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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and a modern design with integrated controls for use on the go, the Beats Solo 3 could be your choice, though they come at a higher price. The Koss Porta Pro with mic, on the other hand, may offer a more budget-friendly option with good sound quality and a retro design, but they are wired and lack the advanced features and robust build of the Beats. If you need headphones for making calls, the presence of a mic on the Koss Porta Pro will be essential, whereas the Beats Solo 3 would be more suitable for a wireless lifestyle with potentially better battery life. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
8.0
6.0
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $60 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | In-Line | |
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 (with mic)
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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 (with mic)
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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