Best prepared microscope slide sets

Prepared microscope slides
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Prepared microscope slides are a fantastic way to learn about the world around us, letting us examine specimens that we would not be able to easily find in our local area, let alone properly prepare them for microscopic viewing. A fabulous learning tool for curious kids, prepared slides can get young minds really excited about biology, anatomy, entomology, botany, and more. We've rounded up a selection of the very best prepared slide sets that are suitable for all levels of learning. 

Staff pick

Prepared microscope slides

(Image credit: Amazon)

AmScope PS25 prepared microscope slide set

Basic biology starter set made of quality optical glass

AmScope's prepared slide set is a high quality option. The slides are made from real optical glass for clear viewing and the samples are preserved in cedar wood oil for longevity. The slides come in a fitted wooden case for tidy and safe storage, and easy transportation. Each slide is clearly labelled for easy specimen identification. This set of made up of a fascinating selection of 25 slides. These are really varied and include a cross section of a dog's oesophagus, a smear of human blood, house bee mouth parts, and a cross section of a pumpkin stem. 

Boxed set

Prepared microscope slides

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National Geographic mega biology set

25 slides with a learning guide

This great set is from trusted brand National Geographic's educational department. It is comprised of 25 professionally prepared microscope slides that allow you to explore genuine biology specimens in your own home. The slides contain specimens from various fascinating categories including skin and tissue, plant parts, mold and algae, and nutrient processing systems. The slides are presented in a durable wooden storage box. They are fully labelled and come complete with a detailed learning guide with fascinating information about each specimen. 

Large collection

Prepared microscope slides

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DIY Science microscope slide collection

Comprehensive set of 48 slides

This comprehensive collection gives you an impressive 48 slides to study. The slides are arranged in four categories. The red set offers entomology specimens, including items like a butterfly antenna, a honeybee wing, and a locust leg. The green slides encompass vegetable specimens, and the yellow slides give you pollen and other botanic specimens. It gets really interesting with the blue set which contains goldfish scales, a plankton egg, and even cow hair. For safety reasons these slides are made from highly transparent plastic and have smooth edges.  

Good variety

Prepared microscope slides

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Learning Resources prepared slides combo set

Great all-rounder starter collection

Designed for durability, Learning Resources' prepared microscope slide offering is made up of glass slides inside a strong cardboard casing that's said to be designed to withstand years of classroom use. There are 48 specimens in total, made up of 12 standard-size slides with four specimens per slide. This set also offers a great varied selections of samples. There are spores and pollen, animal hair, scales and feathers, plant specimens, a selection of insect parts, and eggs and larva. This set also offers a detailed look at textile fibers, such as hemp, silk, and handmade paper. 

Bug assortment

Prepared microscope slides

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DIY Science prepared whole insects microscope slides set

An interesting insect selection

This set focuses purely on insects, so it's ideal for any budding entomologists out there. The insect microscope slides are made of high quality optical glass which is durable and can be kept safe stored inside the bundled storage box. Each slide is clearly labelled with the insect type. These slides are of whole insects, and include mosquito larva, drosophila larva, male and female fruit flies, housefly pupa, an ant, cyclopidae, a mosquito, an aphid, and a silkworm larva. 

Slide away 

Within this collection are some fascinating specimens for real-life microscopic inspection. Insects are really interesting to study under a microscope, so the DIY Science prepared whole insects microscope slides set comes recommended for anyone into entomology. 

Our overall best choice and the staff pick of this selection is a great quality set that covers a wide variety of samples, the AmScope PS25 prepared microscope slide set. This popular slide collection offers some more unusual specimens, so would be a good choice for more advanced study. 

Anyone looking for a decent starter set, or prepared slides to introduce children to microscopic adventures, should consider the National Geographic mega biology set. From a well-respected authority, it's a great introduction to basic biology.