Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Microplate Handler
- How many plates and plate types can the handler accommodate? An ANSI-compatible handler provides increased flexibility for those using multiple plate densities (ex. 96-, 384-, 1536-well) or low-volume plates, and interchangeable plate stacks accommodate varying throughput requirements.
- What is the transfer speed? Transfer speed is especially important for increased throughput. Adding a dual plate carrier keeps two plates in process, thus further increasing assay efficiency.
- Can the handler operate in portrait and landscape configurations? A rotational gripper option optimizes positioning of the microplate handler with its mating instrument, thus improving flexibility and efficient operation.
- Does the handler fit into a hood or biosafety cabinet? Placing a microplate handler within a hood or biosafety cabinet allows users to maintain personal safety and protect samples.
- Is the handler compatible with a wide variety of other instruments?
- Does it come with a barcode reader for easy microplate identification? Barcode scanning is especially useful for increased throughput.
Types of microplate handler(s) used by survey respondents:
| Microplate reader | 37% |
| Microplate centrifuge | 20% |
| Microplate washer | 14% |
| Microplate stacker | 12% |
| Microplate sealer | 8% |
| Microplate labeler | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Top 5 microplate handler applications as reported by survey respondents:
| Biotechnology | 27% |
| Clinical / diagnostics | 23% |
| Pharmaceutical / medicine | 18% |
| Education, research | 11% |
| Environmental | 6% |
Nearly 31% of respondents plan on purchasing a microplate handler in the next year. The budgets for these purchases are as follows:
 | Less than $1,000 | 8% |  |
 | $1,000-$2,000 | 15% | |
 | $2,000-$4,000 | 19% | |
 | $4,000-$8,000 | 8% | |
 | $8,000-$16,000 | 19% | |
 | $16,000+ | 31% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a microplate handler:
| Durability of Product | 88% |
| Performance of product | 85% |
| Availability of supplies and accessories | 77% |
| Low operating costs | 77% |
| Value for price paid | 77% |
| Service and support | 62% |
| Software | 62% |
| Warranties | 60% |
| Ease of use | 58% |
| Low maintenance/Easy to clean | 54% |
For more information on microplate handlers, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/microplate-tech
