Centrifuge Comparison Guide

Centrifuges are a critical piece of equipment in the laboratory designed to separate sample material by using high-speed rotation. Heavier components clump and settle to the bottom, while lighter ones remain in the liquid supernatant. Centrifuges come in various styles including microcentrifuges (for small tubes), benchtop models (for routine clinical work), refrigerated units (for temperature-sensitive samples), and ultracentrifuges (for extreme speeds). Selecting the correct model requires matching your protocol to the appropriate RCF (Relative Centrifugal Force), rotor type, and tube capacity. Fixed-angle rotors are built for rapid pelleting, while swinging-bucket rotors (often found in benchtop models) are ideal for density gradients and consistent separation.

What kind of Microcentrifuge or Centrifuge is suitable for your application?

Microcentrifuge

Centrifuge, Low-Speed

Centrifuge, High-Speed

  • Capacity for tubes 10ml or less, PCR strips and microplates
  • Available in various speeds
  • Benchtop models
  • Capacity for 1.5-500ml tubes, PCR strips and microplates
  • Available speeds less than 10,000rpm
  • Benchtop and floor models
  • Capacity for 1.5-750ml tubes, PCR strips and microplates
  • Available speeds more than 10,000rpm
  • Benchtop and floor models

Microcentrifuges Available:

Model Type Speed Capacity Temperature Dimensions Weight
Sprout Mini Fixed rotors for PCR strips or tubes 600rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
0.4ml (6)
0.2ml (6)
1/5/2.0ml (6)
- 15.3 x 12.8 x 10.4cm 0.73kg
LabCo High-Speed Fixed rotors and adaptors for PCR strips or tubes 7,000rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
8 position 0.5ml PCR strips (2)
0.2ml (8)
0.5ml (8)
1.5/2.0ml (8)
- 15 x 15 x 11.7cm 1kg
StripSpin 12 Fixed rotor for PCR strips or tubes 5,500rpm 12 position 0.2ml PCR strips (4)
8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
1.5/2.0ml (8)
- 19.4 x 23 x 12cm 2kg
MyFuge Fixed rotors and adaptors for PCR strips or tubes 6,000rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
1.5/2.0ml (8)
0.2ml PCR (16)
-  11.4 x 15 x 11.4cm 2.5kg
Gusto Mini Fixed rotors for PCR strips or tubes 12,500rpm 8 position 0.2/0.5ml PCR strips (4)
0.5/2.0ml (12)
- 20.3 x 17.1 x 11.4cm 2.72kg
E8 Fixed rotor for various tubes 3,500rpm 15ml (8)
75mm capillary (8)
- 27.9 x 27.9 x 24.1cm 4.3kg
PlateFuge Fixed rotors for plates and adaptors for PCR strips or available 2,550rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (24)
25mm microtiter plates (2)
- 23 x 26 x 19.7cm 4.1kg
VetSpin Duo Fixed rotor for various tubes 10,000rpm 0.5ml (10)
1.5/2.0ml (10)
75mm capillary (10)
- 30.5 x 27 x 20.8cm 7.5kg
Hawksley Neuation HCT Fixed haematocrit rotor 12,000rpm 45-75mm capillary (24) - 36.3 x 30.1 x 10.5cm 5kg
Haematospin 1400 Fixed rotors for various tubes available 12,000rpm 75mm capillary (24)
1.5/2.0ml (20)
- 23 x 27 x 16cm 5.1kg
HC-24 Fixed haematocrit rotor 1,000-2,000rpm 75mm capillary (24) - 36 x 28 x 25cm 16kg
H1650 Fixed and swing-out rotors for tubes or plates available 16,500rpm 0.5ml (48)
1.5/2.0ml (24)
5ml (10)
10ml (12)
Microplate (4)
- 32.5 x 42 x 32.5cm 20kg
MC-24 Fixed rotor for PCR strips, tubes or combo 1,000 to 13,500rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (4)
1.5/2.0ml (24)
2.0ml cryovial (24)
5.0ml (24)
Spin columns
- 23 x 30.5 x 19.7cm 6.5kg
MC-24R 200 - 13,500rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (2)
8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (4)
1.5/2.0ml (24)
Spin columns
-20°C to +40°C 28 x 55 x 29cm 33kg
MX12-24HD Fixed rotor for haematocrit or tubes 12,000rpm 75mm capillary (24) - 160 x 297 x 243mm 6.5kg
MX12-12MD 0.5/2.0ml (12)
MX12-2412 75mm capillary (24)
0.5/2.0ml (12)
Z216-M Rotors and adaptors available for tubes or strips 15,000rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (4)
1.5/2.0ml (44)
0.4/0.2ml PCR (44)
0.5ml (44)
1.0ml cryovial (12)
 1.8ml round (12)
5.0ml conical (12)
75mm capillary (24)
- 28 x 29 x 39cm 17kg
Z216-MK -20°C to +40°C 28 x 29 x 55cm 35kg

Low-Speed Centrifuges Available: (↑ back to top)

Model Type Speed Capacity Temperature Dimensions Weight
M-SCEN-207 Rotors available for various tubes 5,500rpm 1.5ml (20)
15ml (12)
50ml (6)
- 29 x 32 x 25cm 9kg
M-SCEN-206 500~6000rpm 10kg
BKC-TL4M Fixed rotors for various tubes available 4,000rpm 10ml (24)
20ml (12)
50ml (6)
100ml (4)
- 43 x 35 x 27cm 18kg
BKC-TL5M Swing-out or fixed rotors for various tubes available 5,000rpm 5ml (96)
10ml (64)
500ml (4)
- 62 x 45 x 35cm 45kg
FTDL5Y Swing-out rotors for various tubes available 4,000rpm 10ml (36)
100ml, 200ml (4)
+10°C to +65°C 52 x 55 x 40cm 85kg
FDL5Y Swing-out rotors for various tubes available 4,000rpm 10ml (28)
100ml, 200ml (4)
+10 to ~80°C 61 x 72 x 114cm 108kg
MX5 Swing-out and fixed rotors for various tubes 100-5,000rpm 3-15ml (24)
50ml (8)
- 41.9 x 41.9 x 29.2cm 19.6kg
KC-42F Fixed rotors and adaptors for various tubes available 6,000rpm 5ml, 10ml, 15ml (12)
20ml, 30ml, 50ml (6)
- 42 x 32 x 27cm 18kg
FL530 Swing-out rotors and adaptors for tubes or plates available 5,300rpm 5ml (72)
7/10ml (48)
15ml (32)
50, 100ml (8)
250ml (4)
Microplate (4)
- 47 x 56 x 38cm 40kg
FL550 Fixed and swing-out rotors and adaptors for tubes or plates available 5,500rpm 1.5ml (100)
5ml (148)
10ml (80)
15ml (40)
20ml (28)
50ml (16)
100ml (8)
500ml (4)
Microplate (8)
- 47 x 56 x 38cm 50kg
CLT55 Fixed and swing-out rotors and adaptors for tubes or plates available 5500rpm

1.5ml (224)
5ml (148)
5/7ml (124)
10ml (120)
15ml (76)
50ml (36)
100ml (16)
250ml, 500ml (4)
Microplate (16)
75/100mm capillary (52)

- 51 x 63.5 x 39.8cm 76kg
CLT55R -20°C to +40°C 71.3 x 68.1 x 39.8cm 95kg
CLT55L Fixed and swing-out rotors and adaptors for tubes or plates available 5500rpm 1.5ml (224)
5ml (148)
5/7ml (124)
10ml (120)
15ml (76)
50ml (36)
100ml (16)
250ml, 500ml (4)
Microplate (16)
75/100mm capillary (52)
- 59 x 74 x 83cm 130kg
CLT55RL -20°C to 40°C 59 x 740 x 85cm 180kg

High-Speed Centrifuges Available: (↑ back to top)

Model Type Speed Capacity Temperature Dimensions Weight
TG16-WS Rotors available for various tubes 16,000rpm 1.5/2.0ml (24)
1.5ml, 5ml, 10ml (12)
30ml, 50ml (6)
- 33 x 39 x 30cm 25kg
FH1850 Rotors available for tubes, strips or plates 18,500rpm 0.5ml (48)
1.5/2.0ml (24)
5-10ml (12)
30ml, 50ml (6)
100ml (4)
Microplate (2)
- 76.2 x 48.7 x 42.2cm 45kg
Z327 Rotors and adaptors available for tubes, strips or plates 200 to 18,000rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR stips (4)
1.5/2.0ml (44)
5/7ml (32)
6-10ml (28)
15ml (20)
50ml (10)
85ml (6)
100ml, 160ml (4)
Microplate (6)
- 40 x 48 x 36cm 43kg
Z327-K -20°C to +40°C 40 x 70 x 36cm 60kg
Z366 Rotors and adaptors available for tubes or plates 200 to 16,000rpm 0.2/0.4ml PCR, 1.5/2.0m (44)
1.8-7ml (56)
6-10ml (48)
15ml (30)
50ml (16)
85ml (6)
100ml, 250ml (4)
Microplate (6)
- 43 x 51 x 36cm 52kg
Z366-K -20°C to +40°C 72 x 50 x 36cm 77kg
Z446 Rotors and adaptors available for tubes, strips, plates, slides or petri dishes 200 to 16,000rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strip (4)
0.2/0.4ml PCR, 0.5ml, 1.5/2.0ml (44)
1.8-5ml, 4-7ml (108)
5ml, 6-10ml (72)
15ml (72)
30ml (32)
50ml (28)
85ml (6)
175/225ml, 250ml, 250/290ml, 500ml, 750ml (4)
Microplate (6)
Chamber slide, 35/60mm petri dish (3)
- 54.1 x 67 x 39.1cm 79kg
Z446-K -20°C to +40°C 72.9 x 67 x 39.1cm 111kg
TGL-16M Rotors available for tubes or strips 16,500rpm 8 position 0.2ml PCR strips (12)
0.2/0.4ml, 1.5/2.2ml (36)
5ml, 10ml (12)
15ml (10)
50ml (6)
100ml (4)
-20°C to +40°C 60 x 57 x 38cm 70kg
FH2050R Rotors available for tubes or plates 20,500rpm 1.5/2.0ml (24)
5ml (148)
7ml (96)
10ml (80)
15ml (40)
50ml (16)
85ml, 100ml (6)
750ml (4)
Microplate (8)
-20°C to +40°C 56 x 81 x 43cm 95kg
FH2500R-2 Rotors available for tubes or plates 25,000rpm 1.5/2.0ml (24)
10ml (18)
50ml (12)
250ml, 500, 1L (6)
Microplate (8)
-20°C to +40°C 71 x 82 x 95cm 290kg

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