Eargo SE vs Otofonix Encore

The Eargo SE is a premium-priced OTC hearing aid at $1,699, featuring an invisible-in-ear design and earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in our lab testing. This places it in the top 85% of the OTC hearing aid category, ranking #56 of 65 devices tested. In our testing, the Eargo SE demonstrated solid performance in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.2/5—0.43 points above the category average. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.6/5, meaning users should experience stable performance without whistling issues. However, the device showed limitations in challenging listening situations, with speech in noise scoring 1.3/5, which falls 0.23 points below the category average. A notable weakness is the complete absence of music streaming capability, scoring 0.0/5 compared to the category average of 1.92/5. Own-voice comfort scored 2.4/5, slightly below the category average. These mixed results suggest the Eargo SE prioritizes its discreet form factor over comprehensive audio features. The Eargo SE may appeal to users who prioritize an invisible design and primarily need help hearing conversations in quieter settings. However, given its premium price point and the availability of alternatives like the Jabra Enhance Select 50R that deliver stronger overall scores at lower prices, value-conscious consumers may want to explore other options before committing.

The Otofonix Encore is a budget-priced prescription hearing aid available for $295, earning a C grade with a SoundScore of 2.7/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #37 of 39 in the Prescription Hearing Aid category, placing it in the bottom tier of its class. In our standardized testing, the Encore demonstrates one clear strength: excellent feedback handling at 4.7/5, which means users are unlikely to experience whistling or squealing during normal use. However, the device shows significant limitations in other areas. Speech intelligibility scores are low in both quiet (1.0/5) and noisy environments (1.0/5), falling 2.40 and 1.11 points below category averages respectively. Music streaming performance scored 0.0/5, indicating this device is not suitable for those who want to stream audio content. The Encore uses disposable batteries and comes in a traditional behind-the-ear style. Notably, our tuned fit testing showed a slight decrease in overall performance compared to the initial fit, with the normalized score dropping from 2.8/5 to 2.4/5. Own-voice comfort also declined substantially when moving to a more occluding coupling. At this price point, consumers may want to consider alternatives. The RxEars Rxi offers substantially better performance at a similar budget price point with a score of 4.07/5. The Otofonix Encore may appeal to buyers seeking a very low-cost entry into prescription hearing aids who prioritize feedback stability, but those needing reliable speech clarity or streaming capabilities should explore other options.