Jabra Enhance Select M3 vs RCA Micro

The Jabra Enhance Select M3 is a premium OTC hearing aid priced at $1,995, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device delivers strong overall performance, positioning it well above the OTC category average of 3.69/5. In our testing, the Enhance Select M3 demonstrated notable strengths in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.8/5—a solid result that sits 0.95 points above the category average. Feedback handling proved excellent at 4.6/5, essentially matching the already-high category standard. Music streaming performance also exceeded category norms by 0.87 points, though the absolute score of 2.8/5 remains mixed rather than exceptional. The device shows limitations in challenging listening situations. Speech in noise scored 1.3/5, falling 0.18 points below the category average and representing a low absolute performance level. Own-voice comfort scored 2.7/5—above the category average by 0.18 points but only mixed in absolute terms, which may affect naturalness during conversations. Consumers seeking alternatives may find similar or better sound performance at lower price points from devices like the Sennheiser All Day Clear or Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco. The Enhance Select M3 is best suited for those who prioritize speech clarity in quieter settings and reliable feedback control, but who encounter fewer noisy environments in their daily routines.

The RCA Micro is a budget-priced behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid available for $399. In our lab testing, it earned a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.7/5, placing it at #65 of 65 devices in the OTC Hearing Aid category. Speech performance represents the most significant limitation of this device. Speech in Quiet scores 1.0/5, which is 1.79 points below the category average, while Speech in Noise also scores 1.0/5, falling 0.48 points below average. These low absolute scores indicate limited benefit for understanding conversation in our standardized test conditions. The RCA Micro does excel in one area: feedback handling earns an excellent 5.0/5, which is 0.46 points above the category average. This suggests stable performance without whistling during typical use. Own Voice comfort scores a mixed 2.1/5, sitting 0.41 points below average. Music Streaming scores 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average, indicating this device is not suitable for audio entertainment. At this price point, several alternatives offer substantially stronger performance. The Elehear Beyond, Apple AirPods Pro 2, and Zepp Clarity Omni all score above 3.8/5 in the same price range. Consumers prioritizing speech clarity and overall sound quality should consider these higher-performing options. The RCA Micro may appeal to those who need basic amplification with reliable feedback control and prefer a simple rechargeable behind-the-ear design.