Beats 360 vs Studio Pro: price, features and which to buy

Two over-ear options from Beats

Apple introduced the Beats 360 headphones in September 2026, the first new over-ear model from Beats since the Studio Pro launched in 2023. The older Studio Pro remain on sale at a lower price, which raises the question of which pair offers better value.

According to 9to5 Mac, the price gap is significant. The Beats Studio Pro regularly sell for $199 to $249 on Amazon, while the Beats 360 have not been discounted from their $349 launch price. That makes the Studio Pro roughly $100 to $150 cheaper.

Where the Studio Pro still win

Despite their age, the Studio Pro hold several advantages. They fold down into a much more compact shape, while the Beats 360 do not fold at all, making the older model easier to carry.

The Studio Pro also include a headphone jack. The Beats 360 offer no wired audio at all, not even over USB-C, which matters in places where Bluetooth is inconvenient, such as on a plane or with a game console.

Comfort out of the box is another point for the older pair. The Studio Pro come with UltraPlush cushions as standard, whereas the Beats 360 offer swappable UltraPlush cushions that cost extra. The Studio Pro are also available in more colours.

What the Beats 360 do better

As the newer model, the Beats 360 bring a range of improvements. These include spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, clearer transparency mode, stronger noise cancellation and automatic device switching between Apple devices.

The reviewer at 9to5 Mac found transparency mode on the Studio Pro weak enough that conversations required taking the headphones off, something not needed with the Beats 360. The reviewer also argues that buyers wanting a true Apple ecosystem experience should choose the Beats 360, since they offer genuine automatic device switching.

The Beats 360 also have a customisable design with replaceable earcups, which could extend the headphones' usable life as the cushions wear out.

Which pair should you buy

The verdict from 9to5 Mac is that most buyers seeking an Apple-style headphone experience should skip the Studio Pro, despite the lower price. The newer Beats 360 deliver the ecosystem features and better noise cancellation.

However, the Studio Pro remain a sensible choice for anyone who needs a headphone jack or a foldable design, or who wants to spend less. They currently sell on Amazon for $199 in Black, Deep Brown and Sandstone, $216 in Navy, and $249 in Khaki, Light Blue and Sand Gray. The Beats 360 cost $349 in Black and Cloud, with Pink and Sky available from Apple directly.