Dyson Discontinues Its Unusual Air-Purifying Headphones
▼ Summary
– The Dyson Zone, a headphone-air purifier hybrid, was initially met with skepticism and criticism for its unconventional design and high price.
– Despite six years of development and initial enthusiasm from Dyson’s chief engineer Jake Dyson, the product received negative reviews and minimal promotion.
– The Dyson Zone is now nearly out of stock at major retailers in the US and UK, with no plans for restocking.
– The product is only available on Dyson’s website, where it is not prominently featured, indicating its marginal status in the company’s lineup.
– Jake Dyson discussed the Zone’s failure in an interview, while Dyson shifts focus to more successful products like the OnTrac headphones.
Dyson has quietly pulled the plug on its controversial air-purifying headphones, marking the end of an ambitious but ultimately ill-fated experiment in wearable tech. The Dyson Zone, launched with much fanfare in 2022, promised to combine premium audio with air purification, a bold vision that failed to resonate with consumers.
When the product first debuted, reactions ranged from bafflement to outright ridicule. Critics described its bulky design as resembling something between futuristic headgear and a dystopian accessory, with one reviewer likening the experience to wearing a toy villain’s mask. Priced at $950, the Zone faced skepticism from the start, with many questioning whether clean air on the go was a problem people actually wanted solved.
Despite six years of development and Jake Dyson’s initial enthusiasm, the product struggled to gain traction. Retailers have since stopped stocking it, with major outlets like Best Buy and John Lewis confirming they won’t be restocking. Even Dyson’s own website now buries the Zone deep within its product listings, a far cry from the flagship treatment it once received.
In a candid interview, Jake Dyson acknowledged the challenges, though he remained optimistic about future innovations. The company has since shifted focus to its OnTrac headphones, a more conventional audio product that has found greater success. While the Zone may go down as a misfire, Dyson’s willingness to push boundaries suggests it won’t be the last unconventional idea from the brand.
For now, though, the air-purifying headphones experiment is over, leaving behind a curious footnote in wearable tech history. Those still determined to own a pair may find limited stock online, but for most, the Zone will remain a quirky what-were-they-thinking moment in Dyson’s otherwise impressive engineering legacy.
(Source: Wired)
