Five Storage Classes in One Catalog: Start With the Hazard, Then the Temperature
760 laboratory refrigerators and freezers from VWR, American Biotech Supply, So-Low, Thermo Scientific, Summit, Liebherr and Arctiko, spanning +1C to -86C in undercounter, upright and chest formats. Flammable storage, explosion-proof, chromatography and general-purpose units are split into five collections below.
→ Part of Refrigeration & Cold Storage. Also see Ultra-Low & Cryogenic Storage, Blood Bank Refrigerators & Plasma Freezers and Specialty Cold Storage.
| Collection | What is in it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Refrigerators | +1C to +10C, 1 to 72 cu ft, undercounter and upright, glass or solid door | Reagents, media, buffers, non-hazardous samples |
| Laboratory Freezers | -20C, -30C and -40C uprights and chests, manual and auto defrost | Enzymes, aliquots, clinical specimens above ULT range |
| Flammable Storage | Spark-free interiors, no interior switches or fans that can ignite vapor | Solvents stored inside the cabinet, ordinary room outside |
| Explosion-Proof Refrigeration | Class I Division 1 rated, sealed exterior components | Rooms where the atmosphere itself is classified hazardous |
| Chromatography Refrigerators | Access ports, interior outlets, shelving sized for columns and pumps | Running HPLC or FPLC equipment inside the cooled space |
Flammable Storage or Explosion-Proof?
These get confused constantly and they are not interchangeable. A flammable storage refrigerator removes ignition sources from inside the cabinet, so flammable liquids can sit on the shelves safely. The room outside is assumed to be normal. An explosion-proof unit goes further: every external component is sealed to Class I Division 1 because the room air itself may carry vapor. If your safety officer has classified the room, flammable storage will not pass. If only the contents are flammable, explosion-proof is money you do not need to spend.
-20C, -30C or -40C for Your Samples?
Most clinical and reagent work sits at -20C, and that is where the widest model choice is. Move to -30C when protocols specify it or when your -20C unit is auto-defrost and the warm pulses are unacceptable. -40C is the working range for longer-term enzyme and plasma-adjacent storage that still does not justify ULT. Below that you are in -86C ULT territory, which is a different purchase: different power draw, different backup plan, different floor loading. Browse the full range in Laboratory Freezers.
Which collection should I start in if I just need a general lab fridge?
Laboratory Refrigerators. That is where the +1C to +10C general-purpose units live, from 1 cu ft undercounter models up to 72 cu ft double-door uprights. Filter by capacity first, then by door type. Glass doors help with inventory checks; solid doors hold temperature better during high-traffic days.
Do you carry undercounter lab units that fit under a standard bench?
Yes. ABS, Accucold and Summit all build undercounter laboratory refrigerators in the 1 to 5.5 cu ft range at roughly 32 to 34 inches tall, which clears most 36-inch benches. Flammable storage and explosion-proof versions are also available in undercounter format, so a bench-height footprint does not force you out of the hazard rating you need.
Can I get volume pricing on a multi-unit lab build-out?
Yes. Multi-unit orders, mixed configurations across refrigerators and freezers, and facility-wide standardization are handled by our equipment specialists. Submit a quote request with your model list or your capacity and temperature requirements and we will come back with configured pricing and lead times.
Read the full guide: Medical Refrigeration: Complete Buying Hub
MediDepot Purchasing Advantages
- Price Match Guarantee: found the same lab unit cheaper elsewhere, we will match it.
- Equipment Financing: spread a multi-unit lab build-out across monthly payments.
- Extended Warranty Options: cover compressors and controls past the manufacturer term.
- Military Discount: available for qualifying military and VA laboratory facilities.
- Request a Quote: volume pricing and configuration help from our equipment specialists.
Related Buying Guides
- American Biotech Supply Lab Refrigeration Guide
- Flammable Storage vs Explosion-Proof Refrigerators
- Laboratory Freezer Size Comparison Guide
- Thermo Scientific Lab Refrigeration Buying Guide