Microplate Readers

Multimode Microplate Readers

Our multimode microplate readers are capable of measuring luminescence, fluorescence, absorbance, TRF, HTRF®, BRET and alphascreen

Luminescence Microplate Readers

Berthold Technologies is the worldwide leader in luminescence measurement. Pick the microplate reader for luminescence that meets your laboratory needs

ELISA and Absorbance Readers

Are you looking for a flexible microplate reader or a simple ELISA reader? Either way, we offer different types of microplate readers to empower your absorbance research.

Fluorescence Microplate Readers

Measure fluorescence intensity, FRET and TRF with ease using our microplate readers.

Buying a Microplate Reader

There are many different types of microplate readers available on the market today and it can be difficult to buy the microplate reader that best fits your needs. The basic configurations will be discussed below. If you still need more information or have questions our experts will be happy to assist you.

What is a microplate reader, actually?

A microplate reader is a high-sensitivity instrument designed to analyze samples contained in microplates of various formats. Microplate formats can vary from 6-1536 wells providing the ability to read many samples in a short time. The measurements can be performed using a variety of detection methods and the most common detection method used in plate readers are absorbance, luminescence and fluorescence. Microplates have become indispensable in modern laboratories and save time, labor, and costs.

Types of microplate readers

Microplate readers can be classified in several ways. The following classifications may be useful to decide what reader to purchase:

Microplate readers by wavelength selection

An important characteristic when choosing a plate reader is the technology used to select the wavelength as this has a major impact on many applications:

Filter-based microplate readers use filters to select the desired wavelength. They are typically more affordable but in this case affordability doesn´t mean less performance. Filter-based systems have a very high transmittance delivering higher sensitivity than monochromator-based systems. In addition, wavelength switching is very fast which is a very desirable feature in ratio metric assays. ELISA readers use filters as they typically measure only a few different wavelengths.

The main disadvantage of filter-based microplate readers is that they require a different filter for each wavelength needed which reduces flexibility and makes it impossible to perform wavelength scans.

Monochromator-based microplate readers use diffraction-gratings to create the desired excitation and/or emission wavelengths. The correct wavelengths can be selected via the instrument software and no filters need to be sselected. This provides total flexibility in wavelength selection and even allows wavelength scans.

A disadvantage of this technology can be compromises in the optical system of instruments having multiple detection modes which may result in lower sensitivity compared to dedicated readers.

More about monochromators in microplate readers

Some microplate readers can be configured with both, filters and monochromators, so you can select the best option for your application.

Luminometers usually do not require filters or any other way of wavelength selection the light of all wavelengths reaches the photomultiplier and is combined. This provides the best sensitivity which is best for BRET assays due to the low levels of light expressed.

Microplate readers by detection technologies

There are two main types of readers by detection technologies: dedicated microplate readers and multimode microplate readers.

Dedicated microplate readers (single-mode or single-technology readers)

Dedicated microplate readers are able to measure a single technology only: either absorbance, luminescence or fluorescence. They lack the flexibility of multimode microplate readers, but they often offer better sensitivity and reliability than multimode readers. For example, the Centro XS provides a sensitivity for luminescence detection, unmatched even by the most sensitive multimode microplate readers. ELISA readers are also very popular: ELISA assays have a wide variety of applications – including clinical, forensic and food research and, in addition, they can be used to quantify many other types of colorimetric assays, including protein quantification using the classic Lowry, Bradford or BCA methods, and others.

Pricewise, single-technology microplate readers are overall more affordable than multimode readers, but special configurations to meet specific application needs may increase costs.

Multimode microplate readers

Multimode microplate readers are equipped with more than one detection technology. They are more complex than dedicated plate readers and some design compromises must be made to accommodate all detection modes in a single instrument. In return, they offer great flexibility which enables a broad range of applications, especially in advanced instruments with dedicated optical paths for each detection mode.

Multimode readers tend to be more expensive, but modularity platforms can initially be configured with only the options that will really be needed and can be updated with new technologies later if required.

Multimode reader applications

Microplate Reader Applications

Microplate readers have a broad range of applications, which depend mainly on the detection technologies available. Absorbance is in many laboratories the most popular technology, as many colorimetric methods have been developed for many applications: from ELISA to protein quantification, cell viability, enzymatic activity and many others. Luminescence is the most popular technology to measure reporter gene assays, but is also very useful to study cell proliferation and protein-protein interactions. And fluorescence is the technology with the most diverse number of applications, thanks to the diversity of fluorophores and detection technologies available that are based on fluorescence. If you want to learn more about the applications of microplate readers, visit our page:

Multimode Reader Applications

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Performing assays in microplates

Our microplate readers deliver the performance you need to solve your analytical challenges