How to choose the pipette tips?
Quality really matters when choosing a pipette tip. No matter how good your pipette is, without the right pipette tips, you won't get the results you want. Here are a few suggestions to consider when choosing a tip:
Materials - A good pipette tip will be made of high quality virgin polypropylene. Beware of plastic and/or metal additives commonly found in blue and yellow tips, as these can contaminate the sample. If you choose filter tips, make sure the filter is made of polyethylene and does not contain additives such as cellulose.
Contamination Free - Make sure you only buy tips that are certified free of RNase, DNase, DNA, pyrogens, PCR inhibitors and ATP. This is even more important if you are performing sensitive microbiological testing.
Fit/Compatibility - Not all pipette tips will fit your pipette. It is important to ensure that the tips you are considering are suitable for your pipette. You don't have to force the tip onto the pipette, it should grab and hold in place with little or no force. Most pipette tip brands have a compatibility chart to help you choose the right tip. However, most tips should be compatible with almost every popular pipette brand in the world.
Low Retention - Low retention techniques have become more popular in recent years. They are generally considered premium tips and you can expect to pay more for them.