What Should You Consider When Buying Benchtop Shaking Incubators
What to Look for When Comparing Different Benchtop Shaking Incubators
Choosing the right benchtop shaking incubator can improve both efficiency and consistency in the laboratory. Whether you're culturing microorganisms, growing cell lines, or preparing samples, the right equipment helps deliver reliable results.
However, with so many benchtop shaking incubators available, comparing models can feel overwhelming. By focusing on a few key features, you can quickly identify the best option for your application and budget.
Choosing Between Orbital and Linear Shaking
One of the first things to consider when comparing benchtop shaking incubators is the type of shaking motion.
Most laboratories favour orbital shakers because they provide gentle, circular movement. As a result, samples benefit from excellent mixing and improved aeration. This makes orbital systems suitable for a wide range of microbiology and cell culture applications.
Linear shaking incubators move samples backwards and forwards in a straight line. While this design works well for some protocols, many laboratories prefer the flexibility offered by orbital shakers.
Some protocols are particularly well suited to linear shaking motion, especially those that require uniform agitation, such as cell washing and staining procedures. The consistent back-and-forth movement helps distribute reagents evenly across samples, making linear shakers a good choice for these applications.
Benchtop Shaking Incubators with Digital or Analogue Controls
The control panel might seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on usability.
Many modern benchtop shaking incubators feature digital displays. While basic shaking incubators may only display shaking speed, higher-specification systems such as the ESCO Orbicult range provide clear monitoring of multiple operating conditions, including temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration (where fitted) and shaking parameters.
This allows users to verify environmental conditions at a glance and helps support experiment consistency during long-term culture applications.
Analogue controls remain a practical choice for straightforward applications. Nevertheless, laboratories that require accuracy and repeatability often benefit from a digital system.
Consider Capacity Carefully
Capacity is often overlooked during the buying process. Yet it can have a major impact on future productivity.
Consider how many flasks or culture vessels you use during a typical experiment. It's also worth thinking about future growth. A slightly larger incubator may support increasing workloads without the need for another purchase.
Smaller laboratories often prefer compact benchtop shaking incubators that maximise available space. Meanwhile, larger facilities may benefit from higher-capacity models that support several projects at once.
Capacity can also help determine whether a benchtop, stackable or floorstanding model is most appropriate. Smaller laboratories with limited space may favour compact benchtop units, while larger research facilities often benefit from high-capacity floorstanding incubator shakers capable of accommodating larger flask volumes and higher sample throughput.
When selecting a system, consider not only current capacity requirements but also future growth and the flexibility needed for expanding research programmes.
Why Orbit Size Matters
Orbit size influences how samples move during incubation.
Larger orbit sizes create more vigorous mixing and improved oxygen transfer. Therefore, they often suit microbial culture applications. Smaller orbit sizes provide gentler agitation and may be a better fit for sensitive samples.
Before selecting benchtop shaking incubators, check that the orbit size matches your workflow and sample type.
Temperature and Humidity Control
Environmental control is a critical consideration when selecting a shaking incubator, particularly for cell culture and other temperature-sensitive applications.
Accurate temperature control helps maintain stable growth conditions, while humidity regulation can reduce evaporation and help preserve sample integrity during longer experiments.
Larger incubator shakers often provide more advanced environmental control capabilities, making them well suited to demanding research workflows that require consistent and reproducible conditions.
What to Look for in Larger Capacity Shaking Incubators
If you're comparing larger systems such as the ESCO OrbiCult range, several additional features deserve attention.
Door Design
Some units are fitted with top-swinging doors, while others feature down-swinging designs. The best option will depend on the layout of your laboratory and how easily you need to access your samples.
Low Noise Operation
Nobody wants a noisy laboratory. Therefore, low-noise operation can be an important factor, especially in shared workspaces where multiple instruments are running throughout the day.
Flexible Orbit Options
Many larger ESCO shaking incubators offer different orbit sizes. This flexibility allows one system to support multiple applications. As a result, laboratories can adapt the equipment to changing research requirements.
CO₂ Control
For cell culture work, CO₂ control may be essential. If your protocols require precise environmental conditions, make sure the system you're considering includes this capability.
UV Sterilisation for Contamination Prevention
For laboratories working with cell cultures or other sensitive biological samples, maintaining a clean growth environment is essential.
Some shaking incubators include UV sterilisation that helps establish a sterile chamber environment before use. This can help reduce the risk of contamination and support more reliable experimental outcomes.
When evaluating incubator shakers for cell culture applications, UV sterilisation can be a valuable feature to consider alongside temperature, humidity and CO₂ control.
Choosing a Trusted Supplier for Benchtop Shaking Incubators
Reliability is just as important as performance. That's why many laboratories choose to work with trusted suppliers such as Appleton Woods, which offers a range of laboratory equipment from leading manufacturers, including ESCO.
Alongside product specifications, it's worth looking at technical support, servicing options and warranty coverage. After all, a quality incubator is an investment that should support your research for many years.
Consider Your Budget
Budget is another important factor to consider when choosing a benchtop shaking incubator. Prices can vary considerably depending on chamber capacity, temperature range, shaking performance and specialist features such as CO₂ control.
Entry-level benchtop models are available from around £2,500, while larger research-grade systems can cost more than £20,000.
Setting a clear budget early on can help narrow the options and ensure you invest in a model that offers the right balance of performance, functionality and long-term value for your laboratory.
Products currently available from Appleton Woods range from approximately £2,448 for compact models to over £24,000 for advanced incubator shakers with CO₂ control.
Finding the Right Benchtop Shaking Incubators for Your Laboratory
When comparing benchtop shaking incubators, it's important to look beyond the price tag. The ideal system depends on your shaking requirements, capacity needs, and laboratory environment. Additionally, factors such as orbit size, display type, noise levels and CO₂ control can influence long-term performance.
By taking the time to assess these features, you'll be far more likely to choose a solution that meets both your current and future needs. Whether you're looking for a compact benchtop incubator shaker, a stackable system or a high-capacity floor-standing model such as the ESCO OrbiCult range, making an informed decision will help deliver consistent results and long-term value. Features such as temperature and humidity control, UV sterilisation, environmental monitoring and CO₂ regulation may all play an important role depending on your application.
With a wide range of benchtop shaking incubators available, the team at Appleton Woods can help you identify the most suitable model for your laboratory, workflow and budget. Contact us to find out more.
