Beats 360 Headphones: Release Date, Price & Features (2026 Guide)

Apple-owned Beats has just launched the Beats 360 headphones — a new flagship pair of over-ear headphones that introduces interchangeable earcup and headband cushions for the first time in the brand’s history. Announced on September 23, 2026, the Beats 360 are available to order now for $349.99 in the United States, with in-store availability beginning September 24 across the U.S. and more than 100 countries and regions. With its most advanced Active Noise Cancelling to date, 32 hours of battery life, an IPX4 sweat-and-water-resistance rating, and a customizable design that lets owners swap cushions between breathable Performance Knit and plush UltraPlush materials, the Beats 360 is positioned as Beats’ next flagship — and a direct rival to Sony’s flagship headphones.

Beats 360 Headphones: What Was Just Announced

The Beats 360 headphones were introduced through an official Beats announcement on September 23, 2026, ending weeks of speculation about the Apple-owned audio brand’s next move. Unlike the Beats Studio Pro, which arrived in 2023, the Beats 360 represents a new flagship tier built around a bespoke acoustic platform — custom-designed drivers, an all-new acoustic architecture, and a custom Beats chip that handles connectivity across both Apple and Android devices.

The single biggest headline is customization. For the first time, Beats is selling over-ear headphones whose cushions can be fully swapped by the owner. Both the earcup cushions and the headband cushion detach and can be replaced with alternatives in different colors and materials. The headphones ship with color-matched Performance Knit cushions aimed at training and high-movement use, while softer UltraPlush engineered-leather cushions are sold separately for regular listening. Each Cushion Kit includes two ear cushions and one headband cushion, and Beats says the headphones can recognize which cushion type is attached and automatically adjust audio tuning to match.

“Beats didn’t just participate in the rise of over-ear headphones — we helped define the category,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats. “Beats 360 is the next chapter of that story. We combined our most advanced acoustic performance ever with a perfectly balanced design that moves effortlessly with you. And with our new interchangeable cushions, our customers can express themselves in a way no other over-ear headphone can.”

Beats 360 Release Date and Price: Everything Confirmed

The Beats 360 release date is effectively right now. The headphones are available to order starting today (September 23, 2026) for $349.99 in the United States from apple.com, the Beats website, and major retailers. In-store and on-shelf availability begins September 24, rolling out across more than 100 countries and regions. The launch covers four core colors at launch — Black, Cloud, Pink, and Sky — each paired with matching Performance Knit earcup and headband cushions.

International pricing announced alongside the U.S. launch includes $479.95 CAD in Canada and ₹42,900 in India, where the headphones are also available to order from September 23 with retail availability from September 24. Separate Beats 360 Cushion Kits — each containing both earcup and headband cushions — are available to order now from apple.com in Performance Knit across six colors (Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt) and in UltraPlush in Black and Cloud. For a limited time, customers in select markets can purchase Beats 360 Cushion Kits at a special introductory price of $9.99 (U.S.), with standard pricing of $49.99 afterward.

Notably, Beats is also cutting the price of its outgoing flagship on the same day the 360 arrives: the Beats Studio Pro drops to $299.99 (down from $349.99), creating a clear $50 step-up to the new model. New Apple Music subscribers also get a three-month Apple Music trial bundled with the headphones in select markets.

Customizable Cushions: A First for Beats Over-Ear Headphones

The interchangeable cushion system is the Beats 360’s defining feature, and it addresses two problems at once: personalization and longevity. Owners can swap both the earcup and headband cushions between the breathable Performance Knit material — designed for workouts, commutes, and warm weather — and the softer UltraPlush engineered leather, aimed at everyday listening and long sessions. The cushions use acoustically engineered memory foam, while the headband carries its own memory foam padding.

Because the headphones detect which cushion type is attached and retune the audio accordingly, switching materials doesn’t compromise sound quality. And since worn or damaged cushions can simply be replaced, the design should meaningfully extend the headphones’ usable life — a practical sustainability win that pairs with the product’s recycled-materials story (more on that below). Beats is even offering a “Beats 360 Build Your Bundle” option where buyers can configure the earcups to the color and material of their choice at purchase.

Comfort details round out the design: adjustable telescoping stainless-steel arms, independently rotating earcups for a more personalized fit, and physical controls on the back of each cup — a volume rocker and play/pause button on the right, plus a power button and a dedicated listening-mode button on the left for toggling between Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling Upgrades

Under the hood, the Beats 360 headphones are built around a bespoke acoustic platform. Each earcup houses a custom dual-magnet dynamic driver with sensitive three-layer diaphragms, engineered to deliver powerful bass with ultra-low distortion and greater detail across the tonal range. Beats claims the 360 delivers its most advanced Active Noise Cancelling to date — offering up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro — alongside a Transparency mode that lets outside sound back in when needed.

The headphones also support Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, so Dolby Atmos content shifts naturally as the listener turns their head. Calls get serious hardware too: nine digital MEMS microphones across the design work with an AI-trained beam-forming system designed to focus on the wearer’s voice while cutting down wind and background noise. For Apple users, the 360 supports one-touch pairing, hands-free Siri, Automatic Switching between Apple devices, Audio Sharing, FaceTime with Spatial Audio, and Find My with network location support. Android users get Fast Pair, Audio switch, Find Hub, and voice-assistant access through the Beats app — all over Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity powered by a custom Beats chip.

Battery Life, IPX4 Rating, and Everyday Durability

Battery life is rated at up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio turned on — comfortably full-day (and then some) listening. When the battery does run low, Fast Fuel over USB-C delivers up to an hour of playback from a five-minute charge, which covers a commute or a workout from a quick top-up.

The Beats 360 is also the brand’s first IP-certified headphone, carrying an IPX4 rating for resistance against sweat and water splashes. That doesn’t make it waterproof — it won’t survive submersion — but it gives the model a practical advantage over many lifestyle-focused over-ears that aren’t designed for workouts, and it pairs naturally with the washable, swappable Performance Knit cushions aimed at training use.

Sustainability gets a dedicated section on the spec sheet: the ear cups, speaker enclosure, and internal parts use 80% recycled plastic, all magnets use 100% recycled rare earth elements, and the packaging is fully fiber-based. Combined with replaceable cushions, the Beats 360 is clearly designed to stay out of landfill longer than the average flagship headphone.

Beats 360 vs Beats Studio Pro: Should You Upgrade?

With the Beats Studio Pro dropping to $299.99 on the same day, buyers face a genuine choice. Here’s how the two stack up:

• Noise cancelling: Beats 360 offers up to 1.75x more total ANC than Studio Pro — the single biggest audio upgrade.
• Customization: Only the 360 has interchangeable earcup and headband cushions (Performance Knit + UltraPlush kits).
• Durability: The 360 is IPX4 sweat/water resistant; the Studio Pro carries no IP rating.
• Microphones: The 360’s nine-mic array with AI beam-forming is a step up for calls.
• Battery: Both are rated around the same ballpark, but the 360’s Fast Fuel and 32-hour rating lead.
• Price: $349.99 (360) vs $299.99 (Studio Pro) — a $50 gap.

If you already own the Studio Pro and value it mainly for commuting and desk work, the upgrade case rests on the ANC jump and the swappable-cushion longevity story. If you’re buying fresh and the $50 difference doesn’t sting, the 360 is the clearly better long-term buy — especially since replacement cushions mean you’ll never need to retire the pair over worn pads again. As with any launch-day tech, keep an eye on seasonal promotions too — much like September’s DoorDash deals and promo calendar, headphone prices tend to dip around holiday sales events, so deal-hunters may want to watch for bundles that include the Cushion Kits.

Beats 360 Colors, Cushion Kits, and What’s in the Box

At launch, the Beats 360 headphones come in four core colors — Black, Cloud, Pink, and Sky — each shipping with matching Performance Knit earcup and headband cushions. The separate Beats 360 Cushion Kits expand the palette: Performance Knit kits in Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt, and UltraPlush kits in Black and Cloud. Each kit includes two ear cushions and one headband cushion.

Pricing for the kits is aggressive at launch: $9.99 (U.S.) for a limited time in select markets, rising to a standard $49.99 afterward — so early buyers can effectively stock a spare set or a second look for ten dollars. In Canada, an optional Extra Cushion Kit is listed at $14.99 CAD, and in India the additional cushion kits are priced at ₹6,900.

Physical controls keep things simple: no touch panels to mis-trigger at the gym. The right earcup carries a volume rocker and play/pause button; the left has a power button and a dedicated listening-mode button. Multipoint connectivity lets the headphones stay paired across devices, and the custom Beats chip handles the Apple/Android split seamlessly.

Who the Beats 360 Headphones Are For

The Beats 360 launch is really aimed at three buyers at once. Commuters and frequent flyers get the biggest ANC leap Beats has ever shipped, plus 32-hour battery life that survives long-haul travel. Gym-goers get the first IP-rated Beats over-ear, washable Performance Knit cushions, and physical buttons that work with sweaty hands. And style-conscious listeners get the first customizable over-ear from Beats — swap cushions to match an outfit, refresh a worn set, or just change things up without buying a new pair.

Android users deserve a special mention: despite being an Apple-owned brand, Beats has kept the 360 genuinely cross-platform, with Fast Pair, Audio switch, and Find Hub on Android standing alongside the full Apple feature set. In a market where flagship over-ears from Sony and Bose still dominate, that cross-platform polish — plus the cushion-swapping party trick nobody else offers — is what the Beats 360 is betting on.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Beats 360 release date?
The Beats 360 launched on September 23, 2026, and is available to order now from apple.com, the Beats website, and major retailers. In-store and on-shelf availability begins September 24, 2026, across the U.S. and more than 100 countries and regions.

How much do the Beats 360 headphones cost?
The Beats 360 headphones cost $349.99 in the United States. International pricing includes $479.95 CAD in Canada and ₹42,900 in India. Separate Cushion Kits are $9.99 at the limited-time introductory price, rising to $49.99 standard pricing.

What makes the Beats 360 customizable?
The Beats 360 is the first customizable over-ear headphone from Beats: both the earcup cushions and the headband cushion are interchangeable. Owners can swap between breathable Performance Knit (six colors) and softer UltraPlush (two colors) materials, and the headphones automatically adjust audio tuning based on which cushion type is attached.

How good is the Beats 360 noise cancelling?
Beats says the 360 delivers its most advanced Active Noise Cancelling ever, offering up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro, with a Transparency mode for letting outside sound back in.

How long does the Beats 360 battery last?
Battery life is rated at up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled. Fast Fuel charging over USB-C provides up to one hour of playback from a five-minute charge.

Do the Beats 360 headphones work with Android?
Yes. Despite being an Apple-owned brand, the Beats 360 supports Android with Fast Pair, Audio switch, Find Hub, and voice-assistant access via the Beats app, alongside the full Apple feature set (one-touch pairing, Hey Siri, Automatic Switching, Find My).

Are the Beats 360 waterproof?
No — the Beats 360 carries an IPX4 rating, which means resistance to sweat and water splashes, not submersion. It’s the first IP-certified headphone Beats has made, which makes it gym-friendly, but it is not waterproof.

Final Verdict: Beats 360 Launch Day Takeaway

The Beats 360 headphones arrive as a confident flagship play: the biggest ANC upgrade in Beats history, genuine cross-platform support, 32-hour battery life, the brand’s first IP rating, and — the real differentiator — fully interchangeable cushions that no rival over-ear offers. At $349.99 with in-store availability from September 24, 2026, and Cushion Kits at a $9.99 introductory price, launch-day buyers get the best value. Whether you’re upgrading from the Studio Pro or buying your first premium over-ear, the Beats 360’s combination of flagship sound and unprecedented customization makes it one of the most interesting headphone launches of 2026.

Sources: Beats official announcement (Business Wire); Techwalla; Hypebeast; The Apple Post.