10 Best Pediatric Stethoscopes Reviewed in 2024
Stethoscopes specifically pediatric stethoscopes are a necessity for families who have asthmatic children or children with heart problems. By having these trusty, handy, devices at home, problems can often be detected and tended to in the comfort of your own home before they become urgent. Asthma must be monitored and cared for with medications and the detection of breathing obstructions for the person to remain healthy and at their best every day. Featured here are the ten best pediatric stethoscopes on the market right now.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 29 hrs of research
Refined, adjustable, and sturdy
Will isolate minute sounds
Can help with sounds that are hard to hear
Gives a comfortable fit and acoustic seal
Keeps its shape and flexibility
10 Best Pediatric Stethoscopes Reviewed
1. 3M Littmann Classic III
Refined, adjustable, and sturdy
Will isolate minute sounds
Can help with sounds that are hard to hear
Gives a comfortable fit and acoustic seal
Keeps its shape and flexibility
Was too long for some people to wear
The heaviness was an issue
With over 4,000 customer reviews and the highest rating of all stethoscopes sold online, the 3M Littman Classic III is refined and sturdy. It will isolate minute sounds, so changes in breathing can be heard well. This product can help with sounds that are hard to hear and includes a non-chill rim to give the best comfort.
Read moreDesign
This stethoscope is available in nine vivid colors and seven modern finishes. It keeps its shape and flexibility, even if tightly folded in small spaces. You can hear breathing sounds with less interference because of the dual tubes. When worn in the ears, these give a comfortable fit and an acoustical seal. The tension of the headset is adjusted easily with the flexible ear tubes.
Sound Quality
For low-frequency sounds, use light contact, and for high-frequency sounds, firm pressure is used. The tension of the headset is adjusted easily with the flexible ear tubes, and high-frequency sounds can be heard much better than with some other models on the market currently.
Durability
For a high-quality instrument, this is the one to get. Littman has been making these stethoscopes for over fifty years, so the craftsmanship is exquisite and professional.
Price Range
We feature several 3M products on this page because of their high-quality and rave reviews. This is the highest-priced item that is more than twice the average cost. The sound quality and the company’s long reputation in crafting these instruments makes it very much worth the price.
2. 3M Littman Lightweight II
Lightweight and flexible
Tubing is free of latex and phthalates
Different pressure allows you to hear different frequencies with chest piece
Chestpiece features a nonchill rim
Earbuds are ergonomically designed and won’t fall off easily
Some users had trouble hearing with this model
3M Littman is one of the most popular companies out there when it comes to manufacturing pediatric stethoscopes. You’ll find plenty of their products on our list due to their quality and warm public reception. The Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope is a handy tool when it comes to taking blood pressure and acoustic performance. They’re even designed with optimal patient comfort in mind!
Read moreDesign
This stethoscope is a single-tub design with a nonchill rim on the chest piece. It comes in black, burgundy, Caribbean blue, lilac, and pearl pink. The chest piece’s teardrop shape means it fits under the blood pressure band for easier examination. The headset is also ergonomically designed so that it will meet the ear canal to provide high-quality sound.
Sound Quality
Tunable diaphragm technology means you or your doctor will be able to hear sounds of different frequencies by adjusting the pressure on the chest piece. Light pressure detects low-frequency sounds and a firmer pressure will help you to hear higher frequency sounds.
Durability
Made with next-generation tubing, this stethoscope is durable but eco-friendly and compatible even with latex-allergy-ridden patients. The tubing is made with no phthalate plasticizers and the tension of the headset can be adjusted to be comfortable no matter your custom needs. Once the ear tips are on, you’ll need to work to get them off. (This way you don’t have to worry about them falling off and getting lodged in your ear.)
Price Range
The Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope sits right around the average price for the products on our guide. It’s a high-quality instrument but it won’t break the bank, either.
3. MDF Acoustica Deluxe
Lots of different color choices
Option to buy kit with additional accessories
Free replacement parts for life
Good sound quality
Difficult to hear blood pressure for some users
MDF provides a wide range of stethoscopes and medical equipment. The Deluxe Lightweight Dual Stethoscope is a hand-crafted pediatric stethoscope. It comes in twenty-four different color combinations and your purchase includes a kit with three sets of ear pieces, the lightweight stethoscope, a protective case, and a quality chestpiece.
Read moreDesign
Choose from a whole assortment of color combinations and packages! Some of these kits include a blood pressure gage and a docket illuminator to match your stethoscope while others provide just the instrument and basic replacement parts. Black, blue, pink, purple, gold, white, red: there are so many colors to choose from so you can pick the piece that feels right to you. It’s lightweight too, so you can wear it and carry it around comfortably all day if need be.
Sound Quality
The safety-lock ear tip adapters keep your hearing safe and healthy. The shape of the earpieces is specifically designed to provide high quality without being invasive and causing any damage to your ears. The sound quality is perfect if you’re doing a general assessment of bowels, heart, lungs, etc, but you’ll want to get a cardiologist’s stethoscope if you intend to hear minute differences in that field and some users had trouble taking blood pressure due to external noise still being audible.
Durability
MDF provides quality, longevity, and practicality with their medical pieces. This Acoustica stethoscope comes enrolled in their “Free Parts for Life Program.” A lifetime warranty guarantees that if anything happens to your stethoscope, you can send out to the company for free replacement parts.
Price Range
This stethoscope sits below the average price of our guide. With its versatility, how lightweight it is, and how long it will last, we think it’s a steal. Don’t forget the life of this instrument is extended through MDF’s Free Parts for Life Program. If you want something lightweight but functional, this is your item.
4. MDF Rose Gold MD One Stainless Steel
Includes white tubing and rose gold metal sections
Has high-quality performance
Gives clear crisp acoustics
Includes a very sensitive diaphragm
Comes with Comfort Seal ear tips
Rose color seemed more like copper to some people
The white tubing may show dirt quickly
The Rose Gold Stethoscope has white tubing and rose gold metal sections and is made of stainless steel. It has high-quality performance that is dependable and gives clear crisp acoustics for the lungs, heart, and bowels.
Read moreDesign
Included is a headset that is latex-free PVC tubing that is extra-thick, anatomically angled, has a very sensitive diaphragm, and includes Comfort Seal ear tips of silicone that are very soft. This is a very eye-catching instrument that will look great and keep the kids excited and interested in monitoring their lungs and heart. It is a beautiful instrument that works splendidly.
Sound Quality
You can listen with the wider diaphragm for valve closures and clicks that make high frequencies or hear low frequencies with the smaller bell side. This amazing stethoscope not only works extremely well but is very pleasing to the eye too.
Durability
Like many stethoscopes on the market, this one has the dual head to listen to different frequencies in the body. It can detect problems in the heart, lungs, or bowels with ease.
Price Range
This fabulous instrument has an average price and has the great qualities of the fantastic coloring of the stainless steel and tubing and the inclusion of the dual head.
5. ADC Adscope Adimals 618
Is perfectly sized for the body of children
Includes animal faces that are detachable
Features AFD technology
Has a non-chill bell and retaining rim
Known for durability, top performance, and comfort
The animal faces tend to fall off sometimes
The sound could be better
Including seven snap-on animal faces that are interchangeable of a bear, monkey, koala, panda, tiger, deer, and frog, the Adscope Adimals Pediatric Stethoscope is a delightful instrument. The tubing is a stunning seafoam color that is almost clear, and the product is perfectly sized for the body of children.
Read moreDesign
The design of the interchangeable animal faces makes this instrument a perfect item for listening to the lungs, hearts, and bowels of children. Kids will love all seven of the adorable faces. This is wonderful for pediatrics because of the superb design and features AFD technology. By altering the pressure, you can switch from the high-frequency performance of the diaphragm to the low-frequency bell. It has a non-chill bell and retaining rim for the comfort of the child. The binaural is aluminum and lightweight with a matching finish of satin.
Sound Quality
Because this stethoscope does not have the dual head, the pressure applied to the patient determines the frequencies you hear. It has the capabilities of both the bell and the diaphragm.
Durability
This great manufacturer of high-quality stethoscopes is known for rugged durability, top performance, value, and comfort worldwide. Included is a five-year warranty for your guaranteed satisfaction.
Price Range
This terrific pediatric stethoscope cost only half of the average of these products. The fabulous value comes from the interchangeable animal faces and dual-frequency capabilities.
6. Paramed Classic Single Head
Includes a single head and a rim that its non-chill
Comes with extra pieces and a carrying case
Includes a thirty-day guarantee
Durable and lightweight
Captures high and low-frequency sounds
Did not work well for a few people
The overall quality may be an issue
Being the most economical item on this list of great medical instruments, this Classic Single Head Stethoscope is made to be used on children and has a single head. It is great for home use and also for nurses and doctors, plus has a head of stainless steel and a rim that is non-chill.
Read moreDesign
You get a lot for your money with this great stethoscope set. It comes with extra ear tips and another diaphragm, plus a fabulous carry case. This makes it perfect for home use for children. Having a non-chill head may seem like a small feature, but when an all-metal stethoscope head is placed on a bare chest or back, it can be very uncomfortably cold.
Sound Quality
This terrific stethoscope features ear covers that are soft and binaural tubing and an angled headset that directly channels sounds to the ear canal.
Durability
It comes with two extra sets of ear tips, a replacement diaphragm, a name tag holder, and a carrying case. Included is a thirty-day guarantee for this exciting instrument that is durable, lightweight, and captures both high and low-frequency sounds.
Price Range
Being perfect for home use on children makes this lowest-costing item worth the value. The extra pieces of the set and the carrying case certainly make this a treasured product.
7. MDF Instruments Acoustica Deluxe
Features eardrum safety with the ear tip adaptors
An economical instrument from MDF
Gives great clear auscultation of the lungs and heart
Has a dual head with bell and diaphragm
Offers full rotation with an indicator dot
Can be bulky at the neck
Was too light for some buyers
MDF is one of the foremost leaders in the manufacturing of stethoscopes, so it is only fitting that our list contains several of their terrific products such as this one. This is an economical instrument from MDF that has a dual head with bell and diaphragm and is hand-polished and precisely machined for precise readings. It offers full rotation with an indicator dot for activating sound channels and is a marvelous item from this great company.
Read moreDesign
You can choose your favorite color from this assortment of wonderful colors. There are twenty-one various colors for the flexible durable tubing on this amazing stethoscope.
Sound Quality
The Acoustica Deluxe Lightweight Dual Head Stethoscope has high-quality sound performance and comes in twenty-one colors of tubing for your exciting selection.
Durability
This fabulous company has a great reputation for high-quality performance and excellent craftsmanship. They have been making these fantastic stethoscopes for professionals and parents since 1971. It is lightweight, convenient, and durable, plus gives great clear auscultation of the lungs and heart. The durability is enhanced because of the spring dual-leaf construction, and this instrument features eardrum safety with the ear tip adaptors that are non-invasive.
Price Range
Priced in the lower end of the price range for these stethoscopes, this product of MDF gets its quality from the dual head and the superb selection of tubing colors.
8. 3M Littmann Classic II
Used by professionals all over the world
Tubing is resistant to alcohol, stains, and skin oils
Tubing is not made from rubber latex
The tension of the headset is easily adjustable
Ear tips are snug on the instrument
Tubing may have a sticky feel to it
Some experienced discoloration of the tubing material
This is another excellent product from 3M Littman that is made just for listening to the body sounds of infant patients. It comes in seven vivid colors for the durable tubing and features a floating diaphragm and a dual-head chest piece. This terrific instrument helps diagnose and access small children and fits the design of the ear canal with the angled anatomical headset design.
Read moreDesign
It is perfect for those sensitive with allergies because of the latex-free substances, and the diaphragm is non-chill for the child’s comfort. This amazing stethoscope has a three-year warranty and is wonderful for diagnosing, monitoring, and assessing the smallest of patients.
Sound Quality
This great instrument boasts that the ear tips fit quite snug on the piece. This is important especially if they are used quite often because with wear these might have a tendency to become loose. Made just for monitoring and checking the body sounds of infants, this stethoscope can pick up minute sounds and has a user-friendly rim on the chest piece, so it is not cold to the touch.
Durability
It has high sensitivity to acoustic sounds of the body and includes ear tips that are soft-sealing and large. This product is used by professionals all over the world, plus the quality tubing will keep its shape even when folded into tight spaces. The tubing is resistant to alcohol, stains, and skin oils and is not made from rubber latex. It does not include phthalate plastics either. The tension of the headset is easily adjustable to comfort, and head size and the ear tips are snug on the instrument and require effort to take them off.
Price Range
Average in price among similar instruments, the quality of this stethoscope is outstanding. Its value comes from its professional construction and excellent durable features.
9. MDF Sprague Rappaport Dual Head
Has a 5-in-1 design for infants, kids, and adults
Includes an accufit headset and duel tubes
The tubing gives two sound channels
Comes with an accessory kit
Can be changed
May get caught in hair when worn on the neck
Dual tubing may make extra noise
The Sprague Rappaport Dual Head Stethoscope from MDF has a design of five-in-one that includes infant, pediatric, and adult attachments. It is offered in four colors and includes an accufit headset with dual-lumen tubes.
Read moreDesign
This wonderful instrument comes with an accessory kit to make it as versatile as a stethoscope can the be. Use it for any age or size of the patient by changing the bell and diaphragm.
Sound Quality
This product has a listening tube for each ear, unlike most other stethoscopes that have just one. Sounds should be clearer because each ear gets its own channel to the body.
Durability
The tubing gives two sound channels with each ear having one. This item comes with an accessory kit for changing the diaphragm and bells for various patients. It can be changed to suit the size and age of the patient anytime.
Price Range
Costing about half of the average price of online stethoscopes, this item has the features of an accessory kit and the ability to hear sounds from all sizes and ages of patients.
10. 3M Littmann Cardiology IV
Has a single-sided chest piece
Design for hard to hear body sounds
Professionally used by doctors and nurses
Company has fifty years of experience
Includes a non-chill rim on the chest piece
Tubing was too long for great sounds for a few buyers
Kept falling off of the neck for some people
This Cardiology Diagnostic Stethoscope from 3M has a single-sided chest piece and is designed for detecting hard to hear body sounds. Hear low frequencies with a light contact press and high frequencies with a firm press.
Read moreDesign
It is professionally used by doctors and nurses and has the dependability and high-quality that you can trust. This company has over fifty years of experience in crafting these top-quality instruments. It includes a non-chill rim on the chest piece for patient comfort and an easily adjustable headset for the best comfort on the head. The ear tips are soft-sealing and snap-tight for a fantastic listening seal and great fit.
Sound Quality
The listening frequency can be controlled with this device by the amount of pressure on the body. This makes it easier to use because it does not have to be rotated for the various sounds.
Durability
This instrument is professionally used by nurses and doctors and it comes from a manufacturer with over fifty years of quality experience in making these stethoscopes.
Price Range
This is one of the highest-priced items here and has the wonderful features of a single-sided chest piece and the excellent craftsmanship of a longtime manufacturer.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
The stethoscopes on our list are all made the best quality and highest rated. Customers overwhelmingly chose these as the top items for this category and were happy with the results upon purchase. These are the best of the best that you can trust, and we ensure that you will find one that will best suit you and your family. We searched through the feedback, comments, and product descriptions from manufacturers to customers to bring you every important detail that each item listed. We wanted to help make your shopping experience a little bit more enjoyable where all you have to do is decide on which color to get.
Sound Quality
Every one of these instruments is perfect for hearing the usual sounds of the heart, lungs, and bowels that doctors and nurses use to judge the body functions. Whether they have a dual head or not, each one will be able to detect the high and low-frequency sounds of the human organs. For the single-headed stethoscopes, the pressure of the chest piece on the body determines the frequency sounds of these devices. The dual chest pieces have a diaphragm or a bell to hear the different sounds. Even the more economical instruments should give you clear audible sounds of the chest, heart, and lung easily.
Durability
The flexible tubing on every one of these instruments is durable and long-lasting. Meaning here that they will not crack or become brittle like some of the lesser-quality products might do. The chest pieces are made of durable stainless steel and the ear tips are sturdy to withstand many years of usage for your family.
Each manufacturer on our list have great reputations of their long-term duration of operations and speak about these high-quality products as well. The companies of 3M Littman and MDF have the majority of the top items in this category and are highly recommended as they both have decades of experience in making and selling of these wonderful instruments.
Price Range
We know how important it is for parents to fit everything into their budget, so that is why we did research and added only the most quality products with the most reasonable prices. In each product section, you will find a couple of sentences about the product's prices and their value.
Because asthma is a common disease of childhood, nearly 95 of all children in the U.S. suffer with it.
With asthma, the little tubes in the lungs narrow and become irritated from triggers such as cold air, allergies, stress, the common cold, exercise, and airborne chemicals.
Other Factors to Consider
Age Range
Most of these are pediatric stethoscopes meaning that the chest piece is smaller for the smaller frame of a child or infant. There is usually a rim around the piece to make it not so cold to the skin and uncomfortable for the child which will make the task of listening to their body a little bit easier for parents.
The frequencies may be clearer with a pediatric instrument when monitoring an infant or child, but all of these will work great even if it does not specifically say that it is used for pediatric purposes. One product on our list even has interchangeable parts for listening to any age and size of the person to make it very flexible and versatile, especially for larger families or medical professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Why do some stethoscopes have a dual head?
The two heads on the chest piece of a stethoscope are for hearing the two possible frequency types of the body. Low frequencies and high frequencies are heard from listening to the lungs, heart, and bowels, so therefore the two sides are needed. The bell or curved side detects low frequencies and the flatter side, or diaphragm can detect the higher frequencies of the body. The instruments that have only the single flat side can be manipulated with the pressure of the instrument on the body. Press lightly for low frequencies and press firmly to hear the higher frequencies.
q: What body parts can be listened to with these?
Any internal body noise can be detected with a stethoscope. The sounds most detected are from the heart, lungs, and bowels. The sounds of the lungs are listened to on the chest and the back where the lungs are located. The heart can be heard on the left side of the chest of the person.
q: When would you want to use a stethoscope for a child?
If the child has asthma, any other breathing problems, or heart issues, you would want to monitor the internal body sounds frequently. Proper monitoring can catch a problem before it becomes severe, and it can also prevent many types of issues from happening at all.
q: Does it matter which ear the two ear tips go into, left or right?
No, there is no left or right side for the ear tips of stethoscopes. Any way they are put on is fine. Both sides work equally well.
q: What makes these instrument work to hear body sounds?
A stethoscope is specially created to hear the vibrations of internal sounds the body makes. These sounds are in either high or low frequency and can be detected by either the bell or the diaphragm of the stethoscope. Low frequencies are found with the bell, and high ones are detected with the diaphragm.
q: Is it a good idea to buy one of these stethoscopes for a child to play with?
Sure, children with asthma especially need to know how to monitor themselves for breathing problems. Even kids without issues can benefit from learning how a stethoscope works. You just never know when you can spark the needed interest in that future doctor or nurse you may have in your family.
Sources
- Hear it all — Know how stethoscopes work and how to use them!, Instructions Article ,
- Asthma - Children, Informative Medical Article ,
- 3 Things you Might not Know About Childhood Asthma, Medical Article ,