Dyson Discontinues Niche Zone Air-Purifying Headphones

Dyson has discontinued its innovative but controversial Zone headphones, which combined over-ear audio with a personal air purifier, citing limited sales and a niche market. Launched in 2022 after six years of development, the Zone's bulky design and high price of $949.99 hindered widespread adoption despite its advanced air purification targeting pollutants and allergens. The product sold only in the thousands, leading Dyson to withdraw it from most retailers, though discounted units remain available on sites like Woot. Dyson's Chief Engineer, Jake Dyson, described the Zone as ahead of its time and expressed optimism about future potential for similar technology. In response to the Zone's limited success, Dyson introduced the OnTrac headphones, which lack air purification but offer competitive sound quality and a more conventional design, resulting in ten times higher sales at a lower price of $499.99. Critics noted that the Zone's unusual appearance made it impractical for everyday use, and most consumers preferred more traditional headphones without the air-purifying feature.