Beats 360 First Impressions: The $379 Headphones That Might Just Win You Over

Michael Bennett · 2026-09-22

The Beats 360 is possibly one of the worst-kept secrets in recent years. Celebrities, influencers, and athletes were spotted wearing them all summer long, and now they're finally here. With a promise of Beats' best-ever ANC that's 1.75x stronger than the Beats Studio Pro, acoustically designed interchangeable earcups, and an IPX4 rating, these headphones look set to make waves. But at $379, is it really worth the splurge? I was lucky enough to spend some time with the headphones ahead of today's launch. While our in-depth review will arrive later, here are my first impressions and whether I think these cans are set to enter our best headphones roundup. ### Beats 360 looks the part Put simply, I think the Beats 360 looks great. Usually, I don't really like the look of bulky headphones and, aside from on a plane, I generally tend to feel self-conscious when wearing a pair out and about. However, the Beats 360 has a slim design that doesn't look or feel overwhelming. Instead, the lightweight headband sits comfortably but not too obviously on top of your head, while the cushions envelop your ears without sticking out awkwardly either – an issue I've had with my Soundcore Space One. Of course, if you actually do want a more eye-catching pair of headphones, then it's worth noting that not only do the Beats 360 come in a choice between four base colors – Sky, Black, Cloud, and Pink – but the headband and earcup cushions are interchangeable too. That means you can choose to either pair your headphones with matching earcups, more subtle shades, or even a particularly vivacious yellow if you really want to stand out. The beauty of the interchangeable cushions isn't just that you can personalize your headphones, but it also means you can swap them out depending on your day's plans. Essentially, the Beats 360 is designed to see you through entire days full of meetings, running errands, and even workouts, with the idea being that you can change the cushions accordingly. It's a nifty trick as, thinking about it, you don't really want to keep your sweaty earcups on after a workout, but still might want to continue listening to music or need to take some calls. Swapping the earcups and headbands is easy too, and requires either a slight twist or tug respectively. Beats is also offering an introductory deal where you can purchase separate earcups for just $12.95 – a huge saving on the usual $64.95 price tag. ### Beats has promised a major improvement on ANC As soon as I popped the headphones on, I immediately noticed the noise-canceling prowess. Even before I pressed play on one of the sample songs (It's All Coming Back to Me by none other than Celine Dion for context), chatter, music playing on speakers, and just the general hustle and bustle of the event were all instantly muted. I should disclaim that I was indoors, so I have no idea how the headphones will compete with public transport or a plane, but Beats does claim the 360 has the best and most advanced ANC to date. Judging from my experience, I'd certainly expect the headphones to work well at canceling office chatter and a busy gym too. When I did press play, music came through clearly and sounded immersive. Even Celine Dion's ballad managed to retain its detail while still offering a powerful sound. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to listen to any low-frequency or bass-heavy tracks, but Beats promises that thanks to three-layer diaphragms and dual neodymium magnets in every driver, the 360 creates powerful bass and "incredible precision". I am an iPhone user, so the fact Beats slot so neatly into Apple's ecosystem is great, as features like quick pairing and 'Find My' integration make them a seamless companion. If you're an Android user, you won't get those same perks, but the core experience should still hold up. ### Early verdict At $379, the Beats 360 aren't cheap, but they're packing a lot of promise. The design is sleek and customizable, the ANC already seems impressive, and the sound quality – even in a noisy room – came across as detailed and immersive. I'm eager to test them in more challenging environments and with a wider variety of music. For now, color me intrigued. If you're in the market for premium noise-canceling headphones, these are definitely worth keeping an eye on. Stay tuned for our full review, where we'll put the Beats 360 through their paces and see if they truly deserve a spot in our best headphones roundup.