Audien Atom Pro 2 vs Rexton Reach R-Li T80 at Costco

The Audien Atom Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. Available for $289, this visible-in-ear device delivers solid performance in some areas while showing limitations in others. In our testing, the Atom Pro 2 demonstrated excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the OTC category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. Own-voice comfort scored 2.6/5, slightly above the category average, suggesting acceptable naturalness when speaking. However, speech clarity presents a mixed picture. Speech in quiet scored 2.3/5 (0.49 points below category average), and speech in noise scored a low 1.3/5 (0.16 points below average). The most significant limitation is music streaming, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average—indicating this device is not suitable for those who want to stream audio from their phone. At this price point, several alternatives offer stronger overall performance, including the Elehear Beyond and Apple AirPods Pro 2. The Atom Pro 2 may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize feedback-free operation over streaming capabilities and don't need maximum speech clarity. Those seeking better speech performance or any music streaming should consider higher-scoring options in this price range.

The Rexton Reach R-Li T80, available at Costco for $1,500, is a behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.6/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 28% of the 39 prescription hearing aids we've tested and earned it our 2024 Expert's Choice Award. In our testing, this device demonstrated solid speech clarity performance. Speech in quiet scored 3.9/5, which is 0.46 points above the category average. Speech in noise measured 2.5/5—above the category average by 0.39 points, though still mixed in absolute terms. Own-voice comfort was a particular strength at 3.6/5, scoring 0.90 points above the category average, which may appeal to users sensitive to how their own voice sounds while wearing hearing aids. Feedback handling proved excellent at 4.8/5, just above the category average of 4.72/5. Music streaming scored 2.7/5, which is 0.06 points below the category average—a minor gap but worth noting for users who frequently stream audio content. The Reach R-Li T80 features rechargeable batteries and supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free capability. At its price point, it outperforms same-priced competitors like the Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco (4.01/5) and the Orka Two (4.00/5). This device is well-suited for users seeking strong overall sound performance with excellent feedback stability and above-average speech clarity through the Costco channel.