Dyson will invest £250 million in audio products over the next three years
Dyson OnTrac is the latest innovation from the world-renowned British technology firm. And it represents a dramatic departure for the company since it's not a new vacuum cleaner, haircare, or air purifier.
No, if the name hasn't already given it away, Dyson OnTrac is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to compete head-to-head with the likes of Bose, Sony, Bowers & Wilkins, and Apple. With the reveal of the all-new OnTrac, Dyson confirmed that it would be moving into audio products for the long term.
Dyson OnTrac will be available to buy in the UK from August 1 for £449.99. Although those who want to guarantee a spot at the front of the queue can register their interest on the Dyson UK website today.
For comparison, the Apple AirPods Max will set you back £499 in your local Apple Store (although online retailers like Amazon often discount them), Sony's award-winning WH-1000XM5 headphones cost £299, and fellow British brand Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2 noise-cancelling headphones start from £379.
Outside of a sale, Dyson OnTrac will undoubtedly be one of the pricier options around. The first dedicated headphones from Dyson will come with up to 55 hours of battery life on a single charge.
When it's time to refill the battery, Dyson has fitted its premium noise-cancelling headphones with fast-charging technology via USB-C, so just 10 minutes plugged into the mains will deliver 2.5 hours of listening time. And a 30-minute charge will reward wearers with 9 hours of battery life.
Dyson will offer OnTrac in a range of colours, with a wide selection of outer caps and ear cushions to customise the look of the over-ear headphones. These will all be sold separately, although there's no word on how much Dyson plans to charge for a brightly-coloured new pair of ear cushions.
The exterior of the headphones is built from aluminium, the same material found on the AirPods Max. Models built from anodised CNC and ceramic will also be made available, Dyson says.
Dyson OnTrac builds on the technology developed for the Dyson Zone headset. First announced in 2022, this science-fiction-like device combined noise-cancelling headphones with a person air-purifying facemask. The headset intelligently adjusts the level of airflow based on your movement, so if you start jogging with the Dyson Zone, it'll increase the intake of air to meet the demand.
Dyson says this £549.99 headset can remove virus particles, city fumes, and 99% of ultrafine pollutants as small as 0.1 microns to deliver purified air. There are undoubtedly similarities between the Dyson Zone and the newly-announced OnTrac, which will be the first dedicated high-end headphones from the British brand.
Dyson OnTrac, like the Dyson Zone and several other air-purifying gadgets from the brand, is managed and controlled via the MyDyson companion app on iPhone and Android. From there, you'll be able to adjust the level of active noise cancellation, check the remaining battery life, and tweak the EQ.
The arrival of the Dyson OnTrac signals a wider investment in audio technology, with the company founded by Sir James Dyson confirming plans to invest £250 million over the next three years.
Chief Engineer Jake Dyson said: "Dyson’s audio engineering mission is to preserve the integrity of the artist’s sound wave, free from interference. We also wanted to create a set of headphones that people would cherish, be excited by, and be proud of.
"With over 30 years of experience in aeroacoustics, we’ve mastered sound physics. By reducing noise through in-house anechoic chambers and expert engineers, we’ve applied and further expanded our audio knowledge to develop the Dyson OnTrac headphones.
"Our first, over-ear, audio only headphones deliver best-in-class ANC (active noise cancelling), exceptional sound quality, and all-day comfort through unique materials, design and customisation."
Dyson has gradually expanded its range of products over the years from vacuum cleaners to include air purifying and treatment devices, motorised mops and floor cleaners, as well as a wide range of beauty products, including hair dryers and straighteners, to name just a few.