In laboratories, the terms “pipette” and “micropipette” are used frequently.
At first glance, they may seem to refer to the same thing, but there is a slight difference in how broadly each term is used.
Simply put, pipette is a broad term for tools used to aspirate, transfer, and dispense liquids, while a micropipette is a type of pipette designed specifically for accurately handling small liquid volumes.
However, in everyday laboratory work, the word “pipette” is also commonly used to refer to a micropipette.
For that reason, it is important to look not only at the name of the instrument, but also at its intended application and volume range.
In this article, we explain the difference between pipettes and micropipettes, what a manual pipette is, and what to consider when selecting the right liquid handling tool for your laboratory.
What Is a Pipette?
A pipette is a general term for a laboratory tool used to aspirate and transfer or dispense liquids.
Different types of pipettes are used depending on the required volume and application.
Common examples include:
-
Micropipettes
-
Serological pipettes
-
Transfer pipettes
-
Positive displacement pipettes
-
Repetitive dispensers
For example, the instrument used to accurately measure a few microliters is different from the one used to transfer 10 mL or 25 mL of liquid into another container.
In other words, the term “pipette” does not necessarily refer to one specific shape or volume range.
The important questions are:
How much liquid do you need to handle, how accurately does it need to be measured, and what type of liquid are you working with?
What Is a Micropipette?
A micropipette is a type of pipette designed primarily for accurately aspirating and dispensing small volumes, usually in the microliter range.
Micropipettes are used routinely in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and many other areas of laboratory research.
Typical applications include:
-
Reagent preparation for PCR and qPCR
-
Dispensing DNA or RNA samples
-
Preparing dilutions
-
Adding buffers
-
Dispensing into microplates
-
Transferring small-volume samples
Micropipettes are generally used with disposable pipette tips and are operated according to a set dispensing volume.
Many models are variable-volume pipettes, allowing users to adjust the volume within a specified range.
Fixed-volume models are also available for procedures in which the same volume is dispensed repeatedly.
In short:
A micropipette is a type of pipette.
It is not a completely separate category, but rather a pipette designed specifically for small-volume liquid handling.
Pipette vs. Micropipette
The main differences can be summarized as follows:
| Comparison | Pipette | Micropipette |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Broad term for liquid handling tools | Pipette designed for small-volume dispensing |
| Typical volume | Varies from µL to mL depending on the product | Mainly in the µL range |
| Primary use | General liquid transfer and dispensing | Accurate small-volume dispensing |
| Volume setting | Depends on the instrument | Fixed or variable volume |
| Consumables | Depends on the pipette type | Pipette tips |
| Typical applications | Transfer, dispensing, repetitive dispensing | PCR, DNA/RNA work, reagent preparation |
In practice, however, laboratory personnel often use the word “pipette” when referring specifically to a micropipette.
Therefore, when someone says they are looking for a pipette, it is useful to confirm:
-
Required volume
-
Intended application
-
Required accuracy
-
Type of liquid being handled
What Is a Manual Pipette?
When searching for micropipettes, you may also see the term “manual pipette.”
A manual pipette is operated by hand. The user presses and releases a plunger to aspirate and dispense liquid.
Many conventional micropipettes used in laboratories are manual pipettes.
Typical advantages include:
-
Simple operation
-
No battery or electrical power required
-
Easy to use for routine liquid handling
-
Available in a wide range of volumes
-
Compatible with many disposable pipette tips
Electronic pipettes, by comparison, use a motor to control aspiration and dispensing.
They may be useful for repetitive procedures or applications where consistent operating speed is important.
Neither type is automatically better.
The appropriate choice depends on workload, frequency of use, budget, and the functions required for the application.
What Volume Range Is Suitable for a Micropipette?
Micropipettes are particularly useful for handling small liquid volumes.
For example, they are commonly used for volumes such as:
-
10 µL
-
50 µL
-
100 µL
-
200 µL
-
1,000 µL
For larger liquid volumes, such as:
-
5 mL
-
10 mL
-
25 mL
-
50 mL
a serological pipette or another large-volume liquid handling tool may be more efficient.
However, volume alone does not determine the best instrument.
For example, a micropipette may be appropriate when 1 mL needs to be dispensed with relatively high precision, while a serological pipette may be more practical for transferring 10 mL of culture medium into a flask.
A useful way to think about the choice is:
Required volume × Required accuracy × Type of work
What Should You Check When Choosing a Pipette?
When selecting a pipette or micropipette, several factors should be considered in addition to volume.
Volume Range
The first point to review is the volume you routinely dispense.
A pipette intended for 10 µL work will be different from one used for 1,000 µL.
Check the operating range of each pipette and select a model that fits the volumes most frequently used in your laboratory.
Fixed Volume or Variable Volume
Variable-volume pipettes allow the dispensing volume to be adjusted within a specified range.
They are a versatile choice for laboratories that routinely handle different volumes.
Fixed-volume pipettes dispense one predefined volume.
They can be useful for repetitive workflows in which the same volume is used repeatedly and no adjustment is needed.
Single Channel or Multichannel
Single-channel pipettes are commonly used for tubes and smaller numbers of samples.
For repetitive dispensing across 96-well or 384-well plates, a multichannel pipette may help reduce the number of individual pipetting steps and improve workflow efficiency.
Manual or Electronic
Manual pipettes are well suited to many routine laboratory applications and offer straightforward operation without the need for charging or power.
Electronic pipettes may be useful for high-throughput or repetitive procedures where reducing manual plunger operation is beneficial.
Air Displacement or Positive Displacement
Air displacement pipettes are widely used for general aqueous solutions.
For liquids with properties that differ significantly from water, such as viscous, volatile, or high-density liquids, a positive displacement system may be more suitable.
When selecting a pipette, it is therefore important to consider not only the volume, but also the physical properties of the liquid.
Pipette Tip Selection Is Also Important
Choosing the micropipette itself is only one part of achieving reliable liquid handling.
The combination of the pipette and pipette tip also matters.
Important points to check include:
-
Pipette compatibility
-
Volume range
-
Standard or filter tip
-
Sterile or non-sterile
-
Low-retention properties
-
Wide-bore design
-
Packaging format, such as racks or bags
If the tip does not fit the pipette correctly, air leakage may occur and affect aspiration or dispensing volume.
Tip selection should also match the application.
For example, filter tips may be considered for PCR and nucleic acid workflows, while wide-bore or low-retention tips may be useful for certain difficult-to-handle liquids.
Do Not Forget Calibration and Maintenance
Micropipettes can experience wear over time, and their dispensing performance may change with use.
Regular calibration and routine checks are therefore important.
A performance check may be worth considering if:
-
Dispensing results become inconsistent
-
Liquid drips from the tip
-
The plunger feels different
-
The pipette has been dropped
-
The pipette has been repaired or disassembled
When selecting a pipette, it is useful to consider not only the initial purchase price, but also long-term operation, calibration, and maintenance.
Choose a Pipette Based on the Application
Pipette is a broad term for tools used to aspirate, transfer, and dispense liquids.
A micropipette is a type of pipette designed primarily for accurate small-volume liquid handling, typically in the microliter range.
For laboratories working with small volumes of reagents and samples, a micropipette is often the most practical choice.
For larger-volume transfers, or for liquids with challenging physical properties such as high viscosity or volatility, another type of pipette may be more appropriate.
When choosing a liquid handling tool, consider:
Volume, liquid properties, workload, required accuracy, pipette tips, and maintenance.
WATSON offers manual micropipettes in a variety of volume ranges, including single-channel, multichannel, fixed-volume, and autoclavable models.
We also offer liquid handling products for larger volumes and positive displacement applications.
By reviewing the volume and workflow requirements of your experiment, you can select the liquid handling tool that best matches your laboratory’s needs.