Biosafety Cabinet Types: Class 1, 2 or 3? Don't Overpay
Updated: Sep 28
For most labs, the right biosafety cabinet is a Class 2 (Class II) Type A2, which protects you, your sample and the room.
Biosafety cabinet type | Protects operator | Protects sample | Front | Typical use | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 1 | Yes | No | Open, inward air | Dusts and low-risk agents | £7,189 |
Class 2 Type A2 | Yes | Yes | Open, air curtain | Cell culture, clinical microbiology, diagnostics | £5,595–£14,661 |
Class 2 Type B2 | Yes | Yes | Open, 100% ducted exhaust | Volatile toxic chemicals or radionuclides | £16,780 |
Class 3 | Yes | Yes | Sealed, glove ports | Highest-risk agents (BSL-4) | Specialist order |
The short version
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Prices: biosafety cabinets in stock
Biosafety cabinets cost from £5,595 for a compact Class 2 cabinet to £16,780 for a Class 2 Type B2 total-exhaust cabinet.
Compact Class 2 cabinet | from £5,595 |
Class 1 cabinet (Airstream) | £7,189 |
Class 2 Type A2, 4 ft (Intelligent Series) | £9,579 |
Class 2 Type A2, 4 ft (X-Series) | £13,506 |
Class 2 Type B2, total exhaust | £16,780 |
Haier Biomedical X-Series, Class 2 Type A2
The Haier Biomedical X-Series Class 2 Type A2 costs £12,459 to £14,661, depending on size (4, 5 or 6 ft).
X-Series, 4 ft: £13,506.15
X-Series, 5 ft: £14,661.35
X-Series, 6 ft, touchscreen: £12,458.55
Haier Biomedical Intelligent Series, Class 2 Type A2
The Haier Biomedical Intelligent Series Class 2 Type A2 costs from £6,365 for a compact single-operator cabinet to £10,450 for a 5 ft model.
Compact single-operator cabinet: £6,365.00
3 ft with stand: £8,471.15
3 ft bench-mounted, double HEPA: £8,961.35
4 ft, double HEPA: £9,578.85
5 ft: £10,450.00
Airstream, Streamline, Labculture and NordicSafe
Airstream, Streamline, Labculture and NordicSafe cabinets range from £5,595 (Streamline Class II) to £16,780 (Labculture G4 Type B2, total exhaust), including the Airstream Class I at £7,189.
Streamline Class II, S Series: £5,594.55
Airstream Gen 3 Class II, E Series: £6,112.30
Airstream Class I: £7,188.65
Airstream Plus Class II, E Series: £8,986.05
NordicSafe Class II, low noise: £9,452.50
Labculture Class II Type A2, low noise: £12,502.95
Labculture G4 Class II Type B2, total exhaust: £16,779.85
Accessories: 4 ft telescoping stand £926.25, electronic sash upgrade £2,216.35, camera upgrade £3,847.50.
How to choose: a biosafety cabinet in four questions
For most labs the answer is a Class 2 Type A2; choose Type B2 (total exhaust) if you also work with volatile toxic chemicals, and Class 1 only if the sample needs no protection.
1. Does the operator need protection? Yes for anything infectious: choose Class 2. Class 1 protects the operator but not the sample.
2. Any volatile toxic chemicals? Only in trace amounts: Type A2. More than that: Type B2, hard-ducted.
3. How serious is a filter failure? Clinical, Hazard Group 3 or exhausting into an occupied room: specify double HEPA exhaust.
4. How wide? 3 ft for one operator in tight spaces, 4 ft for most labs, 5–6 ft for two operators or bulky equipment.
“ Don't specify Type B2 'to be safe'. Without significant volatile chemistry, you're paying for ductwork you don't need. — LS Scientific |
Filters and testing: keep your cabinet safe
Biosafety cabinets use HEPA filters and must be tested and certified regularly; budget for filter changes in your running costs.
Type A2 recirculates about 70% of its air and exhausts 30% through a HEPA filter. Type B2 exhausts 100%.
Biosafety cabinet filters are HEPA. Plan a change every few years, sooner in dusty or busy labs, with decontamination first.
Site it away from doors, walkways, air-con vents, other cabinets and fume cupboards.
Test annually to BS EN 12469: operator, product and cross-contamination protection, airflow and HEPA integrity.
Never block the front or rear grilles. It's the most common cause of a failed containment test.
Our ISO 17025 calibration and testing services cover annual cabinet validation. For chemical vapours, you need a fume cupboard, not a biosafety cabinet. Decontaminate waste with a laboratory autoclave.
Related guide: Most work inside a biosafety cabinet is pipetting. See types of micropipette, and which one your lab needs.
FAQ: biosafety cabinets
What are the types of biosafety cabinet?
Class 1 protects the operator and environment. Class 2 protects the operator, sample and environment, and comes as Type A2 (recirculating) or Type B2 (100% ducted exhaust). Class 3 is fully sealed with glove ports for the highest-risk agents.
What is a Class 2 cabinet?
A Class 2 (Class II) biosafety cabinet uses an inward air curtain and HEPA-filtered downflow to protect the operator, the sample and the environment. It's the standard choice for cell culture and clinical microbiology.
What is the difference between a biosafety cabinet and a laminar flow cabinet?
A biosafety cabinet protects the operator, sample and environment. A laminar flow cabinet protects only the sample and blows air towards the user, so never use it with infectious material.
When do I need Type B2 instead of Type A2?
Only when volatile toxic chemicals or radionuclides are used in more than trace quantities. Type B2 exhausts all its air and must be hard-ducted outside.
What filters does a biosafety cabinet use?
HEPA filters on the downflow and exhaust. Double HEPA exhaust models add a second exhaust filter for extra assurance.
How much does a biosafety cabinet cost?
Class 2 cabinets in our range cost from £5,595 to £14,661. A Class 1 is £7,189 and a Class 2 Type B2 is £16,780.
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