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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and want a wireless experience for commuting or in noisy environments, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a better option, but they come at a higher price. However, if you're looking for cost-effective, reliable wired headphones with good sound quality and a microphone, ideal for calls or casual listening without the concern for battery life, the Koss Porta Pro with mic could be a better fit. Remember, the in-ear form of the Bose may offer better noise isolation, while the on-ear design of the Koss can be more comfortable for some users during extended listening sessions. 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
- 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
7.4
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good.
Gaming
5.5
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.2
7.6
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.2
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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