The 5 Best Digital Microscopes [Ranked]
Digital microscopes are a different style of the conventional optical microscope that commonly utilizes a charge-coupled device camera and optics to generate a digital image frequently to an external monitor, and often times through the use of computer software.
There are variety of digital microscopes available. Some inexpensive units only cost a couple bucks, while others, well...you don't want to know!
Digital microscopes that attach to a computer and work with associated computer software often are able to project the image onto the screen and record snapshots of observations very easily.
Some digital microscopes are also able to record moving images, provide image enhancement, allow for annotations, and conduct time-lapse photography.
One Of Our Favorites: The Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro
- BUILT-IN 5MP DIGITAL CAMERA: Our Celestron Biological Microscope has a built-in 5MP digital camera that captures high-resolution images and 30 fps SD video of your specimen as well as a full color 3.5" TFT LCD screen with onboard software.
Celestron Product Specs
- Includes a 5MP sensor that enables you to capture and store high-res videos and images of your specimens
- Employs a 5-Element IR cut glass lens that provides 20x to 200x magnification
- Ideal for low-powered observations of 3D specimens
- Make sure you understand that final magnification is ultimately determined by monitor size
- Ships with an adjustable height stand for hands-free operation, a 4' USB 2.0 cable, and custom software with measuring features, that is both Windows and Mac compatible
Video Overview
Let's take a look at 5 of the best-selling digital microscopes on the market today and see how they compare.
Contents
| Digital Microscopes | Price | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope | $ | 4.3 |
 | The Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope | $$ | 4.0 |
 | The TekScope Digital USB Microscope | $$ | 4.4 |
 | The Mustcam 1080P Full HD Digital Microscope | $$ | 4.5 |
 | The Carson eFlex Power Digital Microscope | $ | 4.3 |
Reviewing The Options
1. The Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope Review
Explore the microscopic world anytime and anywhere with the help of this tool.
This portable 2.0 megapixel option magnifies an object up to 250 times. It comes with a webcam chipset and sensor that works on most operating systems including Windows and Mac OSX. Magnified images can be seen clearly through a computer monitor. Another useful feature of this tool is the built-in LED halo light for brightness adjustment.
This option has a flexible arm stand and an observation pad with graduated measurement marks. It is a great product for children, professionals and hobbyists.
2. The Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Review
Yes, it does have a 5MP sensor for capturing and saving images and videos, which is quite high when compared to the standard 2MP in the market.
With its heavy-duty glass lens that magnifies objects from 20 to 200 times, observing 3D specimens under low power conditions is possible. Moreover, it has LED light around the lens that lightens the visual field.
This microscope comes with an adjustable high stand for hands-free operation and a 4-foot USB 2.0 cable for easy maneuvering when viewing large objects. Windows and Mac users can benefit from this tool.
3. The Tekscope Digital USB Microscope Review
Fine details of very small items can be magnified up to 500x and be viewed clearly with the 1600×1200 high definition resolution for this portable option.
It comes with eight LED lights that you easily dim or brighten to achieve the perfect lighting condition when observing a subject.
Storing and handling will not be a problem as it is lightweight and compact. Not only does it function as a standard microscope but it can also be used as a USB Web camera and as an endoscope for examining the ears, nose, and throat. It also works for Windows users.
4. The Mustcam 1080P Full HD Digital Microscope Review
This digital option is portable, easy to use, and has great features- it has a 3-megapixel image sensor with a capability to magnify objects up to 10x to 220x, allowing you to see fine details of small items.
It supports photo capture and also comes with 1080p direct video crystal output.
Viewing can be done anytime and anywhere as it has eight LED light source for proper illumination even during nighttime. Students, hobbyists and professionals can use this tool to explore the microscopic world more conveniently.
5. The Carson eFlex 75x or 300x Power Digital Microscope Review
With up to 75x or 300x power magnification and adjustable LED lighting for illumination, this tool is great for observing the microscopic world.
You are just one click away from capturing a detailed image or shooting a closed-focus video of an object under observation using eyepiece magnification. To ensure that you get a sharp and clear image, there is a focusing knob that you can easily adjust. This powerful scope easily attaches to any smooth surface with its suction cup adapter.
At its tallest point, the flexible neck reaches 8.5 inches. Windows and Mac OSX users can use this device.
What customers are saying
The 5 Microcope Types
They come in all shapes and sizes. But, not all of them are created equally. They don’t all have the same quality and some are a lot more expensive than others. The types are designed for a range of purposes. This is because they are each focusing on a different point of view. It is important that before you purchase one that you know what you want. Here are the five most common microscope types:
- Stereo
- Compound
- Inverted
- Metallurgical
- Polarizing
Software Options
Have you ever seen a photo on your phone and wanted to see it on a real, full-size digital microscope? There are plenty of apps out there that can help you do this and more.
Using apps for your smartphone or specialized software, you’ll be able to zoom into a variety of items and understand them in greater detail.
This software is focused on making science, engineering, and biology easier to understand.
Fun Experiments
Microscope experiments are so much fun and you don’t have to get your hands dirty to do them. It takes a decent amount of time and investment to follow through with the experiments but they are infinitely rewarding.
By conducting experiments, kids and adults can gain the opportunity to learn in a fun, hands-on way.
Microscope-Detective provides a variety of interesting experiments ranging from examining cobwebs, looking at the fine details on money, evaluating pond water, getting a closeup magnified look at common spices (sugar, salt, etc.), and more. A powerful magnification zoom can show stunning discoveries!
Using Slides
A slide is the best way to collect and observe biological samples. Slides are useful for anything that includes looking in the scope. These slides are used for many things, but one of the most common uses for them is to grow bacteria for lab or fieldwork.
Many kids use microscope slides as a method to explain a scientific concept. However, most of them are expensive and have large glass mirrors which can be difficult to use.
Warranty Info
These precision tools are expensive items that cost a lot of money to buy. You should purchase an option that has a warranty on it. If you are purchasing one, make sure you look at the warranty info- whether you’re getting a 1-year warranty, a 2-year warranty, or just a 30-day warranty.
If you already own a microscope and it breaks down, it is important that you’re covered. While warranties might be expensive add ons, they are well worth it because the warranty can potentially reimburse you for damaged or defective parts.
Understanding Magnification
The more you look at something, the more you see it. This is a principle with the microscope magnification. The closer you look into it at something microscopic, the more detail you will be able to see.
A microscope is a significant tool for learning because it allows you to magnify up to 100,000 times. It is also a highly useful tool because the magnifier comes with a light to help make what you’re studying more visible.
Magnification of a microscope is a term used to describe the power level of the lens. Magnification can be explained as magnification being the number of times the lens magnification is doubled.
Important Concepts
Magnification range is the distance your device is able to zoom in on a specimen. The magnification range is measured in either microns or wavelengths. Magnification range is an important consideration to make when buying one so you can use your device effectively. Using a smaller magnification range when you don’t need to can be inefficient.
Compound magnification is a method where one lens is used twice to magnify an image. This increases the size of the image. Compound lenses work by combining the zoom with the straight focal length at one lens. Compound lenses are convenient because you can adjust the zoom and the focus simultaneously.
Compound microscopes use both a low and high power objective lens to give a much higher zoom then ordinary lenses. This is mainly because the lenses work together allowing for magnification without distortion.
Objective microscope lenses are a great option if you want a good quality product but don’t want to pay a lot for it. Objective microscope lenses are affordable and offer good quality.
Objective lenses have many benefits due to them being able to take photos of fine details. This is one of the best features of objective lenses.
Objective lenses are considered more durable and last longer than others. They also have better clarity and magnification which is vital for the success of the product.
In this blog post, I have outlined how to use digital scopes and a basic overview of what these digital options can do for you. They can be really useful if you are doing some scientific experiments and so on. I hope the information in this blog has been helpful and that it will help make your life easier!
