Let’s get one thing straight — Dyson is known for making top-tier home appliances, from vacuum cleaners to air purifiers, all at a premium. Some say they’re overpriced. Others say they’re the best in their class.
Now they’ve entered a new space — wireless noise-cancelling headphones. So the big question is: Is the Dyson OnTrac actually good, or is it just riding on the brand’s reputation to justify its PhP 32,900 price?
Spoiler alert: The Dyson OnTrac may look like a first attempt, but it performs like a seasoned contender.
What We Liked:
- Ultra-premium build
- Rich sound with strong bass and clean highs
- Top-class ANC
- Long battery life
- Swappable ear cushions and covers for personalization
What Could Be Better:
- Heavier than most consumer headphones
- Storage case lacks the premium feel
- Price is steep, even among flagship ANC headphones
- Odd gesture controls for ANC/Transparency
Design
If you’ve used any other headphones recently, you’ll probably feel the same way I did. I came from the Nothing Headphones (1), which already felt quite premium on their own—but once I tried the Dyson OnTrac, it completely shifted my perspective. Everything else suddenly felt like a toy in comparison. The OnTrac just screams premium.
Built mostly from aluminum, this pair is as high-end as it gets. There’s a satisfying tactile click when you extend the headband, and the ear cups rotate—though a bit oddly, as they only fully swivel in one direction. The ear cushions have a soft, velvety texture that feels great both on your ears and just by touch.
Bonus: the cushions are removable and replaceable, as are the ear cup covers. Ours came in a bronze finish, and Dyson says more color options for mixing and matching will be available this August 2025.
The replaceable earcups oddly do rattle when you tap on it gently which kind of gives a flimsy feel.
As for controls—they’re basic, but not super intuitive. There’s a joystick: press to play/pause, push up/down for volume, and left/right to skip tracks. A separate power button also doubles as a pairing button when held down.
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Size & Case
The Dyson OnTrac is definitely on the larger and heavier side compared to more mainstream options like the Sony WH-1000XM6, but it’s right up there with the AirPods Max in terms of heft and build quality.
Now, I’m not the biggest fan of the case it comes with—I feel like it doesn’t offer much protection. But to be fair, it does two things really well. First, it keeps a surprisingly compact footprint for such a large pair of headphones. And second, it’s the only case I’ve seen that gives you access to the charging port while the headphones are stored. Clever touch.
Comfort
Comfort depends a lot on head shape, but surprisingly, the Dyson OnTrac holds up really well. Yes, it’s on the heavier side, but the weight is evenly distributed so it doesn’t feel too taxing. It can get a bit warm and slightly tiring during long sessions at first, but once broken in, they sit comfortably for hours.
Sound Quality
Now onto the most important part—sound quality. And honestly, the Dyson OnTrac does not disappoint.
I’m not an audiophile, and sound is always subjective, but I do use multiple headphones regularly and have tried quite a few top models from different brands and generations—so this take comes from that experience. Also, just to clarify, I didn’t touch any EQ settings for this review.
For a brand that didn’t have to make headphones sound this good, Dyson really went all in. As mentioned earlier, I’m currently reviewing the Nothing Headphones (1), and I also use the Samson SR850 reference monitors for mixing. Compared to those, the OnTrac delivers noticeably clearer audio than the Nothing—there’s more sparkle in the highs and better overall clarity.
That’s not to say the Nothing sounds bad—it still holds its own—but the OnTrac definitely has a beefier, more full-bodied sound that feels a step up.
The sound profile isn’t perfectly neutral—it leans a bit toward the low end—but it’s tastefully done. And hey, it should sound good… it’s more than double the price of the Nothing, after all.
Instrument separation is impressive, too. Everything comes through cleanly—no muddiness here. The mids are smooth and well-balanced, avoiding that boxy or hollow sound. The soundstage is wide and immersive, putting the OnTrac on a higher level than most consumer headphones I’ve tried.
ANC and Transparency
Active Noise Cancellation is easily one of the Dyson OnTrac’s biggest strengths. Some say it's on par with the AirPods Max—and while I can’t confirm that directly, I can say this: the ANC here is seriously good.
It easily drowns out the hum of air conditioners, fans, and even barking dogs. Sure, the occasional sound slips through, but for the most part, it creates a quiet, immersive space.
Just a heads up—wearing this all day might get you in trouble with your significant other. It blocks out voices so well, you might not even notice someone talking to you. But hey, if a fight breaks out, you can always throw these back on and stay in the zone. 😅
Transparency mode works great, letting voices and outside sounds come through clearly.
But probably the weirdest quirk is how you switch between ANC and transparency—it’s not touch-based. You actually have to tap (or lightly smack) the side of the ear cup twice. It’s not responsive to light touches—you really need to hit it with some force. You could even use an object, as long as you tap it hard enough. Strange, but it works.
Battery Life
Battery life is another win for the OnTrac. Dyson claims up to 55 hours of playback, and I haven’t even come close to draining it. It also helps that the headphones power down automatically after 30 minutes of being idle, saving even more juice.
I’ve had these for about a week now, using them regularly, and I still have around 70% left. That’s pretty outstanding, especially for something this powerful.
Conclusion
The Dyson OnTrac is a bold entry into a crowded category, and surprisingly, it delivers. Yes, it’s heavy. Yes, it’s pricey. But it also sounds great, feels luxurious, and has some of the best ANC and battery life you’ll find in a wireless headphone today.
Think of it as a status symbol. It's not for everyone, especially if you’re looking for something light and ultra-portable.
But if you’re after a premium pair of headphones that you can flex, can go head-to-head with the best in the game, Dyson’s OnTrac deserves serious consideration.
Don’t underestimate it—it’s not just riding on the Dyson name. It’s here to compete.
Thinking of buying the Dyson OnTrac? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or check out our reviews over on TechLokal’s YouTube channel and updates on Facebook.