A robust and compact mini cycler
22 October 2025
After years of faithful service, our Techne Prime gradient cycler departed this world in dramatic fashion – with a cloud of foul-smelling electronic smoke. Despite passing the inevitable PAT test with flying colours just weeks before its demise. There was no hope of repair, prompting a search for a replacement.
Finding the right rit
In reflecting on our needs, I realized we didn't require all the advanced features of our previous cycler, at least not immediately. Inspiration struck when I stumbled upon a fascinating image of a mini cycler by Cambio – very cool indeed! I tasked my favourite lab supply company SLS with finding a thermal cycler with a genuinely small footprint. After their recommendations, I settled on the Benchmark TC-32 mini thermal cycler.
Core features
The TC-32 lives up to its "mini" designation with a compact 23 × 18 cm footprint that frees up valuable bench space. It accommodates 32 × 0.2 ml tubes in a convenient 4 × 8 format, perfect for lower-throughput applications without sacrificing flexibility.
Key features include:
- Intuitive touchscreen interface for easy programming and operation
- Fast heating and cooling rates that keep run times short
- Flexible programming with the ability to store multiple protocols
- USB connectivity for program transfer and data logging
- Heated lid to prevent condensation during cycling
One caveat: whilst the cycler itself is indeed compact, the power supply is enormous! Fortunately, it can be tucked away separately, giving you flexibility in arranging your workspace.
Performance in practice
For our purposes – diagnostic PCRs and the occasional gene amplification for cloning – the TC-32 performs exactly as it should. It is fast, reliable, and more than adequate for routine molecular work. The speed is particularly appreciated when you're running multiple batches throughout the day. With the fast extension rates of polymerases such as MyTaq (10 s for product sizes of 1 kb), run time for a standard 30 cycles program is well below 1 hour.
A delightful quirk
Here's where things get nostalgic. The TC-32 has a "feature" that transported me back to the days of cyclers such as the PTC-100 by MJ Research. It treats programs like a batch file, working through steps sequentially. After the initial round of steps, you introduce a "Goto" command to create your cycling loop.
This is where the fun begins: to achieve 30 cycles, you must set the Goto option to 29. Why? Because by the time the program reaches the Goto command, it has already completed the first cycle! I remember this confusing every single student I introduced to those old cyclers. There's something delightfully unintuitive about it, even though it's perfectly logical once explained.
I very much appreciate that programs run this way in the TC-32. It still allows me to confuse students when introducing how a PCR program runs – a small pedagogical pleasure that never gets old.
The verdict
For a small, fast PCR machine, the Benchmark TC-32 is a very good choice. It delivers reliable performance for routine applications, saves bench space, and, if you're so inclined, keeps alive the time-honoured tradition of teaching students to think carefully about loop logic.
More information can be found here.