Lab & Scientific Equipment

The Best Lab Small Volume Microplates

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Our picks are based on Amazon bestseller rankings, verified customer ratings, and product availability. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure accuracy.

Microplates are essential tools in many laboratory workflows, from drug discovery to molecular diagnostics. Selecting the appropriate small volume microplate ensures accurate results, efficient sample handling, and reliable performance. Understanding key features will help you find the best fit for your specific research needs.

No. 1
QWORK Porcelain Spot Plate, 10 Pack – 12 Wells Micro Test Tray for Lab Analysis, Teaching & Experiments
  • PORCELAIN CONSTRUCTION: Made from porcelain material for stable testing in lab conditions.
  • COMPACT DIMENSIONS: Each plate measures 5 in * 3 5/16 in * 1/2 in for easy handling and storage.
  • 12 SMALL WELLS: Each tray has 12 cavities (15 mm * 5 mm) suitable for micro chemical reactions.
  • FOR MICRO TESTS: Ideal for small volume color comparison, precipitation, and simple observation.
  • SET OF 10 TRAYS: Each package includes ten 12-well plates for classroom or laboratory use.
No. 2
96-Well Polystyrene Flat-Bottom Microplate, Kashi Scientific Clear Microplate with Lids, Sterile 96 Well...
  • Clear, Flat-Bottom Plate with 250ul well volume - 100 Plates
  • Durable Polystyrene Material: The microplates are constructed from durable polystyrene material, ensuring long-lasting and reliable performance for various laboratory testing applications.
  • Individually Wrapped/Sterile with Single-Direction Lids: These microplates come individually wrapped and pre-sterilized. The single-direction lids ensure easy handling & prevent spilling.
  • Alphanumeric Numbering Position Markings: The microplates feature alphanumeric numbering for each well, aiding in sample identification and organization
  • Standard 12 x 8 Configuration: These microplates are compatible with commonly used laboratory equipment and processes, providing versatility and ease of integration into different laboratory workflows
No. 3
96-Well Polystyrene V-Bottom Microplate, Kashi Scientific Clear Microplate with Lids, Sterile 96 Well Plates...
  • Clear, V-Bottom Plate with 250ul well volume - 100 Plates
  • Durable Polystyrene Material: The microplates are constructed from durable polystyrene material, ensuring long-lasting and reliable performance for various laboratory testing applications.
  • Individually Wrapped/Sterile with Single-Direction Lids: These microplates come individually wrapped and pre-sterilized. The single-direction lids ensure easy handling & prevent spilling.
  • Alphanumeric Numbering Position Markings: The microplates feature alphanumeric numbering for each well, aiding in sample identification and organization
  • Standard 12 x 8 Configuration: These microplates are compatible with commonly used laboratory equipment and processes, providing versatility and ease of integration into different laboratory workflows
No. 4
Kashi Scientific Clear 96-Well Microplate with Lids, 250ul Sterile Microplate with V Bottom [Pack of 10]
  • Clear, V-Bottom Plate with 250ul well volume - 10 Plates
  • Durable Polystyrene Material: The microplates are constructed from durable polystyrene material, ensuring long-lasting and reliable performance for various laboratory testing applications.
  • Individually Wrapped/Sterile with Single-Direction Lids: These microplates come individually wrapped and pre-sterilized. The single-direction lids ensure easy handling & prevent spilling.
  • Alphanumeric Numbering Position Markings: The microplates feature alphanumeric numbering for each well, aiding in sample identification and organization
  • Standard 12 x 8 Configuration: These microplates are compatible with commonly used laboratory equipment and processes, providing versatility and ease of integration into different laboratory workflows
No. 5
Corning 9017 Polystyrene Flat Bottom 96 Well Not Treated EIA/RIA Microplate, Without Lid (Case of 100),Clear
  • Flat bottomed wells have a round well shape with a total well volume of 360L; recommended working volume is 75 to 200L
  • Non-sterile 96-well clear polystyrene micro plate comes without a lid; conforms to standard micro plate footprint and dimensions
  • EIA/RIA plate is tested on lot-to-lot basis; certification results for each lot are made available upon request
  • Not treated (or medium binding) polystyrene surface is hydrophobic in nature and binds biomolecules through passive interactions; binding capacity of approximately 250 ng of mouse IgG/sq. cm
No. 6
Caplugs Evergreen 222-8052-R1K 96-Well Sterile Round (U) Bottom Plates No Lid, 100 Pack, Natural, Polystyrene...
  • 96-WELL PLATES: Featuring 96 small, evenly spaced wells and an 8x12 matrix configuration, Caplugs Evergreen 96-Well Plates are used in laboratories for various applications, namely for conducting multiple experiments simultaneously, such as cell cultures...
  • ROUND (U) BOTTOM: Caplugs Evergreen 96-Well Plates are designed to have a raised rim to reduce cross-contamination and to provide a better fit to the corresponding raised ring in the lid. Lid use reduces excessive evaporative fluid loss. This model has a...
  • ALPHA-NUMERIC DESIGNATIONS: Caplugs Evergreen 96-Well Plates have distinct alpha-numeric well designations, which ensures that each well is clearly labeled in a way that avoids confusion and ensures accurate data recording and analysis.
  • CLEAR AND CHEMICALLY COMPATIBLE MATERIAL: This 96-Well Plate model is constructed from polystyrene (PS), a material known for its excellent optical clarity, making it suitable for applications where visual inspection and measurement of samples are...
  • CONSISTENT AND DEPENDABLE: With manufacturing facilities all around the globe, Caplugs Evergreen is committed to effectively creating and providing labware that is suitable for a plethora of applications and markets. Whether it be general laboratory...
No. 7
Kashi Scientific White 96-Well Microplate with Lids, 250ul Sterile Microplate with Flat Bottom [Pack of 10]
  • White, Flat-Bottom Plate with 250ul well volume - 10 Plates
  • Durable Polystyrene Material: The microplates are constructed from durable polystyrene material, ensuring long-lasting and reliable performance for various laboratory testing applications.
  • Individually Wrapped/Sterile with Single-Direction Lids: These microplates come individually wrapped and pre-sterilized. The single-direction lids ensure easy handling & prevent spilling.
  • Alphanumeric Numbering Position Markings: The microplates feature alphanumeric numbering for each well, aiding in sample identification and organization
  • Standard 12 x 8 Configuration: These microplates are compatible with commonly used laboratory equipment and processes, providing versatility and ease of integration into different laboratory workflows
No. 8
Corning 3991 Polystyrene Flat Bottom 96 Well Solid Black Flat Bottom Microplate, Without Lid (Case of 25)
  • Solid black 96-well polystyrene microplate has flat bottom wells that are 60% thinner than conventional plates, resulting in lower background fluorescence and enabling readings down to 340nm
  • Nonsterile microplate has a total well volume of 360L and a recommended working volume of 75 to 200L; designed to reduce well-to-well crosstalk during fluorescent assays
  • Nonbinding (NBS) surface treatment creates a nonionic hydrophilic surface (polyethylene oxide-like) that minimizes molecular interactions
  • Ideal for reducing protein and nucleic acid binding at low concentrations, and increasing assay signal to noise
No. 9
Celltreat 229548 48 Well Non-treated Plate with Lid, Flat Bottom, Sterile (Case of 100)
  • Available in 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 well treated or non-treated configurations
  • Plates are labeled with alpha-numeric markings for easy identification of individual wells
  • Each well has a raised rim which nests into the rings on the single direction lid to reduce evaporation and limit the risk of cross contamination
  • Lids have a stacking ring for added stability when handling tall stacks of plates
  • All multiple well plates are packaged sterile (gamma irradiated)
No. 10
ADVANGENE 12 Well Non-Treated Sterile Flat Tissue Culture Plate (50/Case)
  • ADVANGENE, US company, cell culture plates manufactured under ISO9001
  • Tissue Culture Non-treated polystyrene plate with 12 wells flat bottom and with retention ring for maximum growth
  • Ideal for suspension cell culture growth, single cell maxium volume 6.8 ml
  • Sterilized by gamma radiation for immediate use; Individually Packaged
  • Serrated gripping panels for high throughput equipment

Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Choose the Best Lab Small Volume Microplates

Key Factors for Choosing Small Volume Microplates

When selecting small volume microplates, consider the following crucial aspects to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your experimental setup:
  • Material and Chemical Compatibility: Microplates are typically made from polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE). Polystyrene is often used for optical applications due to its clarity, while polypropylene offers excellent chemical resistance, making it suitable for storing aggressive reagents or solvents. Polyethylene provides good chemical inertness and is a cost-effective option for some applications. Ensure the material is compatible with the chemicals and temperatures your assays involve.
  • Well Format and Volume: Small volume microplates come in various well configurations, such as 96-well or 384-well formats, with some specialized plates offering even higher densities. The working volume per well is critical; choose a plate designed for low volumes (e.g., 50-300 microliters) to minimize reagent usage and maximize sample concentration. Consider the geometry of the wells, as some are designed for specific applications like sample evaporation or cell culture.
  • Plate Features and Handling: Look for features that enhance usability and data integrity. Options like clear bottoms are beneficial for microscopy or spectrophotometry, while opaque walls can reduce well-to-well crosstalk in fluorescence assays. Barcoding can aid in sample tracking and automation. Consider the plate's rigidity for automated handling and its lid compatibility to prevent evaporation and contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical volume range for small volume microplates?
Small volume microplates generally accommodate working volumes between 50 to 300 microliters per well. This range is optimized for applications requiring reduced reagent consumption or higher sample concentrations.
Which material is best for chemical storage?
For storing aggressive chemicals or solvents, polypropylene (PP) is often the preferred material due to its superior chemical resistance. It helps prevent leaching and degradation of the plate material.
How does the well format affect my experiment?
The well format, such as 96-well or 384-well, determines the number of samples you can process simultaneously. Higher density formats allow for more throughput but require precise liquid handling and potentially smaller volumes per sample.
Are there specific plates for optical measurements?
Yes, plates with clear bottoms are ideal for optical measurements like absorbance, fluorescence, or luminescence. They allow light to pass through unimpeded for accurate detection.