defean 1000XM4 Earpads - Gold Replacement Ear Cushion Cover Foam Compatible with Sony WH-1000XM4 (WH1000XM4) Headphones, Ear Pads Cushions with Noise Isolation Memory Foam

I wish it came with a tool and instructions on how to replace them.

I needed to replace worn out earpads for my 1000XM3 Sony headphones which were slowly peeling so I gave these a shot. On the positive side, the cushion feels soft and comfortable, delivering a similar feel to the original earpads and you don't really notice a reduction in the ANC. Still, the overall sound quality is diminished somewhat and it loses an extra star for me as it included zero instructions around how to replace the old set and install these. Thankfully, I managed to find helpful YouTube tutorials, which guided me through the process of popping off the old earpads with a credit card and then fitting the new ones securely in the tabs. Not impacting my rating but I also have reservations about these pads' long term durability as faux leather tends to show wear and tear over time, under frequent use, which I do use these for as they are for work. Considering the budget friendly price, it's a reasonable option for those who are looking to replace the original earpads.

These earpad replacements for my 1000XM4 Sony headphones are right there in the middle in terms of quality. I’ve had cheap quality cushions that looked more padded than they should and had low quality memory foam inside that wasn’t even soft. At first I thought it’s a good thing because the reason I need a replacement is that the old earpads went flat. But no. The material didn’t carry the sound through it properly and the noise cancelling was severely diminished because of it. These earpads are much better. They are nearly as good as the originals. I barely notice a difference in noise cancelling quality.