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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro offers an open design that can produce a more natural sound and a wider soundstage, which can enhance your music listening experience. However, being open, they offer practically no noise isolation, which can be a disadvantage in noisy environments. They do not have a built-in microphone, making them unsuitable for calls or meetings. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20, which is a bit more expensive, provides active noise cancelling, better noise isolation, a foldable design, and a built-in microphone for calls. These headphones might be better suited for travel, use in louder environments, and during physical activities. If you prioritize sound over features and are okay with minimal isolation, the Koss Porta Pros are a good choice; otherwise, for all-around versatility including active noise cancellation, consider the Soundcore Life Q20. 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 Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.0
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
6.4
5.2
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.7
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.3
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 Q20
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Soundcore Life Q20
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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