I tested Beats’ new 360 headphones, and their best feature is one you can’t hear

Since Apple acquired Beats in 2014, the audio brand’s narrative has shifted from catering to music aficionados with subversive tendencies to those with active lifestyles who appreciate a well-made pair of headphones.

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The Beats 360 headphones solidify Beats’ brand shift far more than its previous releases, with stellar execution of mix-and-match earpads and impressive engineering that enables an industry rarity: over-ear headphones with water resistance. In the end, the Beats 360’s frame is far more interesting than its audio features, though there are some upgrades in that category as well.

A unique IPX4 rating

Beats rated the 360’s durability at IPX4, the same level of water and sweat resistance as earbuds such as the Bose Ultra Open (2nd Gen) and Sony LinkBuds Clip. As a result, the Beats 360 can withstand particularly sweaty workouts or bouts of rain during a run, which its counterparts from Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and others can’t claim.

According to Beats, the 360 headphones are internally constructed similarly to true wireless earbuds, which allows for their water resistance. Therefore, each earcup “operates as its own self-contained system — with its own battery, antenna, and processing components,” which allows for limited wiring inside the headband.

A new multifunction button arrangement also likely helped Beats achieve this durability standard. The Beats Studio Pro featured a large multifunction button on the outside of the right earcup, but the 360 likely needs fewer crevices to keep water from reaching sensitive areas.

On top of that, the 360 headphones don’t support 3.5mm or USB-C wired audio. I’m inclined to also attribute the omission of this feature to the 360’s water resistance, though the USB-C port is used for charging. Whatever magic Apple pulled to make the AirPods Pro 3’s charging case waterproof despite its charging port is probably the same stuff used to make the 360 water resistant.

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There are some other over-ear headphones with durability ratings: the $1,250 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 has an IP53 rating, and the $299 Nothing Headphone 1 sports an IP52 rating. Both competitors offer dust resistance, which the Beats 360 lacks, but the Beats 360 has stronger water resistance and design elements better suited to exercising.

(Useful) mixing-and-matching

Beats isn’t the first to offer swappable earpads or cups — Dyson’s OnTrac and Fender’s Mix headphones offer the same, but Beats’ 360 adaptation has value beyond aesthetics. The 360’s Knit cushions are made of a sweat-wicking material, which reminds me of the AirPods Max 2 but feels less absorbent.

Additionally, the 360’s headband padding is removable, so you can opt for sweat-wicking materials over your head while you exercise, and more relaxed padding for casual listening. The Beats 360 comes fitted with a Performance Knit cushion kit, and you’ll need to purchase an UltraPlush cushion kit separately. With that cost in mind, the headphones and an additional kit come to $400.

I wore the Beats 360 with the Knit cushions to the gym three times and noticed less heat buildup in the earcups and less sweat in and around my ears after my workouts. The Knit ear pads are more breathable and durable in wet conditions, making them the right choice for physical activity.

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Any time I test a new pair of over-ears, I disregard my own advice and take them to the gym at least once. However, I always end up leaving with swampy ears, as sweat sits on top of the coating on traditional leather or polyurethane ear pads instead of being absorbed, and repeated exposure to moisture causes the earpads to peel, crack, and transfer moisture to the inner parts of the headphones that can’t handle water ingress.

So, the 360’s IPX4 durability rating and sweat-wicking ear pads make them the perfect over-ear headphones for working out. However, the 360’s Knit cushions’ porosity doesn’t make them conducive to effective noise cancellation or immersive listening, which is where the UltraPlush cushions come in handy.

Beats says its headphones feature tuning profiles that account for how different cushions interact with sound, but technology can only do so much to overcome physics. Still, the 360 with Knit cushions cancel noise, especially voices and higher-pitched noises such as clattering weights, better than the Beats Studio Pro with UltraPlush cushions.

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The 360’s UltraPlush cushions are just like those of the Studio Pro, and the cushions’ ability to create a seal, plus the 360’s improved noise-processing algorithms, more strategic microphone placement, and an upgraded processor, deliver the best ANC performance yet from Beats.

Yet, the absolute best from Beats still lags behind its ANC powerhouses of competitors from Bose, Sony, and its parent company, Apple. However, the 360’s versatility makes up for what it lacks in noise reduction.

Why these two features matter

Jada Jones/ZDNET

I always recommend that people invest in at least two pairs of headphones: one pair of earbuds suited for exercise, and one pair of over-ears for traveling, commuting, or working. I give this recommendation because over-ear headphones are not typically tested for water ingress and can be an investment, especially if you go for $450+ models from top brands.

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The 360’s water resistance and cushion versatility effectively create two headphones in one: one fit for running, weightlifting, brisk walking, hiking, biking, and more, and another pair fit for every other aspect of your life. If you prefer over-ear headphones to in-ear earbuds, the Beats 360 can do everything for you.

Additionally, the 360’s improved voice pickup helps it with voice calling, another area where the Studio Pro struggled. The 360’s voice pickup isn’t as clear and unwavering as Sony’s WH-1000XM6, but it still does the job as long as you speak clearly.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Beats 360 headphones deliver an innovative approach to interchangeable padding, breathing new life into an otherwise hard-to-innovate product category. Additionally, it’s impressive that Beats engineered the 360 to be water-resistant while still improving its audio, voice pickup, and noise-canceling performance over its predecessor. Usually, this kind of durability (especially in this form factor) requires a sacrifice.

If you have a critical ear, you will likely not enjoy the 360’s sound profile, but you probably never enjoyed Beats headphones. They are bass-forward (though not nearly as much as previous models) and emphasize higher frequencies, creating an energetic sound, compared to its competitors from Sony and Sennheiser, which deliver more clarity, separation, and neutrality.

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Still, the Beats 360 has the noise cancellation and 32-hour battery life you’d expect from headphones at its $350 price point, along with unique versatility, compatibility with hands-free Siri, Find My support, and Automatic Device Switching for iOS users. Android users can see the 360 in their Find Hub, Google Fast Pair support, and access to the Beats app for further customization.

So, if you’re ready to give up your true wireless earbuds, pick up the Beats 360.

Why the Beats 360 gets an Editors’ Choice Award

We awarded the Beats 360 an Editors’ Choice award for tangible upgrades to noise cancellation, voice pickup, and overall audio performance. More importantly, this award reflects Beats’ fresh take on over-ear headphones, with the addition of water resistance and highly useful interchangeable padding. The 360’s water resistance and vision for interchangeable pads are a large part of why I rated it so highly.

Beats understands that improving subjective metrics such as audio tuning and noise cancellation alone is no longer enough to persuade consumers to spend $300+ on a new pair of headphones. Fortunately, Beats delivered.

Additionally, Beats continues to offer valuable native features to iOS and Android users, making the Beats 360 ecosystem agnostic. As the 360’s most interesting features are physical, the execution is solid and far easier to deliver in full capacity to all users than the Powerbeats Pro 3’s heart rate tracking.

Jada Jones is a journalist based outside of Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Jada is ZDNET’s audio editor and regularly reviews the latest flagship headphones, earbuds, speakers, soundbars, and more.

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