Is there an alternative to manual pipettes?
You bet your cotton socks there is!
Using a manual single-channel micropipette for every single experiment is painful, error-prone, and frankly boring. Spice up your lab life with affordable instruments that bring precision and ease to your bench.
Multi-channel pipettes
This is the obvious next player for your lab game. More than likely you’ve used one before. Typically designed with 8 or 12 channels, multi-channel pipettes significantly reduce the number of transfers you physically have to complete. Your throughput increases and the RSI is subdued (for a little longer anyway). One problem though…well, a few problems. Ask anyone experienced with multi-channel pipettes and they’ll speak of tips falling off, uneven aspirations and a host of other problems.

“Sometimes multi-channel pipettes can be unreliable, for whatever reason one or two channels won’t fill properly.” – Grace Ryall, PhD candidate
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
• Reduce RSI (repetitive strain injury) risk • Multiple transfers in one go – increases throughput | • RSI is still a thing • Prone to human error • Falling tips • Uneven aspirations |
Mouth pipetting
We’re kidding, don’t do that. The only mouth pipetting you should be doing is with silly straws and cocktails.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
• Silly straws and cocktails | • Risk of poisoning and premature death • Everyone judging you |
Electronic pipettes
There are many different categories of electronic pipette. Here are just a few:
The single (or multi-) channel electronic pipette. Nothing fancy, just a programmable display to adjust volume and a motor for the transfer.
Adjustable spacing multi-channel pipette. It allows the tip spacing to be adjusted for different labware formats. Far more versatile than the traditional multi-channel, but still suffers from some of the same issues.
Repeat dispensing electronic pipettes. You can dispense the same volume multiple times from a single larger aspiration. This could be incredibly useful for certain applications.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
• The adjustable volume stays the same • No thumb pain • Incredibly versatile and useful | • Tiny display screen • Shoulder and back pain from hours at the bench • Tips fall off… |
High-throughput liquid handlers
The powerhouses of the automation world: the all-powerful, gigantic multi-deck liquid handlers. There’s no denying these are the top-tier electronic pipettes. But they come encumbered with immense complexity, a steep learning curve, an even steeper price tag, and take up a lot of space. Typically, the more advanced the robotic capabilities, the less user-friendly the software. However, with a dedicated engineer to baby-sit it, these machines can be a game-changer for those needing high-throughput performance. That is, until the robot crashes, or you need to tweak your workflow.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
• Incredibly feature-rich • Can achieve full workflow automation • Everyone goes ‘Whoa!’ when they see it • Great for workflows that don’t change and run over and over for years | • Super expensive ($150k+) • Always takes months or years to get up and running • Huge • Require a dedicated technician • Usually requires scripting • Not user-friendly… at all |
Pipetting robots
Pipetting robots are different to the automated liquid handlers in that they are much smaller, more affordable, and more approachable, albeit at the cost of throughput. Not every scientist needs the biggest and the most expensive piece of equipment available, especially if you value flexibility in your workflow. Pipetting robots can be easier to learn and are a good introduction into the world of automated liquid handling. Singer Instruments has recently released our own pipetting robot, SQWERTY. For the scientist that hates the manual pipette but has no need of the expensive liquid handlers.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
• Fit easily on a lab bench • Simple to use • Great for labs with ever-changing or evolving workflows • A gentler introduction to liquid handling automation | • Not ideal for super-high-throughput experiments • Not as feature rich as their more expensive counterparts |
SQWERTY
Small enough to put anywhere. Simple enough to be used by anyone. SQWERTY is a compact pipetting robot built for the automation newbie. Quick and easy to run complex pipetting workflows, involving almost any liquid or labware, designed in minutes. Far more accessible than your average liquid handler, anyone can use it.

Do you need more convincing?
Check out how easy SQWERTY is to set up from our first user Grace!

Fiona Kemm MRes | Scientist
Fiona is a vital member of our Research team, rigorously testing our robots to ensure scientists don’t break them. With no prior robotics experience, she was the ideal guinea pig for our world-class user experience and support. Holding a BSc in Biochemistry and an MRes in Molecular Microbiology, Fiona brings extensive hands-on expertise she applies across departments, supporting both users and internal teams. From writing insightful web articles to specialising in SQWERTY, Fiona ensures our innovations perform flawlessly, helping customers focus on the creative and interpretive aspects of science that can’t be automated.