Best microscopes for students 2023

Look down the lens and find the best microscopes for students with options for students of all ages.

Are you searching for the best microscopes for students? Do you get tired of looking through seemingly endless options with little guidance? If so, we understand. Being a student is challenging. Between loads of homework and hours of studying, there's not enough time left in the day for much else. Educators and parents often find themselves in similar situations, making the hunt for the right equipment a tough one.

However, the search is worth it. With the proper microscope, science projects that were once boring become engaging and entertaining — letting students learn in a more hands-on way. Because of their ability to connect directly with whatever they are looking at, from things as small as cells to something larger like a leaf, students can get a better look at the world around them.

There are two types of microscopes available that can assist students with these hands-on projects: simple and compound microscopes. While a compound microscope has both an eyepiece and an objective, a simple microscope is equipped with one lens. As you’re selecting the best option for you or your student, don't forget to look at the specific features like the field of view, lighting, frame, optics, and resolution.

The type of microscope you select is dependent on the age of the person using it. A younger student may need simpler equipment with basic features, while an older adolescent or college student could benefit from more complex and high-tech capabilities. Our list of the best microscopes for kids is a great place to start your search if you’re looking for easy options for elementary-age children. Curious minds can also check out our guides to the best chemistry sets and best binoculars for kids too.

Our expert review:

The National Geographic Ultimate Dual Microscope is just the tool your aspiring scientist will need to start investigating the world around them. It includes everything students need to get an introduction into biology, including 35 pre-prepared slides, a storage box, tools for slide prep, a petri dish, and more.

For those interested in live specimens, the kit also comes with brine shrimp eggs and a hatching station. LED lights assist users in being able to see objects on the slide clearly, along with glass lenses that can get 20X or 50X magnification levels. For those looking to find a microscope on a budget, this is a great option for beginners looking for an all-inclusive experience.

Our expert review:

If you’re looking for a microscope that is perfect for students and advanced scientists alike, then the Swift SW380T is the microscope for you. It features four different DIN achromatic objectives, six different magnification levels (40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, 1000X, and 2500X), and an ultra-precise focusing system – ensuring that you’ll always be able to see what you need to.

You won't have to worry about straining your neck either, as this model has a 30 degree tilt. With a fully rotatable base, it's easy to concentrate during projects. Along with the microscope, you will also get a 10X and 25X eyepiece, sample immersion oil, blue filter, dust cover, spare fuse, and user manual.

Our expert review:

AmScope microscopes are known for being some of the best on the market for affordability and versatility. The M150-MS is a budget-friendly option for students that comes with many features, including a monocular viewing head that has a 45-degree vertical inclination and 360-degree rotation capability. Because the M150-MS model has a diascopic Brightfield illumination, light appears upwards through the slide rather than shining down on it.

This allows darker images to show up better through the lens, making it easier to see what you’re examining. You’ll have three objective choices: 4X, 10X, and 40X. The package also comes with a widefield 10X eyepiece, two stage clips, and a dust cover.

Our expert review:

The AmScope B120C Siedentopf Microscope is recommended for clinicians on a budget and students in medical school or that are studying biology. It has all the features of a basic microscope, plus other necessary additions like a 1.25 NA Abbe condenser with an iris diagram and a 52-77 mm interpupillary adjustment – both of which can help provide a better quality experience.

The double-layer mechanical stage helps to keep slides in their place, along with rotating them around to see all sides of the specimen. All in all, the kit comes with 4 DIN standard objectives (4X, 10X, 40XS, and 100XS), a 10X and 25X eyepiece, a blue color filter, one bottle of immersion oil, and a dust cover.

Our expert review:

If you’re looking for a microscope that has more than the average features, the OMAX Digital Lab Trinocular Compound LED Microscope is an option for you. Although the microscope can be used without a computer, it does come with downloadable software so that you can connect it to outside technology – both Mac and Windows. This allows you to upload and share your findings. The digital camera produces true color 640 x 480 pixel images.

With a magnification capability of up to 2500X and widefield eyepieces capable of WF10X or WF25X, you won't have a problem seeing your specimens. It also features an inclined head (45 degrees) and a trinocular mount that can rotate 360 degrees.

Our expert review:

The Omano Microscope for Students is a versatile option for students from middle school up to adulthood. It's simple enough not to overwhelm a beginner, but has the professional features needed for more advanced projects.

Whether you’re examining a plant from your garden or analyzing specimens for a graduate-level lab, this tool can help you get it done with three levels of magnification — 40x, 100x, and 400x. Variable illumination and 0.65 N.A condenser also enhances the image quality. Weighing in at just under 2 pounds, this model is also lightweight enough to easily transport to different locations.

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Bailee Boggess McCoy is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on adoption, clinical research, geriatrics, psychology, culture, social work, neuroscience and more. She has written for many health websites and publications, along with doing many ghostwriting projects and email campaigns. In addition to her work as a writer, she has worked as a researcher at an Alzheimer's disease research facility with projects focusing on Black older adults and racial trauma. Her scientific research has been presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference and published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Georgetown College in 2018. She also studied neurolinguistics and developmental psychology at the University of Oxford. By the end of 2021, she will have her Master's in Social Work degree. When she's not writing or researching, she enjoys playing with her dog, trying new cuisines, reading, and traveling. She's also a true crime enthusiast, passionate creative, and a lover of all things poetry.

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