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Beats 360 is a premium over-ear headphone designed with workouts in mind. Its unusual advantage is practical: the earcup and headband cushions are replaceable, so you can switch materials or colors and change the cushions after sweaty sessions. At Beats’ listed US price of $349.99, it makes the most sense for listeners who specifically want over-ear headphones for exercise. It is not an across-the-board winner: reviewers disagree about its sound and long-session comfort, and it lacks wear detection and conventional wired listening.
What makes Beats 360 different?
The defining feature is a modular cushion system. Both the earcup cushions and the headband cushion can be swapped; the headphones come with color-matched Performance Knit cushions, while Beats offers separate Cushion Kits in other colors and materials. That makes the system useful beyond changing the look: removable cushions can be replaced or cleaned. Check Beats’ care instructions for how to clean them rather than assuming any particular method is suitable.
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WIRED found Performance Knit more breathable and better suited to exercise, while its reviewer preferred the softer UltraPlush material for everyday listening. These are that reviewer’s impressions, not a guarantee that one material will suit every listener. Beats’ product page lists the headphones and cushion kits; check the current listing for kit compatibility, materials, colors, and availability.
Are Beats 360 good for working out?
Beats positions the headphones for running, training, and everyday movement. Their over-ear fit and manufacturer-rated IPX4 resistance make them more workout-oriented than many noise-canceling headphones. IPX4 means protection against sweat and splashes from any direction; it does not mean waterproof or safe to submerge. Beats explains the rating and intended use.
#1 Best Overall
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
WIRED found the fit secure and the swappable cushions appealing for gym use, but reported that the headphones could shift during some exercises. Fit depends on the person and the activity, so try movements similar to your routine if you can before relying on them for running or vigorous training. The IPX4 rating addresses sweat and splashes, not immersion.
How do the sound and noise cancellation compare?
There is no single reviewer consensus on sound. CNET’s David Carnoy rated Beats 360 8.4 and praised its sound, noise cancellation, calls, and modular design. WIRED’s Harry Rabinowitz rated it 7/10 and found the midrange weak for his listening. Those scores represent individual editorial assessments, not results from a shared test.
Rank #2
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
Tom’s Guide called the noise cancellation Beats’ best to date, while judging Bose and Sony stronger overall. Beats itself claims up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than Beats Studio Pro; that is a manufacturer comparison, not an independent measurement. Consider what you need to block: a gym environment may call for a different balance of fit and noise control than low-frequency noise during travel.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For context, WIRED discusses the Sony WH-1000XM4C, Sonos Ace, and Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) as alternatives in its sound-and-value discussion. Tom’s Guide compares Beats 360 with Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), Sony WH-1000XM5, and AirPods Max 2. Check current model names, prices, and specifications before choosing between them.
Rank #3
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
Are they comfortable for long listening sessions?
Comfort is a meaningful trade-off, particularly if you want one pair for workouts and full workdays. WIRED reported that the clamping force could become uncomfortable during long everyday sessions. Cushion materials may affect how they feel, but the available reviewer assessment does not establish that swapping cushions resolves the fit issue. If you plan to wear them for hours at a time, comfort should weigh as heavily as workout suitability.
Battery life, charging, and compatibility
Beats lists battery life of up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled. The company also says a five-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to one hour of playback. These are manufacturer claims, not independently reproduced battery-test results. See Beats’ current specifications.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR ATHLETES WHO DON'T STOP: After 1,500 hours of testing across athletes of every ear shape and intensity level, Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers a secure-fit earhook that stays locked on — whether you're in a sprint, a heavy lift, or a full class.
- TUNE OUT THE GYM. TUNE INTO YOUR WORKOUT: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) designed specifically for training environments — filters the noise floor so you can lock on, with Transparency mode to let in what matters when it matters.
- YOUR HEART RATE, RIGHT FROM YOUR EARS: Built-in sensors pulse 100+ times per second for real-time heart rate tracking without a chest strap or watch. Train smarter and keep your hands free. IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance.
- 45 HOURS. ENOUGH FOR THE WHOLE WEEK: Powered by the Apple H2 chip, Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers up to 45 hours of total listening time with the charging case — the first wireless Qi-charging case from Beats. Running low? Fast Fuel means a 5-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback.
- WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH APPLE AND ANDROID: One-touch pairing, automatic device switching, and hands-free Siri on Apple. Full feature access including Heart Rate Monitoring, customizable controls, and battery widgets on Android via the Beats app for Android.
Beats describes compatibility with Apple and Android devices, though particular features can vary by device and operating system. Reviews conflict on the Bluetooth version and on how USB-C relates to wired audio, so there is no sound basis here to name a Bluetooth version or promise USB-C audio behavior. Conventional 3.5 mm wired listening is not available, according to WIRED and CNET.
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Price and who should buy Beats 360
Beats listed the headphones at $349.99 on its US product page accessed October 4, 2026; the live price may change. Tom’s Guide reported new cushion sets at $49, but that accessory figure is not a verified current offer. For this price, the strongest reason to choose Beats 360 is the combination of an over-ear workout focus and cushions you can swap or replace—not a proven advantage over competitors in every area.
Best Value
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
- Consider them if you prefer over-ear headphones for workouts and value replaceable, interchangeable cushions.
- Compare alternatives if your priority is the strongest noise cancellation for travel, a preferred midrange sound, or comfort across long office sessions.
- Look elsewhere if you require conventional wired listening or automatic wear detection; reviewers identify those as missing features.
Check Beats’ product page for the current price, specifications, and cushion-kit details before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
