Jabra Enhance Select 500 vs Zepp Clarity One

The Jabra Enhance Select 500 is a premium behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $1,995 that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.2/5 in our lab testing. Ranking #13 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, it places in the top 18% of its category. This 2024 release demonstrates strong speech-in-quiet performance, scoring 4.3/5—a full 1.50 points above the OTC category average. Speech-in-noise scores 1.8/5, which is above the category average by 0.31 points but remains low in absolute terms, reflecting a common challenge across OTC devices. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5, slightly above the already-high category average. Music streaming scores 2.9/5, which is 0.98 points above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms—adequate for casual listening but not audiophile-quality. Own-voice comfort at 2.2/5 falls 0.31 points below the category average, which may be noticeable for users sensitive to how their voice sounds. The Enhance Select 500 supports iPhone and Android streaming, hands-free calling, and uses rechargeable batteries. It's a solid choice for those prioritizing clear speech in quieter environments and reliable feedback control. However, buyers seeking better value might consider the Jabra Enhance Select 300 or Lucid Engage, which offer similar sound performance at lower price points. This model has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024.

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.