Phonak vs. Widex
Phonak is our top pick for severe to profound hearing loss, while Widex offers excellent solutions for musicians and tinnitus.
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Phonak and Widex are two highly reputable names in the hearing aid business that offer their users different features. Both prescription hearing aid brands have solutions for all levels of hearing loss that come in a variety of styles and models. Phonak has some of our favorite solutions for severe, profound and single-sided hearing loss. Widex offers rich, clear sound that is great for musicians, along with a great app for tinnitus management. Both providers made it on our list of the best hearing aids in 2025.
For this guide, our tech experts researched and compared hearing aid models from both brands. We also consulted with audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman about her experiences and key takeaways for both brands.
Widex Fast Facts
- High-tech hearing aids
- Zen smartphone app for tinnitus management
- Solutions for mild to profound hearing loss
Phonak vs. Widex: Breakdown
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|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth capability | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus support help | Yes | Yes |
| Customer service | Online FAQ, 1-800 number, online form | Online videos, in-app help, local repairs |
| Accompanying app | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year limited international warranty, inquire about local warranty | Yes, only products sold by authorized distribution sales |
| Website |
See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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Breaking Down the Differences Between Phonak and Widex
At first glance, you can see that Widex and Phonak both offer numerous styles and models of hearing aids. Both have apps and accessories to go along with their hearing aids, but Widex has more of a variety of accessories and apps for its products. That can make Widex a better option for older adults with specific hearing-related issues, such as single-sided hearing loss or tinnitus.
Testing out Widex Moment hearing aids
Widex offers several devices, including a lineup of automatic hearing aids on their Evoke platform and models that are a great option for musicians. Phonak’s Marvel platform gives users a clear, rich sound, as well as the ability to connect to smartphones and other devices. It also enables hearing aids to be rechargeable and gives access to the Phonak app.
Did You Know? More than two-thirds of adults with hearing loss prefer rechargeable hearing aids over disposable batteries.1 Check out our guide to the best rechargeable hearing aids to learn more.
Widex Evoke App
Hearing Aid Pricing
As with most major hearing aid providers, customers must purchase Phonak and Widex hearing aids in-store from a hearing specialist or audiologist. The companies don’t list their prices online, so it’s best to speak with your local hearing specialist for pricing information and to find the hearing aid that’s right for you. It’s also important to note that prices vary from provider to provider. That said, you can expect prices from both providers to start at around $1,000 per ear.
FYI: The high cost of hearing aids is still a prohibitive barrier for many older adults.2 If you’re shopping for hearing aids on a budget, check out our guide to the best cheap hearing aids for seniors.
For more information about where you can purchase prescription hearing aids from Phonak, Widex or another provider, take a look at our hearing aid shopper’s guide. The guide covers everything you need to know when shopping for hearing aids.
» Useful Guide: How to Put in Hearing Aids
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Phonak and Widex Product Lineups
Widex’s product line is technology-focused, and it relies on many apps to control hearing aid functions through your smartphone. In addition to cutting-edge hearing aids, Widex offers accessories that allow you to stream the sound from different devices to your hearing aid.
» You Might Like: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids
You can also stream sound from television, radio and other sources directly to your devices. For those with tinnitus or ringing in the ears, Widex’s Zen tinnitus-management smartphone app allows you and your dispenser to customize a tinnitus-management program to suit your needs and lifestyle.
» Also Check Out: Best Hearing Aids for Tinnitus
Like Widex, Phonak uses apps to allow you to control hearing aid functions. The provider offers solutions for single-sided hearing loss for those who don’t need two hearing aids. Phonak has some hearing aids that can be worn in the ear, some with a receiver behind the ear and some that are truly invisible. That gives you far more options than even the best over-the-counter hearing aid providers, such as MDHearing and Jabra Enhance — albeit at a higher price.
Testing out Phonak hearing aids
Phonak’s unique offering is Lyric, a first-of-its-kind hearing aid that sits entirely in the ear and is worn 24/7. Users have their hearing aids replaced by a hearing specialist every three to four months. It’s an excellent option for those who want the most discreet design possible or those who have a hard time remembering to charge their hearing aids.
FYI: Want to learn more about Phonak or Widex’s product lineup? Our latest Phonak review and in-depth Widex review offer all the details on each provider.
Phonak and Widex vs. the Competition
Since Phonak and Widex have a lot in common, it’s a good idea to check out how they match up to other hearing aid providers. Here is a closer look at Phonak and Widex compared with some of their biggest prescription hearing aid competitors.
| Phonak | Widex | ReSound | Oticon | Unitron | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear |
| Best for those who want | Streaming to most mobile devices and better listening in noisy environments | Fast-charging options and more advanced tinnitus relief | Remote microphones, MFi hearing aids and custom earmolds | Long-lasting hearing devices that greatly improve voice quality | Excellent hearing aid tech and solutions for patients of all ages |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 40 to 60 days | Yes, 90 days | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 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 | 3 apps | 4 apps | 3 apps | 1 app | 2 apps |
| Battery types | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable |
Our Methodology
Dr. Reisman has years of experience customizing and prescribing hearing aids from both brands, including Widex hearing aids as pictured here.
How We Researched Phonak and Widex Hearing Aids
Dr. Reisman has decades of experience working with patients and prescribing hearing aids from Phonak and Widex. She gave us her personal experience, as well as feedback from patients, which helped us focus our research. Our tech team spent an additional 50 hours researching each brand to find the latest information on pricing, models, styles and accessories. Here’s what our research process looked like:
- We tried the hearing tests from Phonak and Widex to test for accuracy. We then compared our results to in-person hearing evaluations from audiologists.
- Our tech team researched models and styles available through both providers, focusing on the ones that could offer the best listening experience to older adults.
- We tested Phonak’s and Widex’s mobile apps, evaluating their general usability (even for less tech-savvy seniors).
- Our team contacted Phonak and Widex customer service several times to evaluate their overall quality of care.
The Factors We Used to Compare Phonak and Widex
Phonak and Widex are two of the most popular prescription hearing aid brands, so it was important to understand exactly how they differ. Dr. Reisman provided her firsthand experience prescribing and fitting hearing aids from both providers. Using her experience as our foundation, we focused our evaluations on the following factors:
- Product lineup: Prescription hearing aid providers typically offer more models and styles than OTC alternatives. We like to see plenty of options that can suit different lifestyles and levels of hearing loss. We also consider the accessory offerings from each provider.
- Hearing technology: Phonak and Widex are at the forefront of hearing aid technology. Phonak has the world’s first completely invisible hearing aid, while Widex offers some of the best hearing aid solutions for tinnitus and musicians with hearing loss.
- Mobile app: Not all older adults like to use mobile apps to control their hearing aids, but many do. We tested all the available mobile apps from Phonak and Widex to ensure that they worked properly and were senior-friendly.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth allows older adults to connect to their favorite devices and enjoy a more natural listening experience. Both Phonak and Widex offer various Bluetooth-ready hearing aids.
- Brand reputation: We value brand reputation, because it indicates consistency, quality and consumer trust. Fortunately, both Phonak and Widex are revered for their trustworthiness and quality hearing devices.
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 seniors with hearing loss. Dr. Reisman has firsthand experience with the brands we discuss, including Phonak and Widex.
Phonak vs. Widex: The Bottom Line
Widex has several cutting-edge hearing aid models that use directional microphones and advanced tech to improve the listening experience. The company also provides a long list of accessories for those who want to enhance and personalize their experience even further. Widex may be a wise choice for users who enjoy using their smartphone and can handle all the functions. For people with tinnitus, Widex edges out Phonak a bit with their Zen smartphone app.
Widex Zen App
Phonak also has an extensive product line with various hearing aid models and styles to suit all users. It provides the world’s only completely invisible hearing aid,3 which is important for those who want to conceal their devices. The company also offers an app that allows users to customize their experience. Their Roger system of remote microphones makes Phonak the leader for those who need to hear their best in noisy or reverberant settings.
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City University of New York. (2019). The Counseling Advantages of Rechargeable Hearing Aid Batteries.
American Academy of Audiology. (2022). Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are Only Partly the Answer.
Phonak. (2025). Phonak Lyric.
