Beats by Dre are among my most cherished headphones. They are sleek and produce the best sound quality. Above all, the headset is renowned for its comfortable design. They have soft leather padding with memory foam cushions for optimal comfort. You can wear them for hours without hurting your ears.
The only issue with Beats ear pads is that they deteriorate quickly. I know the manufacturer focused on the comfort part but ignored the durability of the padding. The cushions are porous and quickly absorb sweat and moisture after extended use. You’ll notice your ear pads deforming or developing cracks after using them for a while.
The good news is that Beats ear pads are replaceable. You may have to purchase replacement parts from a third-party seller or an auction site since the company doesn’t sell replacement pads.
Key Takeaways
- While Beats ear pads are renowned for their comfort, they are not durable. They absorb sweat and moisture, causing them to deteriorate quickly.
- Even though Beats ear pads have a relatively short lifespan, routine cleaning can help extend their life.
- You can tell it is time to replace your Beats ear pads when they become irritable. Other signs include cracking, deformation, roughness, and smelly cushions.
- Beats ear pads are replaceable. You can use a prying tool or dull butter knife to remove and replace the worn-out ear pads with replacement pads.
Replacing Ear Pads on Beats Headphones
When to Replace Beats Ear Pads
Your Beats ear pads impact the headphones’ sound quality. Installing oversized or incompatible ear pads can modify the distance between the headphone speaker and your ear, altering the listening experience.
Besides, replacing Beats ear pads is not a simple swap. After all, the manufacturer didn’t design the ear pads for easy removal or replacement. You may damage your headphones as you try to replace the old ear pads. For these reasons, you must determine if replacing the original ear pads is necessary before moving forward.
Here are a few signs that you need to replace your Beats ear pads:
Visible Cracks
Your Beats headphones have soft leather ear pads. The padding comprises memory foam for maximum comfort during extended use. Unfortunately, this material cannot survive exposure to moisture, sweat, and extreme temperatures without developing cracks and flakes.
Reduced Comfort
Beats by Dre are among the most comfortable headphones. However, the comfy ear pads might take a beating after prolonged use. As the padding wears out, the headphones will have a rough feel, making you uncomfortable when you put them on. Reduced comfort indicates that you need to replace your Beats ear pads.
Worn-out ear pads are not as comfortable as the new ones
Deformed Ear Pads
As your Beats headphones age, the original ear pads will lose shape and bouncy feel, making them uncomfortable on the ears. Deformed ear pads signify that you need to replace them sooner. Your once sleek headphones will look like ordinary earphones unless you install replacement pads.
Worn-out ear pads will also deform over time (image credit – Reddit)
Smelly Cushion Pads
Your Beats ear pads comprise a breathable material for added comfort. However, this material is porous and will absorb moisture over time. Wearing the headphones for extended periods can cause your ears to perspire, and the earcups will suck the sweat. If left uncleaned, the moisture buildup will cause the cushions to smell or even rot. So, if the earcups have an unbearable stench, perhaps it is time to replace the ear pads.
How to Take Care of Your Leather Ear Pads and Prolong Their Lifespan
How to Clean Velour Ear Pads
Replacing Beats Ear Pads – Step-by-Step Guide
Replacing your Beats cushion pads requires various tools and some expertise. You might damage your headphones if you use the incorrect tools and don’t know what you are doing. Fortunately, this guide can help you install replacement pads and continue enjoying your Beats headset as usual.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1 – Purchase the Correct Replacement Pads
Check your Beats model or user manual to find the appropriate fit for your headphones. Buying oversized or incompatible ear pads can ruin your listening experience. Besides, they might not fit into the ear cup frames.
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| Replacement Ear Pads for Beats Solo 2/3) | Replacement Ear Pads for Beats Studio 2/3 |
Step 2 – Gather the Proper Tools
Installing replacement ear pads is not a matter of removing and replacing the worn-out cushions. As stated, Beats by Dre did not design the ear pads for easy removal or replacement. You require the proper tools to undertake this task.
These include:
- A prying tool or dull butter knife
Pry Tool Set
- Adhesive or earpad tape
- Alcohol prep pad
- Dry cloth
- Gentle brush
Step 3 – Remove the Old or Damaged Ear Pads
Removing the damaged cushion pads is the trickiest part of replacing Beats ear pads. Any slight mistake can damage your headphones.
Follow these steps to remove the worn-out ear pads safely and correctly:
- Locate the plastic base between the ear pad and the earcup frame.
- Separate the plastic base from the frame using a prying tool or a dull butter knife.
You need to separate the ear pad from the plastic frame – start with a prying tool and, when the gap becomes big enough, you can try pulling the pad slowly with your hand.
- Repeat step 2 above to remove the plastic base from the other earcup.
- Remove the worn-out pads from different angles to avoid breaking the headphones.
- Scrap off any remaining adhesive from the earcup frames.
Remove the remaining adhesive from the earcup frames
Step 4 – Clean the Ear Cup Frames
Using an old toothbrush, gently brush the earcup frames to remove dirt, dust, and debris. If you have a Beats ear pad replacement kit, you will find several alcohol prep pads in the package. Use the prep pad to clean the headphone frame where you want to install the replacement pads.
Clean the earcups using the included prep pads
Repeat this step for the left and right sides. Next, use the dry cloth to wipe away the remaining moisture and allow the headphones to dry.
Step 5 – Install the Replacement Pads
Once your headphones are dry, you can install the Beats replacement pads. Peel the top layer of the ear pad adhesive on both ear pads. Alternatively, use the ear pad tape that came with the ear pads.
That said, the new ear pads do not fit onto any side. You’ll notice that the right and left ear pads are different. The right ear pad has a cut-out at the bottom that snuggly fits on top of the USB charging port.
Align this cut-out with the charging port for the perfect installation. Apply pressure on the ear pad for about 30 seconds. Repeat the same for the left ear pad. Tuck in the ear pads to ensure the adhesive sticks to the surface.
Replacing Beats Studio 3 Ear Pads
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How long do Beats ear pads last?
- Answer: How you care for your Beats headphones determines how long the ear pads can last. Under normal circumstances, they should last six months before requiring replacements. The soft leather padding and memory foam cushion are susceptible to damage. Proper cleaning can help prevent sweat, oils, moisture, and dirt from damaging the ear pads.
- Question: Can you replace ear pads on Beats?
- Answer: Yes. Beats ear pads are replaceable. However, swapping the cushion padding is not a simple task. The company also does not sell replacement pads, meaning you must buy them from a third-party seller. As such, the quality of the replacement pads might not be as good as the original.
- Question: Can you clean Beats ear pads?
- Answer: Yes. You can clean Beats ear pads to prevent premature damage and keep them in top condition. Even though Beats ear pads have a short lifespan, proper cleaning can prolong their life. Use a damp cloth to clean the cushions and sliders. Wipe away dust, sweat, and oils with a dry cleaning cloth. Avoid solvents and aerosol sprays as they might damage the ear pads.
- Question: How do you replace Beats cushion pads?
- Answer: Insert the prying tool between the area the ear pads meet the headphone frame and gently pull apart the cushion pads and clean the plastic covering the speaker. Therefore, apply ear pad tape on the headphone and install the replacement pads correctly.
- Question: Why do Beats ear pads wear out?
- Answer: Beats ear pads wear out because of their porous memory foam padding. The material absorbs dirt, oil, sweat, and moisture, making the cushion pads susceptible to damage. The continuous moisture buildup causes the ear pads to deteriorate over time, meaning you may have to replace them soon.
Take Away
Beats by Dre are among the most comfortable headphones. They have soft leather padding with memory foam cushions for maximum comfort.
However, the extra comfort comes at a cost. The material used to make the ear pads is not durable. It is porous and quickly absorbs sweat, oils, and moisture, making them vulnerable to premature damage. You may have to replace them sooner than expected.
Fortunately, you can find replacement pads and continue enjoying your priceless headphones. Use this guide to replace Beats ear pads.
