Best Types of Microscopes for Kids To Use At Home
OK, so you are looking for microscope for your kids and wondering, “What are the best types of microscopes for using at home?”
Before you end up buying a piece of junk (or spending a ridiculous amount of money on something you won’t use), you’ll want to check out what we found out during our research for the “best” types of microscopes.
What is the best microscope for home use? [Updated 2019]
The best microscope for home use will depend on your needs and use of the microscope. Here is a range of the best microscopes for home:
OMAX Built-in 3MP Camera 40X-2000X Digital Biological Compound Binocular LED Light Microscope
AmScope M150C-I 40X-1000X Student Biological Compound Microscope
Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x Power LED Lighted Pocket Microscope
OMAX 40X-2000X Digital LED Compound Microscope with Built-in 1.3MP Camera
Of course, we have our favorite microscopes for education (we’re nerdy that way), but we’ll reserve the for now.
Instead, we’ll just tell you, what is the best microscope for students?
These were the TOP 5 student microscopes as the best options for science study at home.
And, we think they made some great choices for all different levels of needs! (We do love their #1 pick! SO COOL!)
On this page you can read all the reviews, compare prices, AND see which ones are on SALE TODAY!
OK, let’s jump in and get to the reviews of the best types of microscopes for kids to use at home, shall we?
If you’re in a hurry and want to get right to it:
This is an excellent choice for a microscope for kids to use at home, and you’ll find that it is also one of the cheapest, high-quality microscopes you’ll find at this level.
This microscope is super sturdy (so it won’t easily tip over) and comes with 5 (!!) different magnification settings. It also has a lot of 5-star reviews. If you can find it for under $100, then snatch it up ASAP because that’s a REALLY GOOD DEAL on a high-quality student microscope! (Check the current price here and see customer reviews.)
What is the best microscope for home use for kids?
When it comes to student microscopes with the best reviews, these are the top 5 best types of microscopes to choose from for your kid to use at home. Any of them are great choices for your at-home learning. (compare these 5 microscopes here)
Student Microscopes — Best Choices for Home:
- TELMU Microscope 40X-1000X Magnification All-Metal Eyepiece (INFO PAGE)
- Swift SW380T 40X-2500X Magnification Trinocular Compound Lab Microscope (INFO PAGE)
- OMAX 40X-2500X Digital Lab Trinocular Compound LED Microscope with USB Digital Camera (INFO PAGE)
- 7x-45x Trinocular Stereo Zoom Microscope +3D Boom Stand (INFO PAGE)
- AmScope 40X-2000X LED Lab Siedentopf Trinocular Compound Microscope (INFO PAGE)
TYPES OF MICROSCOPES
If you’re new to the whole best microscope search, all of the information out there can be overwhelming.
One of the best starting points is to understand the different types of microscopes. Once you understand the differences, it will help you better choose the best microscope to meet the needs of your child for learning at home.
What is a good microscope for beginners?
Best types of microscopes for kids to use at home include:
- Compound Light Microscope
- Stereo Microscope
- Digital Microscope (or, USB Computer Microscope)
- Pocket Microscope
Compare Best Types of Microscopes for Kids
COMPARE THE TYPES OF MICROSCOPES FOR KIDS
Compound Light Microscope
Compound microscope definition: A compound microscope is used to magnify images at high levels of magnification.
Compound microscope parts: A compound microscope has two sets of lenses: the ocular lens and the objective lens. The ocular lens (or eyepiece lens) is the one at the top that you look into, while the objective lens is the lens near the sample (the image being magnified.
It is called a “compound microscope” because of the lens system. The objective lens magnifies the object and then the ocular lens compounds, or multiplies, the magnified image.
A compound light microscope has a light source built in that helps with viewing.
A compound light microscope is what most people are familiar with and think about when they discuss microscopes. (It’s probably the one you used in science class!) This is what most people consider a traditional microscope. These are the microscopes used in classrooms and labs.
They can be binocular, or have two eyepieces to look into, or monocular, or one eyepiece to look into.
GOOD FOR: Viewing microscopic and other images that are hard to see with the naked eye or any other things that you want to see under high magnification.
Stereo Microscope
Stereo microscope is also known as a “dissection microscope” or “low power” microscope.
Stereo microscopes are used for lower magnification. Images can be seen as 3D (instead of flat).
This type of microscope is often used to examine opaque items, or items that do not allow light to pass through them.
GOOD FOR: Viewing bugs, flowers, rocks, crystals, plants, or anything that you can look at on low power magnification.
Stereo Microscope vs Compound Microscope
(dissecting microscope vs compound microscope)
So, should you buy a stereo microscope or compound microscope for your child?
The answer depends a lot on your child’s age and how interested they are in science.
A stereo microscope is considered a little more basic and allows kids to closer explore their favorite things (like rocks and bugs) in a 3D magnified image. Younger children (think: kindergarten and under) may find stereo microscopes easier to understand.
With a compound microscope, kids will be viewing more detailed things like the cells in a piece of skin. So, those concepts might be a little more difficult for younger kids. Compound microscopes are great choices if you want your microscope to “grow” with your child and have the ability to magnify and view a wide range of items.
Digital Microscope
A digital microscope, sometimes called USB Computer Microscope, uses optics and a digital camera to project objects onto a screen, monitor, or a computer.
You can even use them to project images onto your phone!
A digital microscope can also use computer software to resize and manipulate the specimen (on the screen) for different views and angles.
Many digital microscopes for home are handheld and portable, making them great options if you need to pack and go.
They can also be relatively inexpensive—but those may not meet your needs for serious microscope study (so don’t make a decision based solely on discounted price). They have low power magnification, so you won’t be able to see the same things as you would with a compound microscope.
There are digital microscopes on stands, just like compound and stereo microscopes, that are more expensive than the portable ones, but still reasonably priced for an at-home microscopes. [see prices for digital microscopes on stands here]
GOOD FOR: Displaying a specimen to a group or allowing images to be observed on a larger screen and—for the portable ones—taking along with you to easily observe things on the go or at classes, meet-ups. or co-ops outside the home.
Pocket Microscope
A pocket microscope is exactly what it sounds like—a portable microscope that fits into your pocket to take along anywhere you go!
They generally take a battery (like a AA) to power the LED light source. And, they are small enough to fit into your hand.
Pocket microscopes are inexpensive, but not built to be super durable, long-lasting microscopes.
If you’re looking for a home microscope to use for a few years of home learning, then this shouldn’t be your only choice for a microscope. However, they are inexpensive enough that they can be an additional microscope to your at-home student microscope!
GOOD FOR: Introducing young children (like preschoolers) to microscope studies during nature hikes and outdoor play, take-along for on-the-go studies, and as an additional portable microscope option to go with your main, at-home microscope.
Popular Microscope Brands
There are many, many brands of microscopes to choose from made by different manufacturers.
Some of the best (and most popular) microscope brands to compare are:
Of course, this isn’t a complete list of microscope brands, but it’s enough to get you started to compare microscopes before you buy!
Best Microscope Buying Tips | What To Look For In A Microscope?
Microscope Buying Tips #1: Age
The first thing you want to consider is your child’s age or learning level.
For younger kids (like preschool and kindergarten), you want less complicated microscope parts and easier microscopes to understand and work.
For older kids, you want a more complex microscope that will grow with your child’s learning.
Microscope Buying Tips #2: Price
How much do microscopes cost? is probably one of the most common questions when researching microscope options.
Of course, you want to get a good deal, but purchasing the cheapest option available may not result in the best microscope for your student.
CHEAP is not the BEST option for microscopes, especially if you want one that will last a few years for your kids.
You don’t want to be buying a new microscope every few months because they break or wear out. (You’ll just end up spending more than you would’ve initially spent on a good microscope.)
There are high-end microscopes that can cost into the thousands (and even hundreds of thousands) of dollars. Those are professional level microscopes and clearly are not necessary microscopes for students and learning at home with kids.
The best microscopes for students at home will average in the range of around $79-$399.
Microscope Buying Tips #3: Use
What will be your uses of microscope?
If you’re looking for a portable microscope to take along on nature hikes and explore things that you find more closely, try a pocket microscope.
If you need a microscope where your child can look at specimens, and samples, and other items at high magnification, you’ll want to check into compound microscopes (these are the ones that you might’ve used in high school science).
Click here to see current deals on microscopes
Microscope Accessories
Once you pick out the best microscope for kids, you can’t forget about all the fun things that go along with a microscope!
You’ll need:
- Microscope dust cover
- Prepared microscope slides
- Blank microscope slides
- Slide sealant
- Storage case for slides
Microscope Dust Cover
If your microscope doesn’t come with a dust cover, you’ll definitely want to pick one up.
A dust cover will protect your microscope when it’s not in use and they are inexpensive.
Just be sure that you get one that is big enough to fit the microscope you choose!
Prepared Microscope Slides
Prepared microscope slides are microscope slides with specimens.
They are called prepared slides because they already come with the specimens on the slides and are ready for you to view under the microscopes.
One of the best things about adding prepared slides to microscope studies is that your kids will get to view things that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see!
Prepared slides comes with specimens of organs, microscopic parts of bugs and flowers, animal parts, cells, and more!
Blank Microscope Slides
Whatever you do, make sure that you have blank microscope slides!
These are the slides that come with nothing prepared on them.
Once your child gets comfortable with the microscope, they’ll be ready to prepare their own slides with things they find!
Make sure that you get blank microscope slides and coverslips. The coverslips are the small plastic (or sometimes glass) portions that go on top of the specimen to hold it in place on the slide.
Microscope Slide Kits
Microscope kits are kits that often come with both prepared and blank slides.
These kits allow your kids to prepare and view their own slide specimens, as well as see some specimens that come with the kit!
Kits usually also come with an awesome storage case.
Some also come with sealants or stains—the liquids that you use when preparing slides and will help enhance viewing of certain types of samples.
There are some kits that come with only prepared slides or only blank slides, so be sure that you read the reviews carefully before buying!
We hope that our ultimate guide for buying microscopes helps you make a great decision for your kids! If you follow our suggestions, you’ll have a lot of science study fun for years to come!
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