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Updated: 2026-09-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Sqrmekoko's biggest strength: A complete refresh kit for the Sony WH-1000XM4 — memory foam pads, protein PU leather, plus a plastic stick tool and a storage bag for travel.
• Sqrmekoko's biggest trade-off: It fits the Sony WH-1000XM4 only. If your headphones aren't that model, this kit is not for you.
• Hmoke's biggest strength: A precision-fit replacement for the Bose NC700, with slow-rebound memory foam, breathable inner mesh and a tool-free swap that takes a few minutes.
• Hmoke's biggest trade-off: It fits the Bose NC700 only, and the brand itself warns you to confirm your exact model before ordering.
• Buy Sqrmekoko if you own Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and want to bring worn pads back to life.
• Buy Hmoke if you own Bose NC700 headphones and want to restore comfort without replacing the whole headset.
The Sqrmekoko WH1000XM4 kit is a purpose-built replacement set for one headphone and one headphone only: the Sony WH-1000XM4. That narrow focus is a feature, not a limitation. Because the pads are shaped for that specific over-ear model, the fit is intended to sit cleanly against the earcups rather than being a loose universal pad that pinches or leaves gaps.
The materials are the real story here. Sqrmekoko uses high-elasticity memory foam wrapped in protein PU leather. In practice, that combination is what you want in a replacement pad: memory foam conforms around the ear and springs back rather than flattening out, while the PU leather surface resists scratches and wipes clean easily. The brand also emphasizes breathability and heat dissipation, which matters if you wear over-ear headphones for hours at a time — long flights, deep work sessions, gaming marathons. A pad that traps heat is the number one reason people start hunting for replacements in the first place.
Who should buy it: Sony WH-1000XM4 owners whose original pads have gone flat, cracked or shiny with wear, and who want a complete kit — pads plus tool plus pouch — rather than just foam. Who should skip it: Anyone with a different Sony model, or with Bose, Sennheiser, or any other brand. This kit is not cross-compatible, and the brand says so plainly.
Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads: Who It's For
Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads take a similar idea and point it at Bose. These are built to match the shape, size and attachment points of the Bose NC700, which means the pads are meant to sit neatly around the earcups and stay put. That's the quiet benefit of a model-specific pad: no lifted edges, no gaps, no pads shifting around mid-commute.
The comfort spec is where Hmoke leans hardest. The pads use slow-rebound memory foam — the kind that compresses gradually and eases back into shape — wrapped in soft protein leather. Hmoke also adds a breathable inner mesh, which is a thoughtful detail. Heat and moisture build-up is what makes long listening sessions uncomfortable, and a mesh layer under the foam gives airflow somewhere to go. If you wear your NC700s through a full workday, on a train, or while studying, that matters more than any spec sheet number.
Installation is deliberately simple: no tools, no glue, just pull the worn pads off and press the new ones on. Hmoke estimates most people finish in about three minutes, and the brand frames the whole product as a way to avoid buying a new headset — replace the cracked, peeling or flattened cushions and keep the headphones you already like. The listing also includes a clear warning to check your exact headphone model before ordering, plus a one-year manufacturer warranty and a support channel that replies within 24 hours.
Who should buy it: Bose NC700 owners with flattened, peeling or misshapen ear cushions who want the original look and feel back without tools or a repair shop. Who should skip it: Sony WH-1000XM4 owners — these pads are shaped for Bose and won't fit — and anyone with a different Bose model, since the fit is specific to the NC700.
• Own Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones → Sqrmekoko WH1000XM4. It's built for that exact model.
• Own Bose NC700 headphones → Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads. Same logic, different headphone.
• Want a full kit with tools and a travel pouch → Sqrmekoko WH1000XM4. The plastic stick tool and storage bag are included.
• Want the simplest possible swap → Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads. No tools required, roughly a three-minute job.
• Prioritize breathability and heat management → Hmoke Replacement Ear Pads. The breathable inner mesh is a specific design choice for airflow.
• Prioritize a complete cushion replacement including leather surface durability → Sqrmekoko WH1000XM4. The protein PU leather is pitched at resisting scratches and wear.
• Warranty coverage → Both. Sqrmekoko lists 12 months; Hmoke lists a one-year manufacturer warranty.
• Still unsure about fit → Check the model on your earcup first. Both brands are explicit that these pads are not universal.
In my opinion, the "better" product here doesn't exist, because the two aren't competing for the same buyer. If I owned Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, I'd buy the Sqrmekoko WH1000XM4 kit — the included tool and pouch make it a genuinely complete refresh, and the memory foam plus PU leather is exactly the material combination I'd want. If I owned Bose NC700 headphones, I'd buy the Hmoke pads — tool-free installation and the breathable mesh make them the more convenient choice. Match the pad to your headphone model, and you can't really go wrong with either.
can you sleep with over ear headphones
You can, but it's rarely a good idea with full-size over-ear models like the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose NC700. The earcups are bulky, and lying on your side presses the pads hard against your ear, which flattens the memory foam and puts pressure on the headband. If you want to listen in bed, consider a purpose-built sleep model instead — these replacement pads are designed to restore comfort for daytime listening, not to make full-size headphones side-sleep friendly.
how to wear over ear headphones
Slide the headband over the top of your head and let each earcup sit fully around — not on top of — your ear, with the pad sealing against the side of your head. The left and right markers should match your ears. Once seated, adjust the sliders so the headband rests lightly on your crown without pinching. A correct seal is also what lets the memory foam do its job of blocking outside noise.
how to wear over ear headphones properly
Properly worn, the pads should surround your ears completely with no part of the ear pinched under the foam, and the headband should sit centered rather than tilted forward or back. If you feel pressure on the top of your head after an hour, extend the sliders a notch. If sound leaks or outside noise creeps in, the seal is broken — often a sign the pads are worn flat and due for replacement.
how should over ear headphones fit
A good fit is snug but not tight: the earcups seal around your ears, the headband touches your head evenly, and you can wear them for a long session without sore spots. If your pads have gone flat, cracked or shiny, no amount of adjusting will restore that seal — that's the point where a replacement set like the Sqrmekoko kit for Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Hmoke pads for Bose NC700 becomes the practical fix. As always, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
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