You need an accurate cell count for your experiment. Do you reach for the classic hemocytometer and microscope, or do you use a modern, automated cell counter? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Both have their place in a modern lab.
Let’s break down the pros and cons.
The Hemocytometer (Manual Counting):
- Pros:
- Low Cost: No major capital investment.
- Visual Inspection: You see your cells directly, allowing you to check for clumping, contamination, and overall health.
- Viability Staining: Easily combined with dyes like Trypan Blue for live/dead counts.
- Cons:
- Time-Consuming: Can be slow for high-throughput work.
- User-Dependent: Results can vary slightly between users (subject to human error).
- Lower Throughput: Not ideal for counting dozens of samples quickly.
The Automated Cell Counter:
- Pros:
- Speed & Efficiency: Provides a count in seconds.
- High Throughput: Perfect for processing many samples.
- Reduced User Bias: The instrument does the counting, standardizing the process.
- Cons:
- High Cost: Significant upfront investment and recurring costs for specialized slides or reagents.
- Less Insight: You lose the direct visual connection to your cells. It may miscount debris or clumps as cells.
- Calibration Dependent: Requires proper calibration to be accurate.
