Compare Nothing Headphone (a) vs Beats 360

Most reviewers find the sound enjoyable and impressively capable for the price, especially after a little EQ work. Critical listeners still hear some loss of refinement versus pricier models.

Sound quality is one of the 360’s clearest strengths, with most testing describing clean, energetic and balanced playback. A minority view found the tuning thin and grating, especially without Spatial Audio.

Video use showed excellent sync in the tested cases, with reviewers reporting no noticeable Bluetooth lag during everyday playback and editing.

Wireless playback is usable for video, but the lack of a wired path means true zero-latency operation is unavailable.

Gaming performance is promising in the test that covered it, with clear positional cues and useful low-latency behavior.

Gaming flexibility is limited by Bluetooth-only audio, which rules out straightforward wired use with many consoles.

ANC itself avoids obvious hiss in one test, while another reviewer hears a moderate background hiss in the strongest mode.

A faint hiss or whooshing noise can be audible with ANC in otherwise quiet conditions, though it is generally described as a minor issue.

Spatial modes are mostly a mixed-to-negative extra: several reviewers hear hollow, processed, or echoey results, while a minority find the Concert effect useful for expanding the presentation.

Spatial Audio can be highly immersive for movies and compatible music, especially with head tracking. Some listeners leave it off because it can alter bass or add an artificial echo.

Soundstage impressions are mixed. Some hear a notably open or wider-than-expected presentation, while others find it close, narrow, or only average for closed-back headphones.

The soundstage is consistently spacious for a closed wireless headphone, with good width and room around instruments.

ANC is widely considered good to very good for the price, especially on low-frequency travel noise. It usually trails premium Sony and Bose models and can let more voices or higher-frequency sounds through.

ANC is a major upgrade and repeatedly lands near the top of the premium class for steady noise, travel and gym use. Bose, Sony and Apple flagships can still do better in some situations, especially voices.

Background-noise suppression can be impressively strong, including traffic, fans, and wind in some tests, but other reviewers found the voice processing less reliable.

Background-noise suppression is a standout microphone strength, often keeping street, gym and environmental noise remarkably quiet behind the speaker’s voice.

Bass is one of the most divisive traits: many enjoy its punch and sub-bass weight, while others find the default tuning boomy, muddy, or overly dominant.

Bass is punchy and controlled for many listeners, but opinions vary sharply by cushion, track and listening mode. Some found it lean for workouts, while others heard plenty of weight or even occasional boom.

Turning ANC or transparency on can subtly change the sound signature, most noticeably by adding some bass weight.

Noise cancellation has only a small tonal effect in the direct listening test, with sound judged slightly better when ANC was off.

ANC and transparency can slightly alter the tonal balance, especially by changing bass weight, but the effect is described as noticeable rather than disastrous.

ANC changes the sound slightly, with one test preferring the tonal balance when noise cancellation was switched off, though the difference was not large.

The sound is lively and dynamic, with energetic playback that gives pop and electronic music plenty of momentum.

Dynamic performance is strong, with wide swings and energetic playback holding together well; UltraPlush can improve perceived punch further.

The presentation can feel immersive for music, even if the dedicated spatial processing is less consistently liked.

Movies and music can sound convincingly enveloping, with head-filling presentation and strong spatial effects when the material suits them.

Wear-detection performance is effectively absent because the headphones do not detect removal for automatic pausing.

Wear-detection performance is effectively nonexistent because the necessary on-head sensing is absent.

Passive isolation can be quite effective with a good seal, but glasses or fit issues can weaken it noticeably.

Passive isolation benefits from the deep cushions and seal, especially with UltraPlush; the more porous Knit pads trade some isolation for breathability.

The tuning lands between balanced and consumer-friendly V-shaped depending on the reviewer, with bass and treble emphasis keeping it from being truly neutral.

The tuning is far more balanced than old-school Beats, but it still leans neutral-bright rather than truly reference-flat. That balance works for many listeners but not all.

Wind handling is inconsistent: some microphone tests suppress wind remarkably well, while another reviewer found wind routinely cut through during outdoor use.

Wind handling is good enough for outdoor calls, with only faint static reported in windier conditions rather than intrusive noise.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for wired listening, including plane use while keeping ANC active.

The lack of a 3.5mm analog path is a major recurring complaint, especially for airplane entertainment, consoles and battery-independent playback.

The ear cushions cannot officially be replaced, which is a meaningful long-term ownership drawback.

The earpads are exceptionally easy to remove and replace, making worn, sweaty or dirty contact surfaces simple to refresh.

Repairability takes a hit because replacement ear cushions are not officially sold, limiting an obvious wear-part replacement path.

Replaceable cushions, simpler construction and available battery-service paths make the 360 notably more repairable and maintainable than many sealed premium headphones.

The pads are not officially replaceable, and reviewers specifically note that Nothing does not sell replacement cushions.

The modular cushion and headband system is the signature feature: parts swap quickly, support workout-to-office use and make both style changes and wear replacement unusually easy.

USB-C is especially useful because it handles both charging and digital audio while retaining physical-control functionality in the tested setup.

USB-C is primarily a charging connection rather than a dependable wired-audio option, a recurring frustration for travelers and lossless-audio users.

The missing wear sensor is a clear hardware omission because the headphones cannot detect removal for automatic pause behavior.

Cushion-recognition sensors automatically retune the headphones for Knit or UltraPlush pads, a clever feature that helps preserve tuning across different seals.

Connectivity is unusually versatile, combining Bluetooth with USB-C digital audio and a 3.5mm wired option.

Connectivity is flexible across Apple and Android wirelessly, but Bluetooth-only audio removes the wired fallback that many premium competitors retain.

The thin headband padding can create pressure on the top of the head during longer sessions.

Headband padding reduces top-of-head pressure effectively and contributes strongly to the 360’s long-session comfort.

USB-C high-resolution playback can add a small improvement in separation and detail, though the reviewer considered the difference minor.

Hi-res and lossless playback are major limitations: there is no wired lossless path and no high-resolution Bluetooth codec support.

Headband adjustment works, but multiple reviewers find the slider friction, top-mounted sizing, or general adjustment process fiddly.

The metal adjustment system provides enough extension to accommodate different head sizes and line the cups up comfortably.

LDAC can produce a cleaner, clearer presentation than standard AAC on compatible devices, and reviewers value seeing it at this price.

LDAC is absent, which matters most to Android listeners who want higher-bitrate Bluetooth audio.

One reviewer found the maximum loudness a little restrained and wanted a few more volume steps for very loud listening.

The 360 plays notably loud, with several comparisons highlighting its roughly 12 dB higher output versus Studio Pro.

The drawstring pouch is one of the most repeated complaints. Reviewers generally see it as flimsy or inadequate protection compared with a proper hard case.

The soft magnetic pouch is light, breathable and convenient for gym bags, but travelers wanting impact protection may prefer a hard-shell case.

The plastic-heavy construction does not feel flagship-premium, and multiple reviewers notice the downgrade in material luxury compared with the Headphone (1).

Although the construction uses plenty of plastic, the 360 generally feels more premium in hand than earlier Beats models and several similarly priced rivals.

The included cables make a positive impression, with one reviewer specifically surprised by their high quality.

The included pouch is useful, but the absence of a charging cable or charger disappoints some buyers at this price; others are happy not to receive another USB-C cable.

The design remains conspicuous rather than discreet. Reviewers who want headphones that blend in caution that these are intentionally attention-grabbing.

The slim profile is generally considered discreet and easy to wear in public, although one test found the cups stick out more than desired.

Fine detail is only average for the class: reviewers hear enough clarity for casual listening, but several note softer resolution and less precision than more expensive or hi-fi-oriented models.

Detail retrieval is a consistent strength, with small textures and layered elements remaining easy to pick out despite the consumer-friendly tuning.

Travel use benefits from the huge battery and competent ANC, with reviewers reporting comfortable multi-hour or flight use in favorable fits.

Travel performance is split: comfort, ANC and long battery life are excellent on the move, but no wired seatback connection and limited foldability are meaningful drawbacks for frequent flyers.

The cups rotate for around-the-neck wear, but one reviewer found the rectangular shells rub or knock together when rotated.

The earcups rotate flat for storage, a useful compromise even though the headphones do not collapse inward.

Nothing-phone integration adds extra shortcuts such as Channel Hop, but some functions work best inside Nothing’s own ecosystem rather than equally across Android devices.

Ecosystem integration is a major strength: iPhone users get AirPods-like pairing and switching, while Android still receives Fast Pair, Find Hub and useful native controls.

IP52 is useful for sweat and light drizzle, but reviewers consistently caution that it is not protection for heavy rain or serious water exposure.

IPX4 sweat and water resistance is a defining strength, making the 360 unusually suitable for workouts and light rain among premium over-ear headphones.

Vocals and mids are generally clear and well controlled, though a few reviewers hear recessed body or odd upper-mid emphasis in the stock tuning.

The midrange is generally clearer than older Beats tuning, though not uniformly so. Some listening found vocals full and prominent, while other testing heard recessed or thin mids.

Transparency is usable for conversation and awareness, but opinions range from natural and effective to boxy, dark, or slightly artificial.

Transparency mode is widely praised for sounding natural and usable for conversation, though a few tests found it less immediate or polished than Apple’s best implementations.

Once adjusted, the fit can stay securely in place while walking without unwanted shifting.

The secure fit works well for cycling, lifting and most workouts, but sprints, sit-ups and bench movements can expose some movement depending on head size.

Portability is a weak spot because the headphones do not fold inward and remain bulky in a bag, even though the cups can rotate flat.

Portability is only average: the cups swivel flat, but the frame does not collapse, so it takes more bag space than folding Sony or Bose rivals.

Imaging is strong enough for positional gaming cues such as footsteps and gunshots to come through clearly.

Stereo imaging is precise, placing instruments and effects in distinct positions across the wide soundstage.

The integrated microphone array can capture speech clearly in favorable conditions, although broader call-quality tests are more mixed.

The integrated microphone system is capable of excellent voice pickup, supporting the 360’s strong call performance.

Even when pushed loud, the headphones were praised for staying composed rather than falling apart with obvious distortion.

Even at high volume, distortion stays impressively low and clarity holds up well.

The glossy black finish can collect fingerprints and dust extremely quickly.

The soft-touch silicone finish looks good but can attract hair and small particles, requiring occasional wiping.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, although not unanimous. Most of the explicit satisfaction comments are enthusiastic, while one reviewer remains clearly lukewarm on the sound.

Overall satisfaction is high across most hands-on testing, driven by the combination of workout versatility, comfort, ANC, sound and modularity.

Treble is often praised for crispness and detail, but several reviewers also report sibilance or abrasive upper frequencies on certain tracks.

Treble often comes across detailed and crisp, but the brighter tuning can become stilted, sibilant or fatiguing on certain tracks.

The large ear cushions provide plentiful padding and enough room to keep ears from feeling cramped.

Both cushion styles are well received: Performance Knit is breathable and workout-friendly, while UltraPlush is softer and often preferred for long listening. Knit can feel slightly rougher to some users.

Glasses compatibility depends on fit: one reviewer found little pressure on glasses, another found them comfortable over spectacles, while seal loss bothered a different tester.

Glasses compatibility is mixed: the softer clamp can avoid painful temple pressure, but thick arms may break the seal and reduce ANC.

Android pairing is especially smooth with Google Fast Pair, which worked seamlessly in the review test.

Android support is unusually complete for an Apple-owned product, with Fast Pair, Find Hub, Audio Switch and app-based controls repeatedly praised.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive: reviewers repeatedly call these an easy recommendation, a great pick, or a no-brainer in their price class.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive, especially for active users wanting one over-ear pair for gym and daily life. A notable dissent centers on the tuning, wired omissions and premium price.

Instrument separation is usually described as clean and easy to follow, though it does not consistently reach the layering precision of more audiophile-focused rivals.

Instrument separation is usually strong, helping busy arrangements stay distinct, though heavy bass can introduce some congestion.

The feature set works well across Android and iPhone, making the headphones a strong cross-platform option rather than a single-ecosystem accessory.

Cross-platform compatibility is one of the 360’s best practical advantages, delivering a near-first-class experience on both iOS and Android.

Wear-detection auto-pause is missing, an omission reviewers consider surprising at this price.

Wear detection is one of the clearest weaknesses. The 360 does not sense when it is put on or removed, an omission repeatedly criticized at $350.

Automatic pause on removal is absent and repeatedly called out as a feature reviewers miss.

Automatic pause is absent, so music keeps playing when the headphones come off unless the user stops it manually.

PCMag awarded the headphones its Editors' Choice for midrange noise-cancelling headphones.

The 360 earned explicit Editors’ Choice recognition for its combination of modular design, water resistance and performance upgrades.

The headphones pack in a broad modern feature set, and reviewers who discuss the software breadth consider it unusually rich for the price.

The feature set feels incomplete for the price because wear detection, wired playback and several H2-era AirPods conveniences are missing.

The advanced EQ is a standout feature, offering unusually deep frequency and Q-factor control for wireless headphones. It can substantially improve the stock tuning, though a few reviewers find it fiddly or constrained.

Manual EQ is one of the most repeated software complaints. Adaptive tuning is automatic, but users cannot freely shape bass, mids and treble to preference.

The smart feature set is broad and potentially useful, though one reviewer questions how often extras such as AI-oriented functions will matter in everyday listening.

The custom Beats platform omits some smarter AirPods-style features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume.

Call quality is inconsistent across tests. Some reviewers hear clear, usable speech, while others report muffling, compression, or poor intelligibility in noisier conditions.

Call quality is generally very strong, with clear speech in difficult environments, but some tests heard noticeable processing and stopped short of recommending it for important conferencing.

Setup is consistently easy, with quick pairing and straightforward first-use behavior across the reviews that tested it directly.

Initial pairing and everyday setup are generally simple, though deeper software customization is more limited than some premium rivals.

Mode-change audio cues are exceptionally clear and avoid the ambiguity or annoying spoken prompts found on some headphones.

The cushion-recognition chime provides helpful confirmation that a replacement earcup is seated and detected correctly.

The Roller, Paddle, and physical buttons are one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, tactile, distinctive, and easier to use than touch controls.

Physical buttons are usually preferred for sweaty workouts and reliable control, though several users found the similarly shaped or flush buttons harder to identify by touch.

There is no automatic Smart Pause when the headphones are removed, and reviewers explicitly criticize that omission.

Smart Pause is effectively missing: taking the headphones off does not automatically stop playback.

The dedicated assistant control is appreciated as a convenient physical shortcut by the reviewer who discussed it.

Voice-assistant access works well across platforms, with hands-free Siri on Apple devices and Android assistant access through the controls.

Bluetooth performance is a strength in the positive tests, with rock-solid connections, seamless switching, and no noticeable lag reported.

Bluetooth connectivity proved trouble-free in the direct cross-phone test, including switching between Android and iPhone.

Nothing X is repeatedly praised as a clean, fast, capable companion app with unusually deep control over sound and headphone behavior.

The Beats app is useful and straightforward on Android, providing firmware, button and device controls that keep the experience close to iOS.

Multipoint is generally easy and reliable once enabled, with reviewers praising quick switching between a phone and laptop or other paired devices.

Automatic switching can work well inside supported ecosystems, but there is no true simultaneous Android-and-iPhone multipoint connection.

Codec support is useful but not exhaustive: LDAC is a welcome inclusion at this price, while one reviewer wished Qualcomm codecs were also available.

Codec support is a weak point: the 360 relies on standard Bluetooth codecs and lacks the higher-resolution options offered by several rivals.

Value is a major strength across the review set. Reviewers repeatedly say the $199/£149 positioning delivers unusually strong battery, controls, features, and sound for the money.

Value is generally considered good for a $350 premium workout-focused headphone, especially against AirPods Max, but full-price cushion kits and rival discounts can weaken the equation.

Heat buildup is a recurring comfort weakness. The synthetic pads and closed design can make ears or the sides of the head warm, especially during longer sessions or workouts.

Performance Knit can noticeably reduce sweat and heat versus leather-style pads, but over-ear coverage still gets warm during longer workouts and listening sessions.

At roughly 310g, the headphones are lighter than their predecessor but still heavier than many rivals, so some reviewers remain aware of the weight over time.

Despite weighing around 294–295 g, the 360 usually feels lighter than the number suggests because its weight is distributed into the earcups and cushions.

Long-session comfort is highly head-dependent. Many reviewers wore them for hours or flights comfortably, while others needed breaks because of pressure, weight, or heat.

Long-session comfort is one of the strongest themes, helped by soft cushions, good weight distribution and a lighter-feeling headband. Larger heads may still notice clamp pressure.

Clamping force is a recurring comfort concern. Some find the grip secure and well judged, but several describe it as too firm during extended wear.

Clamp force is a tradeoff rather than a universal win. It helps keep the headphones secure for exercise, but head size can determine whether that feels reassuring or uncomfortable.

Despite the move to more plastic, build quality is generally rated as sturdy and better than the price suggests. The construction feels less luxurious than flagship models but not broadly flimsy.

Build quality is consistently viewed as solid and more premium than older Beats models, with sturdy sliders and little sense of flimsy plastic.

Early durability impressions are positive, including flexible headbands, a sturdier feel, and one harsh accidental-impact test that left no visible mark.

The simpler structure and replaceable wear surfaces give the 360 unusually good long-term ownership potential, with cushions easy to refresh as they age.

The revised swivel hinges were specifically described as sturdier than the predecessor's.

Dropping the traditional folding hinge simplifies a common wear point and is viewed as a durability advantage over older Beats designs.

The retro-futuristic, transparent styling earns substantial praise for being distinctive and fashion-forward. It is deliberately bold, so buyers who prefer conventional headphones may not share that enthusiasm.

The redesign is widely praised as modern, sleek and distinctly customizable, with swappable colors giving the 360 more personality than most premium ANC headphones.

Battery life is the clearest consensus strength. Reviewers repeatedly call the 75-hour ANC figure and roughly 135-hour maximum class-leading, with real-world use generally supporting the claim.

Battery life is a strong point at around 32 hours with ANC, and real-world tests often supported that claim. One unit showed unusually high standby drain, and Transparency can shorten endurance.

Fast charging is excellent: several reviewers highlight that just a few minutes on USB-C can provide hours of playback.

Fast Fuel charging is consistently useful, providing about an hour of playback from a five-minute charge.

Live Translation is missing because the 360 does not use the newer H2 feature stack.

There is no aptX Lossless support, limiting high-resolution wireless playback options.

The included cables are mostly praised as sturdy or high quality, although one reviewer questioned the strain relief.

Because the 360 has no wired playback path, there is no detachable audio-cable convenience to fall back on.

At launch, the 360 feels short on expected premium conveniences, particularly wear detection, wired audio and broader software personalization.

Find My and Find Hub add useful tracking, though one test linked always-on Find My behavior to noticeable standby drain.

The preset options are useful starting points, with Balanced often taming excess bass and the bass-focused modes appealing more to listeners who want extra low-end weight.

Xbox use is only partial: wired game audio works, but the reviewer could not get the headset microphones to function through the controller setup.

Using Beats’ own chip instead of Apple’s H2 preserves cross-platform flexibility but leaves out several newer AirPods software features.

Bluetooth 5.3 is considered fully adequate here, with little practical benefit expected from moving to Bluetooth 6 for this use case.

Automatic power management is weak because the headphones do not reliably sleep when removed, creating avoidable battery-drain risk if left on.

Dolby Atmos with head tracking can create a convincing theater-like presentation, especially for compatible movies and spatial mixes.

A faint idle whoosh has been reported in quiet ANC use, so the electronics are not completely silent for every listener.

Sound leakage is context-dependent: two reviewers noticed some bleed at louder levels, while another found virtually none.

The use of 80% recycled plastic across key components is a meaningful sustainability benefit for the construction.