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.
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.
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:
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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±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 |
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Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
Linear |
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.
Rapid, accurate DNA, RNA, and protein quantitation in a one-touch, full-spectrum micro-volume absorbance reader.
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Customer Breakthrough
Université Catholique de Louvain uses our SpectraMax absorbance and multi-mode readers to help fight biofilms.
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