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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) provides an open-back design for natural sound but has less noise isolation, making it less ideal for noisy environments; they're great for an immersive music experience but not the best pick for travel or exercise due to their low noise isolation and non-foldable design. Soundcore Life Q20, on the other hand, features active noise cancellation which is perfect for air travel and works well in noisy settings; it's a more versatile choice for various activities, though its closed-back design might not offer the same level of sound openness as the Koss. The Q20's longer battery life is beneficial for extended use, whereas the Koss requires a wired connection, implying unlimited use as long as there's a device to plug into. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- 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 (with mic) is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
8.2
5.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
4.9
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.7
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$56
$45
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $56 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $45.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$56 | $45 | ||
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 | 6.2/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | In-Line | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 (with mic) 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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