Top 10 Laboratory Must-Haves

Top 10 Laboratory Must-Haves

Instrument Choice supports universities, pharmaceutical companies, and scientific research organisations with a range of essential laboratory equipment.

The Instrument Choice Team comprises scientists with plenty of laboratory experience, so if you’re thinking of setting up a new lab or upgrading equipment in your existing one, give us a call before you start. First, we have made a list of the top 10 pieces of laboratory equipment every lab “must-have”.

1. Laboratory Refrigerators & Freezers

Uses for laboratory refrigerators include cooling samples and the safe preservation of temperature-sensitive products, reagents, and specimens. Instrument Choice proudly recommends Thermoline Scientific’s laboratory refrigerators for clients requiring reliability and security. These attributes are essential for fast-paced labs that need precise, reliable temperature control to store sensitive samples and supplies safely. 

(For a breakdown of laboratory fridge-freezers by Thermoline, read our article "Vaccine Vs Household Refrigerators; What’s the Difference?")

Product example:

520 Litre, Fan Forced Premium Pharmacy Refrigerator
Product code: TPR-520-1-GD

The TPR-520-1-GD pharmacy refrigerator by Thermoline is ideal for retail pharmacies, medical centres, hospitals, and universities where the safe storage of valuable or sensitive products is essential. 

Thermoline Class 1 Medical Device refrigerators comply with Federal Legislation that demands the registration of all medical devices on the ARTG. The TPR-520-1-GD premium pharmacy fridge features non-exposed internal fans, polyurethane insulation covered by white Colourbond panelling, and stainless-steel flooring.

Quick Specifications:

Capacity: 520L (Also available in 750L950L and, 1150L.)
ARTG Registered: Yes
Door Type: Self-closing - Choose either solid or glass doors.
Temperature Control and Display: External digital display
Alarms: High (+8°C) and Low (+2°C) temperature alarms emit visual and audible signals.
Lockable Doors: Yes, key locks 

 

Browse all Refrigerators & Freezers

 

2. Scales and Balances

Balances measure mass, while scales measure weight. The functions and uses of scales and balances within labs are virtually endless - something as straightforward as checking the weight of incoming goods (on a scale) or as complex as precision measurements for research experiments (using a balance).

Product example:

620 g Scout General Portable Balance
Product code: IC-SPX621

The Scout General Portable Balance is a high-performance laboratory device. It’s a lab-friendly balance that offers rapid stabilisation time, high resolution, superior overload protection, and multiple weighing units and application modes.

Quick Specifications

Capacity: 620g
Readability: 0.1g
Repeatability: Typical 0.1g
Pan Size: 140 mm x 170 mm

 

Browse all Scales & Balances

 

3. Mixers

Instrument Choice offers an astonishing 250 mixers and mixer accessories in our scientific laboratory equipment range.

Mixers include; cell disruptors, incubator shakers, magnetic stirrers, micro-plate mixers, orbital mixers, platform mixers, roller mixers, rotary mixers, temperature shakers and vortex mixers.

Check out all the mixer accessories you may ever need here.

Product example:

Vortex-Genie 2 Vortex Mixer
Product code: IC-SI-0297

The small and powerful Vortex-Genie 2 Vortex Mixer features a variable speed control that ranges from slow-speed shaking up to high-speed vortexing. The unit’s metal housing has a perfect weight and stable platform suitable for all types of mixing.  

Quick Specifications

Speed (RPM): 600-3200
Product Weight: 4 Kg
Dimensions (base): 165 x 122 x 165mm

 

Browse all Mixers

 

4. Pipettes

A pipette is a specialised laboratory tool commonly used in chemistry, biology, medical, or pharmaceutical applications. Laboratory pipettes precisely measure and transfer small samples of liquids, usually from 0.1 µl to 10 ml. They have disposable tips that contact the fluid that’s drawn and measured.

Product example:

Variable Volume Single Channel pipettor, NEXTY, 100~1000ul
Product code: ICNT-1000

The ICNT-1000 is a precision variable volume single-channel pipettor that measures 100 to 1000μl. The unit features an autoclavable lower portion, colour-coded push buttons, and a turbo dial that makes making large volume changes convenient.

Quick Specifications

Minimal Scale: 1 μL
Volume: 100 μL / 1000 μL
Accuracy: ±2.0% / ±0.8%
Precision0.6% / 0.3% 

 

Browse all Pipettes

 

5. Thermometers

Temperature is one of the most widely measured parameters. Common uses for lab thermometers include verifying that laboratory devices are working correctly before use, instrument calibration, material testing, and monitoring experiments.

Product example:

Bluetooth Thermometer Datalogger (K,J,E,T,N,S,R-Type, 4 Inputs)
Product code: IC-CENTER521

The CENTER 521 supports K, J, E, T, N, R, S types of thermocouple probes and employs a rapid sampling rate that captures dramatic temperature change in a brief period. The unit can simultaneously display and measure four channels and record up to 32,000 temperature points for each channel.

Quick Specifications:

Temperature Range: -200 to 1370°C
Temperature Accuracy: ±0.1% +0.7°C

 

Browse all Thermometers

 

6. Centrifuges

Instrument Choice offers a broad range of centrifuges for separating fluids according to size, shape, density, and viscosity. Centrifuges vary from mini desktop devices to large-scale refrigerated professional units.

Product example:

Frontier 5306 Mini Centrifuge
Product code: IC-FC5306

 The Frontier Mini is a small but mighty centrifuge that performs rapid and straightforward liquid separation tasks.

The Frontier 5306 takes a simple one-step operation to a new level. Place your sample in the centrifuge, close the lid, and it will begin to rotate without the press of a button.

 Quick Specifications

Rotating Speed Scope: 6000 rpm ± 5%
Centrifugal Force: 2000 g ± 10%
Max Capacity: Angle Rotor: 8 x 1.5 ml / 2 ml and Tube Bank Rotor: 4 x 0.2 ml-PCR 8-tube bank or 32 x 0.2 ml single centrifugal tube.

 

Browse all Centrifuges

 

7. Incubators

Instrument Choice offers a range of incubators and incubator accessories for creating controlled, contaminant-free environments so you can work safely and reliably with cell and tissue cultures.

Product example:

50L Fan Forced and Gravity Convection Incubator
Product code: IC-TI-50F

The IC-TI-50F50L Fan Forced and Gravity Convection Incubator features the ability to select fan-forced or gravity convection mode via a simple switch located on the front of the device. The unit has an easy-to-clean and non-corrosive stainless-steel liner plus a magnetic door gasket to ensure positive door closure.

 Quick Specifications:

Capacity: 50L
Temperature Range: +5 to 60°C
Control Accuracy: ±0.25
Shelves: 3 

 

Browse all Incubators

 

8. Ovens

Instrument Choice offers both hybridisation and dehydration ovens with precision temperature control. See also additional shelves and oven accessories.

Product example:

Dehydrating Oven, As1681 (150L) Digital Control
Product code: TD-150F-AS1681

The TD-150F-AS1681 is a 150L dehydrating oven for storing volatile materials such as bitumen, paint, or varnish. It features a stainless-steel interior and Colourbond exterior, full high-grade fibreglass insulation, a long-life fan motor and a heating element.

 Quick Specifications

Capacity: 150L
Temperature Range: Ambient +10 C to 200°C
Temperature Uniformity: +2°C at 100°C unloaded with vents closed
Shelves: 4

 

Browse all Ovens

 

9. Water baths

Instrument Choice offers an assortment of water baths suitable for sample incubation, warming reagents or media and maintaining a homogenous sample state. Our scientists can make recommendations from various circulated, uncirculated, shaking and ultrasonic baths.

Product example:

WB700D 7L Advanced Digital LED Waterbath
Product code: IC-WB700D

The IC-WB700D is a 7-litre water bath with a precision PID control and a bright dual-line LED display that indicates set and current temperatures.

The bath is entirely seamless with rounded corners and no crevices – so it’s easy to clean, and contaminants can’t become lodged.

 Quick Specifications

Tank Capacity: 7-litres
Temperature Control Range: Ambient + 5°C to 100.0°C
Temperature Control Stability: ±0.2°C
Bath Temperature Uniformity: ±0.5°C with lid fitted

 

Browse all Waterbaths

 

10. UVC Meters

Suppose you have UV sterilisation lamps or specialised equipment containing UV lamps in your laboratory. If so, you will need a UVC meter to validate that instruments are working correctly and ensure there is no dangerous UVC leakage.

Product example:

UV Light Meter UVC
Product code: IC-850010

The IC-850010 measures short wave UVC light and displays recorded information on the large backlit display in either microwatts (uW) or milliwatt/square centimetre (mW/cm2). Simultaneously, the small lower display presents minimum, maximum, average and recorded data values.  

Further, this UVC light intensity meter can save up to 20 data points at various intervals for later recall. This feature makes the IC-850010 ideal for measuring a large area or obtaining an average measurement.

Quick Specifications

UV Range: 1 µW/cm² to 40 mW/cm2
Resolution: 1 µW and 0.01 mW/cm²
Accuracy: ±4% ±1 digit (@23 ±5° 
 

 

Browse all UVC Meters

 

The Final Word

Whether you are setting up a new laboratory or looking to upgrade your old lab equipment, the extensive and always growing range of scientific laboratory equipment at Instrument Choice means we will always find the perfect solution for your laboratory application.

Browse all Laboratory equipment here

If you can’t find the lab equipment you’re looking for, or you need advice with an application, setting up your equipment, or designing an experiment, Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

Also interesting

Product Review: ICZD06 Soil pH and Moisture Meter with Probe

Instrument Choice's team of scientists regularly reviews new and popular products, so you can make informed decisions when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application.

This edition reviews the highly popular, reliable and affordable ICZD06, a Soil pH and Moisture Meter brimming with user-friendly features and functions.

Get a scientists' review of the ICZD06 Soil pH and Moisture Meter with Probe

Read More
ICZD06 Soil pH and Moisture Meter with Probe

An Introductory Guide to Centrifuges by OHaus

OHAUS has produced weighing devices for almost 100 years. Recently the company decided to launch new product ranges, including laboratory equipment.

This article reviews four main types of centrifuge now manufactured by OHAUS -  from mini benchtop devices to top-of-the-line, professional models.

Are you looking to upgrade your centrifuge? You need to read this article first!

Read More
An Introductory Guide to Centrifuges by OHaus