Sartorius Entris II Essential vs Advanced: BCE and BCA Balances Compared
Sartorius Entris II Essential vs Advanced: the BCE line is the value pick with optional isoCAL, and the BCA line adds a graphic touch display, an electronic level and an audit trail. The NTEP Sartorius Entris II BCE3202-1NUS (3200 g x 0.01 g) is on sale for $1,225.00 (regular $1,870.00), in stock.
Short answer: Sartorius Entris II comes in two lines. Entris II Essential (BCE models) is the value line, with an LED touch display, 12 built-in applications and optional isoCAL internal calibration on the “i” models. Entris II Advanced (BCA models) adds a graphic touch display, a real-time electronic level, built-in protection features and a calibration audit trail for labs that document every adjustment. Within each line, the model number tells you capacity and readability: BCE224 is 220 g x 0.1 mg, BCE223 is 220 g x 1 mg and BCE2202 is 2200 g x 10 mg. Choose “i” for internal calibration and “-1NUS” when you need an NTEP-approved, legal-for-trade balance.
Entris II is a Sartorius balance family we sell every week, and the long model numbers confuse many buyers. MNM Scales is one of the largest scale distributors in the country, with over 30 years in business and a large stock of Entris II models, including the internal-calibration and NTEP-approved versions. Here is how to read an Entris II part number, how the Essential and Advanced lines compare, and which model fits your work. Comparing prices across Entris II, Practum, Quintix and Secura? See our Sartorius balance price guide.
How to read an Entris II model number
- BCE or BCA: BCE is Entris II Essential; BCA is Entris II Advanced.
- The digits: all but the last digit give the capacity, and the last digit gives the number of decimal places in grams. BCE224 = 220 g with 4 decimals (0.0001 g = 0.1 mg). BCE323 = 320 g with 3 decimals (1 mg). BCE2202 = 2200 g with 2 decimals (10 mg). See capacity and readability explained.
- i: isoCAL internal calibration. Models without the “i” are calibrated with an external weight.
- -1S or -1NUS: -1S is the standard version. -1NUS is the version approved for the USA and Canada (NTEP), which you need when you sell by weight. See what NTEP and legal for trade mean.
Entris II Essential vs Advanced
| Feature | Entris II Essential (BCE) | Entris II Advanced (BCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | LED display with touch technology | Graphic touch display |
| Built-in applications | 12, including counting, percent, checkweighing, dosing, density, animal weighing, statistics and peak hold | 13 |
| Internal calibration | isoCAL on “i” models | isoCAL on “i” models |
| Key extras | Glass draft shield on 0.1 mg and 1 mg models, stainless steel pan, chemical-resistant PBT housing | Real-time electronic level support, integrated protection systems and CalAuditTrail record of adjustments |
| Interfaces | RS232 and USB-C | RS232, USB-C and USB-C host |
| Best for | Schools, QC benches, production and general labs | Regulated labs, pharmacies and audit-driven QC |
Both lines come in the same capacity and readability steps, from 0.1 mg analytical models to 10 mg toploaders, so the choice comes down to usability and documentation. If your SOP requires proof of each adjustment or level check, the Advanced line saves paperwork; if not, Essential is the better value.
Entris II analytical, milligram and 10 mg models
Sartorius publishes the following for the Entris II Essential line:
| Readability | Example models | Repeatability | Linearity | Stabilization | USP min. weight (optimum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mg (analytical, glass draft shield) | BCE224, BCE124, BCE64 | ±0.1 mg | ±0.2 mg | ≤1.5 s | 0.082 g |
| 1 mg (milligram, glass shield) | BCE623, BCE423, BCE323, BCE223 | ±1 mg | ±2 mg | ≤1.0 s | 0.82 g |
| 10 mg (toploading) | BCE6202, BCE4202, BCE3202, BCE2202, BCE1202 | ±10 mg | ±20 mg | ≤0.9 s | 8.2 g |
The USP minimum weight is the best-case smallest sample that passes the USP General Chapter 41 repeatability test; typical values in a real room are higher (Sartorius lists 0.16 g for the 0.1 mg models). If your smallest sample is close to these numbers, step up one decimal place (see analytical vs precision balances and our pharmacy balance guide). Allow about 2 hours of warm-up after plugging in before critical weighing.
isoCAL internal calibration: is the “i” worth it?
isoCAL adjusts the balance automatically with a built-in weight when the room temperature changes by a set amount or a set time has passed: 1.5 K or 4 hours on the 0.1 mg models, and 2 K or 6 hours on the 1 mg and 10 mg models. That keeps the balance in adjustment through the day without anyone handling weights.
Models without isoCAL are adjusted with an external calibration weight, not included. Sartorius recommends a 200 g E2 weight for the BCE224, a 200 g F1 weight for the BCE223, a 2000 g F1 weight for the BCE2202 and BCE3202, and a 5000 g F1 weight for the BCE6202 (see calibration weight classes and calibration weights). For most labs that weigh many times a day, the isoCAL version pays for itself in time saved. Internal calibration does not replace a periodic calibration certificate, so plan an outside calibration on a schedule (see how often to calibrate).
Which Entris II should you buy?
- Analytical lab work at 0.1 mg: BCE224I-1S (220 g x 0.1 mg, isoCAL) or the external-calibration BCE224-1S. For audit trails, the BCA224I-1S Advanced.
- Milligram formulation and QC: BCE223I-1S (220 g x 1 mg, isoCAL) or the BCA323I-1S Advanced (320 g x 1 mg).
- Sample prep and production at 10 mg: BCE1202-1S (1200 g), BCE2202-1S (2200 g), BCE3202-1S (3200 g), BCE6202-1S (6200 g) or the BCA2202I-1S Advanced.
- Selling by weight (legal for trade): BCE224-1NUS (220 g x 0.1 mg), BCE623-1NUS (620 g x 1 mg) or BCE3202-1NUS (3200 g x 10 mg). Dispensaries and jewelers can see our dispensary scale guide and legal-for-trade jewelry scale guide.
Already own an Entris II? Our Sartorius Entris II manual guide walks through setup, isoCAL, calibration and error codes for the BCE224I-1S, BCE223I-1S and BCE1202-1S.
Calibration certificates for Entris II balances
Calibration is priced by the balance’s maximum capacity. Every 220 g, 320 g, 620 g and 2200 g Entris II falls in the up-to-2.2 kg tier; the 3200 g, 4200 g and 6200 g models fall in the 2.2 to 6.2 kg tier. Add calibration to your order and we calibrate before it ships, or send in a balance you already own (see NIST-traceable vs in-house certificates).
Up to 2.2 kg (BCE224, BCE223, BCA323, BCE2202 and similar): In-house calibration + certificate ($95) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($395)
Over 2.2 to 6.2 kg (BCE3202, BCE4202, BCE6202): In-house calibration + certificate ($195) NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate ($495)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Entris II Essential and Advanced?
Entris II Essential (BCE) has an LED touch display and 12 applications. Entris II Advanced (BCA) adds a graphic touch display, real-time electronic level support, integrated protection features, CalAuditTrail and 13 applications.
What does the i mean in Sartorius BCE224I?
The i means isoCAL internal calibration. The balance adjusts itself with a built-in weight when the temperature changes or a set time passes. Models without the i use an external calibration weight, not included.
What does -1NUS mean on an Entris II balance?
-1NUS models carry approval for the USA and Canada (NTEP), so they can be used legal for trade when you sell by weight. -1S models are the standard version.
What is the readability of the Sartorius BCE224?
The BCE224 has a capacity of 220 g and a readability of 0.1 mg (0.0001 g), with repeatability of 0.1 mg and linearity of plus or minus 0.2 mg according to Sartorius.
How long does an Entris II need to warm up?
Sartorius specifies a warm-up time of about 2 hours after connecting power before critical weighing.
How much does it cost to calibrate an Entris II balance?
At MNM Scales, Entris II models up to 2.2 kg cost $95 for in-house calibration or $395 for NIST-traceable calibration; 3200 to 6200 g models cost $195 or $495.