A laboratory centrifuge is an instrument that uses centrifugal force to separate biological and chemical samples based on density, size, and molecular weight. By spinning samples at precisely controlled speeds, centrifuges pellet heavier components to the bottom of the tube while lighter components remain in suspension, enabling researchers to isolate cells, proteins, nucleic acids, organelles, and other biological materials with high reproducibility.
LabRepCo offers a comprehensive selection of laboratory centrifuges for research, clinical, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Our portfolio spans from compact microcentrifuges for small-volume molecular biology work to high-speed refrigerated models for protein purification and advanced Beckman Coulter ultracentrifuges for nanoparticle and biomolecule isolation. Browse by centrifuge type below or contact a LabRepCo specialist to identify the right configuration for your workflow.
Selecting the right centrifuge starts with matching the instrument’s speed range and capacity to your sample type and application. Use the table below as a starting point.
| Type | Max Speed (RPM) | Max RCF (x g) | Typical Tube Size | Common Applications |
| Microcentrifuge | up to 21,000 RPM | up to 30,000 x g | 0.2 mL to 2.0 mL | PCR prep, DNA/RNA extraction, protein precipitation, small-volume pelleting |
| Benchtop Centrifuge | up to 10,000 RPM | up to 21,000 x g | 1.5 mL to 750 mL | Cell culture, blood separation, general pelleting, clinical diagnostics |
| High-Speed Centrifuge | 10,000 to 30,000 RPM | up to 100,000 x g | up to 1 L bottles | Protein purification, bacterial pelleting, organelle isolation, viral prep |
| Ultracentrifuge | up to 150,000 RPM | up to 1,000,000 x g | Specialized tubes | Nanoparticle isolation, liposome prep, nucleic acid banding, subcellular fractionation |
Rotor selection is as important as centrifuge selection. The two primary rotor types used in laboratory centrifuges are:
The sample tubes hang vertically at rest and swing out horizontally during centrifugation. This creates a pellet at the very bottom of the tube and is preferred when clean separation of layers is important – for example, in density gradient centrifugation, blood separation, and cell viability work. The tradeoff is slightly lower maximum speeds compared to fixed angle rotors.
The sample tubes are held at a fixed angle (typically 25 to 45 degrees) throughout the run. Particles pellet to the side and bottom of the tube, and runs are generally faster than with swinging bucket rotors at equivalent speeds. Fixed angle rotors are preferred for pelleting applications such as bacterial cultures, DNA extraction, and protein precipitation.
Used primarily in ultracentrifuges. The tube is held vertically, minimizing the distance particles must travel to form a band or pellet. Vertical rotors are used for isopycnic and rate-zonal density gradient work and produce very sharp bands. Run times are significantly shorter than with swinging bucket rotors for the same resolution.
Refrigerated centrifuges maintain sample temperature throughout the run, which is critical for temperature-sensitive samples including primary cells, platelets, proteins, and enzyme preparations. If your work involves any of the following, a refrigerated centrifuge is required:
Non-refrigerated centrifuges are appropriate for routine pelleting of robust samples such as bacterial cultures, fixed cells, and general molecular biology applications where temperature control is not critical.
| Category | Description | Browse |
| Benchtop Centrifuges | Versatile benchtop and compact centrifuges for routine research, clinical diagnostics, and cell culture. Refrigerated and non-refrigerated models from Beckman Coulter and Benchmark Scientific. | View All |
| High-Speed Centrifuges | High-speed refrigerated centrifuges operating above 10,000 RPM for protein purification, bacterial pelleting, organelle isolation, and advanced research applications. | View All |
| Microcentrifuges | Compact, high-speed microcentrifuges for small-volume sample processing (0.2 mL to 2.0 mL). Ideal for molecular biology, PCR prep, and DNA/RNA extraction. | View All |
| Ultracentrifuges | Beckman Coulter ultracentrifuges delivering up to 1,000,000 x g for nanoparticle isolation, liposome preparation, nucleic acid banding, and subcellular fractionation. | View All |
RPM (revolutions per minute) measures how fast the rotor is spinning. RCF (relative centrifugal force), expressed in x g, measures the actual force applied to the sample. Because RCF depends on both RPM and the rotor radius, the same RPM setting produces different RCFs on different rotors. When comparing centrifuge protocols across instruments, always use RCF rather than RPM to ensure reproducible results. Use the formula: RCF = 1.118 x 10-5 x r x RPM2, where r is the rotor radius in centimeters.
If your samples are temperature-sensitive – including live cells, platelets, RNA, labile proteins, or enzyme preparations – yes. Centrifuge friction generates heat, and even brief exposure to elevated temperatures can degrade sensitive biological materials. If you are working only with robust samples such as bacterial pellets or fixed cells, a non-refrigerated model is generally sufficient.
Swinging bucket rotors allow tubes to swing out horizontally during centrifugation, creating a flat pellet at the tube bottom. They are preferred for density gradient work and blood separation. Fixed angle rotors hold tubes at a set angle throughout the run, pellet material to the side wall and bottom, and generally allow faster run times. For most routine pelleting applications, either rotor type works – the choice depends on your specific protocol.
LabRepCo carries laboratory centrifuges from Beckman Coulter (Allegra, Avanti, and Optima series across all speed classes) and Benchmark Scientific (microcentrifuges, benchtop models, and mini centrifuges for cost-sensitive applications). Both brands are available with full manufacturer warranty through LabRepCo.
Yes. LabRepCo holds GSA and E&I cooperative purchasing contracts that cover laboratory centrifuges. Contact our team at 800-521-0754 or submit a PO through our website to take advantage of contract pricing.
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