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Beats 360 makes more sense than Beats Studio Pro if you want over-ear headphones designed for workouts, sweat resistance, and replaceable cushions. Studio Pro remains the stronger fit if you need wired listening or lossless audio over USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable. They share several headline features, but they are not interchangeable choices.
Beats 360 and Studio Pro serve different priorities
Beats positions the Beats 360 for running, training, and workouts. Its official product page describes it as the company’s first over-ear headphone with IPX4 sweat and water resistance. That rating is for sweat and water splashes; it does not mean the headphones are suitable for immersion. Beats’ Beats 360 product page also lists active noise cancellation (ANC), Transparency Mode, Adaptive EQ, memory-foam cushions, adjustable sliders, and rotating earcups.
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Studio Pro is the more general-purpose option in this comparison, particularly if you listen over a cable. Its UltraPlush cushions and shared listening features make it a reasonable alternative for travel and everyday use, but Beats does not position it around workout use or specify IPX4 resistance for it on the comparison page.
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| Feature | Beats 360 | Beats Studio Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use and water resistance | Beats says it is built for running, training, and workouts; IPX4 sweat and water resistance. This is not an immersion rating. (Beats) | Workout positioning and water-resistance rating are not stated in Beats’ comparison. (Beats comparison) |
| Cushions | Interchangeable earcup and headband cushions; separate cushion kits are available. (Beats; Beats accessories) | UltraPlush ear cushions. (Beats comparison) |
| Battery with ANC on | Up to 32 hours, according to Beats. (Beats comparison) | Up to 24 hours, according to Beats. (Beats comparison) |
| Wired listening | SoundGuys reports that it does not play audio over a cable. (SoundGuys review) | Lossless audio over USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable is listed by Beats. (Beats comparison) |
| ANC, Transparency Mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Listed by Beats. (Beats comparison) | Listed by Beats. (Beats comparison) |
| Price context | $349.99 U.S. launch price reported in September 2026; not a live price. (MacRumors) | $299.99 U.S. reduced price reported at the time of the Beats 360 launch; not a live price. (MacRumors) |
Battery figures are manufacturer-stated maximums, not guaranteed listening times. Actual playback can vary with settings and use. Beats’ comparison page also says five minutes of Fast Fuel charging provides up to one hour of Beats 360 playback.
#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.
Workouts favor Beats 360; wired listening favors Studio Pro
Choose Beats 360 if you want over-ear workout headphones
IPX4 is the practical distinction for someone who expects sweat or light splashes. Beats describes the 360 as a workout headphone, and the interchangeable cushions let owners change the contact surfaces rather than being limited to the supplied setup. Beats says both the earcup cushions and the headband cushion are interchangeable, with cushion kits sold separately.
Fit and moisture handling are not captured by a water-resistance rating. In a 12-day review of a company-provided unit, SoundGuys reported differences between the cushion materials in comfort, seal, and how they handled moisture. Those observations describe that reviewer’s experience, not a guarantee that every listener will prefer one cushion or get the same fit.
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.
Choose Studio Pro if you need a cable
Studio Pro supports lossless audio through USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable, according to Beats’ comparison. SoundGuys reports that Beats 360 cannot play audio over a cable. That makes Studio Pro the clearer option for a wired setup or for a listener who specifically wants the documented wired lossless modes; wireless ANC and shared features do not make up for a missing wired connection.
Battery and noise cancellation: compare the claims carefully
Beats lists up to 32 hours of playback with ANC on for Beats 360 and up to 24 hours for Studio Pro. These are the manufacturer’s stated maximums, so treat them as a comparison of advertised endurance rather than a promise of your actual runtime.
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.
Beats also claims that the 360 delivers up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than Studio Pro. That is Beats’ comparative claim, not an independent lab result. Tom’s Guide separately discusses ANC, call performance, battery life, and the absence of wear detection in its review; those are reviewer observations rather than additional official specifications. Read Tom’s Guide’s Beats 360 review.
Shared features do not erase the main differences
Beats’ comparison lists ANC, Transparency Mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for both headphones. It also lists Beats ecosystem features for both models. These overlaps matter if you are choosing between them for noise control or spatial listening, but the comparison does not establish that every feature behaves identically in every device or use case. Check the feature details for your specific phone or computer if a particular ecosystem function is essential.
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.
What the launch prices do—and do not—tell you
MacRumors reported U.S. launch-era prices of $349.99 for Beats 360 and a reduced $299.99 price for Studio Pro when the new model launched in September 2026. Those figures are not verified current offers. Retail pricing and stock can change, so compare current listings before buying rather than treating either amount as today’s price. Beats’ product comparison page labels displayed prices as original prices. Check Beats’ comparison page for its product information, and verify the price with the retailer.
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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
Which one should you buy?
- Pick Beats 360 if you want Beats over-ear headphones for running or training, value the stated IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and like the option to swap cushion styles.
- Pick Studio Pro if wired playback or lossless listening through USB-C or 3.5 mm is a requirement, or if its current price makes it the better fit for your budget.
- Compare comfort in person if possible if cushion feel and seal are decisive; a reviewer’s fit impressions cannot predict how either model will feel on your head.
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.
