Dyson OnTrac 6FJ-XD-TGB0886A

The Dyson OnTrac has a 99th percentile microphone and 90th percentile ANC, making it a call quality monster. But the comfort score is in the 6th percentile, one of the worst we've seen, and the sound quality is a weak spot at the 21st percentile. At USD 264 it's a niche buy for call-heavy users; at USD 475 it's a hard pass.

Let's start with the good stuff because there is some. The ANC is genuinely strong, ranking in the 90th percentile. Eight active noise cancelling microphones do a lot of heavy lifting, and the 40dB reduction claim is backed up by our data showing it's one of the better options on the market for blocking out the world. The battery is also a standout, with 55 hours of listening even with ANC on. A 10-minute charge giving you 2.5 hours is a nice touch for panic situations at the airport.

But the sound is where things fall apart. The frequency response goes down to 6Hz, which is cool for sub-bass nerds, but the overall sound quality score is in the 21st percentile. That's a weak spot, especially when you consider the price. The DSP is supposed to reveal expanded sub-bass and high-end brilliance, but our data suggests it's not translating into a listening experience that competes with the big names. The microphone quality is the real hero here, landing in the 99th percentile. If you spend your life on Zoom calls, these might be worth a look for that alone.

Stacked against the competition, the OnTrac is a mixed bag. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM M5AEBT and Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B both offer better overall sound quality and comfort, which are the two things most people actually care about in daily use. The Technics EAH-A800 is another strong alternative if you want solid ANC without the comfort penalty. Where the Dyson wins is the microphone, plain and simple. If you're comparing call quality, the OnTrac's 99th percentile mic score beats the others handily. But for music listening, the JBL Tune 670NC and TOZO HT3 both deliver better sound at a fraction of the price. The Dyson is a specialist, not an all-rounder, and that's a tough sell at this price point.

Here's where it gets tricky. The US price spread is wild, ranging from USD 264 to USD 475 across 4 listings. That's a USD 211 gap for the exact same headphones. If you can snag these at the USD 264 end, the value proposition changes dramatically. At that price, the 99th percentile mic and 90th percentile ANC start to make sense. But at USD 475, you're paying flagship money for a pair of headphones with a comfort score in the 6th percentile and sound quality that falls behind most competitors. In Europe, the spread is EUR 119, from EUR 380 to EUR 499. The best deal we're seeing is at the lower end of the US range, so shop around before you commit. Paying full retail for these feels like a mistake.

The Dyson OnTrac is a weird one. Our database puts its microphone quality in the 99th percentile, which is basically best-in-class for calls, and the ANC is a standout too, cancelling up to 40dB with 8 mics. But then you look at the comfort score, sitting in the 6th percentile, and you realize this thing is a beautiful contradiction. The 55-hour battery life is also top-tier, so on paper it sounds like a travel warrior's dream. The reality is a bit more complicated.

At 451g, these are heavy headphones, and our data shows that weight translates into a comfort score near the bottom of the barrel. The sound range is impressive on paper, 6Hz to 21kHz, but the overall sound quality lands in the 21st percentile, which is disappointing for a pair of headphones that can cost as much as a decent laptop. You're paying for the Dyson name, the customizable copper caps, and some genuinely great call quality, but you're giving up a lot of everyday listening comfort to get it.

If you care about comfort or sound quality, skip these. The comfort score in the 6th percentile means these are likely to become painful during long sessions, and the sound quality in the 21st percentile is a real letdown for music lovers. The build quality is also mediocre, sitting in the 35th percentile, which doesn't inspire confidence for a pair of headphones that can cost USD 475. If you're buying for music, the JBL Tune 670NC or TOZO HT3 will sound better for less money. If you're buying for comfort, look at the Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser MOMENTUM instead.

The Dyson OnTrac is a pair of headphones that does one thing exceptionally well and several things quite poorly. The microphone quality is genuinely best-in-class, and the ANC is strong enough to justify the price if you're a heavy call user. But the comfort score in the 6th percentile is a dealbreaker for long listening sessions, and the sound quality in the 21st percentile is hard to forgive at this price. If you can find these at the USD 264 end of the spectrum and you live on conference calls, they're worth considering. For everyone else, there are better options that won't make your head hurt after an hour.