Technical Foundation
What Is a Shakers and Rotator?
Orbital shakers move the platform in a small circular path, producing consistent, vigorous mixing suited to flask cultures, dissolving reagents and general lab mixing where vortexing rather than gentle folding is desired. Rocking (see-saw) platform shakers tilt the platform back and forth at a controlled angle, producing gentler mixing suited to blots, gels and applications where excessive turbulence could damage a sample or cause foaming. Tube rotators continuously rotate tubes end-over-end or at an angle, keeping samples like blood or resuspended cells in constant, gentle motion without the shear forces of shaking.
Load capacity is rated at the platform, not the unit's footprint, and speed range (RPM for orbital/rocking, or rotations per minute for rotators) must suit the application — cell culture work typically runs slower to avoid shear stress on cells, while dissolving or extraction work can run faster. Orbit diameter on orbital shakers (typically 1-25mm) also affects mixing intensity independent of RPM, with larger orbits providing more vigorous mixing at the same speed setting.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get Shakers and Rotators Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the motion type (orbital/rocking/rotator), load capacity and speed range and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Type | Orbital, rocking/see-saw, tube rotation, reciprocating | Different motions suit different sample sensitivity — orbital for vigorous mixing, rocking for gentle |
| Load Capacity | Maximum rated weight on the platform, typically 2-20kg | Must exceed the combined weight of flasks/vessels and their contents at full load |
| Speed Range | RPM range, typically 20-500 RPM depending on type | Cell/tissue work needs lower speeds to avoid shear stress; dissolving work can run faster |
| Orbit Diameter | Circular path diameter on orbital shakers, 1-25mm | Larger orbit diameter increases mixing intensity independent of RPM setting |
| Temperature Control | Ambient-only vs. incubating (heated) shakers | Cell culture and enzymatic work often requires controlled incubation temperature during shaking |
Shop Shakers and Rotators
Browse Shakers and Rotators Sub-Categories
Organised by motion type. Pick a sub-category, or tell ChatMRO your load capacity and application and let it match a unit.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where Shakers and Rotators Get Used
Shakers and rotators are specified anywhere a lab process needs controlled, repeatable mixing or agitation instead of manual swirling.
Microbiology & Cell Culture
Incubating orbital shakers maintaining controlled temperature and agitation for bacterial and cell growth.
Molecular Biology & Blotting
Rocking platform shakers providing gentle, even agitation for Western blots and gel staining/destaining.
Clinical & Blood Bank Labs
Tube rotators keeping blood and reagent samples in continuous gentle motion to prevent settling.
Chemistry & Extraction Labs
Orbital shakers dissolving reagents and mixing extraction solvents in flasks.
Environmental & Water Testing Labs
Reciprocating shakers used in standardized extraction and leaching test protocols.
Pharmaceutical QC Labs
Orbital and rocking shakers supporting dissolution testing and formulation mixing.
FAQ
Shakers and Rotators Questions, Answered
What's the difference between orbital and rocking shaker motion, and which do I need?
Orbital shakers move the platform in a continuous small circle, producing vigorous, consistent mixing well suited to dissolving reagents or aerating flask cultures. Rocking shakers tilt the platform back and forth like a see-saw, producing gentler, wave-like motion that suits delicate applications like gel destaining or blot incubation where foaming or excess turbulence would be a problem. Choose based on how sensitive your sample or application is to vigorous agitation.
How do I choose the right load capacity for my shaker?
Add up the total weight of all vessels, their contents and any clamps or platform accessories you'll run simultaneously at maximum load, then choose a shaker rated comfortably above that total — running near or above rated capacity can affect motion consistency and accelerates motor wear. Also confirm the platform's physical size accommodates your vessel footprint, not just the weight rating.
Why does orbit diameter matter on an orbital shaker, not just RPM?
Orbit diameter (the size of the circular path the platform travels) directly affects mixing intensity — a larger orbit diameter creates more vigorous mixing at the same RPM setting than a smaller orbit would. This means two shakers set to the same RPM but different orbit diameters won't produce equivalent mixing, so match orbit diameter to your application's needs, not RPM alone.
When do I need an incubating shaker instead of a standard ambient shaker?
Incubating shakers add heating (and sometimes cooling) elements and temperature control to maintain a set temperature during shaking, required for cell culture, bacterial growth and enzymatic reactions where the process depends on a specific temperature range. If your application doesn't require temperature control beyond ambient room conditions, a standard non-incubating shaker is more economical.
Are tube rotators interchangeable with orbital shakers for mixing tubes?
Not generally — tube rotators are purpose-built to continuously rotate tubes end-over-end at a controlled angle, which keeps samples like blood or resuspended cells gently mixed without settling, a different motion profile than an orbital shaker's circular platform motion. If your work is specifically tube-based sample mixing rather than flask or plate mixing, a dedicated rotator is usually the better fit.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Explore More
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.