Choosing the right motion type

Laboratory shakers move samples in different ways, and the right choice depends on what is inside the vessel. Orbital shakers move flasks and plates in a circular path and suit most flask culture, extraction, and general mixing work. Reciprocating shakers move samples back and forth in a straight line, which some extraction and blotting protocols call for specifically. Tilting and three-dimensional shakers use a slower, gentler rocking motion for samples sensitive to shear or foam, such as cell culture flasks and Western blot membranes. Roller mixers turn tubes and bottles on rollers rather than shaking them, for a very gentle resuspension. CO2-incubator and miniature shakers are sized to fit inside an incubator or fridge, and multi-flask, heavy-duty models are built for the largest sample loads and highest throughput.

Edmund Buhler and Ohaus, side by side

Edmund Buhler has manufactured laboratory shakers in Germany since 1880 and remains a family-owned company, known for straightforward, durable mechanics at a fair price. Ohaus brings a wide global range spanning analog Heavy Duty shakers through to the digital Endeavor 5000 line, with features such as load sensing, RS232 connectivity, and a large shared accessory ecosystem across models. Labman selects models from both brands to cover light duty bench work through to industrial-scale processing, and will keep adding brands such as Biobase to the range over time.

Who these shakers are built for

The range suits university and research labs, pharmaceutical and biotech quality control, industrial process labs, and any laboratory that needs to mix, extract, resuspend, or culture samples with a controlled, repeatable motion. Options range from a compact orbital shaker for a single incubator shelf to a floor-standing unit processing dozens of flasks at once, so the same category can serve a teaching lab and a production QC department.