Top-rated lab technology by women in science
SelectScience celebrates innovation and excellence this International Women’s Day
8 Mar 2026
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, SelectScience® is spotlighting the essential laboratory products and technologies that are earning high praise from our community of female scientists and lab managers.
From the bustling corridors of clinical diagnostic labs to the cutting edge of academic research, women are at the helm of scientific discovery. To celebrate their contributions, we have curated a list of 'top-rated' products based on peer-to-peer feedback from SelectScience reviewers. While these are listed in no specific order, each represents a tool that female lab leaders say helps them drive efficiency, ensure precision, and most importantly move science forward.
1. DS-11 Series Spectrophotometer/Fluorometer by DeNovix
Quantification is the foundation of many workflows, but bench space and time are often at a premium. The DS-11 Series has become a favorite for its "stand-alone" brilliance. Female researchers frequently highlight its intuitive Android™ interface and the fact that it requires no PC, making it a compact powerhouse for nucleic acid and protein QC.
Why do users love the DS-11 Series Spectrophotometer/Fluorometer? Users across the SelectScience community describe this machine as a "game changer" that makes testing "simpler and fast." Researchers from institutions including the University of Texas at Austin praise it as a "solid instrument" that is exceptionally "effective and easy to use." Beyond the tech, female lab managers specifically highlight the "good customer support" that ensures any minor issues are solved quickly, keeping their research on track.
2. CellDrop™ Automated Cell Counters by DeNovix
Lab managers are increasingly focused on reducing the environmental footprint of their work. The CellDrop™ has revolutionized the field with its patented DirectPipette™ technology, which eliminates the need for disposable plastic slides. It enables the fastest cell counts, viability assessment, and GFP transfection efficiency measurements across the widest range of cell density, cell type and application.
Why do users love the CellDrop™ Automated Cell Counter? Female reviewers repeatedly emphasize how "easy and simple" the instrument is to use and clean, and highlight its "quick, accurate, and reliable" counts for everything from microfluidic loading to flow cytometry preparation.
3. NATtrol™ Respiratory Molecular Quality Controls by ZeptoMetrix
In the high-pressure world of clinical microbiology, there is no room for error. The ZeptoMetrix® NATtrol™ panels provide the non-infectious, whole-organism controls that lab managers rely on to verify their molecular assays.
Why do users love the NATtrol™ Respiratory Molecular Quality Controls? Female clinical scientists, including those at the University of Chicago, consistently describe these controls as "wonderful" and "very reliable." Users who act as both purchasers and lab bench scientists appreciate that the controls arrive at the "desired temperature" and come in convenient, small aliquots. The community consensus is clear: these products "meet all criteria" for QC testing, offering a "consistent and stable" solution with the added benefit of a long shelf life, a major win for lab inventory management.
4. Aerospray® Hematology Pro Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge by Bruker
Consistency is the hallmark of a well-run hematology lab. The Aerospray® Series 2 (formerly ELITechGroup) is praised for its ability to deliver clean, standardized results across multiple sites.
Why do users love the Aerospray® Hematology Pro Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge? Female lab leads, including those at the Boundary Trails Health Centre and NC State Veterinary Teaching Hospital, highlight the instrument as an "excellent product" that is remarkably "user-friendly." One of its most valued features is the ability to use dedicated settings across an entire organization, ensuring "consistency throughout many sites." While high-end staining can sometimes require fine-tuning, female scientists consistently praise the "great tech support" that helps troubleshoot protocols.
5. KT™ Premium Slides by StatLab
It is often the simplest components that make the biggest difference in a daily routine. KT Premium Slides have earned a reputation for superior tissue adhesion, particularly for challenging samples like fatty or breast tissue in IHC.
Why do users love the KT Premium Slides? Histology and IHC experts, including those at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Dermatology and Laser Associates of Medford, describe these as "the best slides we've used for IHC." Female lab leaders specifically praise the slides for their "excellent tissue adhesion," noting that even challenging samples like hard tissue and nail biopsies "hold up to the rigorous demands" of antigen retrieval. By ensuring clean, uniform staining and reducing the need for repeat runs, these slides are celebrated for supporting both lab efficiency and high-quality patient care.
Celebrating our community
This International Women’s Day, we thank the brilliant women who share their expertise and reviews on SelectScience.
Your insights don't just help your peers choose the right equipment, they push manufacturers to innovate in ways that make the lab a more efficient, sustainable, and productive place for everyone.
