Do you work in a facility like a university, research facility, hospital, or lab where you need to store and have access to slide collections? Whether you are storing research samples, teaching slides, or other materials, you want to make sure your slides are protected while still being easy to get to. Accessibility, long-term durability, and integrity of your samples are the goal of any good slide cabinet system.

Here are some key features to look for in high-quality slide cabinets.

What are Microscope Cabinets?

Microscope slide cabinets are storage solutions that are designed to keep your slides secure and organized. They are most often found in laboratories, research facilities, and biotech companies to preserve their samples and protect them from contamination and damage. Depending on your situation, you may need one large cabinet or several large or smaller cabinets – such as those commonly discussed in laboratory storage contexts, including examples from Eberbach Cabinets – to store all your slides. 

Features to Look for in Microscope Cabinets 

Finding the right microscope slide cabinets for your office, lab, or storage facility is key. Here are some of the features you should consider when selecting your cabinet or cabinets:

• Flexibility. It’s likely that your slide storage needs will change over time. That’s why you should look for microscope slide cabinets that can scale with you such as stackable options or cabinets that come in various sizes.
• Durability. Your storage cabinets need to be made of sturdy material that will stand the test of time and be damage-resistant. Remember, one of their main purposes is to protect your slides so they need to be strong and secure.
• Ease of access. If you need to have frequent access to your slides, make sure you choose a storage solution that has interchangeable trays that are labeled or numbered for easy indexing and retrieval.
• Protection features. Light, moisture, and dust are the enemies of the short and long-term integrity of your slides. Make sure the microscope slide cabinets you are considering have environmental protection factors such as tightly sealed drawers and cabinets that support silica gel to help prevent fungal growth from moisture. 
• Security and access control. Not only do you need to keep your slides safe from the elements and daily wear and tear, but you also need to make sure they are not accessed by unauthorized personnel or stolen. Look for lockable cabinets such as those that feature a central locking system that can protect slides both during office hours and while your office is closed. 
• Appearance. Just because your cabinets will be serving a useful function doesn’t mean they can’t also be attractive and match your decor. Look for microscope slide cabinets in attractive finishes such as expertly crafted hardwood to ensure they add a pleasing element to your area. 

Selecting the Right Microscope Slide Cabinets 

The right microscope slide cabinets will keep your slides safe and secure while still providing easy access and organization in your lab, office, storage room, or research facility. Look for cabinets that have features such as locking mechanisms, durable construction, and flexibility as well an attractive appearance for the best fit.