Best quality stethoscope

Mandy0728 · Dec 24, 2013

I've always heard littmann is the best for stethoscopes. I start in January, but our school gives free littmanns to all new nursing students so I won't have to buy one. I'm buying the cardiology 3 when I become a nurse.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 25, 2013

There are LOTS of choices for stethoscopes that will do an excellent job of picking up sounds that you'll need to hear, and you'll find them priced between about $35 and $70, not all of them are Littmann stethoscopes. My own personal scopes are a Littmann Cardiology III and a Classic II Light (not made anymore). I've used the Littmann Classic II S.E. and it's a very good stethoscope that's not horribly expensive. There are many others out there. Below about $30, the quality will really start to drop off. Once you get down around $15 or so, you're looking at cheap units that aren't all that good. I, personally, would be OK using those, but then again, I know what to listen for, but there are sounds that those units just won't pick up well. So, look at the middle price range, and you'll do just fine in selecting a stethoscope that will do the job for you!

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2013

The Cardiology III from Littmann will be the best stethoscope you will buy. If you're Amazon Prime, it will be even cheaper. The quality of the stethoscope is quite spectacular and being able to hear sounds so clearly is a wondrous thing. A lot of posters here will say get a cheap one to get your ears used to hearing stuff. I disagree on that.

yourPhutureNurse_ · Dec 25, 2013

I've always heard littmann is the best for stethoscopes. I start in January, but our school gives free littmanns to all new nursing students so I won't have to buy one. I'm buying the cardiology 3 when I become a nurse.[/quote
That's amazing !!!!' Free littmans!!!

yourPhutureNurse_ · Dec 25, 2013

Thank u all for your responses, I think I'm going to go with a littman!!!

Dranger · Dec 25, 2013

45 dollar littman light, you can waste your money on a cardio III but you aren't a cardiologist and I bet my license that the actual difference for 99% of nurses is moot.

RunBabyRN · Dec 25, 2013

Don't worry about getting the cardiology III unless you're going into cardiology nursing. I have an old Classic, and it's done me well for over 10 years. I'm really happy with it! Littman earpieces are the only ones I've used that don't hurt my very sensitive ears, and the sound quality is unmatched by anything else I've used. I'm still a nursing student (one more semester!), but I've been in healthcare for 15 years, and doing patient assessments a TON during that time, and I'm SO happy with the Classic. I do have a Cardiology III that was a gift, but it's heavier, so I tend to use the Classic unless I'm in ICU or on another unit where cardio is particularly important, and I need the bell side.

yourPhutureNurse_ · Dec 25, 2013

You all have helped me a ton!! I'm going to get the Littman classic se!!!!!

ILoveHealthCare · Dec 25, 2013

If you order from medisave.net they do free engraving and their prices are competitive. I love my engraving!

It's a beautiful day to save lives.

Mommy&RN, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2013

If you order from medisave.net they do free engraving and their prices are competitive. I love my engraving! It's a beautiful day to save lives.

Thanks for this recommendation. I have been looking for several weeks, since I am ready for an upgrade and want 2. There is also a discount code for 5% off if you google it.

jaycam, RN · Dec 30, 2013

I went with the Littman Classic SE for mine as well. I got it from allheart.com. It was probably a bit of overkill for my CNA program, but I did not want to have to go out and get a new one for my nursing program. It's the same one my best friend and his sister used through their nursing programs, and he still uses as a med/surg nurse. My instructors for my CNA program all thought it was a good model as well. There are other brands out there that are cheaper and work as well, but I like the warranty that came with it.