2014 Shaker Survey Results
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.
by
Trevor Henderson, PhD
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Trevor Henderson BSc (HK), MSc, PhD (c), is the creative services director at Lab Manager. He has more than two decades of experience in the fields of scientific...
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Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying an 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?
- What are the temperature and humidity operating conditions for the unit?
- What programming functions, if any, does the unit have?
Type of laboratory shakers used by survey respondents:
| Vortex shaker | 24% |
| Orbital shaker | 18% |
| Incubator shaker | 17% |
| Rocking shaker | 17% |
| Vibrating shaker | 10% |
| Biological shaker | 6% |
| Reciprocal shaker | 5% |
| Nutating shaker | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
Number of hours per day shaker is in operation:
| Less than 1 hour | 25% |
| 1 - 3 hours | 26% |
| 3 - 5 hours | 11% |
| 5 - 7 hours | 9% |
| > 7 hours | 29% |
Nearly 27% of respondents plan on purchasing a new laboratory shaker in the next year. The estimated budget ranges for these purchases are as follows:
 | Less than $500 |  |
 | $500 - $1,000 | |
 | $1,500 - $3,000 | |
 | $3,000 - $6,000 | |
 | $6,000 + | |
 | Don't know |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a laboratory shaker:
| Durability / Rugged design | 67% |
| Low maintenance / Easy to clean | 53% |
| Shaking speed | 46% |
| Simple operation - Easy to program and monitor | 41% |
| Compact design | 33% |
| Low noise - Quiet | 32% |
| Warranty | 28% |
| Minimal vibration | 26% |
| Heating/cooling capability | 26% |
| Electronic speed controls | 24% |
For more information on laboratory shakers, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/shakers