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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-06 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• XBERSTAR's biggest strength: it is purpose-built for the Microsoft Xbox Series Wireless Headset, so you keep the headset you already know and just refresh the part that wears out first — the cushions.
• XBERSTAR's biggest trade-off: it is a replacement part, not a headset. You get two protein-skin-and-sponge pads and nothing else, so it only makes sense if you already own the Xbox Wireless Headset.
• Xmenha's biggest strength: a full plug-and-play wired headset with a 50 mm dynamic driver, a 360° rotatable noise-reduction mic and a lightweight suspension headband — plus that cat ear look that makes it a popular gift.
• Xmenha's biggest trade-off: it is wired through a 3.5 mm jack (with a 2 m dual-ended cable), weighs notably more at 16 ounces, and its noise control is listed as none, so the "noise cancelling" wording in its name is about the microphone, not active cancellation for your ears.
• Pick XBERSTAR if you own the Xbox Wireless Headset and want to bring the ear padding back to life.
• Pick Xmenha if you want a complete, expressive gaming headset to plug into a controller, console or laptop.
The XBERSTAR Earpads Cushions Replacement does one job and does it in a very targeted way: it fits the Microsoft Xbox Series Wireless Headset, covering the Xbox X|S and Xbox One generations. The enclosure is made from protein skin plus sponge, which is the same family of soft, leather-like covering most people associate with comfortable over-ear pads. If your current cushions have gone flat, shiny or scratchy, this is the direct fix rather than a workaround. The pads come in black, and XBERSTAR lists a 30-day warranty description, which is a reasonable safety net for a consumable part.
Who should buy it? Anyone who already owns the Xbox Wireless Headset and likes it. Seniors especially tend to be creatures of habit with their gear — if a grandparent has finally gotten comfortable with one headset and its controls, replacing a worn pad is far less disruptive than learning a brand new device. It is also the lighter option here by a wide margin at 1.08 ounces for the item itself, and light, soft padding matters over long sessions.
Xmenha Cat Ear Headphones: Who It's For
The Xmenha Cat Ear Headphones are a complete wired gaming headset in pink, aimed at kids, teens and anyone who wants their setup to look fun. The headline comfort feature is the lightweight suspension headband: a suspended, skin-friendly band that spreads the headset's weight evenly instead of concentrating it in one spot. That design choice matters because the headset is listed at 16 ounces, which is on the heavier side — the suspension system is clearly there to manage that.
Audio-wise you get a 50 mm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range and 140 ohm impedance. A 50 mm driver is a large one, and large drivers generally move more air, which usually means fuller low end for game explosions and music. The 140 ohm impedance is worth flagging: higher-impedance headphones often want more power than a weak phone jack delivers, so a console controller, PC or laptop is a better match than a low-output device. Connectivity is wired via a 3.5 mm jack, and the box includes a 2 m USB and 3.5 mm dual-ended audio cable, a user manual and packaging — the listing also references Bluetooth as a wireless technology, so if wireless is essential, confirm that detail before buying.
The microphone is the other selling point: a 360° rotatable noise-reduction boom mic with an in-line closed design, meant to cut background noise and keep your voice clear. It is listed as compatible with Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and laptop, with an age range of 6+. Noise control for the ears is listed as none, so treat the "noise cancelling" branding as microphone noise reduction, not active cancellation. The controls use touch, and the color is pink with a plastic enclosure.
Who should buy it? Kids and teens gaming on a console or PC, gift shoppers looking for a birthday or holiday present, and anyone who wants a full headset with a mic out of the box. Who should skip it? Buyers who need wireless freedom, anyone sensitive to heavier headsets, and people who want a subtle, understated look.
• Best for reviving existing Xbox headphones → XBERSTAR Earpads Cushions Replacement. It is made specifically for the Microsoft Xbox Series Wireless Headset.
• Best for a complete headset with a mic → Xmenha Cat Ear Headphones. Mic, cable and drivers are all included.
• Best for lightweight comfort → XBERSTAR. The pads themselves are 1.08 ounces; the Xmenha headset is 16 ounces.
• Best for kids and gift-giving → Xmenha. Pink cat ear styling, a 6+ age range and gift-ready packaging.
• Best for lower-fuss listening on a weak output device → XBERSTAR. Keeping your existing Xbox headset avoids the Xmenha's 140 ohm impedance question.
• Best for voice chat clarity → Xmenha. The 360° rotatable noise-reduction boom mic is designed to isolate your voice.
• Best for seniors who dislike change → XBERSTAR. Same headset, same controls, just softer padding.
• Best for a first gaming headset on a budget-minded setup → Xmenha. One purchase covers audio and mic; check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
If you already own the Xbox Wireless Headset, I would buy the XBERSTAR Earpads Cushions Replacement. It is the cheaper-feeling, lower-risk move in spirit: you fix the part that wears out and keep everything else exactly as it was, which is ideal for seniors who have finally gotten used to one headset. If you need a whole new headset — especially for a kid, a gift, or voice chat on Xbox — I would buy the Xmenha Cat Ear Headphones instead. My honest opinion: match the product to the problem. Worn pads are a pad problem. No headset at all is a headset problem.
how to connect xbox headphones
With the XBERSTAR route, you are not connecting anything new — you remove the old cushions from your Xbox Wireless Headset and fit the replacements, then pair the headset to your console as you normally would. With the Xmenha, you connect the included 3.5 mm cable to your controller or device's headphone jack and plug the other end into the headset.
how to pair xbox headphones
Pairing applies to the Xbox Wireless Headset that the XBERSTAR pads are made for; that headset pairs wirelessly to Xbox consoles using its own pairing process. The Xmenha Cat Ear Headphones are a wired 3.5 mm design, so there is generally nothing to pair — though the listing does reference Bluetooth, so confirm that if wireless pairing is what you need.
how to make xbox headphones louder
Start with your console's volume settings and the headset's own dial or controls. Because the Xmenha lists 140 ohm impedance, it may sound quieter on low-output jacks and louder on a controller, PC or laptop that supplies more power. The XBERSTAR pads do not change volume at all — they only change comfort.
how to use xbox headphones
The XBERSTAR set is used by swapping the ear cushions onto your existing Xbox Wireless Headset, then wearing it as usual for game audio and chat. The Xmenha is used by plugging in the 3.5 mm cable, rotating the boom mic toward your mouth, and adjusting the suspension headband so the weight sits evenly — its controls are touch-based.
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