From The Verge · John Higgins · · 3m
Beats 360 headphones built for gym workouts
Apple's first IP-rated over-ear headphones feature swappable ear cups and water resistance designed to survive sweaty exercise.
In brief
Apple's first IP-rated over-ear headphones feature swappable ear cups and water resistance designed to survive sweaty exercise. The Beats 360 are a rare over-ear option for gym-goers who dislike earbuds, with IPX4 water resistance and easily replaceable ear cups that wick away sweat. Originally reported by The Verge.
Beats 360 targets gym headphone gap
The new Beats 360 over-ear headphones are built for workouts with IPX4 water resistance and swappable knit ear cups that wick away sweat. They're rare in a market dominated by earbuds.
IPX4 rating protects against sweat
The Beats 360 are the first IP-certified headphones from Beats, rated IPX4 for splash and sweat protection. This is the minimum rating recommended for workout headphones to survive regular use.
Knit ear cups wick away moisture
The default performance knit ear cups do a good job wicking away sweat during exercise. They're easily removable and can be cleaned with soapy water and a damp cloth.
Fit stays secure during most workouts
The Beats 360 have decent clamping force and stay in place during exercises like squats, planks, and lunges. They may shift during explosive movements like sprints or burpees.
Plush cups better for everyday wear
Performance knit cups cause itchiness after a few hours of non-workout use. Swapping to plush engineered leather ear cups is easy and fast, making them practical for mixed use.
Six color options for customization
The headphones come in black, white, light blue, and pink. Extra cushion sets cost fifty dollars, though they're available for ten dollars through Apple until the end of October.
Automatic tuning adjusts to ear cups
Sensors detect whether you're using knit or plush ear cushions and automatically adjust the tuning. Noise canceling performs slightly better with plush padding.
Sound quality has midrange weakness
Bass is supportive and clear, but the midrange sounds washed out with poor separation between instruments. For three hundred fifty dollars, the Sony XM5 offers better overall sound quality.
Noise canceling blocks gym distractions
Noise canceling is very good, though not quite as effective as the Bose Ultra Headphones Gen 2. It's strong enough to block out gym noise and let you focus on your music.
Seamless integration across ecosystems
On Apple devices, the Beats 360 support one-touch pairing, automatic device switching, and Find My. Android users get fast pairing and Google's Find Hub equivalent.
Physical buttons prevent accidental taps
The Beats 360 use physical buttons instead of capacitive touch controls, reducing the risk of accidental activation during workouts.
Replaceable battery extends lifespan
The Beats 360 have a replaceable battery to extend their life, though Beats hasn't yet published documentation about the replacement process or pricing.
Best over-ear option for earbud haters
For people who dislike earbuds or bone-conduction headphones at the gym, the Beats 360 are a rare solid option. The IPX4 rating and swappable ear cups make them practical for sweaty workouts.
In short
The Beats 360 are a rare over-ear option for gym-goers who dislike earbuds, with IPX4 water resistance and easily replaceable ear cups that wick away sweat.
