Mixers & Shakers

Mixers and Shakers are essential laboratory instruments designed to agitate, blend, or homogenize samples in tubes, flasks, or microplates. By delivering consistent motion—whether orbital, vortex, rocking, or reciprocal—these devices ensure proper reagent mixing, sample suspension, and reaction uniformity across a wide range of clinical, research, and industrial lab applications. From sample prep to culture maintenance, mixers and shakers help drive accuracy and reproducibility.

Why Mixers and Shakers Are Essential

Uniform mixing is critical to the success of many laboratory protocols. Inconsistent agitation can compromise assay results, reduce yield, or introduce variability in reactions. Mixers and shakers automate these repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, precision, and throughput while protecting samples from manual handling errors. With a wide variety of models tailored for tubes, plates, or flasks, they support applications from molecular biology to microbiology and clinical chemistry.

What Are Mixers and Shakers?

Mixers and shakers are motor-driven devices that apply controlled movement to containers holding biological or chemical samples. These instruments come in a variety of formats—vortex mixers, orbital shakers, rocker platforms, rotators, and plate shakers—each offering specific motion types and capacities. Most models allow speed and time adjustment, and many offer temperature control or stacking options to accommodate high-throughput workflows.

Types of Mixers and Shakers

Vortex Mixers

Best for: Rapid mixing of small volumes in microtubes or vials.
These compact devices create a circular motion that vigorously agitates contents for instant blending.

Key Features:

• Touch or continuous operation modes.
• Variable speed control (typically 200–3,200 RPM).
• Interchangeable platforms for different tube sizes.
• Anti-slip bases for benchtop stability.
• Ideal for high-throughput molecular workflows.

Applications:

• Resuspending cell pellets or precipitates.
• Mixing PCR or qPCR reagents.
• Sample prep for nucleic acid extraction.
• Enzyme reactions and protein assays.

Orbital Shakers

Best for: Gentle, uniform shaking of flasks, beakers, or plates.
These units move samples in a circular motion, ideal for culture aeration and solubility studies.

Key Features:

• Variable speed and programmable timers.
• Platform sizes compatible with Erlenmeyer flasks or microplates.
• Stackable or floor-standing configurations.
• Some models offer temperature or CO₂ control.
• Optional clamps or non-slip mats for secure vessel placement.

Applications:

• Microbial and yeast culture growth.
• Solubility or dissolution testing.
• ELISA plate agitation.
• Bioreactor sample mixing.

Rocking Shakers

Best for: Gentle, wave-like motion ideal for gel staining or membrane washing.
These shakers tilt back and forth, preserving sample integrity during mixing.

Key Features:

• Adjustable rocking angle and speed.
• Quiet operation with low energy use.
• Platform compatibility with trays and gel boxes.
• Ideal for long-duration mixing.
• Non-slip rubber mats included.

Applications:

• Western blot and gel staining/destaining.
• Hybridization protocols.
• Membrane incubation and wash steps.
• Tissue culture solution mixing.

Rotators & Tube Rollers

Best for: Slow, continuous mixing of blood samples, cultures, or viscous fluids.
These devices gently rotate or roll tubes for end-over-end or side-to-side agitation.

Key Features:

• Compatible with conical, blood, and centrifuge tubes.
• Adjustable speed and direction (360° rotation).
• Interchangeable tube racks or holders.
• Designed for cell culture or immunoassay prep.
• Benchtop footprint with plug-and-play setup.

Applications:

• Blood mixing in hematology labs.
• Immunoprecipitation (IP) or ELISA prep.
• Suspension cell culture.
• Resin or bead incubation.

When to Use Mixers and Shakers

• For homogenizing reagents and biological samples before analysis.
• When maintaining aerobic cultures in flasks or plates.
• During DNA/RNA extractions, protein quantification, or enzymatic reactions.
• For hybridization, blotting, or membrane washing steps.
• In any protocol requiring consistent, hands-free mixing.

How to Use Mixers and Shakers

1. Choose the appropriate platform or attachment based on vessel type.
2. Place tubes, flasks, or plates securely on the platform.
3. Set speed, time, and motion mode (if applicable).
4. Start the device and monitor for any imbalances or vibrations.
5. Clean and sanitize surfaces after use, especially with biological materials.

Key Features of Mixers and Shakers

• Multiple motion types: vortex, orbital, rocking, rolling, or rotating.
• Variable speed control to suit delicate or vigorous mixing needs.
• Interchangeable platforms or tube holders for diverse vessel compatibility.
• Compact or stackable designs for lab space optimization.
• Durable construction for continuous, high-throughput operation.

Benefits of Mixers and Shakers

These instruments save time and ensure consistency in sample processing. By delivering repeatable motion patterns, they reduce human error, improve experimental reliability, and boost lab productivity. Whether you're resuspending pellets, growing cultures, or preparing plates for ELISA, mixers and shakers enable efficient, high-quality results across a broad range of lab protocols.

How to Choose the Right Mixer or Shaker

• Determine your motion needs: vortex for quick mixing, orbital for cultures, rocking for gentle incubation.
• Match to vessel types: ensure platform fits tubes, flasks, or microplates.
• Check speed and timer range for protocol compatibility.
• Consider space and stacking options if working in compact or shared lab spaces.
• Look for application-specific models (e.g., CO₂-compatible orbital shakers for cell culture).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What’s the difference between an orbital and a rocking shaker?
A: Orbital shakers move in a circular motion, ideal for cell culture; rocking shakers tilt back and forth, perfect for gentle tasks like gel staining.

Q: Can I use a vortex mixer for all types of tubes?
A: Most vortex mixers come with interchangeable heads or cup attachments to accommodate different tube sizes.

Q: Are mixers and shakers safe for continuous use?
A: Yes. Most are designed for long runtimes and include built-in safety features such as overload protection and timers.

Q: Can I incubate while mixing?
A: Yes. Some orbital and plate shakers offer temperature control or are designed to operate inside CO₂ incubators.

Q: How do I clean a lab shaker or mixer?
A: Wipe with a mild disinfectant or alcohol solution after use, and avoid spills into internal components. Always power off before cleaning.

Related Products

• Laboratory Incubators: For combined temperature control and shaking.
• Microplates & PCR Tubes: Compatible vessels for use with plate shakers or vortexers.
• Reagent Kits & Assays: ELISA kits, blotting kits, and protein quantification kits that require mixing steps.
• Tube Holders & Mats: Replacement accessories for shakers and vortex platforms.

Simplify your mixing workflows with dependable, high-performance mixers and shakers from MedicalEx. Whether you need rapid vortexing or gentle orbital motion, our instruments deliver precision, flexibility, and durability across every lab application. Explore our full range and equip your lab for consistent, hands-free agitation today.