Lab Instrument List: Common Laboratory Instruments and Equipment

Introduction

Laboratory instruments are the foundation of scientific work. Whether measuring a sample's concentration, separating a protein mixture, storing a cell line at cryogenic temperatures, or automating a liquid handling workflow, the right instrument determines the quality, speed, and reproducibility of results.

This guide provides a practical lab instrument list organized by use case — covering general bench equipment, analytical instruments, life science and biotech tools, sample preparation systems, cold storage, and separation and purification platforms. It is designed to help researchers, lab managers, procurement teams, biotech startups, academic labs, clinical labs, pharma teams, and industrial QA/QC labs understand what instruments are available and how to source them.

What Are Laboratory Instruments?

Laboratory instruments are equipment used in scientific, clinical, academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, and industrial laboratories to perform measurement, analysis, preparation, storage, separation, automation, and controlled processing tasks. They range from simple bench tools like balances and pipettes to complex analytical platforms like mass spectrometers and flow cytometers.

The terms laboratory instruments and laboratory equipment are often used interchangeably, though instruments typically refer to devices that measure or analyze, while equipment may include broader infrastructure such as fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and storage units. In practice, most labs use both terms to describe the full range of tools needed to conduct scientific work.

Common Lab Instrument List

The following table provides a high-level overview of common laboratory instruments, their primary use, and the lab types where they are most frequently found.

Instrument	Common Use	Typical Lab Type
Analytical Balance	Precise mass measurement	All lab types
Centrifuge	Separating samples by density	All lab types
Vortex Mixer	Mixing small volumes	All lab types
Hot Plate / Magnetic Stirrer	Heating and stirring solutions	Chemistry, biochemistry
Water Bath	Temperature-controlled incubation	All lab types
Dry Bath / Heat Block	Dry incubation of tubes	Molecular biology, clinical
pH Meter	Measuring solution pH	All lab types
Pipette	Accurate liquid transfer	All lab types
Orbital Shaker	Mixing cultures or samples	Microbiology, cell biology
Incubator	Controlled temperature growth	Microbiology, cell biology
Oven	Drying, sterilization, baking	Chemistry, materials science
Fume Hood	Containment of chemical vapors	Chemistry, pharma
Biosafety Cabinet	Sterile work with biological agents	Microbiology, cell biology, clinical
Microscope	Visualizing cells and structures	Biology, pathology, materials
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer	Measuring absorbance and concentration	All lab types
Microplate Reader	High-throughput absorbance/fluorescence	Biotech, pharma, clinical
HPLC System	Separating and quantifying compounds	Pharma, chemistry, food science
GC System	Analyzing volatile compounds	Chemistry, environmental, food
Mass Spectrometer	Identifying and quantifying molecules	Pharma, proteomics, metabolomics
PCR System	DNA amplification	Molecular biology, clinical, forensics
qPCR System	Quantitative gene expression	Molecular biology, diagnostics
Electrophoresis System	Separating nucleic acids or proteins	Molecular biology, genomics
Gel Documentation System	Imaging electrophoresis gels	Molecular biology
Flow Cytometer	Cell counting and sorting by markers	Immunology, cell biology, clinical
Cell Counter	Counting and sizing cells	Cell biology, biotech
Automated Liquid Handler	High-throughput liquid dispensing	Pharma, genomics, drug discovery
Bioreactor / Fermenter	Controlled cell or microbial culture	Bioprocess, pharma, food science
Lyophilizer / Freeze Dryer	Freeze-drying samples or products	Pharma, biotech, food science
Homogenizer	Disrupting tissue or cell samples	Molecular biology, food science
Sonicator	Ultrasonic cell disruption or mixing	Molecular biology, chemistry
Rotary Evaporator	Solvent removal under reduced pressure	Chemistry, pharma
Vacuum Pump	Creating vacuum for filtration or evaporation	All lab types
Laboratory Refrigerator	Short-term cold storage (2–8°C)	All lab types
Laboratory Freezer	Sample storage (-20°C)	All lab types
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer	Long-term storage (-80°C)	Biobank, pharma, biotech
Environmental Chamber	Controlled temperature and humidity	Pharma, materials, food science
Chromatography System	Separating and purifying compounds	Pharma, biotech, chemistry
Filtration System	Removing particles from liquids or gases	All lab types
Tangential Flow Filtration System	Concentrating and purifying biologics	Biotech, pharma

General Laboratory Instruments

General bench instruments are found in nearly every laboratory regardless of discipline. These are the workhorses of daily lab operations.

• Analytical Balances: Used for precise mass measurement, critical for preparing reagents, standards, and formulations.
• Centrifuges: Separate samples by density using centrifugal force. Available in benchtop, refrigerated, and ultracentrifuge configurations. Browse centrifuges.
• Vortex Mixers: Rapidly mix small volumes in tubes or plates using oscillating motion.
• Hot Plates and Magnetic Stirrers: Heat and stir solutions simultaneously; essential for chemistry and biochemistry workflows.
• Water Baths: Maintain samples at a precise temperature for incubation, thawing, or enzymatic reactions.
• Dry Baths / Heat Blocks: Provide dry, conductive heating for tubes and microtubes without liquid.
• pH Meters: Measure the acidity or alkalinity of solutions; used in buffer preparation, cell culture media, and QC testing.
• Pipettes: Transfer precise volumes of liquid; available as single-channel, multichannel, and electronic formats.
• Orbital and Rocking Shakers: Mix cultures, samples, or blotting membranes at controlled speeds.
• Incubators: Maintain controlled temperature environments for cell culture, microbial growth, and enzymatic reactions. Browse incubators.
• Ovens: Used for drying glassware, baking samples, or sterilizing materials at elevated temperatures.
• Fume Hoods: Protect users from chemical vapors and aerosols during hazardous work.
• Biosafety Cabinets: Provide a sterile, contained environment for working with biological agents, cell cultures, and infectious materials.

Analytical Laboratory Instruments

Analytical instruments are used to identify, quantify, or characterize samples at the molecular, elemental, or structural level. They are central to pharma QC, environmental testing, food safety, and research workflows.

• HPLC Systems: Separate and quantify compounds in complex mixtures. Browse HPLC & Chromatography Systems.
• GC Systems: Analyze volatile and semi-volatile compounds; common in environmental labs, flavor and fragrance testing, and forensic analysis.
• Mass Spectrometers: Identify and quantify molecules based on mass-to-charge ratio; used in proteomics, metabolomics, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics.
• UV-Vis Spectrophotometers: Measure absorbance of light to determine concentration of nucleic acids, proteins, and other compounds. Browse Spectrophotometers & Fluorometers.
• FTIR Systems: Identify chemical functional groups and characterize materials based on infrared absorption.
• Fluorescence Readers and Microplate Readers: Measure fluorescence, luminescence, or absorbance in microplate formats for high-throughput screening and assay development.
• Particle Analyzers: Measure particle size, distribution, and zeta potential in suspensions and emulsions.
• TOC Analyzers: Quantify organic carbon in water samples; used in pharmaceutical water systems and environmental monitoring.
• Elemental Analyzers: Determine elemental composition (C, H, N, S, O) of solid or liquid samples.

Life Science and Biotech Instruments

Life science and biotech laboratories rely on a specialized set of instruments for genomics, proteomics, cell biology, and bioprocess applications.

• PCR Systems: Amplify specific DNA sequences for cloning, diagnostics, and research.
• qPCR Systems: Measure gene expression levels and quantify nucleic acids in real time.
• Electrophoresis Systems: Separate DNA, RNA, or proteins by size through a gel matrix using an electric field.
• Gel Documentation Systems: Capture and analyze images of electrophoresis gels using UV or white light illumination.
• Western Blot Imagers: Detect and quantify specific proteins separated by gel electrophoresis and transferred to a membrane.
• Flow Cytometers: Analyze and sort individual cells based on fluorescent markers; used in immunology, oncology, and cell biology.
• Cell Counters: Automatically count and size cells using impedance or image-based methods.
• Microscopes: Visualize cells, tissues, and microorganisms; available in brightfield, fluorescence, confocal, and electron configurations.
• Automated Liquid Handlers: Dispense, transfer, and dilute liquids across microplates with high precision and throughput; essential for genomics, drug discovery, and diagnostics.
• Bioreactors and Fermenters: Provide controlled environments for growing mammalian cells, microbial cultures, or producing biologics at bench or pilot scale.

Sample Preparation Instruments

Sample preparation instruments process raw biological, chemical, or environmental samples before analysis. Proper preparation is critical for accurate, reproducible results.

• Homogenizers: Disrupt tissue, cells, or solid samples using mechanical, bead-based, or rotor-stator methods.
• Sonicators: Use ultrasonic energy to lyse cells, disrupt aggregates, or emulsify samples.
• Rotary Evaporators: Remove solvents from samples under reduced pressure and controlled temperature; widely used in chemistry and pharma.
• Nitrogen Evaporators: Concentrate samples by evaporating solvent under a stream of nitrogen gas.
• Lyophilizers / Freeze Dryers: Remove water from samples by sublimation under vacuum; used to preserve biologics, pharmaceuticals, and food products.
• Filtration Systems: Remove particulates, microorganisms, or macromolecules from liquids using membrane or depth filters.
• Vacuum Pumps: Generate vacuum for filtration, evaporation, and other reduced-pressure applications.
• SPE Systems: Extract and concentrate target analytes from complex matrices prior to chromatographic analysis.

Cold Storage and Environmental Equipment

Cold storage and environmental control equipment protect samples, reagents, cell lines, and biological materials from degradation.

• Laboratory Refrigerators (2–8°C): Store reagents, media, enzymes, and short-term biological samples.
• Laboratory Freezers (-20°C): Store samples, antibodies, enzymes, and molecular biology reagents.
• Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers (-80°C): Long-term storage of cell lines, plasma, serum, nucleic acids, and biologics. Browse Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers.
• Cryogenic Storage Systems: Store samples in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for indefinite preservation of cells and tissues.
• CO2 Incubators: Maintain controlled temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels for mammalian cell culture.
• Environmental Chambers: Simulate specific temperature and humidity conditions for stability testing, shelf-life studies, and materials testing.
• Stability Chambers: ICH-compliant chambers used in pharmaceutical development to test drug stability under defined conditions.

Separation and Purification Instruments

Separation and purification instruments isolate target compounds, proteins, or biomolecules from complex mixtures — a critical step in drug development, bioprocessing, and analytical workflows.

• Chromatography Systems: Separate compounds based on differential affinity to a stationary phase; includes HPLC, FPLC, ion exchange, and affinity chromatography.
• HPLC: High-pressure liquid chromatography for analytical and preparative separations.
• FPLC: Purify proteins and biomolecules at lower pressures; commonly used in biotech and pharma.
• ÄKTA Systems: Cytiva's FPLC platform widely used for protein purification in research and process development.
• Centrifuges and Ultracentrifuges: Separate particles, organelles, or macromolecules by size and density at high speeds.
• Filtration Units: Remove particles or separate molecules by size using membrane filters.
• Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) Systems: Concentrate and purify biologics, proteins, and viral vectors using cross-flow membrane filtration; essential in bioprocess scale-up.

Lab Instruments by Workflow

Organizing instruments by workflow helps labs identify gaps in their equipment inventory and plan procurement efficiently.

• Measuring and Weighing: Analytical balances, pH meters, conductivity meters, spectrophotometers
• Mixing and Heating: Vortex mixers, orbital shakers, hot plates, magnetic stirrers, water baths, dry baths
• Separating Samples: Centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, filtration systems, TFF systems, chromatography systems
• Preparing Samples: Homogenizers, sonicators, lyophilizers, rotary evaporators, SPE systems, vacuum pumps
• Analyzing Samples: HPLC, GC, mass spectrometers, spectrophotometers, microplate readers, flow cytometers
• Storing Samples: Refrigerators, freezers, ULT freezers, cryogenic storage, environmental chambers
• Growing Cells or Cultures: CO2 incubators, bioreactors, fermenters, shaking incubators
• Automating Liquid Handling: Automated liquid handlers, robotic dispensers, multichannel pipettes
• Purifying Proteins or Biomolecules: FPLC, ÄKTA systems, TFF systems, affinity chromatography columns

How to Choose Laboratory Instruments

Selecting the right laboratory instrument requires evaluating multiple factors beyond purchase price. Key considerations include:

• Application: What specific measurement, separation, or processing task does the instrument need to perform?
• Sample Type: Is the sample biological, chemical, environmental, or food-based? What is the matrix complexity?
• Throughput: How many samples per day or per run does the lab need to process?
• Accuracy and Sensitivity: What detection limits, dynamic range, or measurement precision are required?
• Software Requirements: Does the instrument integrate with existing LIMS, data systems, or regulatory software?
• Consumables Compatibility: What columns, tips, plates, or reagents does the instrument require, and what is the ongoing cost?
• Footprint: Does the instrument fit within available bench or floor space?
• Serviceability: Is local service support available? What are the maintenance intervals and costs?
• Calibration Needs: Does the instrument require periodic calibration or qualification, and who performs it?
• Compliance and Validation: Does the instrument need to meet GMP, GLP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, or ISO requirements?
• Budget: What is the capital budget, and are operating costs factored in?
• New vs. Refurbished: Can a refurbished or surplus instrument meet the application requirements at lower cost?
• Availability and Lead Time: Is the instrument in stock, or does it require a long lead time from the manufacturer?

New, Refurbished, and Surplus Laboratory Instruments

Laboratories sourcing instruments have three primary options: new, refurbished, and surplus equipment. Each has distinct advantages depending on budget, timeline, validation requirements, and application.

New instruments offer the latest technology, full manufacturer warranty, and straightforward qualification pathways — but often come with longer lead times and higher capital costs.

Refurbished instruments are pre-owned instruments that have been inspected, repaired, and tested to meet performance specifications. They offer significant cost savings — often 40–70% below new list price — and can be a practical option for labs with tight budgets or for secondary or backup instrumentation.

Surplus instruments are excess or decommissioned equipment sold as-is or with limited testing. They carry higher risk but can provide access to discontinued models or hard-to-find platforms at very low cost.

mLab Supply supports lab supply and equipment sourcing across all three categories — including listed inventory, refurbished instrumentation, and surplus recovery. Labs looking to offload decommissioned equipment can also explore surplus lab equipment options.

Where to Source Laboratory Instruments

Laboratories can source instruments through several channels, each with different advantages:

• Manufacturers: Direct purchase from OEMs offers full warranty and support but typically at list price with standard lead times.
• Authorized Distributors: Provide access to multiple brands, volume pricing, and local support.
• Refurbished Equipment Suppliers: Specialize in pre-owned instruments that have been tested and restored to working condition.
• Surplus Channels: Auction houses, liquidators, and surplus dealers offer equipment at low cost, often with limited testing or warranty.
• Sourcing Partners: Equipment sourcing specialists can locate hard-to-find instruments, discontinued models, or specific configurations not available through standard channels.

mLab Supply supports equipment sourcing, quote-based procurement, laboratory equipment inventory, and hard-to-find instrument requests. Whether your lab needs a specific model, a refurbished alternative, or help evaluating options, our team can assist. Request a quote to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common laboratory instruments?

Common laboratory instruments include balances, centrifuges, pipettes, pH meters, spectrophotometers, microscopes, incubators, PCR systems, HPLC systems, and mass spectrometers. The specific instruments used depend on the lab type and application.

What is the difference between laboratory instruments and lab equipment?

Laboratory instruments typically refer to devices that measure, analyze, or characterize samples — such as spectrophotometers, mass spectrometers, and flow cytometers. Lab equipment is a broader term that includes instruments as well as infrastructure items like fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, ovens, and storage units. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.

What instruments are used in a biology lab?

Biology labs commonly use microscopes, centrifuges, PCR systems, electrophoresis systems, gel documentation systems, flow cytometers, cell counters, CO2 incubators, biosafety cabinets, and automated liquid handlers, depending on whether the focus is cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, or genomics.

What instruments are used in an analytical chemistry lab?

Analytical chemistry labs typically use HPLC systems, GC systems, mass spectrometers, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, FTIR systems, TOC analyzers, elemental analyzers, and particle size analyzers to identify, quantify, and characterize chemical compounds.

What instruments are used for sample preparation?

Sample preparation instruments include homogenizers, sonicators, rotary evaporators, nitrogen evaporators, lyophilizers, filtration systems, vacuum pumps, and SPE systems. The choice depends on the sample type and the downstream analytical method.

What instruments are used for cold storage?

Cold storage instruments include laboratory refrigerators (2–8°C), laboratory freezers (-20°C), ultra-low temperature freezers (-80°C), cryogenic storage systems (-196°C), CO2 incubators, environmental chambers, and stability chambers.

Should labs buy new or refurbished laboratory instruments?

The choice depends on budget, application, and validation requirements. New instruments offer the latest technology and full warranty. Refurbished instruments can provide significant cost savings — often 40–70% below new list price — and are a practical option for many applications. Labs with GMP or regulatory validation requirements should evaluate refurbished options carefully with their quality team.

Can mLab Supply help source laboratory instruments?

Yes. mLab Supply supports equipment sourcing, quote-based procurement, listed inventory, and hard-to-find instrument requests. Contact our team to discuss your requirements or request a quote.

Does mLab Supply sell used or refurbished lab instruments?

Yes. mLab Supply offers refurbished and surplus laboratory instruments in addition to new equipment. Browse our laboratory equipment inventory or visit our lab supply and equipment sourcing page to learn more.