Types of Centrifuges Used in Laboratories

A Practical and Technical Guide to New and Used Centrifuges for Research, Biotech, and Life Science Labs

If you have ever set up a laboratory, especially a small research lab, startup, or early-stage biotech, you have likely realized that a centrifuge is not a single, interchangeable piece of equipment.

Different laboratories require different types of centrifuges depending on:

• Sample type and volume

• Daily and weekly throughput

• Temperature sensitivity of samples

• Required relative centrifugal force (RCF)

• Available bench or floor space

• Budget constraints and stage of growth

Understanding the types of centrifuges used in laboratories, including both new and used centrifuges, allows teams to choose equipment that supports current research while leaving room to scale without overspending or over-engineering their lab infrastructure.

This guide is written as both an educational resource and a practical manual to help research teams, lab managers, and procurement teams make informed centrifuge decisions.

Centrifuge Selection Guide by Application

This table provides a quick starting point. The sections below explain each centrifuge type in detail and help labs refine their selection based on throughput, sample sensitivity, and growth plans.

Benchtop Centrifuges: The Workhorse of Most Laboratories

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For many laboratories, a benchtop centrifuge is the first centrifuge purchased and often the one that runs continuously throughout the day.

Benchtop centrifuges offer an effective balance of performance, flexibility, and compact footprint, making them ideal for routine laboratory workflows in space-constrained environments.

Why Labs Choose Benchtop Centrifuges

Benchtop centrifuges are widely used because they:

• Fit easily on standard laboratory benches

• Are straightforward to operate and maintain

• Support multiple tube sizes and rotor configurations

• Require lower upfront investment compared to larger systems

For startups and small labs, these advantages make benchtop centrifuges foundational equipment.

Common Laboratory Applications

Benchtop centrifuges are commonly used for:

• Cell and bacterial pelleting

• Blood, serum, and plasma separation

• Sample clarification prior to downstream analysis

• Routine molecular biology preparation

They are widely found in academic labs, clinical environments, and biotech research facilities.

Common Benchtop Centrifuge Models

Frequently requested benchtop centrifuges include:

• Thermo Sorvall ST 16

• Horizon Model 642E

• Eppendorf 5417C

For many early-stage labs, a single quality benchtop centrifuge, particularly a refurbished or used unit from a trusted supplier, can support 80 to 90 percent of daily centrifugation needs during the first several years of operation.

Refrigerated Centrifuges: Protecting Temperature-Sensitive Samples

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As laboratories move into protein work, cell culture, or diagnostic sample handling, refrigerated centrifuges become increasingly important.

High-speed centrifugation generates heat, and even modest temperature increases can degrade sensitive biological materials.

Why Refrigeration Matters

Refrigerated centrifuges are essential when working with:

• Proteins and enzymes

• RNA and DNA

• Blood products

• Live cells and other temperature-sensitive samples

For biotech startups, sample degradation can mean lost experiments, extended timelines, and increased costs.

Typical Applications

Refrigerated centrifuges are commonly used in:

• Molecular biology workflows

• Cell culture laboratories

• Clinical research environments

• Biotech and pharmaceutical research and development

Common Refrigerated Centrifuge Models

Examples of widely used refrigerated centrifuges include:

• Eppendorf 5910Ri with S-4x rotor

• Beckman Coulter Allegra V-15R

• Thermo Megafuge ST4R Plus-MD

Many labs begin with a benchtop centrifuge and add refrigerated capacity later, often choosing used or refurbished refrigerated centrifuges to control costs as sample sensitivity and experimental complexity increase.

High-Speed Centrifuges: When Greater Force Is Required

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High-speed centrifuges are used when standard benchtop or clinical centrifuges cannot generate sufficient relative centrifugal force to pellet smaller or denser particles.

They are commonly found in:

• Molecular biology laboratories

• Protein purification workflows

• Scaling biotech organizations

Why Labs Upgrade to High-Speed Centrifuges

Laboratories typically adopt high-speed centrifuges when they require:

• Higher RCF for smaller particles

• Increased volume capacity

• Greater rotor flexibility

For growing research programs, high-speed centrifuges often mark the transition from foundational laboratory work to advanced experimental capability. Used high-speed centrifuges are commonly selected at this stage due to their high new-equipment cost.

Ultracentrifuges: Specialized Tools for Advanced Research

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Ultracentrifuges operate at extremely high speeds and are used for highly specialized applications. Most early-stage laboratories do not require an ultracentrifuge initially but may encounter the need as research becomes more advanced.

Common Ultracentrifuge Applications

Ultracentrifuges are used for:

• Virus isolation

• Lipoprotein analysis

• DNA and RNA fractionation

• Subcellular organelle separation

Where Ultracentrifuges Make Sense

Ultracentrifuges are typically found in:

• Pharmaceutical research and development

• Academic research institutions

• Advanced molecular biology laboratories

Due to cost, space, and maintenance requirements, ultracentrifuges are frequently purchased refurbished or used, or accessed through shared core facilities.

Microcentrifuges: Small Volumes, High Frequency Use

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Microcentrifuges are designed specifically for small-volume samples, typically using microcentrifuge tubes. Despite their compact size, they are among the most frequently used instruments in many laboratories.

Common Use Cases

Microcentrifuges are essential for:

• DNA and RNA extraction

• PCR setup and cleanup

• Small-volume protein applications

For startups and academic labs, microcentrifuges often see higher daily usage than larger centrifuges, making reliable used microcentrifuges a practical and cost-effective option.

Clinical Centrifuges: Optimized for Diagnostic Workflows

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Clinical centrifuges are designed for consistent, repeatable workflows commonly found in medical and diagnostic laboratories.

They typically prioritize:

• Ease of use

• Swinging-bucket rotor configurations

• High throughput and reliability

Many benchtop and refrigerated centrifuges can serve clinical functions when properly configured.

Fixed-Angle vs Swinging-Bucket Rotors

Choosing the correct rotor is as important as choosing the centrifuge itself.

Fixed-Angle Rotors

Best suited for:

• Rapid pelleting

• Cells and debris

• Molecular biology workflows

Swinging-Bucket Rotors

Best suited for:

• Blood separation

• Density gradient separations

• Clinical applications

As laboratory workflows evolve, access to both rotor types provides flexibility and efficiency.

RCF vs RPM: Understanding Centrifugal Force

One of the most common sources of confusion in centrifugation is the difference between revolutions per minute (RPM) and relative centrifugal force (RCF).

Protocols are written in RCF because the actual force depends on the rotor radius as well as the speed. Two centrifuges running at the same RPM may generate different forces if their rotors differ in size.

Understanding RCF ensures experimental consistency, reproducibility, and proper protocol execution.

Planning Capacity and Throughput for Growing Labs

When selecting a centrifuge, laboratories should consider not only current needs but expected growth over the next 12 to 24 months.

Key factors include:

• Number of daily runs

• Sample volume per run

• Rotor change frequency

• Anticipated increase in staff or projects

Many startups benefit from a phased approach that starts with a benchtop centrifuge and adds refrigerated or high-speed capacity as workflows expand.

Centrifuge Maintenance, Lifespan, and Reliability

High-quality laboratory centrifuges are long-term assets when properly maintained.

Important considerations include:

• Regular rotor inspection

• Preventive maintenance schedules

• Refrigeration system upkeep

• Calibration and safety checks

Professionally refurbished centrifuges typically deliver many additional years of reliable service.

Safety and Compliance Considerations

Safe centrifuge operation is critical in both research and clinical environments.

Considerations include:

• Proper balancing of samples

• Aerosol containment for biohazardous materials

• Rotor compatibility and speed limits

• Training and standard operating procedures

Compliance requirements vary between research, clinical, and regulated manufacturing environments.

Common Centrifuge Buying Mistakes

Laboratories frequently encounter issues due to:

• Selecting equipment based on RPM alone

• Underestimating refrigeration requirements

• Choosing incorrect rotor types

• Overbuying capacity too early

• Ignoring electrical and space constraints

Avoiding these mistakes saves both time and budget, particularly when purchasing used centrifuges or refurbished laboratory equipment.

Choosing New vs Used and Refurbished Lab Equipment

Centrifuges

Refurbished centrifuges are widely used by:

• Biotech startups

• University laboratories

• Research institutes

• Growing pharmaceutical organizations

Benefits include:

• Lower capital expenditure

• Fully tested and calibrated systems

• Warranty coverage

• Access to premium manufacturers at reduced cost

For many laboratories, used and refurbished centrifuges provide the best balance of performance, reliability, and cost control, especially for startups, grant-funded labs, and growing research teams.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laboratory Centrifuges

What type of centrifuge does a biotech startup need?

Most biotech startups begin with a benchtop centrifuge for routine work and add refrigerated or high-speed centrifuges as sample sensitivity and research complexity increase.

When is a refrigerated centrifuge required?

Refrigerated centrifuges are required when working with proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, blood products, or live cells, as heat generated during spinning can degrade these materials.

What is the difference between RPM and RCF?

RPM measures rotational speed, while RCF measures the actual force applied to a sample. RCF depends on rotor radius, which is why scientific protocols specify RCF rather than RPM.

How long do laboratory centrifuges last?

High-quality centrifuges can operate reliably for many years with proper maintenance, rotor inspection, and calibration. Refurbished units often deliver long service life.

Are refurbished centrifuges reliable for research and clinical labs?

Yes. Professionally refurbished centrifuges are tested, calibrated, and typically backed by warranty, making them a cost-effective and reliable option for many laboratories.

Explore Laboratory Centrifuges

American Instrument supports laboratories at every stage by offering new and refurbished centrifuges from trusted manufacturers. Our team helps match equipment to applications, space constraints, and growth plans.