What is an Analytical Balance?
Analytical balances have a highly precise readability of 0.0001 grams or 0.1 milligrams. Accuracy is an integral part of analytical balances, as they are often used to perform chemical analysis in laboratory applications. Because they are so sensitive and accurate, even a slight breeze can influence a weight reading. To prevent environmental interference, analytical balances are often designed with a weighing chamber, sometimes known as a draft shield.
What is a Toploader Balance?
Toploader balances have a readability of 0.001-0.1 grams or 1-100 milligrams and are considered only semi-analytical. Toploader balances are built with a weigh pan that rests on top of the base. They are not commonly designed with weighing chambers but are loaded from the top, hence the name “toploader balance.” As their design may suggest, toploader balances have fewer divisions than analytical balances, but as a result, they are often more affordable. Toploader balances can be used in applications less dependent on extreme accuracy, such as food processing.
