Dyson OnTrac headphones review: Great comfort and superb sound quality
I've been using AirPods for two years now, and while they're convenient, I miss the immersive sound you only get with over-ear headphones.
I'm a total music nerd, so when I got my hands on the Dyson OnTrac, I wondered if it could finally satisfy my need for rich, clear audio.
Dyson OnTrac headphones, £319.99 (was £449.99)
While Dyson is a household name for vacuum cleaners and hair care, they are a relatively unknown entity in the audio market.
Dyson first entered the audio space in 2022 with the announcement of the Dyson Zone, a unique noise-cancelling headphone that also featured a wearable air purifier.
Following up on that innovative but unconventional debut, the brand launched the OnTrac in 2024, a premium headphone offering designed to compete with the biggest players in the market.
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So does it live up to the hype? Keep reading to find out my thoughts on Dyson's latest audio innovation.
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How I tested the Dyson OnTrac headphones
The Dyson OnTrac became my go-to headphone for everything for over three weeks during testing.
I used them during my commute, in the office, while I was chilling at home, during gym sessions and even as running headphones, to see how they performed in real-world scenarios.
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Paying close attention to comfort, sound quality, audio clarity, and noise cancellation, I’ve gathered all my thoughts on Dyson's innovation below.
After considering all the pros and cons, I've awarded the device a rating out of five to determine just how much bang you get for your buck.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Quick summary
Dyson OnTrac headphones, £319.99 (was £449.99)
Pros:
- High-quality build and design
- Plenty of customisation options
- Deep bass and audio clarity
- Handy app with preset and customisable EQs
- Great sound range
- Several customisable options
Cons:
- Noise cancellation was temperamental
- Large carry case
- Spotty connection at times
Rating: 4.2/5
Right out of the box, the headphones shouted premium at me, with a look, feel, and design that just screamed quality.
The setup was easy enough with the app, and after a short update, I was ready to go.
The very first time I put them on, I was immediately impressed by the comfort, a huge change from the uncomfortable models I've worn in the past.
Initially, the sound was a bit flat and neutral, so I quickly learnt I'd have to tweak the settings in the app.
Once I found the perfect sound with the equaliser, I was delighted by the results.
The bass had great depth, and the mid and high frequencies were packed with clarity, offering an exceptional listening experience across every genre.
However, there were a couple of things that were less than perfect, starting with the noise cancellation.
For the first two weeks, I was convinced it didn’t work, until a Reddit thread told me you really have to give the outer caps an eardrum-rattling double-tap to activate.
This tricky method only worked about half the time, which was more than a little frustrating.
I also discovered that the headphones aren’t exactly portable once they’re in their carrying case.
As someone who travels without a backpack often, they were simply too big to bring along.
If you're a true fan of a great listening experience, you're undoubtedly going to enjoy the Dyson OnTrac as much as I did.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: Full review
Dyson OnTrac headphones, £319.99 (was £449.99)
For someone who's worn almost nothing but Apple AirPods for the past two years, going back to over-ear headphones was going to take something quite special.
At first glance, the Dyson OnTrac almost immediately shouts "premium" at you.
The look, feel, and sheer design of the device scream quality, so needless to say, I had high expectations from the get-go.
Along with the headphones in the box, I found a sleek carrying case, a charging cable, and instructions on how to set them up.
After downloading the Dyson app and completing a short update, my headphones were primed and ready to use.
Wasting no time, I put the headphones on for the first time and was immediately impressed by their comfort.
The ear cushions offer a plush feel thanks to supersoft microfiber - a far cry from some of the cauliflower-ear-inducing models I've worn in the past.
To test the sound, I played songs from different genres that I'm completely familiar with.
Dyson OnTrac headphones, £319.99 (was £449.99)
On first impression, I'd describe the sound as somewhat neutral, with each frequency present, albeit a bit flat.
It wasn't until I experimented with the app's built-in equaliser that I found exactly the sound I was looking for.
The lower frequencies were very responsive and offered great depth of bass, while the mid and higher frequencies offered plenty of clarity.
Whether it was metal, dance, country, or even reggae, I found these headphones offered an exceptional listening experience.
So, while there is plenty of good about this model, there are also a few shortcomings, the first of which is the noise cancellation.
Until about two weeks in, I was completely convinced the noise cancellation on these headphones didn't work unless you activated it inside the app.
It wasn't until I found a Reddit thread detailing the same issue that I realised you really (and I mean really) have to double-tap the outer caps to get it to change modes.
Even with eardrum-rattling pressure, I found this only worked about 50% of the time, which was slightly irksome.
Another issue I found was the sheer size of the headphones when they're in the carrying case.
Obviously, this isn't an issue exclusive to the OnTrac, but these headphones aren't exactly the most portable if you're someone who travels without a backpack often, like me.
Finally, I found the connection to be a little bit spotty at times, but this issue quickly resolved itself, so I wasn't too bothered by it.
Overall, if you're in the market for a quality-built headphone with great sound clarity, the Dyson OnTrac might be right up your street - just don't expect to be able to toss them in a small bag.
Dyson OnTrac Headphones: The Verdict
The Dyson OnTrac headphones are a premium product with a sleek design and exceptional sound clarity, especially after fine-tuning them with the app’s equaliser.
They deliver a great listening experience across all music genres, and their comfort is a standout feature.
However, these benefits are weighed down by some notable drawbacks.
The noise cancellation is frustratingly inconsistent and difficult to use, and their sheer size makes them inconvenient for travel.
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While they are a great choice for quality sound and comfort, their lack of portability and flawed features may not justify the high price for everyone.
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