The Beats Solo 2s were my very first pair of “nice” over-ear headphones, lasting me many years. The day they finally gave in, I was devastated, and I never thought I could find a pair I loved more.
And then the brand-new Beats 360 came on the market. They’re more than just a pair of headphones. They’re an accessory I reach for daily, and if you grab them for yourself, I’m willing to bet it will be the same for you.
Design and comfort
Each pair comes with replaceable ear cushions, with two options available: UltraPlush for those days of dedicated music listening and Performance Knit for hardcore elliptical workouts without giving out.
Pros:
- Customizable ear and headband cushions
- Comfortable, secure fit during workouts
- Impressive 32-hour battery life
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance
- Stylish design with multiple color options
Cons:
- Makeup stains on cushions can be difficult to clean
- Slight hissing sound with noise cancellation enabled
Out of the box, the Beats 360 look somewhat like a pair of AirPods Max, albeit smaller and much more compact. They come in four colors, including the pink-on-pink pair I own. You can purchase other ear cushions separately, making it easy to customize your headphones as you go.
Type: Wireless over-ear headphones | Battery life: Up to 32 hours | Charging: USB-C, 5-minute charge for up to 1 hour of playback | Weight: 10.39 ounces (0.65 pounds) | Dimensions: 7.53 × 6.52 × 3.43 inches | Colors: black, cloud, pink, sky | Water resistance: IPX4 | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
The headband and ear cushions feel comfortable for all-day wear, and the headphones stayed snug on my head throughout workouts and long workdays. At just 0.65 pounds (10.4 ounces), they’re surprisingly lightweight. Many headphones feel like they put pressure on my ears the longer I have them on, but I didn’t experience that with the Beats 360.
The design (with the Performance Knit cushions) means you can wear them to the gym as well. My only qualm was that my makeup did transfer onto the ear cushions, and they weren’t the easiest to clean.
Setup
Luckily, since Beats is owned by Apple, there’s no lengthy setup process if you’re using an iPhone. You can toggle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes directly through your phone’s Control Center by holding down the volume slider — no app needed.
If you have an Android device, that’s when you’ll need the Beats app to adjust these settings through your phone. You can also toggle between modes directly on the headphones themselves.
Sound quality and noise cancellation
Aside from the design, these headphones have decent sound quality, though I expected nothing less given their high price point. I found the bass to sound particularly balanced and deep, with full-bodied vocal tunes. Noise cancellation was great, too. Not as strong as my Sony WH-1000XM6, but it easily beat out my AirPods and drowned out chatter around me.
One thing to note, though, is that you’ll hear a slight hissing sound when noise cancellation is turned on. It’s not that noticeable when music is playing, but it’s something worth mentioning.
What I really liked was how the sound came together without feeling like too much.
The bass has plenty of punch, but it doesn’t completely overpower the vocals or other instruments. I particularly liked that I could turn up the volume without the soundstage becoming overwhelming, making even longer listening sessions enjoyable.
The headphones also support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which is designed to make compatible songs sound more immersive. There’s Adaptive EQ, too, which automatically adjusts the sound based on the fit when noise cancellation and Transparency mode are turned off.
Battery life
Battery life runs up to 32 hours, too, and I can safely say that number feels accurate. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to constantly recharge them.
Interchangeable ear cushions
The best part of these headphones has to be the interchangeable ear cushions. I own a bunch of colors, including navy and cloud (one in UltraPlush and one in Performance Knit), and I love that I can customize my headphones to match my outfit.
Swapping them out is easy, too. Just twist the ear cushions counterclockwise to remove them, then clockwise to snap the new ones into place. No tools required, and the whole process takes just seconds.
Comparison between similar headphones
The Beats 360 particularly stand out for their striking design. They’re very customizable and have a lightweight fit that makes them easy to wear for hours on end. I also found the plush ear cups to be more comfortable than others I’ve tried, making it easy to wear these headphones for hours.
What really sets them apart is the fact that you can wear these headphones to the gym. Most premium headphones aren’t made for working out, but these are, as long as you have the Performance Knit ear cushions on.
As far as connectivity and battery life go, they’re on par with the industry. Sound quality is good, too, and compares well with my Sony and Bose headphones. The only caveat is the slight hissing sound I noticed when turning on noise cancellation, which can be a little annoying.
Final verdict: Worth buying?
As someone who’s tested more than 40 pairs of headphones, yes, the Beats 360 are worth buying. They’re comfortable, lightweight and double as an accessory when not in use. The soundstage is clean and balanced, and the impressive battery life means they’ll last for days. Yes, they’re on the pricier side, but their water resistance makes them a big draw, especially if you need a pair for the gym as I do.
This article was written by Nishka Dhawan, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Nishka reports on the latest tech launches, innovations and trends to separate the best new products from the “AI slop.” Taking the latest technology for a spin, Nishka tests home appliances and tech products that actually improve your life, from vacuums to headphones to gaming gadgets and more – all while finding the best deals and lowest prices. Before joining The Post in 2026, her work appeared in Rolling Stone, ABC, NBC Select, Reviewed and Digital Trends.
