I test headphones for a living, and the Beats 360 are a fun and stylish alternative to the AirPods Max 2 that I can't recommend more

The Beats 360 are an interesting mix of hardware and design choices, representing a new approach to Beats headphone design. One that has Apple’s fingerprints all over it. They include some great longevity features right out of the box, so let's get into them.

Beats 360 to the Max!

Image 1 of 5

Though Apple acquired Beats in 2014, the company kept its design aesthetic, with seemingly minor visual changes over the years. Twelve years later, Apple has entered the design chat. Beats has been dabbling in expanding color options for Apple accessories, and that “dabbling” shows up in the 360 ecosystem of frames and accessories.

I can’t help but notice the similarities to the AirPods Max 2. With their thin, round, telescoping arms and flatter cups, the new headphones look like they belong in a Max product lineup, rather than alongside Beats’ current headphone offerings.

This year, Beats introduces four frame colors, along with six performance knit and two ultra plush cushion color kits. Each kit includes ear cushions and a headband and costs $50. Beats says that gives you up to 256 combinations if you mix ear and headband cushions.

I have the Sky frames for review, and like the other three frame color options, these come with color-matched Performance Knit Sky ear cushions and headband. Beats also sent me a Volt Performance Knit kit (pictured on the headphones) and a Cloud UltraPlush kit.

The headbands are extremely simple to swap out. I just pulled the Sky headband off and pushed the Volt headband in. They have knit covers and silicone backs with silicone connectors that have bulbous ends that snap into the frames. The ear cushions also have silicone backs with plastic twist-to-lock nodes that lock into L-shaped grooves in the frames.

Since you get two different cushion densities, which can affect sound, the ear cushions have sensors that tell the frames to adjust the tuning so the sound profile stays consistent. Beats 360 also has a chime that sounds off when the ear cushions are properly seated. The LED on the power button will also turn red if they aren’t seated properly.

During my listening sessions, I didn't hear any distracting differences in tone or timbre between the two cushion styles.

Living to the Beat

The Beats 360 are aimed at active consumers on the go. Over the last week, I've worn them for casual listening and gym sessions. The Performance Knit has done a great job wicking sweat while keeping my ears cooler than most competing ear cushions.

For me and my giant bald head, the knit headband and cushion texture provide enough friction that the 360 stays in place when I lay flat on a bench or lean forward for pushups or barbell rows. The clamping force also makes this possible without becoming fatiguing during extended wear, thanks to the softness of the cushions. When things got really sweaty, the physical controls remained responsive, and for the first time, Beats headphones have an IPX4 protection, so I'm not second-guessing using them for sweaty gym sessions.

When the cushions and headbands get icky, you can hand-wash them with diluted liquid laundry detergent, then air-dry them (avoid the dryer). The only issue users on the go may have is that the headphones no longer fold into a small-ish "ball"; instead, the ear cups rotate flat like the AirPods Max 2, taking up more space in your workout or messenger bag.

Both sets of new ear cushions are much deeper, wider, and more comfortable than the Studio Pros. The only downside to the magnificent ear cups is that they don’t include wear-detection sensors, so they won't automatically play or pause music when you put them on or take them off. A disappointing omission for $350 headphones.

What isn't disappointing is the improved longevity, so you can actually get your money's worth. Beats is offering a $79 mail-in or carry-in battery replacement service similar to the Beats Studio Pro and Solo 4. Beats also says it'll offer a user-replaceable, self-service option in the coming months.

The nine-microphone configuration and noise-cancellation algorithms that give the 360 better ANC than the Beats Studio Pro are a boon for fitness-minded folks. In the gym or on the streets, you'll get noticeably better ANC in the high mids and high frequencies.

While that ANC still doesn’t compete with Bose or Sony for canceling voices and high-frequency noise, it does an admirable job with weight plates clanking about and high-frequency airplane cabin hum.

Beats has actively improved its sound signature since the Solo 3, and the 360s are no exception. We’ve said this over and over, but the muddy sound that pre-Apple Beats headphones had is gone, replaced by a more balanced sound with more prominent mids, greater clarity, and highs that can be a bit stilted on some tracks, teetering on the edge of sibilance.

Despite the lack of Hi-Res Wireless Audio support and the loss of USB-C lossless or 3.5mm wired audio support, you’ll still get respectable detail retrieval when listening to songs like Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’.” Though the instrumentation on “Moanin’” wasn’t the strongest I’ve heard, owing to the lack of higher-bitrate stream support, the ability to pick out different instruments in the arrangement during the most frenetic moments is respectable. I can’t say the same for many Bluetooth headphones, including the venerable Sony WH-1000XM6.

That said, the bass still rumbles on my test tracks from The Roots and Skrillex, but it's tight. The soundstage is large and open, and Dolby Atmos tracks sound fully engaging on the Beats 360.

If you’re an iPhone user, Spatial Audio with movies and content that supports it is very immersive, and I actually prefer listening to music with Spatial Audio activated.

My 360 view of the Beats 360

I called the Powerbeats Fit my favorite workout earbuds, and now I can call Beats 360 my favorite over-ear workout headphones. Just like I do with my smartwatch bands, using a separate pair for working out, daily wear, and sleeping, the ability to switch out a sweaty headband and pair of ear cushions for a dry pair is a delight. The clamping force during workouts is great. The fit and comfort of the UltraPlush cushions for more recreational active listening is wonderful.

If you’re an audiophile or a frequent traveler who prioritizes space-saving carry, you may want to consider competing products along with the Beats 360. If you’re an athlete or someone who hits the gym, the trails, or the urban jungle regularly, this is my Editor’s Choice for you.