Choosing the best stethoscope for you can be hard, especially when you have so much choice of models, colours and additional features.
Stethoscopes are a vital piece part of your medical equipment and finding the right one for you is important; you want something practical, reliable and professional.
In this article, we will be reviewing the most popular stethoscopes to help you choose the best stethoscope for you.
The most common types of stethoscopes
Like any kind of medical device, stethoscopes come in various models. You will have the option to choose from very basic, economical stethoscopes (generally acoustic models) all the way up to high-performance, electronic stethoscopes. There are two main types of stethoscopes:
Acoustic stethoscopes – Acoustic stethoscopes are often branded as classic or basic models and are the most affordable type of stethoscope available.
Different manufacturers utilise different technologies, but generally acoustic stethoscopes will feature a single-head, providing users with a dedicated listening experience by having a one-sided chestpiece with an adjustable diaphragm, or a dual-head, that have either a dual-side diaphragm or a diaphragm and a bell. An acoustic stethoscope with a large and a small diaphragm can be a great choice for those who want to listen to sounds from large organs to small specific areas of the body.
Electronic stethoscopes – Electronic stethoscopes are equipped with features that pick up a much greater range of noise frequencies compared to acoustic stethoscopes, allowing professionals to hear more. These models often include record-keeping ability via Bluetooth technology so that you can easily track changes in a patient.
Which type of stethoscope is best for you?
Determining the best stethoscope for you tends to depend on your field. The best stethoscopes for nurses might not be the best for doctors, and vice versa.
Choosing the best stethoscope for you comes down to determining your needs on a day-to-day basis. One of the best ways to determine which stethoscope is best for your job is to observe other medical professionals in your field, and ask them which one they prefer or use based on their field of work.
Nurses are less likely to need costly, high-tech devices that record data. It may help if you ask yourself how often you use your stethoscope and determine a budget from there.
Our picks: the best stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III Stethoscope
This classic stethoscope is suitable for monitoring and assessing a wide range of patients; the dual-sided chest piece with tuneable diaphragms make this model suitable for use with both adult and paediatric patients. The paediatric side also converts to a traditional open bell by replacing the single-piece diaphragm with a non-chill rim. Made by Littmann, the leading manufacturer of stethoscopes, this model features excellent acoustics allowing you to listen to a variety of sounds with clarity in non-critical care environments, ideal for most general medical practitioners, nurses and clinical professionals.
The Littmann Classic III includes a 5-year warranty making this one of the most popular all-around choices.
Shop Littmann Classic III Stethoscope >
Littmann Lightweight II Nursing Stethoscope
The Littmann Lightweight II Stethoscope is suitable for providing a sound basic assessment of your patients. A more affordable alternative to the Littmann Classic, this stethoscope is still a popular choice.
The design allows you to navigate easily around blood pressure cuffs and critical body contours thanks to the unique shape of the chestpiece. The diaphragm is made from metal & resin composite instead of the stainless steel design featured on other Littmann model, however it does feature the latex-free tubing which can be seen on newer Littmann stethoscopes. The stethoscope also comes with the Littmann patented ‘tunable technology’ diaphragm that allows the user to easily switch from low to high frequency sounds by switching from light to firm pressure and a traditional bell on the reverse.
Shop Littmann Lightweight II Nursing Stethoscope >
Adscope 600 Cardiology Stethoscope
This stethoscope is one of the best acoustic stethoscopes on the market; the adjustable frequency technology (AFD) from ADC provides the acoustic response of a traditional bell and diaphragm in a convenient one-sided chestpiece – making this a go-to stethoscope for physicians and nurses. The stethoscope also comes with the Adsoft ear-tips providing the utmost comfort and a tight acoustic seal allowing for great hearing in even the noisiest of environments.
The cardiology stethoscope features an all-stainless-steel construction, ensuring a lifetime of use.
Shop ADC Adscope 600 Cardiology Stethoscope >
Adscope 615 Platinum Professional Clinician Stethoscope
This Adscope 615 stethoscope combines the acoustic response of a traditional bell and diaphragm in a convenient, oversized, one-sided chestpiece. Like other Adscope stethoscopes, this also comes with the innovative AFD technology; apply light pressure for low, bell-type frequency, firm pressure for high, diaphragm-type frequency, making this one of the easiest stethoscopes to use. The design of the model also has a no-chill diaphragm ring for patient comfort.
Shop ADC Adscope 615 Professional Clinician Stethoscope >
Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope
The most expensive traditional stethoscope we’ve featured is the Littmann Master Cardiology. You can expect to be provided with an exceptional acoustical experience from hearing an unborn babies heartbeat to the faintest of murmurs. The design of the dual lumen headset design provides separation of both the left and right headsets removing most noise interference. User comfort is ensured with patented 3M Littmann Snap-Tight Soft Sealing Tips, whilst the non-chill rim provides patient comfort.
This high-performance device is used in a large variety of health care setting as a diagnostic tool as part of the physical assessment of heart, lung and bowel sounds, ideal for nurses and doctors working in the cardiology field and wanting a top tier device.
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Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope
The Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope features the outstanding acoustics, comfort and quality of a Littmann cardiology-grade stethoscope enhanced by powerful digital technology. You can toggle between analogue and amplified listening modes so you can listen how you want to during assessments, and features 40 x amplification (at peak frequency vs. analogue mode), whilst active noise cancellation reduces unwanted background sounds. This model connects with Eko software on iOS and Android devices to visualise, record and share data.
As expected from an electronic model, this is the most expensive stethoscope we’re featured on this list, however it offer numerous features that surpass acoustic devices to provide medical professionals with the best performance possible. The Littmann CORE Digital is one of the most popular electronic stethoscopes on the market today.
Shop Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope >
Buying the right stethoscope to suit your needs can help you provide the optimum medical care to your patients. A reliable stethoscope relevant to your field is an investment to last you for years and years to come. If you are looking to buy a stethoscope online, you can shop our full range of stethoscopes here.
Personalising your stethoscope
Our custom shop offers laser engraving on a number of ADC and Littmann stethoscopes (stethoscopes with a metal chestpiece only). An engraved stethoscope allows for ease of identification and helps reduce the risk of theft, because everyone knows it’s yours!
Need help?
Our customer service team are happy to answer any queries, give us a call on 01952 56 56 56 or email sales@medtree.co.uk.
Source:
ADC https://www.adctoday.com/
3M™ Littmann® https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/Littmann-UK/