The Heathrow Scientific Lab Vortex Mixer is a variable-speed benchtop vortexer with a single multi-purpose mixing head that accommodates seven vessel formats simultaneously — from 0.2 mL PCR strip tubes to 50 mL conical tubes to a standard assay plate — with no head swaps required. Speed is continuously variable from 0 to 3,000 RPM with pre-set positions at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 RPM. A three-position control slider selects intermittent (touch), off, or continuous operation modes. ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) body with elastomeric feet. 5-year warranty. Available in 110/120V US plug (120209), 230V CE/EU plug (120212), and 230V UK plug (120214).
Features and Benefits
Single universal mixing head — seven vessel formats, zero swaps. The patent-pending head holds: 24 × 0.2 mL PCR strip tubes (vertically), 6 × 0.5 mL microtubes (vertically), 4 × 1.5/2 mL microtubes (vertically), 2 × 5 mL tubes (horizontally), 2 × 15 mL conical tubes (horizontally), 2 × 50 mL conical tubes (horizontally), and 1 standard assay plate with retention cords. The center pad handles any additional vessel by touch. Changing mixing heads wastes time and money; this design eliminates that entirely.
3-position control: intermittent (touch) mode for quick hand-held mixing, continuous mode for unattended vortexing, and off. The rotary dial is infinitely adjustable from 0 to 3,000 RPM, with tactile pre-set detents at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 RPM for reproducible speed recall.
3.7 mm orbital diameter delivers high-energy vortex action sufficient for cell resuspension, reagent mixing, bead-based homogenization, and protein solubilization at room temperature.
Elastomeric anti-slip feet dampen vibration and prevent the unit from walking on the bench even at maximum speed — important in shared-bench environments where accidental displacement can cause sample spills.
ABS body is chemical-resistant and easy to wipe clean with standard lab disinfectants, ethanol, and dilute bleach.
Removable mixing head for thorough cleaning between sample types or after contamination events.
US Patents: 9895670 and D787,085. CE, UKCA, CB Scheme, RoHS3, PSE, WEEE, and SGS-US-C certified.
5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty — the longest in the category at this price point.
Specifications
| Property | 120209 — US | 120212 — EU/CE | 120214 — UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKU | 120209 | 120212 | 120214 |
| Voltage | 110/120V | 230V | 230V |
| Plug Type | US/North America | CE (European) | UK |
| Frequency | 50/60 Hz (switchable) | ||
| Power | 55 W | 44 W | |
| Speed Range | 0–3,000 RPM (variable); pre-sets at 1,000/2,000/3,000 RPM | ||
| Orbital Diameter | 3.7 mm | ||
| Operation Modes | Intermittent (touch), Continuous, Off | ||
| Duty Cycle | 20 min max continuous; 60 min off required | ||
| Tube Compatibility | 0.2 mL (strip ×24), 0.5 mL (×6), 1.5/2 mL (×4), 5 mL (×2), 15 mL (×2), 50 mL (×2), assay plate ×1 | ||
| Body Material | ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) | ||
| Feet | Elastomeric anti-slip | ||
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 171 × 190 × 197 mm (6.73 × 7.48 × 7.75 in) | ||
| Net Weight | 3.93 kg (8.66 lb) | ||
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, CB Scheme, RoHS3, PSE, WEEE, SGS-US-C | ||
| Patents | US 9895670; US Design D787,085 | ||
| Warranty | 5 Years | ||
| UNSPSC | 41103800 | ||
| Country of Origin | China | ||
Laboratory Applications
Cell biology and microbiology — resuspend cell pellets, vortex culture media, and mix reagents across tube sizes in a single session without swapping heads between 1.5 mL microtubes and 50 mL conicals.
Molecular biology and PCR prep — the 24-well PCR strip tube position on the mixing head vortexes full 8- and 12-strip formats simultaneously, ensuring uniform master-mix distribution before thermal cycling.
Clinical and diagnostic labs — mix serum, plasma, and whole blood samples in 15 mL and 50 mL conicals in horizontal position. Touch-start mode enables intermittent mixing during high-throughput runs.
Protein and biochemistry — resuspend lyophilized proteins, dissolve reagent tablets, and vortex bead slurries across all vessel sizes at precisely controlled speeds (1,000/2,000/3,000 RPM pre-set).
High-throughput screening — assay plate position with retention cords holds 96- and 384-well plates for uniform reagent distribution before reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this mixer vortex 50 mL conical tubes?
Yes — the mixing head holds two 50 mL conicals in horizontal mounting positions. These are mixed simultaneously with any tubes in the vertical positions during the same run.
What is the duty cycle limitation?
Per manufacturer specifications: maximum continuous run time is 20 minutes, followed by a mandatory 60-minute off period. This applies to all voltage versions. Exceeding this duty cycle may impair device protection and will void the warranty. For longer unattended mixing sessions, consider the Heathrow Mini Vortex Mixer, which is rated for touch-start continuous use.
Do I need to buy different mixing heads for different tube types?
No. The single universal mixing head on this vortexer accommodates seven vessel formats — from 0.2 mL PCR strip tubes to 50 mL conical tubes to a standard assay plate — without any adapter purchases or head swaps. This is the key differentiator of the patented design (US Patent 9895670).
Which voltage version do I need?
US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan labs: 120209 (110/120V US plug). European labs (Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.): 120212 (230V CE plug). UK and Ireland labs: 120214 (230V UK plug). All three models include a 50/60 Hz switchable frequency selector on the rear panel.
Is the mixing head autoclavable?
The mixing head can be removed from the unit for cleaning. Heathrow Scientific does not specify autoclave compatibility for the mixing head — clean with ethanol or standard lab disinfectants. Do not submerge the unit body.
What is the warranty?
Heathrow Scientific provides a 5-year limited warranty covering defects in workmanship and materials under normal use. Return authorization must be requested from Customer Service within 30 days of product receipt. Improper use or disassembly voids the warranty.
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.