Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses

Handheld Magnifiers
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    Handheld magnifying glasses are beneficial low vision aids for someone with low vision and blindness when dealing with tasks like reading, doing crossword puzzles, or anything else that requires you to look at something up close.

    However, many people find that it’s not easy to find the correct magnifier for them. If you’re like this, make sure to read this article so that you know exactly what you should be looking for.

    This article will cover everything you need to know about handheld magnifiers, including magnifiers with and without led lights, magnifiers for reading and hobbies, and an overview of the top magnifiers.

    Magnifying glass with a light

    Why is a handheld magnifying glass with a light important? Have you ever been in a dark room without any light, and it was so dark that you could not see your hand in front of your face?

    Even if your vision is 20/20, your eyes need light to see. The same dynamic is playing out with people with low vision when they use a handheld magnifying glass. Light is critical for your eyes to work and see, and light is one of the things most people with low vision take for granted and overlook. Believe it or not, some people simply eliminate the need to use a magnifying glass by adding strong task light. 

    Have you ever taken a piece of reading material and walked over to the window where bright sunlight makes it easier to read? Most of us do that instinctively. If you have this instinct, you also intuitively get that light is an essential ingredient to see.

    Magnifying glasses without a light only work when ambient lighting in the room is sufficient. Magnifying glasses with a light make a much better tool because they can be used when ambient light is insufficient, like when you are trying to read the menu in a ‘dimly-lit’ restaurant. When using a magnifying glass with a light, you want to ensure the light bulb is LED.

    LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, so it is not a light bulb but a diode that glows when voltage is applied.

    The voltage is usually a battery. Of the many benefits of a LED magnifying glass, the top 4 benefits are that LED’s can emit, based on the quality of the LED, a very bright white light vs. a yellow-ish light often found on a traditional incandescent bulb. This white light is very beneficial for illuminating your reading material. Next is that LEDs last approximately 100,000 hours, which is roughly 30-40 years of regular use, a very long time. The third is that LEDs produce or give off very little heat.

    They remain cool and require less battery power to generate light, allowing batteries to last longer, so less time is spent changing batteries, which also cost less to maintain. Lastly, also based on the quality of the LED, some quality LED’s cast a broad, even light over your reading material versus a single “laser beam.” The broad bright white light is very helpful for helping people with low vision remain functional with many reading tasks.

    In summary, consider upgrading from your old non-illuminated magnifying glass that has been lying around in your kitchen drawer for generations and upgrade to a good professional-grade LED magnifying glass with bright white LED lights. 

    You will likely see the benefit.

    Top Handheld Magnifying glasses with a light

    Mr. Magnifier Handheld Magnifier with Light

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The all-new Mr. Magnifier handheld magnifying glass with light are manufactured with the highest quality, whitest, and brightest LED lights, backed by a Lifetime Warranty. The bright light in the Mr. Magnifier products is the “secret sauce” in creating a magnificent magnifier experience. Any of the four (4) Mr. Magnifier choices are an excellent 1st step if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.

    The Mr. Magnifier handheld magnifiers are available in four different models:

    The Mr. Mangifier Handheld Magnifying Glasses are great for:

    • Only the brightest white LEDs are used, so you will enjoy the enhanced contrast.
    • Our LEDs give a broad, even field of light with no purplish or blue “bright spots.”
    • Using a very bright light lowers magnification, increases field of view, decreases eyestrain, and increases reading speed.
    • Professional grade optics.
    • Durable reinforced contrast-blue switches on all powers. White mounting and handle.
    • Limited Lifetime Warranty.
    • LEDs give long battery life and are warrantied to never burn out.
    • Battery compartments have high contrast battery directional images.

     

    Ruby XL HD Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The Ruby XL HD Handheld Magnifier is often our most popular because it is very simple to operate. It has a 3-hour rechargeable battery, angles at a built-in 45 degrees on a 5″ screen, has an easy automatic ‘on/off’ feature, displays a crystal clear image, and hides a foldable built-in handle. It does not tip; it is stable. The slim Ruby XL HD Handheld Magnifier goes anywhere with you, and you can magnify materials up to 14 times.

    The Ruby XL HD Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • Reading menus in a restaurant
    • Reading RX prescription information
    • Expiration dates on food items
    • Price tags when you’re out shopping
    • Adjusting the thermostat
    • Reading labels

     

    explorē 5 Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The explorē 5 Handheld Magnifier offers one of the best image quality low vision magnifiers packed into a portable powerhouse. The ease of use and outstanding ergonomics make the explorē 5 Handheld Magnifier the device selected by active people looking for a magnifier they can take everywhere.

    The explore 5 Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • Magnify menus
    • The fine print on documents
    • Reading packaging labels and much more.
    • It’s one of the perfect handheld magnifiers for people with limited technical knowledge because it’s easy to use – no instructions are necessary.

     

    Handheld Magnifying glasses for hobbies

    What is the benefit of using a magnifying glass for hobbies? What are some hobbies where using a magnifying glass can help? 

    The main benefit of using a handheld magnifying glass is that Bigger is often better at seeing things. The answer and solution often is, “Make it Bigger”! One of the main hobbies for most people is crossword puzzles. However, it gets increasingly difficult for many people with low vision to see the crossword puzzle.

    Using a handheld magnifying glass is a common solution. Make sure your magnifying glass is an illuminated magnifier with a bright white LED light, which will allow you to see more information more easily.

    Another common hobby is “tooling-around,” like fixing frames on a pair of glasses, replacing batteries and confirming which way the batteries should be inserted, playing card games, assembling jig-saw puzzles, examining a stamp collection, identifying old coins, viewing photo albums, organizing files, reading articles, etc. the list goes on and on…

    All in all, you want to ensure both the magnification AND width (or Field of View) of your magnifying glass are sufficient for you so you are not frustrated. Often people get frustrated using a magnifying glass for hobbies because the magnifying glass Does NOT provide either magnification OR width (or Field of View).

    Many express the frustration of only getting a few letters or words on their magnifying glass. If this is the case for you, you may want to explore video magnification. 

    Video magnification provides the benefit of much more magnification and much more width (or Field of View). There are both small portable video magnifiers and larger non-portable video magnifiers.

    The small portable video magnifiers are used for spotting important small data needed to make a quick decision, like What does the thermostat say? What does the price tag say? How much sugar is in this food item? Who is the mail from? How much is this bill? What is the prescription number? What is the expiration date? What does the menu say? All these are small data needs. 

    Data is important for you to make a decision right now. The larger non-portable video magnifiers are used for productivity tasks, like voluminous reading and writing sessions, hair and make-up, distance viewing, substantial crafts, hobbies, etc. The bottom line is that we all need some type of magnification at some point in time, even when we were a child magnifying insects. 

    Now that we are older, our eyes are changing, and we have a harder time seeing. It is important to have a good magnifying glass, at least 3x or 4x or 5x. These magnifying glass powers will more easily allow you to remain functional while enjoying your hobbies. Remember that if these powers of 3x-5x are not providing either magnification OR width (or Field of View), then educate yourself on portable and desktop video magnifiers.

     

    Best Handheld Magnifying glasses for hobbies

     

    Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier is great for hobbies because of its stable base and large 7-inch widescreen. Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier displays amazing crystal clear HD images with vibrant colors, at any distance, on a large 7-inch widescreen LCD. So lightweight and simple to use, you will never want to be without it.

    A lightweight, portable design makes Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier the perfect companion when you are at home or on the go.

    The Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier is great for: 

    • Place it directly on your reading material or hold it up to view an item at a distance.
    • Adjust magnification and contrast with an easy press of a button. 
    • Read price tags, menus, labels, street signs, and more anywhere! 
    • Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier is the perfect choice for reading mail, magazines, newspapers, prescriptions, books, viewing family photos, seeing objects at varying distances, and saving captured images for later viewing. Amigo HD Handheld Magnifier offers two hands-free desktop positions, allowing you to easily read, write, pay bills, file nails and work on hobbies.  

     

    Traveller HD Portable Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The Traveller HD Portable Handheld Magnifier is so versatile that it can serve as both a handheld, a portable, and a desktop magnifier. The 13″ screen is large enough for the most avid readers yet small enough to fold and fit perfectly in a purse or travel bag. Its easy-glide rails and rolling support base offer the smoothest reading experience in the world, allowing you to effortlessly navigate entire texts in the easiest way yet. 

    The Traveller HD Portable Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • The high-definition camera offers a clean, sharp image, even in full-color and lower magnification levels, as you have never seen before. 
    • The large, tactile buttons and intuitive menu system are easy to learn and use. 
    • With the angled screen on Traveller HD, you can work on puzzles, knit, and read comfortably anywhere you like!  

     

    explore 8 Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    explore 8 Handheld Magnifier– Big-Screen experience in a portable package. explore 8 Handheld Magnifier is a smart, portable, touchscreen, two-camera tablet designed with the user in mind. The unmatched clarity of image with the most powerful camera on the market.

    Easy to use, intuitive use, and one-touch buttons to activate features. Light, portable, customizable. This is the perfect electronic video magnifier for anyone with low vision and age-related macular degeneration.

    The explore 8 Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • You read a newspaper one moment and admire the view the next, and your explore 8 follows your gaze. No fooling around with switches, twists, or buttons. – Foolproof, automatic, hands-free switch between near and far vision, TWO cameras instead of one to make your experience seamless
    • Need to see a road sign on the other side of the street? Freeze that frame with one touch and pinch the touch screen to zoom. – Touch screen, easy to magnify distant images
    • Top-of-the-line cameras for unmatched image quality
    • Easy to connect to your TV
    • Fantastic value for the price

     

    Professional magnifying glass

    For people with macular degeneration or any type of vision loss, why is it essential to make sure that you are buying a professional-grade magnifying glass? 

    The main reason is that in the end, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. There are many different types of magnifying glasses made for a wide variety of audiences and by an unlimited amount of suppliers. The unlimited magnifying glass options are so confusing that often many simply blindly purchase the least expensive magnifier on Amazon, not knowing why other than the luring price. 

    Consider giving thought to the following. Many low vision magnifiers do not have a bright, white, and broad LED light. Many of the low vision magnifying glasses are not professional grade regarding their quality. Many are not backed up by a lifetime warranty.

    Many low vision magnifiers do not have very good optics, and their edge-to-edge optical quality is not very good and, therefore, not helpful. Many low vision magnifiers do not have good labeling on the battery compartment, making it very difficult for someone with low vision to see how to insert batteries. Lastly, many companies supplying magnifiers only market 1st base, without alerting you to 2nd, 3rd, or home, or advising you to the ‘rules of the game.’ 

    What is the next step when a professional magnifying glass does not provide enough magnification OR width (or Field of View)? What do you do? What is the plan? It is wise to keep in mind that a magnifying glass is only one tool in the toolbox.

    Would a carpenter only have a hammer? No. A wise person once said (my Dad) that you can do anything with the right tool. It is important for many to understand the path forward and how to identify what tools you need to include in your magnification toolbox.

    It is encouraged that you consider incorporating a local partnership with a technology company, so they can assist you in developing a path forward to what type of optical technology tools might be helpful for you to remain functionally independent. 

    While having a professional grade magnifier is a perfect first step for people with low vision, it is very important to know how this beginning tool fits into the big picture and plan of tools you need in your day-to-day life at home and work. So, consider making sure that the professional magnifying glass you are considering has a bright, white, and broad LED light. Inquire if your magnifying glass is professional grade quality and backed up by a lifetime warranty. Make sure it has very good optics. Confirm if there is good labeling on the battery compartment. 

    Lastly, give thought to connecting with or that you are a client of a local low vision technology company that can help you navigate a path forward of trialing a variety of low vision technology options, confirming what low vision technology tools you need to include in your personal magnification toolbox.

     

    Top Professional magnifying glasses

     

    Mr. Magnifier Handheld Magnifier 2.5x

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The all-new Mr. Magnifier handheld magnifiers are manufactured with the highest quality, whitest, and brightest LED lights, backed by a Lifetime Warranty. The bright light in the Mr. Magnifier products is the “secret sauce” in creating a magnificent magnifier experience. Any of the four (4) Mr. Magnifier choices are an excellent 1st step if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.

    The Mr. Magnifier Handheld Magnifier 2.5x is great for: 

    • Only the brightest white LEDs are used, so you will enjoy the enhanced contrast.
    • Our LEDs give a broad, even field of light with no purplish or blue “bright spots.”
    • Using a very bright light lowers magnification, increases field of view, decreases eyestrain, and increases reading speed.
    • Professional grade optics.
    • Durable reinforced contrast-blue switches on all powers. White mounting and handle.
    • Limited Lifetime Warranty.
    • LEDs give long battery life and are warrantied to never burn out.
    • Battery compartments have high contrast battery directional images.

     

    explore 12 Portable Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The explorē 12 Portable Handheld Magnifier is the largest in the Explore line of magnifiers for people with low vision. Designed as an easy-to-use electronic magnifier that offers superb full high-definition image quality for improved near and distance viewing allowing you to do the things you want.

    The 12-inch touch screen is the perfect magnifier for anyone who wants a larger interface for reading, writing, painting, drawing, and so much more.

    With its superior magnification range, this tablet-sized magnifier allows the continuation of everyday activities like reading and writing, viewing pictures and maps, and much more, just about anywhere.

    The explore 12 Portable Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • Great for Students: The explorÄ“ 12 Portable Handheld Magnifier is not only easy to carry around and allows students to start their class without delay. Take it out of the bag, switch it on, and it’s ready to go.
    • Perfect for Seniors: With a lightweight design and 3.5-hour battery life, it’s an ideal companion for maintaining your active lifestyle wherever you are, at home or on the go. ExplorÄ“ 12 is easy to carry and very simple to use. Just pull it out of your bag, turn it on, and it’s ready when you are!
    • With live panning, you can zoom in and out and then pan across a book to read more easily without having to move it, and you can choose from many color enhancements to increase visual contrast at the touch of a button.
    • Stay Active and Engaged: With a superior magnification range, the tablet-sized explorÄ“ 12 allows you to continue everyday activities like reading, writing, painting, viewing photos or maps, and much more.
    • Exceptional Design: Ergonomically well-placed buttons at the bottom edge also ensure easy zoom in and out and access to desired visual settings customization.

     

    Compact 10 HD Portable Handheld Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The Compact 10 HD Portable Handheld Magnifier is the new standard of portable magnification with an optional speech in tablet format. With the large 10″ screen, customizable features, intuitive operation, and optional full-page text-to-speech, the Compact 10 HD and the Compact 10 HD Speech offer all the benefits of a desktop video magnifier but in a much smaller, foldable, handheld, and portable design.

    The Compact 10 HD and the Compact 10 HD Speech both have three cameras, each serving a specific purpose and use case.

    The Compact 10 HD Portable Handheld Magnifier is great for:

    • Reading camera for reading documents at a table or desk
    • Overview camera for seeing objects and text from a small distance
    • Swing-out full-page camera for viewing photos and objects and placing your signature
    • Reading camera for additional Text-to-Speech
    • Swing-out full-page camera for additional full-page Text-to-Speech

     

    Magnifying glass for reading

    Do you need a magnifying glass for reading? Many people do. 

    The first thing to keep in mind is to ensure that you incorporate a very bright white light. Many people overlook lighting, and when good lighting is used, many have eliminated the need for a magnifier for reading. Believe it or not. “Make it Bigger!” This should be proclaimed from the mountain tops. 

    If anyone with Macular Degeneration or vision loss has trouble seeing any printed material, the solution and strategy are to make it bigger! If you need to make your print bigger for reading, Step #1 is to use a professional-grade optical magnifying glass with an LED light, backed up by a lifetime warranty, from a reputable low vision organization.

    If you find that Step #1 Does NOT provide enough of either magnification OR width (or Field of View), then Step #2 is to research Portable video magnifiers. If you find that Step #2 is insufficient, then Step #3 is to research Desktop video magnifiers. 

    Video magnifiers should only be considered IF your professional grade optical magnifying glass with an LED light, backed up by a lifetime warranty, from a reputable low vision organization is NOT providing sufficient magnification OR width (or Field of View). Suppose your professional-grade optical magnifying glass with an LED light, backed up by a lifetime warranty, from a reputable low vision organization IS providing sufficient magnification AND width (or Field of View).

    In that case, you do not need video magnification. Again, Make it Bigger is the answer. 

    At some point, making the image bigger is too big for the lens or monitor. If that is the case, then video magnification is the solution for maintaining functional independence. So, do you need a magnifying glass for reading? Only you can ultimately answer that question. Most people with low vision need Step #1. Consider starting with Step #1; if needed, you now know Steps #2 and #3. We are here to assist along the way.

    Top Magnifying glasses for reading

     

    DaVinci Pro

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The DaVinci Pro HD OCR Desktop Magnifier is an easy-to-use CCTV video magnifier with a High Definition (HD) camera providing super sharp image quality and a built-in text-to-speech OCR reader. If you are considering a CCTV, you must see DaVinci Pro HD OCR Desktop Magnifier. It is amazingly simple for anyone technologically illiterate yet expandable, so it stays relevant and useful for years to come.

    The DaVinci Pro is great for: 

    • Two (2) low vision products in one – Both a Video Magnifier and an OCR Speech Reader
    • HD Camera • High-Resolution Display • Text-to-Speech (OCR) • 3-in-1 1080p Camera • Lightweight • Ergonomic Design • High-powered Versatility
    • DaVinci Pro is an easy-to-use CCTV video magnifier with a High Definition camera providing super sharp image quality and a built-in text-to-speech OCR reader.
    • Amazingly simple, for anyone technologically illiterate yet expandable, it stays relevant and useful for years to come.

     

    LyriQ Assistive Text-to-Speech Reader

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    The LyriQ Assistive Text-to-Speech Reader is an AUTOMATIC SCAN text-to-speech reader, meaning the user does not have to press buttons for simple and immediate text-to-speech conversion. The LyriQ also has an incredible fifteen (15) hour rechargeable battery, weighs only 3lbs, and folds flat for easy portability. The LyriQ is designed to assist people with blindness or vision impairments by scanning printed documents and reading them aloud.

    It is spectacularly fast, extremely accurate, and very easy to use. With the LyriQ Assistive Text-to-Speech Reader, you can read a book, an envelope, the letter that came in it, a prescription label, and anything else.

    The LyriQ Assistive Text-to-speech Reader is great for: 

    • Simple: Place the printed page on the LyriQ Reader’s reading surface and start listening to the contents
    • Responsive: Immediate result and feedback. No getting lost, no confusing waiting.
    • Compact: Fold flat, store like a laptop
    • Intuitive: Minimal actions are necessary to make use of other (basic, few, and important) device features – convenient large tactile buttons support and assist every step of the way
    • Bluetooth-enabled: Connect to external speakers or hearing aids
    • Battery / AC powered: All-day lasting battery allows taking the device from the living room couch to the kitchen island and outside to the patio for relaxed and pleasant reading, or plug into an outlet if sitting close by.

     

    CloverBook Pro Portable Magnifier

    Top 12 Handheld Magnifying Glasses Technology

    CloverBook Pro Portable Magnifier boasts unique features like a user-replaceable battery and a discreet additional camera that folds out for distance and self-viewing. With CloverBook Pro Portable Magnifier, you even have the option for split-screen, so you can view notes on your desk and see a presenter/instructor at the same time.

    Add the additional screen, and you can simultaneously view both cameras on separate 12.5-inch screens. If you want to hear your document read aloud, press the “T” button on the front of CloverBook to scan any text in view. Or, enter the scan mode and scan the entire letter-sized page at once. Try one, and see how easy it is to use the new, super-portable, powerful, and affordable CloverBook Pro.

    The CloverBook Pro Portable Magnifier is great for:

    • 12.5-inch FHD (1080p) matte touchscreen
    • 4K (60fps) camera resolution for reading
    • Discreet, fold-out camera for distance/self-viewing
    • Scan & read/OCR – Full letter-sized page
    • Light, portable and foldable – carry case included
    • The choice to use traditional tactile controls or touchscreen
    • Split-screen viewing – simultaneous view of both cameras!
    • Live panning – explore live, zoomed images without moving the device
    • Connects to a TV for larger viewing
    • Photo mode and 16 high contrast modes
    • Continuous use up to 3 hours – user rechargeable battery
    • Fold-out, the integrated stand provides a proper angle for reading and writing

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