Not every freezer bay has room for a full-size cryobox, and not every experiment generates 81 or 100 tubes worth of samples. The Heathrow Scientific 50-Well Hinged Microtube Storage Box delivers the same autoclavable polypropylene construction and integrated hinged lid as its larger siblings, scaled down to a compact half-size footprint that tucks into narrow freezer rack bays and small benchtop workspaces. The 50-well grid with 12.3 mm wells holds standard 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes or cryogenic vials, each mapped to an alphanumeric coordinate for traceable sample management. Rated to −80 °C and sold in packs of five, the 50-Well box is ideal for pilot studies, small clinical cohorts, and any workflow where sample counts don't justify a full-size container.
Features and Benefits
Compact 50-Well Half-Size Design: Measures just 5.6 × 3.6 × 2.2 in — fits into half-width freezer rack bays and tight shelf spaces where full-size boxes won't go.
Integrated Hinged Lid: Attached 180° hinged lid opens and closes one-handed, eliminates lost or mismatched covers, and stays connected during transport and repeated access.
Polypropylene Construction: Chemical-resistant PP withstands freeze-thaw cycling, common lab solvents, and dilute acids without cracking or warping.
Cryogenic-Rated to −80 °C: Reliable in ultra-low temperature mechanical freezers and dry-ice transport coolers with no loss of hinge flexibility or structural integrity.
Autoclavable (121 °C): Sterilize between uses at 121 °C / 250 °F in standard gravity or liquid autoclave cycles for reuse in regulated environments.
Alphanumeric Grid: Molded coordinates enable sample-level traceability — cross-reference each tube position with electronic databases or handwritten logs.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU Range | 120032 – 120033 (by color) |
| Brand | Heathrow Scientific |
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Number of Wells | 50 |
| Well Diameter | 12.3 mm |
| Compatible Tubes | 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes, standard cryogenic vials |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 5.6 × 3.6 × 2.2 in (14.2 × 9.2 × 5.6 cm) |
| Temperature Range | −80 °C to 121 °C |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Lid Style | Integrated hinged (180° opening) |
| Pack Size | 5 per pack |
| Available Colors | Natural, Assorted (5 colors) |
| Shipping Weight | 0.62 lb per pack |
| Country of Origin | Vietnam |
Laboratory Applications
Pilot study and small-cohort sample archiving where full-size 81- or 100-well boxes leave too many empty wells and waste freezer space
Daily working-stock storage on the benchtop — keeps frequently accessed reference samples, controls, and standards within arm's reach in a compact container
Narrow-bay freezer racks in legacy upright freezers where only half-width slots are available
Teaching labs distributing small sample sets to individual student workstations, where a full-size box is unnecessarily bulky
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the footprint difference between the 50-Well and 100-Well boxes?
The 50-Well box measures 5.6 × 3.6 in — roughly half the width of the 100-Well model (5.6 × 6.0 in). Height is the same at 2.2 in, so both fit the same freezer rack shelf height.
Can I mix 50-Well and full-size boxes in the same freezer rack?
Yes. Two 50-Well boxes placed side by side occupy the same width as one 100-Well box, letting you fill a standard rack bay with either format or a combination of both.
What colors are in the Assorted pack?
The Assorted option (SKU 120033) includes boxes in Blue, Green, Purple, Yellow, and Orange — five distinct colors in a single pack of 5.
Quality Assurance
Heathrow Scientific products are designed and tested to meet the rigorous demands of clinical, research, and educational laboratories worldwide. Every 50-Well hinged box is inspected for hinge durability, snap closure strength, and dimensional consistency before shipment.
As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.
