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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer superior noise isolation, which makes them excellent for air travel and noisy environments. They are wireless with active noise cancelling and modern features like an app equalizer and ear detection. However, they are more expensive. Contrastingly, the Koss Porta Pro headphones are a budget-friendly option with a unique open design that doesn't isolate noise well, making them less suitable for travel or loud places but potentially better for ambient awareness. The Porta Pro are wired, lightweight, foldable for easier portability, but lack modern features like a microphone and controls customization. Choose Bose if you prioritize noise cancellation and wireless convenience and can afford the higher cost; opt for Koss if you're on a budget, prefer an open design, and don't need noise isolation or wireless features. 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 Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
6.4
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.9
2.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.6
8.2
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Koss Porta Pro are both very good for music.
TV and Video
8.1
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to be very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro is good.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 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 | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Koss Porta Pro
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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."
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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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Why trust us
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
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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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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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