Dyson is a name synonymous with futuristic design and premium engineering. From vacuum cleaners to hair dryers, their products scream innovation. So, when they announced a new pair of over-ear headphones—the Dyson OnTrac—without the sci-fi air-purifying mask found on the Dyson Zone, expectations were naturally high. At $500, these headphones are positioned as a premium lifestyle product, but do they live up to the price tag?
In this in-depth review, we’ll break down everything you need to know: design, features, sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and how the OnTrac stacks up against the competition.
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A Design That’s Unmistakably Dyson
If you’ve ever seen a Dyson product, you’ll immediately recognize their signature aesthetic in the OnTrac headphones. With a mix of metals and ceramics, the outer shell of the ear cups looks and feels high-end. Color options include rich copper, sleek silver, deep navy, and more. Even the ear pads are micro-suede, wrapped in soft cloth and available in seven colors. With over 2,000 possible color and material combinations, customization is clearly a selling point.
The design isn't just for show. Dyson placed battery cells inside the headband to ensure weight is evenly distributed, keeping the headphones balanced and comfortable for long listening sessions. The segmented headband and rotating ear cups give it an almost robotic appearance, reminiscent of Dyson's engineering DNA.
However, the ear cups are round instead of oval, which can be awkward for those with larger or oval-shaped ears. The overall bulkiness may also make them less ideal for travel or everyday commuting.
Controls and Comfort
Instead of touch panels for everything, Dyson integrates physical controls—a move many users will appreciate. There’s a joystick on the right ear cup that controls volume, playback, and track skipping. While it’s a refreshing approach, the joystick is overly sensitive and requires precision. It’s easy to accidentally pause music when simply trying to adjust the volume.
Touch-sensitive panels are still present for toggling between ANC and transparency modes. These work reliably and add a bit of modern functionality to an otherwise hardware-focused control system.
On the comfort front, the OnTrac performs admirably. The padding on the headband and ear cups is plush, and even after hours of wear, they don’t feel heavy or tiring. That said, their size can be a drawback for portability.
Software and Smart Features
Connected via the MyDyson app, the OnTrac headphones offer limited digital features. The app displays battery life, ANC/transparency controls, and EQ presets (Neutral, Enhanced, and Bass Boost). Unfortunately, there's no option to create custom EQ profiles, which is disappointing for audiophiles.
A unique addition is the real-time sound exposure graph, displaying both in-ear volume and ambient noise. It’s a thoughtful feature for hearing health, helping users avoid prolonged exposure to high decibel levels.
Still, the OnTrac lacks several smart features that competitors include as standard. There’s no spatial audio, no adaptive noise cancellation, no automatic pausing when you remove the headphones, and no dynamic sound adjustments based on location or activity. For a $500 pair, this is a significant letdown.
Sound Quality: Clear But Not Captivating
Dyson promises clarity with its 40mm drivers, and to some extent, it delivers. Vocals are crisp, instruments are well-separated, and genres like country or acoustic bluegrass sound clean and precise. However, the overall audio profile lacks depth and immersion.
There’s a noticeable absence of warmth and richness that headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC Ultra provide. Bass feels subdued, and tracks that should feel expansive come across as slightly flat. For casual listening, the OnTrac is pleasant—but for immersive or cinematic sound experiences, it falls short.
Songs with strong low-end performance, such as those by Killer Mike, don’t punch the way they should. Meanwhile, rock or ambient tracks can feel thin, missing the enveloping soundstage offered by other premium options.
Noise Cancellation: Just Average
Dyson uses eight microphones to detect ambient noise, claiming up to 40dB of noise reduction. In reality, the ANC performs well against steady hums like fans or air conditioners but struggles with inconsistent sounds like conversations or television.
Compared to class leaders like Sony, Bose, and Apple, the OnTrac is a step behind. There’s no adaptive ANC, which adjusts based on your environment. Instead, you get a one-size-fits-all mode that’s good, but not exceptional.
Transparency mode fares better, allowing external sounds to filter in clearly. It’s useful for quick conversations or staying aware in public spaces.
Call Quality
Call performance is another weak point. While background noise is mostly eliminated, voice quality suffers. The single microphone dedicated to calls results in compressed and lifeless audio. It works in a pinch, but don’t expect studio-level clarity.
Battery Life: A True Highlight
If there’s one category where the OnTrac shines, it’s battery life. Dyson claims up to 55 hours of continuous playback with ANC on—a figure that rivals or exceeds every major competitor. In real-world use, 48 hours is easily achievable at moderate volume levels.
Fast charging is also available: 10 minutes of charging yields 2.5 hours of playback, while 30 minutes gets you close to 10 hours. For long trips or extended workdays, this is a major plus.
Is It Worth $500?
That’s the big question. While the OnTrac headphones are beautifully crafted and offer long battery life, the lack of advanced features, spatial audio, and truly premium sound quality make them hard to recommend at full price.
For the same amount—or significantly less—you could get:
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Sony WH-1000XM5: Better ANC, superior sound, spatial audio, smart features.
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Comfortable, immersive, feature-packed.
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Sennheiser Momentum 4: Long battery life, excellent soundstage, better value.
Unless Dyson’s unique aesthetic and customization options are your top priorities, it’s difficult to justify the price when more capable and versatile options exist in the same category.
Final Verdict
The Dyson OnTrac headphones are a fashion-forward statement piece with commendable comfort and battery life, but they fail to deliver the high-end sound and smart features expected at this price. If you're drawn to the design and don't mind paying extra for it, you'll find a solid set of headphones here. But if you're after the best in audio performance and technology, look elsewhere.
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