Refrigerators and freezers work by pulling heat out of a thermally-insulated compartment providing cold storage conditions. Heat pumps, either mechanical, electrical, or chemical, are used to move hot air out, cooling the inside of the refrigerator or freezer unit. Freezers function the same as refrigerators, except they work at a much lower cryogenic temperature.

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are meant to provide long-term storage for biological samples like viruses, bacteria, enzymes, RNA, and cell cultures, but also works perfectly for reagent and vaccine storage. As the name implies, these models work at much lower temperatures than commercial freezers, ranging from -45 to -150 C depending on their intended purpose, and come in four main configurations to accommodate different lab spaces:

• Upright
• Chest
• Tabletop or benchtop
• Under-counter

You’ll find ULT freezers almost any laboratory environment, from hospitals (where cold storage facilities are often essential), biomedical facilities, and blood banks to research institutes; anywhere temperature control is paramount. That’s because sample storage at a specific temperature range is almost always a necessity when working with biological products.

Whether you are looking for a high-performance stainless steel lab freezer or are more focused on energy efficient models that provide excellent sustainability or ergonomics, there are a wide range of manufacturer choices and features options that are easy-to-use and fit your needs.