What is a micropipette?
The micropipette is a volumetric measuring instrument used to aspirate and transfer very small volumes of liquids, ranging from a few microliters to several milliliters depending on the model. It is essential in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and more generally in any laboratory requiring precise measurements.
It operates using a piston system that creates a vacuum to draw the liquid into a disposable tip (or nozzle) adapted to its volume. This mechanism ensures rapid, sterile, and reproducible handling, essential for preventing contamination or experimental errors.
The different types of micropipettes
There are several main families of micropipettes, each adapted to a specific type of application:
Fixed volume micropipettes
Ideal for repetitive protocols, they always aspirate the same volume. They offer excellent precision and are often used in PCR, sequencing, or ELISA testing techniques.
Variable volume micropipettes
These models allow for volume adjustment directly on the pipette. Ideal for laboratories that handle varying volumes without changing instruments.
Multichannel micropipettes
Composed of 8 to 12 parallel channels, they allow for the simultaneous pipetting of several samples, which is very useful for filling 96-well plates during high-throughput analyses.
How to use a micropipette correctly?
Proper use of the micropipette is essential to ensure accuracy and repeatability:
-
Choose the tip that matches the volume range of your pipette.
- Draw in and expel the liquid slowly to avoid the formation of bubbles.
- Keep the pipette vertical during aspiration to ensure an accurate volume.
- Change the tip for each sample to avoid cross-contamination.
- Follow the calibration instructions according to the frequency of use.
These simple steps guarantee reliable results, especially in sensitive experiments such as PCR or enzyme assays.
Why is precision crucial in the laboratory?
Every microliter counts in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, or pharmacology protocols. Even a minute error during pipetting can lead to:
-
False positives or false negatives in the analyses.
- Significant variability in experimental results.
- Wasted time and costly reagents .
That is why it is essential to choose a quality laboratory pipette and to follow rigorous pipetting procedures on a daily basis.
What criteria should you use to choose your micropipette?
Before buying your micropipette, several criteria must be analyzed:
- The volume range suited to your needs (e.g. 0.5-10 µL, 20-200 µL, 100-1000 µL).
- The precision and accuracy specified by the manufacturer.
- Compatibility with universal or specific tips .
-
Ergonomics : weight, pipetting comfort, volume adjustment system.
- Ease of maintenance and calibration .
At Rewake, we offer tested, calibrated and refurbished models, guaranteeing the same precision as a new pipette, for an optimized budget.
Micropipette pipette price: how much does this essential tool cost?
The price of a micropipette depends mainly on the type of instrument, its brand, its features and its condition (new or refurbished):
- Fixed volume micropipette : from €60 new, around €30 refurbished.
- Variable volume micropipette : between €100 and €400 depending on the required precision.
-
Multichannel micropipette : from €500 to €1200, depending on the number of channels and the technology used.
By choosing a refurbished micropipette from Rewake, you benefit from certified equipment at much more accessible prices, without sacrificing either precision or reliability.
Buying a micropipette: how to choose the right one?
To ensure a successful purchase of a micropipette , here are some practical tips:
Analyze your specific needs
Ask yourself the right questions: Are you working with small volumes (1-10 µL) or larger samples (200-1000 µL)? Do your projects require a single or multichannel pipette for 96-well plates?
Compare the advertised performance
Check the technical specifications of the models: systematic errors (accuracy) and random errors (precision) are key performance indicators to compare.
Consider ergonomics and comfort
An ergonomic micropipette reduces fatigue during long series and improves the reproducibility of your manipulations.
Maintenance and calibration of a micropipette
A poorly maintained pipette can skew all your experiments. To prolong the life of your instrument:
- Clean the exterior regularly with isopropyl alcohol.
- Change the seals according to the frequency of use.
- Have your micropipette calibrated at least once a year by an accredited laboratory.
At Rewake, our refurbished models are systematically tested and recalibrated before being offered for sale, to guarantee optimal performance upon receipt.
Micropipette pipette: the leading brands
In the market, some brands stand out for their quality and reliability:
- Eppendorf : indispensable in biology and chemistry laboratories.
- Gilson : renowned for its robustness and ease of use.
- Sartorius : specialists in ergonomic and precise micropipettes.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific : offers a wide range to suit all budgets.
Rewake selects only micropipettes from major brands, verified and guaranteed, to offer laboratories the best quality/price combination.
Micropipette, pipette and good pipetting practices
Here are some expert tips to maximize accuracy during your manipulations:
- Always use tips that are suitable for your model and volume range.
- Respect the temperatures : pipette liquids and use tips at room temperature to avoid volume variations.
- Perform a pre-aspiration (aspirate/expel once before sampling to homogenize the pressure).
- Pipette slowly to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
Pipetting training and practical experience are just as essential as the quality of the instrument itself to obtain reliable results.
Why invest in a quality micropipette?
The micropipette is the central tool in many scientific disciplines. A reliable and well-maintained model guarantees the accuracy of your measurements, the reproducibility of your results, and the protection of your samples.
At Rewake, we offer a wide selection of refurbished laboratory pipettes, combining technical performance with significant cost savings. Discover our laboratory pipette catalog now to equip your lab with certified professional equipment.
Don't let poor pipetting compromise your research: equip yourself with the best equipment, calibrated and ready to use!
The accuracy of your measurements begins with choosing the right micropipette , whether manual or electronic. To further enhance your sample analysis, explore our selection of microscopes , designed to meet the demands of modern laboratories.
Instruments that complement the micropipette in the laboratory
While the micropipette is central to precision manipulations, it never operates alone. In any well-equipped laboratory, it is integrated into a set of measuring and transfer instruments: graduated cylinders for larger volumes, burettes for precise titrations, and volumetric flasks for standardized solutions. Each tool has its specific use, depending on the level of precision required and the nature of the liquid being handled. These instruments, often made of laboratory glassware or polypropylene , form a coherent chain where each component plays a vital role in the reliability of the results. Understanding their complementarity allows for the optimization of experimental protocols and the avoidance of errors resulting from a poor match between tool and need.
Understanding laboratory glassware: an ally of precision
In chemistry and biology, the quality of laboratory glassware is just as crucial as that of electronic instruments. Every test tube , conical flask , or graduated beaker is designed according to precise ISO standards to guarantee volume accuracy, thermal and chemical resistance, and ease of maintenance. The transparency of the glass, its clear graduations, and the stability of the calibration mark are all factors that influence the quality of titrations and mixtures. Whether preparing a reaction mixture, performing a dilution, or storing a sample, choosing suitable and well-calibrated glassware is a fundamental aspect of laboratory work. Combined with a high-quality micropipette, it allows for high precision in every experimental phase.
Focus on the volumetric pipette: a precise alternative to the micropipette
Less well-known to the general public than the micropipette, the volumetric pipette remains a widely used instrument for dispensing fixed volumes with remarkable precision. Often made of glass, it features a single graduation mark indicating a specific volume, for example, 10 mL. Unlike the micropipette, which operates using a piston system, the volumetric pipette relies on gravity flow, guided by a meniscus positioned at eye level. It is ideal for precise dilutions, colorimetric tests, or repetitive dispensing. Its use requires a steady hand, good visibility, and sometimes a rubber bulb to facilitate aspiration. While it is slower to use, its reliability remains exemplary, particularly for solutions sensitive to volume changes.
Consumables management: a key factor in the laboratory
The accuracy of the manipulations also depends heavily on the consumables used: micropipette tips, filter tips, tubes , bottles , and graduated syringes . These items, often single-use, must be carefully selected based on the volumes handled, the required level of sterility, and chemical compatibility with the samples. A simple, poorly calibrated sampling tube or a deformed pipette tip can skew a measurement or compromise an analysis. This is why traceability (lot number, marking) and compliance with ISO standards are essential in the supply chain. At Rewake, each micropipette is tested with compatible and certified tips to offer a complete solution, from initial handling to the final result.
The importance of cleaning and rinsing in pipetting
After each use, cleaning instruments is essential to ensure the reproducibility of procedures. A micropipette, a volumetric pipette , or a flask must be cleaned with appropriate solvents, often distilled water , to prevent cross-contamination. Internal rinsing, when possible, eliminates residual traces that could affect subsequent measurements. Even disposable tips can sometimes retain drops invisible to the naked eye: proper pipetting therefore requires attention to each step, including the rinsing phase. Regular pipette maintenance, combined with rigorous management of consumables, forms the basis of reliable, clean, and professional laboratory work.
