Beats has introduced the Beats 360, a new flagship over-ear headphone that combines a lightweight design, interchangeable cushions, active noise cancellation and sweat resistance. Priced at $349.99, the headphones are designed to move between workouts, commuting, work and everyday listening.
Beats is taking a different approach to premium headphones with its latest product, the Beats 360. Rather than focusing only on sound and noise cancellation, the company is putting customization at the center of the new design.
The Apple-owned audio brand announced the headphones on September 22, 2026, describing them as its first customizable over-ear model. The biggest change is the ability to replace both the ear cushions and headband cushions, allowing users to change colors and materials depending on their preferences and activities.
The Beats 360 starts at $349.99 in the U.S. and is available to order through Apple and Beats, with retail availability beginning September 24. It comes in four core colors: Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky.
A Headphone Built Around Customization
The defining feature of the Beats 360 is its interchangeable cushion system.
Each headphone comes with Performance Knit cushions, while additional cushion kits allow users to change the appearance and feel of the device. Performance Knit options are offered in Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy and Volt, while UltraPlush cushions are available in Black and Cloud.
The Performance Knit cushions use breathable material and memory foam, making them particularly suited to active use. The UltraPlush option is designed for longer listening sessions and uses engineered leather around memory foam.
According to Beats, users can combine different cushion colors to create their own look. The company is positioning the feature as a way to personalize the headphones rather than treating them as a fixed design.
Additional cushion kits normally cost $49.99, although Beats is offering a limited introductory price of $9.99 in select markets.
A Slimmer and Lighter Design
Beats has also redesigned the physical structure of its over-ear headphones.
The Beats 360 uses a slim headband and a wireless-first internal architecture. Each earcup contains its own battery, antenna and processing hardware, allowing the headband to focus more on weight distribution and comfort.
The headphones weigh approximately 294.5 grams, according to Apple’s technical specifications. The earcups can twist flat for easier storage, and the headphones come with a woven ripstop carrying case.
The design is intended for extended use, from working at a desk to traveling and exercising.
Independent testing from Engadget found the headphones surprisingly lightweight, although the reviewer noted that the fit could become uncomfortable for people with larger heads.
Designed for Workouts Too
One of the most notable changes is that Beats has given the Beats 360 an IPX4 sweat and water-resistance rating.
That makes the new model the first over-ear Beats headphone with an official sweat and water-resistance rating. The company says the design is intended to withstand exposure to moisture, rain and heat.
The Performance Knit cushions are particularly targeted at active users because of their breathable construction.
This gives the Beats 360 a broader role than traditional premium over-ear headphones. Users can use one pair during a workout and then switch to a different cushion configuration for commuting, travel or office work.
Stronger Active Noise Cancellation
Beats is also emphasizing improvements in noise cancellation.
The Beats 360 features the company’s most advanced Active Noise Cancellation system to date. Beats says the headphones provide up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro.
Transparency mode is included for situations when users need to hear their surroundings.
The headphones also use Adaptive EQ, which continuously adjusts the audio experience based on fit. Beats says the system is designed to maintain consistent sound as conditions change.
Independent testing found that the noise cancellation worked particularly well with steady background sounds, although voices remained more difficult to block, which is common among competing ANC headphones.
Bass-Focused Audio and Spatial Sound
Sound remains a major part of the Beats 360 experience.
The headphones feature a custom acoustic platform with three-layer diaphragms and dual neodymium magnets. Beats says the system is designed to deliver powerful bass, detailed sound and low distortion.
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Dolby Atmos support are also included.
Engadget’s testing found that the headphones delivered strong bass and a wide dynamic range, while maintaining detail across different types of music.
Up to 32 Hours of Battery Life
Battery life is another important part of the Beats 360 package.
Beats says users can get up to 32 hours of listening time with ANC or Adaptive EQ enabled. The headphones also support Fast Fuel charging, providing approximately one hour of playback from a five-minute charge.
The headphones charge through USB-C.
Unlike some competing premium headphones, however, the Beats 360 does not support wired listening, according to independent testing.
Apple and Android Support
Although Beats is owned by Apple, the Beats 360 is designed to work with both Apple and Android devices.
Apple users receive features including one-touch pairing, automatic switching between compatible Apple devices, Audio Sharing, Find My support and hands-free Siri access.
Android users receive Fast Pair, Audio Switch, Find Hub and other platform integrations. Some customization and management functions still require the Beats app.
That cross-platform approach gives the headphones a wider potential audience than a product built exclusively around Apple’s ecosystem.
Pricing and Availability
The Beats 360 is priced at $349.99 in the United States and is available in Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky. Orders began September 22, with retail availability scheduled to begin September 24.
The interchangeable cushion system adds another layer of personalization. Standard cushion kits are priced at $49.99, although a temporary introductory promotion offers them for $9.99 in selected markets.
With its combination of interchangeable cushions, sweat resistance, noise cancellation and long battery life, the Beats 360 represents a significant redesign of the company’s over-ear headphone strategy.
Rather than treating headphones as a single fixed product, Beats is making customization part of the ownership experience. Users can change the cushions for a different color, switch materials for different activities and adapt the headphones to different parts of their day.
For Beats, the new model is an attempt to combine performance and personalization in one premium over-ear package.
Source: bloomberg