With the tip of Summer time in sight, we’re quick approaching that point of 12 months when the warmth and humidity make even the perfect gaming headsets a sweaty, uncomfortable nightmare. After the heat of the previous few weeks, I used to be bored of ditching my SteelSeries Arctis Professional Wi-fi headset in favor of in-ear screens in order to not boil my head. That is when a good friend really helpful I attempt upgrading my headset with cooling gel ear pads.
I used to be skeptical at first, considering: “Certainly it could possibly’t make that a lot of a distinction?” However I’ve by no means been so comfortable to be fallacious in my life. This is how one fast tweak helped me sport for not less than twice as lengthy with out affected by the warmth.
So sure, cooling gel earpads actually do make a distinction to gaming. I would not be writing this text in the event that they did not. No, critically, I begged the Editors to let me write about this. I can not understate the distinction it made to me having a comfier headset that stored my head cool, fairly than the standard sticky, low cost junk we normally should endure beneath.
With my previous ear pads, I would get too heat and uncomfortable after an hour or two of gaming, and alter over to my trusty Shure in-ear screens. After switching out to cooling gel pads, the distinction is like evening and day or moist and dry.
Like many, I have been spending (possibly an excessive amount of of) my time taking part in Baldur’s Gate 3, and this Sunday I managed six hours straight earlier than placing them down—and that was solely as a result of I needed to make meals, in any other case I might’ve stored on going.
That is greater than double the time I might usually be capable of stand gaming with my headset, and that was with out placing the pads within the fridge for added cooling. As a result of yeah, that is a factor you are able to do with them.
How do cooling gel ear pads work?
Most ear pads are cheaply made with a sponge ring wrapped in skinny, perishable polyurethane (PU). Over time they begin to degrade, sweat will get trapped within the sponge they usually start to annoy your pores and skin.
With cooling ear pads, you get a layer of gel between a reminiscence foam core and a breathable outer layer (generally material, generally perforated PU). This prevents your head from overheating and permits moisture to flee and evaporate.
The top end result: you may sport in consolation for for much longer, and you need to use them to chill down within the heat climate, too!
What number of is simply too many?
❄️ I am considering of shopping for a second pair, so I can stick one within the fridge and change them out in-between rounds of Siege.
With higher-quality pads, you will get a number of layers of gel and foam wrapped in a mixture of PU and breathable material for higher consolation and cooling. Some premium manufacturers can even supply wider and thicker pads for higher cushioning and noise cancellation, so be sure you examine the dimensions of your substitute and see the way it’ll match.
I’ve had my very own pads for just a few weeks now, they usually’re simply as efficient, cozy, and pristine as once I purchased them. That is not too unhealthy, contemplating I take advantage of them day by day—sneaking them into my work calls and busting them out for the Discord server when the squad’s booted.
How do I change my gaming headset ear pads?
It will rely fully on the headset you personal. For me and my Arctis Professional, it was only a case of pulling off the previous pads, putting my thumb inside the brand new one, and working it alongside the overhang to safe it in place on the Arctis’ body.
Do not be afraid to make use of somewhat coercion to get them into place, but when you end up making an attempt to drive the match, it is value taking a step again and double-checking you are not about to interrupt one thing.
It solely took me two minutes to change my ear pads out, and a few pads are even simpler to switch. For instance, the Audeze Maxwell ear pads clip on and off with a easy twist.
If doubtful, examine the web site to your chosen pads. Most respected manufacturers can have movies on how one can change the pads in your particular headset.
What pads ought to I take advantage of?
There are many cooling gel ear pads on Amazon, however just a few manufacturers stand out above the remaining:
One drawback you will run into early on is that a lot of the substitute pads are black. That is not essentially a nasty factor, however if you wish to add a little bit of aptitude to your headset, and make it extra distinctive whereas upping the cooling issue, it is slim pickings.
What headsets will they match?
You may discover pads obtainable for many headsets, and Brainwavz even does common replacements if you cannot discover a devoted pair. Personally, I discover Depraved Cushions affords the very best quality and selection, and I’ve listed the entire fashions obtainable on the time of writing beneath:
- Astro Gaming: A40 TR and A50 Gen 4.
- Audeze: Maxwell and Penrose.
- Audio Technica: ATH m50x, m50xbt, m50xbt2, m50, m40x, and m40.
- Beats by Dre: Studio 2, Studio 3, B0500, B0501, Solo 2, and Solo 3.
- Beyerdynamic: DT770, 770 PRO, 880, 880 PRO, 990, 990 PRO, TYGR 300R, MMX300, and 1770 PRO.
- Bose: 700, QuietComfort (2, AE2, 15, 25, 35, 35II, and 45), OE2 and OE2i.
- Corsair: Virtuoso, HS80, HS60, and Void.
- HyperX: Cloud (1, 2, and three), Core, Flight, Flight S, Alpha, and Alpha S.
- Logitech: G PRO X.
- Razer Blackshark: V2 and V2 Professional (does not match the 2023 mannequin).
- Sennheiser: EPOS H6 PRO, GSP 500, GSP 550, GSP 600, GSP670, PC38X, PC37X, HD 559, HD 595, HD 598, and HD 599.
- Skullcandy: Crusher (Wi-fi, ANC, Evo, and 360), Hesh (1, 2, 3, Evo, and ANC), and Venue.
- Sony: WH1000XM3, WH1000XM4, WH1000XM5, MDR 7506, PS5 Pulse 3D, InZone H9 and H7.
- SteelSeries Arctis: 1, 1 Wi-fi, 3, 5, 7, 7+, 7P, 7P+, 7X, 7X+, 9, 9X, Professional, Professional Wi-fi, Prime, and Nova (1, 1X, 1P, 3, 7,7P, Professional Wired, and Professional Wi-fi).
- Turtle Seaside: Stealth 300, 420X, 450, 600 (Gen 1 and a pair of), 700 Gen 1, Tango, Recon 50P, 50X, 70, 150, 200 Spark, and X12.
