A rotor is not a universal part. It is matched to a specific drive spindle, a specific chamber diameter and a specific maximum speed, and fitting the wrong one ranges from "it will not mount" to a genuine safety hazard. This page lists which rotors fit the most common benchtop centrifuges from Eppendorf, Thermo Scientific (Sorvall / Heraeus) and Beckman Coulter, along with capacities and maximum speeds, so you can confirm a part number before you buy.
Need the rotor itself? Browse centrifuge rotors, buckets and adapters. Looking for a complete instrument? See our centrifuges.
How to identify what you need in 60 seconds
- Find the centrifuge model. It is on the front panel and on the serial-number label at the rear or side. Note the exact suffix — an "R" means refrigerated, and refrigerated and ventilated versions do not always share the same rotor speed ratings.
- Read the rotor name off the existing rotor. Eppendorf rotors are stamped on the hub (for example A-4-81, FA-45-30-11). Thermo rotors carry a TX / HIGHConic / Fiberlite designation. Beckman rotors are labelled SX, S or F followed by digits.
- Decode the naming. Eppendorf codes are readable: FA-45-30-11 = Fixed-Angle, 45°, 30 places, 11 mm tube diameter. A-4-81 = swing-out ("A"), 4 buckets. Thermo's TX-400 = 4 × 400 mL swinging bucket. Beckman's SX4750 = Swinging bucket, 4 × 750 mL.
- Check that buckets, lids and adapters are included. A swing-out rotor sold "without buckets" is a yoke only, and buckets often cost more than the yoke. Aerosol-tight lids are also a separate part number.
- Confirm the speed rating for your instrument. The same rotor can be derated in a different centrifuge — the Beckman SX4750 runs at 4,750 rpm in an Allegra X-15R but only 3,750 rpm in an X-12 series.
Fixed-angle vs. swinging-bucket: which do you actually want?
| Fixed-angle | Swinging-bucket | |
|---|---|---|
| Max RCF | High (up to ~25,000 × g on benchtop units) | Lower (typically 3,000–5,000 × g) |
| Pellet shape | On the tube wall, angled | Flat at the tube bottom |
| Best for | Pelleting bacteria, cells, nucleic acid precipitation | Blood tubes, density gradients, microplates, cell culture |
| Capacity | Smaller per run | Larger volumes, plates, conicals |
| Notes | Fewer moving parts, faster acceleration | Buckets and adapters are separate purchases |
Eppendorf 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R rotor compatibility
These four instruments share most of their rotor range, with a few rotors restricted to the larger 5810 chassis.
| Rotor | Type | Capacity | Fits | Max speed / RCF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-4-81 | Swing-out | 4 × 500 mL rectangular buckets | 5810 / 5810 R only | 4,000 rpm / 3,220 × g |
| A-4-81-MTP/Flex | Swing-out | 4 buckets: 16 microplates, 12 culture plates or 4 deep-well plates | 5810 / 5810 R only | 4,000 rpm / 3,220 × g |
| A-4-62 / A-4-62-MTP | Swing-out | 4 × 250 mL rectangular or MTP buckets | 5810 / 5810 R only | 4,000 rpm |
| A-4-44 | Swing-out | 4 buckets, 50 mL conicals | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 4,500 rpm |
| A-2-DWP | Swing-out | 2 deep-well plates | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 2,000–3,000 rpm |
| A-2-DWP-AT | Swing-out, aerosol-tight | 2 deep-well plates | 5810 / 5810 R only | 3,000 rpm |
| F-34-6-38 | Fixed-angle | 6 × 85 mL | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 11,000 rpm / 15,557 × g |
| FA-45-6-30 | Fixed-angle, aerosol-tight | 6 × 15/50 mL conicals | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | ~9,000 rpm |
| F-45-30-11 | Fixed-angle | 30 × 1.5/2.0 mL | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 14,000 rpm / 20,817 × g |
| FA-45-30-11 | Fixed-angle, aerosol-tight | 30 × 1.5/2.0 mL | 5430 / 5430 R (also supplied for 5804/5810 as FA-45-30-11 variants) | 14,000 rpm / 20,817 × g |
| FA-45-20-17 | Fixed-angle | 20 × 15 mL (17 mm) | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | — |
| FA-45-48-11 | Fixed-angle | 48 × 1.5/2.0 mL | 5427 R, 5430 / 5430 R, 5804 / 5804 R, 5810 / 5810 R | — |
| F-35-48-17 | Fixed-angle | 48 × 15 mL | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | — |
| F-45-48-PCR | Fixed-angle | 48 × 0.2 mL PCR / 6 × 8-tube strips | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 12,000 rpm / 15,294 × g |
| T-60-11 | Fixed-angle | 60 × 1.5/2.0 mL | 5804 / 5804 R / 5810 / 5810 R | 14,000 rpm / 16,435 × g |
Watch out: Eppendorf specifies a service life for its rotors — swing-out rotors such as A-4-44 and A-2-DWP are rated for roughly 34,000 cycles or 7 years, while most fixed-angle rotors are rated for around 100,000 cycles or 15 years. Always check the commissioning date stamped on a used rotor.
Shop Eppendorf-compatible rotors and buckets →
Thermo Scientific Sorvall / Heraeus rotor compatibility
Sorvall ST 8 / ST 8R, Megafuge 8 / 8R, SL 8 / SL 8R
| Rotor | Type | Capacity | Max speed / RCF |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX-150 | Swinging bucket | 4 × 145 mL | 4,500 rpm / 3,260 × g |
| HIGHConic 50 mL (ST8R) | Fixed-angle | 6 × 50 mL | 8,700 rpm / 10,155 × g |
Sorvall Legend X1 / XT / XF, Sorvall ST 16 / ST 40, Multifuge X1 / X3, Megafuge 16 / 40, SL 16 / SL 40
| Rotor | Type | Capacity | Compatible instruments | Max speed / RCF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX-400 | Swinging bucket | 4 × 400 mL | Legend X1, Sorvall ST 16, Multifuge X1, Megafuge 16, SL 16 | 4,700 rpm / ~5,000 × g (bucket dependent) |
| Fiberlite F15-8 × 50cy | Fixed-angle | 8 × 50 mL | Legend X1, Legend XT/XF, Multifuge X1 / X3, SL 40F | 14,500 rpm / up to ~24,400 × g |
| Fiberlite F15-6 × 100y | Fixed-angle | 6 × 100 mL | Legend X1, Legend XT, ST 16, ST 40, Multifuge X1 / X3, Megafuge 16 / 40, SL 16 / SL 40 — and Eppendorf 5804/5810 series | 15,000 rpm / 24,652 × g |
Note: maximum speed for the same Fiberlite rotor differs between ventilated and refrigerated models and between 120 V and 230 V variants. Check the plate on your instrument, not just the rotor.
Shop Thermo-compatible rotors and buckets →
Beckman Coulter Allegra rotor compatibility
| Rotor | Type | Capacity | Fits | Max speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX4750 / SX4750A (ARIES) | Swinging bucket | 4 × 750 mL; plate carriers available | Allegra X-12, X-14, X-15R series | 4,750 rpm (X-15R, tube/bottle buckets); 4,450 rpm (X-15R, plate carriers); 4,300 rpm (X-14, tube/bottle); 4,000 rpm (X-14, plates); 3,750 rpm (X-12, all buckets) |
| S5700 | Swinging bucket | Tube carriers | Allegra X series benchtop | Model dependent |
| S2096 | Microplate rotor | Microplates / deep-well | Allegra X series benchtop | Model dependent |
| F0630 | Fixed-angle | 6 × 30 mL | Allegra 64R (26,200 rpm); derated in Allegra X-22R | See manual per instrument |
The SX4750 family is a good example of why the instrument matters: identical rotor, four different speed ratings depending on which Allegra it is installed in, and a further derating for plate carriers. Programming the higher figure into the wrong instrument overspeeds the rotor.
Shop Beckman-compatible rotors and buckets →
Buckets, adapters and lids: the parts people forget
- Buckets are usually sold separately from the yoke on swing-out rotors, and they must be a matched set of four (or six) — mixing bucket types unbalances the rotor.
- Adapters reduce a bucket or rotor cavity to your tube size (for example 4 × 50 mL or 14 × 15 mL inserts for a 750 mL bucket). Without them you cannot run small tubes safely.
- Aerosol-tight lids and biocontainment covers are separate part numbers and are required for BSL-2 work with pathogens.
- O-rings and seals perish. Most manufacturers sell refresher kits; budget for one on any used aerosol-tight rotor.
Safety rules that apply to every rotor
- Never exceed the rotor's rated speed for the specific centrifuge it is installed in.
- Derate for dense solutions. Ratings assume a maximum solution density of about 1.2 g/mL; heavier samples require a speed reduction calculated from the manual.
- Load opposing positions with equal mass, and never leave a swing-out rotor with an odd number of buckets fitted.
- Inspect for corrosion, pitting and cracks before each use. Aluminium rotors attacked by salts or alkali lose strength invisibly.
- Respect service life. Rotors are fatigue-limited parts with a cycle count and a calendar limit, not lifetime components.
- Clean and dry after use, and store buckets off the yoke with the lid removed.
Buying a used rotor: a short checklist
- Confirm the exact rotor designation and the centrifuge model it will mount in — not just the brand.
- Ask whether buckets, lids and adapters are included, and how many.
- Ask for the manufacture or commissioning date and estimated cycle count.
- Inspect photographs of the hub bore, bucket pivot pins and the inside of each bucket for corrosion.
- Buy from a seller who tests, describes condition accurately and accepts returns.
Every rotor we list is inspected and photographed, ships within one business day and is covered by our 30-day return policy.
Browse all centrifuge rotors and buckets · Browse centrifuges · Cannot find your rotor? Ask us to source it
Frequently asked questions
Are centrifuge rotors interchangeable between brands?
Almost never. The rotor mounts to a drive spindle with a manufacturer-specific geometry, and the centrifuge's imbalance detection and speed control are calibrated to approved rotors. A small number of third-party rotors, such as certain Thermo Fiberlite models, are explicitly certified for more than one brand of centrifuge, but you must confirm this in the rotor's own documentation rather than assume it.
How do I find out which rotor my centrifuge takes?
Read the exact model and suffix from the instrument's serial-number label, then consult the rotor compatibility table in the operating manual for that model. The tables on this page cover the most common benchtop instruments from Eppendorf, Thermo Scientific and Beckman Coulter as a starting point.
Do swing-out rotors come with buckets?
Usually not. Rotor yokes and buckets are separate part numbers, and buckets frequently account for more than half the total cost. Always confirm how many buckets, adapters and covers are included before purchasing.
What does the rotor name mean?
Most manufacturers encode the configuration. Eppendorf's FA-45-30-11 is a fixed-angle rotor at 45 degrees with 30 places for 11 mm tubes; A-4-81 is a swing-out rotor with 4 buckets. Thermo's TX-400 is a swinging bucket rotor for 4 × 400 mL. Beckman's SX4750 is a swinging bucket rotor for 4 × 750 mL.
How long does a centrifuge rotor last?
Rotors are fatigue-limited and carry a defined service life in cycles and in years. Eppendorf, for example, rates many fixed-angle rotors for around 100,000 cycles or 15 years and certain swing-out rotors for roughly 34,000 cycles or 7 years. Corrosion, chemical attack and mechanical damage all shorten this, so inspect any used rotor carefully and check its commissioning date.
Can I run a rotor at its full rated speed in any compatible centrifuge?
No. The same rotor is often derated in different instruments. The Beckman SX4750, for instance, is rated at 4,750 rpm in an Allegra X-15R with tube-and-bottle buckets but only 3,750 rpm in an Allegra X-12 series. Multiwell-plate carriers reduce the limit further. Always use the rating for your specific instrument and bucket configuration.
Is it safe to buy a used centrifuge rotor?
It can be, provided you know its age, its cycle history and its physical condition. Inspect the hub bore, bucket pivots and bucket interiors for corrosion and pitting, verify the rotor has not exceeded its service life, and replace O-rings and seals before use. Buy from sellers who test equipment and accept returns.