Removes water from samples via sublimation for long-term preservation without damaging structure
Live listings for SP Scientific / VirTis · BenchTop K
Not ready to buy yet?
Set a target price — we'll email when a match appears on eBay.
Before you buy — what to inspect
Best availability on secondary market. Parts readily available even for 20-year-old units. Cascade refrigeration systems are extremely durable. FreeZone Plus models from 2010+ have superior controllers with data logging.
Checklist: Verify collector temp reaches spec (-50°C, -84°C, or -105°C depending on model). Check pump hours. Ensure controller displays properly and all functions work.
Premium brand with excellent resale value. Slightly less common than Labconco but superior controls. Genesis and AdVantage lines are pilot-scale and command higher prices.
Checklist: Verify Omnitronics or equivalent controller functions. Check vacuum pump type (prefer scroll). Inspect condenser coils carefully.
Smaller US manufacturer with excellent engineering. Less common on used market but great value when found. Strong in pharma applications.
Checklist: Same as above. Verify software version and functionality.
Older Heto units (now Thermo) are workhorses but parts are becoming scarce. ModulyoD is compact and reliable. Good budget option if you can find one with recent pump service.
Checklist: Parts availability for specific model before buying. Check compressor age.
Budget new alternatives
Pharma R&D, formulation development, GMP environments
A benchtop lyophilizer works by first freezing your sample (typically to -40°C to -80°C depending on the unit), then pulling a deep vacuum (usually below 0.1 mbar) while the collector condenses sublimated water vapor at even colder temperatures (-50°C to -105°C). This process removes water without the heat damage of conventional drying, preserving enzyme activity, cell structure, and volatile compounds. The collector temperature determines what you can lyophilize—aqueous samples need at least -50°C, but samples with organic solvents or low eutectic points require -80°C or colder collectors. Cycle times range from 12 hours for thin films to 5+ days for bulk samples in large flasks. Modern units offer programmable recipes, data logging, and end-point detection. The vacuum pump (rotary vane or scroll) is the workhorse that needs the most maintenance.
Labconco dominates US academic and pharma labs with bulletproof reliability, excellent service network, and wide parts availability. The FreeZone line offers -50°C to -84°C collector options with modular manifold or tray configurations. Their cascade refrigeration systems last 15-20 years with minimal maintenance. US-based manufacturing means faster repairs and better technical support than imports.
What you lose: Collector temperature limited to -35°C (vs -84°C), eliminating solvent recovery and low-eutectic samples. Consumer-grade compressors fail in 5-7 years vs 15-20. No vacuum control sophistication—just on/off. No data logging or audit trail. Acrylic chambers crack over time. Zero manufacturer support for lab applications. No validation documentation for regulated work.
What you keep: Basic sublimation drying of simple aqueous samples works fine. Adequate for teaching, food preservation experiments, and preliminary natural product work. Large chamber capacity relative to price. Easy to operate without training.
For pharma or regulated environments, prioritize units with 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software, stainless steel product chambers, and documented IQ/OQ/PQ protocols. Labconco FreeZone units with Collector Plus controls and SP Scientific VirTis units offer GMP-ready configurations. Used GMP units should come with calibration certificates and maintenance records. Budget units from Harvest Right or Chinese manufacturers lack audit trails and validation documentation required for FDA-regulated work.