Dyson is launching two models – the Zone and Absolute+ – costing £749.99 and £819.99.
Originally slated to launch in autumn 2022, the date has been pushed back a few times and the headsets are now due out on 17 May 2023.
What are the Dyson Zone headphones?
Dyson says that these noise-cancelling, Bluetooth headphones filter air of pollutants and then channel this air to your nose and mouth through a futuristic-looking visor that looks like it was pulled from a sci-fi film.
The Zone is Dyson's first effort at headphones, so we'll be interested to see how it performs in our audio lab tests.
How does the personal air purifier work?
The tech itself is interesting – each ear cup has a motor, air-purifying filter and compressor fan inside. The motor pushes the filtered air to the inside of the visor, which sits in front of your nose and mouth and doesn't touch your skin.
Dyson claims the battery lasts up to four hours at the lowest purification rate, which is plenty of time for the average commute, and then some.
How much are the Dyson headphones?
There are two models: the Zone, which costs £749.99, and the Absolute+, which costs £819.99.
Since most of the Dyson air purifiers we've tested cost £500 or more, it doesn't surprise us that a personal, portable Dyson air purifier is so expensive.
Are Dyson air purifiers worth it? Read our on whether or not you should buy one.When will the Zone and Absolute+ be released?
The headphones were supposed to launch in autumn last year, but the release has been pushed back a few times to March 2023, and now May 2023.
Dyson says the Zone and Absolute+ headphones will be available to purchase on 17 May 2023.
Where can I buy Dyson headphones?
Otherwise, from 17 May you can purchase the headphones directly from Dyson's online store, or at its Demo Stores in London and Manchester.
It's likely that other major retailers will carry the Dyson headphones, but we can't confirm who will stock them yet.
What’s the difference between the Zone and Absolute+ headphones?
At their core, both models are pretty much the same. The only difference is in colour and price tag – although the Absolute+ comes with more accessories.
The Dyson Zone headphones come with a set of filters, a cleaning brush, a sleeve for the visor, a USB-C charging cable and a carrying case to hold all of it.
The Dyson Absolute+ headphones come with an extra set of filters and an in-flight adapter for use on a plane.
The Absolute+ also comes with a different case and a protective dust bag.
How long can I listen to music on them?
Dyson claims you can listen to music for up to 50 hours with active noise cancelling if you're not using the air-purifying function.
If you want clean air while blasting out your tunes, the battery life drops significantly to around four hours.
Keep in mind that a manufacturer’s claims often err on the generous side.
Is it worth the massive price tag?
We can't say for sure until we test them – keep an eye out for our first look review.
What we can say is that Dyson air purifiers are expensive, with no Best Buys in our tests to date. We're hoping that its engineers have done a better job with the tech behind the Zone.
Which? most popular noise-cancelling headphones
Below, we've picked five of our most popular noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones that offer an alternative to the Dyson Zone.
These models were the most viewed headphones by Which? members since the beginning of 2023.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5It's no surprise that the XM5 are so popular, Sony claims that the WH-1000XM series delivers ‘industry-leading noise-cancelling' in its over-ear Bluetooth headphones.
These headphones are compatible with virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, and have built-in touch controls so you can change your music without having to open your phone.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4You can usually pick up a pair of these wireless headphones, the precursor to the XM5, for a bit less. Still a popular choice, despite being an older model, they have most of the same features as the XM5, except they only have five built-in microphones that help optimise the active noise cancelling whereas the XM5s have eight.
You can read our full review on the WH-1000XM4, or compare availability from major retailers below:
3. Sony WH-XB910NA more budget-friendly option from the Sony Extra Bass range, the WH-XB910Ns still have noise-cancelling and wireless capabilities. Unlike the WH-1000XM series, these have a mix of touch controls and physical buttons, which some people might prefer.
4. Anker Soundcore Space Q45Anker has targeted its Space Q45 headphones at frequent travellers, or people who forget to charge their headphones.
Anker claims that the Space Q45s have a 65-hour battery life without noise-cancelling, and up to 50 with it on. They're cheaper than similar models, so it might be a good choice if you're on a tighter budget.
5. JBL Live 650BTNNCThese aren't the newest or flashiest pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones, but they're still popular with members, not least because they're a decent price.
You will need to download a separate app in order to use voice controls or a virtual assistant, however.
Read our to find the perfect commuting companion.Which? most popular air purifiers
Unfortunately, none of our air purifiers on test are as portable as the Dyson Zone. We wouldn't recommend throwing out your back trying to lug one around town, either.
That said, of the Dyson air purifiers we've tested, we have yet to bestow the coveted Best Buy on any of them.
Below, we've picked three air purifiers that have proved popular with Which? members since the beginning of 2023.
1. ElectriQ EAP500HCThis budget air purifier from ElectriQ is designed for large rooms of up to 140sqm. It has four fan speeds and an air quality sensor that can automatically switch on air purification.
It offers seven-stage purification, which ElectriQ says can help with allergies, asthma, dust mites, hay fever, pet dander and smoke.
2. Levoit Core 300SThis unassuming air purifier is popular due to its small size, light weight and low price tag. It uses a pre-filter to catch large detritus like lint, then a carbon filter to neutralise smells. It has a HEPA filter and three fan speeds.
It can't purify large rooms, though, making it suitable for a space up to 20sqm.
3. Philips 3000i AC3033/30While it isn't much cheaper than a Dyson, this air purifier is still quite popular thanks to its ability to purify air in large rooms up to 104sqmm, and because it's a bit more stylish than other models.
It does most of its features automatically: it can turn on when it senses pollution, and will automatically adjust speed and light depending on the time of day. You can control it remotely and monitor air quality through an app.
Read our expert .undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/dyson-zone-headphones-buying-guide-aziZS9z0a0ab