Dyson’s $500 OnTrac headphones are now 50% off, but are they finally worth it? We dig into expert reviews, user opinions, and Dyson’s engineering obsession to find out.
Quick Verdict
Dyson OnTrac: A headphone designed by engineers for perfectionists. With 55 hours of battery life, elite noise cancellation, and customizable CNC-metal finishes, it’s technically stunning — but misses the emotional spark audiophiles crave. If you love sleek design and obsessive engineering detail, these are for you. If you want warmth, punch, and long-wear comfort, you may find Dyson’s precision a little too clinical. Once overpriced, now a steal at 50% off.
Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – Engineered brilliance finally meets new affordability.
Disclosure: As an affiliate, we may earn from qualifying purchases — it helps us keep reviews honest.
Brad’s Take
Dyson approached these headphones the same way they build their vacuums: precision airflow, acoustic chambers, and a deep obsession with data.
The result? Up to 55 hours of battery life, 8-mic active noise cancelling, and thousands of color combinations. Every component feels machined, not molded. Even the joystick feels like a miniature control lever from a jet cockpit. And the price? At 50% off, it becomes absolutely justified.
But there’s a trade-off. The sound is balanced, not exciting. It’s flat enough for studio reference work but lacks that “wow” bass response most consumers enjoy.
If you’re the kind of person who measures decibels before judging a song, Dyson made these for you.
Chad’s Take
These look incredible! But my neck feels every gram of that “premium build.”
After a few hours, the weight starts creeping in, especially compared to Sony’s XM5 or Apple’s AirPods Max.
And that app? The MyDyson app feels more like a product portal than a music tool. Too many banners and not enough EQ control.
Don’t get me wrong, the sound is clean, and the ANC works beautifully on planes. When these first launched at $500, I laughed! They looked amazing but felt like Dyson built them for lab engineers, not listeners. But now that they’re 50% off, I’m not laughing anymore.
Pros
- Best In Class Battery Life (Up to 55 hours playtime)
- Decent Active Noise Cancellation
- Premium Metallic Finishes
- Highly Customizable
Cons
- Heavier Than Most Competitors. Weigh in: 451 grams.
- No Multi-point Bluetooth Connectivity
- MyDyson App UI Could Be Better
Deep Dive
Dyson didn’t just make another pair of headphones; they reverse-engineered the entire experience. The OnTrac’s 8-microphone array constantly analyzes external noise and your own head movement, adjusting isolation on the fly. It’s the same obsessive precision they bring to air filtration and vacuum motors, only now applied to sound.
That obsession pays off in the metrics: up to 55 hours of battery life, class-leading ANC, and near-zero distortion even at high volume. Every review, from WIRED to StereoGuide, acknowledges Dyson’s engineering brilliance. The aluminum frame, magnetic cushions, and customizable metal caps feel industrial in the best possible way.
But the more you listen, the clearer Dyson’s identity becomes: this isn’t a headphone designed by musicians—it’s a headphone designed by engineers. The tuning is clean, controlled, and deeply neutral. You hear details others smooth over, yet you rarely feel them. It’s the same emotional trade-off audiophiles have noted in Rtings and Reddit threads alike.
Then there is the weight. Weighing over 450 grams, users have stated that they become tired of wearing it after prolonged use. The craftsmanship that makes them look expensive also makes them heavy. Long sessions cause fatigue, especially compared to Sony’s XM5s or Bose’s QC Ultras. Dyson definitely focused on fit & finish more than its competitors. Users also mentioned that your ears heat up due to its microfiber, insulating cups, a heads-up for gym g0ers.
Offering over 2000 colour combinations, the Dyson OnTrac comes with 4 main finishes: CNC Nickel, CNC Copper, CNC Black Nickel & Ceramic Cinnabar. You can choose from the wide colour variations of cushions and outer caps, making the OnTrac the most customizable overhead headphones to date.
Before the price cut, it was steep for most consumers. At $500, consumers expected warmth, portability, and smarter connectivity (like multipoint Bluetooth). Now, at 50% off, those compromises feel tolerable. You’re getting flagship-level materials and battery life for mid-range money, a first for Dyson.
Ultimately, the OnTrac embodies Dyson’s personality as a brand: futuristic, flawless, and slightly detached. It’s a statement piece, not a cozy companion. Yet for once, the math checks out, the price finally matches the product.
Who Should Buy This?
This product is ideal for:
- People who prioritize precision, customization, and design aesthetics.
- Dyson enthusiasts who want a tech ecosystem that matches their lifestyle.
- Travelers who need marathon battery life and ANC
- Office workers who need sound-insulating headphones to focus.
Skip this one if:
- Not ideal for bass-lovers
- Gym goers since they are sweat inducing with poor insulation
- Prefer more mainstream brands, such as Apple ProMax or the Sonos Ace
Final Verdict
The Dyson OnTrac is a triumph of precision over passion: elite ANC, marathon ~55-hour battery, and jewel-like build quality. At full price it felt like an engineering flex; at 50% off it finally lands where the value matches the hype. If you crave warmth and featherweight comfort, look elsewhere. If you want futuristic craftsmanship that just keeps going, this is the moment to buy.
Brad: “Engineering mastery, finally priced right.” Chad: “Still heavy—but at half off, I’m in.”
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Disclosure: We independently aggregate expert and user reviews. If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission.
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