Filter vs. Non-Filter Pipette Tips: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between filter and non-filter pipette tips is an aerosol barrier. Filter tips contain a filter near the pipette connection to help reduce aerosol contamination of the pipette. Non-filter tips do not have this barrier and are generally an economical option for lower-risk liquid handling. The right choice depends on the application—not simply on which tip costs more.

What does the filter actually do?

Pipetting and mixing can generate small droplets or aerosols containing sample material. These may enter the lower part of an air-displacement pipette even without visible liquid being drawn into it. A contaminated pipette can then become a source of cross-contamination during subsequent work. 

The filter acts as a barrier between the sample-containing portion of the tip and the pipette. It is not intended to filter or purify the liquid sample: during normal use, the aspirated liquid stays below it. 

Filter and non-filter tips at a glance

Neither category should be treated as a shortcut for judging overall tip quality. Both require an appropriate match to the pipette and application.

When should you choose filter tips?

Filter tips are a sensible choice for contamination-sensitive workflows such as PCR and qPCR. Carryover of amplified DNA can interfere with subsequent reactions, making contamination prevention particularly important. A filter addresses one possible contamination route; it does not replace the rest of the laboratory’s contamination-control procedures.

For valuable or difficult-to-replace samples, consider the consequences of repeating the work. The purchase price of a tip is only one part of the decision. Sample loss, additional reagents, and staff time may matter more.

A useful purchasing specification therefore describes the task and required cleanliness, rather than requesting “filter tips” alone.

When are non-filter tips appropriate?

Non-filter tips are commonly used for noncritical applications. Routine preparation or transfer of ordinary solutions may not require an aerosol barrier, provided the procedure’s contamination requirements allow it.

For laboratory purchasing, a practical approach is to stock tips by workflow. Reserve the required filter-tip configuration for sensitive work, and evaluate non-filter alternatives for lower-risk tasks. This avoids making one specification do every job.

Filtered does not automatically mean sterile

Filter status, sterility, and low-retention properties are separate specifications. Product ranges include sterile non-filter tips as well as sterile filter tips. Low-retention options are another category, so their availability should also be checked rather than assumed.

Likewise, “sterile” is not a substitute for checking the documented cleanliness requirements of a molecular biology assay. Confirm the relevant DNase, RNase, or DNA testing statements for the exact product being ordered.

Selecting an A-GEN pipette tip

A-GEN’s universal pipette tip range includes hydrophobic filter options, extended-length designs and wide-orifice designs, with bagged, racked and stacked packaging options. The website lists a series-wide capacity range of 0.5 μL to 10 mL; check the individual product specification for the combination you need rather than assuming every configuration is available at every volume. 

When requesting an A-GEN recommendation, provide:

• The pipette brand, model, and working volume.

• The sample type and intended workflow.

• The required filter and sterility specifications.

• Any assay-specific cleanliness requirements.

• The preferred packaging format.

Also confirm the rated volume of the exact filter tip. Filter placement can affect maximum capacity, so similar-looking filtered and non-filtered tips should not automatically be treated as interchangeable. 

The practical takeaway

Choose the specification around the experiment. For contamination-sensitive work, prioritize an appropriate filter tip and documented cleanliness. For lower-risk routine transfers, assess whether a non-filter tip meets the procedure’s requirements.

A clear description of your application helps A-GEN identify a suitable option—and helps your laboratory avoid paying for features it does not need or overlooking those it does.