Choosing the best microscope for kids can be quite confusing, as there are so many different options for you to choose between and it can be difficult knowing where to start. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you researching all the options and have created this guide to help you through the process.
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a kids’ microscope, namely:
Your budget
The child’s age
If you are wanting to get them a microscope that is simple to use as an introduction to microscopy, or a more comprehensive microscope that they can grow into
What samples they will be viewing and at what magnification
Primary School (Ages 4 – 11):
Children of this age range are typically most interested in looking at samples under low magnification; for example, entire insects, gems, pond water samples, etc. Higher magnification compound microscopes are most suited to children a little older, for looking at samples down to the cellular level. Here is a list of lower magnification options that we recommend for children around primary school age:
Less than £100:
There are many toy microscopes on the market for less than £100 but these mostly have plastic lenses with poor image quality and can do more damage than good when it comes to introducing a child into the world of microscopy.
There is only one microscope for kids on the market that we would recommend within this price bracket and that’s the Dino-Lite AM2111 Digital Microscope. This microscope has no eyepieces; it is a digital microscope that connects to a computer/laptop via a USB cable and the live image is displayed on the computer screen. The Dino-Lite products are an absolutely fantastic range of products that are simple to use, excellent quality and with an absolutely brilliant UK support team. The AM2111 is their entry-level microscope with 640×480 resolution (less than 1MP). The software will open a small dialogue box containing the live image and you simply press a camera icon button to capture the image. The image quality is reasonable when viewing at this stage, but if you wanted to expand the image to full screen mode the low resolution of this model would then show, as the image becomes pixellated (blurry) in full screen mode. The user will need to have basic computer skills but the software is very user friendly and suits primary school age children (with a little help from an elder). The next model up, the Dino-Lite AM4113T copes better in full screen mode as this has 1.3MP resolution but this falls into a higher price bracket.
£101 – £250:
The GX Microscopes XTX-1C Single Magnification Stereo Microscope is a fantastic microscope for this price bracket. With a set 20x magnification (which can be extended with optional accessories), this is the perfect children’s microscope for viewing entire insects, pond water samples and other fascinating samples. Being an optical microscope with two eyepieces in stereovision providing a 3D image, this makes for some exciting viewing! Adult supervision will be required. Should your child want to take photographs of their samples, they can do so by adding en eyepiece camera to this microscope.
£251 – £500:
The Dino-Lite AM4113T Digital USB Microscope that I mentioned above falls into this price bracket. Along with the features mentioned above, this model also offers good, clear images when in full screen mode. This microscope is our most popular microscope sold to primary schools as it offers fantastic value for money with a great magnification range and a good, clear image.
For an all-in-one stand-alone option, there is the GX Microscopes LCDDM-38 Digital Portable Microscope. This kid’s portable microscope features a built-in screen and stand so it can be used stand-alone i.e. no need for a computer, and combined with it being battery operated, it makes a great portable option. With 300x magnification and 4x digital zoom, the magnification can be up to 1200x (although this is still an entry level microscope, so the image is likely to be less clear at the higher magnifications).
£501+
Another Dino-Lite Digital Microscope! If your budget permits, the Dino-Lite AM7013MT with 5MP resolution offers the best image quality of all of the Dino-Lite range. Featuring 10x-50x and 200x magnifications, the extra resolution makes a noticeable difference to the image quality. This is the best microscope for kids to display a large monitor or projector (via a computer or laptop) and take high-quality photographs.
Secondary School (Ages 12 – 16):
Less than £100:
There are many toy microscopes on the market for less than £100 but these mostly have plastic lenses with poor image quality and can do more damage than good when it comes to introducing a child into the world of microscopy.
There is only one children’s microscope on the market that we would recommend within this price bracket and that’s the Dino-Lite AM2111 Digital Microscope. This microscope has no eyepieces; it is a digital microscope that connects to a computer/laptop via a USB cable and the live image is displayed on the computer screen. The Dino-Lite products are an absolutely fantastic range of products that are simple to use, excellent quality and with an absolutely brilliant UK support team. The AM2111 is their entry-level microscope with 640×480 resolution (less than 1MP). The software will open a small dialogue box containing the live image and you simply press a camera icon button to capture the image. The image quality is reasonable when viewing at this stage, but if you wanted to expand the image to full screen mode the low resolution of this model would then show, as the image becomes pixellated (blurry) in full screen mode. The user will need to have basic computer skills but the software is very user friendly and suits secondary school age children (perhaps with a little help from an elder). The next model up, the Dino-Lite AM4113T copes better in full screen mode as this has 1.3MP resolution but this falls into the next budget bracket.
£101 – £250:
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with sections on glass slides):
The GX Microscopes ultraBIO-1 compound microscope is a fantastically good value microscope offering exceptional image quality and build quality for a microscope within this price bracket. With a magnification range of 40x – 400x and built-in LED illumination, this is the almost-perfect microscope for introducing a child to micrscopy at the cellular level. I mention ‘almost’; this microscope has one eyepiece for viewing, which can be an advantage if the user struggles to see an image clearly with two eyepieces, but most people prefer to have two eyepieces for comfortable viewing. For a microscope with two eyepieces, I recommend the ultraBIO-3:
The GX Microscopes ultraBIO-3 compound microscope is our best-selling compound microscope and although simple enough for children down to around the age of 12 to use, it is a professional grade microscope that is used widely in the UK at colleges and veterinary practices in particular. If you’re looking for a simple, easy to use, compound (high magnification) microscope with two eyepieces for comfortable viewing, this is the best value microscope in the market.
If your child would like to have a microscope that displays the image on their smartphone, the uHandy Duet SmartPhone Portable Microscope is a super-handy option. With 60x and 400x magnification, they will be able to view anything from insects down to individual cells through their phone screen.
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
The GX Microscopes XTX-1C Single Magnification Stereo Microscope that I mentioned previously has a full kit option which is perfect for those wanting to explore a little further with this microscope. This kit includes the full range of accessories, providing from 20x – 120x magnification.
£251 – £500:
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
N/A
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
The DinoLite AM4113T again makes an appearance! Details above. This is perfect for children of all ages. Secondary school children should be ok using this without adult supervision if they are confident using computers.
The GX Microscopes 1080PWDM-18G Portable WiFi Digital Microscope with stand offers 1080P full HD images that connect to iOS and Android devices to display the live image, capture photographs and record time lapse movies. A built-in rechargeable battery and built-in LED lights makes this device a versatile, portable system.
If you’re looking for a traditional microscope for students (not digital) for viewing objects at low magnification and you do not require a portable solution, then the ultraZOOM-1 Stereo Zoom Microscope is hands-down my favourite in this price range. The optical quality of this microscope is excellent compared with other microscopes of similar prices. It features a magnification range of 7x – 45x (or 3.5x – 225x with optional accessories) and a trinocular head ready to take a camera (this would require a camera adapter) and a bench-top stand with built-in LED illumination. This is a mains-powered microscope.
£501+
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
The IOLIGHT Portable Digital Microscope with WiFi connection is a top quality UK designed and made microscope designed for use in the field (but can be used anywhere). It has a resolution of 1 micron and built in illumination from both above and below the sample. A glass sample stage allows for samples up to 35mm thick, or samples mounted on standard microscope slides. Despite all these professional features, the microscope folds flat and fits in a jacket pocket or desk draw. The rechargeable battery lasts for several hours of active use and many hours on standby. Images are displayed on an iPad, or you can try othe iPhone or Android app to make this a go-anywhere high resolution microscope – the Magnificent Mobile Microscope!
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
A re-appearance from the Dino-Lite AM7013MT with 5MP resolution, which offers the best image quality of all of the Dino-Lite range. Featuring again 10x-50x and 200x magnification, the extra resolution makes a noticeable differene to the image quality. Perfect for displaying a large monitor or projector (via a computer or laptop) and for taking high quality photographs.
The ultraZOOM-1 microscope mentioned above also has an option for a stand with built-in gooseneck lights, which enable you to angle the light to reach those harder-to-reach regions. This stand is a little more expensive, hence it brings this version of the ultraZOOM-1 Microscope into the £501+ category.
College Students (Ages 16 – 18):
Less than £100:
Again, this is the best microscope for students on the market that we would recommend within this price bracket and that’s the Dino-Lite AM2111 Digital Microscope. This microscope has no eyepieces; it is a digital microscope that connects to a computer/laptop via a USB cable and the live image is displayed on the computer screen. The Dino-Lite products are an absolutely fantastic range of products that are simple to use, excellent quality and with an absolutely brilliant UK support team. The AM2111 is their entry-level microscope with 640×480 resolution (less than 1MP). The software will open a small dialogue box containing the live image and you simply press a camera icon button to capture the image. The image quality is reasonable when viewing at this stage, but if you wanted to expand the image to full screen mode the low resolution of this model would then show, as the image becomes pixellated (blurry) in full screen mode. The user will need to have basic computer skills, but the software is very user friendly and suits primary school age children (with a little help from an elder). The next model up, the Dino-Lite AM4113T copes better in full screen mode as this has 1.3MP resolution but this falls into the next budget bracket.
£101 – £250:
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
The GX Microscopes ultraBIO-1 compound microscope is a fantastically good value microscope offering exceptional image quality and build quality for a microscope within this price bracket. With a magnification range of 40x – 400x and built-in LED illumination, this is the almost-perfect microscope for introducing a child to micrscopy at the cellular level. I mention ‘almost’; this microscope has one eyepiece for viewing, which can be an advantage if the user struggles to see an image clearly with two eyepieces, but most people prefer to have two eyepieces for comfortable viewing. For a microscope with two eyepieces, I recommend the ultraBIO-3:
The GX Microscopes ultraBIO-3 compound microscope is our best-selling compound microscope and although simple enough for children down to around the age of 12 to use, it is a professional grade microscope that is used widely in the UK at colleges and veterinary practices in particular. If you’re looking for a simple, easy to use, compound (high magnification) microscope with two eyepieces for comfortable viewing, this is the best value microscope in the market.
If your child would like to have a microscope that displays the image on their smartphone, the uHandy Duet SmartPhone Portable Microscope is a super-handy option. With 60x and 400x magnification, they will be able to view anything from insects down to individual cells through their phone screen.
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
£251 – £500:
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
N/A
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
The DinoLite AM4113T again makes an appearance! Details above. This is perfect for children of all ages. Secondary school children should be ok using this without adult supervision if they are confident using computers.
If you’re looking for a traditional microscope (not digital) for viewing objects at low magnification and you do not require a portable solution, then the ultraZOOM-1 Stereo Zoom Microscope is hands-down my favourite in this price range. The optical quality of this microscope is excellent compared with other microscopes of similar prices. It features a magnification range of 7x – 45x (or 3.5x – 225x with optional accessories) and a trinocular head ready to take a camera (this would require a camera adapter) and a bench-top stand with built-in LED illumination. This is a mains-powered microscope.
£501+
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
The IOLIGHT Portable Digital Microscope with WiFi connection is a top quality UK designed and made microscope designed for use in the field (but can be used anywhere). It has a resolution of 1 micron and built in illumination from both above and below the sample. A glass sample stage allows for samples up to 35mm thick, or samples mounted on standard microscope slides. Despite all these professional features, the microscope folds flat and fits in a jacket pocket or desk draw. The rechargeable battery lasts for several hours of active use and many hours on standby. Images are displayed on an iPad, or you can try othe iPhone or Android app to make this a go-anywhere high resolution microscope – the Magnificent Mobile Microscope!
The ultraBIO-3 Complete Kit provides a fantastic complete solution for college students. It includes the binocular ultraBIO-3 microscope (with two eyepieces for comfortable viewing) mentioned above, 250 plain slides, 1000 coverslips, 90+ prepared slides and an eyepiece camera so they can take photographs of their samples – perfect for coursework!
The Aspen GTC10 offers the next level up in image quality compared to the ultraBIO-4, with fully Plan Achromatic Infinity corrected optics that offer a flat, even field of view across the sample. It also features a trinocular head (as opposed to the bincoular head of the ultraBIO-3) which means it has a separate dedicated port for attaching a camera without having to remove one of the eyepieces (a camera adapter will be required).
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
If you’re looking for a traditional microscope (not digital) for viewing objects at low magnification and you do not require a portable solution, then the ultraZOOM-1 Stereo Zoom Microscope is hands-down my favourite in this price range. The optical quality of this microscope is excellent compared with other microscopes of similar prices. It features a magnification range of 7x – 45x (or 3.5x – 225x with optional accessories) and a trinocular head ready to take a camera (this would require a camera adapter) and a bench-top stand with built-in LED illumination. This is a mains-powered microscope. It also has an option for a stand with built-in gooseneck lights, which enable you to angle the light to reach those harder-to-reach regions. This stand is a little more expensive, hence it brings this version of the ultraZOOM-1 Microscope into the £501+ category.
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
The GX Microscopes ultraBIO-3 compound microscope is our best-selling compound microscope and although simple enough for children down to around the age of 12 to use, it is a professional grade microscope that is used widely in the UK at colleges and veterinary practices in particular. If you’re looking for a simple, easy to use, compound (high magnification) microscope with two eyepieces for comfortable viewing, this is the best value microscope in the market.
If the student would like to have a microscope that displays the image on their smartphone, the uHandy Duet SmartPhone Portable Microscope is a super-handy option. With 60x and 400x magnification, they will be able to view anything from insects down to individual cells through their phone screen.
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
N/A
£251 – £500:
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
N/A
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
The DinoLite AM4113T again makes an appearance! Details above. This is perfect for children of all ages. Secondary school children should be ok using this without adult supervision if they are confident using computers.
If you’re looking for a traditional microscope (not digital) for viewing objects at low magnification and you do not require a portable solution, then the ultraZOOM-1 Stereo Zoom Microscope is hands-down my favourite in this price range. The optical quality of this microscope is excellent compared with other microscopes of similar prices. It features a magnification range of 7x – 45x (or 3.5x – 225x with optional accessories) and a trinocular head ready to take a camera (this would require a camera adapter) and a bench-top stand with built-in LED illumination. This is a mains-powered microscope.
£501+
High magnification options (for viewing down to the cellular level with section on glass slides):
The IOLIGHT Portable Digital Microscope with WiFi connection is a top quality UK designed and made microscope designed for use in the field (but can be used anywhere). It has a resolution of 1 micron and built in illumination from both above and below the sample. A glass sample stage allows for samples up to 35mm thick, or samples mounted on standard microscope slides. Despite all these professional features, the microscope folds flat and fits in a jacket pocket or desk draw. The rechargeable battery lasts for several hours of active use and many hours on standby. Images are displayed on an iPad, or you can try othe iPhone or Android app to make this a go-anywhere high resolution microscope – the Magnificent Mobile Microscope!
The ultraBIO-5 is our top-of-the-range biological compound microscope, widely used in teaching laboratories in unviersities across the UK. So if you want a microscope at the same level as the microscopes in the unviersities laboratories, the ultraBIO-5 is the microscope of choice. This has superior optical quality, a trinocular head for attaching a camera (with the relevant camera adapter) and LED illumination.
Low magnification options (for viewing larger, lumpier samples not on slides):
The DinoLite AM7013MT that I have recommended above also has a polarising version called the Dino-Lite AM7013MZT. This has all of the amazing features of the AM7013MZT but also features a polariser to reduce any glare/reflections. This is particularly useful if you’re wanting high quality photographs of reflective samples such as the shells on beetles, samples in fluid, samples in agar gel, metallic surfaces, etc, where the LEDs would typically cause reflections. This feature makes this a handy low magnification microscope for engineering, materials research, medical sciences, life sciences, forensics, electronics and many other applications.
The ultraZOOM-2 Stereo Zoom Microscope features 8x-50x magnification and a good working distance of 110mm, making this microscope our best-selling stereo microscope to university laboratories. The long working distance is handy for using tools under the microscope for dissections or for manipulating the sample. The wide magnification range (which is extendable from 4x – 300x with optional accessories), plus the large selection of different stands available for this model makes this a highly versatile system that is suitable for a number of different uses – perfect for both students and professsionals.
For the best image quality in a stereo microscope, I recommend the ultraZOOM-3 Stereo Zoom Microscope. The images from this kids microsocpe are simply stunning, and almost everyone that sees this microscope buys it on the spot! It has a larger-than-average magnification range of 7x – 63x as standard (3.5x – 351x with optional accessories) and a good working distance. This microscope is ridiculously good value for money and in my opinion, simply the best option on the market for a microscope of this price.
And there you have it – a microscope for every age, for every budget and for every application!
Please feel free to contact us through our online chat or by email: sales@gtvision.co.uk if you have any further questions.
Happy shopping – your child/grandchild is a very lucky person and we wish them all the best with their education.
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