Not to brag, but at PUM we think we know when we see a great portable ultrasound machine. With more than 15 years in the industry, 2 sonographers (who are also echocardiographers) that have a combined 25 years experience, we can even identify the best portable ultrasound machines of 2024. We pay attention to our customers, so we also know that you have different needs; it’s a considerable investment buying equipment, and with that in mind we’ve rounded up our top picks at varying price-points. 

Best Premium Portable Ultrasound Machines of 2024:

The Vinno D6 Vet

Crafted specifically for veterinary professionals, with image quality that surpasses any other ultrasound system below £20,000 currently available, the Vinno D6‘s intuitive workflow ensures excellence every time. Not only does it offer unparalleled abdominal imaging quality in its price range, but also excels in echocardiography. There’s really everything you could want (and more) with this machine, and with a huge range of transducers to choose from, we’re confident that the Vinno will exceed your expectations. But don’t just take our word for it, watch our sonographer try it out:

See the Vinno being field tested on Irish Wolfhounds:

For those of you wanting to take ultrasound to the next level, there’s even extra features available (at additional cost):

• Strain Imaging: Monitor the imaging of myocardial tissue over time.
• VGuide: An electronic guidance system for precise biopsy and anesthesia punctures.
• VCQ Function: Automatically assess heart function.

The Siui Apogee 2300

Tailored for cardiac ultrasound, the Siui Apogee 2300 is ideal for private cardiology clinics or small animal vet practices. Its cardiac presets ensure crystal-clear images, aiding precise measurements and ejection fraction calculations. It consistently outperforms competitors in colour flow Doppler, handling regurgitant flow even at high heart rates typical in conditions like mitral regurgitation in dogs.

The Apogee 2300‘s often overlooked full-screen feature maximises its 15″ monitor, showcasing meticulous attention to detail, unmatched by competitors like the Philips Epiq 7 at a fraction of the cost. It surpasses machines like the Mindray M7, Sonoscape S9, MyLab 30, and even the Philips CX-50 in both price and performance.

See our side-by-side comparison between the Philips C-50 and the Apogee 2300 here:

For advanced users, Siui offers the Auto-EF software add-on, leveraging cutting-edge speckle tracking technology to automate endocardial tracking throughout the cardiac cycle.

Best Mid-Range Portable Ultrasound Machine:

The Apogee 1000 Lite

Offering a budget-friendly option for fans of the Apogee 2300, the Apogee 1000 Lite is ideally suited  to small animal veterinary practices specialising in high-resolution imaging of abdominal, thyroid, and small parts or private scanning clinics and locums. Considering its widespread popularity for small animal work, this machine comes with a microconvex probe as standard with a wide range of additional probes available for purchase.

Siui positions the Apogee 1000 Lite as an introductory-level color Doppler machine, providing an option for users who require the high-resolution image quality of the Apogee 2300 but may not require advanced capabilities like echocardiography. However, this machine is capable of some impressive feats; in pregnancy scanning, this machine delivers breathtaking image quality. Its portability allows us to test it in various environments, from dogs and cats to guinea pigs, rabbits, snakes, sheep, and goats, effortlessly meeting the unique demands of each pregnancy type.

The scan above was conducted on a guinea pig, presenting a significant challenge for any ultrasound device. While the linear probe excels, even the microconvex probe performs impressively despite the pregnancy being very close to the surface (only 1cm in depth).

The Apogee 1000 Lite excels in abdominal and small parts imaging, leveraging Siui’s advanced transducer technology to deliver remarkably clear images. You can explore this machine’s surprising capabilities in the videos on our product page.

Best Budget Portable Ultrasound Machine

The Elite 5600

The Elite 5600 stands out as the top ultrasound machine for those seeking to integrate ultrasound into their small animal practice or mobile veterinary business. This portable device already includes a convex probe in the package, eliminating the need for separate probe purchases. You can opt to upgrade to a microconvex probe for superior image quality or stick with the convex probe for budget-conscious decisions. Both choices come with a 2-year warranty.

There’s a few good reasons why the Elite 5600 continues to be a favourite; it represents the latest advancement in Kai Xin’s line of highly acclaimed portable ultrasound units. Since its establishment in 1997, the company has built a renowned reputation for delivering top-quality ultrasound equipment known for its reliability, service, and support. Simply put, few companies globally can match Kai Xin’s reputation.

While this machine lands in the “budget” category, it most definitely deserves its place in our list with its impressive durability and extensive specifications:

• High-quality 64-channel multifrequency transducer ensures sharp imaging with minimal beam width and maximum noise reduction.
• 10.4″ high-resolution color LED display offers excellent contrast for easy diagnosis.
• Backlit keyboard enables use in low-light environments.
• Adjustable screen brightness for comfortable viewing.
• Lightweight design, weighing 4.5kg, with dimensions of 256x150x326mm.
• Adjustable depth up to 236mm, crucial for imaging structures at varying depths.
• Gain and contrast settings ranging from 0 to 127dB and 27 to 90dB respectively.
• Large 4GB hard disk storage accommodates approximately 5000 images.
• Needle guide function with adjustable on-screen guidelines facilitates biopsies.
• Measurement package includes standard measurements such as distance, area, volume, and perimeter.

In addition to the above, extra calculation packages are available for basic cardiac, gynecological, obstetric, and urological applications.

Whichever system you choose, remember that any purchase from PUM comes with our promise to support you for FREE, for LIFE. With expert technicians, professional sonographers and a dedicated customer service team, you can rest assured that you will receive the best portable ultrasound machines of 2024 and beyond, underpinned by enthusiastic experts ready to help you at every step on your ultrasound journey.