Low-Retention vs Standard Pipette Tips: Which Should You Buy?

Pipette tips look simple, but the wrong tip can quietly cost you sample, accuracy and money. The biggest decision is usually between standard and low-retention tips.

What “low retention” means

Low-retention tips use a more hydrophobic polypropylene surface, so viscous or detergent-containing liquids leave less residue inside the tip. More of your sample ends up in the tube instead of the bin.

When low-retention tips are worth it

• Enzymes, master mixes and glycerol-containing reagents
• Protein samples and detergent buffers
• Precious or low-volume samples
• Assays where small volume errors matter, such as qPCR set-up

When standard tips are fine

• Aqueous buffers and media
• Routine transfers where small losses don’t matter
• High-volume teaching or QC work where cost per tip is key

Other choices to get right

Check compatibility

Always confirm the tip is compatible with your pipette brand and volume range — a poor seal causes more error than any tip coating can fix.

Not sure which tip fits your pipette? Send us the pipette model and volume range and we will recommend compatible options.