Should I get an optical microscope or a digital screen microscope?

It depends on age and goal. Digital screen microscopes are easier for young children to share and require no eye-to-eyepiece coordination, which retailer reviewers cite as a big plus for ages 4-8. But r/microscopy commenters in our data point out that the built-in cameras on cheap digital units are often the weak link, and optical detail tops out quickly. For a child who's likely to stick with biology, a traditional compound scope with glass optics is the more future-proof choice.