Specialty: General medicine, cardiology, intensive care, etc.
Budget: Models range from USD 50 to over USD 400.
Comfort and weight: If you’ll be using it all day, look for a lightweight one with good eartips.
Acoustic quality: Essential for accurate diagnoses.
Best stethoscopes by category (2025)
For general practitioners or internists
Littmann Classic III
Good value.
Dual diaphragm (adult/pediatric).
Approx. $100-120 USD.
Alternative: ADC Adscope 615 Platinum: good acoustics, competitive price.
- Monitor and assess a wide range of patients and detect normal and abnormal sounds and rhythms
- Useful in non-critical care environments such as a medical office, general ward, OB/GYN, ambulatory clinic or urgent car…
- More than twice as loud* as the next leading stethoscope. *Based on tests against globally-available comparable stethosc…
For cardiology specialists
Littmann Cardiology IV
✅ High acoustic sensitivity.
✅ Ideal for subtle heart sounds.
💵 Approx. $180-220 USD.
Premium alternative: Littmann Master Cardiology: adjustable diaphragm, no double chestpiece.
- Diagnose and make decisions with confidence and hear subtle changes in patient status
- Useful in critical care and challenging environments such as the ED, ICU, Cardiac ICU, step-down unit and other dynamic …
- More than twice as loud* as the next leading stethoscope. *Based on tests against globally-available comparable stethosc…
For nurses and paramedics
Littmann Lightweight II S.E.
✅ Lightweight and comfortable.
✅ Good basic acoustics.
💵 Approx. $60-80 USD.
Budget alternative: MDF ProCardial ERA: durable and with a lifetime warranty.
- Lightest weight of all Littmann adult stethoscopes at just 118 grams.
- Dual-sided chestpiece provides versatility of both a tunable diaphragm and open bell.
- Teardrop-shaped chestpiece for easier positioning under blood pressure cuffs and around bandages.
For pediatrics or neonatology
Littmann Classic III or infant/pediatric models
✅ Small chest piece, suitable for children.
✅ Great clarity for breath sounds.
Digital and Advanced
Eko CORE 500 or Littmann CORE Digital
✅ Sound amplification (up to 40x).
✅ Noise cancellation.
✅ Ideal for noisy environments or telemedicine.
💵 $350-$500+ USD.
- Dual-sided chestpiece with small 3.3cm diaphragm is ideal for pediatric patients.
- Versatile chestpiece design provides high acoustic sensitivity with both a floating diaphragm and open bell.
- Non-chill rim and diaphragm provide patient comfort.
🎯 Final Tips
Always buy from official or trusted stores (beware of counterfeits).
Check the fit of the eartips: this is key to comfort and sound isolation.
Maintenance: Clean the diaphragm regularly and avoid leaving it hanging around your neck for hygiene reasons.