Best Magnifying Glasses for Professional and Occasional Use in the UK

There are many occupations related to detailed work. Just to name a few, it’s a jeweller, a clocksmith or watchmaker, an electronic engineer, and restoration artist. Can you imagine how hard it is to ornament an earring with little diamonds, find a broken spring in a miniature watch mechanism, solder tiny elements of an electronic chip, or eliminate almost invisible cracks on a medieval picture? This is where good magnification is a must and a good magnifying glass becomes an indispensable tool.

The H&S magnifier is exactly that kind of tool. The first thing you will like about this model is a table-mounted design that is essential when you need both hands to be free for the job. The device features a universal clamp allowing you to attach it to any table or workbench and additional leg supports for added stability on any surface. A flexible shaft will let you lower or lift the lens for more precise study while built-in LED lights ensure better visibility. Though the magnifier has only one lens, actually you will get two. A 110mm 2.5X main lens also accommodates a small 5x inset spot lens for maximum magnification. Besides, for your added convenience there are two flexible crocodile clips on the base that will not only securely fix the item for magnification but also will let you adjust the optimal working angle.

The H&S magnifying glass on a stand will come in handy for any detailed work you have at hand, be it artwork or simply the need to see something close-up.

What makes a good magnifier? Of course, it’s a powerful lens made of top-quality glass. And if you get a variety of lenses going with a single device, it will be one of the best magnifiers. This is the very feature that differs the Fancii magnifying glass from other glasses on our shortlist and many other loupes on the market.

The model comes with 3 lenses made of scratch-resistant distortion-free glass and ensuring the ultimate optical clarity with the maximum view. The diameter of the prime lens is large enough that makes it fit for a variety of applications while two smaller lenses will suffice for more simplistic tasks. Thus, the 2X main lens is ideal for reading books, newspapers, and maps. The 4X auxiliary lens is perfect for examining fine prints and images, and the 10X loupe is suitable for jewellery appraisal, circuit boards, stamps, gems and rarities. The best thing is that you don’t have to switch between lenses, they come embodied in one device allowing you to have all three always at hand. The loupe has a comfortable ergonomic handle to be conveniently used by children and adults, hobbyists and professionals alike.

The body and the lens itself are made of durable materials, and you can be sure it's not going to break or crack during transportation. To protect the lens from damages during transportation and clean it from fingerprints before use, the magnifier is complete with a soft velvet travel pouch and a cleaning cloth. All of this makes it helpful for travellers and explorers, those who need it for infrequent use, and you can even safely give it to your kids to use for their project works or discover and explore things.

At a glance, the BearMoo handheld lens looks like a mere loupe. Yet, don’t let this seeming simplicity fool you. This model has a number of helpful and interesting features to offer a hobbyist, occasional user, and even a professional.

One of the distinguishing advantages of this model is two premium quality lenses made of crystal glass. Unlike common acrylic lenses the majority of other models come fitted with, a glass lens ensures the highest level of clarity and delivers a superb image quality with no blurs and distortions. Another stand-out feature you will hardly find even in top-sellers and we can’t leave unnoticed is a spot lens that boasts 45X magnification. It’s one of the highest possible magnification levels that will give you the closest view allowing you to see the material structure, decipher the tiniest signs and symbols, and detect inconspicuous defects you won’t be able to see with a naked eye. It’s a real find for coin collectors, jewellers estimating the purity, quality, and cost of precious gems, and modellers creating miniatures with tons of itsy-bitsy details.

Speaking of the convenience of use, the loupe offers a well-balanced design with an ergonomically shaped handle providing a firm and secure grip. For exceptional visibility under any light conditions and to help you keep an eye on details, there are 3 small yet bright LED lights. They are conveniently controlled by a press button located on the handle within easy reach.

This illuminated magnifying glass from BearMoo is one of the best options when you need to complete tasks requiring the ultimate precision.

What is peculiar about Carson company is that anyone can find optics to their liking from the range of its products. There might be situations when one urgently needs a magnifier, especially its true about people who have low vision. The magni glass we've picked for our review is a small-size handheld loupe that can fit your handbag, purse, or pocket. Due to a compact and lightweight design, you can easily carry the Carson handheld loupe with you and use it instead of regular reading glasses. It’s a very handy option for those who hate wearing glasses. Yet, its use isn't limited to reading. It’s an excellent magnifier for examining fine details in currency and stamps, inspecting intricate details for jewellery making, model building and other crafts and hobbies.

Designed with the aspherics, the lens provides incredibly sharp and clear view without blurs and distortions that are often found in models with ordinary lenses. For user convenience, the lens comes fitted with an LED light that makes it suitable for use under low light conditions. In addition, a slide out design securely protects the lens from scratches and damages.

The Carson folding magnifier is an excellent option, if you need a lens for occasional use that does not cost a fortune and will perfectly fit into your pocket.

In adventure movies about pirates hunting for treasures and explorers searching for undiscovered lands, in a captain’s cabin near the map you will always see a loupe for map reading which is a simple magnifying glass in a wooden or steel frame with a handle. The Mercury 700.54 magniglass looks just like those traditional hand glasses, bringing us back to the times of brave marine travellers. You might claim it’s too simple for our modern world of smart technologies. Yet, sometimes, simplicity is rather a benefit than a drawback and the Mercury magnifier is the very case. In this model, simplicity defines its functionality and ease of use. See for yourself.

The device is really a conventional loupe with a 6X lens securely fixed inside a round frame with a handle. But this no-frills design is very durable and convenient in use. The frame of high-quality plastic is pretty wide securely protecting the lens from scratches and damages when lying on a solid surface made of wood, stone, glass, or metal. Meanwhile, a handle provides a comfortable grip for a long-lasting use.

As simple as it is, this small magnifying glass from Mercury is suitable for a whole variety of applications. It’s ideal for examining old documents with small prints and blurred inscriptions, viewing fine details in books, magazines or maps as well as for looking at rarity coins, butterflies and bugs from your collections. Greatly reducing eye strain, it can be used for nearly any close-up work and will be highly appreciated by people with low vision, to say nothing of hobbyists, modeller, and craftsmen.