Best Microscopes for College and High School Students in 2021
Whether you are a student looking for the top rated microscopes or you are an administrator looking for the best microscopes for high school or college students, the most important considerations you will have are price and power. While microscopes used to be an incredibly expensive piece of equipment, they are now readily available at much lower prices for the same magnification power you are typically used to.
The microscope reviews below are the best microscopes for students in a number of categories, as students at different levels have different microscope needs. The best microscopes for high school students may be a cheap and effective digital microscope, whereas the best microscopes for college students typically have higher power, better resolution, moveable slide stage, and other advanced functionalities like oil immersion. Still, other users need their microscopes to be mobile, compact, or even handheld. Read our reviews below to find which top-rated microscopes are suitable for your purposes.
Our Pick for Best General Purpose Microscope
TELMU Microscope 40X-1000X Magnification All-Metal Eyepiece(WF10X/25X) Dual Illumination Handheld Lab Compound Monocular Microscopes
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When it comes to all around good microscopes, the TELMU microscope checks all the right boxes for the right price.
At only $79.99, the scope provides magnification up to 1000x and has double illumination via LED lights below and above the stage.
Rather uniquely, the microscope also comes with a phone adapter, allowing you to take pictures and videos with any smartphone.
What we liked ❤️
- One of the cheapest microscopes that also has many functions
- Has a phone adapter, turning it into a powerful camera as well
- Glass optical elements, stainless steel lenses, and a solid metal frame
- Can run on AAA batteries, negating the need for an outlet
- Included slides allow you to immediately start to use this scope
What we didn’t 💔
- Only has a monocular viewing lens
- No oil immersion capacity
- Some customers have complained that the microscope is not easy to use
- Lens quality provides an unclear image at the highest magnification
- You can receive the same magnification for even cheaper
Magnification
40x-1000x
Illumination
Double Illumination
of Stage
Includes
4 prepared slides 6 blank slides
Quality Assurance
24 Month Warranty & 24/7 Customer Service
Build
Solid Metal Construction, Stable Base
Our Pick for Best Microscope for High School Students
My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope – MFL-06
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High school students need to learn the basics of microscopy, but providing each student with a quality microscope can be incredibly difficult. The My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope provides high school students with a quality microscope at an incredibly reasonable price.
This makes it one of the best microscopes for high school students. For only $69.99, the kit comes with a variety of accessories, real glass optics up to 400x, and a 1-year warranty to protect the scopes from rowdy high schoolers.
What we liked ❤️
- One of the cheapest microscopes with all the basic microscope parts
- Comes with a 50 piece accessory kit
- Manual comes with helpful hints and suggestions for experiments
- Has won awards for supporting STEM learning
- Runs on batteries, so it can be used in classrooms without electrical outlets
What we didn’t 💔
- Far too simple for advanced or complex microscopy
- You can get higher magnification in digital scopes, which can also be cheaper
- 400x is typically high enough for high schoolers, but certain experiments may require more
- Top magnification levels are not calibrated right
- Lenses are of lower quality than higher priced microscopes
Microscope Product Details
Up to 400x Magnification
includes a number of dyes, slides, and other scientific tools
Comes with a 50 piece accessory kit
Real Glass Optics
Solid Metal Construction, Stable Base
Our Pick for Best Microscope for College Students
Celestron 44341 LCD Digital Microscope II
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One of the specific needs of college students is the need to understand what they are looking at and get an explanation from the Professor or TA if they have questions. Typically, this devolves into a delicate game of alternating who gets to look through the scope. If specimens are alive and moving, helping students identify them is nearly impossible through a traditional scope. With the Celestron 44341 LCD Digital Microscope II, students and teachers can look at the same screen. This greatly aids in teaching important aspects of both microscopy and biology.
What we liked ❤️
- A screen replaces the traditional eyepiece lens, which can rotate 180 degrees
- 400x, with a 4x digital zoom which can take you to 1600x without oil
- 5MP camera can capture high-quality images
- Measuring reticule, to compare specimen sizes
- Great for teaching microscopy and biology
What we didn’t 💔
- No oil immersion capability
- Makes teaching optics more complicated as the screen replaces a 10x lens
- Some have complained that the top LED is not bright enough
- Some customers dislike the screen, claiming it is not of high enough resolution
- For more professional applications, the camera and scope do not cut it
Microscope Product Details
Digital Biological Microscope for a variety of uses
Fine focus, as well as multiple illumination sources
Screen instead of an eyepiece lens
Screen rotates 180 degrees, and images can be saved and view on a computer
400x, with 4x digital zoom
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Personal Use
Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope
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If you are a hobbyist, biology enthusiast, or simply need a camera for something very small, a typical microscope is probably not for you. Besides the expense, many hobbyists need a microscope that doesn’t take up a lot of space, can be operated with a smartphone, and still has great magnification. The Jiusion Endoscope is the perfect solution. Plus, at only $20.99 you won’t break the bank!
What we liked ❤️
- Handheld, or use with the included stand
- Compact, with the same or better magnification as a standard microscope
- 8 LED lights for lighting the specimen
- Smartphone capable: view images on your phone
- Comes with a measurement function, to measure specimen size
What we didn’t 💔
- Hard to stabilize
- Resolution not acceptable for professional applications
- Only works with Android phones, Windows, and Mac operating systems (No iPhone)
- Cheap construction, several users have received faulty models
- Poorly designed software, may not work on some computers
Microscope Product Details
Up to 1000x zoom
Only weighs 7 ounces
Focus range 10mm to 250mm
Can produce AVI video, or JPEG image files
Direct PC or Android interface
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Larger Specimens
Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro
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If your lab needs to look at a number of larger specimens, such as insects, rocks, or other 3 dimensional subjects, one of the best microscopes is the Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro. Though slightly more expensive than other digital microscopes, the Celestron comes with a stable platform, sturdy stand, and a direct link to your computer. This makes it ideal for observing larger specimens, for only $77.
What we liked ❤️
- One hand use with the easy-to-use barrel focus wheel
- Comes with stand, including slide clips
- Connect via USB to your computer to capture high-quality images
- Take measurements and notes on the images you capture
- Use for entomology, component inspection, or other small-scale work
What we didn’t 💔
- Max 200x magnification
- Some users have complained of cheap/low-quality construction
- Users that need perfect images will need a more expensive scope
- The lights are not sufficient for some projects
- The software is not great, though the camera can be used without it
Microscope Product Details
5MP camera sensor for high-resolution images
Change the shutter speed from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second
4 foot USB cable for maximum maneuverability
20x to 200x magnification
Windows and Mac compatible software included
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Using in the Field
Carson 60X-75X MicroMax LED Lighted Pocket Microscope (MM-200)
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Some scientists prefer to have mobility over magnification. If this describes you, the Carson MicroMax LED Lighted Pocket Microscope is for you. Though the tiny scope has a maximum zoom of 75x, it is small enough to fit in your pocket. This could be a great choice for those in the agricultural industry or other applications which require the viewing of specimens on the go, in the field. Plus, it is only $10, so you really can’t go wrong.
What we liked ❤️
- Only $10!
- Weighs almost nothing, at 1.1 ounces
- Batteries included, ready to use right off the bat
- By far one of the cheapest magnification devices on the market
- Great for viewing trichomes or other plant-related characteristics
What we didn’t 💔
- Poor construction
- Batteries are expensive, though some users have been able to substitute hearing-aid batteries
- Small size makes it hard to focus for some users
- Lens quality poor
- Only useful if you can lay subject on flat surface
Microscope Product Details
Lightweight and extremely compact
About 3.5 inches tall
Uses 3 LR44 batteries to illuminate LEDs
60x – 75x magnification
Easily fits in a pocket for field use
Our Pick for Best Microscope For Elementary Students
AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit with Metal Body Microscope
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If you have elementary-aged students, you are probably constantly trying to find cheap and fun activities to keep them engaged and excited about learning. The AmScope Kids Beginner Microscope can do just that. For only $39.99, the kit comes with everything you need to conduct a variety of simple microscope experiments.
What we liked ❤️
- Full kit includes dyes, slides, and other tools
- Decent microscope, with solid construction
- Up to 1200x magnification
- Comes with a booklet of experiments
- The #1 “toy” microscope on Amazon
What we didn’t 💔
- Very light, does not feel stable
- Low quality, not good for important work
- Mostly plastic, gives the microscope a “cheap” feel
- No switch for the light, automatically comes on
- Plastic lenses
Microscope Product Details
Portable, with a solid plastic carrying case for all the pieces
Comes with over 49 accessories
Uses 2 AA batteries for the light
Includes set of 10 prepared slides
Includes information on interesting experiments you can conduct
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Electronics Work
Koolertron 4.3 inch Full Color LCD Digital USB Microscope with 10X-600X Magnification Zoom
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If you need a microscope for working on tiny electrical components, you have a special set of needs. The Koolertron USB Microscope is a clever little unit that will allow you to set the scope, then easily see your work on a large LCD screen. This will save both your eyes and your hands, allowing you to focus on soldering and other tasks. This microscope usually runs around $80, making it a very reasonable choice.
What we liked ❤️
- Great stand, which multiple options and adjustments
- LCD screen allows you to view your work easily
- Cheaper than most large stereoscopes, with equivalent functionality
- 8 LEDs on the end provide illumination of your subject
- Transfer images to a PC or Smart TV
What we didn’t 💔
- Some say the scope is not worth $80
- Similar to other endoscopes, which may be much cheaper
- Though it has an LCD screen, other similar products can be directly viewed on a computer
- Several users complained that the quality was wanting
- The Manual has parts in Chinese, which some users found annoying
Microscope Product Details
Built-in Lithium Battery
Can connect to a PC or Smart TV
Highly adjustable stand
Camera has a measuring feature
4.3” LCD screen
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Professional Use
OMAX 40X-2500X USB3 18MP Digital Trinocular Compound LED Lab Microscope
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If you are a serious professional, the scopes above are far too simple to be of any use. Our pick for the best professional microscope is the OMAX Digital Trinocular Compound Microscope. This microscope, at $810, is clearly intended for professional use. The scope comes with a built-in high-resolution camera, mechanical stage, multiple objective lenses, oil-immersion capability, and is made by one of the best microscope manufacturers on the market.
What we liked ❤️
- Technologically advance microscope
- Great camera, up to 18MP
- Trinocular view allows you to find images in the eyepiece and broadcast them to a computer
- Great scope for teachers and professionals
- Up to 2500x magnification
What we didn’t 💔
- Weighs 17 pounds
- Some users have complained that the 18MP camera has significant lag
- More expensive than other, similar models without the trinocular view
- More power than most people need
- Complex operation
Microscope Product Details
Total magnification of up to 2500x, oil-immersion capable
Digital camera with 18MP, fast connection
Software for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems
5-year Warranty
Comes with Aluminum Carrying Case
Our Pick for Best Microscope for Tight Spaces
USB Microscope, Teslong Portable Multi-Function Soldering Magnifier Camera
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If you are trying to image a tight space, such as an internal component, a buried specimen, or even something underwater, you need a special microscope. The Teslong Soldering Magnifier Camera is perfect for these purposes. The camera has a 10x-200x zoom and is also waterproof. This allows it to be used in the craziest circumstances you can imagine. The scope is only $40, well worth it for certain applications.
What we liked ❤️
- Thin, compact, and powerful
- Small LED lights help illuminate your subject
- WATERPROOF!
- Comes with accessories to aid inspecting skin, ears, and noses
- View image on a phone or computer, and save videos or images
What we didn’t 💔
- Only 200x
- Does not support iPhone connections
- Waterproofing only on the bottom of the camera, cannot fully submerge
- Software is sloppy, not well made
- The camera gets hot after long periods of use
Microscope Product Details
Only 6 ounces
7.6 inches long, shaped like a pen
IP67 Waterproof at the lens
2-in-1 USB port for computer or smartphone
1MP camera sensor
The microscopes above represent the best microscopes for the categories listed, in our opinion. Remember that the biggest challenge of purchasing a microscope is getting the power you need for the price you want. The best microscopes for students are the ones that meet their needs while staying in their budget. While professional microscopes are typically of the highest quality, there are many new options on the market in 2019 which are becoming contenders.
