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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want extra-thick, leather-feel comfort built specifically for the Skullcandy Hesh family, choose WC PadZ Hesh; if you need breathable fabric pads that fit PowerLocus Bluetooth over-ear headphones, choose HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads.
• WC PadZ Hesh — biggest trade-off: It fits only the Skullcandy Hesh models listed — it won't work on anything else, and being PU leather it isn't the breathable-fabric type some hot-eared listeners prefer.
• HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads — biggest strength: Breathable textile fabric over high-density memory foam that absorbs sweat, resists cracking and peeling, and keeps ears cooler over long sessions.
• HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads — biggest trade-off: Compatible with PowerLocus Bluetooth over-ear headphones only — it's not a fit for Skullcandy, and it's fabric, not the leather feel some people want.
• Who each pick is for: WC PadZ Hesh is for Skullcandy Hesh owners who want a thicker, leather-style cushion; HAIZEEN is for PowerLocus over-ear owners who want a cooler, fabric-feel pad.
The WC PadZ Hesh is a replacement earpad set built by Wicked Cushions for one narrow job: refreshing Skullcandy Hesh headphones. It's made to fit the Skullcandy Hesh Gen 1, Hesh 2 Over-Ear Wired, and Hesh 2 Over-Ear Wireless (Bluetooth). That's it. If your headphones aren't on that list, this pad isn't for you, and the brand itself is upfront about that. What you get is an extra-thick, stitched cushion with 35% thicker memory foam than the stock pads, wrapped in upgraded PU leather with reinforced stitching. The idea is that the pad fully surrounds your ear rather than pressing on it, which helps block outside noise and keeps the driver at a more consistent distance from your ear.
In my opinion, this is the pad to pick if your complaint is that your Hesh pads went flat, cracked, or started flaking and your ears ache after an hour. The extra thickness and the leather surface give you that enveloping, sealed-in feel — good for long gaming sessions or focused listening where you want a bit of passive isolation. The reinforced stitching and upgraded leather are the durability story here, aimed at outlasting a set of original pads.
Who should skip it? Anyone with PowerLocus headphones, obviously. Also anyone who specifically hates the feel of leather against their ears and wants fabric. And anyone who wants a thin, low-profile pad — these are deliberately chunky, and the added thickness changes the fit slightly. Wicked Cushions backs the pads with a 365-day full warranty, and installation is guided by a step-by-step video, which is worth noting if you've never pulled pads off a pair of headphones before.
The HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads are the mirror image of the WC set: a replacement cushion designed for PowerLocus Bluetooth over-ear headphones. The material choice is the whole point here. Instead of leather, HAIZEEN uses a breathable textile fabric over high-density memory foam. The fabric has fine pores that promote airflow and absorb sweat, and the memory foam slowly rebounds to spread pressure evenly instead of concentrating it on one spot.
That combination is aimed squarely at people who wear their headphones for hours — long listening sessions, gaming marathons, commutes, work-from-home days. The pitch is that fabric stays cooler and drier than leather-type materials, and it's also more resistant to scratches and less prone to cracking or peeling, which extends the life of the cushion. HAIZEEN says the fit was verified by its engineering team and by consumers, and the pads come with a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects plus dedicated customer support. The brand notes it has specialized in ear cushions and headbands for years.
Who should buy it? PowerLocus over-ear owners whose stock pads have flattened or started to irritate their ears, especially if you run hot or sweat during long sessions. Who should skip it? Skullcandy owners, since it isn't made for those models. And anyone who prefers the sealed-in, leather-feel cushion of a PU pad — fabric breathes more, but it doesn't have that same slick, isolating surface.
• Best for Skullcandy Hesh owners → WC PadZ Hesh. It's purpose-built for Hesh Gen 1, Hesh 2 Wired and Hesh 2 Wireless.
• Best for PowerLocus over-ear owners → HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads. Compatibility is limited to PowerLocus Bluetooth over-ear sets.
• Best for a thick, sealed-in, leather feel → WC PadZ Hesh. Extra-thick memory foam plus PU leather that surrounds the ear and helps block noise.
• Best for long hot sessions and sweaty ears → HAIZEEN. Breathable fabric that promotes airflow and absorbs sweat.
• Best for durability against cracking and peeling → HAIZEEN. Fabric resists scratches and is less likely to crack or peel than leather-type material.
• Best for a durability-focused stitched build with a leather look → WC PadZ Hesh. Reinforced stitching and upgraded PU leather, with a 365-day full warranty.
• Easiest guided install → WC PadZ Hesh. A step-by-step video walks you through removing the old pads and fitting the new ones.
• Warranty coverage → both. WC offers a 365-day full warranty; HAIZEEN offers one year against manufacturer defects.
If I owned Skullcandy Hesh headphones, I'd buy the WC PadZ Hesh — it's made for exactly those models, the 35% thicker memory foam and reinforced PU leather address the two things that usually kill stock pads (flattening and cracking), and the guided install video plus the 365-day warranty make it the lower-risk refresh. If I owned PowerLocus Bluetooth over-ear headphones instead, I'd go with the HAIZEEN PowerLocus Ear Pads for the breathable fabric and sweat-absorbing memory foam, which suit long, hot listening sessions better than leather. The deciding factor isn't which is "better" — it's which headphone you actually own. Match the pad to your model and you'll be happy with either.
FAQ
For long, warm sessions, fabric is generally the cooler, drier choice because it breathes and absorbs sweat, which is HAIZEEN's approach. Leather-type PU, which WC uses, gives a more sealed-in feel that blocks noise but can trap heat.
Yes. WC PadZ Hesh carries a 365-day full warranty, and HAIZEEN offers a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.
I don't quote prices here because they change — check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page. As for value, in my opinion both are worth it if your stock pads are flat or cracked; replacing pads is far cheaper than replacing headphones.
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