Beats is betting interchangeable cushions can make one pair of headphones work for more than one setting.
On Sept. 22, the Apple-owned brand announced the Beats 360. The $349.99 flagship over-ear headphones let users swap the ear and headband cushions to change their color, material, and intended use.
The Beats 360 becomes Beats’ highest-priced over-ear model, while the Studio Pro remains available for $299.99. According to Beats, the new model’s redesigned acoustic system delivers 1.75 times the active noise cancellation of the Studio Pro, up to 32 hours of battery life, and IPX4 sweat and water resistance — a first for the brand’s over-ear headphones.
The customization angle is central. Each pair ships with Performance Knit cushions in one of four colors: Black, Cloud, Pink, or Sky. Additional cushion kits come in Performance Knit (six colors including Navy and Volt) and UltraPlush (Black and Cloud). Cushion kits normally cost $49.99, but Beats is offering them for $9.99 in select markets for a limited time.
The introductory $9.99 price makes it relatively inexpensive for early buyers to try different cushion materials or colors. Once the promotion ends, however, each additional $49.99 kit will represent a more substantial investment in the Beats ecosystem.
What this means for users
The swappable cushions are intended to make one pair more adaptable for workouts and office listening. Beats positions Performance Knit for exercise and UltraPlush for extended wear. Sensors detect which material is installed and adjust audio tuning automatically, according to MacRumors. The headphones also fold flat for travel, though they don’t fold as compactly as some competitors.
Why it matters
The Beats 360 enters a crowded premium market that includes over-ear headphones from Sony, Bose, and Apple. Beats’ strategy here is differentiation through personalization — a play borrowed from sneaker culture, according to Bloomberg. Whether that resonates with buyers who typically keep one pair of headphones for years remains uncertain.
Beats has long occupied an unusual space inside Apple: a subsidiary with its own identity, marketing strategy, and celebrity ambassadors. The Beats 360 continues that approach with a Kendall Jenner ad campaign while using a custom Beats chip — not Apple’s — to support both iOS and Android features. This dual-platform compatibility matters. Android users get Fast Pair and Find Hub; Apple users get one-touch pairing and Find My.
Limitations to consider
There is no wired listening option, and Beats does not list lossless playback among the supported features. That could deter audiophiles. The box also does not include a USB-C charging cable, so buyers must supply or purchase one separately. And listeners with larger heads may find the ear cup adjustment range limited—Bloomberg’s reviewer reported the headphones “barely fit” at maximum extension.
The headphones begin shipping Sept. 24 through Apple, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. The interchangeable cushions could appeal to buyers who want one headset for workouts and everyday listening, but the lack of wired audio, omitted charging cable, and regular $49.99 price per cushion kit are important trade-offs.