What Is the Shaker's RPM Range and What Increments Can You Control In the Unit?

While there are plenty of ways to mix chemicals in your lab, nothing beats the power and precision of a laboratory shaker when you need to mix solutions thoroughly and efficiently.

A lab shaker can be crucial to the success of your project; however, you don’t want to spend too much money on something that might not meet your needs. Before you decide which lab shaker to purchase, ask yourself these questions first so you’ll know exactly what type of lab shaker you need and can get it at the best price possible.

What Type of Lab Shaker Do You Need?

Whatever your needs may be, there is most likely a shaker out there that can help you. If you’re only going to be mixing smaller amounts of liquid, consider using a vortex mixer.

The shaking action of these mini-platforms work best for one or two test tubes. Orbital shakers have three separate arms that spin around inside a metal casing.

These are usually used with larger quantities of liquid or in incubators because they’re capable of creating large motions while maintaining constant contact with their surroundings.

What Is the Capacity Size of the Unit?

Capacity is always one of your most important questions when purchasing lab equipment, as it helps you figure out how much volume you’ll be able to mix up in each batch.

Of course, if you’re just mixing small amounts for yourself or a friend in your own home lab, these aren’t hard and fast rules. But for professional scientists and researchers, making sure that you can fit as much as possible into one batch is an important consideration.

If you’re working with heavy ingredients, such as sand or clay, weight capacity will play a key role in your decision-making process.

And if you're working with small amounts of liquid, then a smaller unit is going to work fine for you.

However, if you are working with larger quantities and need more space inside for mixing purposes, then having more room is going to be extremely important.

What Features Does it Have?

A lab shaker needs to be as versatile as possible. We recommend that you look for one with varying speeds, multiple attachment options, and computer-controlled capabilities. After all, if it doesn’t come with features you need (or can add yourself), there’s no point in buying it.

For example, we know that many of our readers are scientists who use their lab shakers on a daily basis; for them, we suggest looking for models with programmable timers so they can set up experiments ahead of time.

If you just want something basic to shake your morning smoothie or salad dressing mix before work, however, any old model will do.

What Accessories Does the Shaker Come With?

Shakers frequently include accessories and attachments to accept a wide range of sample sizes and perform a variety of cycles and operations.

Find out if there are any additional accessories available for purchase, as well as which ones are included in the price of the equipment you're buying.

While shakers often come with basic accessories such as clamps, it is important to ask what other accessories are included. Depending on your application, you may need other items to use your shaker successfully.

For example, most lab shakers come with standard clamps, but if you plan on using your shaker for an extended period of time it may be worth investing in specialty vises.

It’s also important to consider whether or not any of these additional items are included when purchasing a lab shaker.

What Is the Shaker's RPM Range and What Increments Can You Control In the Unit?

The range of RPM that you can control is important because different kinds of research require different types of motion. If you’re making research on atomic motion, then speed is going to be extremely important.

If you’re just trying to mix liquids together, then speed might not matter as much. That being said, it should be in your best interest to pick something that has high adjustability options. You never know what kind of experiment you will end up running next.

How Durable Is it?

Durability is an important factor to consider, as you will be using your lab shaker for many years. The last thing you want is to have to buy another one. In order to get a durable machine, look for one with stainless steel bearings and handles.

These are more resistant to wear and tear than plastic parts. Check out reviews of different models online before making a purchase so that you can see what other users say about how long their machines lasted them.

It’s also worth asking if there’s a warranty on any of these items. Most manufacturers offer at least one year warranties, but some go up to five or even ten years!

What Are Its Pros and Cons?

Almost every product has its own good and bad points. You should also look at how that lab shaker will make your life easier or harder. The pros and cons of that lab shaker are an important piece of information when you’re making your decision.

Do your research before buying a lab shaker to find out what people have to say about it. If you find there are too many cons, then maybe it’s time to try another one!

You should also consider how long that particular model has been around for. A lot of times, older models will be less expensive but also less reliable than newer ones.

Which Brand Do I Choose?

The main difference between lab shakers is brand. The overall quality of brand X lab shaker might not be as high as that of brand Y, but it’s probably also cheaper than brand Y.

 It all depends on what you need your lab shaker for, how much you’re willing to spend and how frequently you use it.

If you’re using it every day, then it might be worth investing in a more expensive one; if you only use it once in awhile, then perhaps buying something less expensive would suffice.

What Is the Price of the Lab Shaker?

Before buying anything, you should always do your research and check to see what similar items are selling for.

Prices for lab shakers will vary depending on brand and material, so be sure to shop around before making a decision. Make sure to take into account shipping fees when looking at prices online! It is worth paying extra to have your item quickly delivered.

Does the Shaker Come with Digital or Analog Controls?

Another thing you’ll want to ask is whether your chosen shaker features digital or analog controls. The vast majority of laboratory shakers on today’s market feature digital controls.

However, there are some budget-friendly analog options available.

Digital controls will allow you to set your desired speed settings with ease and quickly access preset programs such as time and temperature controlled mixing sequences.

Analog controls do not have presets, but they allow you to manually adjust all functions of your shaker at any time. If you’re new to laboratory work or are on a tight budget, an analog option may be just what you need.

However, if you want more control over your shaker or plan on using it for research purposes on a regular basis, digital controls are likely going to be more suitable for your needs.

As always, make sure that either option meet your specific needs before making a final decision.

What Is the Orbital Diameter?

The orbital diameter of a lab shaker is an important measurement. This determines whether it will be able to make it through doors and fit into cabinets for storage purposes. I

f you need something that is mobile and easy to store, then you should look for something with an orbital diameter of between 16 and 20. Otherwise, anything larger may not be necessary for your application.

That said, keep in mind that each model may have its own specific needs regarding measurements; don’t assume they will all match!

What Is the Temperature Range?

The temperature range of your shaker is going to have an impact on what you can shake with it.

If you’re looking for something that can handle temperatures above and below freezing, you’ll want to look for one with a wider range—in other words, one that can easily be used in either lab or industrial settings.

Depending on the conditions you are storing your samples in, you may need refrigeration or incubation. Various shakers with differing ranges of temperatures are available.

What Is the Humidity Operating Condition?

The humidity operating condition (HOC) is an important thing to consider when buying lab equipment. HOC is a measurement of how much water vapor will be allowed to enter your experimental chamber over time.

If you have an experiment that might generate excessive amounts of humidity, then you should buy a chamber with a high HOC level (in other words, look for 99% or higher). This will prevent water from leaking into your chamber and potentially damaging it.

What About the Maintenance Costs?

One of the biggest expenses you'll face when buying a lab shaker is how often you'll need to replace parts. Both bottles and collars need replacing every now and then, so make sure to find out which parts are included in your purchase price.

Some lab shakers don't come with collars, while others may only include one or two extra bottles. This is obviously an important consideration if you're planning on running multiple experiments at once.

If you'll be using your lab shaker frequently, it's also worth asking about maintenance and cleaning services.

Some companies will even offer to have your unit cleaned for free after a specific period.

The Bottom Line

With so many different types of lab shakers on today’s market, how do you know which one to choose? There are many questions that you should ask yourself before making your purchase.

Some of these questions include: What is my budget? How many users will be shaking simultaneously?

What type of chemicals will I be shaking in my lab? Will I need to shake on a flat surface or shake horizontally? Will it require constant movement, or can it run without moving for periods of time?

These are just some of the questions you should consider when purchasing a lab shaker. By asking yourself these important questions, you can better ensure that your investment is appropriate and beneficial to your needs.