Widex vs. Oticon
Widex is our top choice for musicians, while Oticon offers some of the best solutions for severe to profound hearing loss.
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Widex and Oticon both offer a variety of hearing aids for all levels of hearing loss, some of which are among the best hearing aids on the market. We evaluated both providers and found that Widex is excellent for music lovers, musicians and those struggling with tinnitus, while Oticon is generally a good fit for people with severe to profound hearing loss.
In this guide, we will compare the brands based on our tech expert’s experience and research, along with insights from our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman. Let’s take a look at how Widex and Oticon products differ.
Widex Fast Facts
- Excellent options for musicians
- Our choice for listening in noisy environments
- Smartphone app for tinnitus relief
Oticon Fast Facts
- Our pick for severe hearing loss
- 360-degree sound approach
- One of the industry’s oldest providers
Widex vs. Oticon: What’s the Difference?
When you look at the list of hearing aids offered, you’ll notice that Oticon has slightly more options than Widex. It also has more accessories. Widex offers more apps to control the listening experience — including an app just for tinnitus relief — and both carriers offer solutions for mild to profound hearing loss.
Widex stands out for its wide dynamic range of sound, making it an excellent option for musicians. The brand’s Moment line of hearing aids is also a highlight, because it automatically makes hearing adjustments suited to your needs and environment.
Testing out Widex Moment hearing aids
Oticon’s OpenSound approach in their OPN-generation devices aims to provide an accurate “360” representation of the world that allows the brain to select the signal you want to listen to. There isn’t a significant difference between the two approaches for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
» You Might Like: Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
The Widex approach works a bit better for people with more severe hearing loss, particularly those with very poor hearing in environments with background noise. According to Widex, their use of real-time data and artificial intelligence makes for a more natural and personalized listening experience.1 The advanced technology is part of what makes Widex such a popular option for many patients.
Testing out Oticon hearing aids
Widex and Oticon Hearing Aid Lineups
Both companies offer a full range of hearing aids, from invisible in canal (IIC) to behind the ear (BTE), making them appropriate for mild to profound hearing loss.
Widex and Oticon hearing aids offer wireless compatibility with Android and iOS devices.
» Useful Guide: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids
In addition to their hearing aids, both companies have a range of accessories for hearing better in noisy environments, on the phone and when watching TV. Widex also has a unique Zen smartphone app designed to help people who struggle with tinnitus.
Widex Evoke Hearing Aids
Widex vs. Oticon Pricing
If you want to find out the price of a hearing aid from either company, you’ll have to contact a local hearing aid professional since neither company advertises prices online. The professional will give you pricing information and determine which style is right for you. Hearing aid cost is determined by several factors, including the model, technical features, location and level of hearing loss. That said, prices for both Widex and Oticon hearing aids generally start at $1,000 per ear.
» Save More: Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors
Comparing Widex and Oticon
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|
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|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth capability | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus support help | Yes | Yes |
| Customer service | Online FAQ, 800 number | Online videos, help in app, local repairs |
| Accompanying app | Yes | Yes |
| Website |
See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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The table above may not show major differences between Widex and Oticon hearing aids, but the technology they offer differs greatly. Widex focuses on AI-optimized hearing aids that adapt to new environments in real time. Plus, the dynamic sound range makes it the absolute best choice for musicians and music lovers. If you have tinnitus, we also have to pick Widex for its Zen app and a plethora of tinnitus-friendly features. Just keep in mind that you may have to juggle multiple apps, which may prove challenging for older adults who struggle with memory issues.
» Related Reading: Best Hearing Aids for Alzheimer’s Patients
If you have severe or profound hearing loss, Oticon has hearing aids specifically designed to make voices sound more natural (including your own). Oticon’s offerings are also very durable, and they’re able to withstand wear and tear better than brands such as Phonak or Signia. That makes Oticon a great choice for older adults who are prone to dropping their hearing aids.
FYI: Want to learn more about some of the providers we’ve mentioned? Check out our comparison of Phonak vs. Signia!
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Widex and Oticon vs. the Competition
It’s clear that Widex and Oticon both offer excellent hearing aids, but they do have some differences. Moreover, they’re not the only good options on the market. Here is a closer look at Widex and Oticon compared with three of their biggest prescription hearing aid competitors.
| Oticon | Widex | Starkey | Phonak | Rexton | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,499 per ear |
| Best for those who want | Long-lasting hearing devices that greatly improve voice quality | Fast-charging options and more advanced tinnitus relief | Advanced AI hearing tech and fall detection | Streaming to most mobile devices and better listening in noisy environments | Hearing aids that can make their own voice and other voices sound more natural |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 40 to 60 days | Yes, 30 to 45 days (return fees may apply) | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 45 days |
| Hearing loss levels | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound |
| CROS available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus solutions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | 1 app | 4 apps | 5 apps | 3 apps | 1 app |
| Battery types | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable |
Our Methodology
Dr. Reisman has experience prescribing Widex and Oticon hearing aids. In this photo, she is testing and customizing a pair of Widex Moment hearing aids.
How We Researched Widex and Oticon Hearing Aids
Our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, has years of experience with both Widex and Oticon. We spoke with Dr. Reisman about her personal opinion of each brand, in addition to spending more than 50 hours doing our own independent research of both providers. Here’s what our research process looked like.
- We completed the hearing tests available online for both Widex and Oticon, comparing our results to in-person evaluations from Dr. Reisman.
- We researched Widex and Oticon hearing aids, including specific models and styles.
- We downloaded the mobile apps available from each provider to see how well they worked. We wanted to see how easy it was to get them up and running without additional help.
- Our tech team reached out to the customer-service teams for Widex and Oticon multiple times to evaluate their overall quality of care.
The Factors We Used to Compare Widex and Oticon
Dr. Reisman has the experience to evaluate how each brand works for real patients with varying levels of hearing loss, so we used her feedback, her patients’ feedback, our research and our personal experiences with each company to compare Widex and Oticon. We focused most of our attention on the factors below.
- Product lineup: As a general rule, we like to see more options for older adults. We researched the hearing aids and accessories available from both providers.
- Hearing technology: All of the best hearing aid providers work diligently to use the latest tech in their hearing devices. Widex and Oticon are no exception. From AI to 360-degree soundscapes, both providers offer unique tech to help with everything from one-on-one conversations to single-sided hearing loss, an issue that affects roughly 5 percent of American adults.2
- Mobile app: Not every older adult likes to juggle multiple apps to control their hearing aids, but some like to have specific apps to address specific issues, such as tinnitus. We tested each app from Widex and Oticon to see how they worked and what benefits they could offer seniors with hearing loss.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth connectivity makes doing many hearing-related tasks, from watching TV to answering a phone call, sound much clearer and more natural. That’s why we always look for Bluetooth tech in hearing aid products. The majority of hearing aids from Widex and Oticon offer some level of Bluetooth connectivity.
- Brand reputation: We value brand reputation, because it indicates that a hearing aid manufacturer has consistently provided quality products and service to consumers. Both Widex and Oticon scored high marks in this regard.
Why Trust Us?
Our team of tech experts tries the latest gadgets and devices for older adults each year. We’ve logged hundreds of hours testing and reviewing hearing aids from dozens of brands.
In addition to our hands-on research, we work alongside experts with decades of experience prescribing hearing aids and helping older adults with hearing loss. Our resident licensed audiologist, Dr. Reisman, has firsthand experience with the brands we discuss, including Widex and Oticon.
Widex vs. Oticon: The Bottom Line
For listening in quiet settings, Widex and Oticon stack up nearly head to head. In locations with a great deal of background noise, patients with mild to moderate hearing loss tend to like the automatic OPN appraisal from Oticon over Widex’s DIY approach that offers more user control. For people with tinnitus, Widex has a bit of an edge with their Zen feature and smartphone app, not to mention their superior options for musicians. If you’re still on the fence about which provider is best for you, head over to our 2025 Widex review and Oticon review for a closer look.
Did You Know? Musicians are nearly four times as likely to suffer from noise-induced hearing loss as any other profession.3
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AARP. (2024). Hearing Loss Is Plaguing a Generation of Rock Stars.
Widex. (2023). Using Real-World Data to Create Better Hearing.
National Library of Medicine. (2021). Prevalence of Single-Sided Deafness in the United States.
