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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For immersive audio experiences with high-quality sound and active noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are an excellent choice, but they are more costly and have a shorter battery life without the case. They also offer better built-in controls, are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and are more suitable for air travel due to their stronger noise isolation. In contrast, the Koss Porta Pro headphones offer a more open soundstage, a more affordable price, and a longer-lasting build due to their on-ear form factor. However, they lack noise cancellation, are not wireless, and are not ideal for exercise or air travel due to poor noise isolation. 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 TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
8.2
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Koss Porta Pro (with mic) are both very good for gaming, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
6.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery.
Cost
$249
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) is good.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Koss Porta Pro (with mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $60 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | In-Line | |
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 (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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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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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
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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