Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Widex Moment SmartRIC

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 Widex Moment SmartRIC is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $3,398. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, ranking #15 among 39 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates excellent speech clarity in quiet environments, scoring 4.7/5—a full 1.25 points above the category average of 3.40/5. Own-voice comfort is another strength at 3.7/5, which is 1.00 points above average, making conversations feel more natural. Speech in noise performance scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.51 points, though only mixed in absolute terms. Music streaming quality is solid at 3.1/5, slightly above the category average. However, feedback handling is a relative weakness, scoring 3.5/5—solid in absolute terms but 1.22 points below the category average of 4.72/5. This may require more careful fitting to avoid whistling in certain situations. The Widex Moment SmartRIC offers rechargeable batteries, iPhone and Android streaming, and hands-free functionality. It has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. This hearing aid is well-suited for users who prioritize excellent speech clarity in everyday listening situations and natural own-voice quality, and who work with their hearing care professional to optimize the fit for feedback stability.