The functioning of the two types of micropipettes determines their restrictions of use.

In an air displacement pipette, the air between the piston and the sample can expand or contract due to variations in temperature, hygrometry or due to properties of the sample (volatility, viscosity or density, for example). These pipettes are therefore best suited for aqueous solutions at temperatures near the ambient temperature.

A positive displacement pipette is unaffected by the characteristics of the sample and is therefore suitable for “hard to pipette” liquids, especially oils, syrups, paints, and liquid foodstuffs.