Laboratory hotplates and stirrers are essential benchtop tools that support a wide range of scientific, industrial, and research applications. These devices provide controlled heat and efficient solution mixing, whether you’re preparing reagents, dissolving samples, performing synthesis reactions, or managing temperature-sensitive protocols. Across chemistry labs, biology research facilities, industrial quality testing environments, and educational institutions, hotplates and stirrers deliver precision, repeatability, and operational control.
At MediDepot, our Lab Hotplates & Stirrers category offers a broad collection of high-performance heating and mixing instruments from trusted brands like Benchmark Scientific, SCILOGEX, Heathrow Scientific, and Oxford Lab. From compact magnetic stirrers for small-volume experiments to multi-position hotplate-stirrers and industrial-grade overhead mixers, you’ll find reliable equipment to fit your lab’s needs.
What Are Hotplates and Stirrers?
Hotplates and stirrers are benchtop laboratory devices designed to:
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Heat chemical solutions or samples
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Stir or mix liquids efficiently
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Support reactions where uniform temperature and mixing are critical
There are several key device types included in this category:
1. Traditional Hotplates
These devices provide uniform heating across a flat surface and are ideal for tasks such as sample heating, drying, evaporation, and solution preparation. They may come with analog or digital temperature controls, and top plates made from ceramic, glass-ceramic, stainless steel, or coated metal, chosen for durability and chemical resistance.
2. Magnetic Stirrers
Magnetic stirrers generate a rotating magnetic field that drives a magnetic stir bar (or "flea") inside the container. This allows for non-contact mixing of liquids without external shafts or mechanical parts immersed in the sample. These are particularly effective for mixing low-viscosity solutions in beakers and flasks.
3. Hotplate-Stirrer Combination Units
Also known as hotplate stirrers, these integrated devices allow simultaneous heating and stirring. They provide the convenience of combining two functions, heating a sample while mixing it, which is essential for many chemical reactions and solution preparations. ﹘This multifunctional approach is ideal for use in organic and analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation, and research labs.
4. Overhead Stirrers
Unlike magnetic systems, overhead stirrers use a mechanical rod and impeller connected to a motorized drive. They are vital when handling viscous liquids, large volumes, or materials that are difficult to stir magnetically. Overhead mixers provide higher torque and can handle demanding mixing tasks.
Products Available in the MediDepot Category
The MediDepot hotplates and stirrers category offers a wide variety of products, including:
Hotplate Stirrers & Combination Units
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Benchmark Scientific H3715 HS-10 Plus™ Multi-Functional Hotplate Stirrer : Combines variable temperature control with magnetic stirring for versatile lab use.
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Benchmark Scientific Digital 7x7" and 10x10" Hotplate Stirrers : Digital hotplate stirrers with accurate temperature and stirring control, suitable for routine tasks.
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SCILOGEX Digital and Analog Hotplate Stirrers : A range of digital and classic control hotplate stirrers with high temperature capabilities and robust ceramic top plates.
These hybrid devices provide precision heating and mixing in one platform, saving bench space and increasing efficiency in workflows like solution preparation, reaction monitoring, and sample conditioning.
Magnetic Stirrers
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Benchmark Scientific S1005 MiniMag™ Magnetic Stirrer : Compact stirrer for low-volume applications.
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SCILOGEX Digital Magnetic Stirrers (e.g., SCI6-Pro, SCI7-S) : High-quality stirring with LED or LCD interfaces for precise speed control.
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Oxford Lab Magnetic Stirrers (MS1, MS4) : Reliable magnetic stirring platforms for general laboratory mixing.
Magnetic stirrers are ideal when stirring volume is moderate and no heating is needed. They excel in tasks like dissolving solids, homogenizing media, and maintaining mixtures at ambient temperatures.
Overhead Stirrers
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SCILOGEX SCI10-Pro and SCI40-S Overhead Digital Stirrer Series : Powerful overhead mixers with digital speed controls and large vessel capacity.
Overhead mixers are perfect for heavy-duty mixing jobs that demand higher torque or are unsuitable for magnetic stirring, such as viscous solutions, larger reactors, and industrial mixing workflows.
Multi-Position and Industrial Units
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Benchmark Scientific Industrial High-Capacity & Multi-Position Hotplate Stirrers : Designed for labs handling multiple samples or scaled-up processes with consistent results across positions.
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Oxford BenchMate MHS-5 and MHS-10 Multi-Position Stirrers : Multi-well devices for simultaneous stirring or heating of several samples.
These multi-position tools significantly boost throughput, making them ideal for quality control labs, pharmaceutical testing, and academic research environments where high productivity is necessary.
Choosing the Right Hotplate or Stirrer
Selecting the best hotplate or stirrer for your lab involves evaluating a few key factors:
Heating vs. Stirring Needs
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Heat only: Choose a dedicated hotplate with reliable temperature control.
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Mix only: Magnetic stirrers provide efficient mixing without heating.
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Both heat and mix: Hotplate-stirrers combine functions for maximum versatility.
Control and Precision
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Digital models offer precise control, programmable settings, and often safety features such as overheat protection.
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Analog models can provide simpler, cost-effective control for routine tasks.
Capacity and Volume
Choose magnetic stirrers for small volumes and low viscosity fluids, but use overhead stirrers when handling larger vessels or thicker solutions due to their stronger mixing capabilities.
Workload and Throughput
Multi-position hotplate-stirrers let you process several samples simultaneously, a major advantage in quality control and high-throughput labs.
Applications Across Scientific & Industrial Fields
Lab hotplates and stirrers have broad applications, including:
Chemical Synthesis & Reagent Preparation
Hotplate-stirrers heat and mix reactants for synthesis while ensuring uniform conditions for reaction kinetics.
Biotechnology & Life Sciences
Magnetic stirrers support media preparation, dissolution of biological samples, and reagent mixing.
Pharmaceutical Research
Precise heating and stirring are essential for formulation work, stability testing, and dissolution protocols.
Academic & Teaching Labs
These devices are staples for educational experiments that demonstrate heat transfer, reaction dynamics, and mixing principles.
Industrial Quality Control
Multi-position hotplate-stirrers allow simultaneous processing of multiple samples for QC testing in materials and chemical manufacturing.
Care & Safety Tips for Hotplates & Stirrers
Proper use and maintenance will help prolong your equipment’s lifespan and ensure safe lab operation:
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Clean spills immediately: Chemicals on the surface can corrode top plates.
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Use compatible vessels: Match vessel size to heating area to avoid uneven heat distribution.
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Monitor temperature and speed: Avoid overheating or over-spinning that could damage samples or devices.
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Follow safety protocols: Always use protective equipment and follow lab safety rules when applying heat or vigorous mixing.
Why Choose MediDepot for Lab Hotplates and Stirrers
MediDepot provides:
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A broad selection of premium hotplates, stirrers, combo units, and mixers from respected scientific brands.
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Detailed product listings with specifications that help you match tools to your application.
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Fast, secure shipping and expert support to ensure confidence in your laboratory purchases.
Start Exploring Lab Hotplates & Stirrers Today
Browse the full category and compare key features, capacities, and control options to find the right equipment for your lab. From everyday bench tasks to advanced research protocols, MediDepot’s hotplates and stirrers are built to deliver reliable performance and value.
Explore now: Lab Hotplates & Stirrers, your go-to laboratory solution hub.
