Beats has introduced the $349.99 Beats 360, an over-ear headphone designed to be easier to use and maintain during workouts than the company’s older models. MacRumors’ launch report says the new model is not replacing Beats Studio Pro, which remains in the lineup at a reduced $299.99 price.
The distinguishing hardware is less about a new silhouette than the parts that meet a wearer’s head. Beats 360 comes with removable ear and headband cushions, including breathable Performance Knit pads and optional UltraPlush pads; sensors adjust the acoustic tuning and noise-cancellation filtering for the cushion type. The company also gives the model an IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance rating, a first for its over-ear Beats line, and says it delivers up to 32 hours of playback with ANC turned on.
Built for a use case most over-ear headphones avoid
The Verge’s review found the knit cushions did a useful job handling moisture during exercise, and that they could be removed for cleaning. Its reviewers also found the headphones stayed comfortable through several gym movements, although they sometimes needed readjustment during sprints, sit-ups and other more explosive exercises. That makes the Beats 360 a different proposition from a typical travel-focused ANC headset, but not a replacement for earbuds in every workout.
The review’s sound verdict was similarly qualified. It praised the bass and much of the high end, while finding the midrange less distinct; it called the noise cancellation strong but not the best available around $350. Beats says the headphones also support Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
For buyers, the practical appeal is the combination of sweat resistance, replaceable cushions and a design intended to be worn beyond a flight or office. The trade-off is that those features arrive at the same $350 price point where the review found competing headphones can offer stronger noise cancellation or sound in some areas.
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