How to choose high-performance laboratory freezers, refrigerators, and incubators

All too often, laboratory freezers, refrigerators, and incubators are the unsung heroes of science, playing a crucial role in preserving samples and ensuring consistent results. But how can you make sure the performance data provided by equipment providers is relevant to your specific needs when purchasing these essential tools?

In this blog, we walk you through how to assess the relevance of published performance data, gather real-world insights, and the benefits of requesting customized testing to help ensure you choose the equipment that meets your lab’s specific needs.

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Assessing the relevance of laboratory freezer, refrigerator, and incubator performance data

Equipment performance data is often one of the first things you’ll review when assessing potential laboratory equipment.

The key to assessing the relevance of this performance data for your applications and laboratory lies in the testing conditions they were generated in. For example, was the data gathered in a controlled environment with limited external variables such as fluctuating ambient temperatures, humidity, or frequent access? If yes, and your lab operates in a dynamic setting where doors are regularly opened or where environmental conditions vary, the metrics provided may not fully reflect how the equipment will perform in your lab.

By including testing condition variation in your assessment, you can more reliably compare performance data across models and providers and select equipment that meets the needs of your lab.

Gathering real-world performance insights

While performance data from equipment providers offer a foundation for understanding the capabilities of laboratory freezers, refrigerators, and incubators, real-world insights can provide a more nuanced view. Key sources for these insights include end-users in your company, repair technicians, facilities personnel, and online forums.

These additional perspectives can help you:

Assess a model’s suitability for your specific needs
Evaluate real-world performance
Understand long-term equipment reliability and maintenance requirements

Ultimately, user testimonials can offer practical insights that aren't always evident in the technical data, and technicians can provide detailed insights into their day-to-day performance, including maintenance needs and reliability issues.

"Many people would be surprised at how often a nearby lab or team is already using the exact equipment that they want to purchase. I would always recommend prospective customers reach out to their peers and colleagues when making purchasing decisions. They could be a goldmine of additional info to help support the decision-making process."

— Joe LaPorte, Chief Innovation Officer, PHC Corporation of North America

However, as with equipment provider data, the relevance of these insights will depend heavily on the conditions and context of equipment use. For the most valuable feedback, look to end-users within your industry or those working on similar applications, as well as technicians who work directly with the specific equipment you are considering.

Requesting customized laboratory freezer, refrigerator, and incubator testing

For some specific applications, the equipment provider’s published data and real-world performance insights from peers may not be relevant, making the equipment performance evaluation even harder. However, in these cases, equipment providers may be able to test equipment to your exact specifications. For example, equipment providers may be able to conduct tests that:

Simulate your lab’s conditions
Use your products or samples
Follow your usage protocols

Data from such testing can help you better evaluate whether a laboratory freezer, refrigerator, or incubator is suitable for your intended application.

Choose the equipment that works for your research

While we often take them for granted, laboratory freezers, refrigerators, and incubators enable everyday research and support the development of groundbreaking discoveries at every step. So, whether you’re using equipment provider test data, gathering real-world feedback, or requesting custom testing, make sure you have access to the critical data and insights to support you in making the right choice for your lab.

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Don't leave your critical equipment decisions to chance — download our eBook now and gain the comprehensive knowledge you need to select the perfect freezers, refrigerators, and incubators for your groundbreaking research.