A PCR tube is small and thin-walled so heat moves through it fast. A microcentrifuge tube is larger, with a lid made to stay shut while it spins.
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| PCR tube | Microcentrifuge tube | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mL | 0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 mL |
| Walls | Thin, for fast, even heat transfer | Built not to break under high g-force |
| Lid | Seals against evaporation during cycling | Hinged lid made to stay closed in the rotor |
| Formats | Single tubes, 8-tube strips, plates | Single tubes |
| Made for | A thermal cycler block | Spinning, mixing and storing samples |
A thermal cycler heats and cools the block many times per run. Eppendorf makes its PCR tubes with thin polypropylene walls so heat passes through quickly and evenly.
A microcentrifuge tube does the opposite job. Eppendorf's Safe-Lock tubes have a hinged lid that locks so it can't pop open during a spin, and walls built to resist breaking.
The two don't swap in a cycler. Home cyclers such as the miniPCR mini8X hold 0.2 mL tubes, so a 1.5 mL tube won't go in the block at all.
Eppendorf recommends domed caps for a tighter seal under a heated lid, and flat caps when a real-time PCR machine has to read light through the top.
Tubes sold only as "0.2 mL microcentrifuge tubes" for sample storage don't say they are thin-walled. For PCR, buy tubes sold as PCR tubes.
The rotor or adapter each maker lists for 1.5, 2.0 and 0.2 mL tubes, with its source.
Buy on Amazon 1.5 mL tubes, 500
6 mm adapter, pack of 8
Buy from Test Equipment Depot OHAUS 30129561, 0.2 mL adapter, pack of 8
up to 32 tubes
Buy on Amazon 0.2 mL tubes, 1000
Buy on Amazon 1.5 mL tubes, 500
2 strips
Buy on Amazon 0.2 mL PCR 8-strips, 200
pack of 8
Source: SCILOGEX, 2025 product catalog
Buy on Amazon 1.5 mL tubes, 500
Buy on Amazon 0.2 mL tubes, 1000
six included
Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific, mySPIN 6 mini centrifuge, 75004061
A tube that fits the rotor hole may still need an adapter. Check your rotor and the adapter its maker lists for that tube size before you run it.
Confirm fit in your model's manual before use. A rotor that doesn't fit can fail at speed.
BKMAMLAB's 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes come 500 to a bag, sterilized with ethylene oxide, with marks every 0.25 mL on the side.
MUHWA sells 0.2 mL PCR tubes with flat caps, 1,000 to a bag, made of polypropylene.
500 sterile 1.5 mL polypropylene tubes with snap caps and 0.25 mL marks, sterilized with ethylene oxide.
1,000 clear 0.2 mL polypropylene PCR tubes with attached flat caps.
