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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro with mic is notable for its high-quality sound and gaming performance, as well as its on-ear, open design, which makes it suitable for home listening where isolation is not a concern. However, it has limited noise isolation, making it less ideal for travel or noisy environments. Conversely, the Soundcore Life Q30 offers active noise cancelling, over-ear closed design for better noise isolation and battery life, making it a better choice for air travel and use in noisy settings. The Q30's wireless capability adds flexibility, but the Porta Pro is more portable due to its foldable and lightweight design. If you're looking for convenience and versatility in various noisy environments, especially while traveling, the Soundcore Life Q30 might be the better choice, despite its typically higher price. If you prioritize sound quality for music and gaming in quieter environments and don't require noise isolation, the more affordable Koss Porta Pro could be a good fit. 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 Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
8.2
5.3
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.8
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) 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 (with mic) 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 (with mic) is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 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 (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $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 | 6.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | 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 Q30
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Dig into reviews and images
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 (with mic) 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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