Guide to Laboratory Incubators

 

A Guide to Laboratory Incubators: Types and Applications

In any lab focused on cell biology, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, or environmental research, the laboratory incubator is a staple piece of equipment. But not all incubators are created equal. Depending on your samples and your goals, the type of incubator you choose can make a big difference in performance, reliability, and results.

In this post, we’ll break down the most common types of lab incubators and highlight how they’re used across various industries.

1. Standard/Gravity Convection Incubators

Best for: Microbiology, general cell culture, and simple temperature-controlled reactions.

These are the most common incubators found in labs. They use natural air circulation to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the chamber.

Key Features:

  • Temperature range typically from ambient +5°C to 60–70°C
  • Simple operation and lower cost
  • Low air disturbance—ideal for delicate samples

Common Uses:

  • Cultivating bacterial or fungal cultures
  • Growing non-CO₂ dependent cell lines
  • Incubation of media or reagents

2. Forced-Air (Mechanical Convection) Incubators

Best for: Applications requiring fast recovery and uniform temperature distribution.

These incubators use fans to circulate air, creating faster heating and more even temperature distribution throughout the chamber.

Key Features:

  • Faster temperature stabilization after door openings
  • Ideal for high-throughput labs or sensitive temperature experiments

Common Uses:

  • Stability testing
  • Food safety testing
  • Clinical microbiology and pharmaceutical quality control

3. CO₂ Incubators

Best for: Mammalian cell culture and tissue engineering.

CO₂ incubators are designed to maintain precise levels of carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature—mimicking physiological conditions for sensitive cell lines.

Key Features:

  • Typically maintains 5% CO₂ and 95% relative humidity
  • Sterilization and HEPA filtration options to prevent contamination
  • May include IR sensors for precise CO₂ control

Common Uses:

  • Culturing mammalian and stem cells
  • IVF and embryology
  • Cancer research and regenerative medicine

4. Refrigerated Incubators (Cooled Incubators)

Best for: Temperature-sensitive experiments below room temperature.

These are used when incubation at cooler temperatures is necessary, such as in environmental or food microbiology testing.

Key Features:

  • Temperature range often from 2°C to 60°C
  • Can operate continuously for long testing cycles
  • Available with lighted options for plant growth studies

Common Uses:

  • Water and wastewater testing
  • Shelf-life and stability testing
  • Insect and plant studies
  • Fermentation control

5. Shaking Incubators

Best for: Aeration and agitation of liquid cultures.

These incubators combine temperature control with orbital shaking—making them essential for growing cells in suspension.

Key Features:

  • Adjustable speed and motion settings
  • Stackable designs for space efficiency
  • Often found in biotech and pharma labs

Common Uses:

  • Growing E. coli and yeast for protein expression
  • Enzyme and metabolite production
  • Plasmid amplification

6. Anaerobic and Hypoxia Incubators

Best for: Growing organisms or cells in low-oxygen or oxygen-free conditions.

These incubators offer precise gas control, often with nitrogen flushing, and are sealed to eliminate oxygen.

Key Features:

  • Control over O₂ levels (down to 0.1%)
  • Integrated gas mixers
  • Airtight design to prevent contamination

Common Uses:

  • Culturing anaerobic bacteria (e.g., Clostridium)
  • Hypoxia research in oncology or cardiology
  • Microbial fermentation under specific conditions

Choosing the Right Incubator for Your Lab

When choosing an incubator, think about:

  • What you’re growing or testing
  • Required temperature range
  • Gas and humidity control needs
  • Contamination sensitivity
  • Capacity and scalability

A standard incubator may be fine for general microbiology, but CO₂ or shaking incubators are better suited for tissue culture or high-throughput protein production.

Looking for high-quality lab incubators at a great value?
At American Instrument Exchange, we offer a wide selection of refurbished laboratory incubators, including brands like Thermo, Sheldon, Binder, and Panasonic—backed by expert service and warranty options.

Explore our current inventory or talk to our team about the best incubator setup for your workflow.