Short answer: the Beats Studio Pro (2023) are still worth buying in 2026, but only at their new, lower price. After Beats launched the Beats 360 on September 22, 2026 ($349.99), Apple cut the Studio Pro to $299.99, and Amazon has been selling them for about $170. Get the Studio Pro if you want wired listening (USB-C lossless or a 3.5 mm cable for flights) and a more neutral sound; get the Beats 360 for stronger noise cancelling, longer battery life with ANC on and a sweat-resistant design for the gym.
How we put this together: this guide is based on Beats’ and Apple’s official specifications plus published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list prices or recent street prices at the time of writing and change often. See how we choose products.
Check today’s Beats Studio Pro price on Amazon →
Beats Studio Pro vs Beats 360: specs compared
| Beats Studio Pro (2023) | Beats 360 (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 at Apple (cut from $349.99); about $170 on Amazon | $349.99 |
| Noise cancelling | ANC and Transparency | Up to 1.75x more than Studio Pro (Beats) |
| Battery | Up to 40 hr; 24 hr with ANC | Up to 32 hr, with or without ANC |
| Wired audio | Yes: USB-C lossless (up to 24-bit/48kHz) and 3.5 mm | No (USB-C is for charging only) |
| Water resistance | Not rated | IPX4 |
| Weight | About 260 g | 295 g (SoundGuys) |
| Apple and Android | One-touch pairing on both | One-touch pairing, Find My and Google Find Hub |
| Extras | Personalized Spatial Audio | Swappable ear and headband cushions, Personalized Spatial Audio |
Specs from Beats’ Beats 360 announcement and our Beats Studio Pro specs page. Weight of the Beats 360 as measured by SoundGuys.
What reviews say about the Beats Studio Pro
Trusted Reviews found “clear, neutral sound quality, strong noise-cancellation, and an excellent wireless performance”, but concluded they’re “not quite at the level to supplant the likes of Sony”, with sound and comfort bettered by Sony and Bose at the same price. That matches the wider consensus: the Studio Pro are good all-rounders rather than class leaders, which is why the price cut matters.
Their standout feature in 2026 is wired audio. Over USB-C they play lossless and hi-res audio up to 24-bit/48kHz, and the 3.5 mm input works with in-flight entertainment. As T3 points out, basic playback over the 3.5 mm cable even works when the battery is flat. Battery life is up to 40 hours, or 24 with noise cancelling on, and they pair with one tap on both iPhone and Android.
The trade-offs: no water resistance, no LDAC or other hi-res Bluetooth codecs, and none of the newer Apple features such as Adaptive Audio or Conversation Awareness.
What reviews say about the new Beats 360
The Beats 360 use a “true wireless” design, with a separate battery, antenna and processor in each ear cup, eight microphones and a custom Beats chip. Beats claims up to 1.75 times the Studio Pro’s noise cancelling and rates the battery at up to 32 hours even with noise cancelling on. They’re Beats’ first over-ear headphones rated IPX4 for sweat and water, and the ear and headband cushions can be swapped.
SoundGuys rates them 7.3/10: comfortable, water-resistant, with good call quality and battery life that beat Beats’ own figures (a nearly six-hour flight with ANC used only 14 percent). But they have no wired audio at all, no custom EQ, and the sound gets bass-heavy with noise cancelling on. Its verdict: “If sound quality matters most to you, the Studio Pro is still the smarter buy.”
Check the Beats 360 on Amazon →
Studio Pro or Beats 360: which should you buy?
- Buy the Beats Studio Pro if you fly often and want to plug into the seat-back screen, you want lossless audio over USB-C, you prefer a more neutral sound, or you can get them for around $170–$200.
- Buy the Beats 360 if you want stronger noise cancelling, long battery life with ANC on, headphones you can wear to the gym, or the ability to swap cushions and colours.
- Buy neither if noise cancelling is your top priority: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are the stronger choices. See our best noise-cancelling headphones.
Our verdict
At full price the Beats Studio Pro were hard to recommend over Sony and Bose. At around $170–$300 they’re a much easier buy, especially for frequent flyers who want a wired option and for households that mix iPhones and Android phones. If you want the newest Beats with the best noise cancelling and don’t need a cable, the Beats 360 are the better headphones, as long as you’re happy to pay $349.99.
Check the Beats Studio Pro on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
Are the Beats Studio Pro still worth it in 2026?
Yes, at the right price. After the Beats 360 launched in September 2026, Apple cut the Studio Pro to $299.99, and they’ve sold for about $170 on Amazon. At that price they’re good all-rounders with 40-hour battery life and wired lossless audio, though Sony and Bose offer stronger noise cancelling.
What’s the difference between the Beats Studio Pro and Beats 360?
The Beats 360 (2026, $349.99) have up to 1.75 times the Studio Pro’s noise cancelling according to Beats, up to 32 hours of battery with ANC on, IPX4 sweat resistance and swappable cushions, but no wired audio. The Studio Pro (2023) have USB-C lossless and 3.5 mm wired listening and a more neutral sound.
Do the Beats Studio Pro work with Android?
Yes. They pair with one tap on Android as well as iPhone, and the Beats app for Android adds controls and settings. Like the iPhone, Android phones stream to them over AAC or SBC rather than hi-res Bluetooth codecs.
Can you use the Beats Studio Pro with a wire?
Yes, in two ways: over USB-C, which supports lossless audio up to 24-bit/48kHz, or with the 3.5 mm cable, which works with in-flight entertainment and can play even when the battery is flat. The Beats 360 can’t be used with a wire.
How long does the Beats Studio Pro battery last?
Up to 40 hours with noise cancelling off, or up to 24 hours with noise cancelling or Transparency on, according to Beats.
