5 Best Magnifying Lamps for Sports Cards If you’re a hobby enthusiast for sports cards or you’re serious about collecting cards then you’re going to stumble into the field of grading sports cards sooner rather than later. All major grading services for sports cards use magnifying lamps and if you want to get the best grades possible, so should you.
With one, you can spot small flaws on your cards which can help you increase the value of your card easily and quickly. So if you’re looking for the best magnifying lamp for sports cards, we’ve got you covered.
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Don’t Want to Wait? Here’s Our Favorite
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Our top option is the Brightech LightView PRO. It offers the best mixture of portability, attention to detail, and build quality necessary for a satisfactory experience. It’s also versatile enough to allow you to use the lamp for other purposes.
Brightech LightView PRO – Best Overall Option
- BEST LED MAGNIFIER LAMP FOR READING & CLOSE WORK. COMFORTABLE, UNLIKE MAGNIFYING GLASSES / HEADSETS: Enjoy newspapers and books even if you have vision problems such as ageing eyes or macular degeneration. Avoid the discomfort of glasses that strap on your head or put weight on your face. Things are in focus 8 away.
- THE RIGHT LIGHT FOR PUZZLE MAKING, SEWING & OTHER CRAFTS - CLAMP FOR DESK / WORKBENCH & GOOSENECK STYLE SWING ARMS SET & KEEP MAGNAFYING HEAD IN PLACE - The cool white light helps your eye see minor contrast plus tiny stitches / count threads like in natural daylight, improving needlework crafts and easing puzzle making. Plus free your hands from holding the 3 lens so you enjoy arts & hobbies such as knitting, cross stitch, quilting, painting & drawing more.
- 225% MAGNIFICATION LAMP FOR ESTHETICIANS MICROBLADING, DOING FACIALS & EYELASH EXTENSIONS - Spas & salons, makeup artists and beauticians: do you need to work close up, precisely to make your clients look beautiful? It couldnt be any easier to shape an eye brow just right when you can see it brighter and magnified. The white light color temperature is just the thing for highlighting details and fine hairs.
- AVOID REPLACEMENT HASSLES - REAL DIOPTER GLASS & 20 YEAR LIFE LED LIGHTS FOR MAX DURABILITY - The genuine diopter glass means the lens doesnt warp with time or heat, and is also scratch resistant. So it lasts longer than cheap acrylic/plastic mag lenses that warp in heat and scratch easily, causing replacement hassles in little time. The 9W & 650 lumen LED lights are built in and last 20,000 hours - about 20 years of use for 3 hours/day !
- BRIGHTECHS 3 YEAR PRODUCT WARRANTY: We proudly stand behind all of our products 100% and offer a full 3 year warranty. This will cover if the product stops working within 3 years or if there are any defects within those 3 years.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Brightech LightView PRO is the overall best option for taking a closer look at your sports cards. I’ve picked it because it is the most adjustable but also the most accurate magnifying lamp out there. It’s also large enough for other tasks that might require a magnifying lamp, making it the best overall choice.
Review
Let’s take a closer look at why I think this is the best product overall. With this lamp, you’ll be able to see closer than with most other lamps. Thanks to its 225% magnification rate, you’ll be able to see your cards in much more detail than with say, a portable lamp.
You’ll also have better vision with the lamp thanks to the light that is attached to the lens. It’s a 2-in-1 product which makes it a viable option for viewing your sports cards better. And the light will make all the difference in the world because not only will you be able to see in the dark, but also more details.
Another feature that stands out from the crowd is the build quality. The lens is much larger than with most other lamps I’ve seen out there, but also, the legs of the lamp are more adjustable and they feel sturdier than the majority of products in the market.
One downside of the product is that it’s not portable, so if you need a more portable lamp, you’ll want to take a look at other options. It’s also slightly more expensive than most products but considering that it can last you for several years, it’s worth it if you need a higher quality product.
Pros
- Superior build quality Accurate glass with a powerful lamp The lens is larger than with most lamps
- Sturdy and adjustable legs Versatile
Cons
- Not portable Slightly more expensive
Brighttech LightView PRO 6 – Best Premium Option
- BIG, BRIGHT & DIMMABLE MAGNIFYING LIGHT TO SEE SMALL DETAILS EASILY: This magnifier lamp was designed to ease your close up focus, even with vision problems such as aging eyes or macular degeneration. This lamp includes a built in dimmer switch so you get exactly the right light. The 3 wide, diopter glass magnifying lens will magnify whatever you are working on up to 175%. The LED lights dont get hot so you can enjoy your hobbies comfortably.
- COMFORT & EASE OF USE FOR PROFESSIONALS: HANDSFREE USE & SMOOTH ROLL EVEN ON BAD SURFACES: Free both hands to work thanks to the flexible arms and pivoting head get the light and lens right where you want it; the powerful springs then keep it in place. The 6 wheels roll easily, making it perfect for spas and salons, estheticians, dermatologists, beauticians, jewelers, tattoo artists, dentists etc. Facials lash extensions and other treatments are a cinch.
- REVIEWS: GREAT FOR READING, SEWING, KNITTING, QUILTING, PUZZLES, CROCHET, CROSS STITCH etc: Reviewers say this light helps them enjoy hobbies by reducing eye strain and avoiding headaches. Plus they feel greater pride and achievement in as a result of more precise detail work. Beside those mentioned, soldering, painting (e.g. minis), woodworking, drawing, repair of small electronics and fly trying are other common uses.
- REAL DIOPTER GLASS MAGNIFIES 1.75X & 20 YEAR LIFE LED LIGHTS FOR MAX DURABILITY - AVOID REPLACEMENT HASSLES - The genuine diopter glass means the lens doesnt warp with time or heat, and is also scratch resistant. So it lasts longer than cheap acrylic/plastic lenses. This model features 1.75X magnification with things in focus at a distance of 13 inches. The 9W & 800 lumen LED lights are built in and last 20,000 hours - about 20 years if you use the Brightech Lightview Pro 3 hours every day!
- BRIGHTECHS 3 YEAR PRODUCT WARRANTY: We proudly stand behind all of our products 100% and offer a full 3 year warranty. This will cover if the product stops working within 3 years or if there are any defects within those 3 yea
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you’re looking for the highest-end product possible, then you can’t go wrong with the Brightech LightView PRO 6. This lamp is made to be comfortable and adjustable, as you will be able to roll it around the room and use it anywhere you’d want it. It’s also superior to the majority of lamps in terms of build quality.
Review
For those looking for superior quality at the highest level, the Brightech LightView PRO 6 is the right option. The first reason for this is the high-quality base of the lamp with wheels, which allows you to move the lamp around. This will come extremely handy if you need to move the lamp around our room or house.
It’s also helpful if you will use the lamp for other tasks that require a magnifying lamp. Secondly, it has a powerful LED light that will last up to 20 years and a 1.75x magnifying light. Now, the lens might not be the most powerful out there, but it is certainly enough to help you inspect your cards. The light will help you see your cards in much more detail.
This lamp is also adjustable, which means you can raise it up or down according to your needs. It needs to be mentioned that for casual users, this lamp might be a tad overkill, although if you will use it for other means, then it could be a great long-term investment that will last you a long time.
Pros
- Premium quality Adjustable height LED lasts up to 20 years Rollable base Great for longevity
Cons
- Probably overkill for casual users
- Expensive
Raweao LED Magnifying Lamp – Best Budget Option
- 【3x Optical Glass with 28pcs led light】: This led magnifying lamp with light is 3X power and diameter is 3.93 In. The surface of the lens is strengthened to achieve a hardness of 6H, which ensures better abrasion resistance and effectively prevents the lens from being scratched. The LED light is bright enough to help you see things clearly, but will not too bright to hurt your eyes.
- 【Lightweight & Easy to use】: This magnifying glass with clamp has a power switch which allows you to easily adjust the brightness. You can use a portable USB battery (not included) to run it, or you can plug it into a socket to select the brightness you want. It is lightweight and can be moved from one location to another without taking up a lot of space.
- 【Make your hands free】: The magnifying glass with a 5.9-foot USB cable can be fully adjusted through an 11.4-inch flexible gooseneck. The gooseneck can be bent in any direction, so you can perfectly place the light and magnifying glass. The spring-clip is sturdy and quite non-slip, so it will not slide when adjusting the position of the lamp head.
- 【Fit for Crafter & Hobbyists】: This magnifying glass with light can be used for reading, zentangle, crossword, needlework, miniature painting, crocheting, cross-stitch, arts, handicrafts, repairing electronics, wood products, jewelry making or professional use. And the inner pads in the clamp to insure it wont scratch your table.
- 【Satisfaction Service】: Raweaos goal is to provide creative, innovative product so that everyone can have quality, high end enjoy. We are committed to making sure you love your purchase, so if for any reason you are not satisfied, please contact us and we will make things rig
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you’re a more casual sports cards collector, then the Raweao LED Magnifying lamp should bring more than enough quality for your money. It’s a good budget option that will give you a decent chance of viewing your cards in more detail. It has a 3x magnifying glass and an adjustable hose for adjusting the height.
Review
If you’re going to use your lamp just for viewing cards and if you’re a casual collector, then you might as well save some money and go with this Raweao lamp. The lamp can be connected with a USB cable to a portable battery if you want, which means you can bring the lamp with you on the go. It’s a nice piece of convenience offered by this lamp provider.
You can adjust the height of the lamp using the 360-degree hose that holds the light and the lamp. This means that you’ll be able to rotate the lamp in almost any direction at your will, which will give you a lot of freedom when using this product. It’s also quite lightweight so you can move it around with ease. The 3x magnifying glass is nice, but more zoom doesn’t necessarily mean more quality.
While you might see a slight difference between this budget option and the two premium options we’ve mentioned above, there will likely not be such a huge difference, especially if you don’t need so much accuracy.
That said, there are some features with this lamp where the company has cut some corners to get it to this price. Firstly, the light is not as powerful as with other products. Secondly, the build quality is inferior but probably good enough for everyday use.
Pros
- Good budget option 360-degree hose
- Adjustable and versatile 3x magnifying glass
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lower build quality than with most other options
- The light is not as powerful
Brightech LightView Pro Flex 2 in 1 – Best Portable Option
Error: Unknown Link TypeBrightech LightView Pro Flex 2 in 1 is one of the best portable options that you’ll find when it comes to magnifying lamps. I like this option as it’s got all the powerful features you’d expect from a high-end lamp, yet it’s still lightweight enough so that you can take it with you when you’re traveling.
Review
The Brightech LightView 2 in 1 is, granted, not the most powerful magnifying glass in the world – it offers a magnification of up to 1.75x which is not as much as some other products offer. However, you’ll probably find that level of magnification more than enough when you’re viewing your cards.
The reason why I like it as a portable option is its lightweight frame. It has an adjustable and flexible gooseneck, allowing you to turn the lamp in any direction you want. It’s certainly better for portability than those large, metal necks that don’t offer much flexibility. At the same time, the neck is more than sturdy enough to last you a long time.
The manufacturer says that the lamp will last for 20 years even if you use the lamp every single day for 3 hours a day – which is possible, thanks to the 6W light that has a lifetime of 20.000 hours. If I was to nitpick, the magnifying glass could have a bit more clarity when it comes to the sharpness of the glass, as it doesn’t have the strongest lens in the world.
Additionally, some users report that the cord is too short, which might be a concern if you’re using the lamp away from a power source.
Pros
Lightweight and portable Flexible yet sturdy gooseneck Long life expectancy High qualtiy build
Cons
The power cord could be longer The magnifying glass doesn’t offer the strongest magnification
iMagniphy LED Magnifying Lamp – Best Option for Precision
- 8X Magnification & Large Lens - Looking for a desk lamp that doubles as a magnifying glass? Try iMagniphy Magnifying Glass Lamp that comes with a 5.5-inch lens that allows for 8x magnification! Its light with magnifying glass is perfect for activities that require pinpoint precision, such as cross-stitch, model making, needle-point sewing, jewelry making, diamond painting, among others. Just make sure that the lens is 4-5 inches away from the item for precise 8x magnification.
- Super Strong LED Lights – This magnifying glass with light and stand is powered by 6 high-quality LED lights found on the gooseneck. The LED lights ensure you do your best work, such as electronic repairs, sewing, etc., and enjoy recreational activities such as reading, puzzles, stamps, and the likes, under literally the best light possible. To re-focus or change the angle of the magnifying light, use the adjustment tab. To use, simply plug the lamp into any standard 120V power source.
- Sturdy Base & Flexible Gooseneck – Now, just focus on the work or whatever needs to be magnified hands-free, thanks to the sturdy, heavy base and the flexible gooseneck. These product features are beneficial for work and personal activities that require both hands and extra focus for the task at hand - electronic repairs, sewing, cross-stitch, just to name a few. The flexible gooseneck also helps you adjust the lamp to your comforts ideal height and position.
- A Magnifi-cent Gift - Heres a perfect gift for an elderly family member! iMagniphys desktop magnifier, with its LED lights-powered lens, 360 degrees adjustable gooseneck, and the sturdy, heavy base, is a lighted magnifying glass that can aid older people in reading prescriptions, labels, and other practical uses. Our product can also serve as a magnifying work light for electronic technicians, jewelry makers, miniature artists, arts and crafts hobbyists, and more!
- iMagniphys Promise - At iMagniphy, your shopping experience matters to us. We ensure easy returns, quick refunds, and a limited warranty for your satisfaction. If, for whatever reason, you’re not satisfied with your LED magnifying lamp, return it for a 100% refund of your purchase price or contact us at iMagniphy for an immediate and expedited replacement. Our customer satisfaction is our #1 priority! *Terms and Conditions May Ap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you’re looking for something that will allow you to see more detail on your cards, then the iMagniphy LED Magnifying Lamp might be your best shot. It offers a magnification of up to 8x, which is one of the most powerful magnifications we’ve come across when it comes to the best magnifying lamps.
Review
The magnifying rate is one of the standout features of the iMagniphy LED Magnifying Lamp. You’ll be able to use the 8x zoom to your advantage when you’ll be inspecting your cards. This will allow you to see more detail than with most other lamps we’ve featured so far on this list. Also, the design and the build of the lamp are nice and compact, which even allows for some portability. In terms of sizes, this is one of the smallest lamps on this list, which is great even if you want to take the lamp with you or use it in different areas of your home.
At the same time, you’ll feel like you’re using a high-quality lamp thanks to the sturdy body of the lamp. The flexible gooseneck allows you to turn the lamp in almost any direction. This is important if you use the lamp for other hobbies as well, or if you want to try different positions when inspecting your cards.
Now, if you want a large lamp that you’ll only use in your home, then this might not be the best option for you. However, for the vast majority of users out there, this product will offer more than enough to satisfy their needs.
Pros
- Portable Compact build
- 8x magnification
- Flexible gooseneck
- Versatile
Cons
- Not as sturdy as other lamps
- It may be too small for some users
Magnifying Lamp Buying Guide
If you’re still unsure about which lamp you’re going to buy, then you might have some more clarity after reading this buying guide. Before you choose your magnifying lamp, you might want to ask yourself a few questions:
Will you be using the lamp only for inspecting cards, or also for other hobbies?
If you need a lamp only for inspecting cards, then you might want to go with something small and compact such as the Brightech LightView PRO. Else, you might want to consider a larger lamp such as the Brightech LightView PRO 6.
Do you need to take it with you?
Portability can be a huge factor, so you might want to take a minute to think about where you’ll be using the lamp. If you intend to use it on the road, then opt for smaller lamps such as the Brightech LightView PRO 2 in 1 or even the iMagniphy LED lamp. Steer away from larger lamps.
What type of magnification do you prefer?
If you need more magnification, you’ll want to buy lamps that offer sharper magnification. The sharpest is the iMagniphy LED Lamp, which offers a magnification of up to 8x.
How much are you willing to spend?
Lastly, consider the budget you have to spend to buy the magnifying lamp. You’ll want to choose the right option as you still have some great options that come at an affordable price. Take a look at the Raweao LED lamp if you’re looking for a budget option. Each factor will help you determine your choice. Take some time to answer these questions and then make your decision much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What magnification do card graders use?
This will depend vastly on each person. Some will use the 1.75x magnification, while others will use up to 8x magnification, which some people might find too much. The sweet spot is likely somewhere between 1.75x and 5x, although you’ll want to experiment a bit and see what you like best.
What is the strongest magnifying lamp?
The iMagniphy LED lamp is the strongest magnifying lamp, with 8x magnification. It will allow you to see much more detail on your cards, although it might be overkill for just viewing cards.
Why do I need a lamp for inspecting my cards?
Some of the major grading services such as PSA, BGS, or SGC, will often use a magnifying lamp when grading cards. Each person that is grading will have their own preferences; some will use it, while others won’t. If you want to increase the chances of getting the best grade possible, then using the magnifying lamp will allow you to see small flaws in your cards that you can fix before sending them to the grading service, allowing you to get a better grade in the end.
