The Best Walmart Hearing Aids, Independently Tested

Have you ever wondered about the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids sold at big box retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and pharmacy chains? Do they offer similar benefits as the $5,000+ hearing aids provided by audiologists and other hearing care providers at private practices and clinics? Are any of them any good or worth the price?

To address these questions, we rigorously tested the top-selling OTC hearing aids at Walmart in a state-of-the-art acoustic lab and compared their overall performance and pricing. The results might just surprise you: There are indeed some commendable OTC hearing aid options at Walmart, but there are also some that might not meet your expectations—even for the lower price.

In this article, I'll give you an overview of Walmart's hearing aids, rank them in terms of features, performance, and value based on our lab test results, and also suggest some specific products in categories that consumers prize most.

Best Overall: Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose

Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid available for $999 a pair and offers rechargeability, Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android, a recharging case, and an in-app hearing test. In our lab, the Lexie B2 Plus achieved one of the best SoundScores for hearing aids sold at Walmart (4.6/5), only lagging behind Lucid Tala (4.64/5). It showed particularly strong speech amplification in quiet environments (4.4/5), but also scored above average in background noise (2.2/5).

Walmart also offers the Lexie Lumen, a hearing aid with similar functionality to the B2 Plus in a slightly older behind-the-ear (BTE) design. Other Lexie models currently available at Walmart include the B1, a battery-powered self-fitting RIC OTC hearing aid without Bluetooth, and the H1, a rechargeable earbud style OTC device that supports Bluetooth streaming for audio and calls.

Best Telecare: Jabra Enhance 50R

Introduced in January 2024, Jabra Enhance Select 50R is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) OTC hearing aid that is essentially a rechargeable upgrade of Jabra's previously successful Enhance Select 50 model—hence, the "R" in 50R. Overall, you can expect good performance from this OTC hearing aid, especially with customization opportunities using the mobile app and Jabra’s remote telecare team.

Walmart continues to offer the Jabra Enhance Select 300. Even though it was released in 2023, it scored better in our lab than more recently released Jabra models, including the 50R. The Enhance Select 300 includes advanced speech clarity technology to automatically filter background noise, binaural directionality to produce more natural sound, and it comes with a portable charging case. Considering the 300's steeper price tag, however, the 50R does offer great value and includes the same prescription-level telecare as other Jabra models.

Best Discreet for Accessibility: Audien Hearing Atom X

The Audien Hearing Atom X is a discreet OTC hearing aid that features a touchscreen on its portable charging case. Via the touchscreen you can adjust the volume, switch between programs, and toggle Bluetooth connections. It completely replaces the app that's typically used to control Bluetooth hearing aids, making the Atom X more accessible, but also less customizable.

The Atom X's form factor is similar to the RxEars Rxi, featured below. While the Atom X's acoustic performance in our lab—reflected in its SoundScore—was considerably weaker than the Rxi's, both for speech-in-quiet and speech-in-noise, it did receive a better score overall for supporting hands-free calling and audio streaming to iOS and Android. You can see a full breakdown of our scoring in the ranking table below.

Best Discreet: RxEars Rxi

RxEars Rxi is a less conspicuous in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid available for $498 per pair. It is powered by disposable size 10 batteries and may offer a simpler setup than other devices on our list, as it is not Bluetooth-compatible. What the Rxi lacks in modern wireless features, it makes up for with its amplification—which is shockingly accurate for a preset-based OTC hearing aid.

After a few adjustments with the multi-function button, I landed on a setting that offered better gain than the default settings on some $4,000 prescription hearing aids. This was an interesting finding highlighting: 1) that some OTC devices are capable of offering appropriate gain for a mild to moderate sloping hearing loss and 2) that hearing care providers should routinely be performing real-ear measurements—if you have a provider, hold them accountable.

Ranking of All Walmart Devices Tested

We tested over a dozen OTC hearing aids currently available on Walmart.com. This review combines our hands-on experience with objective audio performance data from HearAdvisor, an independent hearing aid test lab based in Rockford, Illinois, offering you a comprehensive comparison of hearing devices.

In the table below, you'll find a list of all the devices we tested and how they compared to one another ranked by our Value score. While I explain all the scores in greater detail below, you should know that the SoundScore is an overall rating of acoustic performance based on five different sound-quality metrics under two different conditions. What does that mean? You can think of the SoundScore as how well the hearing aid performs acoustically, regardless of its cost. In contrast, the Value score considers what consumers generally think of as the device's most important features in relation to its price.

If you have a flexible budget, we recommend paying more attention to the SoundScore or even considering a more expensive professionally dispensed prescription hearing aid. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, the Value score should be your focus. All measures are ranked on a 5-point scale for your convenience.

How did we rank the best-selling OTC hearing aids at Walmart?

For over a decade, HearingTracker has been reviewing hearing aids, hearables, personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), and more. Our team includes a range of experts with diverse backgrounds and experiences, lending a wealth of knowledge to every review. More recently, HearingTracker has teamed up with HearAdvisor, an independent test lab that objectively assesses hearing aid audio quality by leveraging the latest science. Together, we are able to offer you the best of both worlds with objective science-backed data and expert hands-on knowledge.

Hearing aids were rated based on the following 10 attributes:

1. SoundScore: The SoundScore is the result of objective hearing aid audio performance measured in the HearAdvisor lab. It represents a weighted average of five sound quality metrics in two fitting approaches (self-fitting and best-possible professionally tuned) for performance in quiet and noise, feedback (whistling), music streaming, and the perception of one's own voice. It is meant to represent the estimated audio performance of a hearing aid if you have a mild-to-moderate sloping hearing loss typical of the people who would be candidates of an OTC hearing aid. Devices with higher SoundScores indicate better performance.
2. Pro Support: This attribute corresponds to the amount of professional assistance a device offers. Many OTC devices rely on email or phone-based tech support, while others allow more prescription-like programming with remote assistance from hearing care providers. Devices offering better support options, with provider assistance, score higher.
3. Comfort: This is our subjective rating of a device’s comfort when being worn. Factors such as size, shape, and fit are considered during general use and dynamic facial movements (e.g., chewing). Higher scores indicate the device was more comfortable for me to wear.
4. Battery: This category considers a device’s battery and power options. Higher scores are associated with longer reported battery life, shorter recharge times, and on-the-go charging options (e.g., cases offering additional battery life with an internal power bank).
5. Build Quality: Build quality is based on a product’s observed durability and IP rating, if available. Higher scores for this attribute are associated with better protection against dirt/debris and moisture, as well as perceived quality.
6. Bluetooth: Many hearing aids offer audio streaming, though the quality can vary depending on your mobile phone. Higher Bluetooth Streaming scores indicate devices that offer wireless audio across iOS and Android platforms, as well as hands-free calling.
7. App Features: Similar to Bluetooth Streaming, many hearing aids can be controlled wirelessly with phone apps. This attribute corresponds to the included app features and level of personalization (e.g., gain, hearing tests, multi-band frequency adjustments, etc.). Higher scores indicate the app is user-friendly and provides you with more control.
8. Handling: Handling is a subjective measure of a device's user-friendliness. Smaller manual controls and battery doors can be difficult to manage, especially for those with low vision or dexterity issues. Higher scores suggest I found the device more straightforward and easy to use.
9. Design: Design is a subjective appraisal of a device's physical appearance when worn. Although this is highly subjective, larger devices with antiquated designs are generally less desirable. Higher scores in our Design category point to hearing aids that are smaller, less visible, and/or modern in appearance.
10. Value: This refers to a device's overall cost-benefit or "bang for the buck.” A higher Value score is associated with devices that score well across the above nine attributes while having a lower price.

We understand that no rating method will apply to everyone, as people's needs differ (e.g., ear anatomy, preferences, hearing loss, etc.). Similarly, some people will prioritize features like rechargeability, Bluetooth streaming, and online support, while others will not. However, we used our best judgment based on expert knowledge and clinical experience to rank hearing aids as accurately as possible.

Bad Experiences: Be Cautious With the Following Devices...

In my experience, most OTC products are not built or tested with the same rigor as prescription hearing aids. This makes sense as new OTC companies do not have the same resources as major manufacturers. So, while some troubleshooting is normal—especially given the lack of professional assistance—I did run into devices that were particularly problematic. Here is the one product line Walmart kept in its lineup since we first published our review, and the troubles I experienced with it.

Poor Speech Performance: RCA In-Ear and Micro

I tested two OTC hearing aid products from RCA and was initially impressed with their build quality and modernized look. However, both the RSH062 Micro behind-the-ear (above) and RSH30 In-Ear (below) devices scored poorly in HearAdvisor’s speech performance metric.

The objective test behind this score comes from a scientific metric that models the injured hearing system and predicts speech benefits. To put it in simpler terms, higher scores suggest clearer speech. Unfortunately, both devices scored negative numbers, which suggests they may actually diminish speech clarity, making it harder for you to hear. This is shocking but can be explained in part by the gain/amplification they offer. HearAdvisor includes graphs of this where you can see RCA RSH062 actually reducing high speech sounds—almost like an earplug. 

What hearing aids are sold at retailers like Walmart?

Walmart is one of the most recognizable big-box retailers that cater to healthcare needs, and it is little surprise that it offers hearing devices—although you now will find them online or on store shelves because Walmart Health Centers no longer provide hearing services. As of October 2022, you can find OTC hearing aids online and in-store for around $100 to slightly over $1,000 per pair. The average price across the devices we tested for our review at Walmart was $574. For comparison, a recent reader survey at HearingTracker showed an average price of $4,672 per pair of prescription hearing aids.

Although Walmart reports having over 4,600 stores in the United States and 5,400 Walmart Internationals, the mass retailer is not known as a large hearing aid distributor. However, its wholesale membership sister company, Sam’s Club, does offer professionally dispensed prescription and OTC models in its approximately 450 Hearing Aid Centers, now supported by NationsBenefits, who are replacing Lucid Hearing.

Walmart’s products come in a range of styles, technology levels, and wireless capabilities. For example, HP Hearing Pro are in-the-ear devices resembling advanced earbuds, while Jabra Enhance Select 50R hearing aids are more similar to traditional receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. While this variety gives you more options, it can also add confusion if you are not familiar with the differences and their implications for your hearing.

What’s more, I did not find a way to filter attributes (e.g., audio streaming or rechargeable batteries), meaning you may find it exhausting to dig through the 20+ hearing aid brands and nearly 60 devices currently available on the Walmart website. I imagine the experience is similar at other mass retailers. If you are less familiar with hearing aids and their differences, here are some key points to consider when shopping:

• Comfort: The best hearing aid has little value if it is painful to wear. You will still have to purchase a device to assess comfort, as retailers do not let you try them in-store (likely for reasons of hygiene and health). However, you do have a trial period, generally lasting 30 to 45 days, to assess comfort at your own pace. Everyone’s ears are different, so expect your experiences to vary based on the size and shape of your ears.
• Support: Traditional hearing care relies on the knowledge of hearing care professionals. Due to the need to compete at low prices, this is one area lacking in most OTC products. It is worth considering your individual needs, tech savviness, and determination to “tinker” before making a purchase. If you prefer a higher level of guidance, OTC companies like Jabra, Lexie, Audicus, and Eargo offer remote professional care with some of their devices.
• Battery: Rechargeable batteries have advanced considerably over the past 5 years and are now common even among OTC hearing aids. However, battery life and recharge time can vary considerably between companies, and some still rely on disposable batteries. It’s important to consider your "typical day” and your expected duration of use before purchasing.
• Build Quality: Build quality is generally of minor concern with prescription devices, as most have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 68, which is the highest possible rating against moisture and dirt/debris for hearing aids. However, I find the quality to vary considerably between OTC devices. Even good-sounding products can be made with cheap materials and designs, making them more susceptible to damage and a short service life.
• Bluetooth: Many OTC hearing aids offer wireless app controls, Bluetooth streaming, and hands-free calling. Even if you are not the most tech-savvy, it is worth finding a device that is compatible with your smartphone and offers a mobile app, as this should improve the hearing benefit you experience.
• Fitting Apps: The ability to fine-tune the hearing aid for your unique hearing loss can greatly improve your chances of benefiting from the device. For example, BlaidsX Neuro allows you to directly input your audiogram (hearing thresholds) in their mobile app so the device can provide gain/amplification based on your own needs.
• Handling: Handling corresponds to general ease of use and will depend on many factors, such as your previous experience with hearing aids, mobility, dexterity, and vision. Hearing aids and their parts tend to be small (e.g., disposable batteries), which can be challenging, especially if this is your first time trying hearing aids. If you have concerns, devices offering rechargeable batteries and mobile apps can help.
• Style/Design: Style preferences are individualized and there are, fortunately, options ranging from nearly invisible-in-ear (IIC) to behind-the-ear (BTE) designs. You should have no problem finding a style you like.

Does Walmart vet or screen their hearing aid products for quality?

Hearing aids have traditionally been fit through clinics where hearing care professionals are responsible for vetting product quality and effectiveness. Now that we are in the OTC era, retailers such as Walmart arguably take on that responsibility. I reached out to Walmart’s Customer Relations team asking about any product testing for consumer protection and here is their response:

They went on to discuss their hearing aid return policy, which allows you to try out their devices risk-free.

In reality, retailers like Walmart likely perform minimal vetting and rely on information from the brands they purchase from. What’s more, some of those hearing aid brands use white-label or rebranded products from overseas manufacturers. This amounts to another level of opaqueness concerning a device's audio performance and overall quality. If you would like to explore this, there are FDA databases listing device registrations and listings. HearingTracker has also published a full list of FDA-registered OTC hearing aids, complete with a summary of relevant product codes.

Other stores, like BestBuy, Target, and chain pharmacies, have also jumped on the OTC hearing aid bandwagon. While this article focuses on Walmart, it can serve as a proxy for these other retailers, as many of the devices we tested are available elsewhere online or on store shelves.

Should you consider an OTC hearing aid from Walmart?

You will be happy to learn that quality OTC hearing aids are available at retailers like Walmart. Many offer great value, and some perform on par with prescription hearing aids when programmed to treat mild-to-moderate sloping hearing loss (i.e., less-complex hearing losses typical of people starting to have hearing problems, particularly in noise).

However, there does not appear to be much product vetting on the part of either manufacturers or retailers. This means there is virtually no consumer protection, and we therefore recommend you exercise caution when shopping in the OTC category. Manufacturers will regularly advertise all products as 1) improving speech clarity and 2) helping with background noise. This is because they know these are the most common complaints of individuals with hearing loss.