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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro headphones, with an on-ear open design, are known for their excellent sound quality and wide soundstage, enhancing the music listening experience. However, they lack features like a built-in microphone and are not ideal for noise isolation, making them less suited for calls, meetings, or use in noisy environments. If portability and exercise use are important to you, these are a decent choice due to their foldability but be aware that they are not sweatproof. On the other hand, Soundcore Life P3 earbuds offer additional features like active noise cancelling, which is excellent for air travel and noisy places. Their closed design with a stem and inbuilt microphone make them better for calls and meetings, and they are also more suitable for exercise due to being sweatproof. Unlike the Koss Porta Pro, the Life P3 provides wireless convenience with good battery life, app support for equalizer and control customization, and is optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Despite being somewhat more expensive, they lack the open design that provides immersive sound experiences during music 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 Koss Porta Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
5.7
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Gaming
6.4
5.1
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life P3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
5.9
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.5
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Soundcore Life P3 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
6.0
8.8
The Soundcore Life P3 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$49
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $50.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro
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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."
Soundcore Life P3
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Tom's Guide
Alex Bracetti | July 2021
"Anker continues its trend of stealth releases, recently dropping the Soundcore Life P3 out of nowhere. This product essentially replaces the disappointing Life A2 NC as the brand’s flagship ANC model under $100. It comes with bassy audio and enough features to give even the best noise-cancelling earbuds pause."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Soundcore Life P3
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.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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