As a laboratory technician or researcher, you will use pipettes on a daily basis to transfer liquids accurately and precisely. Pipette tips are essential accessories that allow pipettes to aspirate and dispense liquid samples. With so many options on the market, choosing the right universal pipette tips for your specific needs can be challenging. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to select Pipette Tips that are well-suited to your experiments and laboratory workflow.

Types of Universal Pipette Tips

There are several main types of universal pipette tips available:

Filter Tips

Filter tips contain an internal filter to prevent aerosols from forming when pipetting. They are ideal for handling DNA/RNA, radioactive substances, or other samples where contamination must be avoided. Filter tips are commonly used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) workflows.

Low-retention Tips

Low-retention tips are designed to retain less liquid residual inside the tip after dispensing. This reduces sample waste and is preferable for high-value reagents or small sample volumes. However, low-retention tips tend to be more expensive.

Long Tips

Long tips extend beyond the standard tip length. They are helpful when aspirating samples from deep wells or containers to avoid having to submerge the pipette shaft. This minimizes cross-contamination risks.

Short Tips

Short tips are compressed in length, making them better suited for pipetting into and out of tight spaces like individual well plates. They prevent strain on hands and save bench space compared to longer tips.

Wide Bore Tips

Wide bore tips have a larger internal diameter for aspirating and dispensing viscous solutions, fragile cell samples, or other materials that could be damaged in a narrow orifice.

Additional Considerations for Choosing Universal Pipette Tips

Beyond tip type, factors like volume range, pipette model compatibility, sterility, and cost must be considered:

Volume Range

Pipette tips are generally designed for specific volume ranges (e.g. 0.1-10μL, 10-100μL, 100-1000μL). Match the tip volumes to your sample and reagent volumes.

Pipette Model

Ensure the RN pipette tips you select are compatible with your pipette brands, as tip diameters can vary. This avoids wasting money on mismatched accessories.

Sterility

For cell culture or other sterile workflows, choose sterile pipette tips pre-packaged to maintain sterility. Otherwise non-sterile tips can be autoclaved for reuse.

Cost

Consider your laboratory budget to get the best value. Universal pipette tips are cheaper than specialized types for most basic liquid handling needs.

Best Universal Pipette Tip Brands on the Market

When sourcing universal pipette tips, look for reputable suppliers with extensive product lines, quality certifications, and competitive pricing. Some top brands to consider include:

Cotaus

Cotaus offers a wide variety of pipette tips including filter, low-retention, and serological styles. As an ISO-certified manufacturer, they ensure accuracy and reliability. Their value packaging and OEM services also provide good value.

Eppendorf

A leading life science tools provider, Eppendorf's universal pipette tips are well-designed for precision and compatibility with their pipette models.

Gilson

With over 50 years in the industry, Gilson offers high-quality pipettes and matching tip options including specialized serological, FP30, and certified sterile RN Pipette Tips.

Thermo Fisher

As a top lab supplier, Thermo Fisher provides a vast catalog of pipette tips including certified aerosol-resistant options and large packaging formats for higher-throughput labs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right universal pipette tips for your application requires assessing factors like volume needs, workflow type, pipette model, and budget. Going with a trusted brand that provides good value, quality, and selection flexibility will ensure your liquid handling needs are met efficiently and accurately for many years to come.