Sample storage in the lab is not limited to the freezer. The process of sample storage includes the right selection of vessels, a reliable labeling/ identification of your samples, robust freezer boxes and racks, a convenient sample management tool, the freezer itself, and freezer performance monitoring systems.
Still, the freezer is the core of your sample storage system:
Eppendorf offers different lines of -80 °C lab freezers to meet a variety of needs. Depending on the approach, there are different questions to answer before you select your Ultra-Low-Temperature freezer, also known as ULT freezer to store your freezer boxes and your valuable samples:

Do you need an upright freezer or a chest freezer to store your freezer boxes?
Do you want a foam-insulated freezer wall enforced by vacuum insulation panels or is foam sufficient?
Which footprint in the lab is sufficient and/ or acceptable?
When choosing an upright freezer, do you need a 3- or 5-compartment instrument?
Do you need a future-proof freezer with green cooling liquids as R290/ R170?
Do you want to connect your ULT freezer?

As your ULT freezer is a longterm investment, a careful planning and validation is recommended.We want to provide you with high performance, sample safety, and convenience.

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It’s 2 a.m. in the morning & and the phone rings...

»There is an alarm in your lab, you‘d better come over…«
Due to the 50,000 valuable samples in your freezer, you rushed to the lab. Finally, the temperature was still ok, false alarm but you were done for the day. Just imagine, you get an alarm notification of VisioNize by email about your freezer, and in the next step, you log into the system and check online the temperature graph and the events of your freezer – still being at home. Then, you can still decide if you have to go to the lab or if you still have some hours - or if it is again a false alarm.

Your freezer becomes a smart storage with VisioNize keeping your valuable samples safe. VisioNize offers you the possibility to remotely monitor your freezer. Take advantage of customizable notifications to meet your needs. More peace of mind for "You and Your Lab" with VisioNize.

Important note:
Depending on your country, VisioNize and the VisioNize services may not be available. You can either check the Eppendorf eShop or contact your Eppendorf sales representative for details.

Learn more about VisioNize

Air-conditioning at the limit? Go for water-cooling

You can improve the conditions and comfort in your lab while saving energy by installing a water-cooled Eppendorf freezer. Many ULT freezers use the air in the laboratory to extract heat energy from the freezer’s heat exchanger. Another option is to use a water-cooled ULT freezer connected to a facility’s recirculating water system. A constant stream of water removes the heat from the heat exchanger, rather than the ambient air in the lab.

Reduce air conditioning power consumption by letting the water carry away the heat
The heated cooling water can be reused for other heat demanding systems in the facility

System specifications:

Minimum flow: 29 L/h
Inlet pressure: 1 – 10 bar
Temperature range of water: 7 °C to 25 °C

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Air or Water?

Reliable -80°C are generated by passive support (i.e. insulation or gaskets) as well as by active cooling via the compressors. The compressors are...

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The Core of Cooling - The Compressors

Within a ULT freezer, there are parts which support cooling passively (e.g. insulation or gaskets) as well as active cooling parts as the compressors...

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Footprint Versus Efficiency

ULT freezers are available as upright freezer or chest freezers. Both design have pros and cons...

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Annoyed by uncomfortable handling?

Ergonomics is far beyond the »ergonomically designed chair«. Eppendorf started to optimize the laboratory devices regarding ergonomics already in the early 1970s.
In 2003, we started the PhysioCare Concept, focusing on ergonomic liquid handling devices like our pipettes.
Nowadays, the Eppendorf PhysioCare Concept is broaden up to include further laboratory products as a holistic solution to harmonize the workflow in your laboratory with your health and well-being, e.g. for the Eppendorf ULT freezer:

Intuitive interface for easy handling
Automatic vent port for easy re-access to samples
Low noise level for convenient working conditions
Ergonomic door handle for easy opening and closing
All cable interfaces are located at one corner for convenient access

More about the Eppendorf PhysioCare Concept

Ergonomics in daily work

The main focus of our ULT freezer door handle is to provide you the best ergonomics we can design. Especially the new door handle of the CryoCube models is based on the Eppendorf PhysioCare Concept: Safe grip but very light forces are needed to open and close the freezer door.

Cost of ownership

When investing in a new freezer, the product price itself is only one aspect. Others include the long-term costs of power consumption and the costs of service and spare parts. Keep in mind, a high-quality freezer will do its job in the lab for 10 years or more.

Lost in samples? Stay organized!

Over many years, you collect hundreds and thousands of samples – samples that are the results of years of hard work – samples of high value. When storing these in the ULT freezer at -80°C, it is vital to keep them safe and accessible.
Many scientists still use spreadsheets or even paper-based lists to keep track of their storage. While these solutions may work most of the time, they are susceptible to human error, damage, and misplacement. Keep track of your samples with eLabInventory.
eLabInventory is a sample management software.

Start a free 30-day trial!

Eppendorf offers three lines of freezers to meet a variety of needs:

The Eppendorf High-Efficiency ULT Freezers are one of the best energy-efficient freezers in the market. The vacuum insulation panel technology is the core: an advanced thermal insulation technology that significantly outperforms traditional materials such as closed-cell foams (urethane), foam beads, and fiber blankets. Vacuum insulation removes gasses within the insulating space to reduce heat transfer; as a result, thermal insulation performance far exceeds traditional materials. Other freezers use vacuum insulation panel technology, but none use Vacupor NT®.

Vacupor panels not only provide exceptional thermal insulation, they have a metal-coated polymer film barrier seal to maintain vacuum and they are composed of biodegradable, CFC-free, and HCFC-free materials.
The Eppendorf Innova® ULT Freezers combine ultra-efficient insulation panels with foam insulation, generating a maximized storage capacity.
The Eppendorf ULT Freezers have established a reputation for preserving outstanding sample quality while minimizing energy consumption.

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Would you like to find out more about Eppendorf and sustainability

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Which factors influence the sustainability of a freezer?

Sustainability for ULT freezers is a challenge: Maintaining extremely low temperatures of -80°C or even -86°C for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week requires energy.
The stored sample need to be safe: When the freezer door has been opened, you expect a fast recovery back to -80°C. Efficient cooling is requires energy as well as powerful compressor systems.
There are multiple factors influencing the energy consumption of a lab freezer for ultra-low temperatures:

Thickness of insulation
Type of insulation
Type of cooling liquids
Efficiency of compressors

Pressure in cooling system

Style of cooling loops (diameter, length, density, ...)

Sealings of outer door

Sealings of inner doors

Insulation of inner doors

Insulation of outer doors

Out part for sustainability

Eppendorf constantly validates and improves production processes for a better sustainability footprint.

Production moved into new building with state-of-the-art building insulation to save heating energy and power
Heat output during final individual unit testing discharges building heating system
Plastic and cardboard compactors introduced and waste rebate system in place
Local requirements for waste management (collection of electronic waste like circuit boards, recycling via authorized recycling organizations) and internal guidelines
Experience in usage of green cooling liquids in Eppendorf ULT freezers for more than 12 years
Packaging parts have increasing share of recycled origin, the cardboard is made of up to 70% recycled material
Packaging is more than 99% recyclable (wood, cardboard, PE-foil)
REACH + RoHS compliant
ENERGY STAR® Partner
ACT/ My Green Lab partner
Marketing material is printed on certified paper, focus on pdf wherever possible
Shipment of freezers by cargo ship to reduce CO2 footprint

Focusing on sustainability?

The "h" versions are the green flagships - by using hydrocarbon-based cooling liquids (R290/R170), the power consumption is further reduced compared to classic cooling systems.
CryoCube F740 models are also validated by the ACT concept of "My Green lab". The CryoCube F740hi and F740hiw are certified by ENERGY STAR^® .

Remember 2008?

As being one of the very first movers for green gases at -86°C, Eppendorf has now more than 13 years of experience in R&D, production, logistics, and service in the field.
In 2008, the (Eppendorf) New Brunswick Premium U570h was one of the very first commercially available ULT freezers driven by green cooling liquids.

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Optimieren Sie Ihre Lagerprozesse bei -80° C!

-80°C is needed for storage of many high-value samples but ULT freezers consume energy - how can we optimize the usage of ULT freezers? The…

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CFC, HFC, HC? – Just a Green One, Please.

Global warming is a challenge for all of us to work together to overcome. Besides direct CO2 emissions, the hydrofluorocarbons used...

Cleaning Needs of Freezer Obvious?

When the snowman or glacier within the ULT freezer is greeting you, there is definitely some work to do. Clean and well-maintained freezers provide more space, let you easily find samples, and save energy due to optimal cooling conditions.

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Sustainability and economics

ULT freezers run 24/7. They have to. Many equipment manufacturers and customers alike have recently put an emphasis on energy efficiency. For Eppendorf freezers, this has been a prime concern for years. ULT freezers are virtually never turned off and compared to other lab systems can draw a high amount of energy to maintain the very low temperatures required for sample preservation. Optimized insulation, highly efficient compressor systems, and smart control technology within our last generational update resulted in:

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The old Premium U570 versus the CryoCube F570:
11.8 kWh/day versus 10.5 kWh/day = 15 % less energy consumption

The old HEF U570 versus the CryoCube F570h:
8.9 kWh/day versus 7.6 kWh/day = 14 % less energy consumption

The old Premium C660 versus the CryoCube FC660:
14.3 kWh/day versus 10.6 kWh/day = 25 % less energy consumption

The old HEF C660 versus the CryoCube FC660h:
11.4 kWh/day versus 8.1 kWh/day = 29 % less energy consumption

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Pit stop needed?

Taking care of your freezer can help ensure optimal storage of your samples for years to come.
In addition to our extensive standard warranty, Eppendorf offers ULT Freezer Performance Plans to suit your lab’s needs while enhancing your peace of mind. You can choose between essential function checks, preventive maintenance plans, or Installation and Operational (IQ/OQ) certification services. Protect your priceless samples!

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Disposal of packaging

The packaging of the ULT freezer contains different materials, this includes a wooden pallet, cardboard, a plastic dust cover, and some foam parts. Recycling of materials becomes more and more important every day: Are you aware that nearly all cardboard material is recycled in Europe? Our freezer packaging cardboard material consists of ca. 70% recycling material. Please support the global sustainability initiative of recycling valuable raw material by also collecting the freezer cardboard packaging material and disposing of it in the appropriate collection container at your organization. In respect to the plastic dust cover made of LD-PE and the foam parts, we recommend to select a dedicated recycling partner where material can be recycled. We suggest you contact your local waste hauler or facility management team to understand the available recycling options for your organization.

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Eppendorf Services for your freezers

ULT Freezer Service

Get your service to protect your priceless samples! Find out more about our plans.

More about Freezer Service

Product registrierung

Bonus points and much more. Scan now and benefit easily with the Eppendorf App.

More about Product registrierung

Contact us!

Are you interested in one of our products, would you like a demo, order a sample or be contacted by one of our sales representatives?

Or do you have a question, suggestion or message?

Then talk to us and use the contact form.

ULT Freezers

How to select a -80 °C freezer for my lab?

It’s 2 a.m. in the morning & and the phone rings...

Air-conditioning at the limit? Go for water-cooling