What is a micropipette?
A 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 dosing.
It operates via a piston system that creates a vacuum to draw liquid into a disposable tip tailored to its volume. This mechanism ensures rapid, sterile, and reproducible handling, which is crucial for preventing any contamination or experimental error.
The different types of micropipettes
There are several major families of micropipettes adapted to each type of application:
Fixed-volume micropipettes
Perfect for repetitive protocols, they always aspirate the same volume. They offer excellent precision and are often used in PCR, sequencing, or ELISA test techniques.
Variable-volume micropipettes
These models allow the volume to be adjusted directly on the pipette. Ideal for laboratories that handle various volumes without changing instruments.
Multichannel micropipettes
Consisting of 8 to 12 parallel channels, they allow multiple samples to be pipetted simultaneously, which is very useful for filling 96-well plates during high-throughput analyses.
How to properly use a micropipette?
Proper use of a micropipette is essential to ensure precision and repeatability:
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Choose the tip adapted to your pipette's volume range.
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Aspirate and dispense liquid slowly to avoid bubble formation.
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Keep the pipette vertical during aspiration to ensure a precise volume.
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Change the tip for every sampling to avoid cross-contamination.
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Follow calibration guidelines based on frequency of use.
These simple steps ensure reliable results, especially in sensitive experiments like PCR or enzymatic assaying.
Why is precision crucial in the laboratory?
Every microliter counts in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, or pharmacology protocols. Even a minor error during pipetting can lead to:
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False positives or false negatives in analyses.
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Significant variability in experimental results.
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Waste of time and expensive reagents.
This is why it is essential to choose a quality laboratory pipette and follow rigorous pipetting procedures on a daily basis.
What criteria should you use to choose your micropipette?
Before purchasing your micropipette, several criteria must be analyzed:
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The volume range adapted to your needs (e.g., 0.5-10 µL, 20-200 µL, 100-1000 µL).
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The precision and accuracy specified by the manufacturer.
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Compatibility with universal tips or specific tips.
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Ergonomics: weight, pipetting comfort, volume adjustment system.
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Ease of maintenance and calibration.
At Rewake, we offer tested, calibrated, and refurbished models, guaranteeing the same precision as a new pipette at an optimized budget.
Micropipette 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):
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Fixed-volume micropipette: from €60 new, around €30 refurbished.
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Variable-volume micropipette: between €100 and €400 depending on the required precision.
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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 affordable rates, without sacrificing precision or reliability.
Buying a micropipette: how to make the right choice?
To ensure you make the right micropipette purchase, here are some practical tips:
Analyze your specific needs
Ask yourself the right questions: Do you work with small volumes (1-10 µL) or larger samples (200-1000 µL)? Do your projects require a simple or multichannel pipette for 96-well plates?
Compare stated performance
Check the technical data sheets 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 handling.
Maintenance and calibration of a micropipette
A poorly maintained pipette can distort all your experiments. To extend the life of your instrument:
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Regularly clean the exterior with isopropyl alcohol.
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Change the seals according to the frequency of use.
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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 ensure optimal performance upon receipt.
Micropipette: reference brands
On the market, certain brands stand out for their quality and reliability:
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Eppendorf: a must-have in biology and chemistry laboratories.
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Gilson: renowned for its robustness and ease of use.
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Sartorius: specialist in ergonomic and precise micropipettes.
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Thermo Fisher Scientific: offers a wide range adapted to all budgets.
Rewake selects only micropipettes from major brands, verified and guaranteed, to offer laboratories the best quality/price combination.
Micropipettes and best pipetting practices
Here are some expert tips to maximize precision during your handling:
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Always use tips adapted to your model and volume range.
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Respect temperatures: pipette liquids and use tips at room temperature to avoid volume variations.
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Perform a pre-aspiration (aspirate/dispense once before sampling to homogenize pressure).
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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 for achieving reliable results.
Why invest in a quality micropipette?
The micropipette is the core tool of many scientific disciplines. A reliable and well-maintained model ensures the precision of your dosages, 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 and significant savings. Discover our laboratory pipette catalog now to equip your laboratory with certified professional equipment.
Don't let poor pipetting compromise your research: equip yourself with the best material, calibrated and ready to use!
The precision of your dosages starts with a good choice of micropipette, whether it is a manual or electronic model. To go further in the analysis of your samples, also explore our selection of microscopes, designed to meet the requirements of modern laboratories.
Complementary laboratory instruments for the micropipette
While the micropipette is at the heart of precision handling, it never works alone. In any well-equipped laboratory, it integrates with a set of measurement and transfer instruments: graduated cylinders for larger volumes, burettes for fine titrations, or volumetric flasks for calibrated solutions. Each tool has its use, depending on the expected level of precision and the nature of the liquid being handled. These instruments, often made of laboratory glassware or polypropylene, form a coherent chain where each piece plays an essential role in the reliability of the results. Understanding their complementarity allows one to optimize experimental protocols and avoid errors linked to a poor match between tool and need.
Understanding laboratory glassware: a precision ally
In chemistry or biology, the quality of laboratory glassware is as decisive as that of electronic instruments. Every test tube, conical flask, or graduated beaker is designed according to precise ISO standards to ensure volume accuracy, thermal or chemical resistance, and ease of maintenance. The transparency of the glass, its clear graduation, and the stability of the calibration mark are all factors that influence the quality of doses and mixtures. Whether preparing a reaction medium, performing a dilution, or storing a sample, choosing adapted and well-calibrated glassware is a fundamental aspect of laboratory work. Associated with a 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 an instrument highly used for dosing fixed volumes with remarkable precision. Often made of glass, it is equipped with a single calibration mark indicating a specific volume, for example 10 mL. Unlike the micropipette, which operates on a piston system, the volumetric pipette relies on gravitational flow, guided by a meniscus well-positioned at eye level. It is ideal for precise dilutions, colorimetric tests, or repetitive dosages. 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, especially for solutions sensitive to volume variation.
Consumable management: a key factor in the laboratory
The precision of handling also depends heavily on the consumables used: micropipette tips, filter tips, tubes, vials, or even graduated syringes. These elements, often for single use, must be chosen with care based on the volumes handled, the required level of sterility, and chemical compatibility with the samples. A simple sampling tube that is poorly calibrated or a deformed pipette tip can distort a dosage or compromise an analysis. This is why traceability (batch number, marking) and compliance with ISO standards are essential in procurement. At Rewake, every micropipette is tested with compatible and certified tips, in order to offer a complete solution, from handling to the final result.
The importance of cleaning and rinsing in pipetting
After each use, cleaning instruments is an essential reflex to guarantee the reproducibility of operations. A micropipette, a volumetric pipette, or a flask must be cleaned with adapted solvents, often distilled water, to avoid any cross-contamination. Internal rinsing, when possible, allows for the elimination of residual traces that could alter subsequent dosages. Even disposable tips can sometimes retain drops invisible to the naked eye: proper pipetting therefore implies attention paid to each step, including the rinsing phase. Regular maintenance of pipettes, combined with rigorous management of consumables, forms the basis of reliable, clean, and professional laboratory work.
Request a quote for laboratory micropipettes
For your pipetting and dosing operations, Rewake offers various refurbished equipment adapted to professional use. Request your quote for laboratory micropipettes to select the models and capacities corresponding to your protocols.
