The Beats 360 lands at the intersection of gym-ready and high-end audio. With premium sound, customizable comfort, and a design built for both workouts and everyday wear, these headphones aim to bridge the gap between true wireless earbuds and over-ears built for studio listening.
Design & Comfort Reworked
At first glance, Beats has overhauled its usual aesthetic with the 360’s headband. It now features a round central cushion that’s wider and softer than its predecessors, delivering a plush feel where other Beats or AirPods models might press too rigidly. The earcups remain oversized and bold, but the side logo buttons are gone—replaced by clean, flat outer discs and metal sliding arms that let each cup rotate and lie flat for portability.
Comfort is a standout. The earcups have a soft clamp that’s not too forceful even during long sessions. Sweat-resistant too, the headphones are rated IPX4, and a clever firewall behind the drivers protects circuitry without sacrificing ventilation.
Swappable Cushions, Personal Style
Beats 360 introduces a modular cushion system that lets you mix and match not only colors but materials. Frames come in Black, Cloud, Sky, or Pink. Cushions are available in Performance Knit (breathable, memory foam-filled) or UltraPlush leather-like styles, with colors like Volt, Navy, Cloud, Black, Sky, and Pink. Out of the box you get a Performance Knit set; additional sets cost $49.99, except at launch when they’re discounted to $9.99.
Each cushion assembly—ear-cups and headband—clicks or twists off so you can refresh or customize as needed. There are up to 32 combinations with matching sets, or as many as 256 if you mix styles and colors per component. That adds aesthetic customization and a practical replacement when grime or wear become factors.
Audio, Controls & Performance
Inside each earcup is its own battery, antenna, and processing electronics. Only power is shared over the band; signal is exchanged wirelessly between sides. Bluetooth 5.3 handles all communications and the USB-C port is strictly for charging—no wired audio options means lossless tracks are off the table.
Your tuning comes via Beats’ fourth-generation custom platform, which uses a high-dynamic range amp and a 40mm dual-magnet transducer for clarity and balance. Adaptive EQ adjusts sound based on the fit, while nine MEMS microphones—eight dedicated to active noise cancellation (ANC) and two doubling as beamforming mics for voice—help enforce high-quality noise suppression and transparency modes. In testing, ANC was remarkably effective, drowning out a fan in the background entirely. Transparent audio felt natural rather than processed, especially with Apple devices where you also get personalized spatial audio with head tracking for compatible content.
Battery Life & Ecosystem Integration
Expect about 32 hours of playback with ANC or Transparency enabled—a strong result for over-ears built with workout durability in mind. A quick five-minute charge yields about an hour of listening, meaning a speedy top up can rescue you during short gaps in your routine.
On Apple gear, Beats 360 supports one-touch pairing, iCloud device switching, and Find My tracking. Android users get streamlined setup, device switching via Google account, and Find Hub for locating the headphones—but lack Apple’s audio sharing feature. Firmware updates and feature toggles work through iOS or the Beats app on Android.
What’s Missing & Final Take
These headphones do a lot right—but the absence of any wired audio input chafes for purists. And while cushion kits give you style and replacement potential, their long-term cost could add up. Priced at $349.99, Beats 360 comes with a pouch and base cushion set, and competes directly with models like the AirPods Max—especially for users who want wearable premium sound and durability.
At price-point, this is Beats’ most serious contender yet for those who want over-ears that pull double duty: delivering pleasing sound across genres and standing up to sweat, movement, and long sessions. For everyday commuters, gym regulars, or travelers who need strong battery life and customizable wear, the Beats 360 should be near the top of your list.
