Compound and stereo microscopes, whether monocular, binocular, or trinocular microscopes are critical to biological research. Binocular microscopes among them are the most commonly used in schools and research labs. These microscopes have two eyepieces to give you in-depth observation of the samples. They allow you to observe biological and electrical samples at varying magnifications. You can observe samples as small as germs to as big as electric circuits in binocular microscopes. However, finding the right binocular microscope can be hard when you have so many options. Keep reading to know all about the best binocular microscopes.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
Product | Brand | Magnification | Material |
OMAX LED Binocular Compound Lab Microscope | OMAX | 40x – 2000x | Solid Metal |
SE306R-P-LED Binocular Stereo Microscope | AmScope | Max. 40x | Metal |
SW380B Magnification | Swift | 40x – 2500x | Metal |
SV605 Compound Binocular Microscope | SVBONY | 80x – 1600x | Aluminum Alloy |
B120C Siedentopf Binocular Compound Microscope | AmScope | 40x – 2500x | Cast Steel |
Binocular Microscope, Compound Microscope | Generic | 40x – 1000x | Metal |
OMAX 40X-2000X LED Binocular Compound Lab Microscope
40x – 2000x magnification | Eight magnification levels | Camera compatible |
Coaxial coarse and fine knobs | Best for biological samples | It comes with microscope slides and cover slips |

OMAX is a widely known name among microscope manufacturers and brands. It offers various options of microscopes including several binocular microscope options such as the M82ES-SC100-LP100. It ranks at #2 in Lab Compound Binocular Microscopes.
This microscope is suitable for use at home, in schools, and in colleges. Students and researchers use high-resolution compound microscopes to study the properties of biological samples. Eight magnification levels between 40x and 2000x enable you to study a vast variety of objects in an extensive magnification range. The microscope allows you to study the structure of cells, tissues, bacteria, blood, soil, and other biological samples.
The viewing head is a sliding binocular viewing head with two pairs of widefield eyepieces of 10x and 20x. Furthermore, the rotating nosepiece has four interchangeable objective lenses of 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. Clear, crisp images are obtained with the help of coaxial coarse and fine focus knobs. The packaging of this microscope contains 100 clean microscope slides, 100 cover slips, and 100 pieces of lens cleaning paper.
You can connect this OMAX binocular microscope to a USB digital camera to record your observations and share them with others. It is best for capturing pictures and recording videos. You may also look for the MU1803 Microscope USB camera to take high-quality images.
• Eight magnification levels
• Camera compatible
• Shipped assembled
• It comes with microscope slides and cover slips
Check other OMAX microscopes here.
AmScope SE306R-P-LED Forward-Mounted Binocular Stereo Microscope
40x maximum magnification | Long focal length | Forward-mounted binocular head |
Transmitted and reflected LED light | Interchangeable objective lenses | Black and white reversible stage plates |

AmScope has a good brand reputation when it comes to selling different microscopes. If you are looking for a binocular microscope acquiring brightfield and darkfield microscopy, the SE306R-P-LED Forward-Mounted Binocular Stereo Microscope is the best option. It is labeled Amazon’s Choice for “binocular microscope for adults” and stands #9 on the list of Lab Stereo Microscopes.
This microscope comes with a pair of 10x18mm widefield eyepiece lenses and two objective lenses of 2x and 4x. They offer a maximum magnification of 40x using interchangeable objective lenses. Stereo microscopes are perfect for observing samples in the physics lab and for soldering electrical circuits. You may also examine biological samples like insects, leaves, flowers, etc. The pillar stand and two-stage plates make it easy to mount and study the specimens.
The viewing head of the SE306R-P-LED microscope is forward-facing with an interpupillary range of 55 to 75mm. It is inclined at a 45-degree angle to enable easy viewing for children and students. They have fully coated optical glass to produce crisp, high-resolution images. Both eyepieces have dioptric adjustments to facilitate observers with an eye-strength difference.
It also has upper and lower LED lighting for high brightness. LEDs are cooler than halogen lighting and allow you to work with temperature-sensitive samples. The upper illumination reflects the light off the specimen to improve the visibility of opaque objects. At the same time, the lower light brightens the sample from below to ensure easy examination of transparent objects. You can use the transmitted and reflected lighting to observe samples in the reversible white and backstage plate.
The microscope comes with frosted stage plates to view translucent and transparent objects. The eye guards on the microscope lens reduce strain on your eyes while observing samples for a long time. It is best for observing electronics and coins to study their intricate details. The box has 3 rechargeable AA batteries to operate the microscope beside the power cord. AmScope provides a dust cover with the microscope to protect it from damage.
• Adjustable interpupillary distance
• Interchangeable objective lenses
• Long focal length
• Transmitted and reflected LED light
• Frosted stage plates
• Black and white reversible stage plates
Swift SW380B 40X-2500X Magnification
40x – 2500x magnification | 30-degree ergonomic viewing head | Glass eyepiece lenses |
Ultra-precise focusing | Optional 5.0MP camera | Low weight |

When looking for a premium-quality compound microscope, Swift comes to the top of trusted brands with its best binocular and trinocular microscopes. Just like Swift SW350T, SW380T, this SW380B by the company is among the best compound microscopes for your needs. It is Amazon’s Choice for “swift sw380b 40x-2500x magnification” and #5 in Lab Compound Binocular Microscopes.
Choosing the right binocular microscope can be difficult but Swift makes the choice easy. This microscope by Swift is a compact, multiple-purpose instrument to study the details of specimens. Hobbyists, science enthusiasts, students, and clinicians can study prepared slides under the SW380B in depth.
It has a 360-degree rotatable Siedentopf head for shared use. It is inclined at a 30-degree angle to ensure ease of usage for long periods. The inclined viewing head avoids neck and eye strain, especially for children and researchers. The binocular head has two widefield interchangeable glass eyepieces of 10x and 25x. They allow you to obtain magnification as high as 2500x with the help of objective lenses of 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. These DIN achromatic lenses let you observe the object at 40x, 100x, 250x, 400x, 1000x, and 2500x.
This microscope also has one of the most important features of a high-quality compound microscope: coarse and fine adjustment knobs. You can use these knobs to study the samples in extremely fine settings to obtain ultra-precise focusing. The SW380B body is made of durable metal and weighs incredibly less (around 11 pounds only). The triangular base and curved arm handle give it a modern, sporty, and expensive look. Besides its sturdiness and style, the design has hues of white, black, and blue to give it a unique look.
You can also buy the same model with a 5.0MP camera to capture images and videos of the specimens. The camera has processing and editing software compatible with Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and Mac OS X. It also offers advanced features like EDF, stitching, and measurement of the sample. It is an excellent microscope for students as this bundle also contains 100 blank microscope slides, 100 cover slips, and 50 pieces of lens cleaning paper.
• Ultra-precise focusing
• Low weight
• Optional 5.0MP camera with microscope slides
• Value for money
SVBONY SV605 Compound Binocular Microscope 80X-1600X
80x to 1600x magnification | 45-degree inclination | 360-degree rotatable head |
Six different magnifications | Dual power supply | Preassembled |

While SVBONY might not be among the most well-known names in compound microscopes, the SVBONY SV605 Compound Binocular Microscope is at #14 in Lab Compound Binocular Microscopes. So, you do not have to worry about the quality when buying this microscope. Let’s tell you more about it.
The microscope is comparatively a low magnification compound microscope with magnification up to 1600x. This magnification is achieved through 10x and 20x widefield ocular lenses combined with objective lenses. It also has a built-in 20x extender to view specimens at varying magnifications of 80x, 160x, 200x, 400x, 800x, and 1600x. The adjustable ocular distance of 55mm to 75mm makes sure every observer gets the most accurate view.
The 45-degree vertically inclined head improves observation by offering a comfortable view for long hours. Students and researchers can also share the observation with fellows through the 360-degree adjustable binocular head. The LED illumination provides high-quality images through upper and lower dual illumination, improving the use of the microscope in labs. You may use both at the same time or as per need. They give detailed views of the samples with true colors for transparent and translucent specimens. It offers a two-layer mechanical stage like the other top names in the market.
Still, the movement on the x and y axis is quite smooth and you do not have to touch the slider manually. You can easily move the stage up and down or left and right using the x and y-axis. The coarse and fine focus knobs provide a detailed view of the samples on the slides. It is incredibly easy to use for beginners.
The body is made of aluminum alloy in black, white, and silver color and weighs around 1.5kg. This microscope operates through a dual power supply including a power cord and battery. It enables you to use it inside or outside anytime. The highlight is that you do not have to assemble this piece of equipment. Just take it out of the box and start right away.
This microscope is suitable for school and college students to observe bacteria, blood cells, soil samples, and tissues. It does not give in-depth details about the specimen but allows the students to understand the structure. SVBONY SV605 is also a preferred choice for hobbyists and young students.
• Easy x and y-axis mechanical movement
• Dual power supply
• No need to assemble
AmScope B120C Siedentopf Binocular Compound Microscope
40x – 2500x magnification | Compact size | Different camera options |
Six magnification levels | Fly-eye lens LED | Solid construction |

The AmScope B120C Siedentopf Binocular Compound Microscope can be the best choice for you if you want a compact microscope with a camera. The best feature of this microscope is that you may buy it without a camera or choose from three different resolution options.
It is preferred by many microscope enthusiasts and also Amazon’s Choice for a “binocular microscope.” It stands #3 in Lab Compound Binocular Microscopes and #15 in Lab Microscope Equipment.
The AmScope B120C is a compound binocular microscope used in biology and research labs to study samples such as cells and bacteria. It is one of the best microbiology microscopes. It has two pairs of 10x and 25x widefield lenses that give clear observation of the samples. The eyepieces have a pupillary adjustment of 53mm to 77mm with dioptric adjustment for the eye-strength difference. The lenses produce a magnification of 40x to 2500x through their combined action with the objective lenses. You can study the specimen from 40x, 100x, 250x, 400x, and 1000x to 2500x magnification.
The microscope comes with interchangeable 4x, 10x, 40x (spring), and 100x (spring and oil) lenses. The spring in the 40x and 100x lenses save them from damage. You can use the 100x lens with oil to experience a comparatively better resolution.
You can observe the samples clearly using the Brightfield LED lights with fly-eye lens converged through the 1.25NA Abbe condenser. Transparent and translucent objects absorb the transmitted light, giving a dark image on a light background. These lights are also suitable for light-sensitive specimens. The condenser allows you to adjust the distance between the stage and the light. The additional iris diaphragm also plays a major role in adjusting illumination. Furthermore, the coarse and fine knobs improve the quality of the images drastically.
The AmScope microscope is different from your usual boring black-and-white microscopes. The design comprises various colors including silver, white, blue, and black. Compared to many other models, the body of this microscope is enamel-coated. This enamel-coated steel body is resistant to corrosion and stains.
Moreover, you can also buy a camera for the microscope from the manufacturer. It lets you observe the sample from one eyepiece and take images from the other. The cameras are available in 1.0MP, 3.0MP, and 5.0MP. While digital microscopes are a more suitable option, you may use cameras with B120C as well.
• Multiple magnification levels
• Different choices of cameras
• Small, compact size
• Enamel-coated resistant steel body
• Spring and oil leases
• Inexpensive
Generic 40X-1000X Compound Binocular Microscope
40x – 1000x magnification | Two-way LED | Vernier scale |
4x, 10x, 40x objectives | Smooth stage clips | Comes with prepared slides |

If you are looking for a microscope under $100, search no more! Though it does not damage your pocket, it is a perfect choice for microscope enthusiasts. The microscope’s image clarity and quality have brought it to #14 in Lab Compound Binocular Microscopes.
The binocular microscope offers five different magnifications between 40x and 1000x. You can observe the specimens in 40x, 100x, 250x, 400x, and 1000x per need. The magnification is obtained through the combined working of the different microscope lenses including the eyepiece and objective lenses. The ocular lenses are widefield glass pieces of 10x and 25x while the objectives are DIN achromatic ranging between 4x and 40x.
Opposed to most microscope models, this affordable compound microscope has two-way LED illumination. You may use the top or bottom LEDs according to the observation requirements. The top LED is suitable for opaque objects while the light beneath the stage allows you to get a better view of transparent and translucent samples. The image is further enhanced by the use of fine and coarse knobs to adjust the clarity of the lens. They are smooth and easy to use, allowing you to look at the fine details of the specimens.
The vernier scale and x & y-axis adjustments are other notable features of this microscope. Not only does the mechanical stage offer movement across both axes, but the conveniently moving stage clips also enable easy observation of different samples. The adjustable interpupillary distance allows ease of study with a 45-degree inclined viewing head. Furthermore, you can also capture images and record videos with your smartphone using the cell phone adapter. The microscope comes with prepared slides to give you an insight into the micro world.
However, considering the price of the microscope, it is not the right choice for research or college-level study. It is more suitable as a microscope for children, microscope enthusiasts, hobbyists, and school students.
• Two-way LED for opaque and transparent objects
• Vernier scale for measurement
• Smooth stage clips
The Bottom Line
Binocular microscopes are the most widely used among monoculars, binoculars, and trinoculars. They come in different magnifications ranging from 40x magnification to 2000x magnification microscopes and more. You can pick the best binocular microscope for your needs when you know the specifications of different models. We hope this article helped you pick the best one from the numerous options.
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