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  • February 14, 2025
Dyson OnTrac Headphones Review | PS technology

Dyson OnTrac Headphones Review | PS technology

The Dyson OnTrac headphones.The Dyson OnTrac headphones.
PS photography | Anvita Reddy
PS photography | Anvita Reddy
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By best performing hair tools Unpleasant powerful vacuum cleanersDyson is one of our favorite home gadget brands for its innovative product design and performance. The brand has perfected the art of airflow and created a wide range of products that improve the efficiency of our daily tasks. Now Dyson is entering the noise-canceling headphones space with its OnTrac headphones ($500).

While the focus on noise cancellation is new, the OnTrac headphones aren’t Dyson’s first foray into headphone design. In 2023, the brand released the Dyson zone headphones with built-in air purifier. To create headphones with optimal noise cancellation, Dyson’s engineering team decided to ditch the air purification and offer something more style-oriented and versatile.

I got to put them to the test on the streets of New York and during the flight. Keep reading to discover my honest opinion about these headphones.

Expert from this article

Jake Dyson is a director and chief engineer at Dyson, focusing on the development of lighting products, wearable technology, AI, software and connectivity.

What I like about the Dyson OnTrac headphones

Main imageMain image
    The microfiber cushions of the Dyson OnTrac headphones.    The microfiber cushions of the Dyson OnTrac headphones.
PS photography | Anvita Reddy

The Dyson OnTrac headphones block out ambient noise better than any other headphones I’ve tried. Just by wearing the headphones, the air cabin sound during my flight became duller, quieter, and slightly hollowed out at a lower frequency. As soon as I turned on isolation mode, that buzzing cabin noise was completely drowned out. The air cabin noise was so quiet that I had to concentrate and actively listen to notice the hum, especially during audio playback. In fact, the flight attendant had to tap my shoulder to get my attention because I couldn’t hear her voice when I was binge-watching Netflix.

Jake Dyson, director and chief engineer at Dyson, tells PS that his team wanted to create a natural, lifelike listening experience with these headphones – or as he puts it, ‘sound as the artist intended’. Whether I’m listening to music or a podcast, or watching an intense thriller or reality TV, the sound is crystal clear and never distorted. It’s an immersive experience that’s lifelike, without enhanced bass or imbalances between voices and background noise.

Dyson’s OnTrac headphones are comfortable and lightweight compared to other headphones on the market. The placement of the batteries on both sides of the headphones makes the weight feel even on my head, and the soft microfiber cushions are large enough to cover my entire ear without interfering with my piercings. The headphones also have an adjustable headband that helps them stay in place without compressing my head.

Although you can control the sound via the buttons on the side of the headphones, you can also enhance your listening experience with the companion MyDyson app. The app lets you control your noise cancellation settings, view your sound exposure, and personalize your experience with three preset equalization settings. “On the app you get a score of the pollution you have been exposed to throughout the day,” says Dyson. “It tracks the dangerous sounds that can damage your ears from outside. When an ambulance drives past a police car, it causes a lot of damage to your ears, but people don’t realize it, so it’s informative.”

Control the Dyson OnTrac headphones with the MyDyson app.Control the Dyson OnTrac headphones with the MyDyson app.
PS photography | Anvita Reddy

I could see how loud and potentially harmful the air cabin noise is while I was flying. When I turn on the noise canceling function, the external environment is actively muted and my ears are protected from noise pollution. It also tells me when the internal headphone volume is too high and potentially damaging my hearing. The app is constantly linked to your headphones, even if the headphones are connected to another device. This way I can control my audio settings via my phone while watching a movie on my iPad.

What to consider before trying Dyson OnTrac headphones

Unlike other headphones on the market, OnTrac’s transparency mode allows for more external sound than when both isolation and transparency modes are turned off. I hear the buzzing on the plane and it’s like I’m not wearing any headphones at all. Other headphones on the market use transparency mode to block out noise, but not to the extent of noise cancellation.

While I love the customization aspect of these headphones, the outer cups and ear pads cost $50, which can be a bit pricey on top of the cost of the headphones themselves. However, you can get an extra pair of outer cups and ear pads if you order from the Dyson site.

Another small thing to note is that these headphones will not sit properly on your ears if you use a thick neck pillow while traveling.

Who are Dyson OnTrac headphones best for?

I’ve worn these headphones while traveling, commuting, and exercising, and they’re comfortable no matter what I’m doing. It’s also worth the investment if you’re concerned about noise pollution and want to be more aware of your hearing health, given the noise pollution app’s tracking and metrics.

Are the Dyson OnTrac headphones worth the splurge?

At $500, these headphones are expensive compared to others on the market. However, if you have the budget and want a truly immersive sound experience, they are worth the splurge. Of all the noise-canceling headphones I’ve tried, the OnTrac is the most effective pair I own.

Additional details

  • The headphones are available in four core colorways: CNC Copper, CNC Black Nickel, Ceramic Cinnabar, CNC Aluminum.
  • You can purchase additional ear cushions and outer covers for this a tailored look here.
  • The battery life is up to 55 hours.
  • It comes with a slim case and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

Where are the Dyson OnTrac headphones available?

The Dyson OnTrac headphones are available on the brand website, AmazonAnd Best buy.

Judgement:
★★★★★

Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She is passionate about products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, technology and more. She has dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood and her expertise is in the field of beauty. She tests skin care, makeup and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.