Pick the Temperature Your Protocol Names, Then the Format Your Floor Can Carry
Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and cryogenic storage from Thermo Scientific, PHCbi, So-Low, Arctiko, Eppendorf, Stirling Ultracold, Follett, Farrar, Scientemp and ABS: -80°C to -86°C upright, chest, undercounter and portable freezers, explosion-proof ULT chests, Farrar bulk and controlled-rate chambers, -150°C mechanical cryogenic freezers and liquid nitrogen storage systems.
Two dedicated branches: -80°C and -86°C ULT Freezers and Cryogenic Storage Equipment. Part of Refrigeration & Cold Storage.
Which Temperature Tier Do You Need?
| Temperature | Typical use | Where to shop |
|---|---|---|
| -20°C to -40°C | Enzymes, reagents, aliquots, clinical specimens | Laboratory Freezers |
| -80°C to -86°C | Cell lines, plasmids, proteins, most biobank material | -80°C and -86°C ULT Freezers |
| -150°C mechanical | Material normally held in nitrogen vapor, without handling LN2 | Cryogenic Storage Equipment |
| Liquid nitrogen, vapor or liquid phase | Stem cells, IVF material, long-term cell line archives | Cryogenic Storage Equipment |
-86°C covers the vast majority of protocols. Go colder only when the written protocol says so: a -150°C mechanical freezer like the Follett FZRC8 replaces nitrogen vapor storage without LN2 refills. If the spec says -20°C or -40°C, a laboratory freezer does the job: a ULT bought for a -20°C protocol burns electricity for years protecting samples that never needed it.
Featured ULT and Cryogenic Models
| Model | Format | Range / capacity | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHCbi VIP ECO -86C Upright 729L | Upright | -86C, 25.7 cu ft | Natural refrigerant, low energy draw |
| Thermo TSX50086FA | Upright | -86C, 24.1 cu ft | Variable-speed TSX platform, quiet |
| So-Low U85-25 | Upright | -85C, 25 cu ft | Workhorse value, widest US line |
| Eppendorf CryoCube F740hi | Upright | -50 to -86C, 26.1 cu ft | High-insulation premium cabinet |
| Follett TwinGuard FZRDR19 | Upright, dual system | -86C, 18.6 cu ft | Two circuits: one fails, samples hold |
| So-Low C85-12 | Chest | -85C, 12 cu ft | Chest stability for archives |
| Stirling SU105UE | Undercounter | -20 to -86C, 3.7 cu ft | Stirling engine, no compressor |
| Stirling ULT25NEU | Portable | -20 to -86C, 0.9 cu ft | ULT that travels, AC or DC power |
| PHCbi MDF-C2156 Cryogenic Chest | Cryogenic chest | -150C, 8.2 cu ft | Mechanical -150C, no liquid nitrogen |
| Scientemp 85-6.8EX | Chest, rated | -45 to -85C, 6.8 cu ft | Explosion-proof for classified rooms |
Comparing upright and chest cabinets, backup systems and running cost? The -80°C and -86°C ULT Freezers page walks through each choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need -80°C or -150°C storage?
Most cell lines, plasmids, proteins and biobank samples are stored at -80°C to -86°C. Choose -150°C or liquid nitrogen storage only when your protocol requires it, typically for material that would otherwise be kept in nitrogen vapor.
When is liquid nitrogen storage the better choice?
Liquid nitrogen systems reach the coldest temperatures and keep samples cold without electricity, which suits IVF material, stem cells and long-term archives. They need regular LN2 refills and trained staff. A -150°C mechanical freezer avoids nitrogen handling but depends on power.
Is a laboratory freezer enough for my samples?
If your protocol names -20°C to -40°C, yes. Laboratory freezers cost less to buy and run than ULT freezers.
Do you carry explosion-proof or bulk ULT storage?
Yes: Scientemp EX chests from 3.1 cu ft to 21 cu ft, So-Low X-series uprights like the U85-25X, and Farrar ULC chambers from 190 to 328 cu ft for bulk storage.
Can I get volume pricing on a multi-freezer biobank build-out?
Yes. Submit a quote request with your sample counts and temperatures; our equipment specialists come back with capacity planning and configured pricing.
Read the full guide: Features, Benefits and Buying Tips for Long-Lasting ULT Freezers
MediDepot Purchasing Advantages
- Price Match Guarantee: found the same model for less elsewhere, we will match the verified price.
- Equipment Financing: ULT freezers are capital purchases; financing spreads the cost.
- Extended Warranty Options: cover compressors and cascade systems past the manufacturer term.
- Military Discount: available for qualifying military and VA facilities.
- Request a Quote: capacity planning, energy comparison and biobank fit-outs.
ULT Freezer Buying Guides
- ULT vs Lab Freezer: Cost of Ownership and Backup Plan
- Arctiko Chest vs Upright ULT Freezers
- PHCbi ULT Freezer Buying Guide
- So-Low Ultra-Low and Specialty Freezers