Jabra Enhance Select M3 vs Starkey Edge AI RIC

The Jabra Enhance Select M3 is a premium OTC hearing aid priced at $1,995, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.0/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device delivers strong overall performance, positioning it among the better-performing options in the OTC category. In our testing, the Enhance Select M3 showed notable strengths in speech clarity during quiet environments, scoring 3.8/5—a solid result that sits 0.95 points above the OTC category average. Music streaming quality also performs well at 2.8/5, which is 0.87 points above average for the category, though still mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5, ensuring stable performance during movement and daily activities. The device does show limitations in challenging listening environments. Speech in noise scored 1.3/5, which falls 0.18 points below the category average and represents a low absolute score. Users who frequently encounter noisy restaurants, busy social gatherings, or similar environments may find this a meaningful limitation. Own-voice comfort scored 2.7/5—above the category average by 0.18 points but only mixed in absolute terms. Consumers seeking strong performance in quieter settings with good music streaming capability may find the Enhance Select M3 appealing. However, shoppers should note that alternatives like the Sennheiser All Day Clear and Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco offer comparable or higher scores at lower price points, potentially representing better overall value for budget-conscious buyers.

The Starkey Edge AI RIC is a premium prescription hearing aid released in 2024, priced at $5,000 and earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.3/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #20 of 39 prescription hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 49% of its category. In our testing, the Edge AI RIC demonstrates notable strengths in speech clarity and music streaming. Speech in quiet scores a strong 4.1/5, measuring +0.68 points above the category average. Music streaming stands out at 3.8/5, a solid score that sits +1.04 points above what we typically see in prescription devices—making it a compelling choice for users who value phone audio quality. Speech in noise scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by +0.54 points but remains mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5, though this sits just below the category average of 4.72/5. Own-voice comfort scores 2.8/5, slightly above average but mixed overall—something to consider if own-voice naturalness is a priority. The device showed meaningful improvement from tuning: the normalized Initial Score of 4.2/5 rose to 4.7/5 after professional fitting, a +0.5 point gain. As a 2024 Expert's Choice Award winner, the Edge AI RIC offers strong everyday speech performance and standout streaming capabilities. However, buyers in this premium price tier should note that several competitors—including the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent—achieve higher overall scores. The Edge AI RIC is best suited for users who prioritize music streaming quality and strong speech clarity in quieter environments.