How to choose pipetting tips (universal filter tips, special tips)

Select Pipette Tips

If you choose the wrong Pipette tip type, the precision and accuracy of even the best calibrated pipettes can be wiped out. Depending on the experiment you're doing, the wrong type of tip can also make your pipette a source of contamination, waste valuable samples or reagents, or even physically harm you in the form of repetitive stress injury (RSI).

There are many different types of prompts to choose from. How do you know which pipette is best for your pipette and situation? Never fear, that's what our knowledge selection of pipetting tips is here for. This short guide will help you understand your options so you can choose the right pipette tip and prevent costly experimental errors and all other issues.

When choosing a high-quality pipette tip for precision and accuracy, the first consideration that comes to mind when considering which tip type to choose is precision and accuracy.

If there is any batch-to-batch or intra-batch variation in pipette tip shape, your pipetting will be imprecise. This is a build quality and quality control issue, and as with any manufacturing process, build quality and quality control cost money. Therefore, it is generally safer to stay away from cheap tips and buy good quality tips that will minimize the difference between tips.

If the tips do not fit your specific pipette, it may affect the accuracy of the pipette. If the seal between the pipette barrel and the tip is poor, the aspirated air may escape, preventing the correct volume of liquid from being aspirated. Therefore, the final volume dispensed is not infallible. Choosing the right tip for your pipette can be tricky.

Which brings us to this question...
Universal or pipette-specific tips

If available, it is always possible to choose tips sold by the pipette manufacturer. Often, however, your best bet for your pipette and application is to use high-quality general purpose tips, and professional pipette tip manufacturers tend to be more professional than pipette manufacturers.

These Universal Pipette Tips can be used with most micropipettes on the market. Universal Filter Tips are designed to fit securely and tightly on all pipette barrels whose diameters vary by manufacturer. But, of course, not all generic tips are the same, so you'll have to double-check your choices.

Companies specializing in universal pipette tip design have carefully studied the problems that can arise with pipette tips and have developed techniques to overcome them. For example, tips with Yongyue technology are flexible at the proximal end of the tip (i.e. closest to the barrel), which allows it to better accommodate a wider range of pipette types. As a result, tips using this technology offer greater accuracy and precision.

You can find general-purpose pipette tips and pipette-specific tips with all the features discussed below (aerosol barrier, scale, ergonomics, etc.).

Universal Pipette Tips

Cartridge or (filter) pipette tips
Non-barrier and barrier tips as well as filter tips are designed for different conditions. Accessible tips are designed for everyday laboratory work, however, if you are pipetting substances that may contaminate the pipette (e.g. bacteria, viruses, volatile, caustic or viscous chemicals) then you need Consider using barrier tips to protect pipettes and samples.
Filterless/Filtered Tips selection
For many non-sensitive applications, you can use filter/barrier-free or standard pipette tips. Typically, laboratories use these tips for loading agarose gels, isolating plasmid DNA, and other similar applications. Accessible tips are the workhorse of any lab and, as a bonus, are often the less expensive options.

These tips are available in bulk (i.e. in a bag), pre-packed (i.e. on a shelf so you can easily fit in a box), or convenient reloads that allow you to easily reuse your Rack, but avoid the pain of loading bulk tips. While bulk and most reloads are not sterile, you can sterilize them and their storage boxes/racks in an autoclave.

Aerosol barrier pipette tips prevent PCR contamination and aid in PCR positive controls
Aerosol barrier tips, also known as Filter Pipette Tips, have a filter in the proximal portion of the tip. Filters protect your pipettes from aerosols and suction of volatile or viscous solutions into the barrel, all of which can contaminate and damage the pipette. These tips are usually pre-sterilized and DNase/RNase free. For some of these techniques, however, "obstacle" is a bit of a misnomer. Only some high-end tips provide a true hermetic barrier. Most filters just slow down the flow of liquid into the pipette.

The filter barrier in these tips makes them an option for sensitive applications such as qPCR. Barriers prevent PCR contamination by preventing sample carryover in the pipette, which will give you more reliable results. Also, remember to run your PCR positive and negative controls for sample carryover.

Also, the Sterile Filter Pipette Tips are a great "training wheel" for beginners. Many times, pipette contamination occurs when a new lab member accidentally sucks liquid into the pipette itself. It is much easier and more cost-effective to throw away the tip than to send the whole pipette in for repair, because there is liquid in the piston.

Sterile Filter Pipette Tips

Low Residue/Low Retention Pipette Tip Selection
Regardless of which tip you choose, low carryover is a key feature. Low-residue pipette tips do exactly what their name suggests - retain low levels of liquid. If you've ever looked at standard pipette tips, you've probably seen a bit of liquid left behind after dispensing. Low retention tips reduce this from happening because they have a hydrophobic plastic additive that prevents liquid from sticking inside the tip.

Nice but not necessary pipette tip function
Other functions are usually included in standard and barrier prompts. These features can help maintain accuracy and even prevent injury. While none of these are strictly necessary, they are good features in tipping.

Ergonomic Tips
Performing repetitive tasks, such as pipetting, can damage joints and cause repetitive stress injury (RSI). With this in mind, BIOFOUNT has designed ergonomic tips that require lower insertion and ejection forces, thereby reducing the risk of RSI. That said, this function can all fit in nicely. A tip designed to fit your pipette is, as the name suggests, an ergonomic tip.

Cost Considerations When Choosing Pipette Tips

As with most products, you get what you pay for. Well-made, properly installed tips are critical to accuracy, precision, and ease of use. Investing in quality tips specially developed for optimum performance is worth the money unless you are satisfied that precision micropipettes are no longer as precise.

For other features (graded markers, obstacles, etc.), you should consider whether there is a price for the added features. For an additional fee, choose a prompt with these features when your experiment requires it. For example, barrier tips are more expensive than non-barrier tips. Therefore, you may wish to reserve barrier tips for sensitive applications where contamination can disrupt your experiments, and use sterile, non-barrier tips for other techniques.

Your pipettes and tips work together for accurate and precise measurements. Using this guide will help you choose the right tip for each application, giving you clearer, more reliable results.