Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Zepp Clarity One

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 Zepp Clarity One is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid with an invisible-in-ear design, priced at $699. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5, ranking #23 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested—placing it in the top 34% of the category. This device demonstrates notable strengths in speech clarity during quiet environments, scoring 3.7/5—nearly a full point above the category average. Own-voice comfort is another highlight at 3.8/5, measuring 1.29 points above average, which suggests reduced occlusion effects that many users find bothersome with in-ear devices. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5 in the tuned configuration. However, the Clarity One has significant limitations. Speech understanding in noisy environments scores just 1.4/5, slightly below the category average. Most notably, music streaming scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average—indicating this device does not support audio streaming functionality, a feature some competitors in this price range offer. The Zepp Clarity One is best suited for users who prioritize clear speech in quieter settings and natural own-voice quality, and who do not need music or media streaming capabilities. Those seeking better noise performance or streaming features should consider alternatives, including options like the Olive Union Air, which offers similar overall sound quality at a lower price point.