Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Jabra Enhance Select 700

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are wireless earbuds that offer hearing aid functionality. Our tests show they effectively amplify speech in everyday situations. While background noise can be challenging, proper tuning and reducing ambient noise reduction pushes the AirPods Pro 3 closer to being a truly competitive OTC hearing aid.

Jabra’s flagship Enhance Select 700 offers premium sound, LE Audio, Auracast, and top-tier remote audiology care in a tiny, discreet design.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 achieved a SoundScore of 3.38/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Jabra Enhance Select 700 achieved a SoundScore of 3.91/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #16 of 61 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

The build quality is solid with a pocket-worthy portable case. AirPods 3 also have a slightly improved IP57 rating meaning they should offer better protection from debris and moisture. AirPods commonly last around 2-3 years.

Jabra hearing aids share technology from GN Resound and generally have fantastic build quality. Select 700 is no exception with an ingress rating of IP68 and the standard robust portable charging case.

Airpods Pro 3 offer around 10 hours of use per charge with their Hearing Aid feature. This is an improvement over the previous generation. While this still may not be enough for all-day use, recharge time is fast with several quick-charge options.

Jabra 700 offer full-day 24 hour battery life. The case also holds enough power for 3 addition charges which is plenty for a weekend excursion.

I have found Bluetooth to work almost flawlessly on iPhones, offering a solid connection every time. I can't speak for Android devices though Apple reports they are fully compatible with other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth was straightforward and reliable, working seamlessly without any issues. This is what I've come to expect with Jabra hearing aids.

AirPods Pro 3 offer impressive and useful features to aid speech clarity. I particularly like the ability to take an app based hearing test, or directly upload hearing thresholds. While the menu system is not user-friendly, you also have other options for personalizing your experience such as active noise cancellation.

The Jabra Enhance App mirrors the useful features available in Resounds prescription hearing aid app. I found it to offer plenty of options to personalize audio quality beyond the custom programming.

AirPods Pro 3 are generally comfortable, though my initial impressions favor the fit of the previous Gen 2. With that said, Apple claims to have improved the overall fit with improved ergonomics and new foam-infused ear tips.

Jabra Enhance 700 are very comfortable given their shockingly small and lightweight design. The button are also larger than many OTC products making setting changes easier.

AirPods Pro are unmistakably Apple with their sleek, bright white, aesthetic. You will want to look elsewhere if you are searching for a discrete hearing solution. Furthermore, earbuds are commonly associated with being distracted or disconnected and people will not know that you are using them as hearing aids to stay present and engaged in conversation.

Jabra has done a nice job redesigning prescription technology for the direct-to-consumer market. Select 700 shares the same shockingly discrete size as the previous Select 500 model.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Jabra Enhance Select 700 has a value score of 3.7/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

I find Bluetooth pairing and general use exceptionally easy. However, navigating the deeper personalization features, and touch controls, could be more user friendly.

I found Enhance 700 easy to use, though receiver-in-canal devices might take a bit of practice. Pro support can assist, and the easy charging case makes on-the-go charging a breeze.

You can receive technical support from Apple, but no audiologic support is offered at this time. You may be able to find a hearing care provider willing to assist with programming your AirPods Pro based on your needs.

Jabra has arguably the best pro support offering among OTC devices. They provide 3 years of telehealth audiologic services including remote programming and video appointments. While I'd prefer in-person appointments, Jabra continues to bridge the gap given the limitations of remote care.