If you wear glasses, you know the pain: headphone earpads press your temple arms into your skull, causing headaches after 30 minutes. The solution is deep memory foam earpads that mold around the arms of your glasses, combined with low clamping force.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has redesigned earpads with soft, deep memory foam that creates channels around glasses arms instead of pressing against them. The clamping force is deliberately light, which works well for glasses wearers but can feel loose on very small heads.
The Bose QC Ultra takes a different approach with thick synthetic protein leather pads that have generous depth. Multiple glasses-wearing reviewers rate these as the most comfortable headphones available at any price.
For budget buyers, the AKG K371 ($100) uses slow-retention memory foam that gradually molds to your head shape, including around glasses. At 8.9 ounces, it's light enough to minimize pressure.
Alternatives that bypass the problem entirely: bone conduction headphones (Shokz OpenRun Pro 2) sit on your cheekbones and never touch your ears or glasses. Earbuds avoid the issue completely.
