The launch of Dyson Zone headphones solidifies an idea that’s been forming for some time now: The days when Dyson was known only as a vacuum brand are long gone. From luxury hair tools like the Airwrap to blade-less fans, the company has had clear success when it comes to adding its signature look and engineering to a spectrum of household objects. So it wasn’t all the surprising when earlier this year, Dyson announced it was entering the audio industry with the launch of Dyson Zone, a pair of over-ear headphones. There would be, however, one small twist: The headphones would also be air purifying.
Appearing like a standard pair of headphones—with an attached visor-like covering—the product was not born from the pandemic. According to Dyson, the brand started researching wearable air purification technology in 2016. By 2017, the headphones were integrated into the design. Though yet to hit shelves, the brand recently shared that when they do, the Dyson Zone will cost $949.
Dyson’s offerings can appear somewhat random when examined on the surface, but the company has created a unique niche for itself: products that harness the power of moving air. The headphones work in similar ways. Compressors in the headphones draw air through dual-layer filters, which capture and remove up to 99% of unwanted particles and pollutants. The visor, which is removable, projects the purified air into the wearer’s nose and mouth.
Even though this isn’t Dyson’s first clean-air offering—it has sold stationary air purifiers for years—it is its first foray into the world of audio equipment. According to the company, the headphones feature advanced noise cancellation, full spectrum audio, ultra-low distortion, and last up to 50 hours per charge. The Dyson Zone will first go on sale in China in January of 2023, according to a recent press release from Dyson, and will be released in March for the US, UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
