10 best lab microplates

Lab microplates, also known as microtiter plates or microplate wells, are essential pieces of laboratory equipment commonly used in various scientific and industrial applications.These microplates are typically made of plastic or glass and feature a grid of small wells or cavities arranged in rows and columns. Here's what you should know about lab microplates:

  1. Design and Structure: Lab microplates come in various sizes and formats, but the most common type is the 96-well microplate, which consists of 8 rows and 12 columns of wells. Other formats, such as 384-well and 1536-well plates, are also available for higher throughput applications.

  2. Materials: Microplates are usually made from materials like polystyrene (plastic) or borosilicate glass. The choice of material depends on the specific application and compatibility with the substances being tested.

  3. Applications: Microplates find use in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and environmental testing. They are used for various assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), DNA/RNA analysis, cell culture, and chemical reactions.

  4. Automation: Microplates are often compatible with laboratory automation systems, allowing for high-throughput screening and analysis. Automated liquid handling robots can dispense reagents and samples into microplate wells with precision and speed.

  5. Well Shapes: Microplate wells can have different shapes, including round, square, or conical bottoms. The choice of well shape can impact how samples and reagents behave during experiments.

  6. Coatings: Some microplates are available with specialized coatings on the well surfaces. These coatings can improve the adhesion of biomolecules (e.g., proteins or DNA) or enhance the performance of certain assays.

  7. Sealing: Microplates can be sealed with adhesive films, heat-sealing foil, or specialized lids to prevent evaporation and contamination during incubation or storage.

  8. Detection: Various detection methods can be used with microplates, including absorbance (for colorimetric assays), fluorescence (for fluorescent labels), luminescence (for bioluminescent assays), and scintillation (for radioactive assays).

  9. Sterilization: Depending on the application, microplates may be sterilized through methods like gamma irradiation or autoclaving to ensure the absence of contaminants.

  10. Disposable vs. Reusable: Some microplates are designed for single-use (disposable), while others can be washed and reused multiple times, making them more environmentally friendly.

Microplates are versatile tools that have revolutionized laboratory workflows, allowing researchers to perform multiple experiments simultaneously and efficiently. The choice of microplate and its features should align with the specific research or testing requirements.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best lab microplates on the market
  

SP Bel-Art Adjustable Microplate Tilting Stand; 4½ x 6½ x 2¼ in. (F18938-0000)

Bel-Art

Product description

Number of Items:1 Number of Items:1 Accurate, repetitive aliquoting in microplate wells is simple by slanting plates to an optimal angle by placing the plate on the adjustable mounting stand. Research, industrial and healthcare professionals rely on SP Scienceware for their sample handling needs. Sold worldwide, Bel-Art and H-B Instrument brand laboratory supplies include over 5,000 items from safety wash bottles to fume hoods, thermometers, racks, desiccators, hydrometers, ice buckets, scoops and spoons. Custom calibration services, plastic molding, specialty coatings and wire manufacturing are also available. Wilmad-LabGlass brand laboratory glassware complements Bel-Art and H-B Instrument with over 7000 items including NMR and EPR consumables and specialty glassware, as well as custom fabrication for individual glassware, glass repair services and OEM glass parts. SP Scienceware is a division of Warminster, PA based SP Industries which also include SP Scientific laboratory, thermal management, and pharmaceutical production equipment and SP Ableware aids for daily living.

  • Accurate, repetitive aliquoting in microplate wells is simple by slanting plates to an optimal angle by placing the plate on the adjustable mounting stand
  • Adding aliquots is simple with the microplate slanted at an angle that is optimal to the user's working habit and convenience
  • The slanted plate permits the user to track which wells have received aliquots by visibly contrasting the menisci between adjoining wells
  • An epoxy coated steel base provides stability, and the hand adjustable clamping screws maintain the desired angle, holds all sizes of microplates, max tilt 45 degree, pivots on 2 screws
  • Promotes addition of accurate aliquots to microplate wells; effortlessly view additions at any angle; reduces operator error during pipetting

User questions & answers

Question: Will a straw fit into the individual wells
Answer: Yes, however these trays are flimsy and don't support them well.
Question: What is the shape of each well? Is the bottom round or flat
Answer: The bottom of the wells are flat.
Question: Do these have a lid /cover
Answer: I did not receive a lid with my order.
Question: how tall is it
Answer: This is the size of a 3 x 5 inch index card. It measures approximately l/2 inch deep or tall.

Caplugs Evergreen 222-8052-R1K Sterile 96-Well Microplates with Round (U) Bottoms. Polystyrene, Natural, Box pack (Pack of 100)

Caplugs Inc.

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Round (U) bottom Micro plates features a raised rim on each well to minimize cross-contamination. Alpha-numeric well designations provide quick sample location. Micro plates are precision molded from Select polystyrene for minimal well-to-well and plate-to-plate variation and uniformly low background readings. Sterile plates are gamma irradiated and packed 10 per box.

  • Package Dimensions: 0.02 L x 7.5 H x 7.5 W (inches)
  • Package Weight : 9.3 pounds
  • Country of Origin : United States
  • Part number: 2228052R1KE1

Axygen PCR-384-55-C Full Skirt 384-Well x 55 microliter PCR Microplate With a Double Notch, Clear PP, RNase/DNase-Free, Non-Sterile (1 Case: 10 Plates/Unit; 5 Units/Case)

Corning

Product description

This polypropylene 384-well full skirt PCR microplate with a double notch is specifically designed for PCR applications. Plates are ideal for thermal transfer applications because their ultra thin walls accelerate heat transfer to provide shorter cycles. Certified RNase, DNase, and pyrogen free to ensure purity. Non-sterile. Working Volume: 55 microliter. Color: Clear. Corning Axygen #: PCR-384-55-C.

  • Polypropylene 384-well full skirt PCR microplate with a double notch; specifically designed for PCR applications
  • Working volume: 55 microliter
  • Color: clear
  • Non-sterile
  • Certified RNase, DNase, and pyrogen free

Caplugs Evergreen - 222803201RE1 222-8032-01R Sterile 96-Well Microplates with Round (U) Bottoms and Lids. Polystyrene, -, Individual pack, (Pack of 100)

Caplugs Inc.

Product description

Round (U) bottom Micro plates features a raised rim on each well to minimize cross-contamination. One-Way fitting lids have raised Rings to provide a snug fit, reduce excess evaporation, and minimize condensation. Alpha-numeric well designations provide quick sample location. Micro plates are precision molded from Select polystyrene for minimal well-to-well and plate-to-plate variation and uniformly low background readings. Sterile plates are gamma irradiated and individually packed.

  • Gamma irradiated
  • Alpha-numeric well designations
  • 0.32 ml well volume
  • Individually packed

Nest Scientific 761011 Polystyrene 384 Well Cell Culture Plate, Flat Bottom, Non-Treated, Sterile, Clear, 1 per Pack, 100 per Case (Pack of 100)

Nest Biotechnology

Product description

Nest cell culture plates have round edges for better handling. Low profile, low-evaporation lid design assure uniform growth. Choose tissue culture-treated or non-treated surfaces. growth surface is more hydrophobic than tissue culture surface and is similar to the surface of a bacteriological Petri dish. Small feet on the bottom corners of each plate eliminate scraping of the microscope lens.

  • Sterilized by E-beam, High clarity, 100% virgin polystyrene
  • Vacuum Plasma tissue culture treatment
  • Clear lot number for batch traceability, Peel-to-open, individually wrapped & sterilized by gamma irradiation
  • Markings of well coordinates available for 12, 24, 48 and 96 well plates
  • Non-Pyrogenic, DNase/RNase FREE

Disposable Plastic 96-Pin Replicator Plates, 100/box.

Ciro

Product description

ransfer of DNA libraries from storage plates to membranes, agar surfaces or new wells can be facilitated by using the New Replicator Plates from Ciro Mfg. Corp, which allow transfer or conversion from 96 well systems. Micro-Plate Pin Replicators transfer small volume samples to plates, membranes or solid supports. Ideal for inoculum, clones, YACs, cosmid libraries, colony hybridization, antibiotic sensitivity testing, phage typing, replication of DNA libraries and more. Individual pins transfer approximately 1µl of sample. Transfer volume may vary depending on amount of pressure applied and viscosity of sample. If your research involves screening, replicating or assaying numerous specimens or substances our replication system will reduce your labor, increase your throughput and decrease cost. Also, each plate is supplied sterile, eliminating the need for ethanol washing prior to use as well.

4titude FrameStar 96 Well Skirted Optical Bottom PCR Plate

4titude

Product description

We have now extended our FrameStar range to include PCR plates with optically clear flat bottom wells for microscopy applications. The FrameStar 96 Well Skirted Optical Bottom PCR Plates (next to their counterpart within our Random Access range, 4ti-0970/RA) are currently unique in the market, being suitable for use in both microscopy and PCR. Optical bottom plates are ideal for applications requiring single cell sorting followed by molecular biology techniques such as (q)PCR and sequencing. The flat bottoms enable excellent stackability, making these plates well suited for small sample volume storage such as compound libraries, with no risk of damaging the seal of the plate below. Additionally, the small well volume enables excellent sample recovery.

  • Designed for use on the majority of cyclers with 96 well block
  • Compatible with robotic systems and standard multichannel pipettes; suitable for use in both microscopy and PCR
  • Frame: PC, rigid for added mechanical stability & improved seal integrity; cut corner H1; alphanumeric grid reference; clear
  • Wells: PP, thin-walled for optimum PCR/qPCR results; <100 µl working volume, 180 µl total well capacity; clear
  • Free from DNase, RNase, human genomic DNA, and endotoxin/pyrogen

Globe Scientific 120338 Polystyrene Microtest Plate, 96-Well, Flat Bottom, Sterile, Individually Wrapped (Pack of 50)

Globe Scientific

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

MicroPlate96WellFlat Bottom,PS,STERILE

  • Package Dimensions: 18.9 cms (L) x 20.0 cms (W) x 18.9 cms (H)
  • Product Type: Lab Supply
  • Package Quantity: 1
  • Country Of Origin: United States

Nunc Polystyrene Clear 96 Well Edge Plate, Nunclon Surface, Sterile without Lid, Total Volume 400µL (Case of 160)

Nunc

Product description

The Nunc™ Edge plate has a unique design that minimizes plate evaporation. A moat designed into the perimeter of the plate can be filled with 1.7 ml sterile H20 or media. Differential evaporation rates from the inside to the outside wells in each plate are known to generate variability in both biochemical and cell based assays. A volume loss as small as 10% concentrates media components and metabolites enough to alter cell physiology, in some cases, severely. The Edge plate design incorporates large evaporative buffer zones that eliminate well-to-well variability while dramatically reducing the overall plate evaporation rate to < 2% after 7 days of incubation. As water evaporates, concentrations of substances in the medium increase. Cell growth and performance can be affected and heterogeneous or biased results can occur. The outer 36 wells and corner wells are most affected by this “edge effect”. Because the Edge Plate minimizes evaporation, all samples per plate can be analyzed, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Another source of edge effects comes from differential reagent concentrations resulting from assay washing / aspiration steps. Washing “bowed” plates with a flat plate washer manifold in ELISA and Immunocytochemistry assay formats are especially susceptible. The Edge plate is extremely flat compared to standard microplates and dramatically reduces concentration variability. Additionally, the combination of low evaporation, low background fluorescence, and extreme well flatness makes the Edge plate ideal for image based high content applications like measuring primary neuron cultures. In assays where multiple cellular targets are imaged simultaneously, all the fluorescence colors from a single location need to be focused at the same position in the imaging system. Chromatic aberration in plate bottoms make this difficult – the plate cannot be used efficiently. The Edge plate is engineered for optical superiority. Automated imaging systems (HCS) can now operate efficiently.

  • Low-evaporation “moat”
  • 96 well format - follows ANSI standard footprint and is amenable to automation
  • Total Volume: 400 µL/Well
  • Simply fill moat with sterile H2O and eliminate edge effects
  • Cell culture treated or non-treated

Celltreat 229570 96 Deep Well Storage Plate, 0.5 mL, Round Well, V-Bottom, Non-Sterile, Polypropylene (Pack of 25)

CELLTREAT Scientific Products

Product description

CELLTREAT 229570 96 Deep Well Storage Plate, 0.5 mL, Round Well, V-Bottom, Non-Sterile, 12.77 cm L, 2.7 cm H, 8.54 cm W, Polypropylene (Pack of 25). 96 Deep Well Storage Plates are available in a variety of volumes and well shapes

  • Package Dimensions: 18 L x 7 H x 6 W (inches)
  • Package Weight : 5 pounds
  • Country of Origin : China
  • Part number: 229570

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