Pipettes are used daily in almost all life science research labs, which makes them an indispensable tool for most researchers. And like most tools, finding the right one often depends on the job. Are you looking for a standard pipette that can help you set up your cloning experiments? Or do you need to be able to dispense larger volumes? Or maybe you are working with setting up multiple 96-well microplates and are hoping to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome.
For each task there are usually several different types of pipettes, and scientists face many choices when looking for the right one. While many labs have their favorite pipette brands, it is advisable to consider all of your options before buying in order to ensure you make the best purchasing decision for your experimental needs.
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Every year Biocompare publishes thousands of reviews from researchers in academia, government, and industry. Our product investigators share their experiences by writing in-depth reviews that are easily searched to help provide scientists with third-party validation of the tools and technologies that enable life science research.
When it comes to pipettes, our reviewers have provided us with detailed feedback on a wide range of products from multiple suppliers. From the best single- and multichannel pipettes, to electronic pipettes and pipette controllers, we have the information you need to help ensure confidence in your pipette purchases.
Take a look below to find a sampling of Biocompare reviewers’ favorite pipettes in several categories.
Single Channel: Eppendorf Research Plus and Rainin Pipet-Lite LTS Pipette L-1000XLS+
Single-channel pipettes consistently receive the most product reviews. A crowd favorite was the Eppendorf Research® plus single-channel pipette. Frank Wu, research associate at the Gladstone Institutes, said “Convenient to have and use,” noting that the only downside was that the “UI is a bit confusing.”
Another member of our product reviewing team, research specialist Elizabeth McInnis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, mentioned that “Unlike some of the other older pipettes in the lab, this one displays the volume clearly. This makes training new students much easier.”
A second single-channel pipette that our product investigators are fond of is the Rainin Pipet-Lite LTS Pipette L-1000XLS+. Richard Cattley, a lab technician at the University of Pittsburgh, said “These pipettes really only require a light touch. They save your hand the unnecessary strain of forceful tip application. I like using the low-retention tips for minimizing sample loss, especially in low concentration protein samples.”
Multi-channel: Pipet-Lite XLS Adjustable Spacers and Eppendorf® Research® Plus Pipette
When evaluating multichannel pipettes, reviewers had great things to say about the Pipet-Lite XLS Adjustable Spacers from Mettler-Toledo. A research technician at the University of North Carolina said “If you're looking for a reliable multichannel pipette that can adjust the width between each well, this is the best one on the market for the money. I highly recommend this pipette if you're working with many different well plates, especially specialty plates.”
Another crowd favorite was the Eppendorf Research® plus pipette, multi-channel. Sonali Munshaw, researcher at the University of Oxford, reviewed this product in 2018, and highlighted that its “Ultra light, fully autoclavable, accurate and fits with most types of tips in the market.”
Electronic Pipettes: Finnpipette™ Novus Electronic Single-Channel Pipettes
Electronic pipettes can make workflows easier, making them a preferred choice among researchers. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Finnpipette Novus Electronic Single-Channel Pipettes was reviewed by Wei Yang Sit, a Ph.D. student at National Tsing Hua University, and they said it's “Easy to use and saves time.”
Repeat pipettes: Eppendorf Repeater® M4 Pipette and Gilson’s F164001 - Distriman
Repeat pipettes can make your workflows more streamlined. A crowd favorite between our product reviewers is the Eppenforf Repeater M4 Pipette. Fernanda Rigo, from the Federal University of Parana, said it's “Easy to use. Shows reproducibility in pipetting. The tips are reusable.” Her only caveat is that “The combitips are expensive”. Mansa Gurjar, postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University, added, “Good all-purpose repeater pipette with lots of options for tips.”
Another pipette with great reviews is the F164001 - Distriman by Gilson. Mithun Khattar, research fellow at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, said that it's “A great tool to have in the lab if you are making a lot of aliquots or performing multiple reactions in tubes instead of plates.”
Pipette controllers: S1 Pipette Fillers from Thermo Fisher Scientific
Precision and accuracy are crucial in pipetting. Pipette controllers ensure that the correct amount of liquids is always dispensed. Mriganka Ray, postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University, said “Rechargeable, extended battery life, and tunable speed.” He added, “Absolutely recommended for hassle-free pipetting.” Recently, Sandeep Kumar from Osmania University, added that it is “Very efficient in power. It works for three months with a single charge.”
More information
To see more pipette product reviews from our expert reviewers, click here. For additional pipette purchasing tips as well as ways to improve your pipetting, consider reading How to Choose the Right Pipette or 10 Tips for Precise Pipetting.