Dyson has a solid reputation in the world of high-performance gadgets, but my experiences with their audio gear have been mixed. Their first headphones, the Dyson Zone, had a unique but bulky air filter attachment that, honestly, made it hard for me to take them seriously. So, when Dyson announced their Dyson OnTrac headphones, priced at ₹44,900, my expectations were low. With brands like Apple, Sony and Bose setting the standard, I was skeptical that Dyson could bring more than a striking design to the table.
After using the Dyson OnTrac headphones for a few weeks, though, I found myself both impressed and aware of some quirks. Here’s my take on these noise-canceling headphones, from their looks to their long battery life.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Design & Fit
The OnTrac headphones look, unsurprisingly, a bit like Dyson’s vacuums - My review unit came in a flashy metallic copper with navy blue accents, and Dyson offers easy-to-swap earpads and earcup caps in other colors.
Honestly, at this price point, I appreciate the ability to swap parts as they wear out—something that adds a bit of practical longevity to the whole package. You get up to 2,000 possible customization combinations—though that kind of flexibility comes at a cost, with extra components sold separately.
I should also mention that the aluminum parts are total fingerprint magnets—they pick up smudges fast and get dirty pretty easily.
Now, compared to sleeker options like the Sonos Ace or AirPods Max, the Dyson OnTrac headphones are big and bulky. At 451 grams, they’re noticeably heavier, and the massive case they come with only adds to the size.
If you're used to more compact headphones, you’ll definitely feel the difference—I even noticed my head tilting after a while.
Dyson tried to balance the weight by placing two battery cells in the headband, and while that helps, you’ll still feel the heft. Another drawback is the round ear cups, which don’t match the natural shape of my ears. I had to adjust them a bit to get the right fit—not a dealbreaker, but something to think about, especially for travel.
The good news is that the segmented headband and thick cloth earpads feel very snug and offer solid passive noise isolation, making longer sessions more comfortable.
As for the controls, they're a mix of physical and touch. The right ear cup features a joystick for playback, which is a bit tricky at first. You have to be precise—pressing the wrong way can pause your music instead of adjusting the volume. Even after a few weeks, I still find myself fumbling occasionally. Fortunately, a double tap on the touch-sensitive ear cups lets you switch between ANC and transparency mode easily, and this feature works reliably even with quick taps on the edges.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Features
The OnTrac headphones cover essential features like piping in ambient sound through the mics and auto-pausing music when removed. However, they lack advanced options like adaptive ANC, automatic speech detection, or spatial audio—features found in cheaper models like Sony’s 1000XM5
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: MyDyson Companion App
The Dyson OnTrac headphones are complimented by the MyDyson App. This companion app is also pretty basic, showing battery status, noise control, and EQ settings with just three presets: Enhanced, Bass Boost, and Neutral. Enhanced, the default, works best.
One standout feature is a sound exposure graph that tracks both in-ear and external noise. Staying under 85 decibels keeps you in the safe zone, though 75% volume already feels uncomfortably loud.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Performance and Mic Quality
The Dyson OnTrac ANC performance is powerful, thanks to its eight microphones, which sample external sounds 384,000 times per second. Even with heavy construction outside my flat, I couldn’t hear a thing while wearing them. Dyson claims they block up to 40 decibels of noise, which is more than enough to protect your ears.
With the world shut out, I was impressed by the OnTrac’s sound, especially its deep, refined bass. Listening to Kid Cudi's Day 'n' Nite, I could feel the low frequencies resonate through me—even without Bass Boost enabled. The layering is solid overall, though vocals aren’t quite as prominent as I’d prefer.
Noise-canceling works well during calls too, but voice quality is a weak spot. My voice sounded flat and compressed, lacking the clarity you’d expect from premium headphones. It’s clear Dyson prioritized ANC—with eight microphones—but only included one for calls, and you can definitely tell.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Connectivity
Another issue is that the Dyson OnTrac uses Bluetooth 5.0, an outdated codec for premium headphones. Most top models now feature Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4, which offer better range and stability. With the OnTrac, I noticed the connection would drop easily if I moved too far from my phone. For the high price, it’s disappointing to see Dyson lagging here.
On the flip side, I tested the OnTrac for a week without needing to recharge them, even with 6-7 hours of daily listening. Dyson claims up to 55 hours of playback with ANC on, which surpasses nearly all competitors in this price range.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Battery & Charging
One area where the Dyson OnTrac headphones shine is battery life. Dyson claims up to 55 hours of playback with ANC on, and I found this to be accurate, as I managed almost a full week of 6-7 hour daily sessions without needing to recharge. This extended Dyson OnTrac battery life puts it ahead of most premium competitors, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize long battery life over frequent charging.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Should you buy?
The Dyson OnTrac initially launched at ₹44,900 but is now available for a limited-time price of ₹37,900. Before making your decision, it’s worth exploring other premium options like the Sonos Ace, Sony WH-1000XM5, or Apple AirPods Max. However, the OnTrac sets itself apart with its ultra-premium design and an impressive 55-hour battery life, making it a compelling choice for those who value style and long-lasting performance.
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