Linner Mars vs Sontro Soundwave

The Linner Mars is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid released in 2023, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.2/5 in our lab testing. At $399, it falls in the lower price tier of the OTC category but ranks #55 of 65 OTC devices tested, placing it in the bottom 17% of its category. This visible-in-ear device presents a mixed performance profile with notable strengths and significant weaknesses. Music streaming is a standout feature, scoring an excellent 4.6/5—a full 2.68 points above the category average. Feedback handling is also excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users can expect stable performance without whistling during normal use. However, speech clarity presents challenges. Speech in quiet scores a low 1.9/5, falling 0.85 points below the category average. Speech in noise performance is particularly limited at 1.0/5, sitting 0.46 points below average. Own-voice comfort also scores low at 1.0/5, which is 1.51 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounding unnatural or boomy. The Linner Mars may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize music and media streaming over speech understanding in challenging environments. However, buyers seeking better speech performance should consider alternatives like the Elehear Beyond or Apple AirPods Pro 2, which offer stronger overall sound scores in the same price range.

The Sontro Soundwave is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid priced at $849, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.1/5 in HearAdvisor's lab testing. This behind-the-ear device uses disposable batteries and ranks #61 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 92% of its category. In our lab testing, the Soundwave shows a notable strength in own-voice comfort, scoring 3.6/5—a solid result that sits 1.09 points above the category average. This suggests users may experience less of the "talking in a barrel" sensation that can occur with some hearing aids. However, the device faces challenges in other key areas. Speech in quiet scores 2.7/5 (mixed, 0.12 points below average), while speech in noise registers at 1.2/5 (low, 0.28 points below average), indicating potential difficulty in challenging listening environments. The most significant limitations appear in music streaming and feedback handling. Music streaming scores 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—a notable weakness for users who value audio entertainment. Feedback handling scores 2.5/5, which is 2.04 points below the category average of 4.54/5, suggesting the device may be more prone to whistling issues. At this price point, competitors offer substantially stronger performance. Devices like the Sony CRE-E10 and Lexie B2 Plus deliver significantly higher sound scores in the same price range. The Sontro Soundwave may suit those prioritizing own-voice comfort over speech clarity and streaming quality, but most users would benefit from exploring higher-performing alternatives at similar or lower prices.