When it comes to common technology in a laboratory, centrifuges rise toward the top of the list. Centrifuges separate particles and structures suspended in liquid by applying thousands of gravitational force equivalents to the sample through spinning and play a role in a wide range of workflows and applications.
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Centrifuge
- What is the maximum g-force the centrifuge can generate?
- How does the company’s centrifuge differ from other ones that can achieve the same speed and capacity?
- What kind of warranty comes with the centrifuge and what does it cover?
- If the company discontinues the product, for how many years do they provide accessories and parts for the centrifuge?
- Ask about the cost of the purchase—not just the price of the product being installed but the total cost of ownership including price, service expectations, warranty, etc.
Types of centrifuge(s) used by survey respondents:
| Benchtop Centrifuge | 56% |
| Microcentrifuge | 52% |
| Benchtop Refrigerated Centrifuge | 50% |
| Benchtop Clinical Centrifuge | 35% |
| Floor Refrigerated Centrifuge | 23% |
| Floor Centrifuge | 15% |
| Floor Ultracentrifuge | 12% |
| Benchtop Ultracentrifuge | 12% |
| Other | 3% |
Centrifuge rotor type(s) used by survey respondents:
| Swinging-bucket rotors | 84% |
| Fixed angle rotors | 88% |
| Vertical rotors | 8% |
Nearly 52% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new centrifuge. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of aging system | 60% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 18% | |
 | Setting up a new lab | 7% | |
 | First time purchase | 3% | |
 | Changing from the current type of centrifuge | 2% | |
 | Require more speed (g-forces) and capacity | 3% | |
 | Other | 7% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a centrifuge:
| Reliability | 89% |
| Ease of use | 76% |
| Price | 76% |
| Low maintenance / operating costs | 73% |
| Safety features | 68% |
| Warranty | 55% |
| Accuracy | 53% |
| Service and support | 49% |
| Type of centrifuge rotor | 42% |
| Swinging-bucket rotors | 37% |
For more information on centrifuges, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/centrifuges
