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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern and you're looking for good quality sound without additional features, Koss Porta Pro may be the right choice as they offer solid performance at a lower cost. However, if you're willing to invest more for durability, style, wireless convenience, and deeper bass, the Beats Solo 3 would be a better option. They also come with the benefit of a built-in microphone for calls, which Porta Pro lacks. For active lifestyles or travel, Beats provide the added advantage of portability through foldable design and no cables, but you'll need to charge them, whereas Porta Pro doesn't require power. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.4
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
8.0
6.0
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
Koss Porta Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Koss Porta Pro
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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