The 7 Best Electronic Stethoscopes
Special Honors
Thinklabs One The Thinklabs One eschews the traditional tube styling, and instead features a 3.5-millimeter jack for connecting the included earbuds. It can also be connected directly to a tablet or smartphone for recording clips or producing visuals using the company's app, and, with an impressive 100x amplification, it makes the sounds of the heart and lungs easy to hear in chaotic settings. thinklabs.com
Editor's Notes
November 11, 2020:
There is no arguing that a traditional stethoscope is an invaluable tool. After all, they have been used by doctors for more than two centuries. But, that doesn't mean they can't be improved upon, as evidenced by these electric options.
Right off the bat, the ability of models like the 3M Littmann Core, Eko Core, and Eko Duo, among others, to digitally amplify sounds is going to help doctor's better hear exactly what is going on inside a patient's chest, especially obese ones or when checking vitals in chaotic situations where there is a lot of background noise. Speaking of distracting noise, all of the above models also reduce frictional and ambient sounds. Perhaps no model is better at enhancing sounds than the Cardionics E-Scope II 7710, which can reach a maximum volume of 125 decibels and is compatible with in-ear hearing aids, however it lacks the app-based functionality of the previously mentioned models, which we will discuss next.
3M Littman is known for making some of the best stethoscopes in the world and is often the go-to choice for cardiologists, so it should come as no surprise to see a few of their models represented here. That being said, it is worth pointing out that 3M Littmann Core relies on the same software as the Eko Core, which is actually created by Eko, and the latter is a little more affordable. Whichever of these you choose, both can record audio clips, allowing you to play them back when conferring with colleagues for a second opinion, as well as produce visual representations of the heart's rhythm.
The Eko Duo doubles as an electrocardiogram, which means it essentially gives you two vital tools in one compact item, however, due to its unusual size and anatomic considerations, it does require a little bit of maneuvering when using it on women that you won't have to deal with if using one of the other options.
November 13, 2018:
While electronic stethoscopes may seem geared toward specialists like cardiologists, they are also used commonly enough by general physicians and nurses, thanks to their superior sound quality and ability to send data to one’s smartphone.