Spending $499 on headphones from a vacuum cleaner brand takes a certain kind of confidence. The Dyson OnTrac has generated real attention since its launch, and for good reason.
The battery life is genuinely impressive, the customization is unlike anything else at this price, and the ANC holds its own against established names.
But there are things: the case, the controls, the sound character, and how it actually stacks up against Bose and Apple in real use. This Dyson headphones review covers it all so you can decide with confidence.
What Are the Dyson OnTrac Headphones?
The OnTrac is not the one with the air purifier attached to it. That was the older Dyson Zone, and it looked exactly as unusual as it sounds.
The OnTrac is different. It is a straightforward pair of premium headphones priced at $499, built to compete with the best over-ear options available right now.
At that price, you are naturally going to compare it against the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Apple AirPods Max. Those are the headphones sitting in the same conversation.
What makes the OnTrac stand out from the moment you see it is the design. You can swap the outer caps and ear cushions independently, which opens up over 2,000 color combinations. It is large, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Key Features of the Dyson OnTrac Headphones
The OnTrac packs a lot into one product. Understanding each feature separately helps you figure out whether this headphone fits your actual needs.
Design and Customization
The outer caps and micro-suede ear cushions are interchangeable, giving you over 100 color combinations to choose from. The all-metal construction feels premium in your hands, but it does add to the overall bulk.
Compared to the AirPods Max, the OnTrac is noticeably chunkier. If a slim, understated look is what you are after, that is worth knowing upfront.
Audio Quality
The sound leans toward deep bass and clean mids. Treble is present but sits slightly behind the low end, a point some reviewers noted in detailed or orchestral recordings.
The MyDyson app gives you three EQ presets to work with:
- Bass Boost: pushes the low frequencies forward, suited for hip-hop and electronic music
- Enhanced: lifts the mids and adds a touch of brightness for vocal-heavy content
- Neutral: leaves the tuning flat, which works well for podcasts and acoustic listening
No custom EQ curve is available beyond these three options, so what you see is what you get on the software side.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
Eight microphones handle active noise cancellation across the ear cups. The system performs well against continuous low-frequency noise, such as engines and air conditioning, which the common in environments where people rely on ANC the most.
It does fall slightly short of Sony and Bose at the top end of ANC performance. The gap is not dramatic, but it is noticeable if you are switching from a Sony XM5 or Bose QC Ultra.
Battery Life
Fifty-five hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled is the standout figure here. In real-world use, that puts the OnTrac far ahead of both the AirPods Max and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra in terms of battery life.
For frequent travelers or anyone who often forgets to charge their headphones, this makes a noticeable difference. You can go much longer between charges, removing one of the small but annoying problems that many premium headphones still have.
Is the OnTrac Comfortable to Wear for Long Sessions?
At 451 grams, the OnTrac is heavier than both the AirPods Max and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. That number looks concerning on paper, but it tells an incomplete story.
Dyson stores the battery cells inside the headband rather than the ear cups. That single design decision is why the weight feels more manageable than the spec suggests, and it is also directly responsible for the 55-hour battery life.
The microfiber cushions sit softly against the ear without creating pressure points, and the clamping force is moderate. Long sessions are genuinely comfortable for the large majority of users who have tested them.
Ear Cushioning
The microfiber ear cushions also make a bigger difference than you might expect. They sit softly around your ears without creating uncomfortable pressure points, and the clamping force feels moderate instead of tight.
Dyson built a larger headphone with a bigger battery, and the softer fit helps balance out the added weight during longer listening sessions.
How Customizable Are the Dyson OnTrac Headphones?
The OnTrac’s customization works on two levels, and they are very different from each other. The physical side is quite impressive, while the software side has real limits worth knowing before you buy.
On the physical side, you can swap out both the outer caps and the microfiber ear cushions independently. That combination yields over 2,000 possible color pairings between the two components.
- Outer caps: available in a wide range of colors and finishes, snapping on and off without tools in seconds
- Ear cushions: sold separately as replacements, meaning worn cushions can be swapped out rather than sending the whole headphone in for service
- Color pairings: mix and match caps and cushions freely, so the headphone reflects your preference rather than a fixed factory finish
On the software side, the MyDyson app controls the experience, and its limitations are straightforward to understand.
- EQ presets: three fixed options only, with no ability to build or save a custom curve
- Tap controls: assigned to ANC mode switching on the ear cups, with responsiveness that has been flagged as inconsistent by multiple reviewers
- App depth: no spatial audio, no Dolby Atmos support, and no multipoint connectivity for switching between two devices simultaneously
The physical customization is a genuine long-term advantage at this price point. The software experience, by comparison, trails behind what Bose and Apple currently offer their users.
Dyson OnTrac vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra and AirPods Max: Which Should You Buy?
Three headphones, one price bracket, and very different strengths. Here is how they compare across the criteria that actually matter when you are spending $500.
| Feature | Dyson OnTrac | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Apple AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $429 | $549 |
| Weight | 451g | 254g | 385g |
| Battery Life | 55 hours | 24 hours | 29 hours |
| ANC Quality | Class-leading | Class-leading | Strong |
| Custom EQ | 3 presets only | Full custom EQ | Adaptive EQ |
| Spatial Audio | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Connect | No | Yes | No |
| Physical Customization | 2,000+ combinations | Fixed design | Color options only |
| Replaceable Cushions | Yes | No | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Inconsistent | Reliable | Reliable |
The OnTrac wins on battery life and physical customization by a clear margin. If those two things matter to you, neither competitor comes close to matching what Dyson delivers here.
Where the Dyson OnTrac Falls Short
Before spending $499, here are the real-world limitations to know about.
- The carrying case functions more like a slip-on jacket than a proper protective case, making an already large pair of headphones really awkward to pack for travel.
- The tap controls for switching ANC modes sit on the ear cups but respond inconsistently in practice, which can be frustrating when you need a quick switch on the go.
- No multipoint connectivity means the OnTrac connects to one device at a time, so switching between your phone and laptop requires a manual disconnect and reconnect every time.
- The MyDyson app limits EQ adjustments to three fixed presets, with no custom curve available, which falls short of what Bose and Sony offer at a similar price point.
- At 451 grams, the weight works better than the number suggests, but it will still be a dealbreaker for anyone who found the AirPods Max too heavy to wear comfortably for long periods.
None of these are hidden flaws, but together they tell you exactly who this headphone is and is not built for.
Conclusion
The Dyson OnTrac is a genuinely capable headphone with class-leading battery life, strong ANC, and a customization system no competitor comes close to matching. The limitations are real, but they are specific. Inconsistent controls and a weak case matter more to some buyers than others.
If you came here searching for an honest Dyson headphones review, wondering whether $499 on the OnTrac is the right call, you now have everything you need to answer that honestly.
Check the latest price on the Dyson OnTrac and see if it fits your budget today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Dyson OnTrac headphones worth $499?
If long battery life and bold physical customization are your priorities, the OnTrac holds its ground at $499. If you want full EQ control, lighter weight, and reliable touch controls, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers more for slightly less money.
How do Dyson OnTrac headphones compare to Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
The OnTrac beats the Bose on battery life by a significant margin, running 55 hours against 24. The Bose wins on weight, coming in nearly 200 grams lighter, and offers full custom EQ, where the OnTrac gives you three fixed presets.
Why are Dyson OnTrac headphones so heavy?
The battery cells sit inside the headband rather than the ear cups. That placement is what makes 55 hours of playback possible, so the weight and the battery life are directly connected to the same design decision.
Can you replace the ear cushions on Dyson OnTrac headphones?
Yes, and it is worth factoring into the value equation. Dyson sells replacement cushions separately, so when they wear out, you swap them rather than replacing the whole headphone, which is a practical advantage at this price point.
