FAQs

There's no one-size-fits-all magnifier. It's like shoes — a running shoe and a work boot both go on your feet but do very different jobs. The magnification you need depends on the task.

A rough guide:

• 1.5x – 2x — reading newspapers, books, menus, mail. Comfortable for long sessions.
• 3x – 4x — fine print, recipe books, sewing patterns, hobby work.
• 5x – 8x — coin and stamp inspection, model making, detailed crafts.
• 10x and above — jewellers, watchmakers, geology, electronics inspection.

Bigger isn't always better. The stronger the magnifier, the smaller the lens and the closer you have to hold it. Match the magnification to the job, not the other way around. Not sure? Get in touch — we'll help.

For most reading — newspapers, books, mail — 1.5x to 2x is plenty. It gives a wide field of view so you can see a whole line of text without moving the magnifier.

If you need to read smaller print like medicine labels, recipes or financial statements, 3x to 4x works well.

For very fine print or anyone with low vision, 5x or higher may help, but the field of view shrinks and you'll need to scan more. Good lighting matters as much as magnification — pair a 3x magnifier with a bright lamp and you'll often see more than with a 5x in poor light.

Three terms, all related:

• Times (X) is how much bigger a magnifier makes something look. 2x doubles the size. 6x makes it six times larger.
• Dioptre (D) is the optical power of the lens — the same unit your optometrist uses for glasses. There's no exact conversion to Times, but a rough guide:

• Working distance is how far the lens needs to sit from the page. Stronger magnifiers have a shorter working distance — you hold them closer.

No. Bigger isn't better.

Higher power means a smaller lens, a shorter working distance, and a narrower field of view. A 10x magnifier might show you a single word at a time — useless for reading a sentence. A 2x magnifier with a 100mm lens lets you see a full paragraph at a comfortable distance.

Pick the lowest power that does the job. If you're not sure, start at 2x or 3x for general reading. Go higher only if you need to see fine detail.

Depends on the task and how long you'll be using it.

• Handheld magnifier — quick reading, mail, labels, on-the-go. One hand holds the magnifier, one hand holds the page. Tires the hand on long sessions.
• Stand magnifier — sits on the page at a fixed focal length. No need to hold it. Good for long reading sessions and steady hands. Some include LED lighting.
• Hands-free / neck magnifier — hangs from the neck or sits on the chest. Both hands stay free. Ideal for craft, sewing, soldering, model making.
• Spectacle / clip-on magnifier — worn on the face. Both hands free, full focus on detailed work.

Optical (glass or acrylic lens) magnifiers are simple, reliable, and don't need power. Best for everyday reading and most hobby use.

Electronic magnifiers are small screens that show a magnified image of whatever you point them at. They cost more but offer:

• Variable magnification (often 2x to 32x in one device)
• Adjustable contrast — white on black, yellow on black, etc.
• Freeze-frame for reading at your own pace
• Image storage
• A bigger field of view at high magnification than any optical lens can offer

If you have advanced macular degeneration or any condition that needs very high magnification, electronic is usually the better answer. For light reading and crafts, optical is simpler and cheaper.

Lighting matters as much as magnification. Often more. Doubling the light on a page makes a 3x magnifier feel like a 5x.

Modern magnifiers come with built-in LEDs. They're a big upgrade over old torch-bulb illuminated magnifiers — brighter, longer battery life (hundreds of hours on standard batteries), and no bulbs to burn out.

If you're reading for long periods, an LED-lit magnifier or a separate daylight reading lamp will do more for clarity than higher magnification.

Both work well. The choice depends on what matters more to you.

• Glass — best optical clarity, very scratch-resistant, transmits the most light. Heavier. More fragile if dropped. Best for jewellers and professional users.
• Acrylic — lightweight, shatterproof, easy to make in larger sizes and higher powers. Can scratch, though most have a scratch-resistant coating. Best for everyday use, low vision aids, and anyone who'll be holding the magnifier for long periods.

Most magnifiers today use acrylic for these reasons. We stock both.

A few things to look for:

• Clarity at the edges. Cheap lenses distort around the rim. Good ones stay sharp edge to edge.
• Lens coatings — scratch resistance and anti-reflective treatment make a real difference over time.
• Weight and balance — heavy magnifiers feel premium but tire the hand. Light magnifiers are easier for long use.
• The build — metal frames, solid handles, well-finished edges. You can feel quality.
• The brand's reputation. A reputable brand will stand behind their product.

A poor-quality magnifier won't damage your sight, it just gives a distorted image and won't last. The gap between very good and excellent is small. The gap between cheap and good is large.

There's no single answer. It depends on the stage of the condition, the tasks you want to do, and what magnification you're already using.

A few starting points:

• For early-stage ARMD and general reading, a 3x to 5x illuminated handheld or stand magnifier with strong LED lighting often helps.
• For mid-stage ARMD or anyone struggling with strong magnification, electronic (digital) magnifiers offer the best flexibility — variable magnification, adjustable contrast modes (white on black, yellow on black), and a bigger usable field than any optical lens.
• A brighter reading lamp paired with a moderate magnifier often works better than just stepping up to a stronger lens.

ARMD is a medical condition. The best first step is always an optometrist or eye care specialist who can advise on what's right for you. If you've already had that conversation and want help choosing between products, give us a call.

For ongoing information and support, visit Macular Degeneration NZ at mdnz.org.nz.

The macula is a small area in the centre of the retina, at the back of the eye. It's what lets you see things directly in front of you — faces, words on a page, the road ahead.

Macular degeneration (also called age-related macular degeneration, or ARMD) damages those cells. The middle of your vision becomes blurred or distorted, while peripheral vision stays mostly intact. There are two types — wet and dry. Both have varying degrees of severity.

If you suspect ARMD, see an optometrist or eye care specialist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis matters.

More information: Macular Degeneration NZ.

See an optometrist or eye care specialist. Get your eyes checked properly before buying a magnifier.

You may just need new reading glasses. You may have something more serious that needs treatment. Most serious sight problems can't be spotted by a standard eye chart on the wall — they need a proper exam.

Your sight is too important to guess at. If in doubt, get it checked.

Once you know what's going on, we're happy to help you find the right magnifier for your needs. Get in touch.

For inspecting coins, most collectors use a 5x to 10x magnifier with built-in LEDs. The light is essential — coin detail relies on relief, and reflected light brings the relief out.

For general handling and grading at a glance, a 5x illuminated handheld works well. For close inspection of mint marks, errors and grade detail, a 10x loupe or 10x stand magnifier with reticule is the standard.

Glass lenses give the sharpest detail, but a quality acrylic loupe is fine for most collectors.

Most philatelists use a 5x to 10x magnifier. 5x is enough for general inspection, watermarks and condition checks. 10x is the standard for examining perforations, paper texture and printing detail.

A magnifier with built-in LEDs helps a lot — stamp paper is matte and light-hungry. Acrylic dome magnifiers are also popular for browsing collections because they cover a wide area and don't need to be held in focus.

For close work like embroidery, you want both hands free. The most popular options:

• Neck magnifier — hangs from the neck, sits on the chest at the right distance for needlework. 2x to 3x is plenty.
• Magnifying floor lamp — a stand lamp with a built-in lens. Stays in place, lights and magnifies at the same time. Best for long sessions at home.
• Spectacle / clip-on magnifier — worn on the face for very fine work.

Look for soft, even LED lighting. Cross-stitch in particular is hard work in poor light.

For professional jewellery and watch work, the standard is a 10x triplet loupe (a three-lens design that corrects distortion at the edges). Good triplets use glass and last decades.

For inspection at the bench, a desk magnifier with a 3x or 5x lens and LED lighting is the standard daily tool.

For very fine work — engraving, micro-soldering, watch movements — head-mounted (binocular) magnifiers free both hands and let you switch power without changing tools.

Within New Zealand, shipping is a flat $9.50 NZD on orders up to $99.99. Orders over $100 ship free.

International shipping is calculated at checkout based on weight and destination.

Yes — free standard shipping within New Zealand on orders over $100 NZD. Applies automatically at checkout.

Most NZ orders are despatched the same business day if ordered before mid-afternoon. Standard courier is overnight to most addresses, but allow up to three business days. Business days exclude weekends and public holidays.

Rural delivery can take an extra 1–2 days.

We'll send you tracking once your order is on the way.

Yes. We ship to Australia regularly via airmail courier. Delivery is typically 5–10 business days. Cost is calculated at checkout based on weight.

If you're in Australia, you may also want to check our sister store at magnifying.com.au — same products, AUD pricing, local shipping.

Yes, worldwide. International orders ship by airmail courier with tracking. We recommend adding insurance at checkout for higher-value orders.

Cost and delivery time vary by destination — both shown at checkout. Once an order leaves New Zealand, customs handling and final delivery is the responsibility of the destination country's postal service.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. All processed securely through Shopify Payments.

For larger orders, we can also accept direct bank transfer — just email us at info@magnifiers.nz and we'll send our bank details.

Yes, as long as it hasn't been despatched. Email us at info@magnifiers.nz as soon as possible — we'll either amend or cancel the order at no cost.

Once a courier has picked it up, we can't recall it, but you can return it under our standard returns policy below.

Email us at info@magnifiers.nz within 14 days with a photo of the damage and your order number. We'll arrange a replacement, refund, or repair at no cost to you.

Damage in transit isn't common — courier-handled — but we'll always sort it out for you.

You have 14 days from delivery to return an item for a refund or exchange. The product must be unused and in its original packaging.

Return shipping is the customer's responsibility. Email us first at info@magnifiers.nz and we'll walk you through it.

We don't have a fixed warranty period. But if something fails, email us with the details and we're happy to look at it on a case-by-case basis. Many products also carry a manufacturer's warranty on top of that.

We prefer email so we have a written record of what you've ordered and where it's going — fewer mistakes. Send your order to info@magnifiers.nz and we'll come back to you the same business day.

If you'd rather talk to a real person before ordering, email us first and we'll arrange a callback.

Email: info@magnifiers.nz
Hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM Mon-Fri (NZ time)
Post: PO Box 9410, Tower Junction, Christchurch 8149

We're a small team of real humans. We aim to reply the same business day.