Shaking Incubator

<h2>What Are Shaking Incubators?</h2>
&nbsp;
A shaking incubator is a laboratory instrument that integrates a temperature-controlled incubation chamber with a motor-driven shaking platform, enabling simultaneous incubation and agitation of liquid cultures, enzyme reactions, and biochemical assays. The shaking motion distributes oxygen and nutrients throughout the culture, prevents cell settling, and promotes faster, more uniform growth than static incubation. Orbital (circular) motion is the standard for most biological culture applications; reciprocating (linear back-and-forth) motion is used for higher-viscosity samples or applications requiring more vigorous mixing. Shaking incubators are used in bacterial and yeast suspension culture, recombinant protein expression in E. coli or Pichia, hybridization and wash steps in molecular biology protocols, and solubility studies in pharmaceutical development. Advanced models include brushless DC motors for long-term maintenance-free operation, programmable step sequences for multi-phase culture protocols, and refrigeration capability for cold-temperature protein expression down to 4 degrees C. Choose a shaking incubator over a static incubator when your culture requires aeration, cells tend to settle, or your protocol specifies a defined agitation speed in rpm.
&nbsp;
<h2>What You Will Find</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-section-id="7gw372" data-start="0" data-end="178">Benchtop &amp; Refrigerated Shaking Incubators: Incu-Shaker&trade; Mini, 10L, 20L, refrigerated (10LR/20LR), and CO₂ models for temperature-controlled culture incubation and shaking.</li>
<li data-section-id="aipkwp" data-start="180" data-end="320">Microplate &amp; Tube Shakers: Orbi-Shaker&trade; and Incu-Mixer&trade; systems for efficient mixing of microplates, PCR plates, and laboratory tubes.</li>
<li data-section-id="x9v3pj" data-start="322" data-end="521">MultiTherm&trade; Heating &amp; Shaking Systems: MultiTherm&trade; and MultiTherm&trade; Touch shakers with interchangeable blocks for PCR plates, cryotubes, centrifuge tubes, deep-well plates, HPLC vials, and more.</li>
<li data-section-id="rno1mp" data-start="523" data-end="696">Platforms &amp; Flask Holders: Spring platforms, microplate platforms, MAGic Clamp&trade; flask clamps, shelves, heated lids, CO₂ regulators, and other configurable accessories.</li>
<li><a href="../../equipments/temperature-control-equipment/incubators/shaking-incubator/shaking-incubator-accessories">Shaking incubator accessories</a>: Including replacement platforms, adapters, tube blocks, clamps, shelves, heated lids, and other compatible accessories to expand the functionality of your shaking incubator system.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to Choose a Shaking Incubator</h2>
&nbsp;
Orbital vs. reciprocating motion
Orbital shakers move the platform in a horizontal circular path, providing gentle, uniform agitation suitable for most cell cultures, bacterial suspensions, and biochemical assays. Reciprocating shakers move the platform in a linear back-and-forth motion at variable stroke lengths, generating higher shear forces appropriate for viscous media and dense suspensions. For general microbiology and cell culture, specify orbital motion; for high-viscosity or industrial-scale applications, reciprocating motion may be preferred.
Temperature range and refrigeration
Standard shaking incubators heat from ambient + 5 degrees C to 60 degrees C. Refrigerated models add cooling capacity, extending the range down to 4 degrees C or below, which is critical for recombinant protein expression protocols in E. coli, where low temperature reduces inclusion body formation. Confirm whether the model supports both heating and cooling, or heating only.
Speed range and orbit size
Shaking speed is expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm); most models cover 30 to 300 rpm. Orbit size (the diameter of the circular motion, typically 19 mm or 25 mm, with large-capacity models reaching 50 mm) determines aeration efficiency. Larger orbits improve oxygen transfer to cultures at lower rpm, which is gentler on sensitive cells. Smaller orbits at higher rpm are preferred for microplate-scale applications.
Capacity: flask size and platform load
Platform capacity specifies how many flasks of a given volume the unit accommodates. A common benchmark: a benchtop unit holds four 2 L Erlenmeyer flasks or twenty 125 mL flasks simultaneously. Ensure the platform accepts interchangeable clamp systems for the flask sizes used in your lab, and verify total load capacity in kg; high-speed operation with heavy flasks can stress the drive mechanism.
Control system and connectivity
PID temperature controllers are standard; advanced models add touchscreen interfaces, programmable step sequences linking consecutive temperature and speed profiles, USB or RS-232 data logging, and STEP programming for timed multi-phase culture runs. For regulated workflows, look for password-protected parameter lockout.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
&nbsp;
Temperature uniformity in shaking incubators is harder to achieve than in static incubators because the shaking motion creates air currents inside the chamber. Forced-air circulation combined with a well-insulated chamber maintains uniformity to plus or minus 0.5 degrees C at setpoint under normal conditions. Orbit size affects flask choice: a 19 mm orbit with standard Erlenmeyer flasks at 250 rpm is a common general-purpose configuration for E. coli culture. Review the manufacturer's maximum flask volume and load per platform position; overloading a platform at high speed is a common cause of drive failure in shaking incubators.
&nbsp;
Do you want to cultivate your liquid cultures more effectively? View our selection of shaking incubators and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">get in touch with the MBP team</a> for a helpful quote right now.

Product Literature

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 3000mL Erlenmeyer (max. 4)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 2000mL Erlenmeyer (max. 5)

MAGic Clamp Tube rack, 30x15mL & 20x50mL tubes (max. 1)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 1000mL Erlenmeyer (max. 4)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 500mL Erlenmeyer (max. 6)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 250mL Erlenmeyer (max. 8)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 125mL Erlenmeyer (max. 12)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 50mL Erlenmeyer (max. 20)

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, 25mL Erlenmeyer

MAGic Clamp magnetic clamp, one microplate (max. 4)

MAGic Clamp™ Magnetic Clamps Accessories

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 30x15ml &20x50ml tubes (max. 4)

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 72x14mm culture tubes

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 32x15ml, tubes (max. 8)

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 15x50ml, tubes (max. 8)

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 4x500ml or 600ml conical bottles (max. 1)

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 12 x 1.5/2.0ml tubes, horizontal

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 4 x 15ml tubes, horizontal

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack, 2 x 50ml tubes, horizontal

MAGic Clamp™ tilted holder for 15mL and 50mL tube racks (max 8)

MAGic Clamp™ Tube Rack Accessories

Magic Clamp™ Patent Product

Incu-Shaker™ Mini CO2 with non slip rubber mat

H3501 by Benchmark Scientific is the Incu-Shaker™ CO₂ Mini, a compact 46 L CO₂ incubator shaker combining orbital shaking (30–300 rpm, 19 mm orbit) with CO₂ control (0–20%, ±0.1% accuracy) and heating (ambient +5° to 60°C, ±0.5°C). Dual Beam IR CO₂ detection and six-side heating provide stable, uniform conditions for suspension cell culture. Includes non-slip rubber mat platform. 120 V or 230 V, 350 W.

Temperature Range

Temperature Increments

Temperature Uniformity

Temperature Accuracy

Speed Range

Speed Increments

Mixing Orbit

CO2 Range

CO2 Increment

CO2 Accuracy

CO2 Sensor

Timer

Platform Dimensions

Chamber Dimensions

Chamber Volume

Chamber Material

Exterior Dimensions

Weight

Electrical

Manufacture

Incu-Shaker™ Mini CO2 with non slip rubber mat, 115V

Incu-Shaker™ Mini CO2 with non slip rubber mat, 230V

Incu-Shaker™ Mini Shaking Incubator

The H1001-M by Benchmark Scientific is the Incu-Shaker Mini, a compact shaking incubator with a 9.5 × 11.5 in platform, ambient +5°C to 70°C temperature range (±0.1°C accuracy), 30–300 RPM orbital shaking at 19 mm orbit, and a 48-hour programmable timer. At 11 × 18.8 × 13 in and 25 lb, it is the smallest benchtop shaking incubator in its class. 115 V or 230 V, 2-year warranty. Available from MBP Inc.

Shaking Speed Range

Shaking Orbit

Operating Temp Range

Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H)

Height with Lid Open

Incu-Shaker™ Mini with non-slip rubber mat, 115V

Incu-Shaker™ Mini with non-slip rubber mat, 230V

Shaking Incubator Accessories

<h2>What Are Shaking Incubator Accessories?</h2>
&nbsp;
Shaking incubator accessories are platform attachments and replacement components that secure culture vessels to the shaking deck, expand the range of vessel types a single incubator can accommodate, and maintain safe operation at high agitation speeds. The primary accessories are flask clamps (spring-type or magnetic-attachment systems) for Erlenmeyer flasks of specific volumes, tube racks for culture tubes and centrifuge tubes, microplate holders for 24-well, 96-well, and deep-well plate formats, universal platforms with non-slip surfaces for various container types, and adhesive mats for securing irregularly shaped vessels. Accessories are not universally interchangeable: platform slot patterns, clamp arm geometry, and attachment mechanisms vary by manufacturer and model, so confirm compatibility with the specific shaking incubator before ordering. Always match the flask clamp size to the exact flask volume in use; undersized clamps allow movement that damages cultures, and oversized clamps do not seat correctly in platform slots.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What You Will Find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">MultiTherm Touch blocks offer specialized holders for cryotubes, PCR plates, and centrifuge tubes up to 5ml.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Microplate blocks provide secure, uniform agitation for standard and deep-well 96-well plates.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Universal spring platforms offer a flexible solution for holding various bottle and flask sizes on a single surface.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Precision tube adapters allow you to mix 0.2ml to 2.0ml tubes with perfect stability and heat transfer.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Stainless steel shelves help you maximize your incubator&rsquo;s internal capacity for static or upright samples.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to Choose Shaking Incubator Accessories</h2>
&nbsp;
Flask clamp size and type
Flask clamps are specified by flask volume: 50 mL, 125 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, and 2 L are the standard sizes. One-piece stainless steel clamp construction is preferable to spot-welded or riveted designs for durability at high agitation speeds. For flasks 2 L and above, clamps with a secondary girdle ring provide additional security during prolonged shaking at 200 rpm or above. Magnetic clamp systems (such as MAGic Clamp-style designs) allow tool-free, rapid exchange between flask sizes without loosening bolts.
Tube racks
Tube racks for shaking incubators accommodate standard 10 mL, 14 mL, 17 mL, 50 mL, and culture tube formats, slotted into the platform deck. Adjustable tube racks that fit multiple tube diameters offer more flexibility than fixed-diameter designs. Confirm the number of tube positions and whether the rack base fits the specific platform slot pattern of your incubator.
Microplate holders
Microplate holders secure 96-well, 24-well, deep-well (2 mL per well), and skirted PCR plate formats to the shaking platform. Platforms designed for microplates typically operate at smaller orbit sizes (19 mm) and higher speeds (up to 400 rpm) compared to flask platforms. Confirm that the holder is rated for the plate format and the speed required by your protocol.
Universal platforms and adhesive mats
Universal platforms with rubber-coated surfaces provide a non-slip base for tissue culture flasks (T-25, T-75), Petri dishes, staining trays, and containers that do not fit standard clamps. Adhesive mats function similarly and are useful for microcentrifuge tube arrays or multiple small containers. Replace adhesive mats periodically as tackiness degrades with repeated use and autoclaving.
Platform compatibility
Before purchasing accessories, identify the platform slot pattern (tab-and-slot vs. screw-mount vs. magnetic) specific to your shaking incubator model. Accessories from the same manufacturer as the incubator are the safest choice; third-party platforms may fit universal tab-and-slot patterns, but should be verified before high-speed use.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
&nbsp;
Stainless steel flask clamps are the preferred material for autoclavability and chemical resistance. Verify whether accessories can be autoclaved at 121 degrees C; not all rubber or plastic components on tube racks and mats withstand repeated steam sterilization. The load capacity of the platform (in kg per position) limits the total mass of vessel plus culture volume that can be safely agitated; exceeding this limit at high speed stresses the drive bearings. For heavy-use labs running continuous 24-hour shaking protocols, select clamps with single-piece construction and check the drive belt or brushless motor specifications for continuous-duty cycle ratings.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ready to optimize your incubator&rsquo;s capacity? Browse our accessories collection and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">reach out to the MBP team</a> for a friendly quote today.

MAGic Clamp™ magnetic clamp, 3000ml Erlenmeyer (max. 4)

H1000-MR-3000 by Benchmark Scientific is the MAGic Clamp™ magnetic flask clamp for 3,000 mL (2.8/3 L) Erlenmeyer and 2.8 L Fernbach flasks, holding up to four flasks simultaneously on the MAGic Clamp platform (H1000-MR, sold separately). The magnetic attachment mechanism allows tool-free rapid exchange between different flask sizes. Compatible shakers include the Benchmark Incu-Shaker 10L, 10LR, 20L, 20LR, and Orbi-Shaker XL.

MAGic Clamp™ magnetic clamp, 5000ml Erlenmeyer (max. 4) 20L Series Only

H1000-MR-5000 by Benchmark Scientific is a magnetic clamp accessory for the H1000-MR MAGic Clamp platform, securing up to four 5000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks on Benchmark Scientific's 20L Series shakers. The tool-free magnetic attachment system speeds flask loading in large-volume culture and fermentation workflows. Note: compatible with 20L Series shakers only; the H1000-MR platform is sold separately. Contact MBP at customerservice@mbpinc.net for ordering details.

Block, combination 15 x 0.5 and 20 x 1.5ml

Block, 24 x 2ml HPLC/ Autosampler Vials (12 x 32mm)

Block, custom drilled, for tubes/vials up to 40mm tall

Block, multipurpose for liquids, beads, etc. Chamber dimensions: 4 x 2.6 x 1"

MultiTherm™ Shaker Series

H5000-HC by Benchmark Scientific is the heating/cooling MultiTherm thermoshaker, combining 200–1500 rpm orbital mixing with active temperature control from ambient −20 to 100°C (±1.0°C), 5.0°C/min heating, 2.5°C/min cooling, 3mm orbit, and universal 115/230V input — in a compact 8.25" × 11.5" footprint. Accepts all H5000-series exchangeable blocks (0.2–50 ml, sold separately). 2-year warranty.

Speed

Orbit

Temp. Range (H5000-HC)

Temp. Range (H5000-H)

Temperature Increment

Temp. Accuracy

Capacity

Speed Increment

Heating Rate

Cooling Rate

Dimensions

Warranty

MultiTherm™ Shaker with heating and cooling, 115V

MultiTherm™ Shaker with heating and cooling, 230V

MultiTherm™ Shaker with heating only, 115V

MultiTherm™ Shaker with heating only, 230V

MultiTherm™ Touch Shakers

H5100-HCT by Benchmark Scientific is a temperature-controlled microplate and tube shaker with a –20°C to 105°C range (±0.5°C), 200–3000 rpm speed, 3 mm orbital diameter, and a large colour touchscreen for ramp-rate and preheat programming. Fifteen interchangeable block formats cover 0.2 mL tubes through 50 mL tubes and 96/384-well plates. Note: blocks are sold separately. Contact MBP at customerservice@mbpinc.net for pricing and block selection guidance.

MultiTherm Touch Vortex Mixer, 100-240V with US cord

MultiTherm Touch Vortex Mixer, 100-240V with Euro plug

Optional Adapter, 20 x 0.5 ml for microplate shakers

The BT1500-A05 by Benchmark Scientific is a 20 × 0.5 mL microtube adapter for the BT1500 Orbi-Shaker MP and H6004 Incu-Mixer MP4 microplate shakers. Enables orbital mixing of 0.5 mL microtubes on an existing microplate shaker platform.

Optional Adapter, 20 x 1.5/2.0 ml for microplate shakers

BT1500-A1520 by Benchmark Scientific is a 20 × 1.5/2.0 ml microtube adapter for the Orbi-Shaker MP (BT1500) and H6004 microplate shaker platforms, converting the microplate footprint to accommodate standard microtubes without changing instruments. Ideal for DNA/RNA extraction, bead-based assays, and enzymatic incubations in microtube format. Procurement teams at academic and research institutions can order through MBP using catalog number BT1500-A1520.

Optional CO2 gas regulator

The H2300-REG by Benchmark Scientific is a CO2 gas regulator accessory for the H2300-HC2 MyTemp Mini CO2 benchtop incubator. It regulates cylinder pressure down to incubator-safe inlet pressure and is required when connecting to a bottled CO2 supply without an existing line regulator. Available from MBP Inc. for cell culture labs across the USA and Canada.

Orbi-Shaker™ MicroPlate Shakers

BT1502 by Benchmark Scientific is the Orbi-Shaker™ MP Microplate Shaker, a high-speed orbital shaker optimized for microplates with a 3 mm mixing orbit and a speed range of 200–1,500 rpm (max 1,000 rpm with deep-well plates). The included 4-position platform holds up to four standard, deep-well, or PCR plates simultaneously with no clamps or tools required. Timer: 1 min to 99 hrs or continuous. Operates from +4°C to +65°C (cold-room and incubator safe). Universal voltage 100–240 V. 2-year warranty.

Load Capacity

Ambient Operating Temp.

Dimensions (in)

Dimensions (cm)

Orbi-Shaker™ MP with 4 position micro plate platform, 100-240V (US Plug)

Orbi-Shaker™ MP with 4 position micro plate platform, 100-240V (European 2 prong plug)

Platform, holds 6 standard micro plates (max. 1)

The H1010-P-MP by Benchmark Scientific is a microplate orbital shaker platform holding 6 standard SBS-format microplates, compatible with the Benchmark Incu-Shaker 10L, Incu-Shaker 10LR, and Orbi-Shaker XL. Maximum 1 platform per shaker unit. Suited for cell culture, ELISA, compound screening, and protein binding assays. Available from MBP Inc. for US and Canadian research labs.

Shelf, 14 x 5.5" for Petri dishes, plates, trays, etc.

The H1010-SH by Benchmark Scientific is a 14 × 5.5 in optional shelf for the Incu-Shaker series, designed to hold petri dishes, microplates, trays, and other flat-format laboratory vessels during orbital shaking incubation.