The Best Beats Over-Ear Headphones for Running
Stable fit, sweat and water resistance,1 and Transparency mode to help you hear more of your surroundings while you listen.
We consider Beats 360 to be the best over-ear Beats headphones not just for the gym, but for running too. In addition to stellar sound across the audio spectrum for an incredible listening experience, this over-ear design includes features runners will especially love.
Over-ear comfort and fit that stays put on a run.
When shopping for high-fidelity headphones, runners look for designs that can stay in place during a run. A headphone that sounds great but can’t stay put during physical exertion is not the right choice for someone who wants to listen to music while logging miles.
Beats 360 has been designed for lasting comfort and a secure, stable fit informed by extensive ergonomic testing and careful attention to balance, lightness, weight dispersion and materiality, all to help it stay in place, even during a run.
The ear cushions are built from acoustically engineered memory foam and shaped to fit comfortably over your ears, forming an optimal seal for incredible sound. The slim, lightweight headband has a naturally ergonomic arc and its own memory foam cushion for added comfort and stability. The telescoping stainless steel arms are adjustable, and the earcups rotate individually for a more personalized fit. Together, each feature of the design works to optimize comfort and a secure fit that stays put and feels good while you wear it.
The first over-ear Beats with sweat and water resistance (IPX4)1
With Beats 360, we wanted to make headphones that could finally hold up to everywhere we see them used — including on runners while they’re out pounding the pavement. That’s why Beats 360 is also the first Beats over-ear design to feature sweat and water resistance.
For quite some time, we’ve noticed that many people love to run in Beats headphones. That was part of the inspiration behind Beats 360, which is designed to withstand runs and outdoor training rain or shine, thanks to its IPX4 rating against liquid ingress. The IPX4 designation means that Beats 360 is resistant to water splashing from any direction.
Transparency mode: what it is and when to use it on a run.
Many people know about Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which blocks out unwanted noise to help you focus, after adapting to your environment and unique fit. But Beats 360 has another listening mode that is well suited for runners: Transparency mode. This listening mode lets you hear your surroundings when you want to.
When getting some miles in, runners may prefer this sound setting to hear more of what’s going on around them. Transparency mode is a great option when running outdoors or any time you want to hear more of your environment while your music plays.
Transparency mode uses the same microphones as the ANC processing system, but instead of blocking out noise, it allows some of that outside noise to pass through, increasing athletes’ awareness of what’s happening around them without pausing playback. The result is an elegant high-awareness experience that feels natural, mixed with your favorite tunes, all designed to keep you more aware of your surroundings without having to remove the headphones.
To find out more about how Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode work, see our article on that topic.
Beats 360’s interchangeable cushion system.2
There’s one more beneficial feature that runners will really love. Beats 360 is the very first headphone from Beats to feature interchangeable cushions.2 What does this mean for runners? It means they can always have a fresh set of cushions ready to swap in or out before or after a run, or anytime they want to make their Beats 360 instantly fresh again.
Beats 360 comes with color-matched Performance Knit cushions. The knit is a diamond-knit pattern, with each strand of the knit composed of 36 strong micro-threads for extra durability and comfort. The knit itself is breathable for a soft, airy feel — just the type of material that feels right for when you’re active. The strength of the Performance Knit combined with the option to swap out cushions extends their durability.
The option to have extra Beats 360 Cushion Kits also means this system allows for a world of customizable possibilities. Perhaps one color cushion set can be designated for runs, or to match your favorite running fit. But either way, it’s entirely up to you and you get to make it your own, accessorizing to fit your style or your mood. There are currently six colors of Performance Knit Cushion Kits to choose from — Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt. In addition, UltraPlush Cushion Kits are also available. The UltraPlush material has a smooth, seamless finish that’s soft to the touch, and is available in Black and Cloud colors.
1 Beats 360 is sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. Beats 360 was tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and has a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge wet Beats 360 headphones; refer to Apple Support for cleaning and drying instructions.
2 Beats 360 sold with color-matched ear and headband cushions; additional cushion kits sold separately.