More scientists worldwide trust their valuable cultures to Thermo Scientific CO2 incubators than any other brand. They depend on proven reliability, outstanding contamination prevention, and optimal growing conditions—and we deliver.
The Thermo Scientific CO2 incubators offer multiple large capacity solutions for higher volume and throughput scale up applications. The Heracell VIOS 250i CO2 incubators provide a premium clean room compatible solution where cultures can grow in a controlled, protected environment. Optional variable oxygen control allows for precise control of the culture environment which is critical particularly with more sensitive cells. ISO Class 5 HEPA filtration for airborne contamination protection as well as proven, overnight 180 C sterilization cycle keep the environment protected against contamination.
Browse our complete portfolio below, or let one of our experts help you tailor a selection specific to your application and workflow needs.
Quick links
Optimal cell growth
Decades of innovation and expertise mean our CO2 incubators mimic in vivo conditions and reduce experimental variability.
Contamination control
Innovative technologies protect incubator air, surfaces, and humidification reservoirs for added security to limit the loss of time and resources caused by contamination.
Advanced design
Advanced features, configurations, and options are available to tailor your incubator to your application needs and to simplify your workflow.
Choose your ideal CO2 incubator
The Thermo Scientific CO2 incubator portfolio offers an outstanding selection of incubator designs and features. Choose from different chamber types, materials, sizes, and options to fit your application and workflow needs.
Choose between a direct heat or a water jacketed chamber that can be configured with CO2 or CO2/O2 control.
Efficient high-performance heaters located on every chamber surface provide even temperature distribution throughout the entire chamber. Choose the lightweight convenience of direct heat technology with available high temperature sterilization for easy cleaning.
Unique triple wall construction provides outstanding temperature stability supplied by dual layers of water and high-quality insulation. Choose the added security of a water jacketed chamber for temperature stability and protection against unexpected power outages.
Our CO2 incubators are built with high-quality and durable 304 stainless steel chambers and interior components.
- Highly resistant to corrosion
- Sturdy adjustable shelves, easily removed without tools
- Electropolished stainless steel in selected models for improved finish and resistance
More cell culture professionals are choosing CO2 incubators with 100% pure copper interiors.
- Naturally easy-to-clean, no special handling required
- Copper surfaces provide long service life and are safe for cultured cells
- Durability, reliability, and recyclability makes copper a smart, sustainable choice
Many cell types thrive in oxygen controlled (or “tri-gas”) incubators which allow you to select an O2 range to simulate hypoxic or hyperoxic conditions which can mimic their in vivo state.
- Stem and primary cells generally grow faster, live longer, and show less stress
- Better simulate tumor microenvironments for cancer research
A breakthrough in cell culture management; divide the incubator interior into six individual, autoclavable polycarbonate chambers.
- Enhanced protection against cross contamination
- Maintain ideal environmental conditions through door openings
- Configure chambers by user, cell type, or project
Choose from a wide range of compact, standard, and large capacity incubators to fit your laboratory and application.
Compact (40L)
The Thermo Scientific Midi 40 CO2 Incubator is ideal for space constrained labs where small workloads or personalized workspaces are needed.
Standard (150–184L)
The most purchased capacity range of CO2 incubators offer a variety of chamber types and configurations..
- Conveniently stackable for space constrained labs
- Stainless steel or 100% pure copper chamber interiors
- Popular Heracell or Forma models
Large capacity (200–820L)
Choose a large capacity CO2 incubator for high-throughput and critical applications.
- Space to accommodate shakers, stirrers, or culture devices for large sample throughput
- Convenient external humidity reservoir and active rH control, ideal for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) applications
Choose from our most popular models and learn why scientists around the world consistently trust us for their CO2 incubator needs.
Proven protection from every direction
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 air quality
- On-demand overnight Steri-Run cycle for total sterilization (12 log)
- Easy to maintain 100% copper
The new standard in water jacketed CO2 incubators
- Enhanced temperature stability and uniformity
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 air quality
- Intuitive iCAN touchscreen for complete data visibility
Ultimate capacity and control for cGMP applications
- Choice of stackable 322 L or 232 L sizes
- External humidity reservoir with active control
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 clean air quality
Choose between a direct heat or a water jacketed chamber that can be configured with CO2 or CO2/O2 control.
Efficient high-performance heaters located on every chamber surface provide even temperature distribution throughout the entire chamber. Choose the lightweight convenience of direct heat technology with available high temperature sterilization for easy cleaning.
Unique triple wall construction provides outstanding temperature stability supplied by dual layers of water and high-quality insulation. Choose the added security of a water jacketed chamber for temperature stability and protection against unexpected power outages.
Our CO2 incubators are built with high-quality and durable 304 stainless steel chambers and interior components.
- Highly resistant to corrosion
- Sturdy adjustable shelves, easily removed without tools
- Electropolished stainless steel in selected models for improved finish and resistance
More cell culture professionals are choosing CO2 incubators with 100% pure copper interiors.
- Naturally easy-to-clean, no special handling required
- Copper surfaces provide long service life and are safe for cultured cells
- Durability, reliability, and recyclability makes copper a smart, sustainable choice
Many cell types thrive in oxygen controlled (or “tri-gas”) incubators which allow you to select an O2 range to simulate hypoxic or hyperoxic conditions which can mimic their in vivo state.
- Stem and primary cells generally grow faster, live longer, and show less stress
- Better simulate tumor microenvironments for cancer research
A breakthrough in cell culture management; divide the incubator interior into six individual, autoclavable polycarbonate chambers.
- Enhanced protection against cross contamination
- Maintain ideal environmental conditions through door openings
- Configure chambers by user, cell type, or project
Choose from a wide range of compact, standard, and large capacity incubators to fit your laboratory and application.
Compact (40L)
The Thermo Scientific Midi 40 CO2 Incubator is ideal for space constrained labs where small workloads or personalized workspaces are needed.
Standard (150–184L)
The most purchased capacity range of CO2 incubators offer a variety of chamber types and configurations..
- Conveniently stackable for space constrained labs
- Stainless steel or 100% pure copper chamber interiors
- Popular Heracell or Forma models
Large capacity (200–820L)
Choose a large capacity CO2 incubator for high-throughput and critical applications.
- Space to accommodate shakers, stirrers, or culture devices for large sample throughput
- Convenient external humidity reservoir and active rH control, ideal for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) applications
Choose from our most popular models and learn why scientists around the world consistently trust us for their CO2 incubator needs.
Proven protection from every direction
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 air quality
- On-demand overnight Steri-Run cycle for total sterilization (12 log)
- Easy to maintain 100% copper
The new standard in water jacketed CO2 incubators
- Enhanced temperature stability and uniformity
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 air quality
- Intuitive iCAN touchscreen for complete data visibility
Ultimate capacity and control for cGMP applications
- Choice of stackable 322 L or 232 L sizes
- External humidity reservoir with active control
- HEPA filtration for ISO Class 5 clean air quality
Key features to help you achieve your next discovery
Based on 60 years of engineering and design breakthroughs, our expertise is represented in key features that span our portfolio. Together these enhancements provide optimal cell growth, valuable contamination control technologies, and advanced design for highly critical applications, plus simplicity which allows you to spend more time pursuing your goals.
On-demand high temperature sterilization cycles for easy cleaning.
- Our designs are independently tested to meet U.S. and EU pharmacopeia standards
- Automatically radiates heat uniformly to all interior surfaces and quickly returns to selected operating conditions
- Simplifies cleaning without the need for autoclaving and eliminates variability in manual cleaning
- Independent third-party tests prove elimination of biological contaminants including fungi, spores, mycoplasma, and other bacteria
- Avoids physical constraints of UV germicidal lamps and ongoing costs, handling and storage of potentially toxic germicides
| Thermo Scientific ContraCon Sterilization Cycle | 140°C Sterilization Cycle | Thermo Scientific Steri-Run Sterilization Cycle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature type | 90°C moist heat cycle | 140°C dry heat cycle | 180°C dry heat cycle |
| Description | Push button simplicity without removal of sensors and components. | Overnight sterilization cycle with extended time at 140°C to achieve sterilization. | The new standard, an overnight cycle that reaches 180°C on all chamber surfaces. |
| Duration of sterilization cycle | 24–25 hours | 14 hours | 12 hours |
| Sterility assurance level (SAL) | 6 log | 12 log | 12 log |
| Independent validation | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Learn more: ContraCon Eliminates Contamination › |
Learn more: Effective Heat Sterilization in CO2 Incubators › |
Learn more: Steri-Run Sterilization Cycle Proves Total Sterilization › |
HEPA air filtration designed for air purity in-chamber.
- HEPA continuously filters the entire chamber every 60 seconds
- Protects cultures against airborne contaminants
- Achieves cleanroom quality ISO Class 5 (Class 100) air within 5 minutes of routine door opening
Thermo Scientific CO2 incubators feature fan-assisted airflow circulation for fast recovery and tight uniformity. Our airflow patterns are specifically designed for homogeneous distribution of critical environmental conditions (temperature, gas exchange and humidity). The in-chamber fan gently distributes the conditioned, humidified air throughout the chamber, ensuring all cells—regardless of location—experience the same conditions without risk of desiccation.1
- Temperature uniformity specifications are validated according to the DIN 12880 standard, which requires 27 individual measurements at specific locations in the chamber.
- Sensors and probes are positioned directly in the incubator chamber to ensure they measure the exact environment experienced by your cells.
- A secondary temperature probe acts as an alarm to the primary sensor, providing peace of mind for you and extra security for your cells.
See THRIVE active airflow in action
Thermo Scientific THRIVE active airflow, included on our Heracell VIOS 160i and 250i and Forma Steri-Cycle i160 and i250 CO2 incubators, provides total recovery of critical growth parameters in 10 minutes or less following a 30-second door opening.1
- The variable-speed fan precisely controls the airflow to provide leading-edge recovery.
- The air stream first travels over the direct-heated covered, integrated water reservoir, which results in 50% faster humidity recovery than a standard water pan design.
- The in-line HEPA filter cleans the airstream of all sizes of particles and microorganisms, protecting cultures from contamination.
- The air then passes over the in-chamber sensors, which react and condition the air before gently circulating it among the cultures.
1 Based on internal standards for 30-second door opening, recovery calculated to 98% of starting value for temperature and CO2 , and 95% of starting value of humidity.
Because the goal is to mimic in vivo conditions, all incubator sensors are positioned directly in the incubation chamber to ensure they measure the exact environment experienced by your cells. This design requires more robust sensor construction but means the sensors are designed to react immediately to correct temperature and atmosphere variations as they occur. We offer two different CO2 sensor technologies.
Thermal conductivity (TC) CO2 sensor
- Our most commonly requested CO2 sensor due to its reliability and longevity of operation
- Measures electrical resistance according to thermal conductivity of gas passing over the sensor
- Low maintenance, stable, and long life because it has no consuming element such as an incandescent bulb
- High temperature resistance—does not need to be removed during sterilization cycles
- NEW TC180 CO2 sensor incorporates humidity compensation for enhanced stability and recovery (available in the Heracell VIOS and Forma Steri-Cycle CO2 incubators)
Infrared (IR) CO2 sensor
- Ideal for sensitive applications and remote monitoring or when frequent access to incubator is required
- Determines the CO2 concentration based on its IR light absorption at the characteristic wavelength of 4.3 µm
- Operates independent of humidity and temperature
- NEW IR180Si replaces the traditional incandescent IR light source with silicone MEMS emitter technology for improved stability and service life (available in the Heracell VIOS and Forma Steri-Cycle CO2 incubators)
Added culturing flexibility with variable oxygen control (tri-gas)
Increase biological relevance by simulating physiological conditions, resulting in cell behaviors that are more predictive of an in vivo environment.
- Choice of 1–21% and 5–90% O2 ranges
- Simulate hypoxic (1–21%) environments for primary cell, stem cell, and embryo research applications
- Achieve better simulation of tumor microenvironments with low oxygen culturing
- Simulate hyperoxic (5–90%) conditions for research in lung, retina, and other sensitive tissues
Cells cultured in low oxygen (hypoxia) will generally grow faster, live longer, and show lower stress.
Five reasons to enhance your cell culture using a Thermo Scientific CO2 incubator with variable oxygen control
A selection of humidity reservoir designs are available to enhance performance and workflows. Our unique integrated solutions are directly heated to facilitate high relative humidity (rH) levels and faster recovery. An external humidity reservoir simplifies maintenance by allowing water refill without disrupting culturing. Full active rH parameter control is ideal for applications requiring flexibility and precise monitoring of humidity levels.
| Water pan | Integrated water reservoir | Covered integrated water reservoir | External humidity reservoir | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Description | Traditional removable humidity pan | Large directly heated panless reservoir provides high rH levels and fast recovery | Protected, directly heated integrated water pan provides high rH levels with leading recovery and easy filling and draining | Active humidity control with an external reservoir for easy replenishment of water |
| Volume | 3L | 3L (4.5L for large capacity models) | 3L | 3L |
| Water level monitoring | Yes, low level alarm | Yes, visual monitoring and low level alarm | Yes, visual monitoring and low level alarm | |
| Popular models | Forma Direct Heat and Steri-Cycle; Forma Series 2 and Series 3 Water Jacketed; Midi 40 | Heracell 150i and 240i |
Heracell VIOS 160i and 250i; Forma Steri-Cycle i160 and i250 | Forma Steri-Cult; BBD 6220 |
iCAN touchscreen interface
The intelligent Thermo Scientific iCAN touchscreen interface is designed to simplify your interactions with the CO2 incubator. The bright LED screen provides at-a-glance monitoring even from across the lab. Enjoy complete data visibility and performance trend graphing, in multiple languages. Store data and usage logs onboard or download.
- Door mounted position for easy access
- Configurable settings and options
- Audio and visual alarms
- On-screen menu prompts
- Error and usage logs
- Data logging and performance trend graphing
- Multiple language selection
Enviro-Scan interface
The Thermo Scientific Enviro-Scan LED membrane display lets you easily monitor temperature, CO2, and rH (optional) operating parameters via the bright display. The alphanumeric message center provides process and alarm status.
- Configurable settings and options
- Audio and visual alarms
- On-screen menu prompts
CO2 incubator selector tool
With so many choices, which Thermo Scientific CO2 incubator should you choose? Based on your cell culture applications, needs, or preferences, our selector can help you decide on the best incubator for your lab.
Get an overview of our popular portfolio of Thermo Scientific CO2 incubators and discover why more scientists trust us with their valuable cultures.
View webinars on demand
When Cell Growth is Critical:
Evaluating CO₂ Incubator Parameters for Cell Therapy
Speaker:
Mary Kay Bates
Senior Global Cell Culture Scientist
Exploring and Preventing Culture Contamination
Speaker:
Mary Kay Bates
Senior Global Cell Culture Scientist
