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An essential guide to help you choose the right test tubes for school science, GCSE and A Level practical work, laboratory use, heating, storage, sampling and specialist applications. To view a Summary PDF version of this guide, click the guide cover image.
Test tubes are one of the most widely used pieces of laboratory equipment in schools, colleges, universities, clinical settings and professional laboratories. They are used for mixing, heating, observing reactions, collecting samples, storing liquids, culturing organisms and carrying out practical science activities.
Although test tubes may look simple, the right choice depends on much more than size. Material, heat resistance, wall thickness, rim style, closure type, capacity, chemical compatibility and equipment fit all affect how suitable a tube is for a particular task.
If you're short on time, use the table below to quickly identify the most suitable test tube type for your application. Our Top Recommendation for Schools: borosilicate glass test tubes in common classroom sizes are usually the best all-round choice because they are reusable, heat resistant and suitable for a wide range of practical work.
| User / Application | Recommended Test Tube | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| KS3 Science | Borosilicate Glass Test Tubes | Durable, reusable and suitable for basic heating, reactions and observation work. |
| GCSE Chemistry and Biology | Standard Borosilicate Test Tubes, usually 16 x 100 mm | A versatile size for everyday practicals, reactions and sample work. |
| A Level Practical Work | Higher-Quality Borosilicate Tubes and Boiling Tubes | Better suited to repeated heating, larger volumes and more demanding laboratory tasks. |
| Heating Larger Volumes | Boiling Tubes, usually 24 or 25 x 150 mm | Greater capacity and more appropriate for heating larger liquid volumes. |
| Strong Heating of Small Samples | Ignition Tubes | Small, heat-resistant tubes used for thermal decomposition and high-temperature demonstrations. |
| Fieldwork and Sampling | Plastic Tubes with Caps | Lightweight, shatter-resistant and convenient for transporting samples. |
| Storage and Transport | Screw-Cap Test Tubes | Help reduce spills, evaporation and contamination. |
| Centrifuge Work | Purpose-Made Centrifuge Tubes | Designed to withstand spinning forces and fit compatible rotors. |
| Biology Cultures | Culture Tubes with Suitable Closures | Useful for microbial culture, storage and controlled biological work. |
Use this section to match your experiment, material requirement and safety needs to the right test tube type.
| What Do You Need To Do? | Best Test Tube Type | Best Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat small liquid samples over a Bunsen burner | Standard test tube | Borosilicate glass | School chemistry and biology practicals |
| Heat larger volumes of liquid | Boiling tube | Borosilicate glass | Demonstrations and larger-volume heating |
| Strongly heat a small quantity of solid | Ignition tube | Borosilicate glass or specialist heat-resistant glass | Thermal decomposition and teacher demonstrations |
| Collect, label and transport samples | Capped or screw-cap tube | Plastic or glass depending on sample | Fieldwork, storage and sample management |
| Spin samples in a centrifuge | Centrifuge tube | Usually polypropylene | Separation, clinical and preparation work |
| Grow or store cultures | Culture tube | Glass or suitable plastic | Biology and microbiology practicals |
This guide has been created for anyone choosing test tubes, boiling tubes, sample tubes or laboratory glassware for education, science, practical work or laboratory use.
Choosing classroom-friendly test tubes for KS3, GCSE, A Level practicals, demonstrations and safe heating activities.
Reviewing durability, cleaning, storage, replacement quantities, racks, stoppers, holders and classroom preparation needs.
Comparing value, safety, pack sizes and suitability before buying test tubes for science departments.
Selecting suitable tubes for repeated use, higher-level practicals, heating, biology cultures and specialist applications.
Choosing tubes with suitable material compatibility, closures, capacity, chemical resistance and quality control.
Finding portable, capped, shatter-resistant tubes for collecting, storing and transporting samples.
Use the links below to jump directly to the section most relevant to your test tube buying decision.
A test tube is a small cylindrical laboratory vessel, usually made from glass or plastic, used to hold, mix, heat, store or observe small quantities of substances. Test tubes are used across chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, clinical work and general laboratory practice.
In schools, test tubes are commonly used for reactions, heating liquids, observing colour changes, preparing samples, investigating gases and carrying out practical science experiments. Larger versions, known as boiling tubes, are used when a greater liquid volume is needed.
Test tubes may be open-ended, rimmed, rimless, screw-capped, stoppered, graduated, disposable, reusable, heat-resistant or designed for specialist equipment such as centrifuges.
Understanding the main parts and design features of a test tube makes it easier to compare products and avoid buying tubes that are unsuitable for your practical work.
The opening at the top of the tube. The mouth must be compatible with any stoppers, caps or closures you plan to use.
A raised lip around the top of the tube. Rimmed tubes can be easier to handle and may work well with stoppers.
A smooth opening without a raised lip. Rimless tubes can be easier to clean and may suit some laboratory processes.
The main cylindrical section. Diameter and wall thickness affect capacity, strength, rack fit and heating performance.
Common on standard test tubes and useful for heating and swirling because it distributes heat more evenly.
Often found on centrifuge tubes, where samples need to collect in a small point after spinning.
Allows a screw cap to attach securely for storage, transport or contamination control.
Caps, corks and rubber stoppers help seal tubes, but the closure must be suitable for the chemical, temperature and pressure conditions.
Different test tube designs are suited to different practical tasks. Standard test tubes are useful for everyday school experiments, while boiling tubes, ignition tubes, culture tubes and centrifuge tubes are designed for more specific applications.
| Test Tube Type | Best For | Typical Material | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Test Tubes | Mixing, observing reactions, heating small samples and general school practicals | Borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass or plastic | Versatile and widely used across science departments. |
| Boiling Tubes | Heating larger volumes of liquid | Borosilicate glass | Larger capacity than a standard test tube. |
| Ignition Tubes | Strong heating of small amounts of solids | Heat-resistant glass | Useful for thermal decomposition and high-temperature demonstrations. |
| Culture Tubes | Biological cultures, storage and sample work | Glass or suitable plastic | Often used with caps or stoppers to reduce contamination. |
| Centrifuge Tubes | Spinning samples in centrifuges | Usually polypropylene | Designed for rotor compatibility and centrifugal force. |
| Screw-Cap Tubes | Sample storage and transport | Glass or plastic | Helps reduce leakage, evaporation and contamination. |
| Disposable Plastic Tubes | Fieldwork, single-use sampling and lightweight storage | Polypropylene, polystyrene or PET | Shatter-resistant and convenient. |
| Graduated Tubes | Approximate volume reference | Glass or plastic | Useful where rough volume marking is helpful, but not a substitute for accurate measuring glassware. |
School test tubes need to balance safety, durability, heat resistance, ease of cleaning and value. They should be suitable for repeated handling by students and compatible with common classroom equipment such as racks, holders, stoppers and Bunsen burners.
Choose durable borosilicate glass test tubes for general reactions, simple heating and introductory practical work.
Use borosilicate glass test tubes and boiling tubes for reactions, heating, gas tests and required practicals.
Standard test tubes are suitable for food tests, enzyme work, samples, water baths and observation tasks.
Consider higher-quality borosilicate tubes, boiling tubes, culture tubes and specialist tubes depending on practical requirements.
Prioritise easy cleaning, standardised sizes, rack compatibility and reliable pack availability.
Standardising around common tube sizes makes it easier to buy compatible racks, holders, brushes, bungs and replacements.
Start by deciding where and how the test tubes will be used. A school science department may prioritise safety, durability and affordability, while a professional laboratory may need chemical compatibility, sterility, volume accuracy or compatibility with specific instruments.
Choose reusable borosilicate glass tubes with common dimensions, good wall thickness and compatibility with racks and holders.
Use borosilicate glass test tubes or boiling tubes. Avoid soda-lime glass and plastic unless the product is specifically rated for the task.
Standard test tubes are useful for food tests, enzyme experiments, samples, water baths and culture preparation.
Choose capped plastic tubes where shatter resistance, low weight and sample transport are more important than heat resistance.
Use screw-cap tubes or suitable capped tubes to reduce spills, evaporation and contamination.
Check compatibility with chemicals, centrifuges, autoclaves, heating blocks, racks, caps and sterilisation processes.
Compare the most common test tube materials to find the best option for heating, storage, sampling, centrifugation and laboratory use.
The material is one of the most important buying decisions. It affects heat resistance, chemical compatibility, durability, clarity, cleaning and whether the test tube can be reused.
| Material | Best For | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borosilicate Glass | School science, heating, chemistry and general lab work | Good thermal shock resistance, chemical resistance, clarity and reusability. | Can still break if dropped, chipped or heated incorrectly. |
| Soda-Lime Glass | Low-cost, non-heating general use | Affordable and clear. | Poorer thermal shock resistance; not ideal for flame heating. |
| Polypropylene Plastic | Sample tubes, storage, fieldwork and some centrifuge tubes | Shatter-resistant, lightweight and often chemically resistant. | Not suitable for open-flame heating. |
| Polystyrene Plastic | Clear disposable tubes and visual observation | Good optical clarity and low cost. | Poor heat resistance and limited chemical compatibility. |
| PET Plastic | Sample collection and storage | Lightweight and shatter-resistant. | Not suitable for direct flame heating and may have chemical limitations. |
| Quartz Glass | Specialist high-temperature or UV applications | Excellent heat resistance and UV transparency. | Expensive and usually unnecessary for school use. |
Test tubes are usually described by diameter x length in millimetres. The right size depends on sample volume, heating method, rack compatibility, stopper size and whether students need enough space to mix or swirl safely.
| Common Size | Typical Use | Best For | Buying Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 75 mm | Small samples and compact reactions | Low-volume testing and storage | Useful when only small quantities are needed. |
| 16 x 100 mm | General classroom practical work | KS3, GCSE and routine laboratory use | A strong standard size for many schools. |
| 18 x 150 mm | Larger samples and heating | More demanding practicals and demonstrations | Gives more working volume than smaller tubes. |
| 24 or 25 x 150 mm | Boiling tubes | Heating larger liquid volumes | Useful when a standard test tube is too small. |
| 15 ml or 50 ml conical tubes | Centrifuge and sample preparation | Lab sample work and separation | Must be compatible with the centrifuge rotor and speed rating. |
If test tubes will be heated over a Bunsen burner, in a water bath, in a heating block or during demonstrations, heat resistance is critical. The wrong tube can crack, shatter, soften or fail under thermal stress.
Closures are important when test tubes are used for storage, transport, cultures, sample management or contamination control. The closure must be suitable for the material, temperature, chemical and pressure conditions involved.
Common in teaching labs and useful for many demonstrations. Check chemical compatibility before use.
Useful for some biological or short-term applications, but not ideal for strong chemicals or heating.
Best for sample storage, transport and reducing spills or contamination.
Convenient for plastic tubes, fieldwork, kits and quick sample handling.
Suitable for routine experiments where samples are used immediately and do not need sealing.
Useful for some culture applications where gas exchange is required. Choose only where appropriate.
Before ordering test tubes, check that the tubes fit the equipment and workflows already used in your science department or laboratory.
Check hole diameter, tube height support and whether the rack suits glass or plastic tubes.
Essential for heating tubes safely over a Bunsen burner.
Must match the internal diameter and rim style of the tube.
Tube diameter must match the block openings for safe, even heating.
Only use tubes specifically designed and rated for centrifuge use.
Choose brushes that can reach the bottom of the tube without scratching or becoming stuck.
Reusable glass test tubes should be easy to clean, inspect and store. Cleaning requirements depend on the chemicals, biological materials and practical activities involved.
Can usually be cleaned and reused if they are not chipped, cracked, contaminated or damaged.
Often intended for single use, especially in sample collection, fieldwork or biological applications.
Some borosilicate glass and polypropylene tubes may be autoclavable, but always check product specifications.
Useful for removing residues from reusable tubes, especially after heating or precipitate-forming reactions.
Check for chips, cracks, clouding, scratches and residues before reuse.
Store clean tubes dry, upright where possible and protected from knocks or contamination.
Safety is especially important in schools and busy teaching laboratories where test tubes are frequently heated, handled, cleaned and reused by many different users.
Low-cost tubes may not be suitable for direct flame heating, repeated use or busy school environments.
Plastic tubes are useful for storage and sampling, but unsuitable for Bunsen burner heating.
Tubes must fit racks, holders, heating blocks, stoppers and storage systems.
Centrifuge work requires purpose-made tubes rated for the equipment and speed.
Caps, stoppers and bungs need to be bought in the correct size and material.
Reusable tubes need suitable brushes, drying space and inspection routines.
Heating or mixing overfilled tubes increases the risk of boiling over, splashing or unsafe handling.
Borosilicate glass is the usual choice for heating; soda-lime glass is less resistant to thermal shock.
Test tubes are often used with accessories that improve safety, handling, storage, cleaning and practical workflow. The items below are commonly used alongside test tubes in schools, colleges and laboratories.
Hold tubes upright during practical work, preparation, storage and drying.
View Test Tube RacksCommonly used for heating suitable borosilicate test tubes and boiling tubes.
View Bunsen BurnersUsed to seal tubes for demonstrations, storage or gas collection setups.
View StoppersUseful for some short-term or biological applications where cork is appropriate.
View CorksOften used alongside test tubes for measuring, pouring and preparing solutions.
View GlasswareGlass may crack if frozen contents expand. Polypropylene tubes are generally preferred for freezer storage where specified by the manufacturer.
The rim improves grip and helps retain some stoppers or holders. Rimless tubes are often easier to clean and may suit automated laboratory processes.
Borosilicate glass has much greater resistance to thermal shock and is usually preferred for heating. Soda-lime glass is generally intended for non-heating applications.
For most school science departments, borosilicate glass test tubes are the best general-purpose option because they are reusable, heat resistant and suitable for a wide range of chemistry and biology practicals.
A boiling tube is larger than a standard test tube and is used for heating larger volumes of liquid. Standard test tubes are better for smaller reactions, observations and routine practical work.
Only suitable heat-resistant glass test tubes, usually borosilicate glass, should be heated over a Bunsen burner. Plastic tubes and soda-lime glass tubes should not be used for flame heating unless specifically rated as suitable.
Most plastic test tubes should not be heated over a flame. Some polypropylene tubes may tolerate moderate heat or autoclaving, but this must be confirmed from the product specification.
For general classroom use, 16 x 100 mm is a common and versatile size. For larger heating tasks, choose an 18 x 150 mm tube or a 24 to 25 x 150 mm boiling tube.
Borosilicate glass is a laboratory glass known for good resistance to heat and thermal shock. It is usually the preferred choice for test tubes used in heating and general laboratory practicals.
Soda-lime glass is a lower-cost glass suitable for some general-purpose, non-heating tasks. It is less resistant to sudden temperature changes than borosilicate glass.
Glass test tubes are usually reusable if cleaned, dried and inspected properly. Many plastic tubes are designed for single use, although some polypropylene tubes may be reusable depending on the application.
Some borosilicate glass and polypropylene tubes can be autoclaved, but suitability depends on the product specification. Caps and closures must also be autoclave-compatible.
No. Only use tubes specifically designed and rated for centrifuge use. Standard test tubes should not be assumed to be safe in a centrifuge.
Ignition tubes are small heat-resistant tubes used for strong heating of small quantities of solids, often in demonstrations or thermal decomposition experiments.
Culture tubes are used for growing, holding or storing biological cultures. They may be made from glass or suitable plastic and are often used with caps or stoppers.
Rimmed tubes can be easier to handle and may work well with stoppers. Rimless tubes can be easier to clean and may suit some laboratory processes. The best choice depends on how the tubes will be used.
The correct closure depends on tube diameter, rim style, sample type, chemical compatibility and whether the tube is used for storage, transport or culture work.
No. A sealed test tube should not be heated because pressure can build up and cause the tube or closure to fail.
Reusable glass test tubes should be cleaned with suitable detergent, rinsed thoroughly and dried. A test tube brush may be needed for residues. Damaged tubes should be discarded.
Common accessories include test tube racks, test tube holders, Bunsen burners, rubber stoppers, corks, brushes, boiling tubes, labels and safety goggles.
Better Equipped supplies test tubes, boiling tubes, racks, holders, stoppers, brushes and laboratory glassware for schools, colleges, laboratories and professional environments.
Browse our range or contact us if you need help choosing the right test tubes for your classroom, laboratory or practical science setup.
View Test Tubes Contact Us for AdviceThis guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying test tubes, boiling tubes, laboratory glassware and practical science equipment to schools, colleges, laboratories and science departments throughout the UK. Our technical team are here to support schools, colleges and laboratories across the UK, so if you have any feedback on this guide they'd love to hear it, simply click the 'contact us' button above.
Last reviewed and updated: June 2026
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