The wide variety of lab shaker designs on the market reflects the increasing diversity of scientific experimentation. Labs now use a greater range of sample sizes than ever before, from liters to microliters. And while replicate and combinatorial studies increase the number of samples, requirements for environmental control create yet a third dimension that shaker designers must consider.
Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Laboratory Shaker
- What is the capacity of the unit (both for total weight and volume)
- What accessories are available?
- What is the RPM range and what increments can it be controlled in?
- Do you require a temperature controlled shaker? Incubating or water-bath shaker? Cooling?
- What shaking method do you require? Orbital, vortex, or rocking?
- What programming functions, if any, does the unit have?
Shaker types used by survey respondents:
| Vortex shaker | 69% |
| Orbital shaker | 51% |
| Rocking shaker | 35% |
| Incubator shaker | 31% |
| Biological shaker | 23% |
| Vibrating shaker | 16% |
| Reciprocal shaker | 12% |
| Nutating shaker | 5% |
| Other | 3% |
Number of hours per day shaker is in operation:
| Less than 1 hour | 28% |
| 1 - 3 hours | 27% |
| 3 - 5 hours | 15% |
| 5 - 7 hours | 13% |
| More than 7 hours | 17% |
Nearly 56% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new laboratory shaker. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
| Replacement of an aging system | 60% |
| Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 24% |
| Setting up a new lab | 3% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a laboratory shaker:
| Durability / rugged design | 78% |
| Low maintenance — easy to clean | 77% |
| Simple operation — easy to program and monitor | 68% |
| Shaking speed | 50% |
| Low noise — quiet | 46% |
| Minimal vibration | 46% |
| Warranty | 45% |
| Compact design | 36% |
| Orbital vs. reciprocating motion | 34% |
| Electronic speed controls | 34% |
