The H2300-HC2 is the myTemp CO2 Mini Digital Incubator — Benchmark Scientific's benchtop CO2 incubator at $4,795. NEW PRODUCT FAMILY: CO2 incubators for mammalian cell culture. KEY DIFFERENTIATOR vs regular incubators: integrated CO2 atmosphere control for physiologically-relevant pH buffering of bicarbonate-buffered cell-culture media. Universal-voltage chassis (100–240 V single SKU). Includes 2 stainless-steel autoclavable shelves.
Author confidence note (MEDIUM): No specific myTemp CO2 brochure in available corpus. Confirm exact CO2 control range (typical 0–20%), CO2 sensor type (TC vs IR — IR sensors typically more accurate but more expensive), temperature range, humidity control (most cell-culture CO2 incubators support humidity tray), chamber dimensions, and door / sealing format with Benchmark Scientific tech support.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| SKU | H2300-HC2 |
| Type | Benchtop CO2 incubator (mammalian cell culture) |
| Voltage | 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz (universal-voltage single SKU) |
| Includes | 2 stainless-steel autoclavable shelves |
| Required pairing | H2300-REG CO2 gas regulator ($423) — regulates gas-cylinder pressure to incubator |
| Extra shelf | H2300-SH (10.5 × 8 in stainless-steel autoclavable, $133) |
| Compared to standard incubator | H2265-HC myTemp 65 ($4,133 — no CO2 control) |
| List price | $4,795 |
Why a CO2 Incubator
Mammalian cell culture media are typically bicarbonate-buffered — the buffering chemistry depends on CO2-bicarbonate equilibrium for stable physiological pH (~7.4):
- Without CO2 atmosphere control — media pH drifts alkaline as CO2 escapes from the open culture vessel, stressing or killing cells
- With 5% CO2 atmosphere (typical) — bicarbonate-CO2 equilibrium maintains stable pH 7.4 throughout multi-day cell-culture workflows
- Humidified atmosphere prevents medium evaporation that concentrates salts and disrupts cell physiology
Pick the H2300-HC2 CO2 Mini when:
- Mammalian cell-culture workflows at the bench-mini scale (single-investigator dedicated workflow)
- Bench-space-constrained labs — benchtop CO2 incubator vs floor-model alternative
- Educational / undergraduate teaching workflow — small CO2 incubator for cell-biology courses
- Method-development workflows at scaled-down throughput
- Personal-investigator workflow — alternative to shared-room CO2 incubator scheduling
Stay with H2265-HC myTemp 65 ($4,133) for non-CO2 incubation workflows — saves $662 when CO2 atmosphere control isn't required (bacterial / non-mammalian / dry-incubation workflows).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does mammalian cell culture need a CO2 incubator? A: Bicarbonate-buffered cell-culture media depend on a CO2–bicarbonate equilibrium (typically 5% CO2) to hold a stable physiological pH near 7.4; without CO2 control, media pH drifts alkaline and stresses or kills cells.
Q: What is included, and what must be ordered separately? A: It includes 2 stainless-steel autoclavable shelves. The H2300-REG CO2 gas regulator ($423) is required to interface the CO2 cylinder and is ordered separately; extra shelves (H2300-SH, $133) are optional.
Q: How does it compare to the myTemp 65? A: The H2265-HC myTemp 65 ($4,133) has no CO2 control — it saves $662 for non-CO2 (bacterial / dry-incubation) workflows.
Q: What voltage does it use? A: A universal 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz single SKU.
Ordering & Configuration
Procure CO2 gas regulator (H2300-REG, $423) — required to interface CO2 cylinder to incubator (incubator does not include this in the chassis).
Plan CO2 cylinder source and tubing routing to bench location.
Confirm CO2 sensor type with Benchmark Scientific tech support — IR sensors give more accurate / faster CO2 control than thermal-conductivity sensors.
Plan humidity-tray refill workflow — CO2 cell-culture incubators typically use a water tray for chamber humidification.
Confirm at quote: voltage / plug type, intended cell-culture workflow, CO2 cylinder / regulator inclusion, sensor type, humidity-tray workflow, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Benchmark Scientific standard capital-equipment terms.
myTemp CO2 Mini bundle:
- H2300-HC2 (this product) — Chassis ($4,795 each, US/EU pair)
- H2300-REG — CO2 gas regulator ($423, required pairing)
- H2300-SH — Extra stainless-steel shelf ($133)
Pick myTemp CO2 Mini for benchtop mammalian cell-culture workflows requiring CO2 atmosphere control.
