Best Benchtop Centrifuges

Some applications require a gentler processing speed to maintain the integrity of cells and particles. To achieve gentler spinning, you'll need a low-speed centrifuge. The rotors rotate at slower speeds to limit sample damage and provide precise results. For example, people who work with blood samples may use low-speed centrifuges to improve cell viability.

Refrigerated Centrifuge

Some samples — like proteins and live cells —  must stay at specific, low temperatures to preserve their stability and integrity. You'll need a refrigerated centrifuge to keep these types of samples cold during centrifugation. These centrifuges have a refrigeration unit that cools temperature-sensitive samples that could overheat during processing.

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Top Benchtop Centrifuge Brands

The top three benchtop centrifuge manufacturers are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eppendorf and Beckman Coulter. Each brand has specific benefits, so being aware of these can help make your decision easier.

Beckman Coulter makes economical instruments that are reliable, uncomplicated and easy to maintain. Thermo Fisher centrifuges are a little pricier, but you get a sleeker-looking instrument. They're also a bit harder to service, though replacement parts are easy to come by. Eppendorf makes more top-of-the-range centrifuges that offer a great user experience, but they can be difficult to repair.

If you're unsure which brand to pick, consider your budget and look at user reviews.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Benchtop Centrifuge

Once you've chosen a benchtop centrifuge type, you may still have multiple options in front of you. To narrow your choices, consider the following features and specifications:

• Rotor speed: Most centrifuges specify their revolutions per minute (RPM), which is how fast the rotors in the machine rotate. Speed is one of the most important considerations for selecting a centrifuge, as your sample and use case will require specific speeds to provide the best results. The rotor type can also impact speed. For example, fixed rotors can reach higher speeds than swing-out rotors.
• G-force: Relative centrifugal force (RCF) — also called g-force — is the acceleration force applied to the sample inside the tube or container. Faster speeds and rotors with a larger radius can increase RCF.
• Rotor type: Another thing you'll see on centrifuge specification lists is rotor type. Most benchtop centrifuges come in two rotor-type variants — fixed-angle and swing-out. A fixed-angle centrifuge typically holds rotors at an angle of 45 degrees. Swing-out or swinging-bucket rotors sit vertically but swing out horizontally when you turn the machine on. The sediment will then land at the bottom of the tube, whereas it falls at an angle on the walls of the tube in a fixed-angle rotor.
• Speed control: Some centrifuges have a fixed speed, while others offer variable speed settings. A centrifuge with speed control will let you select the right speed for each sample or even change the speed mid-cycle.
• Capacity: Benchtop centrifuges can only hold a specific sample volume inside tubes within its rotors. More rotors will give you more space to add samples. You can always use an adapter to add more tubes, but the rotor size could limit you. Capacity should be a top priority if you need to process a high volume of samples simultaneously.
• Adapter compatibility: Some labs need to use specific rotor adapters to hold unique sample containers or to increase capacity. If you have rotor adapters you want to use with a new machine, check that they are compatible first.
• Control and display: Centrifuges have control panels that allow you to change cycle speed, time and temperature. There will also be a display that shows helpful information to help you monitor the process. Some centrifuges have user-friendly controls and modern digital displays that make them easy to operate. However, others may have more complex, advanced controls.
• Temperature: Temperature-sensitive samples need centrifuges with refrigeration or heating elements. If you work with these sample types, ensure your centrifuge can maintain the required temperature.
• Noise levels: Remember to check the machine's noise output. This is especially important if you have a smaller lab, as a noisy centrifuge could quickly become irritating.