Weighing Your Options: New Products in the World of Laboratory Balances

Laboratory balances are a ubiquitous piece of equipment that truly embody the idea of a “lab essential”

Every laboratory has at least one type of balance, and most will have multiple styles to account for a variety of uses. From precision micro-measurements to automated weighing of industrial quantities, there is a balance out there to meet the needs of your laboratory.

When choosing a new balance for your lab, there are a number of important things to consider. First and foremost, you need to have a clear idea of exactly what you need your balance to accomplish, from the range of weights you’ll need to measure to the precision of weights you need to report. You should also consider how important ease of use is — do you need your balance to be easy for new students to use? Or are the only people who will use the balance highly specialized? Further factors to consider are programmability, data exportation, automation options, and the calibration style of the device. Once you have your lab’s specific needs in mind you can begin looking for the perfect balance for your setup. 

Comparing Models

Many companies offer a wide range of styles and specifications for laboratory balances and it can be challenging to narrow down exactly which model you need. Sartorius offers a handy comparison tool that allows you to easily see the key differences between their Cubis, Secura, Quintix, Practum, and Entris models. You can even compare the minute differences between the Essential and Advanced versions of their balances. 

Compare up to three models at a time using the simple drop-down menu that instantly updates the relevant information, which is presented in an easy to read chart format. With eleven different categories of information covered — including weighing range, calibration, and interfaces — this thorough comparison is extremely useful when trying to select the right laboratory balance for your application.

Portable Balances

Portability is a hot topic for many types of lab equipment and balances are no exception. Whether you’re working in remote field locations or moving between labs regularly, if you’re in need of something compact and durable, Ohaus has you covered. Ohaus offers a wide range of laboratory balances designed specifically with portability in mind. 

If you need a balance that can hold up to demanding environments, be it field work or in the classroom, there are portable balances that prioritize durability and overload protection. If you need a balance that can give you repeated quick and accurate readings, there are models that prioritize fast stabilization time. And if you need a balance that will last as long as possible between battery replacements, there is an energy-efficient model that features very low power consumption. With six main product lines to choose from, you are sure to find the portable balance you need. They even have one of the smallest portable balances in the market — the Ohaus PS Series is so small it can fit in a shirt pocket!

Automated Options

Automation is another hot topic in lab equipment and it may represent the future of laboratory balances. Mettler Toledo offers multiple solutions for laboratory weighing automation that can help you streamline your process and while providing incomparable repeatability in your results. Whether you are looking to bring automation into your lab to help eliminate user error or need precise mass calibrations for high volumes of samples, Mettler Toledo has a balance for you. 

Automating measurements of extremely small sample quantities can save time, increase efficiency, and prevent wasting of expensive samples. The XPR automatic balance provides measurements down to 2 μg readability with accuracy that is unmatched by manual weighing procedures. When combined with a liquid dispensing module, the XPR also allows you to prepare highly precise concentrations, achieving a dilution factor of 10,000 in a single step. Mettler Toledo also offers automated solutions for preparation of powder formulations, filter weighing, and mass comparators. Each automated balance has integrated software for easy programming and recording of measurements, and the mass comparators can be run overnight to save you even more time.

Summary

When choosing a new laboratory balance you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of the product against the needs of your lab. There are a wide range of high quality balances out there for you to choose from. Whether you need a simple balance that will hold up to constant use by the entire lab, a portable balance that you can bring with you to remote testing locations, or an automated option to help streamline your process, there is a balance out there for you. 

For current listings of new and refurbished balances for sale, check out labx.com/balances.