Lexie B2 Plus vs Phonak Sphere Infinio Ultra

The Lexie B2 Plus is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earns an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.4/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing, ranking #7 among 65 OTC devices. Priced at $899, this behind-the-ear rechargeable device has earned back-to-back Expert's Choice Awards in 2023 and 2024. In our testing, the B2 Plus demonstrates strong speech-in-quiet performance at 4.3/5, which is 1.49 points above the OTC category average. Own-voice comfort is excellent at 4.8/5, measuring 2.29 points above average—a notable strength that may appeal to users who find their own voice bothersome with other devices. Speech-in-noise scores 2.1/5, which is above the category average by 0.58 points but remains mixed in absolute terms, reflecting the broader challenge OTC devices face in noisy environments. The device does show a weakness in feedback handling, scoring 2.8/5—which is 1.74 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Users may encounter occasional whistling during activities that bring objects close to the ear. Music streaming performance is mixed at 2.6/5, though still 0.68 points above the OTC average. The Lexie B2 Plus offers both iPhone and Android streaming compatibility. It's well-suited for users prioritizing clear speech in quieter settings and natural own-voice perception, though those frequently in noisy environments or concerned about feedback stability may want to consider alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 in this price range.

The Phonak Sphere Infinio Ultra is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid priced at $4,898. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.9/5, placing it in the top 5% of the 39 prescription hearing aids tested and ranking #3 in the category. This device demonstrates exceptional speech performance in our testing. Speech in noise scored 4.5/5—an excellent result that measures 2.40 points above the category average of 2.11/5. Speech in quiet also performed strongly at 4.3/5, which is 0.92 points above the category average. These results suggest the Sphere Infinio Ultra may particularly benefit users who frequently navigate challenging listening environments like restaurants or group conversations. Music streaming delivered a solid 3.3/5, measuring 0.54 points above category average. Own-voice comfort scored 2.8/5, which is above the category average by 0.10 points but remains mixed in absolute terms. Feedback handling measured 4.2/5—strong in absolute terms, though 0.52 points below the category average of 4.72/5. The Sphere Infinio Ultra is best suited for users seeking top-tier speech clarity who prioritize performance in noisy environments and are prepared to invest at the premium price tier. Those seeking similar sound quality at a lower price point may also consider the Phonak Sphere Infinio, which scored 4.98/5 in our testing.