The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you frequently make calls or attend meetings and are looking for earbuds with better mic quality and are also interested in features such as wireless connectivity, sweatproof certification, and active noise cancelling, the Jabra Elite 4 would be a suitable choice despite being pricier. However, if you prioritize a more open and natural soundstage and do not mind a wired connection, the Koss Porta Pro headphones would be a more economical option. The Koss Porta Pro’s on-ear open design is not ideal for noisy environments and they lack modern features like an app equalizer, but they are known for their long-standing reputation in sound quality and comfort. 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 Jabra Elite 4
Very good for phone calls
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.6/10
8.2/10
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Gaming
5.4/10
6.4/10
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Jabra Elite 4 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.8/10
4.3/10
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6/10
6.8/10
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
6.0/10
7.6/10
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0/10
2.5/10
The Jabra Elite 4 is good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$100
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Jabra Elite 4 has a price of $100 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0/10
6.0/10
The Jabra Elite 4 has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
"The Jabra Elite 4 is a good midrange option with solid isolation and aptX codec for Android. It sounds consumer friendly from the box and the app has some EQ to adjust to taste. Some included luxuries include multipoint, sidetone, and Spotify Tap"
"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 Jabra Elite 4 or the Koss Porta Pro
About Jabra
Jabra is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord, a 150-year-old Danish company that specializes in the manufacturing of hearing aids, headsets and earphones. Jabra has a focus on fit and comfort and quality control over everything else. According to Peter Karstromer, Jabras CEO, they “design and engineer technology that frees people to work, live and communicate how and where they want to, equipping them with the tools to live their life to a new rhythm”.
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.