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The Best Stethoscope

Last updated on June 1, 2023

We looked at the top 18 Stethoscopes and dug through the reviews from 26 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Stethoscopes.

Best Stethoscope

Our Review Process

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Medical professionals use stethoscopes to monitor your health, particularly your heart and lungs. If you head to the doctor when you’re sick, chances are the practitioner will use a stethoscope to see what’s going on internally.

But you don’t have to wait until you visit a doctor to use a stethoscope. If you have children or an elderly adult in your life, you may want to keep a stethoscope on hand for those quick checks. There are plenty of good quality stethoscopes that you can use at home without medical training.

The most popular type of stethoscope used today is acoustic, which picks up soundwaves from your body, vibrating the surface of the diaphragm on the chestpiece. That vibration makes its way to the ear tips, which brings the sound to the listener’s eardrums. When you’re looking at stethoscopes, you’ll often see acoustics mentioned as a top benefit for that very reason. Acoustics play an important role in how effective your stethoscope will be, says Dr. Anis Rehman, an endocrinologist and an assistant professor of internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine.

Another feature you’ll often see mentioned is “tunability.” This refers to the diaphragm on the chestpiece. Newer acoustic stethoscopes feature a tunable diaphragm, which puts the bell-shaped piece of metal together with the diaphragm on one side of the chestpiece. Technology is also built into the chestpiece that can record sound and provide it as a digital file. These stethoscopes also have noise-canceling features in the earpieces to make it easier to get a reading.

Of course, along with all of the technical details, you’ll want to know about the comfort of the earpieces themselves. Although you won’t be wearing it for hours on end, you’ll still need earpieces that will fit snugly enough so that you can listen without distraction. Additionally, it’s important to look for a stethoscope that is flexible enough to provide accuracy whether you’re using it on a child or adult.

Dr. Rehman also advises that you should consider how easy it will be to find replacement parts for your stethoscope, since you may eventually want to replace the eartips or the diaphragm itself.

Our Picks For The Top Stethoscopes

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

3M Littmann Classic III Soft-Sealing Stethoscope

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3M Littmann

Classic III Soft-Sealing Stethoscope

You'll get a high acoustics rating and accuracy from this stethoscope. One of this stethoscope's best features is that it has a separate side for adults and children. So, you can use it on everyone in your household. You can also tweak the pressure you're putting on the chestpiece to better hear lower and higher sound ranges.

Overall Take

Reliable PickThis stethoscope has two sides, one for adults and one for children.

Pros
" Offers almost every feature medical professionals need, including clear acoustics, adults/pediatric sides and tunable diaphragms"
Cons
"Not as comfortable as other stethoscopes. Ear pieces sometimes fall off."
 Runner Up

Dixie EMS Dual Head Blood Pressure & Sprague Stethoscope Kit

Dixie EMS

Dual Head Blood Pressure & Sprague Stethoscope Kit

Along with this stethoscope, you'll receive a blood pressure cuff and a handy storage bag. The set comes in a choice of 10 colors, including pink, green, red, blue and purple. Medical professionals will appreciate that the stethoscope is easy to use and offers flexible ear pieces that are fully adjustable.

Overall Take

Full SetThe blood pressure cuff in this stethoscope set is designed for use on arms with a circumference between 10 and 16 inches.

 Strong Contender

Ever Ready Anatomically Designed Medical Stethoscope

Ever Ready

Anatomically Designed Medical Stethoscope

This general-purpose stethoscope is an excellent choice for anyone in the medical profession. It features a dual head and eartubes that are both flexible and adjustable for a comfortable fit. The length of the piece measures 27-inches, which allows users to examine both children and adults.

Overall Take

Economical ModelYou'll find this stethoscope has a budget-friendly price tag.

Pros
" The device has the dual-head design which enables a wide range of sound listening. It can listen to different sounds and intervals depending on the patient’s condition or age"
 We Also Like

Paramed 360 Degree Turnable Head Stethoscope

Paramed

360 Degree Turnable Head Stethoscope

In addition to a reliable stethoscope, this set also includes four ear tips, an extra diaphragm, a name tag and an accessories case. You'll receive small, medium and large ear tips, allowing you to select the size that best fits your body. The tubing is latex-free and designed to resist stains, sweat and oils.

Overall Take

Handy SetThe dual-head chestpiece on this stethoscope is turnable.

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25

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the stethoscopes available to purchase.
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Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Test Prep Nerds, My Access Health, The Nerdy Nurse, Offers.com, Registered Nurse RN.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 18 Stethoscopes and also dug through the reviews from 26 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Stethoscopes.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Our Expert Consultant

Dr. Anis Rehman 
Endocrinologist and assistant professor of internal medicine

Dr. Anis Rehman is a board-certified endocrinologist who treats diabetes, obesity, thyroid diseases and osteoporosis, as well as general endocrine diseases. He also serves as an assistant professor of internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Ever Ready Anatomically Designed Medical Stethoscope

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

6.4
505 user reviews

Our Take

This general-purpose stethoscope is an excellent choice for anyone in the medical profession. It features a dual head and eartubes that are both flexible and adjustable for a comfortable fit. The length of the piece measures 27-inches, which allows users to examine both children and adults.

What other experts liked

The device has the dual-head design which enables a wide range of sound listening. It can listen to different sounds and intervals depending on the patient’s condition or age
- Test Prep Nerds

What other experts didn't like

Eartips seem uncomfortable for some
- Test Prep Nerds

What to Look For

  • Your first stop when shopping for a stethoscope is to check out the acoustics ratings. The higher the acoustic rating, the more likely you are to catch even the most subtle issues, such as heart murmurs or pulmonary anomalies.
  • As valuable as great acoustics are, it won’t help if it’s overwhelmed by surrounding noise. Look for certain models that feature a design to insulate the noise transmission and keep out ambient sounds.
  • If you’ll be using your stethoscope on children, you will want to identify a stethoscope that is designed to work well on children. Some models have an adult and pediatric side, making it easy to use it on everyone in your family.
  • As you become more advanced in using a stethoscope, you’ll want a device that can give you the full range of sounds. Use light pressure on the chestpiece to hear low-frequency sounds, then increase the pressure if you want to get sounds at the higher range.
  • If you’ve ever been surprised by a cold stethoscope, you know the experience can be pretty uncomfortable. Certain stethoscopes feature non-chill rims on the diaphragm to keep the experience as comfortable as possible.
  • For those planning to use the stethoscope under a blood pressure cuff, look for a model that features a teardrop shape that makes it easy to slide beneath.
  • Build is important if you want to make sure your stethoscope will last over multiple uses. Look for high-quality stainless steel and durable acoustic tubing.
  • A good diagnosis is about more than what happens on the chestpiece end of things. There are also the two earpieces, each fitting into one of your ears. It’s important that the earpieces fit comfortably and snugly so that you can hear clearly. Some stethoscopes include earpieces that can be adjusted upward or downward by simply squeezing the ear tips. They’re designed to conform to a variety of ears for the best sound.
  • As valuable as a powerful diaphragm can be, it can also lead to problems, especially for newer users who are still trying to get the hang of things. Some diaphragms can be overly sensitive, which can lead to interference if you don’t dial it correctly.
  • If you want to use your stethoscope in a clinical setting, it’s important to note that certain models , although lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear, are considered entry-level stethoscopes. You may want to stick with a more advanced stethoscope.
  • Hygiene is an important factor in a stethoscope. Clear earpieces make it easier to see when they need to be cleaned.

Stethoscope Rankings

1. 3M Littmann Classic III Soft-Sealing Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.8
Reviews Included: 6

3. Ever Ready Anatomically Designed Medical Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 3

4. Paramed 360 Degree Turnable Head Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

6. MDF Instruments Latex Free Dual-Head Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

7. Greater Goods Latex-Free Tight-Seal Eartips Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

8. FriCARE Flexible Tubing Extra Diaphragms Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

9. 3M Littmann Standard Ergonomic Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

10. 3M Littmann II S.E. Rubber Tear-Drop Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 6

11. 3M Littmann Cardiology IV Stainless Steel Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 6

12. MDF Acoustica Deluxe Handcrafted Stethoscope

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 4

13. ADC Adscope Lite Compact Professional Stethoscope

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 4

14. MDF Instruments Premium Dual Head Stethoscope

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 7

15. Omron Sprague Rappaport Chrome-Plated Stethoscope

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 6

16. MDF Acoustica High Sound Dual-Leaf Spring Stethoscope

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 1

18. Prestige Medical Noise-Free Aluminum Stethoscope

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 4

More to Explore

Looking for a fun science project to teach kids about how stethoscopes work?  First, grab a paper towel roll and a balloon. You then cut the end off the balloon and roll it over one end of the paper towel roll, then press the roll, balloon side down, on the chest of your patient. If you don’t have a balloon handy, no problem. Just use a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the tube, fasten it in place with some duct tape and use that side against the chest of your patient. Obviously, it will lack the features of a stethoscope, but it’s a fun way to teach the science of stethoscopes to the young people in your house.

More to explore