A standard piece of laboratory equipment, the hot plate stirrer / hot plate magnetic stirrer keeps liquids circulating as they are heated for a faster, more even reaction. In spite of the simplicity of the basic design, modern hot plate stirrers have incorporated features to increase safety and speed and decrease error. Examples of such updates include upgrades to the stirring apparatus, built-in timers and temperature sensors to alert the user when the plate is hot and reduce overheating, and user-friendly interfaces for more precise control. Other things to look for when purchasing a hot plate stirrer include the instrument’s footprint, its capacity, and the maximum temperature it can heat to.