A magnifying glass may conjure up visions of a Victorian detective puffing pipe smoke down a dimly lit alley, but they’re not just a prop to include in your next Sherlock Holmes-inspired fancy dress outfit. The practical tool continues to serve a purpose today.
Sure, most of us may not have cases to solve, crime scenes to scrutinise or a sidekick to lean towards and say, knowingly, ‘Elementary, my dear’. You need none of these things to get real use from a magnifying glass.
From squinting at newspapers, stitching intricate embroidery, painting tiny models and getting an in-depth look at leaves and insects, magnifying glasses have endless practical applications.
They’re often used in the jewellery trade as an indispensable tool to check the details, facets and clarity of gemstones before they’re marked up for sale. Such tools usually offer different levels of magnification so one can see every single millimetre.
On the other end of the scale, there are ornamental magnifying glasses, designed for light use, but more often wind up as a curio to add to bookshelves and cupboards.
Somewhere in the middle, you’ll find everyday use magnifying glasses, useful for reading, hobbying or making pictures bigger. For seniors or anyone with vision impairments, such glasses can make life miles easier.
They’re not all handheld either - some can be worn over regular prescription specs and many come with LED lights to allow you to see in poor conditions. Want to see clearly?
Shop the best magnifying glasses below.
Yizish Illuminated Jewelers Eye Loupe
See every facet of your next jewellery creation with this jeweller's Eye loupe magnifying tool. The pocket-friendly gadget has a range of uses, from looking at the fine detail on coins and stamps to checking contractual small print.
Weighing just 90g, there are two zoom lenses - 30x and 60x along with LED lights to illuminate surfaces in all conditions. Also available in white.
Buy now £7.99, Amazon
Carson TV-15 5x/10x/15x TriView Folding Loupe with Built-In Case
This teardrop-shaped magnifier is made for occasional hobbyists and jewellers, offering magnifying capabilities of 5x, 10x, and 15x zoom. Each one flips out from the protective case and measures 25mm in diameter, meaning it's compact to carry around and will survive rattling around in busy bags.
Buy now £8.02, Amazon
Carson MiniBrite PO-55 Magnifier
Never miss the small print again with this handy pocket-sized magnifier, which can make text up to five times larger. Housed in a protective plastic sleeve, the MiniBrite PO-55 comes with an LED light while the lens offers little to no distortion.
Buy now £15.02, John Lewis
JML Magnifying Glasses with Light
If you're an embroidery enthusiast, love painting toy models or like making your own jewellery, being able to work unhindered with your hands is as vital as seeing your work clearly. Give your eyes extra firepower with these magnifying glasses from JML, which offer 160 per cent magnification.
They come with two bright LEDs on either side of the frame, acting like personal headlights and illuminating your line of sight without bothering others. The designs are spacious enough to fit over prescription glasses too, measuring 17 x 17 x 4cm.
Buy now £19.97, Amazon
Othmro Folding Magnifying Glass 10X
Looking for an old-school magnifying glass that you can keep in your pocket for on-the-go sleuthing? This folding design meets the brief, with a powerful lens that can make text, images and stitches up to 10 times larger. It comes handsomely packed in a protective PU leather cover with a suede-lined pouch to keep it safe from accidental scratches.
Buy now £8.98, Amazon
Uncle Paul Store Pull-out Pocket Magnifier
Sometimes a 30x zoom just isn't enough. For times when you really need to get into the nitty gritty, this pocket magnifier can get up to 90 times closer through various acrylic lenses. Weighing just 50g, you'll barely feel it in your pocket. The gadget also features LED and UV lights to help you see clearly even in poor light conditions.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Large Magnifying Glass for Reading
You'll never have to squint at a thumbnail image or at the Sunday supplements again thanks to this large rectangular magnifying glass. The large acrylic lens is both scratch-resistant and shatterproof, fitted with a rotating handle so that it can be used at any angle. A great option for seniors and elderly people.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Jonathan Adler Seahorse Magnifying Glass
If you're looking for a magnifying glass with a little more pizzaz, look no further than Jonathan Adler. The celebrated interiors guru is a master of quirky homewares, with this seahorse-themed design case in point. Made from gold-coloured brass, it makes a playful curio for your desk or dressing table.
Buy now £56.40, Tobias Oliver Interiors
Dibor Vintage Rabbit Magnifying Glass And Holder
Just because it's practical, that doesn't mean your new magnifying glass can't be stylish too.
A fun accessory for the home office, this pairing that is finished in antique brown consists of an ornamental woodland rabbit holding a traditional-looking magnifying glass which can be removed when needed. It's ideal for dressing up a desk, reading nook or bookshelf.
Buy now £30.40, NOTHS
Axminster Tools Magnifier Glass Kits
Go full Sherlock with this vintage-look magnifying glass kit which features a 2x zoom precision ground glass lens in a brass bezel. The polished wood handle is ergonomically shaped, but you can opt for an acrylic alternative if you prefer. This is a great gift idea for someone who enjoys working with their hands, and means they'll have a tool they can use for hobbies in the future too.
Buy now £18.38, Axminster Tools
