Dyson launches headphones-face mask hybrid — right in time for April Fools

Dyson has set the internet alight with a first look at the Dyson Zone, a pair of over-ear headphones that also include a mechanical mask designed to purify the air.

The detachable ear-to-ear visor leaves a pocket of air in front of the mouth which it constantly cleans of pollen, bacteria and dust, as well as gas pollutants such as sulphur or nitrogen dioxide.

It’s made possible by a motor, compressor fan and air purifying dual-layer filter all concealed in each ear cup — easily rechargeable with USB-C connectivity, the company says.

Filters will need replacing every twelve months — Dyson has built intelligence into a corresponding app that will monitor the real time pollution levels around you.

Users will get about 40 hours worth of sound enjoyment if the Dyson Zone is used as headphones alone, or up to 4.5 hours of air purification if the visor is used on the lowest of the three intensity levels available.

Although the Dyson Zone seems like a solution to a pandemic problem, the tech company claims the futuristic new product has been in the works for six years, with 500 prototypes behind it.

Not everyone was psyched — tech engineer Naomi Wu described it as “the Snot Cannon aka. the Wearable SuperSpreader Event”, continuing the Dyson Zone was “such a staggeringly bad idea and a significant danger to public health if it is allowed to be sold”.

But chief engineer Jake Dyson — who is the founder’s son — says air pollution is “a global problem — it affects us everywhere we go”.

“In our homes, at school, at work and as we travel, whether on foot, on a bike or by public or private transport. The Dyson Zone purifies the air you breathe on the move. And unlike face masks, it delivers a plume of fresh air without touching your face.”

Pundits couldn’t help but notice, however, the first look of the headphones was dropped days before April Fools’ Day — although Dyson assured sceptics on Twitter it was not an April Fools’ joke.

haha no April Fools joke here 😀

— Dyson (@Dyson) March 30, 2022

Yet the release comes without any details on cost or information on the weight of the product, raising some eyebrows.

Dyson’s foray into headphones is the latest innovation for the company perhaps best known for its pricey vacuum cleaners — though its hair tool set took the beauty world by storm when it was released some years back.

“At this point, it’s nearly impossible to consider the best hair tools without mentioning Dyson,” Vogue’s Kiana Murden writes.

It also marks the company’s first audio technology — promising immersive, high fidelity sound with advanced active noise cancelling — following in the footsteps of big audio hitters Sony and Bose.

It’ll be available online and in store later this year.