All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Picking the right centrifuge is like choosing the right pair of running shoes — it can make the difference between smooth performance and sore feet. Whether you run a university lab, a clinical diagnostics suite, or a small R&D bench, a centrifuge is a core piece of kit that affects throughput, safety, and data quality. In this guide I'll walk you through the main types of centrifuges, where to buy them in the UK, what features matter most, and how to make a smart purchase that fits your workflow and budget.
There’s no one-size-fits-all centrifuge. Different jobs demand different speeds, rotor types, and footprints. Before you shop, get clear about the volume and type of samples you'll process, whether you need refrigerated operation, and how much bench space you can spare.
Microcentrifuges are the workhorses for routine molecular biology and small-volume separations. They’re compact, quiet, and perfect for spinning small tubes quickly. If your work is mostly in small samples and short spins, a microcentrifuge is the most economical and space-efficient choice.
Benchtop centrifuges cover a wide range of uses from blood sample separation to cell pelleting. They typically accept a variety of rotors and can handle larger tubes than microcentrifuges. Clinical models often include safety features and programmable runs tailored for diagnostics labs.
When you need to separate particles at very small scales — think organelles, virus particles, or protein complexes — high-speed and ultracentrifuges are the go-to. These units deliver very high rpm and require specialist rotors, more stringent maintenance, and dedicated lab space. They’re an investment, but essential for advanced research applications.
For industrial or large-batch clinical workflows, floor-standing centrifuges provide higher capacity and robustness. They’re larger and heavier, often fitted with fixed-angle rotors that can hold many large tubes or bottles at once, making them ideal for high-throughput environments.
Buying from a reputable supplier matters for warranty support, access to spare parts, and proper installation. Below are reliable UK stores and distributors that stock a wide range of centrifuges and related services.
Fisher Scientific is one of the largest laboratory suppliers in the UK and carries a broad selection of centrifuges from leading brands including Thermo Fisher’s own line. They’re a great choice if you want professional buying support, bulk ordering, and access to maintenance contracts for larger instruments.
VWR (now part of Avantor) is a major supplier that stocks models for educational labs, research institutes, and industrial users. Their advantage is a wide catalog, reliable delivery, and specialist sales teams who can advise on matching rotors to your application.
Cole-Parmer specialises in fluid handling and laboratory equipment and offers a range of compact and bench centrifuges. They’re known for clear product specs and an emphasis on accessories and consumables, which makes them useful if you need rotors, adapters, or replacement parts in a pinch.
SLS is a UK-based supplier focused on labs across academia and industry. They stock affordable bench-top models and offer personalised customer service for labs looking to standardise equipment across multiple sites. SLS often provides useful bundles that include accessories and service options.
SciQuip is a UK name to know for clinical and pathology centrifuges. If you work in a hospital or diagnostic environment, SciQuip models are designed with clinical workflows in mind, including features that simplify routine maintenance and ensure compliance with health standards.
RS Components carries a selection of compact centrifuges and educational models, ideal for teaching labs and smaller research budgets. They can be very convenient for quick buys and for labs that already source electrical and electronic parts through RS.
Amazon UK offers fast shipping and a range of centrifuge options, from budget microcentrifuges to more capable bench units. It’s a good route for getting familiar brand models quickly, but be sure to check the seller’s credentials and warranty terms, especially for higher-value equipment.
eBay can be useful for finding refurbished or second-hand centrifuges at lower prices, but buyer beware — inspection, testing, and a reliable return path are important. If you buy used, look for sellers who provide clear test data and offer short-term guarantees.
Smaller UK suppliers like LabFriend specialise in matched accessories, rotors, and quick support. They often have competitive prices and a flexible approach to servicing single labs or small institutions where a large corporate supplier isn’t needed.
Comparing models is about more than price. Focus on performance specs, safety features, and the practicality of installation. Think about the long-term cost of ownership — spare parts, service contracts, and power consumption all add up.
Look at maximum rpm, rotor compatibility, run-time programming, and whether the unit is refrigerated. For most routine lab work, rpm and rotor flexibility matter most. If you’ll be handling heat-sensitive samples, refrigerated operation and accurate temperature control become crucial.
Bench space is precious. Check the unit’s dimensions in inches and the weight in pounds before buying. Heavier units may need two people for installation and a stable, vibration-free bench to avoid noise and imbalance during runs.
Buying a centrifuge often means buying rotors, tube adapters, rotor storage, and balancing kits. Having the right consumables on hand prevents downtime and improves safety.
Rotors are the heart of a centrifuge’s versatility. Fixed-angle rotors suit fast pellets and high throughput; swing-bucket rotors are better for layering and gradient work. Adapters let you use smaller tubes in larger rotor holes — a simple way to increase flexibility without adding more rotors.
For work with infectious material, sealed rotors and proper waste containers are essential. Some clinical models accommodate sealed rotors and include noise-damping lids and containment measures to prevent aerosol release.
Budget and risk tolerance drive the new-or-used decision. New centrifuges come with warranty coverage and customer support; used units can save money but often mean accepting more risk and potential hidden costs.
New units mean full warranties, first-hand calibration, and often the option of installation and training by the vendor. For critical clinical or regulated work, new equipment is usually the safer bet.
If you’re outfitting a teaching lab or need a secondary backup instrument, a refurbished centrifuge from a reputable seller can be a cost-effective option. Just ask for service history, proof of calibration, and a short warranty if possible.
Safety is non-negotiable with centrifuges. Routine maintenance and regular calibration keep machines working accurately and help avoid costly downtime or dangerous failures.
Simple daily checks — ensure rotors are clean, tubes are balanced, and lids close securely — reduce the chance of trouble. Weekly inspections for corrosion, cracks, and unusual noise catch issues early before they escalate.
Arrange scheduled professional servicing and calibration, especially for refrigerated and high-speed units. Many UK suppliers offer service contracts, which can include on-site checks and emergency support to keep your lab running smoothly.
Prices vary widely depending on capacity, speed, and whether the unit is refrigerated. Budget microcentrifuges for teaching or light use can start at the lower end, while refrigerated bench units and high-speed models cost significantly more.
At the entry level, compact microcentrifuges and small benchtop units are the economical choice. Mid-range benchtop centrifuges and basic refrigerated units are priced higher, while high-speed and ultracentrifuges represent the premium end of the market and require a larger capital allowance.
Buy with future needs in mind. Rotors and accessories can be a recurring expense, so choose a model with broad compatibility. Get quotes from several suppliers, ask about lead times and warranties, and consider a service plan if the centrifuge will be under heavy use.
Choosing a centrifuge in the UK is all about balancing performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership. Start by defining your workflow and sample types, then compare models on rotor flexibility, rpm, refrigeration, and safety features. Buy from a trusted supplier — whether that’s Fisher Scientific, VWR, Cole-Parmer, SLS, SciQuip, RS Components, Amazon, eBay (for carefully vetted used kit), or a specialist like LabFriend — and plan for maintenance. With the right fit, a centrifuge becomes a quiet hero of the lab: efficient, dependable, and easy to work with.
