Vortex Mixers

Vortex Mixers Accessories

<h2>What are vortex mixer accessories?</h2>
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Vortex mixer accessories are the interchangeable cup heads, foam inserts, and platform adapters that convert a standard single-tube vortex mixer to batch-process multiple tubes or different vessel formats simultaneously. The standard single-tube cup head can be replaced with a multi-tube foam insert holding 6 to 24 microcentrifuge tubes, a tube strip or microplate adapter, or a platform-style attachment for larger vessel formats. These accessories are typically instrument-specific, using a proprietary attachment mechanism that varies between vortex mixer brands.&nbsp;
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tube racks for 0.5 ml, 1.5/2.0 ml, 12 mm, 13 mm, and 15 ml tubes</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">High-capacity tube racks for holding up to 96 samples</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Horizontal heads for mixing 2 &times; 50 ml tubes and 4 &times; 15 ml tubes</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Foam tube holders for 6 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 16 mm tubes</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to choose vortex mixer accessories</h2>
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Select foam inserts by the tube format they accommodate
Foam inserts for vortex mixers are sized to hold specific tube formats by pressing the closed tube caps into the foam at defined positions: standard microcentrifuge inserts hold 1.5 mL and 2 mL tubes, larger foam blocks accommodate 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, and low-profile inserts hold 0.5 mL tubes or PCR strip tubes in defined arrays. Check that the insert format matches the tube types you use most and that the insert is rated for your vortex mixer's speed range.
Confirm accessory compatibility with your vortex mixer model
Vortex mixer accessories attach via model-specific connectors &mdash; threaded onto the drive spindle or clipped onto the instrument head &mdash; and are not universally compatible between brands or models. Always check that the specific accessory is listed as compatible with your vortex mixer model before ordering.
Use a microplate adapter for 96-well plate mixing
Microplate vortex adapters replace the standard cup head with a flat or recessed platform sized to hold a standard 96-well plate, allowing entire plates to be mixed in continuous mode for ELISA plate washing steps, microplate cell resuspension, and plate-format biochemical assays. The adapter should be rated for the speed at which it will be used to prevent plate sliding.
Check that foam insert speed ratings are compatible with your operating speed
Foam inserts are rated for a maximum operating speed, and using a foam insert at speeds above its rating risks tubes not being securely retained by the foam compression at high rpm. Confirm that the insert's rated speed covers your intended operating speed before batch-processing valuable samples.
Consider a universal platform adapter for flexible use
Some vortex mixer manufacturers offer a universal platform adapter that replaces the cup head with a flat non-slip platform, accepting a wide range of vessel formats using a non-slip mat for retention. While less format-specific than a dedicated foam insert, a universal platform provides flexibility for less common vessel formats.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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Foam inserts work by compressing foam around tube caps to provide frictional retention during high-speed oscillation; foam material and cell size determine tube sizes accommodated and maximum safe speed. As of 2026, inserts accommodating PCR strip tubes alongside microcentrifuge tubes in a single insert have become available, reducing the number of separate formats needed.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP team</a> today to request a quote and find the right accessories for your vortex mixer.

Vortex Mixer Accessories

Optional attachment for 70 x 0.5ml tubes

BV1007-T05 by Benchmark Scientific is a foam insert for the BenchMixer MP BV1007 vortex mixer, enabling simultaneous vortexing of up to 70 × 0.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. The BV1007's automatic recognition feature detects the BV1007-T05 when installed and adjusts maximum speed accordingly. Compatible with BV1007 (115V) and BV1007-E (240V) only — not compatible with BV1003 or BV1005. Parent instrument BV1007 operates 200–3,000 rpm with a built-in timer (1 sec–999 min) and +4°C to +65°C range. 1 insert per order.

Rack for 96 x 0.2ml tubes or strips (3pk)

BV1010-MP02 by Benchmark Scientific is a pack of 3 carriers for 96 x 0.2 mL PCR tubes or strip tubes, designed to load into the BV1010-MP multiplate rack on BenchMixer XL vortex mixers (BV1010 and BV1010-TST). The BV1010-MP parent rack is required and sold separately.

Manufacture

Rack for up to 3 microplates

BV1010-MP by Benchmark Scientific is an optional rack for up to 3 standard microplates, designed to mount on the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) platforms for simultaneous multi-plate vortexing.

Tube Rack for 7x50ml QuEChERs, horizontal

BV1010-50HQ by Benchmark Scientific is the horizontal 7 x 50mL tube rack for QuEChERS extraction workflows on the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST). It ships as part of the BV1010-TST QuEChERS starter kit and is also available separately.

Tube Rack, 15 x 25mm

BV1010-25 by Benchmark Scientific is a 15-position rack for 25 mm OD tubes, designed for the BV1010 and BV1010-TST BenchMixer XL multi-tube vortex mixers. Enables simultaneous hands-free vortexing of 15 culture tubes, universal tubes, or glass tubes at speeds up to 2500 rpm.

Tube Rack, 15 x 50ml (29mm)

BV1010-500 by Benchmark Scientific is a 15-position rack for 50 mL conical tubes (max 29 mm OD), designed exclusively for the BV1010 and BV1010-TST BenchMixer XL vortex mixers. Handles up to 15 tubes simultaneously at speeds up to 2500 rpm in hands-free continuous mode.

Tube Rack, 50 x 1.5/2.0ml (10mm)

BV1010-1520 by Benchmark Scientific is a pre-drilled tube rack holding 50 x 1.5/2.0mL microtubes (10mm outer diameter) for the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) multi-tube vortexers.

Tube Rack, 50 x 12mm

BV1010-12 by Benchmark Scientific is the standard 50 x 12mm pre-drilled tube rack for the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) multi-tube vortexers, also available separately as a replacement or additional rack.

Tube Rack, 50 x 13mm

BV1010-13 by Benchmark Scientific is a pre-drilled tube rack holding 50 x 13mm diameter tubes on the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) multi-tube vortexers.

Tube Rack, 50 x 15ml (16.5mm)

BV1010-150 by Benchmark Scientific is a pre-drilled tube rack holding 50 x 15mL tubes (16.5mm outer diameter) for the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) multi-tube vortexers.

Tube Rack, 96 x 0.5ml (8mm)

BV1010-05 by Benchmark Scientific is a pre-drilled tube rack holding 96 x 0.5mL tubes (8mm outer diameter) for the BenchMixer XL (BV1010) and BenchMixer XLQ (BV1010-TST) multi-tube vortexers.

<h2>What are laboratory vortex mixers?</h2>
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A laboratory vortex mixer is a small benchtop instrument with an eccentrically rotating motor that drives a cup-shaped rubber head in a rapid circular path, creating a vortex in liquid-filled tubes or vessels pressed onto the cup. The vibration transfers through the closed tube wall to the liquid, generating a powerful swirling vortex that thoroughly mixes tube contents within seconds. Vortex mixers are used throughout the laboratory for resuspending pellets after centrifugation, mixing enzyme reaction components, homogenizing samples, dissolving compounds, and briefly but thoroughly mixing any small tube or vessel.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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BLUline vortex mixer: with a flip-head for faster, touch-based mixing
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
BenchMixer&trade; vortex mixers: for everyday, reliable lab vortexing
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
BenchMixer&trade; XL multi-tube vortexer: for high-performance output sample processing
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Labnet Orbit 300 multipurpose digital vortexer: for programmable and controlled mixing
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Vortex mixer accessories: including horizontal heads, tube racks, and foam holders for different tube sizes and applications
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<h2>How to choose a vortex mixer</h2>
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Choose touch-mode for ad hoc brief mixing and continuous-mode for timed runs
Touch-mode vortex mixers run only when a tube or vessel is pressed against the cup head, stopping immediately on release &mdash; the natural format for brief, on-demand mixing during pipetting workflows. Continuous-mode switches the mixer to run at a set speed without tube contact, suitable for timed mixing steps or when using a multi-tube adapter for batch runs.
Match vortex speed range to your application
Standard vortex mixers operate between approximately 600 and 3200 rpm, with lower speeds appropriate for gentle mixing of delicate samples or larger vessels, and full speed appropriate for vigorous resuspension of tightly packed pellets. Variable-speed models with a dial allow speed to be dialed down for sensitive applications.
Confirm tube compatibility with the cup head or adapter
The standard cup head on most vortex mixers accommodates 1.5 mL and 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes directly, and most standard tube formats up to approximately 50 mL can be mixed by holding the tube against the cup at the appropriate angle. For 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, holding at a slight angle rather than vertical provides more efficient mixing.
Consider a multi-tube foam insert for batch processing
Foam inserts and multi-tube adapters allow 6, 8, or more tubes to be mixed simultaneously during a timed continuous-mode run, suited for batch mixing of many samples between processing steps.
Check that footprint and noise level suit your bench placement
Vortex mixers vary considerably in physical footprint and operating noise; models with a suction-cup base or weighted housing reduce walking on the benchtop at high speed. For open-plan labs or shared spaces, noise level at full speed is worth checking in product specifications.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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The classic vortex mixing action produces a liquid vortex through eccentrically driven cup oscillation at typically 2000&ndash;3200 rpm for full-speed operation, a mechanism that has remained essentially unchanged since the Vortex-Genie design introduced by Scientific Industries in 1962. As of 2026, variable-speed vortex mixers with touch-mode and continuous-mode operation and a removable cup head for accessory attachment remain the most widely used format in molecular biology and biochemistry labs.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP team today</a> to request a quote and find the right vortex mixer for your application.

Product Literature

Vornado™ Mini Vortex Mixer Series

BV101 by Benchmark Scientific is the Vornado Mini Vortex Mixer, a fixed-speed 2800 rpm benchtop vortexer with a 4mm orbit, Insta-Touch pressure-activated operation, and a footprint under 4 x 4 inches. Available in 5 cup head colors.