Compared to prescription hearing aids, hearing amplifiers are a great deal. But even between different models hearing amplifiers, there can be big differences. Hearing amplifiers are available for as little as $15 to as much as $500 or more. Obviously, there are differences in quality there. But is it possible to get a real steal on a hearing amplifier? Can you buy good hearing amplifiers for under $100?
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This article compares different models hearing amplifier that cost less than $100. The cheapest models were not taken into consideration – I assume you know what to expect when you buy a $15 amplifier on Amazon. And this price category is littered with disappointments. The promises from manufacturers sound the same as the more expensive models, but once you’re comparing them by putting them in your ears, you’ll find they sound nothing alike.
In the comparison article that discusses hearing amplifiers for under $200, it became clear that you can’t make a hearing amplifier for that price without making compromises. Therefore, it only makes sense to see similar compromises in the cheaper models. And indeed, as you’ll see, most hearing amplifiers are not the steal they promise to be. Luckily, there is one that proves to be a great buy for less than $100 (not a great hearing amplifier, but a great one for that price). Read below to find out where to spend your $100 and keep the change.
| Model | Key Feature | Hearing Loss | Price |
| Banglijian BLJ-109 | Best budget buy | Moderate | Check |
| NewEar | Rechargable | Mild | Check |
| Britzgo 1222 | Rechargeable | Mild | Check |
| TKING J707 | Comes in a pair | Mild | Check |
Short Review for the Banglijian BLJ-109 Hearing Amplifier
The Banglijian BLJ-109 comes up a lot on this website. It is hands down the single best hearing amplifier you can buy for less than $100. After a 2019 upgrade, it has improved considerably and offers a true steal. Many of the options on the Banglijian are found on hearing amplifiers that are at least twice the price.
It has a noise cancelling feature that immediately separates it from most other hearing amplifiers in this category. Furthermore, it has three different listening programs (or, more accurately, noise-cancelling levels), six volume settings, an average battery life of 50 hours and a rechargeable battery. It is also ambidextrous, just like the Britzgo 220.
None of these features are ground-breaking, but they’re a great combination for a great price. I won’t pretend you will have the world’s best hearing amplifier when you order the Banglijian BLJ-109, but if you’re shopping for hearing amplifiers on a budget, this should be your only real option.
In the last effort to one-up the Britzgo and the other hearing amplifiers in this price category, Banglijian offers a three-year manufacturer warranty.
If you’ve got the money to spend more, you should keep looking for a hearing amplifier that could make your life even better. In all other cases, you can stop looking (and, truthfully, stop reading, but you’re welcome to keep comparing).
Need to know more before you buy? Read the full review for the Banglijian BLJ-109.
Short review for NewEar Rechargeable Hearing Amplifier
Remember when I said that this price category is littered with disappointments? The NewEar is here to prove me right. Not that it’s the worst hearing amplifier you’ll find, but it’s the worst in this comparison.
At first sight, everything looks quite alright. Again, we see a rechargeable battery, 40 hours of battery life, an impressive peak gain (a measurement of how much sound can be amplified), and the ambidextrous design that we also saw in the other models. It also amplifies sound.
From there on, things get less exciting. The NewEar has a golden receiver that serves no purpose whatsoever, yet is mentioned several times in the marketing materials. Perhaps this is an effort to mask the questionable sound quality or the fact that it mainly amplifies low frequencies – while age-related hearing loss means the loss of high frequencies.
But that’s not all. The sound quality is outdated. It plainly amplifies without filtering, there is an audible static noise, and charging the battery takes too long.
If you look up the NewEar on Amazon, you’ll probably find the device discounted from around $200 to less than $50. The original price should be at least ten years old, and the current price is a last-ditch effort to not have to throw the last devices away.
Don’t let them make their waste your problem. Don’t buy the NewEar.
Still not scared off? Read the full review on the NewEar right here.
Short review for Britzgo BHA 1222 (Optio) Hearing Amplifier
Another Britzgo completes this list. The 1222 is touted as the company’s versatile model, which is a little surprising since it offers fewer listening programs than the Britzgo 220. It does have the ambidextrous design, like all the other models in this overview.
It also offers a rechargeable battery (35 hours on an 8-hour charge), a 35 dB peak gain that makes the model suitable for mild hearing loss, and it has an American-made speaker. With entry-level noise reduction features, you can expect some noise reduction as well.
The biggest problem for the Britzgo 1222 is that it lacks versatility. Compared to the Britzgo 220, it’s a better model, but nothing about it stands out. It’s not a bad hearing amplifier, it’s simply not as good as the Banglijian.
For roughly the same price, you can have a device with more listening programs, better volume control, better noise reduction, a better battery, and more horsepower. You’d almost buy the Britzgo 1222 out of pity, but since hearing amplifiers don’t have feelings, it would just be a waste of money.
Unless you like the device’s blue color a whole lot, just buy the Banglijian.
You can find the full review for the Britzgo 1222 here, if you’re interested.
Short review for the TKING Mini Rechargeable J707
The TKING Mini Rechargeable J707 is a perfect example of how quickly technological advances can help customers. Compared to the others in this list, the TKING J707 is a steal. Compared to newer models, the sound quality lacks, and you will notice the lack of real listening options. Nevertheless, it is amazing that you can buy these for less than $100.
You can find the full review here.
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