A pocket microscope is a miniature microscope designed to fit easily into your pocket for portable use. Although many are advertised as pocket microscopes, some are not actually small enough to fit into a pocket. However, their small size still makes them incredibly useful and convenient.
These mini microscopes are composed of a small body, a light at one end and the eyepiece at the other. Certain models also come with a very handy stage to place and position specimens while you observe them. Some models don’t come with a stage, in which case you simply hold it over the item and adjust it accordingly until it’s within view.
Pocket microscopes are usually powered by replaceable batteries. It’s always worthwhile having spare batteries with you when you are out in the field so you won’t be disappointed if the battery goes flat.
Because portable microscopes are small it’s very common in cheap models to see a reversed image. This is due to a lack of space for components such as mirrors which adjust the image that you would see in standard microscopes. For this reason, it’s essential you take the time to get acquainted with the product range and make sure you get the best value for your money.
What Are Pocket Microscopes Used For?
Pocket microscopes have many uses and due to their small size are the only truly portable type of microscope. They are great for fun learning activities without the need to invest in more expensive types of microscopes, and may even be a precursor to a more expensive microscope.
Pocket microscopes are a more powerful alternative to using a magnifying glass and suitable for children interested in exploring the natural world in which they live and play. They are also very useful for hobbyists enabling them to see their subjects such as stamps, coins, and tapestry in greater detail.
Scientists can use pocket microscopes when they’re in the field for preliminary examination. Other professional uses may include such activities as appraising antiques or checking the stitching on textiles.
Their relatively low cost, ease of use and portability, is appealing to many people with many different interests.
Common uses of the portable microscope include:
- Dentistry
- Gardening
- Entomology (the study of insects)
- Coin collecting
- Appraising
- Geology
- Tailoring
- Computer Technicians
- And many many more
How To Choose The Best Pocket Microscope
When searching for a microscope that’s small and portable, one of the most important things to be aware of is that not all models are equal. In fact, as these microscopes are small and easy to manufacture there is a huge amount of low quality, fragile and very cheap models that should be avoided at all costs.
It’s also important to know about the different features available and the characteristics of the models, as that way you know which one will suit your requirements. These include:
Lighting – Microscopes that utilize a light-emitting diode (LED) are superior to ones that use older types of illumination as they are far brighter and last much longer. Today there are numerous models of pocket microscopes that offer LED lighting which provides a bright light so you can easily see what you are looking at.
Magnification – When choosing a portable microscope you’ll want to give a bit of thought to the magnification. Pocket microscopes offer very different ranges of magnification, including low magnifications of 20x, 30x, or 40x and more powerful options such as 60x and 100x.
Zoom – Sometimes when looking closely at a sample, it’s easy to get forget what magnification you are using when looking at a subject. With a zoom feature you just have to zoom out again to get your bearings and so this feature is preferable.
If you’re just buying your microscope for a bit of fun or for young children, then a low magnification should be fine, however, if you’re going to be carrying out more professional activities such as studying insects or circuit board inspection you will want a higher magnification.
Check out these Pocket Microscopes
| Pocket Microscopes | Best For |
|---|---|
| Kingmas Mini 60x Microscope | A handy tiny microscope which is easy to carry around and easy to use. |
| Carson MicroFlip Microscope | A useful portable handheld microscope which can be used for viewing specimens on a microscope slide out in the field. |
| Cell Phone Microscope | A fun gadget for kids and adults that enables images of the microscopic world to be shared easily. |
*All links above will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, or you can read our in-depth pocket microscope reviews below.
- Magnification: 60x
- Light: LED
- Size: 1.45 x 0.59 x 1.37 inches
Pros:
At 1.45 x 1.37 x 0.59 inches long, the Kingmas Mini 60x Microscope is a tiny microscope. In fact, it’s even very small for a pocket microscope. Most Pocket microscopes do not actually fit in your pocket, but this one certainly will.
The tiny size could be a benefit for those looking for a microscope for biological and crop work outdoors, such as when studying grasses and other plants. It can also be used for the examination of coins and stamps, and by jewelers when making or appraising jewelry.
The Kingmas Mini Microscope comes fitted with bright LED lights to enhance the image quality, as well as a blue UV light which is useful when looking for scratches on coins as part of the valuation process. It is also particularly useful for gemstone polishing.
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The use of LED lighting is great as you don’t have to change batteries as often as for other batteries, and it provides a nice bright white light.
Some other great features include:
- Magnification of up to 60x (although a few customers have noted that they don’t believe it reaches this magnification)
- Metal and plastic body that is sturdier than it looks
- Clear image with good optics
- Long-lasting LED illumination both white and UV
- A handy faux leather carry pouch
- Very easy to use
Cons:
The main disadvantage may be that this product is so small it could be easy to lose, so take care to put it in a safe place.
In Summary:
The KINGMAS Mini 60x Microscope is recommended based on its price point, ease of use and the illumination it provides.
- Magnification: 100x-250x
- Light: LED
- Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 4.25 inches
Pros:
The Carson MicroFlip Microscope is highly portable and versatile for the price. A Microscope Case is also available to carry and protect the Carson MicroFlip Microscope and other small accessories such as slides, tweezers, razor blades, small scissors, spare battery, for your convenience.
This pocket microscope (large pockets only) is ideal for scientists, amateurs, and students for a wide variety of applications, especially when out in the field.
The Carson MicroFlip Microscope has an easy slide zoom knob, a focus knob, push buttons for LED and UV lights.
A plastic stage for holding slides at the bottom of the microscope can be flipped out of the way to enable the close up viewing of the surfaces of larger objects. This also enables use of the UV light as a flashlight which could be handy for detecting scratches on coins, mineral observation, and detection of some insects counterfeit notes.
The Carson MicroFlip requires 1xAA battery which enhances the flexibility of the microscope, enabling it to be used out of range of power plugs. The battery is not included in the package.
A handy microscope case has also been made just for the Carson MicroFlip Microscope. Providing protection from the wind and rain, it also helps to protect the microscope from bumps and scratches out in the field.
Commissions may be earned from the links above
Commissions may be earned from the links above
Some other great features of the Carson MicroFlip include:
- the LED light source provides optimum illumination of the subject, allowing for maximum detail and close up examination.
- magnification of 100x-250x
- the inclusion of a Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter Clip for attachment to most smartphones. This enables the ability to view the specimen on the phone screen.
- Great value for money.
Cons:
When attached to a smartphone and while trying to view a slide specimen it may take some practise to keep the microscope stable.
In Summary:
The Carson MicroFlip Microscope is a great tool for the initial inspection of specimens out in the field.
Cell Phone Microscope up to 200x
- Magnification: Up to 200x
- Light: LED
- Size: 2.2 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches
Pros:
This Cell Phone Microscope is a neat little gadget to have some fun with. It may also be useful to students, hobbyists, and professionals who want to enlarge a small part of an object and share it with friends and colleagues by using their phone.
This microscope must be attached to a cell phone to work and it will attach to most cell phone models. It clips over the phone camera, is lined up carefully, the LED light source is turned on and the cell phone is turned on. If you have a multi lens camera on your phone, make sure you have the microscope fitted directly over the right lens.
The Cell Phone Microscope is capable of enabling a magnification up to 200x, but the magnification on your cell phone will determine the best magnification you can achieve.
This mini microscope comes with a CPL lens, (Circular Polarizer/Linear), which is a filtering lens that reduces the glare from reflected surfaces and makes your image clearer.
Some other great features include:
- the LED light source provides 2 levels of brightness
- the mini microscope comes with a universal clip on for easy attachment to your cell phone
- it uses a USB-C rechargeable battery to power the light and comes with a USB cable to make recharging easy.
- The microscope does need to be very close to the surface of the object to get the best focus
- For this reason, the area that can be viewed at one time is very restricted.