The Beats 360 are Apple's alternative to the AirPods Max 2 for anyone in the market for premium headphones. Here's how the two personal audio options compare.
The Beats 360 arrived on September 22 as a pair of premium headphones, taking over the top spot in the range from the Beats Studio Pro.
It's a departure from the existing Beats design in many ways that brings it more in line with AirPods Max 2. All while maintaining a philosophy aimed more at people who wear headphones to work out than for audiophiles.
While it's the newest in Apple's overall catalog, it falls alongside the existing premium model. The AirPods Max 2 are headphones truly aimed at those wanting an exceptional audio experience.
Though each is pitched at slightly different markets, they're still premium-priced headphones. Here's how the two compare on paper.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Specifications
| Specifications | Beats 360 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $549 |
| Weight | 10.39 ounces | 13.6 ounces |
| Foldable | Rotates flat | Rotates flat |
| Processor | Fourth-generation Beats platform | Apple H2, each ear cup |
| Primary Material | Plastic and steel | Aluminum and steel |
| Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | None |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wired Audio | No, charging only | Yes, lossless via USB-C |
| Battery Life | Up to 32 hours ANC on | Up to 20 hours ANC on |
| Controls | Physical buttons | Digital Crown, button |
| Colors | Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange |
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Physical design
The AirPods Max 2 has the same timeless design as its predecessor, unchanged since the original's introduction. A steel headband connects two chunky aluminum earcups, with a fork helping a mesh cover become a springy cushion for the top of the head.
Each premium-looking earcup has a soft mesh cushion which completely encircles the ear.
The Beats 360 departs from the usual Beats design and borrows many elements from AirPods Max. That includes the headband, which now chiefly takes the form of a round band with an attachable head cushion below.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2:The construction of Beats' latest headphones.
The earcups are round and thin, with ear cushions making up most of the volume. These ear cushions differ in being made from silicone and plastic for the back sections, but a mesh and memory foam cushion section itself.
Like the headband cushion, these earcup cushions can also be switched out with other color options, or simply replaced after wearing out. There's also a choice of Knit earcups that use a mesh or UltraPlush, an "eco-friendly engineered leather"-based version similar to previous Beats models.
Both models are capable of lying flat, rotating the earcups to become as thin as possible for storage. However, while Apple has a Smart Case for the AirPods Max 2, Beats instead supplies a simpler covering, though it does have a magnetic-snap top.
In terms of dimensions, the AirPods Max 2 are 6.64 inches wide, 7.37 inches tall, and 3.28 inches thick. The Beats 360 is 6.52 inches wide, 7.53 inches tall, and 3.43 inches thick.
While the dimensions are fairly similar, the weight is not. The Beats 360 are pretty dense at 10.39 ounces, though their lightweight earcup construction helps save some mass.
The AirPods Max 2, with the metal earcup construction, tips the scales at 13.6 ounces.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: The AirPods Max 2 front and side view.
Where the AirPods Max 2 gains the premium feel with the aluminum earcups, the lighter construction of the Beats 360 makes them a bit better for workouts.
On that point, Beats also made the Beats 360 sweat-resistant with an IPX4 rating. The construction even includes a firewall to help protect the electronics from liquid ingress.
The AirPods Max 2 don't have such a rating, though that won't stop a determined fitness enthusiast.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Audio processing and ANC
The Beats 360 relies on a Beats custom chip for processing its audio, now in its fourth generation. Similarly, the AirPods Max 2 runs Apple's H2 chip in each ear cup to run the show.
The audio in the AirPods Max 2 uses an Apple-designed dynamic driver as well as a custom high dynamic range amplifier.
Beats uses its own custom components, including a dual-magnet dynamic driver and a high dynamic range amplifier.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Performance Knit [left] and UltraPlush [right] cushions for the Beats 360.
Both have Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, which are driven by eight of the nine microphones each unit has. If ANC or Transparency isn't your thing, there's also Adaptive EQ on each of them.
Those microphones also enable voice recording, with three used on the Beats 360 along with beamforming and audio processors optimized to isolate the user's speech.
Likewise, the AirPods Max 2 has "studio-quality" audio recording and voice isolation.
The AirPods Max also come ahead with Adaptive Audio, which blends ANC and Transparency based on your surroundings, as well as Conversation Awareness.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Features
Apple's involvement in Beats means heavy feature crossover between the two. Much of it comes from tight integration with Apple's operating systems.
Both headphones offer Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. Music and video in Dolby Atmos play back as if in a 3D space, using built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes.
While we're on the subject of sensors, Apple uses an optical sensor, position sensor, and case detection sensor in each earcup of the AirPods Max to handle things like automatically pausing audio when you remove them. These aren't included in the Beats 360, so no auto-pause there.
Both are deeply integrated with Apple's operating systems, so there are things like audio sharing, Find My support, one-touch pairing, and hands-free Siri across the board.
The Beats 360 does have wider Android support, including support for Fast Pair, ecosystem pairing via a Google account, automatic audio switching, and Find Hub. There's also a Beats App for Android, which deals with battery status, customization, and firmware updates.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: AirPods Max 2 have many more features, including Live Translation
A lot of this is handled within Apple's operating system for both headphones, without needing the separate app.
The AirPods Max 2 can be paired with an Android smartphone, but only as a standard Bluetooth device.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Controls, connectivity and power
The AirPods Max 2 has just two controls on the top of one of the earcups. One is a Digital Crown, like on an Apple Watch, which handles volume control, media playback, and answering calls.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: AirPods Max 2 have nice controls, including the Digital Crown
The other is a listening mode button for changing between ANC and Transparency.
The Beats 360 has multiple controls on each earcup, situated to the rear.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Buttons on the Beats 360.
On one side is the listening mode button as well as the power and pairing button, which is made less prominent than the others so you don't accidentally hit it. The other side has a volume rocker and the play/pause multifunction button.
Both headphones connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.3, which is pretty typical here. The USB-C port on each handles charging duties.
On a full charge, Apple says the AirPods Max 2 can last for up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC enabled. Beats, meanwhile, claims the 360 can reach up to 32 hours of listening time, again with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled.
This is a massive improvement in battery life for the Beats 360, making it easily last a weekend away from home or power.
Fast charging is available, with the Beats 360 securing an hour of playback from a five-minute charge. The AirPods Max 2 does better here, getting an hour and a half of listening time from five minutes of charging.
Both units do use USB-C ports, but only the AirPods Max 2 actually uses it for audio playback, including lossless audio. There's no lossless capability on the Beats 360, and no wired listening option either.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Price
Both are at the premium end of the market, but with slightly different price structures.
The AirPods Max 2 cost $549, and are sold in a choice of five colors: Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange.
The Beats 360 costs $349.99, and is sold in four core colors: Black, Cloud, Pink, and Sky. Each is supplied with a matching Performance Knit earcup set.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: The Cloud Beats 360 intertwined with the orange AirPods Max 2
However, Beats does make other earcup and headband sets available in an expanded color range. The Performance Knit set adds Navy and Volt options, while UltraPlush is sold in Black and Cloud only.
Each of those cushion packs are being sold for $49.99, though with introductory pricing of $9.99.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Two different premium headphones
It's safe to say that anyone looking to buy a pair of premium headphones will end up with something that will give a good audio experience.
However, they are headphones that are aimed at two different types of users.
The AirPods Max 2 is very much a headphone for the audiophile, who cares more about the refined styling. The kind of person who would see the lack of lossless audio as a detriment in the Beats 360.
At the same time, the Beats 360 is clearly aimed at the more average headphone user. Its customization options with the switch-out cushions, as well as its leaning towards the fitness crowd, make it a more mainstream option.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2:Personalization is a key point of the Beats 360.
This is the sort of user who cares about comfort while on a long run, and doesn't want to worry about their expensive AirPods Max 2 being dented during an energetic workout. A lack of lossless is OK here, since the Beats 360 does the job of delivering good audio quality anyway.
The extended Android support also frames the Beats 360 as the better option for non-iPhone users, too.
That's all before you consider the massive battery life and the $200 cost saving. That is, if you don't go wild with extra cushions.
Beats 360 [left] vs AirPods Max 2 [right]
The Beats 360 looks like strong value for the money at launch. The AirPods Max 2 are still the favorite for audiophiles with a bigger budget, who don't expect to wear them down the gym.
Where to buy Beats 360 and AirPods Max 2
Beats 360 can be purchased at Amazon and B&H for $349.99.
Beats 360 vs AirPods Max 2: Comparing the Beats Studio Pro, Beats 360, and AirPods Max 2
AirPods Max 2, meanwhile, are on sale now, with prices at press time dipping to $479. That's a $70 discount off the $549 retail price. You can compare the latest offers and availability in our AirPods Max 2 Price Guide, which is updated throughout the day.
