Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Sennheiser All Day Clear

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 26% of OTC hearing aids tested. At $249, it represents one of the more affordable options in the category while delivering strong overall performance. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 2 shows particular strength in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming is where this device truly excels, earning 4.4/5 and outperforming the category average by a substantial 2.48 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience virtually no whistling issues. The device does have limitations. Own-voice comfort scores 1.9/5, which is low in absolute terms and 0.61 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds different or boomy. Speech in noise performance is above average for the category at 2.3/5 (+0.77 points), but this remains a mixed result in absolute terms, suggesting challenging listening environments will still be difficult. The AirPods Pro 2 is best suited for consumers already in the Apple ecosystem who want hearing support primarily in quieter settings and value excellent music and media streaming. Those frequently in noisy environments or sensitive to own-voice changes may want to consider alternatives.

The Sennheiser All Day Clear is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, placing it in the top 8% of the OTC category and ranking #6 among 65 tested devices. At $949, this behind-the-ear device delivers strong overall performance that stands out in a crowded market. In our lab testing, the All Day Clear excels in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 4.0/5—a strong result that sits 1.25 points above the category average. Music streaming quality is another highlight, with a solid 3.3/5 score that's 1.38 points above average, making it one of the better choices for users who value audio fidelity beyond speech. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience minimal whistling issues. The device shows more modest performance in challenging listening situations. Speech in noise scores 1.9/5, which is above the category average by 0.39 points but low in absolute terms—a common limitation across OTC devices. Own voice comfort is mixed at 2.5/5, essentially matching the category average. Best for: Consumers seeking a reliable OTC option with strong speech clarity in everyday quiet-to-moderate environments and quality music streaming. Those frequently in noisy settings may find the speech-in-noise performance limiting, though this reflects broader OTC category constraints rather than a specific weakness of this device.