Are you looking for an affordable high-performance, digital microscope? With the many microscopes available on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one will be right for you. In this USB digital microscope review, we look at the best options available on the market.
You should research well to find the best USB digital microscope for your school research. Before we look at some USB microscope reviews, let’s see what you should consider before buying.
Guide to Choosing a USB Digital Microscope
Consider the following when choosing a USB digital microscope:
Camera Resolution
Camera resolution is one of the important factors to consider when looking to buy a USB digital microscope. The higher the camera resolution, the more detail you will be able to see on your specimen.
Compatibility
Check whether the USB digital microscope will be compatible with your device. Ideally, you want a microscope that can support all the major Operating Systems and the computer you use. On the minimum, make sure the microscope can run on Windows and Mac devices.
Magnification Rate
Among the important features to look for when evaluating potential microscopes to buy is their magnification rate. School digital microscopes provide a decent magnification range but not the best in class.
USB digital microscopes offer various levels of magnifications, with the most common one being 40X to 2000X. The higher the magnification range, the more details you can get to see on a specimen.
Portability
The best USB digital microscopes are those that are easy to carry around. When you are in nursing school, you will be carrying lots of books and special equipment in your bag. Thus, you want a microscope that will not add a lot of weight to you bad. Choose a lightweight microscope that is durable.
There are two main types of portable microscopes on the market. The microscopes are different mainly in weight in price. Full-size microscopes can weight up to 10 lbs. and are quite expensive. However, they provide clear and high-quality images and video. These microscopes are recommended for students that have to take experiments.
There is also a small version of the portable microscope that is affordable and easy to carry around.
Budget
Consider your budget to know whether you can afford the microscope you would like to buy. The prices of digital microscopes vary depending mainly on their features. Microscopes with high-end features cost more than those with average features.
To determine the right USB digital microscope to buy, think of the reason why you would like to purchase the device. What kind of school projects will you be undertaking? Also, do you need a high-end microscope or would an affordable one do just fine?
USB Digital Microscope Reviews
Below is an overview of the best USB digital microscopes on the market.
#1. OMAX Digital Lab
The OMAX Digital Lab is the best USB digital microscope for students. This device has a 2000X magnification rate and comes with 8 different magnifications, depending on your need. The microscope’s glasses are made from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting design and attention to details.
The digital microscope’s camera is compatible with both Mac and Windows and comes with a 5-year warranty.
What We Love
- Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems
- Sold with a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer
- Easy to assemble and has many great features
- Built-in camera for taking pictures which you can store on your laptop through USB
- Has 8 different levels of magnifications
Editor’s Note
The OMAX Digital Lab is the best microscope for nurses and students. The multiple magnification rates make it suitable for examining specimens of various sizes.
#2. AmScope M150C-ES
The AmScope M150C-ES has five different magnification rates, ranging from 40X to 1000X. The device is lightweight, affordable and is powered by batteries or wall-power. The microscope has LED illumination that ensures you have the best visibility of the specimen you are studying.
The student microscope has a powerful 5MP digital camera that takes quality photos and videos. The microscope is compatible with both iOS and Windows devices.
What We Like
- The monocular head can be rotated 360 degrees for easy viewing of your specimen
- 5 different magnification level; 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, and 1000X
- Comes with a user-friendly Windows software
- Made of sturdy metal that makes it durable
- Has a 5MP camera that takes clear photos and videos
- Features a USB 2.0 port for connecting to your laptop
Editor’s Note
The AmScope offers just the right features that students would need in a microscope. The model is affordable and is our second best USB digital microscope.
#3. Koolertron Digital
If you need a high performance, portable, and efficient digital microscope, get the Koolertron. The microscope has a wide and colored 3.5 inches LCD display where you will clearly see images of your specimen before transferring to another device. The microscope has a magnification rate of between 20X and 300X, which is sufficient for most school projects.
The Koolertron Digital has a 5MP digital camera that takes high-quality photos and videos, which you can download on your computer. Before downloading your images or footage, you can see them on the 3.5-inches LCD display.
What We Like
- Powered by Li-Ion rechargeable batteries that can run for 2 hours before needing to be recharged
- Has built-in LEDs that you can use to brighten the areas of the specimen that you would like to observe
- Takes quality pictures and videos through the 5MP camera
- Has a 3.5-inches colored LCD display where you can see pictures in real-time before downloading them
- Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8 and Mac OS versions 10.6 – 10.10
Editor’s Verdict
The Koolertron Digital is an average student microscope when it comes to performance. While it’s affordable, the magnification rate is wanting. For example, while the product’s maximum zoom is 400X, this function only applies to images that you have already taken.
Overall, this is a fun microscope for children and elementary or high school purposes.
#4. Plugable USB 2.0
The Plugable USB2-Micro-250X digital microscope is a budget-friendly option that is designed for children and classroom use. This microscope is an all-round device for all types of buyers, from students to collectors, kids to testers. If you are interested in exploring a microscopic world, this is the microscope you should buy.
The Plugable USB microscope has a 2MP digital camera and a magnification rate of up to 250X. The device can connect to all operating systems through the standard webcam software by using a webcam chipset and software.
The device also comes with a LED halo light that you can adjust depending on your needs when observing a specimen. It also has a flexible arm stand with an observation pad that has graduated marks for easy measurement.
What We Like
- Has a 250X magnification rate, which is sufficient for initial scientific measurements and school projects
- Compatible with various Operating Systems, including Windows and Mac
- Features a 2MP digital camera that takes good quality photos and videos
Editor’s Verdict
The Plugable USB 2.0 microscope is a good digital microscope. The magnification rate is decent and its price is affordable. However, it does not come with an LCD display to see the magnified pictures. You will first have to download the pictures to your laptop to view them. Moreover, it is prone to overheat when used for a long time.
#5. Colemeter USB
The Colemeter USB is a cheap USB digital microscope. If you are looking to gift a nurse or anyone that is interested in exploring the microscopic world, the Colemeter would be a great choice.
The microscope has a Super Hi-Vision 2MP HD camera that captures high-quality videos and pictures, which you can later view on your device. The magnification rate of the device ranges from 20X to 500X. This magnification is sufficient for most school projects.
The Colemeter is one of the best microscopes for students thanks to its high-quality camera. You can also transfer your images or videos to your laptop or share them with other people.
What We Like
- One of the cheapest USB digital microscopes that we recommend
- Comes with a CD that installs all the drivers and software you would need to use the microscope
- Its illumination can be adjusted based on your needs
- Has a fixed base that is made from high-quality materials that are corrosion resistant
Editor’s Verdict
The Colemeter is a good microscope to gift someone that is interested in exploring the microscopic world. Its magnification range is decent and the camera picture and video quality good.
Editor’s Verdict: Which is the Best USB Digital Microscope
From our review, the OMAX Digital Lab is the best USB digital microscope on the market. This microscope comes with an integrated 1.3MP camera and has 8 different magnification levels to suit your different needs.
The second best option is the AmScope M150C-ES as it has similar features.
