Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Zepp Clarity One

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 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 its category. This device demonstrates notable strengths in specific areas of sound performance. Speech clarity in quiet environments scores a solid 3.7/5, coming in 0.95 points above the category average. Own-voice comfort is another highlight at 3.8/5, exceeding the category average by 1.29 points—a meaningful advantage for users sensitive to how their own voice sounds while wearing hearing aids. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, among the best we've measured. However, the Zepp Clarity One shows limitations in other areas. Speech understanding in noisy environments scores 1.4/5, slightly below the category average and low in absolute terms. Music streaming capability is notably absent, scoring 0.0/5—well below the already modest category average of 1.92/5. Users who prioritize phone audio streaming should consider this significant limitation. The Zepp Clarity One may suit consumers who primarily need hearing support in quieter settings like one-on-one conversations at home, and who value discreet, in-ear styling with reliable feedback control. Those frequently navigating noisy environments or wanting to stream music and calls should explore alternatives.