How to Choose a Micropipette: Single, 8, 12 or 96 Channel
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Three choices settle almost every micropipette purchase. First, whether the volume should be fixed or adjustable. Second, how many channels the work needs: one, 8, 12 or a full 96. Third, which pipette line, because the line decides which tips fit and what can go in the autoclave. This guide works through those three choices with the single-channel, multichannel and 96-channel instruments we stock, by part number.
Start here: the pipette by application
| Application | What it needs | Model |
|---|---|---|
| General bench work: tubes, vials, single wells | Adjustable single-channel, one range per pipette | Diamond 3301 series, Diamond PRO 3311, NextPette P7700, Pearl 120097 series |
| One volume repeated all shift | Fixed volume | Diamond fixed 3302, PosiStop fixed 3362 |
| Rows and columns of 96-well plates (ELISA, PCR setup) | 8- or 12-channel | Apex 8-channel 3354, Apex 12-channel 3355, PosiStop 8-channel 3364, PosiStop 12-channel 3365, Pearl 8-channel 120216 |
| Whole 96- or 384-well plates at once | 96-channel station | AutoMATE 96 MP9604 with a pipetting head |
| Equipping a new bench | A matched set with a stand | NextPette kit P7700-S1, Diamond PRO kit 3311-COMBO |
| Teaching lab | Small volumes, one set per bench | Diamond Jr. 6-pack 3322P |
| Serological pipettes, 1–100 mL | Pipette controller | RF3000 HS3000 (rechargeable), RF1000 HS1000RFU, manual controller 120479 |
Decision 1: fixed or adjustable volume
A fixed-volume pipette is set to one volume and cannot be dialed, so nobody can leave it on the wrong setting. It is the better buy when the same volume is dispensed all shift, as in routine QC or a standard assay step. An adjustable pipette covers one range and is set with a dial or display, so a bench usually needs three or four of them to span sub-microliter work up to 1 mL. Pick the range that puts your working volume in the upper part of the span: a 100 µL transfer belongs on a 10–100 µL pipette, not a 100–1000 µL one.
| Line | Type | Volume ranges | Part numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globe Diamond | Adjustable | 0.1–2.5, 0.5–10, 2–20, 5–50, 10–100, 20–200, 100–1000, 1000–5000 µL | 3301-1 to 3301-5000 |
| Globe Diamond PRO | Adjustable | Same eight ranges as Diamond | 3311-1 to 3311-5000 |
| Accuris NextPette | Adjustable, 4-digit display | 0.1–1, 0.5–10, 2–20, 10–100, 20–200, 100–1000 µL; 0.5–5 mL; 1–10 mL | P7700-1, -10, -20, -100, -200, -1000, -5M, -10M |
| Heathrow Pearl | Adjustable | Ten ranges, from 2 µL up to 10,000 µL | 120097 to 120106 |
| Globe Diamond fixed | Fixed | 19 volumes from 1 µL to 10 mL | 3302-1 to 3302-10000 |
| Globe Diamond PosiStop fixed | Fixed | 11 volumes up to 1000 µL | 3362-2 to 3362-1000 |
Decision 2: how many channels
A single-channel pipette is the right tool for tubes, vials and individual wells. Once the work is plates, channel count decides how many strokes a plate takes: an 8-channel pipette fills a 96-well plate one column at a time, in 12 strokes; a 12-channel fills it one row at a time, in 8; a 96-channel station fills it in one.
8- and 12-channel pipettes
The Globe Diamond Apex 8-channel (3354) and 12-channel (3355), and the Diamond PosiStop 8-channel (3364) and 12-channel (3365), each come in six adjustable ranges: 0.5–10, 2–20, 5–50, 10–100, 20–200 and 30–300 µL. The Heathrow Pearl 8-channel (120216) covers 30–300 µL and ships with a calibration certificate. Choose the range by the volume per well, not the volume per plate.
96-channel: the AutoMATE station
The Accuris AutoMATE 96 (MP9604) pipettes a whole plate per stroke. It has a four-position deck with motorized plate positioning. It takes 96- and 384-well, shallow- and deep-well, and PCR plates. Tips load and eject automatically. Steps such as aspirate, dispense, serial dilution, tip rinse and repeat are programmed on an 8-inch touchscreen.
The pipetting head is sold separately, in three ranges: 1–20 µL (MP9600-20PH), 5–200 µL (MP9600-200PH) and 100–1000 µL (MP9600-1000PH). The MP9600-A-96 adapter holds 96-well PCR plates, and the MP9600-A-384 adapter is for 384-well dispensing. It runs on MP96 racked low-retention tips in 20, 200 and 1000 µL, standard or filtered sterile.
Decision 3: the pipette line and the tips it takes
Within a channel count, the lines differ in what can be autoclaved and which tips fit. Buy tips for the line, not for the volume alone.
| Line | Formats | Autoclaving | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globe Diamond (3301, 3302) | Single-channel, adjustable and fixed | Tip cone and lower section | Globe tip group (A–F), listed with each pipette's range |
| Globe Diamond PRO (3311) | Single-channel, adjustable | Lower assembly | Globe tip group, listed with each pipette's range |
| Globe Diamond PosiStop (3362, 3364, 3365) | Fixed single-channel, 8- and 12-channel | Fully autoclavable | LTS-style tips |
| Globe Diamond Apex (3354, 3355) | 8- and 12-channel | Fully autoclavable | Globe tip group, listed with each pipette's range |
| Accuris NextPette (P7700) | Single-channel, adjustable | Fully autoclavable, 121 °C for 20 minutes | Matched tip size per model; P7700-T10M for the 10 mL model |
| Heathrow Pearl (120097 series, 120216) | Single-channel and 8-channel, adjustable | Autoclavable | See the Pearl manual for the tip cone of each range |
LTS is a different tip shaft from standard tips, and the two are not interchangeable. For PosiStop pipettes we stock PosiStop 20 µL low-retention LTS tips and PosiStop 20 µL filter LTS tips. Filter, low-retention and racked-versus-bulk choices are covered in the pipette tip selection guide, and the full range is in pipette tips.
Do you need an electronic pipette?
We don't stock handheld electronic micropipettes. Most of the work they are bought for is covered by instruments we do carry:
- Plate work. An 8- or 12-channel manual pipette fills a 96-well plate in 12 or 8 strokes. The AutoMATE 96 fills it in one, with programmed aspirate, dispense and serial-dilution steps.
- Repetitive single volumes. A fixed-volume pipette removes the setting step entirely. The Pearl line is built for low plunger force: Heathrow states it needs two-thirds the operating pressure of standard pipettes.
- Serological pipetting, 1–100 mL. The RF3000 is a motorized controller on a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Heathrow rates it at up to 20 hours of continuous use per charge, and it can charge while in use. It takes glass and plastic pipettes from 1 to 100 mL. The serological vs transfer pipettes guide covers when each pipette type fits.
Starter kits and stands
- NextPette P7700-S1: P7700-10, -20, -200 and -1000 with a stand, covering 0.5 µL to 1 mL.
- NextPette P7700-S2: P7700-200, -1000, -5M and -10M with a stand, covering 20 µL to 10 mL.
- Diamond PRO kit 3311-COMBO: four Diamond PRO pipettors spanning 0.5–1000 µL, with sterile racked tips.
- Heathrow Pipette Starter Kit 120554: pipettors for commonly used volumes, with a universal carousel.
- Diamond Jr. 3322P: six pipettes at 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100 µL, for teaching benches.
- Stands: Globe carousel 3358 (Apex) and 3368 (PosiStop), Heathrow universal carousel 120480 / 120481, NextPette carousel P7700-CAR2.
Calibration
NextPette pipettes are factory calibrated in accordance with ISO 8655 and ship with a calibration certificate, per Accuris. Heathrow calibrates each Pearl and supplies a certificate. How often to recheck, how to run a gravimetric check and how to read the results are covered in the micropipette calibration and maintenance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which multichannel pipettes do you stock?
Three lines, five models. In 8-channel: Globe Diamond Apex (3354), Globe Diamond PosiStop (3364) and Heathrow Pearl (120216). In 12-channel: Diamond Apex (3355) and Diamond PosiStop (3365). The Globe models come in six ranges from 0.5–10 µL to 30–300 µL; the Pearl 8-channel covers 30–300 µL. For whole plates, the Accuris AutoMATE 96 (MP9604) has 96 channels.
Which pipettes can go in the autoclave whole?
Diamond PosiStop, Diamond Apex and Accuris NextPette are fully autoclavable; Accuris specifies 121 °C for 20 minutes for the NextPette. On the Diamond 3301 and Diamond PRO 3311, the lower section is the autoclavable part.
What tips does a PosiStop pipette take?
LTS-style tips. We stock PosiStop 20 µL LTS tips in low-retention and filter versions, as well as the wider tip range in the pipette tips collection.
How many adjustable pipettes does one bench need?
Usually four. The NextPette P7700-S1 kit is a typical set: 0.5–10, 2–20, 20–200 and 100–1000 µL cover everything from sub-microliter additions to 1 mL transfers. Benches that move larger volumes add a 1–5 mL or 1–10 mL model, as in the P7700-S2 kit.
Do you sell electronic pipettes?
Not handheld electronic micropipettes. For plate work we stock 8- and 12-channel manual pipettes and the AutoMATE 96 station; for serological pipettes, the rechargeable RF3000 controller.
Related guides
- The Complete Guide to Liquid Handling in the Lab
- Pipette Tip Selection Guide
- Micropipette Calibration & Maintenance Guide
- Serological vs Transfer Pipettes
Browse the full range in pipettes and liquid handling and Heathrow pipettes.