Lab sciences are a favorite of many students, especially those that love hands-on practice and application. We’ve rounded up the best biology lap equipment and supplies, all from top science equipment suppliers you can trust.
Jump to:
- Biology Lab Safety Equipment
- Microscopes and Optics
- Biology Labware
- Dissection Equipment
- Biology Lab Equipment Appliances and Tools
Biology Lab Safety Equipment
Find even more lab safety equipment here, and don’t forget to grab our free printable lab safety posters!
Goggles
Eye protection is absolutely vital when you’re working with chemicals. These goggles are basic and affordable, and they’re the right size for teens. (If you need child-sized goggles, check out this option from Amazon.)
Disposable Gloves
You can buy disposable gloves in a variety of places, but you’ll want to make sure they’re both latex-free and chemical-resistant. Consider keeping several sizes on hand to ensure a good fit for all students.
Buy it: Black Nitrile Gloves, 100 ct.
Eyewash Station
This clever faucet mount turns your lab sink into an instant eyewash station in case of emergency. It’s easy to install and to use.
Biohazard Disposal Bags
Use these to collect and dispose of waste that has come into contact with contaminants. You might also find it helpful to have a large biohazard trash bin in the lab too.
Buy it: Biohazard Disposal Bags
Spill-Control Kit
Various spilled substances call for different controls. This kit includes sand, acid neutralizer, and a super-absorbent material to help handle most science lab spills.
Buy it: Spill-Control Kit
Microscopes and Optics
Student Microscopes
Microscopes are among the most important biology lab equipment, and the more you can afford to make available to students, the better. This economical model from Celestron boasts great optics at an affordable price.
Buy it: Celestron Monocular Head Compound Microscope 40-800x Magnification
Digital Camera Microscope
This is an excellent microscope for teachers in the classroom. Use it to take pictures to incorporate into lessons or lectures, or connect the microscope to your laptop and project live images directly during class.
Buy it: AmScope 40X-2500X Digital Microscope with 5MP USB Camera
Slide Prep Sets
Use these kits to prepare samples for viewing under the microscope lens. They’re available with both glass and plastic slides.
Buy it: Slide Prep Sets
Stereoscope
When you’re examining larger objects, a microscope doesn’t provide enough working room. That’s when a stereoscope comes in handy. This one is incredibly easy to use, and the large digital display makes it easy to share the view with your entire class.
Magnifying Glass
Sometimes all you really need is a good magnifying glass. This one ups the ante with included LED lighting, making it easy to take a close look at any object.
Biology Labware
Test Tubes
Test tubes are one of those chemistry lab equipment items you’ll need to buy in bulk, whether in glass or plastic. Don’t forget to stock up on stoppers as well; this bulk set from Carolina offers both solid and holed stoppers.
Buy it: Polypropylene Test Tubes or Borosilicate Glass Test Tubes
Test Tube Rack and Tools
Get a little bit of everything in this set: six-hole test tube rack, test tube brush, test tube clamp, crucible tongs, lab scoop, spatula, and forceps.
Buy it: Deluxe Lab Toolkit
Petri Dishes
Stock up on an array of different petri dishes, both in glass and disposable plastic. You might also want some divided dishes, and you’ll definitely want a good supply of different types of agar and other media.
Buy it: Disposable Plastic Petri Dishes and Glass Petri Dishes
Glass Beakers and Flasks
Glass labware can be properly sanitized and reused over and over again, making it worth the investment. You’ll want a selection of beakers and flasks in a variety of sizes.
Buy it: Borosilicate Glass Beakers and Economy Choice Borosilicate Erlenmeyer Flasks
Droppers and Pipettes
Use these to transfer small amounts of liquids and measure more precisely. Glass pipettes can be cleaned and reused, while inexpensive plastic ones are disposable.
Buy it: 20-Pack Glass Droppers or 150-Piece Plastic Transfer Pipettes
Dissection Equipment
Dissection Pans
Every bio lab needs plenty of dissection equipment, including basic wax-filled trays. This economy option is great for classrooms that need prepared trays in bulk.
Dissection Tool Set
These sets make it easy to ensure your students will all have the cutting and examination tools they need. It includes a scalpel, forceps, pins, probe, and more.
Buy it: Standard Dissecting Set
Dissection Pins
Just like any type of pins, you can never have too many of these. This set of T-pins comes in a variety of sizes and is affordable enough to buy multiples for your classroom.
Buy it: Outus Steel T-Pins
Sterile Specimen Containers
To avoid cross-contamination in extra-sensitive situations, stock up on sealed sterile cups like these. Depending on what you use them for, you can always wash them afterwards and add them to your store of general collecting containers.
Biology Lab Equipment Appliances and Tools
Thermometer
Get the most accurate (and easy) readings with digital thermometers. This pocket-size version has its own case to protect the probe.
Buy it: Digital Pocket Thermometer
Scale
This little pocket scale is very accurate, but also very affordable, so you can keep a bunch in your lab for all students to use. It’s available in two sizes too.
Buy it: Carolina Electronic Pocket Scale
Hot Plate/Stirrer
When you need heat for culturing cells or preparing samples, this inexpensive hot plate is a terrific option in school classrooms. It includes a sensor fixing rod and stir rod.
Buy it: Hot Plate/Stirrer
Incubator
This basic lab incubator is perfect for school biology labs. Use it to incubate eggs, cultures, and other biologicals.
Buy it: Flinn Scientific Lab Incubator
Refrigerator
Sometimes you need to heat things up, and other times you want to keep them cold! Almost any refrigerator will do, but this one is optimized for lab use with multiple shelves and a glass door so you can see what’s inside.
Buy it: Compact Laboratory Refrigerator
Autoclave
Biology labs need some way to sterilize instruments, and an autoclave is easier and safer than boiling. If you can’t afford the higher-end models, check out this portable model that’s a little more economical.
Buy it: Tuttnauer 1739 Valueklave
Centrifuge
This isn’t necessarily a must for every school lab, but so many experiments and demos require one that it’s worth the investment. This model is available in analog or digital, whichever fits your budget.
Buy it: Centrifuge