Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: The $300 Question

Sarah Johnson · 2026-09-22

Beats just dropped its latest headphones, the Beats 360, and they're going head-to-head with Apple's AirPods Max 2. Both come from the same parent company—Apple bought Beats back in 2014—so choosing between them can feel like picking a favorite child. But don't worry, we're here to help you decide. We haven't fully reviewed the Beats 360 yet, but we've spent plenty of time with the AirPods Max 2. Below, we break down the key differences so you can figure out which pair is right for you. ### Price and Availability The Beats 360 is available to order now, with a retail price of $299.95. It comes in four colors—Sky, Cloud, Pink, and Black—and includes color-coordinated earcup and headband cushions. You can also buy additional Cushion Kits separately. At the time of writing, they're just $9.95 directly from Apple, which is about $40 less than the usual price. The AirPods Max 2, on the other hand, will set you back a hefty $499. That's a $200 difference—enough to make anyone think twice. ### Design and Customization One of the biggest design differences is that the Beats 360 has interchangeable earcup and headband cushions. That means you can swap out the included cushions for different colors or materials. You can buy additional knit cushions in six colors—Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt (a vibrant yellow)—or UltraPlush options in Black and Cloud. The UltraPlush is the same engineered leather found on the Studio Pro. In comparison, the AirPods Max 2 comes in five colors—Blue, Purple, Starlight, Orange, and Midnight—but you can't change the earcups or headband. So if you like to switch up your look, the Beats 360 has a clear edge. ### Software and Ecosystem Both headphones can pair with Android or iPhone, but the Beats 360 offers more features for Android users. Contrary to popular belief, you can pair the AirPods Max 2 with an Android phone, but you'll lose access to Apple features like Siri, Find My, and easier pairing. Thanks to its custom Beats chip, the Beats 360 promises seamless integration across both Apple and Android ecosystems. For example, pair it with an iPhone and you get one-touch pairing, Siri, audio sharing, personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and Find My integration. Pair it with an Android and you get Google Fast Pair, access to Find Hub, and audio switch. If you're an Android user torn between these two, the decision is easy: the Beats 360 offers more features for your ecosystem. ### Noise Cancellation and Microphones Both Beats and Apple make big claims about their ANC. Apple says the AirPods Max 2 has 1.5x better ANC than the original AirPods Max, while Beats promises the 360 has the brand's best-ever ANC, 1.75x more powerful than the Studio Pro. Since we haven't reviewed the Beats 360 yet, we can't verify that claim. But in my brief time with them, I was impressed by how well they muted a noisy event—even without playing any audio. So we have high hopes. During our time with the AirPods Max 2, we found its ANC to be excellent as well, but the Beats 360 might just edge it out. ### The Verdict So, which should you get? If you're an Android user or you like the idea of customizable cushions, the Beats 360 is a no-brainer. It's also $200 cheaper. But if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want the premium build and features of the AirPods Max 2, and you don't mind spending more, then the AirPods Max 2 is still a solid choice. Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities and your phone. But with the Beats 360, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck. We'll have a full review of the Beats 360 soon, so stay tuned.