University science and medicine departments rely on their various labs — these spaces allow professors to walk students through fundamental principles and practices of their determined field and conduct research. For students and professors to get the most from their labs, universities must stock them with the right equipment and instruments.
Why Buy Used Lab Equipment for Universities
Used lab equipment for research centers can support many academic and student needs on campus. When you want to expand your school's lab equipment or replace aging models, buying used can be an excellent choice for science colleges and departments.
1. Price
New lab equipment can be pricey, with manufacturers investing in the best materials and design techniques to deliver top-of-the-line equipment. While many instruments are worth the investment, you can often find slightly older models for much cheaper than their release price. You can optimize your lab's budget by searching for used equipment instead.
2. Quality
Despite equipment being older, used equipment is often still high-performing and very durable. Further, many used equipment providers run tests to provide accurate quality assurance to show customers how the instrument performs. University labs can benefit from older equipment that is not yet outdated.
3. Sustainable
For schools watching their environmental impact, buying used lab equipment can support sustainability efforts. Only purchasing new equipment contributes to useable instruments ending up in landfills.
Reusing old equipment and recycling salvageable parts can prevent items from entering landfills before their time. Finding a provider that supports environmental-friendly initiatives can further support your efforts to go green.
4. Shorter Wait Times
Investing in new equipment might mean waiting for products to launch or at the end of long waitlists. During this time, students might miss out on vital learning or research opportunities. Because university life moves fast, used lab equipment can better support your students and faculty. Many used equipment providers have their items in stock and ready to ship, so you can receive your equipment quicker.
5. Newer Models
Many individuals associate used equipment with older, outdated equipment that won't support your lab. However, plenty of used lab instruments are still functional and relevant, making them valuable investments for your facilities. Further, used lab equipment might be older than the most current models, but they are often much newer than any existing models labs currently own, still making them a considerable upgrade.
5 Types of Used Lab Equipment for Universities
Understanding what instruments you should have available in your lab can support student and faculty needs.
1. Microscopes
Microscopes are versatile, with various power settings and capabilities to accommodate different fields, needs and experiments. These instruments help students and faculty explore and analyze beyond what their eyes can see. Faculty and students can demonstrate and learn how to use microscopes and use findings to drive their research.
2. Centrifuges
University labs can expose students to the equipment they'll use in research settings outside of college, giving them the vital preparation and skills they'll need to succeed. Using centrifuges is essential in many lines of work.
If your labs already have standard benchtop centrifuges, consider expanding your assortment with a more specialized option — microcentrifuges, refrigerated centrifuges and other models can introduce students to more concepts and research for increased lab functionality.
Browse All Centrifuge Models3. Incubators
Incubators help create ideal environments for various testing conditions, including growing cell cultures in your lab for further study. These instruments can allow students to adjust internal conditions, like humidity, pH level and carbon dioxide levels, helping give them the knowledge and skills they'll need in a professional lab after college.
Find an Incubator for Your University4. Rotary Evaporator
When centrifuges can separate substances in a mixture through mixing, a rotary evaporator will further remove solvents through evaporation. Students and professors can use these tools to access substances they encounter in the lab and their studies. Rotary evaporator models have various capacities, so you should choose one that matches your lab's expected use level.
5. Freezers
Freezers and refrigerators allow researchers and classes to store their samples for later examination without damaging their results. Buying used freezers can protect your budget when large programs require comprehensive freezer solutions.
Shop All ULT FreezersWhat to Consider When Buying Used Lab Equipment for Universities
When investing in used lab equipment for your university, you should understand the various factors to consider before purchasing.
1. Your Needs and Functionality
As you approach the research and buying stages of equipment procurement, document your existing equipment to better identify what you're missing. When you know what you need, you can avoid buying duplicates or unneeded instruments.
2. Vendor Reputation
When investing in new equipment, you must choose a trustworthy vendor. The right vendor will connect you with quality used equipment that best suits your lab's needs. You can judge companies on their reputation, reviews and referrals. These sources can tell you what customers did and didn't like about vendors and their products.
3. Demonstrations and Training
Many manufacturers offer comprehensive resources for their products to customers to help them use and adjust to new instruments. Used equipment providers also offer assistance to ease the learning curve of updated equipment.
Consider looking for vendors that include training or demonstrations with their products for more resources. If manufacturers provide public resources for your model, that information can support your investment.
4. Services and Warranties
Like with resources, purchasing used lab equipment from a vendor is often a long-term partnership that can serve you the rest of the instrument's life span. Quality vendors will offer services like repairs, maintenance and warranties to help maintain your investment's performance and longevity. Investing in these plans can also offset later costs of owning used equipment.
Learn More About Our Warranty5. Associated and Total Ownership Costs
Used equipment can come with its risks. Buying from an untrustworthy source without quality assurance can result in faulty equipment that needs comprehensive repairs.
Older equipment might have parts that are no longer sold, making it more challenging and expensive to fix. If instruments need replacing soon after buying them, they might not pay off their investment.
Considering the long- and short-term costs of your investment can strengthen your decisions.
Purchase Equipment for University Labs From New Life Scientific
New Life Scientific offers a diverse selection of used lab equipment for colleges and universities at more affordable prices than newer models, so you can equip your research spaces with the right equipment within your budget. We run extensive tests to determine the quality and functionality of the equipment we offer. Our after-purchase service offers comprehensive support to equipment owners, from walkthroughs on usage to repairs and service.
Contact us at New Life Scientific or explore our equipment selections to build your university lab.
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