Jabra Enhance Select 300 vs Linner Nova Earbud

The Jabra Enhance Select 300 is a premium OTC hearing aid priced at $1,695 that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing. This behind-the-ear device ranks #17 out of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 25% of its category. In our standardized testing, speech clarity in quiet environments stands out as a notable strength, scoring 3.6/5—a solid result that sits 0.85 points above the category average. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users should experience stable performance without whistling during typical wear. Own-voice comfort also performs well at 3.5/5, nearly a full point above average, which can contribute to a more natural listening experience. Speech understanding in noisy environments presents a limitation, scoring 1.5/5—essentially at the category average but low in absolute terms. This is a common challenge across OTC devices, though users seeking strong noise performance may want to compare alternatives. Music streaming scores 2.6/5, which is above the category average by 0.68 points but mixed in absolute quality. The Enhance Select 300 offers rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices, along with hands-free functionality. It has earned Expert's Choice Awards in both 2023 and 2024. Shoppers in this price range should note that alternatives like the Lucid Tala and Audicus Omni 2 score higher overall, while options like the Jabra Enhance Pro 20 at Costco offer similar sound quality at a lower price point. This device is best suited for those prioritizing speech clarity in quieter settings and stable, feedback-free performance.

The Linner Nova Earbud is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.5/5 in our lab testing. Priced at $299, this visible-in-ear device offers an interesting performance profile that sets it apart from typical hearing aids in its category. The Nova Earbud's standout strength is its excellent music streaming quality, scoring 4.5/5—a full 2.58 points above the OTC category average. This makes it one of the better options for users who prioritize audio entertainment through their hearing devices. Feedback handling is equally impressive at 5.0/5, meaning users can expect stable performance without the whistling that plagues some competitors. However, the device shows significant limitations in core hearing aid functions. Speech in quiet environments scores a mixed 2.1/5, falling 0.71 points below the category average. Speech in noise performance is low at 1.3/5, slightly below average for the category. Own-voice comfort is notably weak at 0.5/5, sitting 2.01 points below the category average—users may find their own voice sounds unnatural or boomy. The Linner Nova Earbud is best suited for budget-conscious consumers who value music streaming and stable feedback performance over maximum speech clarity. Those prioritizing speech understanding, particularly in noisy environments, may want to consider alternatives like the higher-scoring Elehear Beyond or Apple AirPods Pro 2 in the same price range.