The Linner Mars is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid at $399, earning a C grade in HearAdvisor's lab testing. This visible-in-ear device ranked #44 out of 56 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the bottom quartile of its category.
In our testing, the Mars showed a sharp split personality. Its standout strength is music streaming quality, scoring 4.60/5—well above the category average of 3.44. Feedback handling also performed admirably at 5.00/5. However, these wins come at a significant cost to speech performance, where the device struggled considerably.
Speech clarity is the Mars's most notable weakness. Both speech in quiet and speech in noise scores fell below category averages, which is concerning for a hearing aid's core function. Own-voice comfort also rated poorly, suggesting users may experience noticeable occlusion effects when speaking.
Value-conscious shoppers should note that several competitors in the same price range deliver substantially better overall performance. The Elehear Beyond ($399) scored 4.35/5, and the JLab Hear OTC at just $99.99 achieved a 3.65/5. The Linner Mars may appeal to users who prioritize music streaming and are less concerned with speech amplification, but those seeking primary hearing assistance for conversation should explore alternatives.
