Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Jabra Enhance Select 700

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.0/5 in our lab testing, ranking #18 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it offers hearing assistance through Apple's familiar true-wireless earbud design. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 demonstrated strong performance in speech clarity during quiet listening situations, scoring 4.2/5—a full 1.38 points above the OTC category average. Music streaming quality is a standout strength at 4.4/5, exceeding the category average by 2.48 points and delivering strong linear fidelity for phone audio. Feedback handling earned a perfect 5.0/5, indicating excellent stability during movement. Speech understanding in noisy environments scored 2.3/5, which is above the category average by 0.77 points but remains mixed in absolute terms—users in challenging acoustic situations may find performance adequate rather than exceptional. Own-voice comfort is a limitation, scoring 1.9/5 and falling 0.61 points below the category average, which may result in noticeable occlusion effects when speaking. The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for iPhone users seeking a discreet, multipurpose device that combines solid speech clarity in quieter settings with excellent music streaming. Those who prioritize own-voice naturalness or need stronger noise performance may want to explore alternatives.

The Jabra Enhance Select 700 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid available at $1,795, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.8/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #26 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 38% of the category. In our testing, the Enhance Select 700 showed notable strengths in comfort-related metrics. Own-voice comfort scored a solid 3.7/5, measuring 1.19 points above the category average—a meaningful advantage for wearers sensitive to the sound of their own voice. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5, well above the 4.54 category average, indicating reliable stability during typical wear. Speech performance presented a mixed picture. Speech in quiet scored a solid 3.1/5, sitting 0.27 points above average. However, speech in noise was a weakness at 1.0/5, falling 0.48 points below the category average—an important consideration if challenging listening environments are a priority. Music streaming scored 2.5/5, which is above the category average by 0.58 points but only mixed in absolute terms. At this price point, several alternatives delivered stronger overall performance in our testing, including the Lucid Tala (4.61/5) and Audicus Omni 2 (4.59/5). The Jabra Enhance Select 300 and Lucid Engage also achieved higher scores at lower prices. The Enhance Select 700 may suit those prioritizing own-voice comfort and feedback stability over speech-in-noise performance, but shoppers should weigh these trade-offs carefully given the premium pricing.