In the area of cold storage for scientific, medical, and industrial applications, the name So-Low Environmental Equipment represents a gold standard for dependability, accuracy, and long-term durability. With a history of more than six decades in the business of building American-made refrigeration and freezing equipment for the scientific, medical, and industrial industries, the company has established a reputation for delivering the highest-quality cold storage solutions to the scientific community, the medical field, pharmaceutical operations, and industrial cold storage facilities.
Whether for small undercounter models for tight laboratory space requirements or large upright freezers and refrigerator-freezer combinations for more demanding cold storage needs, So-Low’s line of refrigeration and freezing equipment helps ensure the safe storage of temperature-sensitive materials with dependability and stability.
A Trusted Name in Cold Storage
So-Low Environmental Equipment Company, established in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1959, was conceived on a simple yet effective principle: to design and build reliable and high-quality cold storage equipment that can withstand the stringent needs of laboratory and medical professionals. Over time, the company has managed to diversify its range of products to include a range of refrigerators and freezers to suit the needs of various clinical and scientific practices.* So-Low products are now recognized around the world for their solid build, design considerations, and personal service to ensure maximum performance of equipment throughout its lifespan.
Precision Laboratory Refrigerators
One of the main cornerstones of the product offerings of So-Low is its series of laboratory refrigerators that are capable of maintaining temperatures usually between 2°C and 8°C, which is the standard temperature range for clinical specimens, vaccines, reagents, and other biological agents that require refrigeration but not freezing.
Why So-Low Laboratory Refrigerators Matter
Lab refrigeration is more than just a means of cooling stored materials. These types of refrigerators are designed to:
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Ensure consistent temperatures throughout the shelves and compartments to prevent hot spots that could affect sample integrity.
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Offer high/low temperature and power failure alerts to notify laboratory staff immediately when conditions are no longer optimal.
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Feature digital control panels for accurate temperature control and adjustment.
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Employ eco-friendly refrigerants that meet current regulatory requirements.
Whether you require a refrigerator with glass doors for easy viewing of stored materials, solid doors for better insulation and privacy, or heavy-duty shelving options for large vaccine storage, So-Low has laboratory refrigerators to meet a broad range of laboratory storage needs.
Types of Laboratory Refrigerators
In this category, you can choose from:
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Glass Door Refrigerators: These are best suited for vaccine storage or walk-in labs that need to check the contents without opening the doors.
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Solid Door Uprights: These are designed for maximum insulation and energy efficiency in a clinical or research setting.
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Undercounter Refrigerators: These are space-saving units that can fit under benches or cabinets while still providing reliable cooling.
All of these units come equipped with alarms and controls that are essential in a regulated setting such as a hospital pharmacy or clinical lab.
So-Low Freezers
The freezer products offered by So-Low are also very varied, ranging from general low-temperature storage to ultra-low freeze storage, which is necessary for the long-term preservation of biological materials.
Standard Laboratory Freezers
The standard freezers offered by So-Low, which can have temperature ranges of 0°C to –45°C, are generally used in laboratories where samples, reagents, or chemicals are to be frozen for storage or further analysis. These types of freezers are used for reagent storage, sample batching, and pre-analysis storage.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers
In research and clinical applications where long-term storage or the preservation of highly sensitive biological materials is required, So-Low provides ultra-low temperature freezers that function within the range of –40°C to –85°C.
These units are designed with:
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Heavy-duty designs that can withstand the rigors of continuous use in harsh environments.
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Dual-compressor cascade systems for fast and reliable pull-down to ultra-low temperatures.
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Digital temperature control with alarm notifications that alert personnel to any problems, such as warm-ups or power outages.
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Automatic restart functions that resume operation following a power outage to protect stored samples.
These freezers are essential for long-term cryogenic sample storage in biobanks, vaccine banks, molecular biology laboratories, and pharmaceutical organizations.
Combination Refrigerator & Freezer Units
In fact, in many labs and medical facilities, having a separate refrigerator and freezer system can occupy a lot of space. This is where the combination refrigerator/freezer units from So-Low can be very beneficial, as they combine the cooling and freezing functions of a refrigerator and freezer in one cabinet.
The most important benefits of a combination refrigerator/freezer unit are:
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Independent temperature control for the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
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Independent temperature control for the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
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Power failure dry contact relays for integrating alarm functions with building controls.
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Space-saving designs that can help save valuable lab space.
These units are ideal for use in medical facilities, pharmaceutical labs, and research facilities that require both refrigerated and frozen storage of different materials, such as frozen reagents and refrigerated vaccines.
Undercounter & Specialty Designs
Not all labs have the benefit of extensive cold storage space. So-Low is aware of this, and that is why they provide undercounter refrigerators and freezers that fit perfectly under the bench or in a small lab without sacrificing performance.
These units are perfect for:
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Smaller research labs.
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Clinic suites.
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Educational facilities.
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Satellite sample processing stations.
Even though they are compact, these undercounter units provide fast cool-down times, precise temperature control, and all the monitoring and alarm capabilities of larger units. Digital controls and closed refrigeration systems provide stability and uniformity in even the smallest units.
Advanced Features & Enhancements
Throughout the So-Low product line, a number of advanced features and enhancements illustrate the company’s commitment to user convenience, reliability, and sample protection:
Digital Controls & Alarm Systems
Digital temperature readouts with high/low alarms are common in So-Low refrigerators and freezers. These features allow users to monitor temperatures and receive notifications when the temperature deviates from set parameters.
Power Failure Protection
Power failures can be detrimental to sample integrity. So-Low products are designed with automatic restart timers that automatically resume normal operation once power is restored.
Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants
So-Low products utilize environmentally friendly refrigerants, which enable facilities to achieve their sustainability objectives without sacrificing cooling performance.
Custom & Optional Add-Ons
For labs that have very specialized needs, add-ons such as lockable storage inserts, stainless steel finishes, data loggers, or upgraded shelving may be available. These customizations enable labs to optimize their cold storage solutions to meet very specific lab workflows while still adhering to regulatory requirements.
Applications Across Lab and Clinical Environments
So-Low Environmental Equipment serves a broad range of professional settings:
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Biomedical and clinical laboratories — Reliable cooling for blood products, reagents, and diagnostic materials.
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Vaccine storage facilities — Temperature-stable environments that meet CDC recommendations for refrigerated vaccine storage.
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Pharmaceutical research centers — Preservation of drug compounds, biologics, and experimental materials.
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Industrial cold storage — Freeze freezing of chemicals or specialized materials in manufacturing or environmental testing.
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Educational labs — Accessible refrigeration solutions that provide consistent performance in academic settings.
In this way, So-Low provides the ability to ensure that all work environments, whether it is a small lab bench or a large specialized lab, can take advantage of reliable cold storage.
Choosing the Right So-Low Equipment for Your Needs
When selecting a refrigerator or freezer from the So-Low lineup, consider the following:
Temperature Range
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2°C to 8°C — Ideal for general sample and vaccine storage.
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0°C to –45°C — Suitable for deeper freezing needs.
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–40°C to –85°C — Best for ultra-low temperature sample preservation.
Capacity & Layout
Large upright units accommodate substantial sample volumes, while undercounter models optimize space in smaller labs.
Application Requirements
Consider whether you need specialized features like combination storage, advanced data logging, or enhanced alarm systems — particularly in regulated environments.
Cold Storage You Can Count On
For professionals working with temperature-sensitive materials, whether in biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical development, or other fields, having a reliable and high-performance cold storage solution is of utmost importance. Laboratory refrigerators and freezers from So-Low Environmental Equipment are designed with this in mind. With their robust design, precise temperature control, and intelligent alarm systems, these products protect what matters most: your precious samples and valuable materials.
From compact undercounter models to combination refrigerator/freezer configurations and powerful ultra-low freezers, So-Low helps labs work confidently and efficiently — keeping sample integrity at the forefront of operations.
