At the time of writing (October 2026), a proper dual-head clinical stethoscope in South Africa costs about R800 to R1,300 at entry level and R1,500 to R2,600 in the mid-range, where most students and nurses buy. A Littmann cardiology model is R4,500 to R6,000 and a digital stethoscope R7,500 to R12,500. The Littmann Classic III, the most common student choice, is R2,299 to R2,599 in its standard and satin finishes.
The short answer
- Entry-level, R799 to R1,299: ADC Adscope Lite 619, Littmann Lightweight II S.E.
- Mid-range, R1,499 to R2,599: ADC Adscope 603, WiZmed Stethoscope, Littmann Classic III. Most students should look here.
- Cardiology, R2,999 to R6,049: rarely needed as a student.
- Digital, R7,499 to R12,499: clinician tools with amplification, recording or ECG.
- Within a model, a fancier finish costs more but sounds the same.
Stethoscope price bands at a glance
| Band | Price | Examples | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | R799 to R1,299 | ADC Adscope Lite 619, Littmann Lightweight II S.E. | Nursing students, BP-heavy work, a spare scope |
| Mid-range | R1,499 to R2,599 | ADC Adscope 603, WiZmed Stethoscope, Littmann Classic III | Medical, nursing, physio and paramedic students; most clinicians |
| Cardiology | R2,999 to R6,049 | ADC Adscope 600 and 601, Littmann Cardiology IV, Littmann Master Cardiology | Registrars, physicians, critical care |
| Digital | R7,499 to R12,499 | Eko CORE 300, Eko CORE Digital Attachment, Eko CORE 500 | Clinicians who want amplification, recording or a built-in ECG |
Entry-level: R799 to R1,299
The ADC Adscope Lite 619 (R799 to R999, depending on finish) has an aluminium dual-head chestpiece with an adjustable-frequency diaphragm and weighs 105 g. The Littmann Lightweight II S.E. (R1,299) weighs 118 g, has a teardrop chestpiece that slides under a blood pressure cuff, and carries a 2-year Littmann warranty.
Entry-level stethoscopes
Both are real clinical stethoscopes. What you give up compared with the next band is mostly the heavier stainless steel chestpiece and, on the Littmann, a longer warranty.
Mid-range: R1,499 to R2,599
This is where most students should look.
- ADC Adscope 603: R1,499 to R1,699, with the LE editions up to R2,299. Surgical stainless steel dual head, AFD diaphragm, 164 g, lifetime warranty on all parts.
- WiZmed Stethoscope: R1,649, or R1,899 as the WiZmed Stethoscope Combo with a sphygmomanometer, tourniquet, patella hammer, measuring tape and pupil torch. Stainless steel dual head, adjustable-frequency diaphragm, 5-year warranty handled in Cape Town.
- Littmann Classic III: R2,299 for standard stainless steel finishes such as lemon-lime, R2,399 to R2,599 for the Black Edition, coloured finishes and satin tubing, and R2,999 to R3,199 for limited-edition high-polish copper. Tunable diaphragms on both sides and a 5-year Littmann warranty.
Mid-range stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III - Lemon-Lime - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III Matte Black Edition Stethoscope (5803)
5.0 (5)
Littmann's Classic II Paediatric and Infant stethoscopes also sit here, at R1,949 to R2,199, with smaller chestpieces for small patients, such as the Classic II Paediatric in Caribbean blue.
Cardiology: R2,999 to R6,049
The Littmann Cardiology IV runs from R4,549 for stainless steel finishes to R4,749 for most coloured finishes, such as burgundy with a mirror finish, and up to R6,049 for limited editions. It has a larger chestpiece and a deeper bell than the Classic III, and a 7-year warranty.
The Littmann Master Cardiology, with a single-sided tunable chestpiece and dual-lumen tubing, is R4,749 to R5,149, though it was out of stock at the time of writing. ADC's cardiology scopes, the Adscope 600 and 601, are R2,999 to R3,499; both were also out of stock.
Cardiology stethoscopes in stock
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Black - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Burgundy - Mirror Finish Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Navy Blue - Rainbow Finish Stethoscope
Most students do not need one. If you are deciding between the two Littmann cardiology models, see Master Cardiology vs Cardiology IV.
Digital: R7,499 to R12,499
Digital stethoscopes amplify and filter sound electronically. The Eko CORE 300 (R7,499) is a hybrid that twists between acoustic and digital, with up to 35x amplification. The Eko CORE Digital Attachment (R7,999) turns most acoustic stethoscopes digital, with up to 40x amplification, noise cancellation and Bluetooth. The Eko CORE 500 (R12,499) adds a colour display and a 3-lead ECG.
Digital stethoscopes
How much is a Littmann stethoscope?
| Littmann model | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight II S.E. | R1,299 | 2 years |
| Classic II Paediatric / Infant | R1,949 to R2,199 | 3 years |
| Classic III | R2,299 to R2,599 (limited editions to R3,199) | 5 years |
| Cardiology IV | R4,549 to R6,049 | 7 years |
| Master Cardiology | R4,749 to R5,149 | 7 years |
Within a model, the price difference is the finish: a coloured or high-polish chestpiece costs more than standard stainless steel, but the acoustics are the same.
How much is a doctor's stethoscope?
There is no special "doctor's" model. Most doctors use a mid-range scope such as the Classic III, and some move to a cardiology model later in their careers. Interns and community service doctors are well served by the stethoscope they bought as students, provided they look after it.
What the extra money buys
2 yrs
warranty, Littmann Lightweight II S.E.
5 yrs
warranty, Classic III and WiZmed Stethoscope
7 yrs
warranty, Littmann cardiology models
Lifetime
warranty on all parts, ADC Adscope 603
- Chestpiece material and design. Entry-level scopes such as the Lite 619 use aluminium to keep weight down; mid-range scopes use stainless steel. The Classic III has tunable diaphragms on both sides; the Cardiology IV has a bigger chestpiece and deeper bell.
- Warranty. From 2 years to a lifetime on parts, as above.
- Finish. Rainbow, copper, smoke and satin finishes cost more and sound the same.
- Electronics. Digital models add amplification, noise cancellation and, on the CORE 500, an ECG.
The costs after you buy
Diaphragms and eartips wear out. A Littmann spare parts kit for the Classic III and Cardiology IV is R599, and replacement tubing for single-lumen WiZmed, ADC and Littmann stethoscopes is R679. A WiZpod hard case is R399 to R499. Laser engraving of your name on a Littmann, ADC or WiZmed stethoscope is R250, usually done the same day; see engrave your stethoscope.
Spares and cases
Littmann Spare Parts/Accessories
Littmann Stethoscope Spare Parts Kit - Classic III/Cardiology IV - Black
5.0 (1)
Littmann Spare Parts/Accessories
WiZmed Universal Stethoscope Replacement Tubing Binaurals with Earpieces
What to avoid
Spend wisely
Why you’d buy it
- A dual-head scope with a tunable or adjustable-frequency diaphragm
- Genuine stock from an authorised distributor, with the full warranty
- Spare diaphragms and eartips before the old ones fail
Think twice if
- Single-head scopes for clinical years: fine for a home blood pressure, poor for murmurs and added breath sounds
- A "Littmann" listed far below the ranges above: ask where it came from and who honours the warranty
- Buying cardiology too early: a student rarely gets the value out of it, and it is easy to lose on a ward
We are an authorised Littmann distributor and sell genuine stock with the full warranty.
Questions people ask
How much is a stethoscope in South Africa?
At the time of writing (October 2026), a proper dual-head clinical stethoscope costs about R800 to R1,300 at entry level and R1,500 to R2,600 in the mid-range. Cardiology models run R3,000 to R6,000 and digital stethoscopes R7,500 to R12,500.
How much is a Littmann stethoscope?
In October 2026: Lightweight II S.E. R1,299, Classic II Paediatric R1,949 to R2,199, Classic III R2,299 to R2,599 (limited editions to R3,199), Cardiology IV R4,549 to R6,049 and Master Cardiology R4,749 to R5,149.
Why do the same Littmann models have different prices?
The finish. Coloured, rainbow, smoke, copper and satin finishes cost more than standard stainless steel. The chestpiece design and acoustics are the same within a model.
How much does stethoscope engraving cost?
R250 for a Littmann, ADC or WiZmed stethoscope. We laser-engrave in Cape Town, usually on the day you order, and dispatch straight after.
Is a digital stethoscope worth it for students?
Usually not. Digital models such as the Eko CORE 300 and CORE 500 cost R7,499 and up. A good acoustic dual-head stethoscope covers everything a student is examined on.
Written by
Ashraf Moosa
