Gentle circular agitation for cell culture, bacterial growth, and mixing applications
Live listings for Thermo Fisher (Forma/MaxQ) · MaxQ 2000
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Before you buy — what to inspect
Best used buy in the category. These units run for decades with minimal maintenance. The Innova line uses identical platforms across models. Even 15-year-old units perform like new after bearing replacement ($200 part, easy DIY). Avoid early Innova 40/44 models from 1990s—obsolete electronics.
Checklist: Bearing noise (audible grinding means $200 repair), speed accuracy with tachometer, platform condition, verify model number for parts availability
Extremely reliable with excellent parts support. MaxQ series (2005+) has best controls. Older Forma models (pre-2005) are bulletproof mechanically but have analog controls—harder to document speed for compliance. Motor brushes need replacement every 5 years ($80).
Checklist: Run at max speed for 30 min, check for bearing play (grab platform and wiggle), verify timer works, test all speed ranges
Solid mid-tier option. Often found cheap because less name recognition than New Brunswick. Mechanically sound but controller failures are more common. Parts still available. Symphony models are rebadged Benchmark units—well built.
Checklist: Controller function (test all buttons and display), motor bearing condition, platform flatness, verify speed holds steady under load
German-made premium units with excellent engineering. Less common in US so sometimes priced low. Very quiet operation. Parts can be expensive/slow to source. Excellent for low-noise environments.
Checklist: Same as others plus verify parts availability for specific model (some discontinued models orphaned)
Older brand (now owned by Thermo). Built like tanks with all-metal construction. Often found dirt cheap ($300-600) because they look dated. Mechanically excellent but lack modern controls—no digital timer or precise speed setting. Great for non-critical mixing.
Checklist: Mechanical condition only—expect analog controls. Listen for motor problems, check bearings, verify smooth operation across speed range
Budget new alternatives
Budget-conscious labs needing reliable performance without premium price
Labs wanting brand-name reliability at 15% savings vs Innova
Light-duty use in teaching labs or low-throughput research
Hobbyist or teaching labs with minimal usage requirements
Orbital shakers create a smooth, circular motion that agitates liquids without the violent disruption of linear or reciprocating shakers. This gentle but thorough mixing is critical for aerobic bacterial culture (E. coli, yeast), mammalian cell culture in suspension, staining protocols, immunoassays, and general solution mixing. The orbital motion prevents settling while maintaining cell viability—linear shakers can damage cells. Most units accept interchangeable platforms for Erlenmeyer flasks (50mL to 5L), microplates, tubes, and bottles. Better models include timer functions, variable speed control (typically 20-500 rpm), and digital displays. Incubated shakers add temperature control (ambient to 60°C) and are essential for bacterial work requiring 37°C. The platform size dictates capacity: a 12-inch platform holds 4-6 large flasks, while 18-inch models accommodate 8-12. Throw diameter (orbit size) matters—19mm is standard for general use, 25mm for more aggressive mixing, and 50mm for low-speed applications. Commercial labs run these 24/7 for months, so motor quality and bearing durability separate professional units from hobbyist equipment. Triple-eccentric drive systems run quieter and last longer than single-bearing designs. Speed accuracy is critical for reproducible culture growth—±1 rpm is acceptable, ±5 rpm indicates a cheap controller.
The Innova 2000 is the gold standard in research labs—bulletproof triple-eccentric drive, runs continuously for years, accepts every platform attachment ever made, and parts are still available for 20-year-old units. Speed accuracy is ±0.5%, and the brushless motor is rated for 50,000 hours. You'll find these in every major university and pharma lab because they simply don't quit.
What you lose: Budget units under $1,500 new typically have brushed motors (wear out in 2-3 years vs 10+ for brushless), single-bearing drive systems (louder, less smooth), poor load capacity (slow down with full platforms), speed accuracy ±2-3% (vs ±0.5% for premium), cheaper platforms that warp or crack, no timer function, and limited platform options. Controllers are more prone to failure and you'll lack service support—no one fixes a $900 shaker, you throw it away.
What you keep: You still get orbital motion at adjustable speeds (20-400 rpm typically), ability to run standard platforms, adequate mixing for non-critical applications, and basic reliability for intermittent use. A $1,000 budget shaker handles routine bacterial culture, staining, and mixing just fine—it just won't run 24/7 for 10 years like an Innova. For teaching labs or low-throughput work, budget units are perfectly adequate.