The Best Microplate Readers According to our Product Reviewers

One of the most overlooked pieces of equipment in any lab is the microplate reader. While they play an important role in generating data from a wide range of applications, few people give much thought to these lab workhorses despite the fact that their accuracy, precision and repeatability are critical in generating reproducible results.

As with most lab equipment, when choosing a microplate reader there are a number of factors to keep in mind. What types of assays will your lab be running the most? What throughput does your lab need? Are there additional capabilities, like incubating or shaking, that will be useful?

Once you have narrowed down the types of features you need, you will find that there are still a wide range of options available. That's why we've compiled a list of the best microplate readers according to our product reviewers, to help you make an informed decision.

Agilent

Cytation 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader

Dr. Preeti Bharaj from the University of Texas Medical Branch highly recommends the BioTek Instruments' Cytation 5 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader. She praises the equipment as an all-in-one solution for various laboratory needs, from simple microscopy to ELISA readings and even fluorescence microscopy. The machine's versatility has eliminated the need for multiple pieces of equipment and reagents, saving time and effort for the laboratory. Dr. Bharaj used the Cytation 5 for fluorescence microscopy using HeLa culture as starting material and produced excellent publishable data. The machine is easy to use, with elaborate features and no cons. Dr. Bharaj suggests that every lab or department should own one of these useful instruments.

EPOCH2 Plate Reader/Spectrophotometer

Phil Merta reviewed BioTek's EPOCH2 Plate Reader/Spectrophotometer and found it versatile and user-friendly. The EPOCH2 can easily develop various types of assays (wavelength scan: 200–999 nm), and its temperature control (up to 65 c) is excellent. The software is simple to use and set up protocols, making it possible to run assays in minutes. The device can handle ELISAs and fluorescence-based assays and has excellent reproducibility, and the technical support from BioTek was also very helpful. The software provides the ability to set blanks, control wells, and create a standard curve for calculation and auto-analysis. Phil highly recommends the EPOCH2 and considers it the best plate reader he has used in 30 years of lab work and the only plate reader his lab will ever need.

BioTek Synergy H1 Hybrid

OMRF research scientist Kumar Subramani reviewed BioTek Synergy H1, stating it is a configurable multi-mode microplate reader with high sensitivity. It allows the user to choose between monochromator-based optics for flexibility or filter-based optics for sensitivity. This microplate reader also features BioTek’s Hybrid Technology, which provides high performance and application versatility in a modular platform. The Synergy H1 offers top and bottom fluorescence intensity, UV-visible absorbance, and luminescence detection capabilities. Kumar highly recommends this product for its high sensitivity and versatility.

Molecular Devices

SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader

Chirag Patel, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins, reviewed Molecular Devices' SpectraMax M5 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader and found it an excellent resource for his lab's research on mTOR signaling in CD8 T cells. The plate reader can measure multiple readouts, including UV and visible absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, fluorescence polarization, TRF and HTRF. The software is easy to use and contains settings for hundreds of commonly used assays, such as BCA and MTT. The pre-configured protocols can be selected for each assay and customized as needed. Chirag considers the SpectraMax M5 a multi-purpose reader that can measure virtually any assay, making it an excellent shared resource within his department. The speed and reliability of the reader are impressive, and Chirag considers the yearly preventive maintenance contract service reasonable.

Spectra Max GEMINI XPS

Ranchi University researcher Candan Kumar reviewed the Molecular Devices’ Spectra Max GEMINI XPS, a microplate reader that they used to estimate the activity of enzymes involved in G-actin polymerization to F-actin. Their group measured enzymatic activity by mixing them with fluorescent-labeled G-actin in a buffer and reading the fluorescence kinetics over 5 minutes. The Spectra Max GEMINI XPS has applications in the visible range and fluorescent reading of microplate samples and is equipped with temperature control for temperature-sensitive reactions. It can read plates up to 384 well formats and is suitable for both kinetic and endpoint measurements. Candan states that the data analysis software is fast and accurate, making the Spectra Max GEMINI XPS an excellent plate reader for their research needs.

FlexStation^® 3 Microplate Reader

Russ Desnoyer, Lead Research Technologist from the Cleveland Clinic, reviewed the Molecular Devices FlexStation 3 Microplate Reader. The lab initially purchased the FlexStation to measure calcium flux downstream of the human AT1R receptor but later found it useful for IP1 measurement, ELISA, and other fluorescence-based assays. The FlexStation was used to measure the attenuation of calcium flux in HEK-AT1R cells following stimulation with Angiotensin II and treatment with the AT1R antagonist ZD7155. The process involved transfecting HEK-293T cells with human Angiotensin type 1 receptor, loading cells and drugs onto the Flexstation, and measuring the calcium response. Russ concludes that the FlexStation was easy to use, with user-friendly software and a fast experimental setup, but the kits were slightly expensive. Overall, Russ considers the FlexStation an excellent instrument that has become invaluable to the lab's workflow.

Tecan

Infinite 200 Pro Microplate Reader

Geoffrey Vrla, a molecular biology graduate student at Princeton, found Tecan's Infinite 200 Pro Microplate Reader to be a versatile and accurate instrument for quantifying fluorescent proteins expressed in bacteria. Vrla used the device to quantify the concentration of a small molecule produced by bacteria using a dual-color fluorescent biosensor. The instrument's ability to measure both absorbance and fluorescence at different wavelengths and incubate a sample under optimal conditions of temperature and agitation allowed for a maximal dynamic range of readout. The software is user-friendly, exports directly into Excel and can read 96- and 384-well plates. The only cons noted were the length of time required for reads and the limitation of being able to incubate only one plate at a time.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Multiskan FC Microplate Photometer

UNED postdoctoral researcher Joaquin Valcarcel states that Thermo Fisher’s Multiskan FC Microplate Photometer is a highly efficient and reliable piece of equipment, offering a wide range of applications, including ELISA, cytotoxicity, and proliferation assays. It is easy to maintain and operate, featuring an intuitive user interface. With an eight-position filter wheel, the device provides consistent results, making it a valuable addition to any laboratory. The only disadvantage noted by the reviewer is its higher cost.

Table 1. Microplate specs and applications

In Conclusion

There are numerous microplate readers on the market, each with its own unique features, capabilities and versatility. After reading through these reviews, you should better understand the various systems available for drug discovery, research, bioassay validation, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. If you’re interested in reading what other users have to say about microplate readers, check out additional Biocompare reviews here. Or, if you have your own opinions about any of these devices, as well as any antibodies, assays, reagents, or services, used for your work, feel free to write a Biocompare review and receive a free $20 Amazon gift card.