Dyson has presented the Dyson OnTrac, a headband-type headset that stands out for its very good noise cancellation and more than sufficient autonomy. The brand is going all out with this second generation, but there are a couple of points for improvement.
Dyson has presented the Dyson OnTrac, a wireless headband headset that stands out for its noise cancellation and 55 hours of battery life. This company, famous for its technological innovations in vacuum cleaners and its well-known hairdryers and hair straighteners, has decided to go one step further by entering the high-end audio sector.
This is the second time that the brand has committed to this type of device. In fact, it already launched the Dyson Zone in 2022, which went viral as it included an attachable air purifier.
Essentially, it is an improvement on the Zone, this time without a purifier, refining its approach and focusing exclusively on the sound experience, to which it adds a distinctive touch thanks to the customization of colors.
The Dyson OnTracs cost 499 euros and are intended to be part of the high-end range, competing with the Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max and Sonos Ace. With very good audio quality, the truth is that it does have some improvements that you should know about.
Design: a very distinctive style, incompatible if you want to go unnoticed
In terms of design, clearly the style is the first thing that catches your attention. Dyson has completely departed from the norm to go for something that could be considered more extravagant, with an even steampunk/gaming touch that moves away from today’s minimalism.
Precisely one of the great things about OnTrac is the customization. You can combine the caps and ear cushions in more than 2,000 different ways and as soon as you try them you’ll see that changing both parts is very simple — a simple twist and they’re off.
To each their own, but despite the ease of exchanging these parts, there are two points that I don’t quite get: you buy the headphones in a predetermined color and each combination of cap and pad is sold separately for 49 euros.
On the other hand, they may not be too suitable for certain more austere, minimalist and discreet tastes. These are not headphones for going unnoticed on the subway. Rest assured that they will draw attention — even if it is just to make people envious.
Having said that, I’ll be honest with you: they’re a bit heavy and a bit big for some heads. It doesn’t take long before you really notice that you’re wearing them.
It’s not that it’s an uncomfortable feeling — quite the opposite, in fact — but if you’re not used to them, you’ll notice it. I guess it’s the price to pay for all the technology inside and that long-lasting battery.
On a physical level, there is a power button on the left earpiece and audio controls on the right. Unlike other models, the noise cancellation and transparency mode can be controlled by double-tapping the earpiece cover — on both the right and left.
As for the ear pads, and although comfort has already been mentioned, they fit perfectly in almost any type of ear and fit perfectly. The weight is evenly distributed and you can feel the quality of the materials and the care that has gone into them — they even include a mesh to protect the drivers.
App and connectivity: the Dyson app is all you need, perfect if you have more products from the brand
Going to the MyDyson app makes it essential and perfectly complements the headphones. It was the first step I took as soon as I received them.
Not only does it allow you to adjust basic settings, but it also offers a series of advanced features that will enhance your experience, such as an equalizer that I find easy to use. It only has three modes and doesn’t go into too many complex settings.
One of the features of the app that has caught my attention is the ability to monitor both internal and external volume in real time. This is quite useful for protecting the health of your ears, as the app can alert you if harmful sound levels are detected.
For those who already have other Dyson devices, such as air purifiers or vacuum cleaners, the app acts as a unified control center.
Sound quality and battery life: excellent sound, with absolute noise cancellation
The sound quality using Bluetooth is a joy, with its active noise cancellation system being particularly noteworthy, although, again, there are certain nuances to add here. Testing it at home, the hermetic seal it generates is so great that it sometimes even overwhelms or bothers the ear, especially if you are not listening to music or you are out and about and, for example, you are playing with them in the living room.
Personally, I have found that the transparency mode best suits my preferences without losing sound quality. As for calls and voice pickup, nothing to object to.
They support SBC, AAC and LHDC codecs, which offer several audio options. LHDC (Low Latency and High-Definition Audio Codec), for example, is very interesting, as it allows for very good audio transmission with low latency.
However, it is important to know that they do not include support for Dolby Atmos or Qualcomm aptX, and although their absence may be seen as a disadvantage by some audiophiles, for most users, the quality they offer is more than enough.
As for battery life, it is its second great asset. 2,540 mAh, and, in my personal experience, I have been using them for more than two and a half days —about 60 hours— of course, switching between ANC mode and transparency mode.
Although a full charge can take around three hours, the truth is that if you’re in a hurry you can get around eight hours from a 30-minute charge. Add to all this that if you’re a bit absent-minded and don’t turn them off when you stop using them, they do so automatically after half an hour to avoid unnecessary battery drain.
Conclusion: are the Dyson OnTracs worth buying?
There’s no doubt that the Dyson OnTracs make a grand entrance. The sound and active noise cancellation are of high quality with a design that makes an impression.
It should be added that, although they do not generate internal condensation when doing sports —although they do get hot if it is summer, of course— the ear pads will need special care, especially with some light colors, and the metal cap gets easily dirty with fingerprints. Furthermore, the price of 499 euros can be a problem, especially considering that customization adds to the total.
Of course, Dyson has taken the plunge and faces tough competition in the high-end headphones market, where brands like Apple already offer AirPods Max for an extra 80 euros or so, and Sony sells its WH-1000XM5 for 50 euros less. It’s a difficult decision that will probably come down to the aesthetics and reliability that the brand gives you.
