Bullet Blender

The coolest way to lyse cells, homogenize tissue . . . and more.

The Bullet Blender^® enables you to homogenize, disrupt, or lyse up to 24 tissue or cell culture samples at a time. Load the samples into standard polypropylene tubes, then place them in the Bullet Blender. The "bullets" in the instrument vigorously strike all of the tubes and homogenize your sample in minutes. The Bullet Blender homogenizer Gold models keep samples at 4°C!

Why choose the Bullet Blender?

Consistent and High Yield Results

The Bullet Blender homogenizer prepares up to 24 samples in just minutes. All of the samples are automatically homogenized in the same manner, with high yields, so there is very little variation from sample to sample. See the Protocols tab for preparation times and speeds.

Samples Stay COOL

No cool down periods required. There is very little heating of the samples because the sample tubes vibrate vigorously in air, keeping them cool as the Bullet Blender applies rapid bursts of agitation. Many of our competitors’ bead mill homogenizers require cool down periods because the samples heat up due to a lack of cool air flowing past the tubes, and/or continuous high frequency agitation. The Bullet Blender’s unique, elegant design also means that the motor does not need to agitate any heavy platforms or plates. Thus the Bullet Blender uses very little power, further keeping the samples cooler, and it will last for many years. Early units from 2006 are still in use.
Learn more about cooling in the Bullet Blender!

So Many Uses, So Easy To Use

In addition to homogenizing tissue, plant matter, small organisms and microorganisms, the Bullet Blender can also isolate live bacteria from organs, generate nanoparticles, and isolate organelles from cells.

It’s so easy to use. Simply place your sample, beads and buffer in standard tubes, and load the tubes into the Bullet Blender homogenizer. Tune the extent of disruption by adjusting the run time and speed. Afterwards, place the sample tubes in a centrifuge to separate the lysate. No special holders are needed. There are no clamp plates nor locking rings to fiddle with.
Learn more about how easy the Bullet Blender is to use!

No Cross-Contamination or Sample Loss

There are no probes or blades to cause cross contamination or sample loss, which also means there are no parts to clean between runs. The sample tubes are kept closed and self-contained during homogenization.

Risk Free Purchase

Bullet Blender homogenizers come with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 2 year warranty (an extended, 4 year warranty is also available). The simple, reliable design enables the Bullet Blender to sell for one half the price of other agitation based instruments, yet provides an easier, quicker, cooler technique.

Download the Bullet Blender brochure.

You are running state-of-the-art tests on your samples. Why not use the latest technology?

Features

Bullet Blender^® Gold Models with 4°C Cooling

The Bullet Blender Gold model Bullet Blender combines dry ice cooling to keep samples at 4°C, insulation to keep homogenization quiet, and extra-powerful homogenization to give you the excellent results.

• Samples kept at 4°C
• Quiet

Features in all Models

• Agitation: Vigorous agitation at a range of frequencies and in multiple directions, for thorough homogenization of even the toughest samples.
• Capacity: Process up to 24 samples in 1.5 mL tubes, 12 samples in 5 mL tubes, or up to 8 samples in 50 mL tubes.
• Cooling: Air Cooling™ (all models except the basic Bullet Blender) reduces heating up of samples with ambient air. Sample tube oscillation in open air ensures good convective cooling.
• Easy To Use: Just set the speed and time and press start.
• Speed Control: Adjustable to handle gentle vortexing to homogenization of bones.
• Worldwide: Power supply can be used anywhere worldwide.
• CE Certified: CE Certified models available.
• Risk Free: 2 year warranty and 30 day money-back guarantee.
• Made In The USA

Models

There are several Bullet Blender models for different purposes and different size samples, using microcentrifuge tubes (0 – 300 uL samples), 5 mL tubes (0.1 – 1 mL samples), and 50 mL tubes (0.1 – 3.5 mL samples).

• Basic Bullet Blender, a lower power model with the lowest cost and works only with snap cap tubes
• Bullet Blender Blue which has Air Cooling™ which forces ambient air past the samples to keep them cooler and also works with only snap cap tubes.
• Bullet Blender Storm, the most popular model, because it has a more powerful motor that can handle the toughest samples and Air Cooling, which forces ambient air past your samples. The Storm model works with snap cap and our RINO^® screw cap tubes, made from an extra tough material.
• Bullet Blender Gold, the best model for working with RNA because it has the powerful motor found in the Storm model, works with snap cap and our RINO screw cap tubes, and incorporates dry ice 4°C Cooling™ to keep your samples at 4°C. Using a temperature sensor in the instrument, monitoring the motor and using an algorithm, a fan is modulated to blow the right amount of air past dry ice and then mixed with ambient air in the instrument and past your samples to keep them near 4°C.
• Bullet Blender Gold Plus, similar to the Gold, with a color graphics user control screen. This model has an updatable library of protocols with color photographs and a user guide with instructions for preparing samples.

Bullet Blender Models: Microcentrifuge Tubes

(samples 0-300 µl)

Feature	Standard BBX24	Blue BBX24B	Storm BBY24M	Gold BB24-AU
High Throughput- Homogenizes up to 24 samples at a time
Range of speeds allows for gentle vortexing, vigorous homogenization, or anything in between
Can be used in temperatures ranging from 4°C to 40°C*
With 4°C Cooling™
With Air Cooling to keep the inside of the instrument near ambient temperature
Can homogenize samples in RINO screw-cap tubes
Can homogenize samples in Eppendorf® Safe-lock™ snap-cap tubes
Extra-powerful homogenization for tough samples
Made in the USA

The 5 mL tube models work with samples from 100 uL – 1 mL, or 100 mg to 1 g. They include:

• Bullet Blender 5 Storm, ideal for dry grinding of seeds and grains
• Bullet Blender 5E, which has Air Cooling and works well on most types of samples
• Bullet Blender 5 Gold, which is similar to the 5E, and has 4°C Cooling.

The 50 mL tubes models work with samples from 100 uL – 3.5 mL, or 100 mg to 3.5 g. They include:

• Bullet Blender 50 DX, the lowest cost model for these larger samples
• Bullet Blender 50 Gold, which has 4°C Cooling.

Bullet Blender Models: Larger Samples in 5 and 50 mL Tubes

(samples over 300 µl)

Feature	5 E BBY5E	5 Storm BBY5M	50-DX BB50-DX	5 Gold BB5E-AU	50 Gold BB50-AU
Homogenization of up to 12 samples from 100 mg – 1 g (100 µl – 1 mL for plant tissue, insects and cell culture) in 5 mL Eppendorf tubes
Homogenization of up to 12 samples from 100 mg – 1 g (100 µl – 1 mL for plant tissue, insects and cell culture), for wet or dry grinding in 5 mL Axygen® tubes
Homogenization of up to 8 samples from 100 mg – 3.5 g (100 µl – 3.5 mL for plant tissue, insects and cell culture) in 50 mL tubes
Range of speeds allows for gentle vortexing, vigorous homogenization, or anything in between
Can be used in temperatures ranging from 4°C to 40°C*
With Air Cooling to keep the inside of the instrument near ambient temperature
With 4°C Cooling
Made in the USA

*avoid condensation, which will damage electronics and void the warranty.

Specifications:

• Size: All BBX and BBY models are 9 in. (23 cm) wide by 11 in. (28 cm) deep by 8.5 in. (21.5 cm) high The BB50-DX model is 15 in. (38 cm) wide by 14 in. (35 cm) deep by 15 in. (38 cm) high The BB24-AU and BB50-AU models are 18 in. (46 cm) wide by 14 in. (35 cm) deep by 15 in (38 cm) high.
• Weight: 8.5 to 33 lbs (4 to 15 kg), depending upon model
• Run Times: UP to 5 minutes (15 minutes for the 50-DX and 50-AU). The Bullet Blender will automatically stop after the selected time is up.
• Power Requirements: BBX24 and BBX24B models: 24 VDC, 0.75 Amp BBY24M and BBX5MB models: 24 VDC,2.5 Amp BB24-AU, BB25-AU and BB50-DX: 100-240 V, 2.5-4.5 A Plug configurations for international wall outlets available
• Operating Temperature: 4 – 40°C
• Relative Humidity: 5 – 90% non-condensing
• CE certified instruments with upgraded configuration available
• 30 day money back guarantee
• 2 year warranty (extended warranties available)

Applications of the Bullet Blender

Click to See Results

Publications Citing the Bullet Blender

We’re proud to say that the Bullet Blender has been cited in more than 800 publications! Researchers all over the world have used the Bullet Blender^® for extracting molecules, isolating live cells, and even generating nanoparticles.

Use the tables below to find publications for specific samples or applications.

Protocols for the Bullet Blender