The AirPods Max 2 are among the best headphones if you consider their overall feature set, and they're even status symbols.They stand out from the latest Bose or Sony headphones and are clearly a flex that shows you have $549 to spend on audio.Even so, they have limitations.
They sound good enough, but they're heavy, lack gym-friendly sweat resistance, and lose some of their features if you use Android.The Beats 360 are supposedly a step-down from the AirPods Max.However, the Beats 360 are essentially like the AirPods Max that Apple should have released in the first place.
I've had the opportunity to review these over-ear headphones, and they deliver most of the sound quality, customization, and functionality—plus a few perks—at a much lower $350 price.They have their flaws, but they're easily a better value than the AirPods Max 2 and some rivals.Beats 360 8.5 Brand Beats The Beats 360 have customizable ear cups and headbands — and happen to be Beats' best-sounding headphones to date.
Pros & Cons Beats' best sound quality yet Customizable ear cups and bands Long battery life Works will with both Android and iPhone No wired audio Difficult-to-feel controls See at Amazon Expand Collapse I love the customizable design These are truly personal headphones Close The Beats 360 are by far the most customizable headphones I've seen.You can quickly replace the ear cups and headband to get a fresh look or simply replace your sweaty gym pads with fresh ones at home.I loved the look of the exercise-friendly blue knitted cups on my white review unit, even if they make my large ears slightly sore over extended periods.
Thankfully, I can switch to the more comfortable UltraPlush vegan leather when I'm working.They're much easier to wear than the aluminum AirPods Max 2.I find the Beats 360 noticeably lighter thanks to their plastic casing, and the thin headband is less likely to mess up my hair.
More importantly, they have IPX4 sweat and water resistance—I'm far more confident wearing these for workouts.With that said, it's clear where Beats cut corners to save money.The AirPods Max 2 have an Apple Watch-style crown that's easy to use, but the Beats 360 have classic buttons for playback, volume, and audio modes, none of which are easy to locate by feel alone.
I frequently thumbed around until I finally found the control I wanted.They don't fold, either, although there's at least a travel-ready ripstop case.Sound quality that's best for many, not just me Why should I get the AirPods Max 2? Beats is well-known for heavy bass, to the point where it squelches the mids and highs.
That profile hasn't entirely gone away, but the Beats 360 sound quality is such an improvement over the brand's previous models (such as the Studio Pro) that they're arguably some of the best wireless headphones on the market.I primarily listen to dance music, and it's clear the beat still takes center stage.There's a solid thump with songs like Above & Beyond's "Start A Fire," not to mention the hip-hop of Childish Gambino's "This is America." And while the mids and treble aren't quite as clear as on premium headphones, they're far more balanced than before.
I can pick out subtle high notes in classical like Ravel's suite, jazz like Kamasi Washington's "Change of the Guard," or rock like Radiohead's "Paranoid Android." These are genuinely pleasant to listen to in almost any setting, not just tolerable for flights and gym sessions.As much as I appreciate a neutral, accurate sound, the Beats 360 are excellent in real-world situations where a little extra punch helps.Related The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2025 Active noise-cancelling headphones can drown out the outside world and let you immerse yourself in your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook.
Posts By Goran Damnjanovic The active noise cancellation (ANC) is strong, too.While it's not going to rival AirPods Max 2 (or Bose's QuietComfort Ultra) in raw isolation, it's excellent for the money and ultimately a better bargain.I can drown out almost all sounds completely, and Transparency mode is present when I want to hear the outside world.
Adaptive EQ and personalized spatial audio tune the sound based on the fit and seal, but I was already happy with the stock experience.The battery life is frankly epic.Beats claims 32 hours of listening with ANC turned on, and I could easily go days between charges.
However, I wasn't so thrilled by the lack of wear detection to pause playback.Moreover, there's no wired audio option.The USB-C port is only for charging, where the AirPods Max 2 and other headphones can use adapters.
Should you buy the Beats 360? The best overall headphones for most people It sounds hyperbolic to say that Beats 360 are the best headphones.To a degree, that's right.You can get better absolute audio quality from the AirPods Max 2, the Sony WH-1000XM6, and other challengers.
They don't have the longest battery life, the best ANC, or the most convenient controls.When I look at the larger picture, the Beats 360 are difficult to top.Besides the wireless-only connection, there's no one area where they clearly fall short.
And unlike the AirPods Max 2, they have full Android support—I used my iPhone during testing, but I could just as easily have paired them with my OnePlus 15 with few compromises.And yes, the customization matters a great deal.I'm a fan of fun technology, and it's wonderful to know my headphones can be as whimsical or buttoned-down as I like.
This also helps with longevity, as I won't be tempted to replace my cans simply because they're worn down.The $350 asking price certainly makes them a better deal than the AirPods Max 2.I'd add that Beats headphones often go on sale, so there's a good chance the 360 will undercut similarly priced options before long.
It's easy to recommend them for most use cases, and that's no mean feat.
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