Far from just a novelty, the Dyson OnTrac offers an experience that deserves replication.
When you think of Dyson, their vacuums and hair tools likely come to mind. If you do remember Dyson’s venture into headphones, it’s probably because of the Dyson Zone, an unusual device that merged over-ear headphones with an air-purifying mask during the global pandemic.
If you lost interest after that, I wouldn’t hold it against you, but you’d be missing out on one of the most exciting concepts in consumer audio today: the Dyson OnTrac. Unlike the Zone, the OnTrac are no mere gimmick. These headphones combine eye-catching aesthetics with significant sound quality and ANC performance. In the crowded over-ear headphone market, Dyson distinguished the OnTrac from competitors by embracing customization as their hallmark.
We first reviewed the Dyson OnTrac in 2024, and upon revisiting them a year later, it’s evident they still make a statement. With frequent sales — the Dyson OnTrac recently dropped to their lowest price ever at $260 on Amazon just last month — they remain a solid choice for those seeking excellent ANC headphones.
More importantly, I hope to see more audio brands take inspiration from Dyson’s customization options, and here’s why.
How to customize the Dyson OnTrac
Many top headphones feature replaceable ear cushions, and for good reason. When a set of ear cushions becomes dirty or damaged, you can easily replace them at a reasonable cost rather than purchasing an entirely new headphone set. This is great for user-repairability, but the main focus isn’t necessarily customization. Often, a headphone brand will only offer a couple of color options for replacement ear cushions, commonly matching their primary color schemes.
Dyson takes a different route, designing the OnTrac ear cushions not only to be user-replaceable but also user-customizable. There are nine unique colors of ear cushions you can acquire, significantly more than the four color options available for the Dyson OnTrac. The concept is that you can purchase a pair of OnTrac and then personalize it with custom cushions, making Dyson’s headset as much a fashion statement as it is an audio device.
Dyson advances this concept by allowing users to replace and customize the outer caps of the headphones, which is virtually unheard of in the headphone industry. You can twist the outer cap on your OnTrac to unlock it and remove it from the headphones. This will show you a basic view of the OnTrac, its shell, and its audio drivers (once the ear cushions are removed). From there, you can add whichever outer cap material and color you prefer.
There are a total of 10 options for outer cap colors and finishes, including CNC Aluminum, CNC Copper, Titanium, and Ceramic. This versatility allows you to choose a headphone colorway that aligns with your style. Perhaps you want titanium headphones to match your titanium Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra phone, or a pink ceramic pair to complement your peony Google Pixel 9.
With the color of the headband (chosen only at purchase), the outer caps, and the ear cushions, there are over 2,000 distinct color combinations you can create with Dyson OnTrac. In a market where many of the best headphones are typically available only in black or white, this level of customization is unmatched.
A fresh approach to headphone repairability and modularity
Of course, swapping the outer cap or ear cushion on your headphones won’t enhance sound quality or provide any real benefits to the listening experience. Audiophiles, you may want to look away. However, headphones have evolved into as much of a fashion accessory as they are an audio device in recent years.
If you’re skeptical, head to the gym and tally how many individuals are exercising with AirPods Max — they might be the least suitable tool for the task, yet they are everywhere. Their appeal lies in their aesthetics and the status they convey.
It’s encouraging to see a company acknowledge that technology intersects with fashion and embrace that identity. Personalizing these headphones isn’t inexpensive, as each set of ear cushions or outer caps costs $50. Nonetheless, it’s wonderful to have the choice. Even if you wait until your ear cushions are worn or your outer caps are scratched to replace them, it will still be enjoyable to select a new colorway a year or two later.
The ability to refresh a pair of headphones that are a few years old with something new may prevent the urge to purchase an entirely new pair, thus reducing overconsumption and saving you money. Not everyone will utilize the Dyson OnTrac’s customization features in this way, but it’s refreshing that they exist.
Considering how mundane headphones like the Sonos Ace, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sony WH-1000XM6 are starting to appear
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