight on-ear-style cushions — which is exactly what that Sony family uses.
• Best for AirPods Max owners → SINOWO Ear Cushions. They're made for that headphone and nothing else.
• Best for Sony MDR-7506 / V6 / CD900ST owners → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. Three compatible models, one part number.
• Easiest installation → SINOWO Ear Cushions. The inner magnet attaches the pads automatically, so there's nothing to align.
• Most reassuring long-term construction → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. The inner-seam stitching targets the exact failure point that kills cheap pads.
• Thickest, deepest cushion → SINOWO Ear Cushions. At 1.28 inches deep, they're built for plush over-ear coverage.
• Slimmest, lightest pad → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. At 0.7 inches and about 9 grams, they keep the Sony's original on-ear feel.
• Best for blocking commutes and open offices → SINOWO Ear Cushions. The memory foam is designed to fit your ears closely and shut out outside noise.
• Best for studio and editing work → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. The acoustic foam layer is aimed at sealing in sound without killing clarity.
• Longest stated coverage → Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads. A 1-year manufacturer warranty description versus 180 days on the SINOWO.
• Wrong pick if you own the other brand → both. Neither pad crosses over; check your headphone model first.
In my opinion, the right answer here is decided entirely by what's sitting on your desk, not by which pad is "better." If you own AirPods Max, I'd buy the SINOWO Ear Cushions — the magnetic attachment removes the one thing people dread about replacing pads, and the deep memory-foam cushion is what that headphone was designed around. If you own Sony MDR-7506, MDR-V6 or MDR-CD900ST, I'd buy the Niukeke Replacement Ear Pads — the stitched seam and acoustic foam layer address the real reasons those pads fail, and the 1-year warranty description backs it up. Don't buy either one hoping it'll fit something else.
FAQ
No. SINOWO states they're compatible with Apple AirPods Max only. If you have a Sony MDR-7506, MDR-V6 or MDR-CD900ST, the Niukeke pads are the ones built for your model.
No — the listing is explicit that they fit the MDR-7506, MDR-V6 and MDR-CD900ST and do not fit other Sony models. Confirm your exact model number on the headband before ordering.
The SINOWO pads, in my opinion. They use an internal magnet and attach automatically once you set them on the AirPods Max earcups. The Niukeke pads are still tool-free but require you to align them with the mounting posts and snap them in.
Both are designed to restore the seal rather than change the tuning. SINOWO uses high-density memory foam to fit your ears and reduce outside noise; Niukeke adds an ultra-thin acoustic foam layer meant to limit sound leakage while staying breathable. Either way, a fresh pad generally seals better than a worn-out one.
Niukeke's inner-seam stitching is the more specific durability claim, aimed at preventing the cracking that plagues aging pads, and it carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty description. SINOWO's protein leather and 180-day warranty description are solid, but the durability language is less specific.
Both listings change over time, so check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide.
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