Best Lab General Purpose Incubators of 2026

Brian Howie Avatar
Brian Howie
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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Lab general purpose incubators are essential equipment for any laboratory that requires a controlled environment for the growth and maintenance of cell cultures and microorganisms. These incubators come in various sizes and models with different features, such as temperature and humidity control, automatic alarms, and programmable settings. They are ideal for applications in microbiology, biotechnology, and life science research. With their reliable and consistent performance, lab general purpose incubators provide a stable environment for cell growth and research experiments, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

IVYX Scientific 5L Incubator Cover #TOP 1
IVYX Scientific 5L Incubator
ftb score rating icon 9.8
VEVOR 6L PID Lab Incubator Cover #TOP 2
VEVOR 6L PID Lab Incubator
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Kiarixo 20L Lab Incubator Cover #TOP 3
Kiarixo 20L Lab Incubator
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Lab General Purpose Incubators

#TOP 1

IVYX Scientific 5L Incubator

IVYX-INCUB5L
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IVYX Scientific 5L Incubator Cover
IVYX Scientific 5L Incubator - Precise Temperature Control from 0°C to +55°C, 12V DC / 110V AC

The IVYX 5L Incubator by IVYX Scientific is a versatile lab general purpose incubator that offers precise temperature control from 0°C to +55°C. With its small footprint and 5L capacity, it is perfect for a variety of science projects, including growing yeast for sourdough bread making. The incubator can be set as a refrigerator or warm incubator, providing convenience for different experiments. Its precise temperature control in increments of 1°C ensures accurate and consistent results. Additionally, the IVYX 5L Incubator can both heat and cool, allowing it to cool down ~23°C below ambient temperature or heat up to 55°C. With its portable design and included 110V power cord and 12V car adapter, it can be used on the go, making it a convenient choice for scientists and researchers.

What We Like
Versatile
Precise temperature control
Can both heat and cool
#TOP 2

VEVOR 6L PID Lab Incubator

303-00A
WHITE
VEVOR 6L PID Lab Incubator Cover
VEVOR Lab Incubator, 6L, PID Temperature Control RT+5-65℃, Scientific Digital Incubator, Constant-Temperature Microbiological Laboratory Incubator for Lab Cell Culture Seed Germination Medical Science

The VEVOR Lab Incubator is designed to meet your laboratory needs with its 6L capacity, making it easy to transport and providing ample space for various biological cultures. With intelligent PID temperature control, you can make precise temperature adjustments, ensuring that your samples are kept at the perfect conditions. The thermal convection system promotes even heating throughout the chamber, which is essential for consistent results in your experiments. Additionally, its durable construction with cold-rolled steel and stainless steel ensures that it can withstand the rigors of a lab environment, making it a reliable choice for your scientific endeavors.

What We Like
Portable 6L capacity
Precise temperature control
Even temperature distribution
Durable construction
#TOP 3

Kiarixo 20L Lab Incubator

ANLC-Ftuj5U
White, Blue
Kiarixo 20L Lab Incubator Cover
Lab Incubator 20L, Bacterial Incubator Rt-65℃ Scientific Lab Incubator, Incubators for Hatching Eggs Microbiological Laboratory Incubator,Egg Incubator for Bacterial Culture Seed Small Reptiles

The Kiarixo Lab Incubator offers precise digital temperature control, keeping your samples at a steady temperature between 32-149℉ (0-65℃) using advanced PID technology. This means you can trust it to provide a reliable environment for hatching eggs or growing bacterial cultures. Its hot air circulation system ensures even heat distribution, so everything inside warms uniformly for consistent results. The incubator also features double silicone sealing strips that help maintain temperature by reducing heat loss, making your incubation more efficient. Plus, with a sturdy steel build and a clear glass door, you can easily monitor your samples without disturbing the environment.

What We Like
Precise digital temperature control
Even heat circulation system
Double silicone sealing strips
Durable steel construction
Clear glass viewing door
#TOP 4

Happybuy 25L Black Reptile Incubator

Inkubator 25L
Black
Happybuy 25L Black Reptile Incubator Cover
Happybuy Black Reptile Incubator 25L Scientific Lab Incubator Digital Incubator Cooling and Heating 5-42°C Reptile Egg Incubator 12V/110V Work for Small Reptiles

The Happybuy Reptile Incubator offers precise temperature control, allowing you to set temperatures between 5°C and 42°C to create the perfect environment for your reptiles. Its bright LED display shows the current temperature clearly, so you always know the conditions inside. With a roomy 25-liter chamber and a built-in handle, this incubator is easy to carry and provides ample space for your needs. The convenient power switch lets you turn the unit on or off without disturbing the incubation process, and the glass door lets you check on your reptiles without opening the incubator. This makes caring for your reptiles easier and more efficient.

What We Like
Precise temperature control
Clear LED temperature display
Large 25L capacity
Portable with handle
Glass door visibility
#TOP 5

Benchmark Scientific H2200-H MyTemp Mini Digital Incubator

Benchmark Scientific H2200-H MyTemp Mini Digital Incubator Cover
Benchmark Scientific H2200-H MyTemp Mini Digital Incubator, 0.75 Cubic Foot/20L Capacity, Heat only, Ambient + 1 to 60 Degrees C Temperature Range, 100-240V, with US Plug

The Benchmark MyTemp Mini Incubator offers a compact 20-liter space, perfect for keeping your samples at a steady temperature. It allows you to set temperatures from just above room temperature up to 60°C, making it flexible for various needs. The incubator maintains temperature consistency within a tight range, ensuring your samples stay reliable and stable. An easy-to-read LED panel shows the current temperature inside, so you always know the conditions your samples are in. This user-friendly design helps you manage your work efficiently and confidently.

What We Like
Compact 20L capacity
Wide temperature range
Precise temperature control
Clear LED temperature display
#TOP 6

RYFT 25L Portable Reptile Incubator

White
White
25 Liter
RYFT 25L Portable Reptile Incubator Cover
RYFT Incubators for Hatching Eggs, 25L Portable Reptile Scientific Lab Incubator with 5°C-60°C, 12V/110V Heating and Cooling for Small Reptiles (White)

The RYFT Reptile Incubator offers precise temperature control, letting you set the temperature anywhere between 5°C and 60°C (41°F to 140°F). This makes it easy to create the perfect environment for hatching your eggs. With a spacious 25-liter capacity and two adjustable shelves, you can incubate multiple eggs at once, saving you time and effort. The LED digital display shows the current temperature clearly and allows for simple adjustments, so you always know the conditions inside. Plus, its portable design with a handy top handle means you can easily move the incubator wherever you need it.

What We Like
Accurate temperature control
Large 25-liter capacity
Clear LED digital display
Portable with top handle
#TOP 7

VEVOR 20L Lab Incubator PID Control

XYJ-20L
Grayish
VEVOR 20L Lab Incubator PID Control Cover
VEVOR 20L Lab Incubator, RT+5-65℃ PID Temperature Control, Scientific Digital Incubator, Constant-Temperature Microbiological Laboratory Incubator for Lab Cell Culture Seed Germination Medical Science

The VEVOR Lab Incubator 20L offers you a spacious 20-liter chamber with two adjustable shelves, giving you plenty of room to culture microorganisms or grow cells for your experiments. Its smart PID temperature control lets you set and maintain the temperature within a tight range, ensuring your samples stay stable and accurate. Thanks to the thermal convection system, warm air circulates evenly inside, so your samples receive consistent heat without cold spots. Made with a strong steel exterior and stainless steel interior, this incubator is built to last and handle the demands of any lab environment, providing you with reliable performance day after day.

What We Like
20L adjustable shelving
Precise PID temperature control
Even heat distribution
Durable steel construction
#TOP 8

4E's USA Dry Bath Incubator Single Block

TC040
4E's USA Dry Bath Incubator Single Block Cover
4E's USA Dry Bath Incubator - Single Block Programmable Lab Dry Bath Incubator, Digital Dry Block Incubator Heater with External Temperature Sensor, Max 150° C - Blocks not Included

The 4E's USA Dry Bath Incubator is designed to offer a wide temperature range, reaching up to 150°C, which makes it ideal for many lab tasks requiring precise heating. Its modular block system allows you to tailor the incubator to your specific needs, providing flexibility for different sample types. You can run experiments for extended periods, up to 99 hours, which is perfect for lengthy procedures. Plus, it heats up quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to start your work. This combination of features ensures you get reliable and efficient performance for your lab work.

What We Like
Wide temperature range
Customizable modular blocks
Long operation time
Fast heating
#TOP 9

VEVOR Lab Incubator 20L Bacteria Incubator

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VEVOR Lab Incubator 20L Bacteria Incubator Cover
VEVOR Lab Incubator 20L Bacteria Incubator RT+5-65℃ Scientific Digital Incubator PID Temperature Control Microbiological Laboratory Incubator for Bacterial Culture Seed Germination Medical Science

The VEVOR Lab Incubator is a high-quality scientific digital incubator designed for bacterial culture, seed germination, and medical science. Its excellent quality is evident in its construction, with a steel plate exterior and a 304 stainless steel inner tank. The adjustable shelf bracket and transparent window ensure safety and temperature consistency. The incubator features intelligent PID control, combining fuzzy theory with the traditional PID method for fast and stable control. The digital display makes it easy to read. With its thermal convection system, the incubator ensures uniform temperature inside and excellent heating effect, capable of heating samples up to 65°C. Its double sealing strips provide proper sealing and reduce temperature changes caused by heat loss. Suitable for various applications, this incubator is ideal for bacterial and microorganism cultivation in agricultural and animal husbandry research, scientific research, universities, and colleges.

What We Like
High-quality construction
Intelligent PID control
Thermal convection system
#TOP 10

GAOMON RT-65℃ 20L Lab Incubator

GAOMON RT-65℃ 20L Lab Incubator Cover
GAOMON Lab Incubator 20L Incubator RT-65℃ Scientific Digital Incubator PID Temperature Control Laboratory Incubator for Culture Seed Germination Medical Science

The GAOMON Lab Incubator offers a sturdy design with a cold-rolled steel exterior and a stainless steel interior, ensuring durability and easy cleaning for your lab work. Its two adjustable shelves let you customize the space to fit your samples comfortably. The incubator uses smart PID temperature control, which keeps the heat steady and accurate, so you can trust your experiments to be consistent. A thick tempered glass window with double silicone seals helps maintain a stable temperature by reducing heat loss, while allowing you to check on your samples without opening the door. This makes the GAOMON Lab Incubator a reliable choice for precise temperature control in your research.

What We Like
Durable steel construction
Adjustable shelving
Accurate PID temperature control
Tempered glass window
Stable temperature sealing
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the different types of laboratory incubators?

There are various types of laboratory incubators, including bottle roller/tube roller, CO2 incubator/cell culture incubator, dry bath incubator/dry block heater, hybridization incubator, hypoxia incubator/hyperoxia incubators, hypoxic chamber, incubators and microbiology incubators, and laboratory bioreactors and fermenters.

2. What is the difference between a lab oven and a lab incubator?

A lab oven is used for applications like drying, material testing, curing, and heated storage, providing uniform temperature throughout the chamber. In contrast, a lab incubator provides a temperature-controlled environment specifically for supporting the growth of microbiological cultures.

3. What laboratory section mostly uses incubator?

The microbiology lab is the primary section that extensively uses incubators. These temperature-controlled chambers are crucial for growing and maintaining microbial cultures.

4. What is the primary reason that a laboratory incubator requires regular cleaning and sanitizing?

Regular cleaning and sanitizing of a laboratory incubator are necessary to minimize contaminants and dirt. Opening the incubator door can introduce contaminants, so cleaning the lab at least once or twice a month helps maintain a clean environment. It is important to clean and disinfect other lab equipment like biological safety cabinets (BSCs), water baths, centrifuges, and microscopes as well.

5. What are the three main types of incubators?

The three main types of incubators are poultry incubators, infant incubators, and bacteriological incubators.

6. Can a laboratory oven be used as an incubator?

No, a laboratory oven and an incubator are designed for different uses in the lab. A laboratory oven provides uniform temperature for applications like drying and storage, while an incubator creates a controlled environment specifically for the growth of microbiological cultures.

7. What are the two most common types of artificial incubators?

The two most common types of artificial incubators are forced-air incubators and still-air incubators. Forced-air incubators have fans for internal air circulation and can have large capacities. Still-air incubators are usually smaller and do not have fans for air circulation.

8. What are 5 uses of incubator in laboratory?

Incubators in the laboratory are used for various purposes, including growing cell cultures, reproducing germ colonies for germ count in the food industry, determining biochemical oxygen demand in wastewater monitoring, reproducing microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses, and more.

9. What is the protocol for incubator sterilization?

The protocol for incubator sterilization involves dry heat sterilization at 180°C for 4 hours. This process can effectively kill a wide range of microorganisms, including toughened endospores. Some incubators feature a dry heat decontamination cycle that maintains a temperature of 180°C for two hours.

Editor's Notes

During our lab general purpose incubator research, we found 24 lab general purpose incubator products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,383 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lab general purpose incubators list. We found that most customers choose lab general purpose incubators with an average price of $218.90.

The lab general purpose incubators are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lab general purpose incubators, including IVYX Scientific, VEVOR, Kiarixo, Happybuy, Benchmark Scientific. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 164 consumers with an average rating of 4.6.

Written by
Brian Howie Avatar

Brian Howie is a content writer and senior industrial designer. After graduation from Westminster College, he has been engaged in product design and manufacturing for 18 years. Brian Howie has always found great pleasure in designing industrial products and sharing his ideas and experience online.