Best Stethoscope

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Stethoscopes are an excellent tool to have on hand. Whether you're a professional doctor, vet, or a nursing student, a stethoscope can literally be a life-saver. Amplify and analyze all of your internal sounds with a stethoscope. When it comes to the best stethoscopes for amateurs and professionals, here are our top picks.

Staff pick

(Image credit: 3MLittmann)

3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope

Great for adults and children

With this stethoscope, you can monitor an abundance of sounds and rhythms in the body. This stethoscope is great for use in non-critical care units like a school, medical office, or a general ward of a hospital. This tool can be used to assess both children and adults as it comes equipped with pediatric and adult chest pieces with tunable diaphragms. This latex-free stethoscope is available in a variety of colors so you can match this tool to your own personal style. 


I can hear you

(Image credit: 3MLittmann)

3M Littmann Lightweight II Stethoscope

Uniquely colored and great for use with adults

This stethoscope is great for use with adults as it comes equipped with a tunable diaphragm that allows you to hear even the slightest changes or irregularities. The diaphragm's teardrop shape makes it comfortable and easy to angle against your patient's body, while the headset is strategically designed for your comfort. This stethoscope is available in five unique colors including black, burgundy, Caribbean blue, ceil blue tube, and pearl pink.

Skipped a beat

(Image credit: FriCare)

FriCARE Lightweight Stethoscope

Adjustable chest piece for easy listening

This stainless steel stethoscope features a metal ring that connects to the diaphragm to protect patients from cross-contamination. The ring can easily be removed and disinfected before and after each use. With an adjustable chest piece paired with malleable tubing, you can maneuver this stethoscope in the most optimal way for listening to your patient.

I heart you

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FITA Dual Head Stethoscope

Equipped with extra diaphragms

The latex-free FITA dual head stethoscope comes equipped with multiple diaphragms to help you hear both low and high-frequency sounds. This will help you assess and diagnose a possible condition in your patient. The adjustable headset has soft and comfortable earbuds that stay secure in your ears while sealing out any unwanted background noise, allowing you to clearly hear the healthy sounds of your patient. 


On the go

(Image credit: Elite Medical Instruments)

EMI NK-112 - Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope Set and Pocket Organizer Nurse Kit

Great for students

This stethoscope is excellent for students. It measures in at 22-inches long and features five chest pieces as well as a pocket organizer kit. This stethoscope allows you to hear your patient clearly as the diaphragm rotates to help you get the best angles. Choose from three bold colors including pink, glacier, and frosted purple. 

The bottom line

When shopping for a stethoscope, it is important to understand who you will be using it for. If your patients are mainly adults, you may opt for a different choice than if the majority of your patients were children or animals.

The 3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope is a well-rounded tool as it comes equipped with interchangeable chest pieces and tunable diaphragms for both children and adults. The FriCARE Lightweight Stethoscope is also a great choice as it comes equipped with a metal ring that acts as an easy-to-clean barrier between patients.