(Part 2) Best stethoscopes according to redditors
We found 147 Reddit comments discussing the best stethoscopes. We ranked the 71 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
I think mildly YTA. I’m a former medic and I too would encourage kids that way.
That said my stethoscope was around $250 and NO ONE was allowed to use my stethoscope. Partly for cleanliness but also because I saved for quite a while to afford that as a gift for getting my advanced certifications.
Also because it was a $250 piece of medical equipment I depended on to save people’s lives. Yes, you should have directly cleared this with your sister. But it sounds like a honest mistake so only mildly asshole here.
That said, if your daughter likes it that much, you should buy her one if her very own. Here’s a cheap stethoscope for $5 on Amazon. This way she can have her very own AND you won’t have to worry about replacing an expensive one should she damage it.
Encourage interest like this. The world needs more medics, nurses and doctors.
The black one with the stainless steel finish is only $69.66. Even better. Link.
Littmann is the standard. Anything from a II to IV (Cardiology) level. I liked the Classic II SE that I had through med school, they now seem to have replaced it with the "Classic III" which is very reasonably priced.
If he doesn't have a fairly good stethoscope of his own, that would be a good gift. I have the Littmann Lightweight II that I use. Its a bit lighter than some of the other stethoscopes I've seen and used, but still great quality, and it isn't expensive compared to the market.
A pair of trauma sheers might be useful for him as well, ranging from the cheap to the more expensive with more gadgets, there's definitely a range to choose from. I personally don't have any shears, but everyone I've talked to that has the leatherman absolutely loves it.
A EMS pocket notebook like this or this would be useful for him to keep track of patient encounters for his paramedic clinicals.
I have never used a knockoff littmann, or seen one that I know of. I would be weary of a $10-15 stethoscope. You want something decent for school because you are just learning things like how to take a manual B/P, how to auscultate heart and lung sounds, etc and you want to be able to hear what you are listening for. I have used a cheap stethoscope (something like one of these) and it sucks. I had trouble getting a b/p because it was hard to hear.
You don't have to go all out and get a Cardiology III or anything, or even a littmann. There are other decent stethoscopes out there, but get one you can hear with. I used a littmann lightweight in school and it was decent and it only costs about 40 bucks on amazon. If you buy the right stethoscope now, you shouldn't have to buy a new one when you graduate, think of it as an investment. Just put your name on it so it doesn't walk away.
Here's the classic II in (what most nursing students use) in navy blue for $68.
Here's The lightweight for $39.99 in burgundy, the other colors are $44.
Here's an AdScope for $15-$18. I've never used one, but it has good reviews and I have heard of the brand before, so it might be worth a shot if you are truly that strapped for cash.
Hey, PA (and former EMT) here. I wouldn't stress about stethoscopes yet. You won't need one until clinical year of PA school, and it certainly doesn't need to be a Littman, although they are nice. If someone if willing to share an old one that is very generous, but you can get by with a cheap one as an EMT and a student. Best of luck!
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Edit: Here is a link to a stethoscope that is more in a student's budget. Definitely will get the job done: https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Head-Stethoscope-GreaterGoods-Lightweight-Professional/dp/B077Z1BXH4/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1550021106&sr=8-13&keywords=stethoscope+cheap
I second this. I got a Littmann Cardiology IV which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!! The sound quality has been great. I second the gift card idea as there's plenty of style choices, so your bf might appreciate being able to choose that aspect. But as a fellow PA-S1, I highly recommend this stethoscope. Best of luck to your bf!! And it's nice of you to be supportive!
What I started with: Stethoscope, sphygmomanometer or a sphygmomanometer for the lazy, pulse oximeter, reflex hammer, tuning fork, a pen light, notebook, Maxwell, pocket medicine, clipboard, 48 pens (of which I somehow only have 2 left), and finally a pack of decoy pens to hand out to people that need to "borrow" a pen but never give back.
Seriously where do all of my pens go??? It turns out half them went into my gf's bag x(.
What I was given or picked up along the way: scalpel, needle drivers, tweezers, scissors, various types of vicryl, bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, surgical lube (that I took from the hospital when no one was looking ;) ), and a pocket CPR mask. I took a bunch of normal saline and IV kits as well but they don't fit in the bag.
I've become a little obsessed with collecting stethoscopes now so...
3M Littmann 6152 Cardiology IV Stethoscope, Standard-Finish Chestpiece, 27", Black Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CS2OFNK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_TaBBxbXDCRC57
Just a suggestion...
I'm of the opinion stethoscopes actually do make good gifts, especially if the person in question isn't the type to go buy a fancy one for themselves. It is also more about the symbolism than the practicality as well. Even if the giftee in question doesn't medically have a lot to listen for.
The Littmann Master Classic II falls right within the high end of OP's budget, and is what I'd consider a decent 'gift quality' stethoscope.
Agreed, I also have a Master Classic II (all-black, I got it for around $90). It's a very nice scope, you can hear well and I personally much prefer a single-sided head.
If the school doesn’t provide a stethoscope then a littmann is the way to go. Get the classic 3 version on amazon, so you can save money and you will be able to hear everything. Link: 3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope, Rainbow-Finish, Caribbean Blue Tube, 27 inch, 5807 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DNUOV04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PsY1DbPWRXZQQ (you can change the colors, that’s the one I got)
I also recommend a good little notebook, so you can write notes while in clinical.
Pens, lots of pens.
A cheap watch with a second hand, I got one on amazon from Casio. It’s water resistant and has the date on it too. Link: Casio Women's LRW200H-7BVCF Watch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00791QYMQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-rY1Db4DF8QDB
Good luck!
Sorry for poor quality, not much of a photographer.
Littmann Cardiology III
Benchmade Mini-Griptilian
Streamlight ProTac EMS
Rite in the Rain notebook
Zebra F-701 with Fisher refill
Saddleback wallet
Casio G-Shock GW-6900
About to graduate here, too. I haven't gotten to spend money on non-school stuff in ages. I would love to get something pretty, non-practical, and fun. I'm not-so-subtly gunning for an upgrade on my diamond earrings that we upgrade each time I've graduated previously (which is only twice, and they're still pretty tiny, so that's not as snotty as it sounds, I promise). "Nice" things in the last couple years have been brand-new textbooks instead of used, so it would be fun to get treated to something special.
But I'm also super excited to be a "real" nurse, so I wouldn't mind a nursey gift either. Once I've been practicing awhile I'm sure I'll change my tune, but for now it's still exciting. Does she know what area she wants to work in? I want to go OB, and I've been thinking about getting a baby-sized stethoscope, though I don't feel like ponying up for it right now. My friend wants to go into cardiac so her bf got her a cardiology steth and he had it engraved with her name and "RN". That stuff's not strictly necessary, but it's fun if she'll use it. I also sort of want a little "nurse belt" to hold all the junk that I haul around in my pockets. They're pretty dorky looking, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about my scissors putting holes in my pockets.
I know a lot of people will give you flack and say just get her something unrelated to nursing, but she's graduating and probably excited to be a nurse, so I think this is one time it's more than ok to do a nursey gift.
Don't get her the BASIC BLACK littmann
Much easier to tell which one is hers if she has to set it down for whatever reason or let an intern borrow it.
Littman cardiology 4. Get it engraved with her name. Yeah it's expensive, like $200 but she'll use that thing every shift and she'll have it for years. I also have a "batclip" for mine because I have a horrible habit of leaving it on bedside tables, and I hate wearing it around my neck because it's so heavy. Link to the batclip and stethoscope below. It's $30 bucks for the clip but its totally worth it.
Batclip: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0038S8E9U/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542450076&sr=8-2&keywords=batclip&dpPl=1&dpID=41TlqSDjB9L&ref=plSrch
Littmann cardiology 4: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Cardiology-Stethoscope-Standard-Finish-6152/dp/B01LYVI3Y8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542450232&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=littmann%2Bcardiology%2Biv&dpPl=1&dpID=41Blr0m54dL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
Yep, ICUs will use a lot of disposable stuff. Other types of units too! And if he can get access to their dress code policy that would help too. It can differ unit to unit. Like, I don’t work there but I know our NICU is BBE (bare below elbow) so they can’t even wear the silicone rings a lot of people in my unit wear instead of wedding rings. No one can wear a watch though, hospital-wide.
Btw, if he WILL end up carrying his own stethoscope, I loved my leather hip-holster thing for my stethoscope. There are a bunch of them. Here’s an example. I FAR preferred keeping it on my hip to slinging it around my neck during my school clinicals! (Some people do other things though so that’s a personal preference thing.)
the 2298 is labeled the littman "select" (in royal blue) which runs about 60 bucks on amazon and is a decent scope, and I've owned one myself. Its a good all around steth, does the job, and you wont feel too bad when you lose it.
It doesn't feel very Christmas worthy but thats me, its a very mild/practical ask. While I wont be recommending something like the cardiology III ($150), the littmann classic III ($80-90) fits the bill nicely between quality/function/looks/price, and would make a nice gift imho. That is unless she values being different as the littmann classic line is the defacto standard. Links below.
Littmann select: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Select-Stethoscope-2294/dp/B00AZAMUR6/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1481447949&sr=1-1&keywords=littman+select
Littmann classic III: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-Stethoscope-Chestpiece-5803/dp/B00QESF2SC/ref=sr_1_2?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1481447793&sr=1-2&keywords=littman%2Bclassic%2BII&th=1
Holy f*ck! Stethoscopes are almost $200? Better off getting some AirPods, my man.
Those are generally crap... you'll want your own, but there is some good middle ground between top of the line and playschool ones typically found on the trucks.
I have had really great luck with the master classic II which can be found for around $80 if you shop around. The last time my Master Classic went for a walk off the buggy without me, I switched to the ADC612, it's a knock off MCII, but at half the price (around $40), and I think for field work is just as good, or slightly better.
Oh yeah, and a helpful hint when scope shopping... go with a long tube, it does lose some sound quality, but greatly lowers your chance of being thrown up on or bitten :D
So there is a specialized stethoscopes for babies, BUT she does not need it at this point. She needs to get through nursing school first, where she will need a normal stethoscope because she will be dealing mostly with adult patients.
I have this one, it works well. https://www.amazon.com/3M-Littmann-2141-Classic-Stethoscope/dp/B000F4SP1W/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=littmann+stethoscope+ii&qid=1573765596&sr=8-3
If you want to get fancy you can get her Littmann Cardiology IV, but it's not necessary.
I would suggest getting a case for the steth as well. something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J697187?ref_=ams_ad_dp_ttl
As for uniforms, my school required us to get the tops with logos of the school though a specific supplier, while the bottoms could be from anywhere, as long as they were the proper color. Thus you may have to check with the school about the uniform situation, or maybe she already has a packet from the school with the instructions.
This is what I'm thinking, based on your list:
Flying Cross shirt, for sure.
Elbeco pants will suffice, for the time being.
Either Blauer jacket. They're quite warm.
I'd hold off on the sweater, personally.
As for boots, if you'd like to drop the cash now for a decent pair, about $130 will get you a pair of Rocky Paratroopers. They are tough and can be handled by a cobbler (for resoles or new zippers). It's similarly priced to the 5.11-type glued together boots. I say they're worth every penny. Just buy some $15 insoles.
Stethoscope - I like the Litmann Classic II SE.
Wristwatch - A $25 analog watch with a second hand. Wal-Mart or Target for sure.
Penlight - One of the cheap ones the uniform store has on hand will do. That way, if it grows legs and walks away, its no biggie.