Ohaus Frontier 5000 laboratory centrifuge for sample separation
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scientific centrifuge refrigerated centrifuge ohaus frontier 5000 Ohaus Centrifuge microcentrifuge laboratory centrifuge lab equipment high speed centrifuge compact centrifuge centrifuge with rotor centrifuge selection guide centrifuge buying guide

By Sycamore Life Sciences Editorial Team · Updated March 2026

Buyer Guide

Ohaus Frontier 5000 Centrifuge Buying Guide

The Ohaus Frontier 5000 Series includes compact low-speed models, versatile benchtop centrifuges, high-speed refrigerated systems, and large-capacity floor units. This version helps users narrow the lineup faster with a live model finder, comparison filters, and expandable technical details.

Quick Answer

Best Overall

FC5714
Best for general-purpose labs that want versatility without refrigeration.

Best Refrigerated

FC5718R
Best for temperature-sensitive molecular biology and benchtop flexibility.

Best High-Speed

FC5830R
Best for exosomes, virus work, and maximum-force research applications.

Find My Model

Answer four quick questions to see the best fit for your lab.

Start with the model finder above, or scroll down to compare all models side by side.

Start Here: How to Choose the Right Frontier 5000 Model

Most buyers can narrow the full series down with four questions:

  • What tube size or sample volume are you spinning? Microtubes, conicals, plates, blood tubes, or liters per run.
  • What RCF do your protocols require? RCF matters more than RPM because it tells you the actual force applied to the sample.
  • Do you need refrigeration? This is usually required for proteins, RNA, exosomes, viruses, enzymes, and live cells.
  • Do you want one versatile centrifuge or a dedicated application model? Multi-Pro units are the most flexible. Micro and mini models are more task-specific.

A simple shortcut: choose Mini/Low-Speed for routine basic separation, Microcentrifuges for 1.5–2.0 mL tubes, Multi-Pro for general lab versatility, High-Speed for molecular biology requiring high g-force, and High-Capacity Floor Models for large-volume processing.

Mini & Low-Speed

Best for teaching labs, basic clinical use, blood tubes, and routine separations that do not need high g-force.

Microcentrifuges

Best for 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL tubes used in DNA, RNA, protein, and PCR workflows.

Multi-Pro Benchtop

Best all-around choice for labs that need flexibility across tubes, plates, and varied protocols.

High-Speed

Best for demanding molecular biology and research applications requiring maximum RCF.

High-Capacity Floor Models

Best for clinical, blood banking, and bulk processing where throughput matters more than footprint.

Refrigerated Options

Available across several families for temperature-sensitive samples and methods that specify 4°C centrifugation.

Why Labs Choose the Frontier 5000 Series

  • Broad performance range from low-speed routine spins up to 30,000 RPM and 65,395 x g.
  • Multiple form factors including compact benchtop, microcentrifuge, and floor-standing high-capacity units.
  • Rotor flexibility with swing-out and fixed-angle options for different sample types and workflows.
  • Automatic Rotor ID on Multi-Pro models FC5714 and above.
  • Motor-driven lid lock on FC5718 and above plus FC5515 / FC5515R.
  • Refrigerated models use R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant.
  • Imbalance detection, programmable runs, and a platform designed for daily laboratory use.

Quick Comparison by Family

Family Best For Typical Capacity Refrigerated Options Standout Models
Mini & Low-Speed Routine separation, teaching, basic clinical workflows Up to 6 x 50 mL No FC5706P, FC5707
Microcentrifuges DNA/RNA prep, PCR, protein work, microtubes 24 to 44 x 1.5/2.0 mL Yes FC5513, FC5515R
Multi-Pro Benchtop General lab use, mixed workflows, plates and tubes Up to 4 x 290 mL Yes FC5714, FC5718R, FC5816R
High-Speed Molecular biology, subcellular work, high g-force applications Up to 4 x 290 mL Yes FC5720R, FC5830R
High-Capacity Floor Blood banking, clinical throughput, large-volume processing Up to 4 x 1,000 mL Yes FC5916R, FC5917RF

Best Ohaus Frontier 5000 Models by Need

Best for general-purpose lab use: FC5714

The FC5714 is the easiest starting point for labs that want a versatile benchtop centrifuge without moving into higher-cost refrigerated systems. It handles common molecular biology, teaching, and plate-based workflows well.

Max speed: 14,000 RPM
Max RCF: 18,624 x g
Capacity: 4 x 200 mL / 30 x 15 mL
Cooling: Air cooled
View details

Strong fit for mixed-use labs, teaching environments, and buyers who want one flexible benchtop platform without paying for refrigeration they may not need.

Best for refrigerated benchtop versatility: FC5718R

The FC5718R is a strong fit for labs that need more speed than an entry benchtop unit and want refrigeration for proteins, RNA, or other temperature-sensitive samples.

Max speed: 18,000 RPM
Max RCF: 23,542 x g
Capacity: 4 x 200 mL / 6 x 85 mL
Cooling: Refrigerated
View details

This is a good middle-ground model for research labs that want daily flexibility without stepping into the highest-speed category.

Best for high-speed molecular biology: FC5830R

The FC5830R is the top choice when your protocols demand maximum RCF for advanced research applications such as subcellular fractionation, virus concentration, and exosome work.

Max speed: 30,000 RPM
Max RCF: 65,395 x g
Capacity: 4 x 290 mL / 6 x 250 mL
Cooling: Refrigerated
View details

Best for labs with demanding protocols where maximum g-force matters more than simplicity or lowest cost.

Best for high-throughput microtubes: FC5515 / FC5515R

The FC5515 and FC5515R are ideal for labs processing large batches of microtubes. Choose the refrigerated version when temperature control matters.

Max speed: 15,200 RPM
Max RCF: 21,953 x g
Capacity: 44 x 1.5/2.0 mL
Cooling: Air cooled or refrigerated
View details

Good fit for DNA, RNA, PCR, and general molecular biology work where microtube throughput is the main priority.

Best for large-volume processing: FC5917RF

The FC5917RF is built for labs where throughput is the priority. It is the flagship floor model for large sample loads, blood banking, and high-volume clinical processing.

Max speed: 16,010 RPM
Max RCF: 26,361 x g
Capacity: 4 x 1,000 mL
Cooling: Refrigerated
View details

Best suited to blood banking, clinical processing, and any workflow where batch size is more important than compact footprint.

Model Selection Guide — All 16 Configurations

Use the filters to hide models that are not relevant to your workflow.

Model Max RPM Max RCF (x g) Max Capacity Refrigerated Weight Best Use
FC5706P6,0004,4276 × 50 mLNo10.5 kgBlood tubes, clinical, teaching
FC57076,8004,4454 × 50 mLNo11.5 kgCell culture, basic separation
FC551313,50017,31724 × 1.5/2.0 mLNo12.6 kgStandard microcentrifuge, teaching
FC5513R14,50017,15724 × 1.5/2.0 mLYes (R290)33 kgRefrigerated micro, enzyme work
FC551515,20021,95344 × 1.5/2.0 mLNo17 kgHigh-throughput micro
FC5515R15,20021,95344 × 1.5/2.0 mLYes (R290)35 kgHigh-throughput refrigerated micro
FC571414,00018,6244 × 200 mL / 30 × 15 mLNo30 kgDNA/RNA, general use, microplates
FC571818,00023,5424 × 200 mLNo43 kgGeneral molecular biology
FC5718R18,00023,5424 × 200 mLYes (R290)60 kgMolecular biology, benchtop research
FC581615,00021,3794 × 290 mLNo52 kgMid-volume general lab
FC5816R16,00024,3254 × 290 mLYes (R290)56 kgMid-volume refrigerated research
FC5720R20,00038,0074 × 200 mLYes (R290)71 kgDNA/RNA, protein pelleting
FC5830R30,00065,3954 × 290 mLYes (R290)91 kgExosomes, subcellular fractionation
FC591616,00024,3254 × 750 mLNo85 kgBulk industrial processing
FC5916R16,00026,3314 × 750 mLYes (R290)118 kgLarge-volume clinical research
FC5917RF16,01026,3614 × 1,000 mLYes (R290)157 kgHigh-volume clinical, blood banking

Rotor Guide: Swing-Out vs. Fixed Angle

Every Frontier 5000 centrifuge accepts interchangeable rotors. Most models are sold without a rotor, letting you match your tubes and application exactly.

Swing-Out Rotors

Buckets swing from vertical to horizontal during acceleration. Pellets form at the tube bottom and are easier to aspirate. Best for blood tube processing, density gradients, large-volume samples, and gentler pellet handling.

Fixed Angle Rotors

Tubes remain at a fixed angle during the run. Shorter pellet path means faster separations and higher g-forces at the same RPM. Best for plasmid preps, protein pelleting, and cell harvesting.

Specialty Rotors

Includes microplate carriers, PCR strip rotors, Vacutainer racks, and BIOSEALS aerosol-containment buckets for infectious material work.

Need help selecting a rotor? Contact Sycamore Life Sciences and match your tube format, volume, and application to the correct configuration.

Do You Need a Refrigerated Centrifuge?

Refrigeration Required

  • Enzymes and enzyme complexes
  • Proteins and antibodies
  • Live cells and primary tissue culture
  • Temperature-sensitive viruses / viral vectors
  • Exosomes and extracellular vesicles
  • Any protocol specifying “centrifuge at 4°C”

Air-Cooled Sufficient

  • Bacterial pellets for routine DNA extraction
  • PCR cleanup and gel extraction
  • Blood separation for stable analytes
  • Urine and general clinical samples
  • Industrial bulk separation

Refrigerated Models

FC5513R · FC5515R · FC5718R · FC5816R · FC5720R · FC5830R · FC5916R · FC5917RF

All use R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant. Temperature range: -20°C to +40°C.

Environmental Leadership — R290 Natural Hydrocarbon Refrigerant: Ohaus has completely converted the Frontier 5000 line from synthetic HFC to R290, achieving a 99.8% reduction in global warming potential and full compliance with SNAP EPA regulations.

Common Research Questions

Best centrifuge for RNA isolation

The best Frontier 5000 options for RNA isolation are the FC5513R, FC5515R, and FC5718R because RNA workflows usually require refrigeration and around 12,000 x g. Choose based on whether you are spinning microtubes or need a more versatile benchtop format.

Best centrifuge for exosome isolation

The FC5830R is the best Frontier 5000 model for exosome and extracellular vesicle workflows because it reaches 65,395 x g and includes refrigeration for temperature-sensitive high-speed protocols.

Best centrifuge for blood processing

For routine blood tube work, the FC5706P is a practical low-speed option. For higher-throughput clinical and blood banking workflows, the FC5916R and FC5917RF are better fits because they support much larger batch sizes.

Best refrigerated benchtop centrifuge in the Frontier 5000 series

The FC5718R is the best all-around refrigerated benchtop choice for most labs because it balances speed, refrigeration, and general lab versatility without moving into the specialized high-speed category.

Choose by Application

Match your workflow directly to the right model. RCF values are typical protocol ranges, so always confirm against your specific method.

Application / Workflow Typical RCF Recommended Model(s) Refrigeration?
Blood tube separation (serum/plasma)1,000–2,000 x gFC5706P, FC5916ROptional
Bacterial cell pelleting3,000–6,000 x gFC5706P, FC5714No
Plasmid miniprep / DNA extraction10,000–16,000 x gFC5513, FC5515, FC5714No
RNA isolation (TRIzol method)12,000 x gFC5513R, FC5515R, FC5718RYes
Protein precipitation / pelleting15,000–20,000 x gFC5718R, FC5720RYes
Mitochondria isolation10,000–17,000 x gFC5718R, FC5816RYes
Virus concentration / purification20,000–40,000 x gFC5720R, FC5830RYes
Exosome / extracellular vesicle isolation30,000–60,000 x gFC5830RYes
Subcellular fractionation25,000–65,000 x gFC5830RYes
Density gradient (sucrose/Ficoll)400–4,000 x gFC5916R (swing-out rotor)Yes
Large-volume clinical processing3,000–5,000 x gFC5916R, FC5917RFYes
Microplate processing1,000–4,000 x gFC5714, FC5718, FC5718R, FC5816R, FC5720R, FC5830ROptional
PCR prep / quick spin-down500–2,000 x gFC5706PNo

Frequently Asked Questions

What matters more: RPM or RCF?

RCF matters more. RCF (x g) tells you the actual centrifugal force applied to your sample. Two centrifuges running at the same RPM can produce very different g-forces depending on rotor radius.

Which is the fastest model in the Frontier 5000 series?

The FC5830R is the fastest, reaching 30,000 RPM and 65,395 x g.

What is the difference between the FC5917RF and FC5916R?

The FC5917RF handles 4 × 1,000 mL per run vs. the FC5916R at 4 × 750 mL. Both are refrigerated at similar speeds.

Do these centrifuges come with a rotor?

Most models are sold without a rotor so you can choose the right configuration for your workflow. The FC5706P is the main packaged exception.

What is Automatic Rotor ID?

A feature available on Multi-Pro models FC5714 and above. The centrifuge reads the rotor and caps speed to the rotor’s rated limit.

Which models have a motor-driven lid lock?

Standard on Multi-Pro FC5718 and above plus FC5515 and FC5515R.

What refrigerant do Frontier 5000 centrifuges use?

All refrigerated models use R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant.

What does BIOSEALS mean on Frontier 5000 rotors?

BIOSEALS-certified buckets use a hermetic O-ring seal to contain aerosols generated during centrifugation for infectious material workflows.

Can Frontier 5000 centrifuges be used for exosome isolation?

Yes. The FC5830R reaches 65,395 x g and is the top fit in the lineup for exosome and extracellular vesicle workflows.

Where are Ohaus Frontier 5000 centrifuges made?

All models are engineered and manufactured in Germany.

Need Help Choosing the Right Frontier 5000 Model?

Sycamore Life Sciences can help you match the right centrifuge and rotor to your sample type, throughput, and protocol requirements.

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