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Beats 360 is the lighter, IPX4-rated option with longer manufacturer-claimed battery life and more explicitly listed Android features. AirPods Max 2 is heavier, but Apple lists H2-powered features and lossless audio over USB-C. The better fit depends on your priorities: the battery figures use different test conditions, and the available evidence does not establish a controlled sound-quality winner.
At a glance
| What matters | Beats 360 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 294.5 g (10.39 oz), according to Beats’ official specifications accessed October 7, 2026. | 386.2 g (13.6 oz), according to Apple’s technical specifications accessed October 7, 2026. |
| Water resistance | Sweat and water resistant, with an IPX4 rating listed by Beats. | Apple’s listed specifications do not provide an equivalent resistance rating. |
| Claimed listening time | Up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled, according to Beats’ official specifications accessed October 7, 2026. | Up to 20 hours with ANC enabled, according to Apple’s technical specifications accessed October 7, 2026. |
| Five-minute charge claim | Up to one hour of playback with Fast Fuel, according to Beats. | Around 1.5 hours of listening, according to Apple. |
| USB-C audio | Conflicting reviews leave wired USB-C audio support unresolved. | Apple lists lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C. |
| Replacement cushions | Interchangeable, detachable ear-cup and headband cushions; additional kits are sold separately. | No comparable cushion-kit option is established in the listed specifications. |
Battery figures are manufacturer claims, not results from an independent head-to-head test, and their stated conditions differ. The listed weights and resistance rating can help frame use, but they do not establish how either model will fit or feel on an individual listener.
Price and value
AppleInsider reported US prices of $349.99 for Beats 360 and $549 for AirPods Max 2 on September 22, 2026. These are dated reported prices rather than live quotes; check current retailer pricing and availability before buying. At those reported prices, Beats 360 cost less, while the value of AirPods Max 2 depends on whether its Apple-specific features and USB-C audio matter to you.
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#1 Best Overall
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
Weight, resistance, and everyday use
Beats 360 weighs 294.5 g; AirPods Max 2 weighs 386.2 g. Beats is lighter by 91.7 g according to the manufacturers’ listed figures. That difference may matter if you wear over-ear headphones for long stretches or want a pair for activity, but weight alone cannot predict comfort: fit and individual preference still matter.
Beats lists an IPX4 rating and describes Beats 360 as sweat and water resistant. Apple’s AirPods Max 2 specifications do not list an equivalent resistance rating. That makes Beats the more clearly documented choice between these two for workouts or exposure to sweat; it is not a claim that either pair is suitable for every environment or activity.
Battery claims and charging
Beats claims up to 32 hours of listening with both ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled. Apple claims up to 20 hours with ANC enabled. Because each manufacturer states its own conditions and these are not matched independent tests, the figures should not be treated as a direct battery-life benchmark. Beats’ listed maximum is longer, but actual playback time can vary with use.
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- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
For a short top-up, Beats says a five-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to one hour of playback. Apple says five minutes of charging provides around 1.5 hours of listening. Those quick-charge claims also come from the manufacturers, not a comparative test.
Features and phone compatibility
AirPods Max 2 with Apple devices
Apple lists an H2 chip in each ear cup and features including Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, and studio-quality audio recording. It also lists lossless and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C. AirPods Max 2 uses Bluetooth 5.3.
Beats 360 with Apple and Android devices
Beats lists a custom-designed dual-magnet dynamic driver, ANC, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its Apple features include one-touch and iCloud pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, Find My, and hands-free Siri. For Android, Beats lists Fast Pair, Audio switch, Find Hub, voice assistant support, and the Beats app.
Rank #3
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
Apple says AirPods can work as wireless Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, though functionality may be limited. The listed features make Beats 360 the more explicitly documented option for Android users; they do not establish that every feature works identically across phones or operating systems.
USB-C and wired listening: what is established
Apple explicitly lists lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C for AirPods Max 2. For Beats 360, the available reporting conflicts: AppleInsider says there is no wired listening option and describes USB-C as charging only, while Tom’s Guide says USB-C audio input is supported. Android Central also reports no USB-C lossless audio or 3.5 mm audio support. The conflict is not resolved by these sources, so confirm Beats’ current guidance before buying if wired USB-C listening is essential.
Sources: Apple AirPods Max 2 technical specifications; AppleInsider’s comparison; Tom’s Guide’s Beats 360 review; Android Central’s Beats 360 review.
Rank #4
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
Sound quality and noise cancellation
The available evidence does not establish a controlled, direct comparison of sound quality or ANC performance under matched conditions. Specifications alone cannot show which pair sounds better or blocks more noise in real use, so a universal sound-quality winner is not supported.
Android Central’s September 2026 review describes Beats 360 as more balanced than older Beats models, with prominent mids, clearer detail, and some highs that can approach sibilance. Those are the reviewer’s listening impressions, not objective measurements or a direct comparison with AirPods Max 2. Tom’s Guide and Android Central also differ on Beats’ USB-C audio support, as described above.
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Beats describes the ear-cup and headband cushions on Beats 360 as interchangeable and detachable, with additional cushion kits sold separately. That provides a model-specific route to replace or change cushion colors; check current kit pricing and availability before relying on it.
Best Value
- BEATS' CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO via USB-C plus three distinct built-in sound profiles to enhance your listening experience
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO with dynamic head tracking place you at the center of an immersive 360-degree listening experience
Android Central reported in September 2026 that Beats offered a $79 mail-in or carry-in battery replacement service and planned a user-replaceable self-service option in the coming months. Treat that as dated review reporting, not a guarantee of current service or availability. Check Beats’ regional service terms before making a repair decision.
Which headphones should you choose?
Choose Beats 360 if
- You prioritize lower weight and an official IPX4 resistance rating for sweat and water.
- You want the longer of the manufacturers’ stated battery-life claims, while recognizing their different conditions.
- You use Android and value the Android features Beats explicitly lists.
- You want detachable, interchangeable cushions with separately sold replacement or color kits.
- The dated US price reported by AppleInsider is lower than the AirPods Max 2 price, subject to current prices and availability.
Choose AirPods Max 2 if
- You want Apple’s listed H2-powered features, including Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
- Lossless and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C are important to your use.
- You are comfortable with its higher listed weight and the absence of an equivalent resistance rating in Apple’s specifications.
Neither choice is a proven sound-quality winner on the evidence available here. If listening preference, fit, or noise cancellation is decisive, try both under conditions that resemble your normal use and check return terms before purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
