2023 Pipettes Buyers Guide

The action of pipetting can cause repetitive strain injuries (RSI), which can not only cause pain and discomfort but can also impact the precision and accuracy of results. Consider things like tip ejection force and grip design when choosing a unit. Also, check the weight of the pipette. Lightweight is essential in long pipetting sessions to prevent muscle strain. 

Download White Paper on Pipetting Ergonomics

There are two types of piston-operated pipettes: air displacement and positive displacement. Most lab pipetting is done using air displacement pipettes, which have air columns between the piston and the liquid. With positive displacement pipettes, the piston is in direct contact with the liquid. These are typically used for demanding samples involving viscous, volatile or radioactive liquids. 

Accuracy means delivered volume = set volume; precision expresses proximity of multiple pipetting results. These are two of the most critical aspects when choosing a pipette. 

Does your lab work involve pipetting to and from tubes and vessels of various sizes, with no degree of uniformity? Do you engage in large-volume pipetting (1.2 – 10 mL)? For cases such as these, single-channel pipettes are the optimal choice. When working with 96 or 384-well plates, in situations when sample numbers are large, multichannel pipettes are a better option. 

Variable volume pipettes are the industry standard, as it makes sense to use equipment that can be adjusted to various needs and measurements. There are, however, times when fixed volume pipettes have advantages, particularly when working with consistent volumes like in clinical testing or patient samples. Fixed volume pipettes remove a source of error, as there is no chance of selecting an improper volume.

Check whether the pipette is fully autoclavable – meaning it can be autoclaved as is, or whether it requires disassembly as some parts, like electronics, might not tolerate autoclaving. Autoclaving is the most efficient way to decontaminate a pipette. 

Make sure the pipette has a proper volume lock to avoid accidental volume changes. 

An easy-to-read volume display makes for efficient and reliable working conditions. Check that the volume is displayed in numbers, down to the last decimal.

Avoid unnecessary strain by making sure the pipette plunger is light to press at both maximum and minimum volumes. Also remember to check for light tip ejection as it is the most force demanding action during pipetting.

Check that the pipette is easy to disassemble without tools and has only a few parts to clean.  

Cells are typically sensitive and require careful handling in laboratory settings. To ensure optimal success in cell-based experiments, it is recommended that electronic pipettes be used with filter tips, using good pipetting techniques that eliminate foaming and bubble formation during cell seeding. 

A common hazard in cell culture work is contamination. The invasion of mold, bacteria and mycoplasma (to name a few) is detrimental to the sample and poses a risk to the entire laboratory. Additionally, cells should only be away from incubators for a minimal amount of time to preserve their integrity. These conditions call for multichannel pipettes (to expedite workflow) that are equipped with filter tips and fully autoclavable (to prevent contamination).

Download: Best Practices Pipetting 3D Cell Culture Hydrogels

When studying bacteria, viruses, algae and other micro-organisms, contamination prevention is paramount. Mixing populations or introducing unwanted strains should be avoided. Best practices dictate aseptic working methods using sterilized lab equipment. Fully autoclavable pipettes with pre-sterilized tips and pipette controllers – fitted with sterile filters – are the optimal choice to achieve this ideal working environment.

In chemical industry labs, it can be tricky to continuously achieve reliable results due to the aggressive nature of chemicals. Pipettes engineered for reliability (such as Proline^® Plus) and paired with chemical-resistant pipette tips can make the job much easier. Chemical-resistant bottle top dispensers can also reduce spillage risks.

Watch Webinar: Best Practices for Pipetting In Chemical Labs

Regardless of experience level, enhancing work quality is a goal for most in the laboratory, and there are always training certifications to maintain. The Sartorius Pipetting Academy offers training modules and in-depth educational content for pipetting beginners as well as seasoned lab professionals. With a robust selection of theory-based content and hands-on sessions, pipette training is attainable for people of all preferred learning styles. Participants will learn:

1. Pipetting Techniques
2. Pipetting Standards and Maintenance
3. Ergonomics
4. How to improve laboratory productivity
5. Basics of Pipetting
6. Pipetting in Cell Culture Applications
7. Best practices for Working with Proteins
8. Best pipetting practices for Nucleic Acid work
9. Best practices for Cell-based sample preparation

Sartorius’ ISO 9001 Certified online and custom pipette training program provides high-quality training from certified instructors and guarantees participating lab personnel will have the skills and knowledge necessary to meet quality requirements.

Pipettes are used to transfer a multitude of samples and media, including liquids that can be viscous, hazardous, or potential contaminants. Thorough cleaning is a must to keep equipment in working order and maintain sample integrity. 

It is important to always follow the manufacturer's recommendations when it comes to cleaning pipettes and pipette equipment. A good tip to keep in mind when undertaking the following practices: 
 

• Daily cleaning - For pipettes employed in day-to-day use, daily cleaning is paramount before hanging up the safety goggles for the night. With Sartorius pipettes, it is recommended that tip cone filters be changed, if applicable, followed by a thorough outer body cleaning with 70% ethanol. During this procedure, it is useful to check for cracks, defects or anything else that might prove detrimental to equipment function.
• Full cleaning – Follow manufacturer instructions for disassembling your pipette. It is very important to know the chemical compatibilities of your equipment before using cleaning and/or decontamination solutions (to include pure water, detergents, nuclease removal agent, radioactivity cleaning agent and sodium hypochlorite). After a thorough cleaning, you may wish to autoclave your instrument. Autoclaving is an efficient way to sterilize pipettes from biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria. Follow manufacturer instructions for autoclaving, and check which parts are autoclavable (some pipettes are fully autoclavable, but others are not). Always use correct settings. Also, after disassembling a pipette it is always recommended to check the performance.