Eppendorf 5920R Refrigerated Benchtop Centrifuge

Eppendorf 5920R Refrigerated Benchtop Centrifuge with S-4x1000 Rotor and Plate/Tube Buckets

High-throughput centrifugation does not necessarily require a floor-model centrifuge. Laboratories processing large numbers of conical tubes, plates, blood collection tubes, or other biological samples often need substantially more capacity than a conventional benchtop centrifuge can provide—but still want an instrument that can be installed on the bench. The Eppendorf 5920R Refrigerated Benchtop Centrifuge was designed specifically for this type of workload.

This particular Eppendorf 5920R includes the S-4x1000 swing-bucket rotor with plate/tube buckets, creating an unusually flexible configuration for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cell culture, clinical research, genomics, and high-throughput laboratory workflows. With the included rotor and buckets, laboratories can process up to 88 × 15 mL conical tubes, 40 × 50 mL conical tubes, 28 PCR or microtiter plates, or 8 Deepwell plates, depending on the adapters installed.

The included S-4x1000 configuration reaches 3,700 RPM and up to 3,076 × g with the plate/tube buckets. For applications requiring substantially greater centrifugal force, the 5920R platform accepts additional fixed-angle rotors and can reach up to 13,700 RPM and 21,194 × g. This combination of high capacity, refrigeration, and multiple rotor options allows a single centrifuge to support everything from large-scale cell culture processing to molecular biology sample preparation.

At American Instrument Exchange, each refurbished centrifuge is professionally inspected, cleaned, and tested before shipment. Our technicians verify drive operation, bearings, braking, controls, lid and safety systems, rotor function, and refrigeration performance. Because this unit includes the S-4x1000 rotor and buckets, the complete rotor/centrifuge configuration is tested together prior to shipment.

Features of the Eppendorf 5920R

• Includes Eppendorf S-4x1000 swing-bucket rotor

• Includes plate/tube buckets

• Maximum speed with included configuration: 3,700 RPM

• Maximum RCF with included plate/tube buckets: 3,076 × g

• Processes up to 88 × 15 mL conical tubes

• Processes up to 40 × 50 mL conical tubes

• Capacity for up to 28 PCR plates or microtiter plates

• Capacity for up to 8 Deepwell plates

• Accommodates multiple tube, bottle, and plate formats using appropriate adapters

• Refrigerated temperature range: -11°C to +40°C

• Maximum centrifuge platform speed: 13,700 RPM, rotor dependent

• Maximum centrifuge platform RCF: 21,194 × g, rotor dependent

• Maximum platform capacity up to 4 × 1,000 mL with appropriate rotor/bucket configuration

• 99 programmable methods with five direct-access program keys

• 10 acceleration and 10 braking ramps

• Soft-touch lid closure

• Automatic rotor recognition and imbalance detection

• Dynamic Compressor Control for stable refrigeration performance

• Quiet operation for a large-capacity centrifuge

• 120V, 50–60 Hz electrical configuration

• 90-day warranty included from American Instrument Exchange

• Refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange

The 5920R is particularly valuable in laboratories where different groups share the same centrifuge. Rather than dedicating one instrument to tubes and another to plates, the S-4x1000 plate/tube configuration allows many common sample formats to be handled by changing adapters instead of changing centrifuges.

Why the Eppendorf 5920R Stands Apart from Smaller Benchtop Centrifuges

Capacity is the defining characteristic of the 5920R.

Many multipurpose refrigerated centrifuges provide approximately 3 liters of swing-bucket capacity. The 5920R platform can accommodate up to four 1-liter bottles, giving laboratories as much as 4 liters of total capacity while retaining a benchtop form factor.

For laboratories processing dozens of samples every day, the benefit is not simply being able to centrifuge larger vessels. Larger batch sizes can reduce the number of individual runs required to complete a workflow.

A cell culture laboratory that regularly processes dozens of 50 mL conical tubes, for example, may be able to consolidate what would otherwise require several centrifuge cycles into fewer runs. The same instrument can then be configured for PCR plates, Deepwell plates, blood collection tubes, or other vessels.

This combination of capacity and flexibility makes the 5920R especially appealing for rapidly growing biotechnology companies, shared laboratory facilities, pharmaceutical research groups, and high-throughput academic laboratories.

Laboratories comparing different centrifugation platforms can browse American Instrument Exchange's selection of used and refurbished laboratory centrifuges from Eppendorf, Thermo Scientific, Beckman Coulter, and other manufacturers.

Eppendorf 5920R Common Applications

The 5920R with S-4x1000 rotor and plate/tube buckets is particularly well suited for laboratories performing large numbers of routine centrifugation procedures throughout the day.

Common applications include:

• Mammalian cell culture processing

• High-throughput cell harvesting

• Bacterial culture processing

• 15 mL and 50 mL conical tube centrifugation

• PCR plate centrifugation

• Microtiter plate processing

• Deepwell plate processing

• Blood collection tube centrifugation

• Biotechnology process development

• Pharmaceutical research

• Genomics and molecular biology workflows

• Protein sample preparation

• Clinical and translational research

• Screening and assay-development workflows

Its ability to accommodate both tubes and plates makes this configuration especially useful for shared laboratories where individual research groups may have very different centrifugation requirements.

Eppendorf S-4x1000 Rotor with Plate/Tube Buckets

This particular Eppendorf 5920R includes the S-4x1000 swing-bucket rotor with plate/tube buckets.

With this configuration, the rotor reaches:

• 3,700 RPM maximum speed

• 3,076 × g maximum RCF

Depending on the adapters installed, the included buckets can accommodate:

• 88 × 5 mL or 15 mL conical tubes

• 36 × 25 mL snap-cap tubes

• 40 × 25 mL screw-cap tubes

• 40 × 50 mL conical tubes

• 140 × 13 mm round-bottom or blood collection tubes

• 132 × 16 mm round-bottom or blood collection tubes

• 28 PCR plates or microtiter plates

• 8 Deepwell plates

This is one of the reasons the S-4x1000 plate/tube bucket configuration is so useful for general laboratory use. Rather than replacing an entire rotor when switching between tubes and plates, laboratories can often reconfigure the existing buckets using the appropriate adapters and carriers.

Available adapters and accessories can vary between individual systems. Customers should confirm the accessories included with the centrifuge and discuss additional adapter requirements with American Instrument Exchange before purchase.

Additional Rotor Options for the Eppendorf 5920R

The 5920R is not limited to the included S-4x1000 configuration.

The platform supports multiple swinging-bucket and fixed-angle rotors designed for applications ranging from large-volume bottle processing to higher-speed molecular biology workflows.

Depending on rotor selection, the centrifuge can accommodate:

• Up to 4 × 1,000 mL bottles

• Up to 108 × 15 mL conical tubes

• Up to 52 × 50 mL conical tubes

• Up to 196 × 13 mm blood collection tubes

• Up to 148 × 16 mm blood collection tubes

• Up to 28 microtiter or PCR plates

• Up to 8 Deepwell plates

• Smaller vessels requiring substantially higher centrifugal forces

Compatible fixed-angle rotors allow the 5920R to reach its maximum platform performance of approximately 13,700 RPM and 21,194 × g.

Rotor inventory changes regularly. Customers interested in expanding the capabilities of a 5920R should contact American Instrument Exchange regarding current rotor and accessory availability.

Refrigeration and Temperature Control

High-throughput centrifugation can generate significant heat, particularly during longer runs or repeated processing cycles. The Eppendorf 5920R incorporates active refrigeration with an operating range of -11°C to +40°C to help maintain controlled sample temperatures.

Eppendorf's Dynamic Compressor Control adjusts refrigeration output continuously rather than relying solely on full-on/full-off compressor cycling. This helps the centrifuge maintain stable chamber temperatures while improving operating efficiency.

For laboratories processing temperature-sensitive cells, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, or other biological materials, the ability to maintain controlled conditions through repeated runs can be particularly important.

Eppendorf 5920R Specifications

Specifications compiled from Eppendorf manufacturer literature, technical documentation, and American Instrument Exchange product information.

Power Requirements and Installation Considerations

The Eppendorf 5920R operates on 120V, 50–60 Hz electrical service, making it easier to integrate into many U.S. laboratories than large floor centrifuges requiring higher-voltage electrical connections.

Despite being classified as a benchtop centrifuge, this is a substantial instrument. At approximately 306 pounds, the 5920R should be installed on a heavy-duty laboratory bench, centrifuge stand, or other surface specifically capable of supporting its weight and dynamic load.

The centrifuge measures approximately 29.2 inches wide × 27.8 inches deep × 15.9 inches high, with approximately 37 inches of vertical clearance required when the lid is fully open.

Laboratories should verify bench capacity, available depth, vertical clearance, electrical service, and refrigeration ventilation before installation.

Due to its weight, American Instrument Exchange prepares the 5920R for palletized freight shipment.

Refurbished Eppendorf Centrifuges from American Instrument Exchange

A large-capacity refrigerated centrifuge performs demanding mechanical work, making proper testing particularly important when purchasing a used system.

American Instrument Exchange technicians inspect and test centrifuges for rotating assembly balance, bearing condition, spindle components, seals, braking, controls, lid safety systems, and overall mechanical performance. Refrigerated centrifuges are also tested to verify that they reach and maintain temperature correctly.

The interior and exterior are thoroughly cleaned before shipment.

Because this particular 5920R includes the S-4x1000 rotor and plate/tube buckets, American Instrument Exchange tests the centrifuge and rotor together as a complete configuration prior to shipment.

Laboratories outfitting additional areas of their facility can also source professionally refurbished laboratory incubators, laboratory freezers and ultra-low freezers, and biosafety cabinets from American Instrument Exchange.

Eppendorf 5920R Service and Support

American Instrument Exchange and AIE Laboratory Services provide diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and repair support for centrifuges and a broad range of laboratory equipment.

A high-capacity refrigerated centrifuge contains several systems that may require attention during its service life, including bearings and drive components, refrigeration hardware, temperature sensors, lid mechanisms, rotor recognition systems, and electronic controls.

If an existing 5920R or other laboratory centrifuge develops a problem, our technicians can help evaluate whether repair, refurbishment, or replacement is the most practical solution.

Eppendorf 5920R Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Eppendorf 5920R compare with the 5810R?

The 5920R is the higher-capacity platform. The 5810R can accommodate up to approximately 3 liters with its largest swing-bucket configuration, while the 5920R can process up to 4 × 1,000 mL, or 4 liters, depending on the rotor. The 5920R also supports exceptionally high tube and plate counts, making it better suited for laboratories where daily throughput is a major consideration.

What exactly is included with this particular 5920R?

This unit includes the Eppendorf S-4x1000 swing-bucket rotor with plate/tube buckets. The configuration is designed to accommodate both tubes and plates using appropriate adapters and carriers.

How many 50 mL conical tubes can this configuration process?

With the included S-4x1000 rotor and plate/tube buckets, the centrifuge can process up to 40 × 50 mL conical tubes using the appropriate adapters.

Can this 5920R centrifuge both tubes and microplates?

Yes. That is one of the main advantages of this particular configuration. The plate/tube buckets can support multiple vessel formats, including conical tubes as well as PCR plates, microtiter plates, and Deepwell plates, when the appropriate adapters or carriers are installed.

Why is the included rotor rated to only 3,700 RPM when the 5920R can reach 13,700 RPM?

Rotor design determines maximum operating speed. The S-4x1000 is a large swing-bucket rotor optimized for capacity and flexibility, so this plate/tube configuration operates at a maximum of 3,700 RPM and 3,076 × g. Compatible fixed-angle rotors allow the centrifuge to reach substantially higher speeds and forces.

Can the Eppendorf 5920R really replace a floor-model centrifuge?

For some laboratories, yes. Its maximum 4-liter capacity and high sample throughput approach the territory traditionally associated with smaller floor centrifuges. Laboratories requiring extremely high speeds, continuous-flow processing, or substantially larger production volumes may still need a floor model, but the 5920R can cover many high-capacity research and cell-culture workflows while remaining bench-mounted.

Is the 5920R suitable for a cell therapy or bioprocess development laboratory?

It can be an excellent fit. Its combination of refrigeration, high conical-tube capacity, large-volume capability, and programmable operation makes it useful for cell harvesting, process development, cell culture expansion, and other workflows involving repeated processing of larger biological sample batches.

What should I consider before installing a 5920R on an existing laboratory bench?

Pay particular attention to weight and depth. The centrifuge weighs approximately 306 pounds and is nearly 28 inches deep. The bench should be structurally capable of supporting both the static weight and the forces generated during centrifugation. Approximately 37 inches of vertical clearance is also required with the lid fully open.

Is a refurbished Eppendorf 5920R a good alternative to buying new?

For laboratories that need high-capacity refrigerated centrifugation but want to control capital equipment costs, a professionally refurbished 5920R can be especially attractive. It offers a modern rotor ecosystem, 4-liter-class capacity, programmable operation, and substantial sample-format flexibility without the acquisition cost of a comparable new system.

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