Laboratory equipment refers to the set of instruments, measuring devices, and materials used to perform reliable analyses in research, healthcare, industrial, or quality control laboratories. It includes both sample preparation equipment and analytical devices, storage systems, or safety devices. Each piece of equipment serves a specific function and contributes directly to the quality of the results obtained.
In a modern laboratory, dozens of devices may be used daily depending on the activities performed. A centrifuge prepares samples, a microscope allows for their observation, while a spectrophotometer or analyzer produces data essential for research work or quality control. The reliability of this equipment determines the reproducibility of analyses and the safety of the operators.
The choice of laboratory equipment does not depend solely on price. Performance, precision, maintenance conditions, availability of spare parts, as well as the quality of after-sales service are equally important criteria. Properly maintained equipment can remain operational for over 10 years depending on its usage and manufacturer recommendations.
In this guide, discover the main equipment used in laboratories, the differences between used and refurbished equipment, as well as the essential criteria for investing in high-performance, durable devices adapted to the requirements of research, healthcare, and industry professionals.
What are the main laboratory equipment types?
Laboratory equipment encompasses all devices necessary for sample preparation, analysis, storage, and quality control. Each category serves a specific function and helps ensure the reliability of results. In a laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 standards, equipment mastery is also one of the essential requirements for ensuring analysis quality.
Sample preparation devices
Samples must be prepared under perfectly controlled conditions before any analysis. Centrifuges, magnetic stirrers, mills, mixers, vacuum pumps, and filtration systems allow for homogenizing, separating, or concentrating substances according to the protocols used.
Laboratory glassware, pipettes, vials, and lab benches complement this essential equipment. A laboratory centrifuge can, for example, reach speeds of over 15,000 revolutions per minute to ensure effective separation of the different phases of a biological or chemical sample.
Analysis and measurement equipment
Measuring instruments produce the data necessary for research work and quality control. These include analytical balances, spectrophotometers, spectrometers, microscopes, analyzers, as well as numerous devices dedicated to metrology and calibration.
This equipment makes it possible to measure a mass, concentration, or physical property with great precision. Some analytical balances have a resolution of 0.1 mg, while spectrophotometers can measure absorbance across several hundred wavelengths depending on the model.
Storage and safety equipment
Incubators, freezers, autoclaves, hoods, and safety cabinets ensure the storage of samples as well as the protection of users. Their role is essential in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or pharmaceutical research laboratories.
An autoclave generally operates at a temperature of 121 °C to effectively sterilize equipment. Ultra-low temperature freezers are used to store sensitive samples at temperatures as low as minus 80 °C for several months or even years, depending on the protocols.
Specialized equipment by application
Specialized analyzers meet the needs of the most demanding disciplines. PCR systems, electrophoresis devices, chromatography equipment, or microscopes dedicated to molecular biology allow for reproducible results in complex analyses.
These technologies are widely used in analytical laboratories, pharmaceutical industries, research centers, and hospital establishments. Depending on the application, some automated systems are capable of processing several hundred samples per day while limiting manual handling.
For molecular biology applications, equipment must also be chosen based on the protocols and the expected analysis throughput. Refurbished thermocyclers can provide a solution to access professional equipment while controlling the investment necessary for outfitting the laboratory.
Used laboratory equipment: what are the advantages and limitations?
Used laboratory equipment can be an interesting solution for reducing investment costs. However, their condition, maintenance history, and performance vary greatly from one device to another. Before any purchase, it is therefore essential to evaluate the guarantees offered and the supplier's ability to provide reliable technical support.
What is defined as used laboratory equipment?
Used equipment refers to a device that has already been used by one or more laboratories before being resold. Its condition depends on its usage, maintenance, and the conditions in which it was stored. Unlike refurbished equipment, no complete restoration is systematically performed before its sale.
Storage conditions must be defined based on the nature and sensitivity of the samples being stored. A suitable laboratory freezer provides a storage solution that meets the temperatures, volumes, and constraints specific to each activity.
This type of material can represent an interesting financial opportunity, especially for occasional needs or equipment that is not heavily used. Depending on the device category, a discount of between 20% and 60% compared to new is frequently observed on the used market.
Points to check before purchasing
Maintenance history is one of the first elements to check. It is recommended to verify the maintenance operations performed, any repairs, calibration, calibration certificates, as well as the number of years the device has been in use.
The availability of spare parts and the quality of after-sales service must also be taken into account. Equipment for which the manufacturer no longer supplies essential components can quickly become difficult to keep operational, even if offered at an attractive price.
In which cases is used equipment a good solution?
Budget is often the main motivation for buying used equipment. This solution can be relevant for outfitting a startup laboratory, supplementing an existing inventory, or meeting a temporary need without tying up significant capital.
It may also be suitable for certain devices used occasionally or equipment intended for educational purposes. In these situations, the priority is often to have functional equipment quickly while limiting capital expenditure.
The limitations of non-refurbished used equipment
Refurbishment is the difference between a device that is simply resold and equipment restored by a specialist. Unchecked used equipment can exhibit invisible wear, loss of precision, or require technical intervention shortly after installation.
The absence of thorough testing, warranties, or quality control also increases the risk level for the laboratory. For analytical equipment or critical measuring instruments, these uncertainties can have a direct impact on the reliability of analyses and the total cost of ownership of the device.
Refurbished laboratory equipment: a reliable alternative
Refurbished laboratory equipment today offers a high-performance solution for professionals wishing to reconcile quality, cost control, and equipment availability. Unlike used equipment sold as-is, each piece of equipment follows a rigorous control process before being put back on the market. This approach secures investments while guaranteeing a level of performance adapted to laboratory requirements.
How is laboratory equipment refurbished?
Technical inspection is the first step in refurbishment. Each device is inspected, cleaned, tested, and verified to identify any wear parts or anomalies that could affect its operation.
Defective components are replaced when necessary, and the equipment is then subjected to a series of functional tests before commercialization. This procedure ensures that performance matches the requirements expected for laboratory use.
Why laboratories choose refurbished equipment
Value for money is one of the main assets of refurbishment. Depending on the category of device, savings can reach between 30% and 70% compared to new equipment, while benefiting from checked and guaranteed hardware.
Refurbished equipment also reduces supply lead times. Some equipment is available immediately, avoiding several weeks or even months of waiting when manufacturers face production or delivery difficulties.
What equipment is available refurbished?
The wide range of refurbished devices available today covers the majority of laboratory needs. Centrifuges, incubators, analytical balances, microscopes, spectrometers, hoods, autoclaves, and even analyzers are among the most frequently offered items.
This diversity makes it possible to equip a research laboratory as well as an analytical lab, a pharmaceutical industry, or an educational establishment. Professionals can thus gradually renew their equipment inventory without bearing the cost of a full replacement with new equipment.
Why choose Rewake?
Rewake's technical expertise is based on a rigorous selection of the equipment offered. Each device is checked before commercialization to guarantee its proper operation and offer laboratories a reliable and sustainable solution.
Thanks to a broad catalog covering many families of scientific equipment, Rewake supports professionals in their investment projects by offering tested, guaranteed, and quickly available devices. This approach secures purchases while optimizing the budget dedicated to laboratory equipment for the long term.
Laboratory equipment leasing: when is it relevant?
Leasing laboratory equipment is a suitable solution when the need is temporary or an immediate investment is not justified. It allows for quick access to high-performance devices without tying up a significant budget. Depending on the project duration, this option can represent an interesting alternative to purchasing.
Occasional needs in the laboratory
Research projects sometimes require specific equipment for only a few weeks or months. This is particularly the case during a clinical trial, a research program funded for a limited period, or a temporary replacement after a breakdown.
Leasing then makes it possible to maintain activity without interrupting analyses. This solution is also used during a peak in activity or to meet an exceptional need, without committing to a long-term investment in a device that will be little used thereafter.
The advantages of leasing
Flexibility is the main advantage of leasing. Laboratories can quickly have recent equipment while maintaining better control of their cash flow. This approach also facilitates trials before a potential purchase.
In some cases, maintenance is included in the lease agreement, which limits unforeseen costs. For heavily used equipment, this option also allows for quick replacement in the event of a malfunction.
Buying or leasing: how to choose?
Total cost of ownership remains the best decision-making criterion. If a device is used daily for several years, purchasing it is generally more profitable than leasing it. Conversely, an occasional or seasonal need may justify a short-term lease.
Before making a decision, it is recommended to compare the cumulative cost of rental payments with the purchase price, maintenance costs, and the expected duration of use. This analysis allows for choosing the solution most adapted to the laboratory's objectives.
When refurbished equipment becomes more profitable than leasing
Refurbished equipment often becomes more attractive when the equipment is used on a regular basis. Thanks to a reduced acquisition price, it is possible to amortize the investment more quickly while benefiting from a tested and guaranteed device.
In many cases, several years of leasing represent a cost higher than that of refurbished equipment. For laboratories with recurring needs, this solution provides long-term access to reliable equipment while optimizing expenses over the long term.
Conclusion
Choosing adapted scientific instrumentation is an essential lever for ensuring the quality of analyses, team safety, and the control of operating costs. Each laboratory has specific needs depending on its field of activity, whether it involves research, quality control, industry, or medical analysis. Selecting reliable and adapted equipment makes it possible to secure protocols for the long term while improving productivity.
Refurbishment today represents a particularly relevant solution for laboratories wishing to invest responsibly. Thanks to checked, tested, and guaranteed equipment, it is possible to access high-performance devices while achieving savings of up to 70% compared to new ones. This approach also promotes better resource valuation by extending the lifespan of scientific equipment.
FAQ
What is the essential equipment in a laboratory?
Essential equipment depends on the activities performed, but most laboratories use scales, pipettes, a centrifuge, a microscope, glassware, and various measuring devices. A research laboratory may thus use several dozen different pieces of equipment on a daily basis.
What is the difference between pre-owned and refurbished equipment?
Pre-owned equipment is resold in its current condition, whereas refurbished equipment is inspected, cleaned, tested, and restored to working order before being sold. This difference improves reliability and generally allows for a warranty.
Can a laboratory be fully equipped with refurbished gear?
Yes, many laboratories today equip a large portion of their facilities with refurbished gear. Centrifuges, incubators, microscopes, scales, spectrometers, or fume hoods are available in this category, depending on market availability.
Should you rent or buy laboratory equipment?
Renting is suitable for temporary needs or one-off projects. For regular use over several years, purchasing equipment, especially refurbished items, generally becomes more cost-effective due to better amortization of the investment.
How do you choose a laboratory equipment supplier?
It is recommended to prioritize a supplier with technical expertise, quality control procedures, responsive after-sales service, and warranties on the equipment offered. These criteria help secure investments and ensure the continuity of laboratory operations.
