Beats 360 is the lighter, IPX4-rated option, with longer manufacturer-claimed battery life, interchangeable cushions and more explicitly listed Android features. AirPods Max 2 is heavier, but Apple lists H2-powered features and lossless audio over USB-C. Neither specification sheet establishes a sound-quality winner, and the available sources conflict on whether Beats 360 supports wired USB-C audio.
At a glance
| Feature | Beats 360 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 294.5 g (10.39 oz) | 386.2 g (13.6 oz) |
| Water and sweat resistance | IPX4 | Apple’s listed specifications do not provide an equivalent resistance rating |
| Battery claim | Up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled | Up to 20 hours with ANC enabled |
| Five-minute charge claim | Up to one hour of playback | Around 1.5 hours of listening |
| Wireless platform features | Apple and Android features listed | Apple features listed; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, with functionality possibly limited |
| USB-C audio | Conflicting reports; support is unresolved | Apple lists lossless and ultra-low-latency audio via USB-C |
| Cushions | Detachable, interchangeable cushions; additional kits sold separately | Apple’s listed specifications do not describe interchangeable cushion kits |
| Dated reported US price | $349.99 | $549 |
Weights and product features come from the manufacturers’ specifications accessed October 7, 2026: Beats 360 and AirPods Max 2. The prices were reported by AppleInsider on September 22, 2026; they are dated figures, not live quotes. Check current local prices and availability before buying.
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Weight, resistance and everyday use
At 294.5 g, Beats 360 weighs 91.7 g less than AirPods Max 2. That is a meaningful difference on paper if you expect to wear headphones for long stretches, but weight alone does not establish comfort: fit, clamping force, head shape and personal preference matter.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBeats specifies an IPX4 rating and describes Beats 360 as sweat and water resistant. That makes it the clearer choice of these two for workouts where sweat or splashes are a concern. IPX4 is not a claim that the headphones are waterproof, and it does not mean they should be submerged. Apple’s listed AirPods Max 2 specifications do not give an equivalent resistance rating, so they do not support a direct protection comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Battery life: compare the conditions, not just the totals
Beats claims up to 32 hours of listening with both ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled. Apple claims up to 20 hours with ANC enabled. These are manufacturer estimates under different stated conditions, not results from a matched independent test, so the figures do not prove how long either model will last in your particular routine.
For a quick top-up, Beats says a five-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to one hour of playback. Apple lists around 1.5 hours of listening from a five-minute charge. The charging claims also come from the respective manufacturers’ specifications; real playback time can depend on use and settings.
Rank #2
- 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.
Platform features and controls
AirPods Max 2 and Apple features
Apple lists an H2 chip in each ear cup, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ and studio-quality audio recording. Apple also specifies Bluetooth 5.3. Its page says the headphones can work as wireless Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, though functionality may be limited.
Beats 360 across Apple and Android
Beats lists a custom-designed dual-magnet dynamic driver, ANC, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ and Bluetooth 5.3. For Apple devices, the company lists one-touch and iCloud pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, Find My and hands-free Siri. For Android, it lists Fast Pair, Audio switch, Find Hub, voice-assistant support and the Beats app. Those Android-specific capabilities make Beats 360 the more explicitly documented fit if you use an Android phone.
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.
Both product pages list ANC, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ. Feature names alone do not establish that the two headphones perform identically; they describe supported features, not comparative test results.
USB-C and wired listening
Apple explicitly lists lossless audio and ultra-low-latency audio via USB-C for AirPods Max 2. For Beats 360, the available reporting is inconsistent: AppleInsider says there is no wired listening option and characterizes USB-C as charging-only, while Tom’s Guide’s Beats 360 review says USB-C audio input is supported. Android Central’s review also reports no USB-C lossless audio or 3.5 mm audio support. These accounts do not settle whether Beats 360 supports wired USB-C audio, so do not buy it on the assumption that it does; verify the feature with an authoritative product source or retailer before relying on it.
Rank #4
- 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.
Sound quality and noise cancellation
Specifications cannot establish which headphone sounds better or cancels more noise. The available material does not provide a controlled, direct comparison of both models under matched listening and ANC conditions.
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Best Value
- BEATS' CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO via USB-C plus three distinct built-in sound profiles to enhance your listening experience
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO with dynamic head tracking place you at the center of an immersive 360-degree listening experience
Replaceable cushions and service
Beats describes the ear-cup and headband cushions as detachable and interchangeable, and says additional Beats 360 cushion kits are sold separately. That gives owners a model-specific option for replacing or changing cushion colors. The official product page does not establish a fixed kit price or live availability, so check the current listing in your region.
Android Central reported in September 2026 that Beats offered a $79 mail-in or carry-in battery replacement service and planned a user-replaceable self-service option in the coming months. This is dated review reporting, not a guarantee of current service terms or availability in every region. Confirm the applicable service directly with Beats before making a repair decision.
Which headphones should you choose?
Choose Beats 360 if these are your priorities
- Lower weight: the listed weight is 294.5 g, compared with 386.2 g for AirPods Max 2.
- Workout use where an official IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance rating matters.
- The longer of the two manufacturers’ stated battery claims, while keeping in mind their different test conditions.
- Explicitly listed Android features such as Fast Pair, Audio switch, Find Hub and the Beats app.
- Detachable, interchangeable cushions with separately sold replacement or color kits.
- The lower of the two dated reported US prices, subject to checking current prices and availability.
Choose AirPods Max 2 if these are your priorities
- Apple’s listed H2 features, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Voice Isolation.
- Apple’s explicit listing of lossless and ultra-low-latency audio via USB-C.
- Apple ecosystem features and integration, while recognizing that non-Apple Bluetooth use may have limited functionality.
Choose based on the features you will actually use, not a presumed sound-quality ranking: the available evidence does not establish a controlled winner for sound or ANC.
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.
