Eargo 8 vs Lexie B2 Plus

The Eargo 8 is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid featuring an invisible-in-ear design with rechargeable batteries, priced at $2,399. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5, placing it in the top 71% of the OTC Hearing Aid category. Sound performance presents a mixed picture. The Eargo 8 delivers solid speech-in-quiet performance at 3.1/5, scoring 0.27 points above the category average—making it a reasonable choice for conversational settings without background noise. Own-voice comfort is another strength, measuring 0.69 points above average at 3.2/5, which may appeal to users who are sensitive to hearing their own voice through hearing aids. Feedback handling is strong in absolute terms at 4.2/5, though slightly below the category average. However, the device shows notable weaknesses in challenging listening environments. Speech-in-noise performance is low at 1.2/5, falling 0.27 points below the category average—users who frequently encounter noisy restaurants, busy offices, or social gatherings may find this limiting. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, significantly below the category average, making this device unsuitable for users who prioritize audio entertainment through their hearing aids. The Eargo 8 is best suited for users who prioritize discreet, invisible-in-ear styling and primarily need assistance in quieter conversational settings. However, at this premium price point, buyers should be aware that similarly-priced alternatives and even some lower-cost options may offer comparable or better overall sound performance.

The Lexie B2 Plus is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5, placing it in the top 9% of OTC devices tested in our lab. At $899, this behind-the-ear style device delivers strong performance in several key areas while showing some limitations worth considering. In our testing, the Lexie B2 Plus excels in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring a strong 4.3/5—significantly above the OTC category average by 1.49 points. Own-voice comfort is a particular standout at 4.8/5, well above the category average by 2.29 points, meaning wearers are unlikely to experience the hollow or booming quality of their own voice that can make some hearing aids uncomfortable. Speech in noise performance scores 2.1/5, which is above the OTC category average by 0.58 points but remains mixed in absolute terms—typical for this device class. Music streaming scores 2.6/5, similarly above average by 0.68 points while remaining modest overall. Feedback handling at 2.8/5 falls below the category average by 1.74 points, which may require attention during phone calls or when wearing hats. The Lexie B2 Plus is a solid choice for users prioritizing speech clarity in quieter settings and natural own-voice comfort. It features rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices. This two-time Expert's Choice Award winner (2023, 2024) competes against devices like the higher-scoring Sony CRE-E10 in its price range, but offers a compelling balance of comfort and core speech performance.