How to Easily Replace Bose QC35 Earpads (Works for Other Bose Headphones)

Are your Bose QC35 earpads in need of replacement? Learn how to replace them safely and where to buy great replacement earpads.

If you own a pair of over-ear or on-ear headphones, you will find that you need to replace your earpads due to wear and tear or comfort issues.

Additionally, replacing the earpads of Bose QC35 might seem like a delicate process and you do not want to damage the headphones nor the new earpads in the midst of replacement.

That is why we have the perfect guide for you.

Read on to find out the tips and tricks of replacing the Bose QC35 earpads.

Why I’m Replacing the Bose QC35’s Earpads

This is the second time I’m changing out the earpads of the Bose QC35. I first changed it roughly 2 years after the headphone was bought. The faux leather earpads started to stink (probably due to sweat) and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get rid of the smell.

Hence, I bought new earpads, replaced it, and happily went my own way.

Recently, the replaced earpads split open at the seams. This is probably due to me leaving the headphones in the open while the high-humidity environment had their ways with the earpads.

I thought this was a good opportunity to document down the process and hopefully helped any “Bose” newbies out there.

What Tools Do You Need

As mentioned in our “Ultimate Guide on How to Replace Headphone Pads”, you will need to have a couple of tools on hand before you began this little operation.

However, for Bose QC35, you do not need much. This is because the headphones use a “clip system” to secure the pads onto the earcups.

All you actually need is your fingernail. However, if you constantly trim your fingernails short, you might need a tool called a spudger.

Once you are down to the last few clips (usually the last clip), you will have some difficulty pushing the groove of the earpads into the clip. This is when the spudger will come in handy.

However, it is still possible to complete the replacement with just your fingernail (even if they are short).

Follow along the guide in the next section to find out how.

How to Replace the Bose QC35 Earpads

1. First, pick a starting spot on one of the earpads. Give it a little pressure or squeeze to mildly deform the pads and pull it. The section of the earpad should pop out.
   
   As the earpads are secured behind the clips, you have to slowly but deliberately peel the ear cups off.

   

   

2. Continue on all other sides until the earpad is completely removed.

   

3. Repeat on the earpad on the other earcup.

   

4. Now take one of the replacement earpads and locate the groove of the earpads.

   

   

5. Slide the groove into the first clip.

   

6. In a clock-wise (or anti-clockwise) direction, press the groove down until it goes past the clip and you hear a “click” sound. The groove is now secured behind the clip.

   

7. Once you are down to the last few clips, you might encounter difficulty getting the groove past the clips.
8. If you have a spudger, use that to force it past the remaining clips. If you don’t have a spudger, fear not. Try releasing a couple of the clipped groove and repeat step 6. This usually works for me after a few readjustments.

   

Should You Get Third-party Bose Earpads?

As mentioned above, I have bought my earpads from third-party service providers and not Bose. The main reason is because of the price. They had served me well and seems to be able to hold up for a reasonable amount of time.

However, if you are a die-hard Bose fan, feel free to shop from their official store.

Else, you can pick up a Bose replacement earpads with great reviews and half the original price on Amazon.

Where to buy:

• Buy from Official Website
• Buy from Amazon

Conclusion

Hopefully, with this guide, you should find it easy to replace the earpads of your Bose QC35.

Let us know in the comments below if you find the guide useful. If you have a better method of replacing the earpads, feel free to comment too.