I tested Dyson’s OnTrac headphones to find out if they’re REALLY worth the £450 price tag
When it comes to headphone brands, you probably immediately think of companies like Apple, Bose and Sony.
But these tech giants are facing new competition from Dyson, which has entered the audio world with the launch of its very first headphones.
The Dyson OnTrac boasts some impressive features, including a 55-hour battery life on a single charge and best-in-class noise cancellation.
But with a hefty price tag of £449.99, they certainly don’t come cheap.
Are the new headphones worth the money? MailOnline’s Shivali Best tested them out – and was pleasantly surprised.
The Dyson OnTrac boasts some impressive features, including 55 hours of battery life on a single charge and best-in-class noise cancellation. However, with a hefty price tag of £449.99, they certainly don’t come cheap. So, are the new headphones worth splurging on? MailOnline’s Shivali Best put them through their paces – and was pleasantly surprised
The Dyson OnTrac was first announced last month and is described by Dyson as ‘headphones, remastered’
The Dyson OnTrac was first announced last month and is described by Dyson as “a remastered headphone.”
Ahead of the official UK launch today, Dyson sent a pair to the MailOnline office for me to test out.
The headphones are available in four colors: aluminum, copper, cinnabar, and black nickel. In addition, you can choose from additional options for customized outer caps and ear cushions in various colors and finishes.
I opted for the copper one, and I can say that they are not exactly subtle.
This finish is unique. Apple’s pink AirPods Max are the closest I can think of to a competitor. They’re more understated and subtle.
The copper shines and catches a lot of light. Ideal if you want to stand out, but it can also make you a target for thieves.
I opted for the copper pair – and I can safely say they’re not exactly subtle. This finish is unique, with the most similar option from a rival I can think of being Apple’s pink AirPods Max, which are more muted and subtle
At 451 grams, the headphones are noticeably heavier than other over-ear headphones I’ve worn
When I put the headphones on, I immediately noticed how heavy they are.
Weighing in at 451 grams, the headphones are noticeably heavier than other over-ear headphones I’ve worn.
For example, Apple’s AirPods Max weigh 385 grams, while the Beats Studio Pro weighs only 260 grams.
If you only wear your headphones for short periods of time, this probably won’t be a big problem.
However, if you, like me, wear your headphones for hours on end, the top of your head can start to hurt.
Plus, they’re pretty heavy to carry around, even when you’re not wearing them. They’re not the kind of thing you can just throw in your bag without thinking about it.
Despite their weight, the ear pads are soft and comfortable, so your ears won’t hurt, even if the top of your head hurts!
The headphones were quite easy to install.
There was a leaflet in the box asking me to download the MyDyson app to my smartphone. The app allowed me to quickly pair and use my headphones.
Where these headphones really come into their own is in the audio quality. Whether it was a podcast, a deep drum and bass track or just a call, the sound quality was undeniably incredible, while the noise cancellation also lives up to its ‘best in class’ reputation
The headphones come in four colors: aluminum, copper, cinnabar, and black nickel, with additional options for custom outer covers and cushions in different colors and finishes.
The most important aspect of these headphones is the sound quality.
Whether it was a podcast, a deep drum and bass track or just a phone call, the sound quality was undeniably great. The noise cancellation also lives up to its reputation as ‘best in class’.
By double-tapping the side of the earcup, I could easily switch between the two noise-cancelling modes: Isolation Mode and Transparency Mode.
In isolation mode, the maximum noise cancellation, the noise from the busy office around me was immediately blocked out and my music was the only sound in my ears.
Meanwhile, a colleague came over to my desk and by tapping the earcup twice again, I immediately entered Transparency mode, bringing the environment around me back into focus.
If you already use noise-canceling headphones, this may sound familiar.
But with noise cancellation happening at a whopping 384,000 times per second, it’s safe to say you’ve probably never experienced anything like the Dyson OnTrac!
Another major selling point is the battery life: you can listen for up to 55 hours on a single charge.
During the test week, I only had to charge the headphones once, even though I had active noise cancellation turned on.
For comparison, the Apple AirPods Max and Beats Studio Pro only last 20 hours with noise cancellation turned on.
Overall, the Dyson OnTrac easily competes with headphones from Apple, Sony and Bose in terms of sound quality and battery life.
I think Dyson might struggle with the design of the headphones.
They are simply too heavy to be practical and the finish will likely be too flashy for most users who prefer subtle designs.
When – or rather if – Dyson releases more discreet in-ear headphones, I will consider taking the plunge!