What Are the Best Hearing Aids for 2026?

Hearing aids are getting smaller and smarter. Leading brands (like the ones on this guide) now offer advanced features like rechargeable batteries, self-fitting software and even artificial intelligence.

In 2022, the FDA allowed hearing aids to be sold over the counter for the first time in 50 years, opening the door for new players like Sony and Sennheiser to introduce impressive innovations. This shift caught the attention of The New York Times, which has reported a growing trend of hearing aid adoption among younger people.

The "best hearing aid" varies from person to person. It all comes down to understanding your specific hearing needs. A few things to consider:

• Hearing Loss Level: If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can purchase over-the-counter hearing aids without needing a doctor’s visit. Take our test here to assess your hearing loss level.
• Device Style: Consider your style preference—such as discreet in-ear models or more robust behind-the ear models. More on styles below.
• Care Model: The best hearing aids are tailored to your hearing needs, either through a smartphone app or a visit to a local clinic. Some brands, like Jabra, offer a hybrid of both. Consider which care model suits your preferences and budget, as self-fitting options are usually more affordable.

How We Review Products

At Soundly, our team evaluates the best hearing aids on the market every month. We wear, test, and compare new products, sharing our top picks across various price ranges and features.

As one of the leading independent reviewers and retailers in the U.S., Soundly fits hearing aids from a wide range of different brands each month, giving us a unique perspective on which products truly perform.

A Closer Look at Hearing Aid Styles

One of your first decisions will be choosing a hearing aid style. Generally, there are two types: behind-the-ear and in-the-ear. About 80% of users prefer behind-the-ear styles, as they often offer more features and greater comfort.

These models, like Sennheiser and Relate, also support Bluetooth streaming, while invisible-style devices, such as those from Eargo, do not.

In-the-ear styles are most often chosen for their invisibility (for the smallest sizes), ease of handling (for the larger sizes) and comfort with glasses, masks or oxygen.

If you aren’t sure which style you want, you can read more about each one here.

Next up, let's talk about care models.

The other big decision you’ll need to make before you get new hearing aids is how you want to have them programmed to match your specific hearing loss.

If you search for hearing aids on Amazon you’ll find a lot of devices that boast one-size-fits-all. The reality is that every hearing loss has a different shape and it’s quite important to get a hearing aid that can adjust sound output to match that shape.

So how does that happen? You typically have two options:

Option #1 OTC

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now program your own hearing aids using a smartphone and purchase them over-the-counter. This option became available in late 2022 and is popular among younger users and budget-conscious shoppers.

Option #2 Local Care  

For those with more severe hearing loss—or who prefer in-person testing and professional programming—working with a local hearing care provider is a great option. Soundly gives you access to all major prescription brands, including Phonak, Oticon, and our private-label hearing aid, Relate. Each come with a free hearing test, transparent pricing and 60-day returns. Browse prescription products or get paired with a local clinic here.

Why We Rank Sennheiser All Day Clear Best OTC

We’ve curated this list to offer a range of hearing aids catering to different budgets and care preferences. You may wonder why we’ve ranked the Sennheiser All Day Clear as our top OTC choice over other strong contenders like Jabra and Eargo.

• ‍Overall Value: Sennheiser All Day Clear offers clinic-level technology at an affordable $999 per pair. With the added benefit of a complimentary audiologist setup call (available through Soundly), Sennheiser's overall value is hard to ignore.‍
• Form Factor: These behind-the-ear devices provide all-day comfort, with multiple sleeve options for a personalized fit. Their design balances comfort with low-profile visibility.‍
• Sound Quality: Sennheiser’s technology excels in enhancing speech clarity and minimizing background noise (not a surprise given Sonova's manufacturing role). ‍
• Ease of Use: The All Day Clear offers easy Bluetooth streaming and a user-friendly app for adjustments on the go. All Day Clear is especially good for Android users who have a few less connection options on the market.

Is Sennheiser the only good OTC option? Not at all. We also love Jabra's innovative telehealth service and Eargo's discreet style. Ultimately personal goals and needs take priority when choosing the "best" hearing aids for you.

Why We Rank Relate Best Prescription

When it comes to prescription hearing aids with professional programming and local, in-person care, we rank Relate as our top value pick.

Relate is ideal if you have a more severe hearing loss, want hands-on support, or simply prefer the confidence of working with a local hearing care professional from day one.

• Overall Value: Relate delivers clinic-grade performance at a significantly lower price than most prescription hearing aids. Starting at $1,598 per pair, it includes a professional hearing test, expert programming, and ongoing local care. For many people, it’s the most approachable way to access true prescription-level hearing care.
• Professional Care & Fit: Relate is programmed by a licensed professional based on a full in-booth hearing test. This makes it especially well suited for moderate to severe hearing loss, where precise tuning and follow-up care can make a meaningful difference in daily hearing.
• Sound Quality & Technology: Built by Sonova, the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturer (and the maker of Phonak), Relate benefits from proven sound processing focused on clear speech and comfortable listening in noise. Fine-tuning options allow the sound to be closely matched to your hearing profile.
• Ease of Use & Connectivity: Relate includes reliable Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, and a clean, intuitive smartphone app for everyday adjustments. The balance of simplicity and customization makes it easy to adjust to, even for first-time hearing aid users.

Is Relate the only great prescription option? Not at all. Brands like Phonak, ReSound, and others offer excellent technology and features. In many cases, though, you’re paying a bit more for a brand name. For shoppers who want strong technology, professional care, and standout value, Relate is hard to beat.

Need Help Choosing? 

Soundly.com is a leading online shopping destination for hearing aid wearers. Our team includes hearing aid wearers, audiologists, and industry veterans. Read more about Soundly's story here.

If you are just beginning your research, we recommend starting with a hearing test. The test will provide you with a chart of your hearing loss and a clearer picture of your options.

You can also take Soundly's 5-minute quiz, and a member of our team will review the results and provide a product recommendation based on your results.