Eargo Link vs. Lexie B3 Powered by Bose
Check out our comparison of the Eargo Link vs Lexie B3 Powered by Bose. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Product Overview
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
The Link by Eargo is an over-the-counter hearing aid designed to offer discreet and user-friendly hearing enhancement. It features advanced sound processing technology, competitive pricing, and has been positively reviewed by independent labs for its performance and reliability.
Read full reviewLexie B3 OTC hearing aids deliver Powered by Bose sound, Bluetooth streaming, IP68 durability, and app-based personalization for clearer conversations.
Read full reviewThe Eargo Link achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked in the top 23% in the OTC Hearing Aid category. With a SoundScore of 4.00/5, it performs above the category average of 3.43, demonstrating competitive overall sound quality in HearAdvisor's standardized testing protocol.
Lexie B3 achieved a SoundScore of 4.48/5 in HearAdvisor lab testing. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.
The Eargo Link seem to be a slight regression in build quality and have an IP54 rating, which is lower than other Eargo models. This means they are not water-proof and will require extra care to continue working well long term.
Lexie B3 hearing aids offer excellent protection from moisture and debris with an IP68 rating. The portable charge case also appears well built and should easily hold up to daily use.
I liked the portable charging case and magnetic locks. However, the 9 hour rechargeable battery life means they will not last all day and will be better suited for situational use rather than all-day hearing help.
B3 offer an impressive 32 hour battery life per charge, which is more than many products on the market. The portable charging case also offers up to 3 additional charges before needing to be plugged in. As such, we found the overall battery offering excellent.
I was impressed with Eargo Link's audio quality for both streaming and hands-free calls. The Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility is a significant upgrade from Eargo's other products that don't support streaming.
Lexie B3 are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for wireless app control, audio streaming, and hands-free calling.
The Lexie app has a user-friendly interface and modern, appealing design. It includes practical features like volume control and a tone balance. We especially liked that B3 now includes a hearing assessment to better personalize the audio performance to your hearing.
Link were moderately comfortable in my ears and feel like typical wireless earbuds. I was able to switch through the included ear tips to find the right fit for both comfort and sound quality.
I found B3 very comfortable, and the flexible earwires easily molded to my face which helped provide good retention and speaker placement in my ears.
With their modern earbud-like appearance, Link is definitely more bold than other Eargo models. While I like the earbud look, you will have to decide whether you prefer a more discrete hearing aid option.
B3 are relatively small and have a modern receiver-in-canal design. One potential downside is that they are currently only available in a mat grey color.
The Eargo Link offers solid performance for its $799 price point, though several competitors in the same price range achieve higher scores.
Lexie B3 has a value score of 4.3/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Instead of typical multi-function buttons, Link uses touch sensors. These worked well, and more reliably than other products I've tested, though the app would be a nice addition for manual controls.
I did not run into any issues while using B3 or the Lexie mobile app. First-time users may need some practice to get accustomed to inserting the receiver-in-ear style properly.
Eargo is one of the first direct to consumer hearing aids, but support is unfortunately limited to to their Client Care team and personal hearing professionals. While Eargo claims they work alongside audiologists, it is not the same as direct professional hearing care.
B3 are over-the-counter hearing aids and are designed to be fit without a hearing care provider. However, Lexie offers remote care which includes both technical and hearing support from their team of Lexie Experts for the lifetime of your hearing aid.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Accessories
Compatible accessories for each hearing aid
Link Charger
Charges Link by Eargo OTC hearing aids.
B3 Charger
The Lexie B3 comes with a rechargeable storage case that charges via USB-C and provides about three extra full charges, for up to 5 days of total runtime. The hearing aids take about 3 hours to recharge and can run up to 32 hours per charge without streaming. Magnetic seating and status lights help confirm the aids are placed correctly and charging.
Hardware
- Bluetooth® (A2DP)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® (A2DP)
- Bluetooth® (HFP)
- Program control
- Volume Control
- Mute control
- Power on/off
- Streaming start/stop
- Call accept/reject
- Change program
- Accept/end calls
- Pause/Resume
- ANC On/Off