Compound microscopes are special types of microscopes that make use of several lenses to delve into the microscopic world. Depending on the model and manufacturer of the compound microscope, the magnification levels can be much higher or lower than some of the generic or standard type microscopes. The normal power of magnification will start from 10x, move up to 100x, then 400x, and then usually up to 900x. Some of the more powerful compound microscopes could have magnification levels exceeding the 900x lenses, but they are usually not inexpensive.

Some of the best options in compound microscopes can be found from leaders in lens technologies. Although there is no real way to gauge which microscopes are best, it is safe to go with companies that are most trusted in their compound microscope technologies. This prevents you from looking into companies that may not yet have their technologies perfected or use inferior parts and lenses to create their compound microscopes, yet they still charge the same amount or more than the leading manufacturers of trusted compound microscope technologies. It is important to always look into getting the highest quality compound microscope available to ensure that you get the best imaging of microscopic subjects available.

Taking the time to research which compound microscopes are best suited for the type of work you will be doing will offer you a better idea of what to look for. Some of the compound microscopes will offer you the ability to use filters to help block out different spectrums of light to better see some of the microscopic subjects that you may obtain. Sometimes looking at subjects as small as blood cells requires special filters to see parts of cells that are not visible with normal light.