Jabra is as close to a household name in the hearing health world as you will find.
The brand manufactures one of Costco's most popular hearing aids called Jabra Enhance Pro and also makes and sells our favorite Telehealth brand under the name Jabra Enhance Select.
Recently we've had a few readers reach out and ask for a simple breakdown between Jabra Enhance Select and Jabra Enhance Pro.
Presumably, these savvy readers are deciding between a trip to Costco and a Telehealth order through Jabra Enhance Select. Both options are pretty compelling, each with its benefits.
So let's get into it!
We'll start with Jabra Enhance Pro
Jabra Enhance Pro 20 is sold at Costco for $1,699 per pair. The underlying technology in Costco's Jabra Enhance Pro is similar to ReSound NEXIA 9. Jabra Enhance Pro allows streaming through Android and iPhone with hands-free calling with iOS.
Pros
- Free cleanings while you shop
- 180-day return policy
- Free in-person testing
Cons
- Pro comes with a charger that needs to be plugged in at all times (you can upgrade for around $200)
- No monthly membership plans are available (you'll pay fully upfront)
- Must go in for 3-4 initial appointments in person (can be challenging for some)
- Some Costco professionals are less trained and not as familiar with Jabra since they carry other brands as well
- Only available for Costco members
Overall: Jabra Enhance Pro is a good option if you are a club member and are happy to make adjustments in person.
Now let's look at Jabra Enhance Select
Jabra Enhance Select is sold directly by the Jabra brand here for between $1,199 - $1,999. The underlying technology in Jabra Enhance Select 500 uses the same chip, Bluetooth connection and operating system as Jabra Enhance Pro 20 - both use the technology from ReSound NEXIA.
Because the two products are virtually identical, we recommend that shoppers consider the choice between Jabra Enhance Pro and Jabra Enhance Select on the basis of care preference vs. technology.
A closer look: Jabra Enhance Select uses technology equivalent to ReSound NEXIA 5 while Jabra Enhance Pro uses technology equivalent to ReSound NEXIA 9. That means Jabra Enhance Pro 20 is slightly more advanced on a tech sheet.
Pros
- Convenient care from home (available anywhere in the U.S.)
- 100-day returns
- Flexible monthly payments starting at $39 a month / pair
- Specialized programming team with deep knowledge of the product
- Jabra Enhance Select comes with the premium on-the-go charger included
Cons
- No in-person appointments (some prefer this, and others do not)
So how should you choose?
Both offerings are among the best in the category. Jabra Enhance Select is our clear favorite among Telehealth options, while Jabra Enhance Pro has slightly higher technology levels and Costco's beloved service.
Will you notice the tech difference?
The simple answer is no. The sound quality between Jabra Enhance Select and Jabra Enhance Pro should be virtually identical. Both products use the same computer chip, algorithms and microphone array.
Read Jabra Enhance Select reviews here and our review of Jabra Enhance Pro here.
Ultimately this decision should come down to your preferred care model.
Costco's service is primarily built around visits to your local club, while Jabra Enhance Select provides care through Telehealth.
We notice the Jabra Enhance Select staff tends to be more specialized in the Jabra product since they work exclusively with Jabra and work for the company directly.
Regardless of your choice, Jabra is a very reputable option from one of the biggest innovators in the space.
If you have questions, feel free to shoot us a note at [email protected].
