SpectraMax Spectrophotometers for UV-Vis Absorbance Detection
The SpectraMax® absorbance spectrophotometers and plate readers provide the versatility and convenience for a wide range of assays such as ELISAs, nucleic acid and protein quantitation, and microbial growth.
Our absorbance plate readers feature our PathCheck Sensor technology and industry-leading SoftMax® Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software. They can be combined with our StakMax® Microplate Stacker and can be easily integrated with leading partner robotic systems.
We also provide GxP compliance and validation tools for optimal GLP/GMP lab performance.
Our featured SpectraMax ABS/ABS Plus Microplate Readers
The SpectraMax ABS/ABS Plus Microplate Readers provide fast absorbance detection without the use of filters with monochromator-based wavelength selection for visible and UV-visible absorbance.
EIGHT-CHANNEL
OPTICS
MICROPLATES OR
CUVETTES
PATHCHECK SENSOR
TECHNOLOGY
SoftMax Pro
Software
GxP Compliance
& Validation
Robotic
Automation
Absorbance applications and assays
With more than 40 years of plate reader expertise and life science research, we’ve amassed an extensive collection of application-focused content in our Resource Hub. Our featured absorbance application notes include:
- Cell Viability, Cytotoxicity, Cell Proliferation
- -MTT Assays
- -XTT Assays
- -MTS Assays
- DNA/RNA Quantitation
- Enzyme Kinetics, Bacterial / Microbial Growth
- Endotoxin Assays
- ELISA / Immunoassays
- -Quantifying antigens, antibodies, cytokines, etc.
- Food and Beverage Applications
- Micro-volume Applications
- Protein Quantitation
- -BCA Assays
- -Bradford Assays
- -Lowry Assays
Absorbance single-mode reader product comparison
| WAVELENGTH RANGES |
| MICROPLATE TYPES |
| READING SPEED |
| CUVETTE PORT |
| PHOTOMETRIC ACCURACY (Microplate/Cuvette) |
| SHAKING |
|
SpectraMax QuickDrop
Micro-Volume Spectrophotometer 
Micro-volume absorbance spectrophotometer with a sample port for small volumes, and a cuvette port |
EMax Plus
Microplate Reader 
Microplate reader with eight filter options for 96-well plates |
|
SpectraMax 190
Microplate Reader 
UV-visible absorbance microplate reader with endpoint, kinetic, and spectral scanning reads for 96-well plates |
SpectraMax ABS
Microplate Reader 
Fast absorbance detection without the use of filters for 96-well plates |
SpectraMax Plus 384
Microplate Reader 
UV-visible absorbance detection for cuvettes, 96- and 384-well microplates |
SpectraMax ABS Plus
Microplate Reader 
Fast UV-visible absorbance detection without the use of filters, using cuvettes, 96- and 384-well microplates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
190 - 1100 nm |
400 - 750 nm |
340 - 850 nm |
190 - 850 nm |
340 - 850 nm |
190 - 1000 nm |
190 - 1000 nm |
|
N/A |
96 well plates |
96 well plates |
96 well Plates |
96 well plates |
96 and 384 well plates |
96 and 384 well plates |
|
96 wells: 4 seconds |
96 wells: 40 seconds |
96 wells: 9 seconds |
96 wells: 9 seconds |
96 wells: 9 seconds |
96 well: 9/5 seconds 384 well: 29/16 seconds |
96 well: 9/5 seconds 384 well: 29/16 seconds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
±0.005 A or 1% of the reading |
0.5% at 450 nm |
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD |
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD |
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–3 OD |
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD < ±0.005 OD ±1.0%, 0–2 OD |
< ±0.006 OD ±1.0%, 0–3 OD < ±0.005 OD ±1.0%, 0–3 OD |
|
|
|
Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
What’s the difference between an absorbance spectrophotometer and a microplate reader?
A standard spectrophotometer measures the absorbance of one sample at a time. The sample is typically placed in a cuvette through which light is sent horizontally. An absorbance plate reader offers higher throughput and can measure the absorbance of samples in microplates (typically 96-well or even 384-well) by sending light through each well vertically.
SpectraMax QuickDrop Micro-Volume Spectrophotometer
Rapid, accurate DNA, RNA, and protein quantitation in a one-touch, full-spectrum micro-volume absorbance reader.
Learn moreFeatured absorbance resources
Multi-mode microplate readers with absorbance detection
A single-mode plate reader is a good starting point. However, an upgradeable multi-mode reader which includes absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence can address all your future lab needs.
Customer Breakthrough
Université Catholique de Louvain uses our SpectraMax absorbance and multi-mode readers to help fight biofilms.
Learn more