Littmann Classic III Stethoscope Review 2022

When buying a stethoscope, there are few things you should consider. The first thing that should be checked is if the stethoscope has a clear and loud sound, even at low pressure. The second thing is the tube’s quality.

It should not be stiff and have bends after folding. Otherwise, it may lead to pulls on ear tips. Also, the ear tips should be soft and smooth on the edges to properly fit inside the ear. A stethoscope should feel comfortable and light in the ear and around the neck.

Other than these, the other characteristics differ depending on the unit and the series it belongs to. One will find these features easily in every Littmann stethoscope. It is no denying that Littmann is a trusted brand when it comes to stethoscopes.

One of its units is the Classic III, and a detailed Littmann Classic III review is presented below.

Littmann Classic III Overview

A stethoscope is an equipment that every doctor always has on themselves. Thus, they have the most knowledge about it and which stethoscope is good or not up to the mark. Littmann Classic III is a product that most doctors are familiar with. Classic III is a very iconic unit manufactured by Littmann under the middle series.

Littmann Classic III review 2022

BrandLittmannModel: Classic | Our Score: 9.5/10

The reviews by medical professionals about Littmann Classic III, for the most part, are all positive. They said the stethoscope is affordable, reliable, versatile, and long-lasting. In our Littmann Classic III review we also found that It is suitable for most medical practitioners and professionals. It may not have advanced features, but it does a very good job even in its simplicity of operations.

Also Check: Littmann Classic II S.E. Review

Littmann Classic III Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Wide range of colors. It is good in the medical field, especially for professionals in specialties like OB-GYN, pediatrics, etc. The color range is also good if you want to stand out in the crowd and easily identify the stethoscope in case misplaced.
  • The diaphragms are tunable, making it easy for professionals to detect both high and low frequencies with a single tool.
  • The diaphragm is also easy to attach, and because of its smooth surface, it is also easy to clean.
  • The versatility of the stethoscope allows assessing both adult and children. The small chest piece is also useful for thin patients and assessment over bandages and for carotid.
  • The tube is very flexible. But at the same time, it can easily take its initial shape when unfolded.
  • This stethoscope has only a single tube. It is a good thing because a single-tube stethoscope has better sound quality.
  • Also, the tube has high resistance to alcohol and skin oils, making it more durable.
  • Easy conversion to open bell by simply changing the diaphragm with a non-chill rim.
  • This stethoscope is also very durable, which means it can easily withstand heavy use.
  • Have access to the useful 3M Littmann Learning Institute App on purchasing this Littmann Classic III stethoscope.

Cons

  • In terms of weight, it is comparatively heavier than similar stethoscope models available in the market.
  • There are no variations when it comes to tube lengths.
  • It is not best for cardiologists, as it does not have the right features and is not on par with the Cardiology series.

Littmann Classic III Specs

SpecificationsLittmann Classic III
BrandLittmann
OriginU.S.A.
ApplicationPhysical Assessment and Diagnosis
PatientAdult, Pediatric
OccupationMedical Assistant, EMT/EMS, Nurse, Nursing Student
Length69cm / 27.2 inches
Weight150g
Acoustic performance7 out of 10
ConstructionTwo-sided, adult and pediatric
MaterialStainless steel
Diaphragm typeTunable, single-piece
Diaphragm diameterAdult: 4.3cm / 1.7 in
Pediatric: 3.3cm / 1.3 in
Tubing ConstructionSingle lumen
(single acoustic channel within tube)
Tubing MaterialNot made with natural rubber latex
or phthalate plasticizers
Headset MaterialWide diameter aerospace alloy /
anodized aluminum
Warranty5 years

Littmann Classic III Features

Check the top features of Littmann Classic III and know why it is one of the best stethoscope available in the market right now.

Dimensions

The chest piece is double-sided, and the diaphragm is tunable. The Littmann Classic III stethoscope is 27 inches long and weighs 5.8 ounces.

There are many variations of the chest piece, and tube color available under Littmann Classic III. The tube color options are- black, orange, gray, burgundy, ceil blue, dark olive green, chocolate, lime green, pink, emerald, etc. As for the metal finish color options, they are- stainless steel, black, copper, smoke, and rainbow.

Littmann-Classic-III-Colours

With so many options available, the professionals and practitioners have the liberty to choose the one they want. With just this feature, it is clear that Littmann not only puts effort into the functionality of its stethoscope but also in its looks.

Good Acoustic Performance

The experience of Littmann in manufacturing stethoscopes is visible in the excellent acoustic performance of Littmann Classic III. It may not be the best choice for specialists or cardiologists as they will easily use their trained ears to tell that it is not the same as the cardiology series, but it does its job perfectly, we found in review. You can use it to listen to grade I murmur, S3 and S4 noises, to name a few.

This Littmann Classic III is a good affordable stethoscope with excellent acoustic performance for clinical professionals, nurses, and medical practitioners.

Multiple Purposes

This stethoscope is useful in monitoring a wide range of patients. It can be used for OB-GYN, general ward, medical office, or ambulatory clinic. Apart from being useful in these non-emergency environments, it can also be used for emergency and urgent care.

The Littmann Classic III stethoscope also has a full 5-year guarantee. Thus, it is a long-lasting stethoscope manufactured by Littmann which is built to withstand the constant hustle and bustle of the medical care environment.

Tunable Diaphragms

Littmann Classic III tunable diaphragm

The tunable diaphragms are the most known innovations of the Littmann stethoscope. This technology is meant to help make auscultating a patient more effective and easier. This innovation in Littmann Classic III helps detect both high and low frequencies based on the pressure exerted.

For detecting high frequencies, more pressure is applied on the chest piece and for low-frequency low pressure. Also, both the sides can be used to detect both the frequency. The doctor needs to exert the right pressure.

This Littmann technology reduced the trouble of carrying a traditional diaphragm (high frequency) and bell stethoscope (for low frequency). This feature makes the Littmann Classic III quite reliable and easy to use.

Versatile Chest Pieces

Not only can the Littmann Classic III be used for both low and high-frequency detection, but it can also be used for both adults and pediatric clients. This feature makes the Littmann Classic III a versatile stethoscope. The two chest piece sides of the stethoscope are used for different patients.

Littmann Classic III Chest Pieces

It is already known that none of the chest piece sides are, in particular, a traditional diaphragm or open bell. Thus, the larger diameter acts both for adult clients and the smaller diameter for pediatric clients.

Also, the smaller diameter chest piece side can turn into a complete traditional open bell. All that is needed to do is changing the diaphragm with a non-chill rim. This rim comes with the Littmann Classic III stethoscope.

Manufacturing Materials

Littmann Classic III stethoscope is made of Aerospace Steel Alloy just, like all other stethoscopes manufactured by Littmann in its series. Also, some of the parts are made of Anodized Aluminum. And they use the right material because high-quality steel alloy is the best material for manufacturing chest pieces because of its high degree of sound conductivity.

The Littmann Classic III stethoscope tube is made of a material that can maintain its original shape even after being folded. The material is both pressure and fold-resistant. It also has the characteristic of being alcohol and skin oils resistant. The materials used for manufacturing the stethoscope do not have any composition of phthalate plasticizers or latex.

Learning App Available

Another technologically advanced feature of the Littmann Classic III stethoscope is the “3M Littmann Learning Institute App”. The application is very helpful and knowledgeable for all beginner clinical professionals. The app contains a series of useful lessons using real auscultation sounds. The good thing about this app, apart from the lessons, is the user-friendly platform. The users can keep track of their progress and even have ways to test their knowledge.

Littmann is not only providing high-quality stethoscopes but also additional applications to help the professionals practice their skills. This app is good for both beginners and other medical field students. This app can be downloaded on any smartphone.

Affordable Price

As mentioned above, Littmann Classic III is a well-known medical tool among doctors, which is also very affordable. Its price is one of the attractive features.

The most classic model of this stethoscope is a steel machine-finished chest piece with a black tube and, this basic model is the cheapest in this Littmann Classic III series. The other stethoscope models will have a slightly higher price depending on the variation of the chestpiece finish and tube color.

Littmann Classic III Review – Final Words

For the price and the features Littmann Classic III has, it is a good stethoscope. Also, from the acoustic performance standpoint, the stethoscope meets the necessary requirements. It can work perfectly for most medical issues. All its features make this model a very useful stethoscope for the medical professional as instead of carrying multiple tools in their tight pockets, they can carry this versatile stethoscope.

Such versatile medical tools are always of great use in medical care. A tool that can be used for both adult and pediatric clients saves a lot of time and helps in making effective assessments quickly. And even the doctors also acknowledge that the Littmann Classic III is a very good stethoscope and, they will gladly spend their hard-earned money on this unit. After all, it is the best stethoscope in the market for its price and feature point.

About Me

Edna Harlow

Hey, This is Edna Harlow here, I’m a full time nurse and part time blogger. I specialize in health and wellness topics so that’s why I started this blog. At Columbia University I earned my master’s degree and currently work at UCHealth.

At Stethoscopesguides.com, you will get detailed information about various types of Stethoscope available in the market. I gonna review the most popular brands and their models in this blog. If you want me to review any particular Stethoscope for yourself then feel free to contact me using this contact form.

Suggestions and Comments are always welcome..

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2 thoughts on “Littmann Classic III Stethoscope Review”

  1. Marlene M. Cisneros

    I have many Littmanns in my house and it’s the best brand for me, my family and friends. I bought this particular one as a gift for my husband, Which he already has one in the office and one in every car, But this yellow one I bought as a present for him.

  2. I use these in my nursing courses and also when I’m in the hospital. It seems other nurses and doctors also use this brand. It would be easy to hear the heartbeat of a newborn if you used the diaphragm and bell. Believe me, I’ve done it many times!

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