Whether you're a medical professional who's looking for a high-quality stethoscope, you're shopping for a stethoscope to complete your doctor costume, or you simply want to be able to listen to your heart and lungs on-demand, you'll find exactly what you're looking for on this list. Here, we present our compilation of the best of the best. We did the research and weeded out the winners from the duds, so you can rest assured that you'll find the right option for you and your medical needs. 3M Littmann Classic Stethoscope The Gold StandardThe best overall by a long shot, the Littmann sets the standard for what a quality stethoscope should be.Best OverallFind on Amazon The gold standard of stethoscopes, the 3M Littmann Classic Stethoscope is unparalleled at detecting normal and abnormal sounds and rhythms. It’s a must-have for any non-critical care environments, like a medical office, general ward, ambulatory clinic, or OB/GYN office. With its dual-sided stainless steel chest piece and flexible tubing, this stethoscope is easy to use. It even comes with an ID tag and an engravable nameplate. Best of all, it’s suitable for both children and adults, so you can monitor and assess a wide range of patients. Pros: Comes with an ID tag Sound quality is excellent, so you can properly detect normal and abnormal rhythms The open bell stays clear of dirt and debris Sturdy, durable construction The chest piece is suitable for kids and adults Cons: Definitely on the pricey end MDF Stethoscope Durable, Well-Designed, and AffordableBudget-shoppers will delight in this affordably priced (but still functional) stethoscope. Best ValueFind on Amazon The MD Stethoscope is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers, since it’s priced very affordably but doesn’t skimp on quality. It’s made from thick, dense aluminum and PVC, with a dual-head chest piece. And, crucially, it provides good acoustic transmission. Not to mention, this stethoscope is lightweight, without losing any of its acoustics, and comes with three pairs of ear tips: small, regular, and large. Pros: Exceptional value Lightweight, but not too bendy Made from thick, durable, latex-free PVC and aluminum Includes three pairs of MDF ComfortSeal ear tips Cons: If you need super-fine acoustic resolution, this likely isn’t the best product MorTime Stethoscope Kid-Tested and ApprovedKids will love playing doctor or nurse with this stethoscope. Best for KidsFind on Amazon Kids who want to play doctor will love using the MorTime Stethoscope. Although this stethoscope was designed for children to play with, it still works. Kids can listen to the sound of their own heartbeat and others’, through the flexible tubing. Not only is this a great, fun way to start learning about medicine, but using this stethoscope can also help assuage your child’s fears and anxieties about going to the doctor, which is always a plus. The hot pink color is a fun touch, too. Pros: Very lightweight and designed specifically for kids Flexible tubing Comes in a vibrant hot pink shade Accessible price point A fantastic tool for introducing kids to the world of medicine Cons: You have to be in a quiet environment to be able to hear sounds; if the TV is on or people are talking, you likely won’t be able to hear anything Ever Ready Stethoscope Not Just A PropAs opposed to most other doctor costume accessories, this stethoscope actually works. Best for CostumesFind on Amazon If you’re dressing up in costume but still want a functioning stethoscope, the Ever Ready Stethoscope is ideal. It has relatively good acoustics and comfy, adjustable ear tubes, so you can use it in a pinch if you need to monitor conditions. Plus, it’s solidly constructed and anatomically designed, unlike some other, flimsier stethoscopes meant for costumes and role play. There are even extra earpieces included. Pros: Ear tubes are flexible and adjustable, allowing for a comfy fit Dual lumen design eliminates the rubbing noise that traditional double-tube stethoscopes can sometimes create Anatomically designed Comes with extra earpieces Great value Cons: Not the best for medical use MDF Premium Stethoscope A Rainbow's Worth of ShadesTake your pick from one of dozens of cool colors.Best Color SelectionFind on Amazon The MDF Premium Stethoscope comes in dozens of dazzling colors and patterns, including rose gold, fuchsia, royal blue, pastel purple, cheetah print, and more. Aside from being eye-catching, this stethoscope boasts top-notch stainless steel construction. Needless to say, it’s more durable than most. It’s also anatomically angled at 15 degrees, allowing for a perfectly precise fit. And, of course, this stethoscope has high-quality sound, so you can accurately gauge pulmonary and cardiac sounds, and make a diagnosis. Pros: Available in a wide range of sleek colors 100 percent stainless steel construction Hears critical sounds clearly The dual-leaf construction means twice the durability Patented SafetyLock Eartip Adaptors Cons: Best for non-critical care environments, so it may not be the exact right product for everyone Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if I need a new stethoscope? Obviously, if you’ve had your stethoscope for a long time and it’s beginning to show some wear, it’s probably time for a new one. But considering how many changes there are in the stethoscope industry every year, it’s a good idea to upgrade often to make sure that you have the best-performing tool available. How should I clean and care for my stethoscope? Routinely cleaning your stethoscope is important—not only does this help extend the lifespan of your stethoscope, but it can actually help ensure optimal performance. Plus, bacteria naturally builds up if you don’t regularly clean all the parts of your stethoscope. When it’s time for a cleaning, be sure that the water isn’t too hot or too cold, since this could damage your tool. Instead, use lukewarm water and gentle soap to clean every part, and then dry everything thoroughly before reassembling.