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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If affordability is a priority, the Koss Porta Pro delivers quality sound at a lower price, but be aware that they have an open-back design which means they let in more ambient noise and others can hear your music. The Soundcore Life Q30, on the other hand, offers active noise cancellation, providing a more isolated listening experience, which is ideal for noisy environments. They also have wireless connectivity and longer battery life, which can be important for convenience and mobile use. Consider the environment you'll be using them in and the importance of noise isolation and wireless features when making your choice. 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 Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Koss Porta Pro is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
6.4
5.3
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.8
The Koss Porta Pro is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Koss Porta Pro is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 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 Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 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 | 263 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 Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Koss Porta Pro or the Soundcore Life Q30
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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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