Best Stethoscope

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 31, 2017

Littman. Everything they make is good quality. You can't go wrong with any of their models.

Consider getting an obnoxious color if it's allowed by your school. The black, navy and grey scopes seem to grow "legs" and walk away. The hot pink ones not so much. And get your name engraved on it. If it does walk away, you can prove it's yours when it comes back around the neck of some intern.

Sour Lemon · Aug 31, 2017

I also like Littman. I have a Cardiology III, or something like that. I've actually heard that if you go too high-end, you might hear too much and it might be confusing when you're just starting out. I can't hear very well with the super-inexpensive models, though.

Cvepo · Aug 31, 2017

Yep, definitely Littman. I have a Cardiology III, but I didn't get that until after I finished nursing and started working critical care.

oceangirl1234 · Aug 31, 2017

I had a Littman Classic ii throughout school and it worked just fine and was super affordable.

I recently upgraded to the Classic iii and find it works better (which makes sense since it is more expensive). It's also bright purple so I can recognize it if it happens to walk away.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 1, 2017

I loved my Ultrascope. It was purple with a holographic bell. Nobody else had one like it so I could lay it down someplace and not have it walk off. I could also hear well with it; strangely, I bought it because I couldn't hear with a Littman.

SouthpawRN · Sep 1, 2017

All quality brands are good, Littmann, ADC, Ultrascope, MDF, etc. I would not get to crazy if you have never used a stethoscope before. you will probably decide that you like a different chestpiece style or eartip, tubing etc after you have been using one for a while.

Landc · Oct 6, 2017

Classic II SE is pretty good now a days. Also everyone has there own preference. It's better to find out what will worth your investments.

NuGuyNurse2b · Oct 7, 2017

All quality brands are good, Littmann, ADC, Ultrascope, MDF, etc. I would not get to crazy if you have never used a stethoscope before. you will probably decide that you like a different chestpiece style or eartip, tubing etc after you have been using one for a while.

Agree. I bought my ADC in nursing school cause it was something like $30, but bought a Littman as a graduation gift for myself, and it was $100+. TBH I prefer the ADC over the Littmann - I hear well with both, but the ADC has a longer tube so it's easier to wrap around my neck and no one wants to steal it.