Top Hearing Aids at Best Buy: Should You Buy Hearing Aids From a Big-Box Store?

This content is researched and written based on extensive testing by an external reviews team and does not reflect the views or opinions of Everyday Health’s editorial team. Everyday Health may earn a commission from purchases of products featured in this article.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids have made a strong impact within the hearing aid market. While the high cost of hearing aids has traditionally kept hearing aids out of the reach of many who need them, according to Johns Hopkins University, the introduction of OTC hearing aids is designed to make hearing aids more affordable and accessible.

While it’s necessary to work with a hearing aid specialist or audiologist to get traditional (or prescription) hearing aids, customers with mild to moderate levels of hearing loss can now buy OTC hearing aids without a medical exam or professional fitting. With retailers like Best Buy selling these devices, lower-cost options are available to more people.

In this article, our reviews team breaks down the best hearing aids from Best Buy to help you find the right hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss.

• Best Disposable Battery: Lexie Lumen
• Best Battery Life: Sony CRE E10
• Best Price: Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus HA-802
• Best Warranty: Eargo 6
• Best Customer Support: Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable

Our experts spent more than 2,000 hours researching more than 30 styles and models of hearing aids and reading hundreds of customer reviews. We consulted audiologists for their expert opinions on the devices and considered customer experiences and company reputations as well. Also, the fact that hearing aids must meet strict criteria set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was taken into consideration as well.

We considered the following qualities and features, and we think these are helpful questions to ask when shopping for a hearing aid:

• Are the hearing aids available over the counter, or do you need to purchase them through a retailer or hearing care clinic?
• What technology and features are included?
• Will I have access to an audiologist?
• Does the product have positive customer reviews from online sources?
• Will I have access to first-rate customer service during the purchase process and beyond?
• Is the cost comparable to competitors’ prices?
• Does the company offer a product or money-back guarantee?
• What is the manufacturer’s warranty?
• Will I have access to a hearing test in person or online?
• Do the hearing aids come with a trial period?
• Does the company offer financing options?
• How easy is it to use the hearing aids?
• Are the hearing aids rechargeable?
• What should I do if my hearing aid needs repairs?

• Score 4.47 (out of 5)
• Cost Per Pair $799
• Hearing Aid Type Behind-the-ear
• Battery Type and Life Disposable, 5 to 8 days
• Bluetooth Capability Yes, app only
• How to Adjust App
• Trial Period 45 days
• Warranty Length One year
• Financing Available Yes

Rechargeable batteries were the second-most popular feature chosen by respondents to our reviews team’s survey of hearing aid users, behind only “digital noise reduction.” Rechargeable batteries are more popular, and most hearing aid brands are moving toward rechargeable-only options, but they’re not for everyone. In fact, disposable batteries were the seventh-most popular hearing aid feature, out of 10, chosen by respondents to our reviews team’s survey.

Disposable batteries have their benefits, including not having to wait for your hearing aids to recharge. Our reviews team picked the Lexie Lumen for “Best Disposable Battery” because even though it’s not rechargeable, it’s still a quality OTC hearing aid, with features like telecoil and mobile app connection.

The Lexie Lumen hearing aids use size 312 hearing aid batteries, which last for about 5 to 8 days, depending on use. That’s much longer than the average rechargeable battery life on this list (16 to 26 hours).

You won’t get extra batteries if you purchase the Lexie Lumen through Best Buy ($799 or $33.30 per month with financing). But if you buy directly through the Lexie website ($799 or $42 per month with financing), you’ll get four packs of size 312 hearing aid batteries. See Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Accessories Included in Lexie Lumen Box When Purchased Through Lexie During Our Reviews Team’s Testing

The Lexie Lumen connects with the Lexie mobile app, where you can adjust the volume and switch between six different listening profiles. If you want more fine-tuning adjustments, you might consider another Lexie OTC model, such as the B1 ($849 per pair) or B2 ($999 per pair). Both models are rechargeable and connect to the app, where you can tweak settings such as bass and treble.

Another benefit of the Lexie Lumen is that it comes with a telecoil, also known as T-coil. Telecoils work with induction loop systems, which are found in public spaces such as theaters and museums, to help users hear the sounds within the venue more clearly. This feature can also help when talking on the telephone.

Those who don’t mind using disposable batteries and want features like telecoil and connection to an app might consider the Lexie Lumen. If you prefer rechargeable batteries, check out some of the other options on this list, such as the Sony CRE E10.

Read more in our full Lexie hearing aids review.

Where to Buy

• Best Buy
• Lexiehearing.com

• Score 4.2 (out of 5)
• Cost Per Pair $1,299.99
• Hearing Aid Type In-the-canal
• Battery Type and Life Rechargeable, 26 hours
• Bluetooth Capability Yes, app only
• How to Adjust App
• Trial Period 45 days
• Warranty Length One year
• Financing Available Yes

Having rechargeable hearing aids with a long battery life can make a big difference, especially for people who need hearing assistance for most of their waking hours. The Sony CRE E10 has a 26-hour battery life, 10 hours longer than the other rechargeable models on this list, which is why we chose this Best Buy OTC hearing aid for “Best Battery Life.”

In October 2022, Sony introduced two OTC hearing aid models: the CRE E10 and the CRE C10. The E10 is rechargeable, while the C10 is slightly smaller and has disposable batteries. Both models connect with the Sony Hearing Control app, where users can make adjustments and change the sound settings when moving between listening environments.

The Sony CRE E10 is slightly larger than the C10, and it can stream audio from Bluetooth-enabled audio devices. The E10 can only use Bluetooth to connect to the app — not stream audio. Streaming Bluetooth audio can be a great feature for those who like to listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. A downside of this feature is that it only works for iOS devices, not Android.

If having a long battery life or the ability to stream music is important to you, the Sony CRE E10 could be a good OTC hearing aid choice. If those features aren’t top of mind, or you don’t mind changing out disposable batteries, you may want to check out the smaller options Sony offers for less money, like the Sony CRE C10 or the Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus.

Where to Buy

• Best Buy
• Electronics.sony.com

• Score 4.15 (out of 5)
• Cost Per Pair $299.99
• Hearing Aid Type Behind-the-ear
• Battery Type and Life Rechargeable, 16 hours
• Bluetooth Capability Yes, app only
• How to Adjust App
• Trial Period 60 days
• Warranty Length One year
• Financing Available Yes

In our reviews team survey, respondents ranked price as the second-most important selling point in a hearing aid, right after “easy to set up and use.” That’s why this model was selected as “Best for the Price” by our reviews team. With a cost of $300 per pair, the Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus HA-802 is the lowest-priced hearing aid on this list. All of the other Best Buy OTC hearing aid options we chose for this list cost more than $700 per pair.

Similar to the other devices here, you can connect the Recharge! Plus to a mobile app (available from the App Store and Google Play) for sound adjustments and to select from four different hearing modes: conversation, restaurant, traffic, and outdoor. A unique feature of the Hearing Assist app is its “Loud Sound Protection” settings, which can compress loud sounds, such as machinery or slamming doors, to protect your ears from damage. If those noises are too loud for your comfort, you can switch between low, medium, or high compression. Each hearing aid can be adjusted separately, in case your ears have different levels of hearing loss. An important thing to note is that this feature will not protect against potentially damaging sounds, such as when shooting a gun or operating heavy equipment without ear protection. See the figure below.

Figure 2: Hearing Assist App “Loud Sound Protection” Feature

The Recharge! Plus HA-802 is a rechargeable hearing aid with a magnetic charging dock. It has a 16-hour battery life, the same battery life as the Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable (our pick for the Best Buy hearing aid with the “Best Customer Support”). A downside is that it takes the Hearing Assist model up to 3.5 hours for a full charge, compared with the Lucid Hearing model’s two-hour charge time.

If your top concern is price but you don’t want to lose out on quality features like rechargeable batteries and app connectivity, the Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus HA-802 could be a good choice. If you need a hearing aid with a longer battery life or faster charging, you might want to select a different option from our list.

Where to Buy

• Best Buy
• Hearingassist.com

• Score 3.83 (out of 5)
• Cost Per Pair $2,950
• Hearing Aid Type Completely-in-canal
• Battery Type and Life Rechargeable, 16 hours
• Bluetooth Capability Yes, app only
• How to Adjust App
• Trial Period 45 days
• Warranty Length Two years
• Financing Available Yes

Of all the Best Buy OTC hearing aid options on this list, the Eargo 6 has the longest warranty period, which is why our reviews team named it “Best Warranty.” This device comes with a two-year warranty that covers loss or damage (all other models on this list have a one-year warranty). Eargo will replace your devices for $295 per hearing aid or charger, but no more than once and not when the damage or loss is the result of improper handling or care. And if you only need to replace one device, such as for the right ear, the left hearing aid will still be covered under the loss and damage policy if it’s lost or damaged at a later date.

A drawback of the Eargo 6 is the cost. A pair of these hearing aids is $2,950 — the most expensive model on this list and more than nine times the cost of the Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus HA-802. While it is more expensive, the Eargo 6 includes a unique feature called Sound Match technology, an app-based hearing screening that connects to your hearing aids so you can adjust sound settings based on your changing needs. Members of our reviews team reported that the app was user-friendly during their hands-on testing.

Another benefit of the Eargo 6 hearing aids is that the company offers lifetime customer support with its audiologists and hearing aid specialists. Many OTC hearing aid manufacturers do not provide this service. The Eargo 6 is also water resistant, with an ingress protection (IP) rating of X7. IP ratings grade the resistance of a product to the intrusion of dust or liquids, according to the International Electrotechnical Commission. Our reviews team tested the IP rating of the Eargo 6 by dunking it in one meter of water for 30 minutes, and the hearing aid volume worked with no issues after the water test.

If you want the reassurance of an additional yearlong warranty, consider choosing the Eargo 6 for its two-year loss and damage protection. If a lower price is a top priority for you, a model like the Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable could be a better option.

Where to Buy

• Best Buy
• Eargo.com

• Score 3.58 (out of 5)
• Cost Per Pair $799.99
• Hearing Aid Type Receiver-in-canal
• Battery Type and Life Rechargeable, 16 hours
• Bluetooth Capability Yes, app and audio streaming
• How to Adjust App
• Trial Period 60 days
• Warranty Length One year
• Financing Available Yes

A standout benefit of Lucid Hearing is its customer support options, which is why the Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable won “Best Customer Support” from our reviews team. Different from the other options on this list, Lucid Hearing has more than 500 in-person locations where you can work with hearing professionals to make adjustments, repairs, or cleanings. You also have the option to take an in-person hearing exam at these locations, or if you prefer, you can take the hearing assessment online through the Lucid Hearing website.

The company can be contacted via phone, online chat, or email. When our reviews team used the Lucid website chat feature by clicking the blue chat button on the bottom right of the web page, Nicola, a licensed hearing aid specialist, answered our questions promptly. See Figure 3 below.

Figure 3: Lucid Hearing Chat Feature

Although Lucid Hearing offers other hearing aids — available for purchase at Best Buy and the Lucid Hearing website — our reviews team chose the Engage Rechargeable model specifically because of its battery life and app connectivity, features lacking in several other Lucid Hearing models. The Engage Rechargeable is also the only model in this article that has Bluetooth audio streaming capabilities for those who want to connect to TVs, radios, cell phones, or other audio sources. The Engage Rechargeable is also the brand's only model that can use Bluetooth to stream audio.

The rechargeable batteries last up to 16 hours after a two-hour charge time, which is quicker than some other OTC hearing aid models in this article.

Like the other models in this article, the Engage Rechargeable connects to an app (available on the App Store and Google Play) for making adjustments. In the Lucid Hearing app, you can personalize your hearing settings by adjusting the volume or by choosing from selected preset listening profiles, such as “noisy” when you’re in a restaurant. The app also allows for fine-tuning adjustments to bass, mids, and treble, and for ambient sound mixing.

For those who prefer in-person options or a good customer service experience, the Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable hearing aids might be a good choice.

Where to Buy

• Best Buy
• Lucidhearing.com

Over-the-counter hearing aids are hearing aids designed to help adults who are 18 years and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. The main difference between OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids is this: You don’t need to consult with a hearing professional or audiologist before purchasing OTC hearing aids.

Since the FDA’s OTC ruling in October 2022, OTC hearing aids can be purchased online through companies like Eargo and Lexie, and also from retailers like Best Buy, Walgreens, and Walmart. These devices are regulated as medical devices by the FDA.

Regardless of whether you purchase over-the-counter or prescription hearing aids, adjusting to new hearing aids can take time.

A return to hearing at normal levels can be uncomfortable for some people, especially if they have been hearing at a reduced volume for some time. Results from a study published in 2022 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience shows that the brain’s neurons, or information messengers, need time to get used to the return of normal sound. According to the study, a period of four weeks is usually necessary to adjust to hearing aids — and it’s important for people to prepare for this. If a user knows in advance that their brain’s neurons will need to time to “rewire,” they may be able to wait out the discomfort.

Brian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist in Raleigh, North Carolina, stresses the importance of wearing hearing aids as much as possible, “even when in quiet environments where a patient may feel like they don’t need them. It keeps their brain used to that level of auditory input and makes sound more comfortable over time.”

Pros

• Option to purchase online or in Best Buy stores
• Can talk to an employee in person and “feel” the products (be aware that Best Buy employees are not certified hearing care specialists or audiologists)
• Some models are much less expensive than prescription hearing aids
• Many use a smartphone app to make hearing adjustments

Cons

• Only covers mild to moderate hearing loss
• Not programmed for specific types or levels of hearing loss
• Might not get the same hearing care support compared with buying directly from companies
• Fewer high tech features and accessories included

Should I Buy OTC Hearing Aids at Best Buy or Directly From Brands?

You can purchase these hearing aids through the Best Buy website, in Best Buy stores, or directly through the hearing aid brand’s website. When our reviews team compared some of the pros and cons of purchasing with retailers versus companies, we noticed that some retailers have longer trial periods than the companies do, and there is a benefit to seeing and feeling the products in person. However, if you purchase directly from the brand, you may receive better after-purchase support from audiologists or hearing professionals, and they may offer add-on options like care kits or charging cases.

OTC hearing aids are designed for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, these hearing aids aren’t the right option for you. If you would like the option of a longer trial period, or prefer to feel the products in person before buying, Best Buy might be a good option. For those looking for add-on options or possible hearing care support with their purchase, buying through the brand website might be preferred.

OTC hearing aids at Best Buy start at $199 and go up to $2,950. Prescription hearing aids offered by companies, such as Phonak or Oticon, can cost twice as much. Though some entry level prescription hearing aids can start at around $1,600 per pair, depending on the level of services included and advanced features, prescription hearing aids can cost $4,000 to $5,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The significant difference in price between OTC and prescription hearing aids is due to several factors. “Some devices with more sophisticated technology will offer Bluetooth, rechargeability, automatically adapting program settings, personal customization, and better noise management,” says Sarah Lundstrom, AuD, a board-certified audiologist at with Florida Academy of Audiology and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

If your top concern is price, our reviews team also compiled a list of the most affordable hearing aid options.

At $199 to $2,950 per pair, these OTC hearing aids are a significant investment.

Here are a few options to save money on hearing aids at Best Buy:

• Watch for Sales You can save $80 to $350 on Best Buy devices during a sale.
• Use Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account Funds Medical expenses, like the cost of hearing aids and disposable hearing aid batteries, can be paid for with funds from your flexible spending account or health savings account without a tax penalty, according to Publication 502 from the IRS.
• Join the Awards Program Members of the My Best Buy program can receive reward points, earn $5 for every 250 points accrued, and get member-only offers.

Garrett Ball, owner and president of 65Medicare.org and a licensed Medicare insurance broker, explains another way to save money on the cost of hearing aids. “You can generally deduct the cost of a hearing aid as a medical expense if you are itemizing expenses” on your tax return.

Those who have severe to profound hearing loss are not good candidates for over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

If you have pain and drainage in one or both ears, or if you have unilateral hearing loss (hearing that is significantly worse in one ear than the other), visit a hearing care clinic, where an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist can help you to find the right solution for your hearing.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also states that if you have sudden loss of hearing, also known as sudden sensorineural (“inner ear”) hearing loss, you should treat it as a medical emergency.

Doctors will look at a few factors, such as whether your hearing loss is severe or does not respond to treatment, to determine whether you need hearing aids.

When looking for the best OTC hearing aid for your needs, you might consider a few factors.

• Warranty Are you interested in a standard warranty period that covers wear and tear, or are you looking for an extended warranty? On average, OTC hearing aids include one-year warranties, but you can find two-year options through companies like Eargo.
• Battery Type Do you prefer rechargeable or disposable batteries? You can find both options in OTC hearing aids. For disposable options, think about how often or long you might wear your devices, how often you’ll need to change the batteries, and consider whether you have dexterity issues that would make battery changes difficult.
• App Connection Do you want the ability to make changes to your hearing aid settings through your phone, or can you do without having an app connection? Many OTC devices connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone app to make hearing aid adjustments, so consider whether this feature is valuable to you. Some brands, like Audien, use a special tool instead of a smart app to manually adjust the hearing aid volume.

To fully understand this category, our reviews team immersed themselves in the current published research on hearing loss and hearing aid devices, interviewed experts and hearing loss professionals, read thousands of reviews on trusted third-party sites, and deployed a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to understand their customer experience.

We narrowed down which brands to review within this category by speaking with audiologists and looking at brand market share. We then considered cost, the degree of hearing loss each model could address, and special features offered — from directional microphones to digital noise reduction to rechargeable batteries.

Once our research team makes their selections, an audiologist medically reviews our picks to vet each brand and model.

We determined our top picks for the best hearing aids based on the following criteria:

• Special features
• User experience
• Cost
• Customer service
• Reputation and credibility
• Degree of hearing loss treated
• Warranty
• Trial period
• Financing options
• Level of technology
• Water resistance
• Durability

OTC hearing aids from Best Buy can be a great option for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Our reviews team compared the different models and features to help you make an informed decision. If you’re looking for hearing aids with disposable batteries, the Lexie Lumen could be right for you. If you would rather have a long-lasting rechargeable battery, the 26-hour battery life of the Sony CRE E10 might be a better option.

If price is your top concern, consider the Hearing Assist Recharge! Plus HA-802. A strong warranty is a factor for many people, and with Eargo 6, you can get a two-year warranty. And finally, having a supportive team behind your hearing care can make all the difference. If this is important to you, check out the Lucid Hearing Engage Rechargeable hearing aid.