Today Dyson unveiled the new Dyson Zone air-purifying headphones, the British company’s first wearable product. The device combines a pair of high-fidelity noise-canceling headphones with a filtering system that sits on the user’s face, directing a stream of purified air straight to the nose and mouth. The idea for the product, says the company, stems from Dyson’s desire to address noise and air pollution at the same time.

Dyson Zone has been in development for more than a decade, and the final version we see today is the result of countless design iterations, with more than 500 prototypes produced to arrive at the form and function of the commercial model. The system seamlessly integrates the headphones with the purifier, as air is drawn in by two compressors located on the headphones and passed through dual-layer filters.

“Developing a non-contact solution to the face was a must for Dyson engineers to avoid the discomfort and irritation often associated with full-contact alternatives,” explains Dyson. “The airflow path and visor are critical to properly delivering purified air. The visor structure ensures that the purified air coming out of the filters is effectively directed toward the nose and mouth even in crosswinds” by adapting the flow to the shape of the wearer’s face. 

The noise of the compressor motors, already reduced, is further filtered out by the Dyson Zone’s Active Noise Canceling system. The noise-canceling headphones will be available in fall 2022 to purchase online or at Dyson Demo Stores. The company will announce pricing and availability in various countries over the next few months.