A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you need wireless convenience for work calls and long battery life, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is suitable as they have a microphone, are comfortable for extended use, and support both wired and wireless connections. Their build is sturdy and they offer good noise isolation, making them versatile for various environments, including exercise and air travel. However, they are more expensive. On the other hand, the lighter and less costly Koss Porta Pro headphones provide better sound quality and a larger soundstage due to their on-ear open design, ideal for critical listening and enjoying music, but lack modern features like a microphone for calls, wireless connectivity, and carry no noise isolation which makes them less ideal in noisy surroundings or for private listening. 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 JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.2
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
6.4
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.3
4.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Battery
60.0 Hours
N/A
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life. The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$79
$49
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Koss Porta Pro costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
7.9
7.6
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Koss Porta Pro are both good for TV and video.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Koss Porta Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Koss Porta Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Koss | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 1, 1984 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 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 | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 63.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | February 2022
"The JLab JBuds Work is an affordable headset-headphone hybrid that you can use to listen to music in stereo and communicate on video calls thanks to a retractable boom mic, and we particularly like its convenient mono and passive wired modes. You won't find any frills here like you will with the costlier Jabra Evolve2 65 or Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC, but for less than half the price, the JBuds Work is an effective lower-cost alternative."
Koss Porta Pro
See more
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 JLab JBuds Work Wireless or the Koss Porta Pro
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Shokz OpenMove
VS
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Sennheiser HD 350BT
VS
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Audio Technica ATH M20X
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Koss Porta Pro vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,000
Recommendations made
19,200
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
