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Orbital Shakers and Incubating Orbital Shakers: Uses and Buyer’s Guide
What are Orbital Shakers?
Orbital shakers are essential laboratory mixing equipment that move samples in a controlled circular motion, providing uniform and gentle mixing. They are widely used in biological, chemical, and research labs for applications such as cell culture, solubility studies, and general sample preparation.
Many modern orbital shakers are digital, offering precise speed and time control, and some also include incubation features to maintain samples at specific temperatures. Understanding the different types of orbital shakers ensures you select the right model for your experiments.
Standard Orbital Shakers
Standard orbital shakers provide consistent orbital motion without built-in temperature control. These units are ideal for experiments that require consistent agitation but not heating.
Common Uses:
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Resuspending cells or powders
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Mixing buffers and reagents
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General sample preparation
Example Product:
Ohaus SHLD0415DG Digital Orbital Shaker — 15 mm orbital motion, digital speed control (40–300 rpm), durable aluminum tray. Perfect for labs needing reliable orbital mixing without incubation.
Benefits of Standard Orbital Shakers:
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Even, gentle mixing for sensitive samples
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Digital control allows precise speed adjustment
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Compact designs save bench space
Incubating Orbital Shakers
Incubating orbital shakers combine orbital motion with temperature control, making them essential for experiments where both mixing and heating are required. These shakers are commonly used for cell culture, microbial growth, and enzymatic reactions.
Many labs also use dedicated incubators alongside shakers for specialized experiments. To learn more about choosing the right incubator, see: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Laboratory Incubator: CO₂, Shaking, and General-Purpose Options Explained
Common Uses:
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Culturing cells or microorganisms
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Enzyme or protein reactions requiring controlled temperature
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Experiments needing simultaneous agitation and incubation
Example Products:
Ohaus ISHD16HDG Incubating Orbital Shaker — Heavy-duty, 19 mm orbit, digital control, ambient +5°C to 65°C. Supports up to 35 lbs at 75 rpm. Ideal for large-scale incubation experiments.
Barnstead MaxQ 4000 Digital Incubated Shaker — 0.75” orbital motion, digital speed control (15–500 rpm), temperature control up to 60°C, platform 18 x 18”. Excellent for labs needing high-capacity incubating shaking.
Benefits of Incubating Orbital Shakers:
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Combine heating and agitation in a single unit
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Precise temperature control enhances experiment reproducibility
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Space-saving alternative to separate shaker and incubator
Choosing the Right Orbital Shaker
When selecting an orbital shaker, consider:
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Orbit size and motion: Smaller orbits for gentle mixing, larger for more vigorous agitation.
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Speed range: Ensure the shaker accommodates your experimental requirements.
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Temperature control: Needed if working with cell cultures or temperature-sensitive reactions.
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Load capacity: Check how much weight or volume the platform can handle.
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Digital vs analog: Digital units offer programmable speed and timing for reproducibility.
Quick Comparison:
|
Type |
Motion |
Temperature |
Best For |
Example Product |
|
Standard Orbital Shaker |
Orbital |
No |
General mixing, cell resuspension |
|
|
Incubating Orbital Shaker |
Orbital |
Yes |
Cell culture, microbial growth, enzymatic reactions |
Final Thoughts: Selecting the Best Orbital Shaker for Your Workflow
Orbital shakers are versatile lab tools that improve mixing consistency, protect sample integrity, and save time. Incubating orbital shakers extend this functionality by providing precise temperature control for sensitive experiments. By understanding the differences between standard and incubating orbital shakers, you can select the best equipment for your lab workflow.
Further Reading
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Choosing the Right Lab Refrigerator: A Comprehensive Guide for Sample Storage
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Laboratory Balance Buying Guide 2025: Top Features & Mettler Toledo Models
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Fluorescence Microscope Buying Guide: Choosing the Right System for Your Lab
