4 essential tools, 1 device

Bento Lab combines PCR, centrifuge, gel electrophoresis and transilluminator, in one neat package

Which Bento Lab is right for you?

Entry

$1,599.00

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At A Glance

  • 32-well thermocycler
     
  • fixed speed centrifuge at 2,700 g
  • fixed voltage electrophoresis (50 V)
  • safe blue light transilluminator

In The Box

  • gel tray and casting combs
  • gel imaging hood
  • world-wide compatible power supply

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Pro

$1,999.00

Add to cart

At A Glance

  • 32-well thermocycler
    with touch-down support
  • variable speed centrifuge up to 8,000 g
  • variable voltage electrophoresis (30 ⁠–⁠ 120 V)
  • safe blue light transilluminator

In The Box

  • gel tray and casting combs
  • gel imaging hood
  • world-wide compatible power supply

Jump to detailed comparison

Get Quote

Bento Lab Pro or Entry – which configuration is right for me?

Explore detailed technical specifications for Bento Lab

PCR Thermocycler Bento Lab Entry Bento Lab Pro
Temperature range 21 °C to 99 °C 12 °C to 102 °C
Touchdown PCR support
32 well block for 0.2 mL tubes
Ramp rate up to 2.5 °C/s
Temperature accuracy ± 0.2 °C
Temperature uniformity ± 0.5 °C
Memory for 100 PCR programs

Centrifuge

Bento Lab Entry

Bento Lab Pro
Quick spin mode
Timed spin mode
Speed Fixed Variable
RPM 7,000 rpm 3,000 – 13,500 rpm
RCF 2,700 xg 500 – 8,000 xg
Capacity 6 x 1.5 mL tubes 6 x 2 mL tubes
Compatible with 2×8-strip PCR rotor

Gel Electrophoresis

Bento Lab Entry

Bento Lab Pro
Voltage Fixed
50 V
Variable
30 V – 120 V
Gel tray size 91 mm x 78 mm
Small gel volume 25 mL gel, 30 mL buffer
Wells 9 and 12 well combs
Compatible with Add-a-Lane Gel Combs
Gel Box included included

Transilluminator

Bento Lab Entry

Bento Lab Pro
Surface dimensions 105 mm x 85 mm
Blue LED Design
LED wavelength 468 nm (visible blue light)
Scratch-resistant acrylic material
Imaging Hood included included

System
Dimensions: 330mm x 214mm x 81mm (13in x 8.4in x 3.1in)
Weight: 3.5kg / 123oz
External tube rack
Worldwide univeral power: 110 – 240 V, 47 – 63 Hz
Peak power: 144 W
Wireless connectivity for software updates

A lab you can depend on, deployable in minutes

“[Bento Lab is] deployable to remote locations with minimal household-grade infrastructures […] The standard protocols of a laboratory may be used without amendments and adaptations […]”

Kambouris et al. (2020). Point-of-need molecular processing of biosamples using portable instrumentation to reduce turnaround time. Biosafety and Health, 2 (3), 177-182.

“Bento Lab and MinION are useful for genomic analysis and surveillance of AMR bacteria in hospitals and research centers with limited facilities.”

Hirabayashi et al. (2021). On-site genomic epidemiological analysis of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Cambodia with portable laboratory equipment. Frontiers in microbiology, 12 , 675463.

Selected Product Citations

  • Holzschuh, Aurel, et al. “Using a mobile nanopore sequencing lab for end-to-end genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum: A feasibility study.” PLOS Global Public Health 4.2 (2024): e0002743.
  • Hatfield, Robert G. et al. (2023). Combining Nanopore Sequencing with Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Enables Identification of Dinoflagellates from the Alexandrium Genus, Providing a Rapid, Field Deployable Tool. Toxins, 15(6), 372.
  • Chang, Jia Jin Marc, et al. “Takeaways from Mobile DNA Barcoding with BentoLab and MinION.” Genes 11.10 (2020): 1121.
  • Knot, Ineke, et al. “DNA barcoding of nematodes using the MinION.” Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2020).
  • “Bento Lab.” Nature Biotechnology 34 (2016): 455–455.

For more, see Publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bento Lab compare to traditional thermocyclers?

Bento Lab is designed to match or exceed the performance of traditional thermocyclers. Our users have achieved equivalent results on Bento Lab compared to Bio-rad thermal cyclers.

Temperature is controlled using industry-standard peltier modules, for high accuracy and speed. The Bento Lab peltier modules are specifically designed for robustness in thermo-cycling applications. For accurate temperature measurements, Bento Lab uses platinum resistance thermometers, the gold standard in temperature accuracy and reliability.

From the start, Bento Lab has been rigorously tested by our team of molecular biologists, research partners and independent testing houses. Bento Lab’s performance has been independently verified by scientists at world-leading research universities, institutes and commercial labs internationally on a broad variety of applications.

Is Bento Lab compatible with my country’s electricity grid and electricity sockets?

Bento Lab comes with a universal power adapter. You can use the lab internationally, with any national power supply grid, with a travel plug adaptor or by exchanging the plug cable for a standard plug cable.

We offer several options of plug types: A (USA and others), G (UK and others), F (Europe), and I (Oceania). Standard travel plug adaptors can be used with other plug socket types. You can find your local standard plug type here: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/.

Which DNA stains are compatible with Bento Lab?

Avoid UV damage and visualise DNA safely with Bento Lab’s blue light transilluminator, using green fluorescent nucleic acid dyes designed for blue-light excitation.

Our favourite DNA stain is GelGreen® because of its sensitivity and safety features.

Bento Lab is also compatible with a wide range of dyes including GreenView, SYBR Green, and SYBR Safe.

Can I use standard consumables with Bento Lab?

Yes, Bento Lab works with standard reagents and consumables, from 0.2mL PCR tubes to 1.5mL microcentrifuge tubes. With 32 wells, Bento Lab can accommodate four 8-tube strips for easier sample prep and PCR. Smaller PCR microplates (12–well, 24–well, or 32–well) should also be compatible.

Can I get a demo unit or a trial?

We are not able to do easily do trial units, as we ship internationally. We offer demo calls, and you can see a quick 60 second video introducing Bento Lab here.

We do have a 30 day returns policy, so if you change your mind, you are welcome to return your order.

What is the Bento Lab warranty?

In addition to your legal rights, we offer a free extended warranty for a year after purchase that covers costs internationally. You can also add an extended warranty of two or four years at the point of purchase. Find out more about our extended warranty here.

If you are not covered by an extended warranty, we also guarantee repairs at a reasonable cost. We want our products to have a long lifespan with you, and we will do our best to serve you.

Do I need the Biotechnology 101 Starter Kit?

The Biotechnology 101 Starter Kit is our educational genetics kit. If you have a background in molecular biology then you will be familiar with most of what it covers, so just get started with Bento Lab and its manual.

For first-timers looking for an introduction to genetics, you can add a Biotechnology 101 Starter Kit to your Bento Lab, which provides everything you need to start learning about molecular biology and genetics hands-on. Beginners may find it useful to read through its introductory sections on core lab skills even if they do not buy the kit.

Looking for accessories?

More accessories, spare parts, and consumables are available in our shop.

Carrying Case for Bento Lab