Are the new $350 headphones worth shopping for? | Latest Tech News
New York Post could also be compensated and/or obtain an affiliate commission if you click on or buy through our hyperlinks. Featured pricing is subject to change.
The Beats Solo 2s had been my very first pair of “nice” over-ear headphones, lasting me many years. The day they finally gave in, I used to be devastated, and I never thought I might discover a pair I beloved more.
And then the brand-new Beats 360 got here on the market. They’re more than just a pair of headphones. They’re an accent I attain for daily, and if you grab them for your self, I’m prepared to guess it will likely be the same for you.
Design and consolation
Each pair comes with replaceable ear cushions, with two choices out there: UltraPlush for those days of devoted music listening and Performance Knit for hardcore elliptical exercises without giving out.
Pros:
- Customizable ear and headband cushions
- Comfortable, secure match during exercises
- Impressive 32-hour battery life
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance
- Stylish design with a number of colour choices
Cons:
- Makeup stains on cushions could be tough to clean
- Slight hissing sound with noise cancellation enabled
Out of the box, the Beats 360 look considerably like a pair of AirPods Max, albeit smaller and a lot more compact. They come in 4 colours, including the pink-on-pink pair I own. You should purchase other ear cushions individually, making it straightforward to customise your headphones as you go.
Type: Wireless over-ear headphones | Battery life: Up to 32 hours | Charging: USB-C, 5-minute charge for up to 1 hour of playback | Weight: 10.39 ounces (0.65 kilos) | Dimensions: 7.53 × 6.52 × 3.43 inches | Colors: black, cloud, pink, sky | Water resistance: IPX4 | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
The headband and ear cushions really feel comfy for all-day put on, and the headphones stayed comfortable on my head throughout exercises and long workdays. At just 0.65 kilos (10.4 ounces), they’re surprisingly light-weight. Many headphones really feel like they put stress on my ears the longer I’ve them on, but I didn’t expertise that with the Beats 360.
The design (with the Performance Knit cushions) means you possibly can put on them to the gymnasium as nicely. My only qualm was that my make-up did switch onto the ear cushions, and they weren’t the best to clean.
Setup
Luckily, since Beats is owned by Apple, there’s no prolonged setup course of if you’re utilizing an iPhone. You can toggle between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes instantly through your cellphone’s Control Center by holding down the quantity slider — no app needed.
If you’ve gotten an Android system, that’s when you’ll need the Beats app to modify these settings through your cellphone. You can also toggle between modes instantly on the headphones themselves.
Sound high quality and noise cancellation
Aside from the design, these headphones have respectable sound high quality, though I anticipated nothing less given their high price level. I discovered the bass to sound notably balanced and deep, with full-bodied vocal tunes. Noise cancellation was great, too. Not as strong as my Sony WH-1000XM6, but it simply beat out my AirPods and drowned out chatter around me.
One factor to be aware, though, is that you’ll hear a slight hissing sound when noise cancellation is turned on. It’s not that noticeable when music is enjoying, but it’s one thing worth mentioning.
What I actually preferred was how the sound got here together without feeling like an excessive amount of.
The bass has a lot of punch, but it doesn’t utterly overpower the vocals or other devices. I notably preferred that I might flip up the quantity without the soundstage turning into overwhelming, making even longer listening classes pleasurable.
The headphones also assist Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head monitoring, which is designed to make appropriate songs sound more immersive. There’s Adaptive EQ, too, which routinely adjusts the sound based on the match when noise cancellation and Transparency mode are turned off.
Battery life
Battery life runs up to 32 hours, too, and I can safely say that quantity feels correct. I used to be pleasantly stunned that I didn’t have to continuously recharge them.
Interchangeable ear cushions
The best half of these headphones has to be the interchangeable ear cushions. I own a bunch of colours, including navy and cloud (one in UltraPlush and one in Performance Knit), and I really like that I can customise my headphones to match my outfit.
Swapping them out is simple, too. Just twist the ear cushions counterclockwise to take away them, then clockwise to snap the new ones into place. No instruments required, and the entire course of takes just seconds.
Comparison between comparable headphones
The Beats 360 notably stand out for their hanging design. They’re very customizable and have a light-weight match that makes them straightforward to put on for hours on end. I also discovered the plush ear cups to be more comfy than others I’ve tried, making it straightforward to put on these headphones for hours.
What actually units them aside is the fact that you possibly can put on these headphones to the gymnasium. Most premium headphones aren’t made for figuring out, but these are, as long as you’ve gotten the Performance Knit ear cushions on.
As far as connectivity and battery life go, they’re on par with the industry. Sound high quality is sweet, too, and compares nicely with my Sony and Bose headphones. The only caveat is the slight hissing sound I observed when turning on noise cancellation, which could be a little annoying.
Final verdict: Worth shopping for?
As somebody who’s examined more than 40 pairs of headphones, yes, the Beats 360 are worth shopping for. They’re comfy, light-weight and double as an accent when not in use. The soundstage is clean and balanced, and the spectacular battery life means they’ll last for days. Yes, they’re on the pricier facet, but their water resistance makes them a big draw, particularly if you need a pair for the gymnasium as I do.
This article was written by Nishka Dhawan, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Nishka experiences on the latest tech launches, innovations and trends to separate the best new merchandise from the “AI slop.” Taking the latest technology for a spin, Nishka exams home home equipment and tech merchandise that truly improve your life, from vacuums to headphones to gaming gadgets and more – all while discovering the best offers and lowest costs. Before becoming a member of The Post in 2026, her work appeared in Rolling Stone, ABC, NBC Select, Reviewed and Digital Trends.
Stay informed with the latest in tech! Our web site is your trusted source for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, gadget launches, software program updates, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
For recent insights, skilled coverage, and trending tech updates, go to us recurrently by clicking right here.
