We are an authorised Littmann distributor and stock five Littmann acoustic families: the Lightweight II S.E., the Classic III, the Classic II Paediatric and Infant, the Cardiology IV and the Master Cardiology. Here is what each one is for, so you can go straight to the right one.
The short answer
- Nursing students and BP-heavy work: Lightweight II S.E.
- Medical, physio and paramedic students, nurses, interns and GPs: Classic III.
- Children and neonates: Classic II Paediatric or Infant.
- Emergency, ICU and cardiology: Cardiology IV, or the one-sided Master Cardiology for mostly adult hearts.
118 g
Lightweight II S.E., the lightest Littmann adult stethoscope
5 yrs
Littmann warranty on the Classic III
7 yrs
warranty on the Cardiology IV and Master Cardiology
2.7 cm
diaphragm on the Classic II Infant
The range at a glance
Littmann adult stethoscopes compared
 Entry-level Lightweight II S.E.R1 299 |  Most popular Classic IIIR2 299 |  Premium Cardiology IVR4 549 |  Premium Master CardiologyR4 749 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chestpiece | Teardrop, dual-sided: tunable diaphragm and open bell | Dual-sided stainless steel, tunable adult and paediatric diaphragms | Dual-sided, tunable, 40% larger than the Classic III | Single-sided, one tunable diaphragm |
| Tubing | 71 cm | 69 cm, single-lumen | 69 cm, dual-lumen | 69 cm, dual-lumen |
| Warranty | 2 years | 5 years | 7 years | 7 years |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Mid-range | Premium | Premium |
| Suits | Nursing students, BP readings, routine checks | Students, nurses, interns, GPs | ED, ICU, cardiology | Detailed adult cardiac auscultation |
Our verdict
For most buyers the Classic III is the right start. Move up to a Cardiology IV once you know you are heading into acute or cardiac work.
Lightweight II S.E.: light and simple
The Lightweight II S.E. is Littmann's entry-level adult stethoscope. At 118 g it is the lightest in the range, and its teardrop chestpiece slides easily under a blood pressure cuff. One side has a tunable diaphragm and the other an open bell. It has a 71 cm tube and a 2-year warranty.
Lightweight II S.E. colours
Classic III: the everyday Littmann
The Classic III is the stethoscope most students, nurses and interns buy from us. Its stainless steel chestpiece has tunable diaphragms on the adult and paediatric sides, so light pressure brings out low-frequency sounds and firmer pressure brings out high ones without turning it over. The paediatric side converts to an open bell with a non-chill sleeve. The 69 cm tube is made without natural rubber latex, and it carries a 5-year warranty.
The Classic III comes in more colours than any other Littmann. Standard stainless steel versions are the most affordable; mirror, rainbow, smoke, champagne and Black Edition finishes cost a little more. Satin Finish versions, like the Classic III 5620C in black, have a softer, scratch-resistant tube with the same acoustics.
Popular Classic III colours
Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III - Burgundy - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III - Navy Blue - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
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Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III - Black - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
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Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III Matte Black Edition Stethoscope (5803)
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Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic III Satin Finish - Black - Stainless Steel Chestpiece Stethoscope (5620C)
Classic II Paediatric and Infant: for small patients
For paediatric and neonatal work, the Classic II models have smaller dual-sided chestpieces with a diaphragm and an open bell, a 71 cm tube and a 3-year warranty. The Classic II Paediatric has a 3.3 cm diaphragm for children. The Classic II Infant has a 2.7 cm diaphragm for the smallest patients.
Paediatric and infant models
Littmann Paediatric Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic II Paediatric Stethoscope - Caribbean Blue
Littmann Paediatric Stethoscopes
Littmann Classic II Paediatric Stethoscope - Caribbean Blue Rainbow Finish
Cardiology IV: for acute and cardiac work
The Cardiology IV has the same tunable, dual-sided design as the Classic III, scaled up: Littmann makes the chestpiece 40% larger and the bell 60% deeper. Its dual-lumen tubing carries two sound paths inside one tube, so you avoid the rubbing noise of twin tubes. It is built for hard-to-hear sounds in the emergency department, ICU and cardiology, and it carries a 7-year warranty.
Cardiology IV colours in stock
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Black - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Navy Blue - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Hunter Green - Stainless Steel Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Burgundy - Champagne Finish Stethoscope
Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopes
Littmann Cardiology IV - Caribbean Blue - Champagne Finish Stethoscope
Deciding between this and the Classic III? Read Littmann Classic III vs Cardiology IV.
Master Cardiology: one side, one diaphragm
The Master Cardiology is the top of Littmann's acoustic range for adult cardiac work. Its single-sided stainless steel chestpiece has one tunable diaphragm, so you move between low and high frequencies by changing pressure, never by turning it over. Like the Cardiology IV it has dual-lumen tubing, a 69 cm tube and a 7-year warranty.
Engraving, ID tags and spares
We have engraved hundreds of Littmann stethoscopes. We laser-engrave a name on the chestpiece of any Littmann model, usually on the same day, which makes a stethoscope left in a doctors' room easy to return. See examples in our engraving guide.
When a diaphragm or eartip wears out, a spare parts kit puts it right. The 40016 kit fits the Classic III and Cardiology IV, the 40020 kit the Lightweight II S.E., and the 40011 kit the Master Cardiology. A Littmann ID tag fits every model. Browse all Littmann accessories.
Spares and accessories
Littmann Spare Parts/Accessories
Littmann Stethoscope Spare Parts Kit - Classic III/Cardiology IV - Black
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Questions people ask
Which Littmann stethoscope should a medical student buy?
For most medical, physio and paramedic students, the Classic III: tunable diaphragms on both sides, a paediatric side that converts to an open bell, and a 5-year warranty at a mid-range price.
Which Littmann is best for nursing students?
If most of your work is blood pressures and routine observations, the Lightweight II S.E. is light at 118 g and its teardrop chestpiece fits under a BP cuff. If you auscultate chests regularly, the Classic III is the longer-term buy.
Are your Littmann stethoscopes genuine?
Yes. We are an authorised Littmann distributor, so our stock carries the full Littmann warranty.
Do Littmann finishes sound different?
No. Within a model, the colour and chestpiece finish change the look, not the chestpiece design, acoustics or warranty. Satin Finish changes only the tube's coating.
Can you engrave a Littmann stethoscope?
Yes. We laser-engrave a name on the chestpiece of any Littmann stethoscope, usually on the same day.
Written by
Ashraf Moosa
