The 10 Best Microscopes For Kids

Editor's Notes

September 11, 2020:

While there wasn't a ton of turnover in this category recently, we did see fit to remove the Gosky model from our rankings for a few reasons. To start with, its illumination source was a big disappointment, and even moderately opaque samples could render it difficult to use. Its included smartphone adapter was a nice touch, but the monocular eyepiece it came with was uncomfortable to use. We replaced it with a nice model in the Omano Full Size Monocular, which is definitely intended for use by students in levels ranging up to high school, though it's probably best suited to grade schoolers.

The age-appropriateness of a given model will likely be the determining factor for most people. Something like the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking is very clearly targeted to kids so young they might not even fully comprehend the tool they're using until they've spent a little time with its interactive voice feature. Moving up the age scale, you'll find nice sets that include a series of prefabricated slides and experiments for kids to engage with, like growing brine shrimp. The AmScope M30 Beginner is a good choice among these if you're looking to stick with a brand name that produces significantly powerful professional microscopes, but it does come with a plastic scalpel that might make it a better choice for parents who know they can be there to observe their kids as they play.

October 24, 2018:

A little suspicious that the Omano model shares its activity book with an AmScope model, but both companies most likely sourced the book from a third party. As a category, models seem to increase in price as they increase in target age group, with a smaller, but undeniable corresponding increase in quality.