There are different types of educational microscopes and this makes buying one a challenge.
Functionality, ease of use, proper settings with high-quality construction and durability are some of the important things to look for when buying educational microscopes.

• Think about purpose: First, you must think of the actual purpose for which you are planning to buy an educational microscope.
  There are many types of instruments in the market: light microscopes, stereoscopes that provide highly precise magnifications and crisp 3-D optics, and instruments which use fluorescent imaging techniques.
  There are also monocular and binocular models.
  So you have to decide which type and model best meets all your requirements.
  
• Focus on quality rather than pricing: It is not advisable to compromise on quality and opt for a microscope that costs less.
  Choose a model which is offering the features you want.
  Make sure the features are proportional to the pricing.
  Fortunately, some lab equipment stores offer quality models at prices that are quite low compared to the actual market rate.
  
• Check technical specifications: Always check whether the chosen microscope features technical specifications that meet the highest industry standards.
  Though the actual specifications vary with different models and pricing, optical quality should be given priority.
  
• Consider durability: Durability is a desirable quality for school and college microscopes.
  The key here is to give importance to construction.
  The instruments must be able to withstand prolonged use.
  Features such as heavy cast alloy, acid and reagent resistant finish, and all metal gearing are useful.
  The NICO M220FL-D by UNICO, for instance, is a durable and dependable instrument specifically designed for high school biology.
  It is built to last and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
  

Features to Look For Make sure you can get accurate and clear results without sacrificing observation quality.
Great lenses without a quality focus system are of little use.
Resolution depends on the objective lens.
Purchase an instrument that adheres to DIN standard so that if one of the objective lenses get lost or damaged, it can be replaced with a lens of any brand.
"Achromatic" is another specification to look for in a microscope for educational applications.
Lenses that are achromatic are color corrected.
If the lens is not color corrected, your microscope will fail to a comprehensive view of the specimen.
A wide field eye piece is also a useful feature as it makes it easy to position the eye properly for viewing.
It will also enhance the width of the field of view.
Popular Educational Microscopes LW Scientific and Unico are leading manufacturers offering educational microscopes with high-tech features for optimal viewing results.
Some popular models include

• LW Scientific Video System 1Z - Zoom, Camera, Flat Screen
• Unico Dual Head Microscope with LED
• LW Scientific Premium Loupes, Galilean 2.
  5x, 340mm SHORT WD with Glasses
• LW Scientific Student PRO - LED, 4 obj, Abbe, Iris, Coaxial, Built-in Mech Stg
• LW Scientific DM-Dual Mag Stereoscope 10X/30X on dual LED light stand
• Unico Binocular Microscope with LED
• Unico Monocular Microscope with LED

Select a Reliable Lab Equipment Supplier When taking into account the tips for buying educational microscopes, take care to choose a reliable supplier.
The right store would offer the choice of quality models from leading brands, and also guide you in choosing the best model for your needs.