Dropometer
US$4,990 base kit, checked 23 October 2026
Contact angle goniometer comparison
Dropometer vs ramé-hart contact angle goniometers
ramé-hart instrument co. makes a long running range of contact angle goniometers, from the Model 90 for static contact angle to the automated Model 590, all running DROPimage software on a PC. ramé-hart says its model prices range from about US$5,000 to US$25,000. This page compares the range, including the Model 250, with the Dropometer on price, methods, software, accessories and warranty.
VS
ramé-hart Model 90 to Model 590
About US$5,000 to US$25,000 by model (ramé-hart); per model quote. Checked 23 October 2026
Written by
Abhimanyu Bhandankar
Holds an MBA from Schulich School of Business and a BE in IT. He joined Droplet Lab in July 2019 and now leads sales and marketing.
CEO at Droplet Lab
Read More
Technical Review by
Gurdeep Singh Saini
Holds a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and an MASc from York University. He develops the automatic edge and baseline detection behind the Dropometer's analysis.
COO at Droplet Lab
Read More
The short answer
Buy a ramé-hart Model 250 or above if you need environmental chambers, an automated tilting base, high speed video or DROPimage's surface energy methods on a PC. Buy the Dropometer (US$4,990) for contact angle, surface tension and surface energy in one portable kit with a 5 year warranty and accuracy validated against a KRÜSS DSA100E.
When a ramé-hart goniometer is the better choice
- Accessories. Automated dispensing system, automated tilting base, environmental chambers and wafer support across the 200, 400 and 500 series instruments.
- Fast video. The all new U6 camera: 2.3 MP at 160 fps, up to 2,320 fps at reduced size.
- Surface energy methods. DROPimage Pro includes seven methods, among them acid base, geometric mean, harmonic mean and Zisman plot.
- An entry static model. The Model 90 measures static contact angle at the low end of ramé-hart's US$5,000 to US$25,000 range.
- SpringDrop. Included with all new instruments, according to ramé-hart.
When the Dropometer is the better choice
- Published price. US$4,990 for contact angle, surface tension and surface energy in one kit.
- Validated accuracy. 0.35° measured against a KRÜSS DSA100E in peer reviewed papers; ramé-hart's model pages do not state accuracy.
- Dynamic angles in the base app. Advancing and receding angles are included; on ramé-hart they need DROPimage Advanced (Models 250, 260, 290, 500 and 590).
- Portable. Battery power for up to 8 hours and analysis on the included phone; no PC needed.
- Warranty. 5 years, against ramé-hart's one year.
When not to buy a Dropometer
- You need temperature or humidity control: ramé-hart offers Peltier chambers from −50 to 150 °C and heated options to 300 °C.
- You need high speed video: the U6 camera reaches 160 fps at full frame and up to 2,320 fps at reduced size.
- You need an automated tilting base from −90° to 90° or 8 inch wafer support (Model 400).
- You only need static contact angle and want the lowest ramé-hart price: the Model 90 is ramé-hart's entry static goniometer.
- You need audit trails or electronic signatures, which the Dropometer does not support.
Executive summary
Both measure static contact angles, surface energy and surface tension from drop images. ramé-hart builds benchtop contact angle goniometers and tensiometers for a PC, with DROPimage software and a large set of compatible accessories and software upgrades. The Dropometer is a portable kit for the same core measurements at room temperature, with analysis on an included phone, for US$4,990.
Where they overlap
Static contact angles of a sessile drop from a side view image.
Surface free energy from the contact angles of several test liquids.
Surface and interfacial tension by the pendant drop method (ramé-hart Model 210 and up; confirm 90 Pro hardware with ramé-hart).
Where they differ and why it matters
Price
ramé-hart states model prices of about US$5,000 to US$25,000 and quotes each model. The Dropometer is US$4,990 with optional tilt stage (US$700) and auto dropper (US$2,000).
Dynamic measurements
On ramé-hart, advancing and receding angles, relaxation and the tilting base run in DROPimage Advanced. The Dropometer measures advancing and receding angles in its standard app.
Accessories and environment
ramé-hart adds chambers from −50 to 300 °C, humidity on the 500 and 590, and wafer support. On the Dropometer a temperature and humidity chamber is a built to order upgrade.
Where you can measure
ramé-hart instruments are 2.6 to 6.3 kg benches with a PC. The Dropometer runs on battery with its own phone.
A deeper look at the criteria that decide it
Which ramé-hart models we compared
- Model 90 and 90 Pro: compact instruments for static contact angle (90) and contact angle with surface energy (90 Pro), U3 camera at 25 fps.
- Model 190: static contact angle with the U6 camera.
- Model 210: contact angle, surface energy, surface tension and interfacial tension with DROPimage Pro.
- Model 250 and 260: the same measurements plus dynamic studies in DROPimage Advanced; the 260 supports the environmental chamber.
- Model 290, 400, 500 and 590: automated dispensing and tilting (290, 590), 8 inch wafer support (400) and the most upgradeable frame (500). ramé-hart goniometers.
DROPimage Pro and DROPimage Advanced
DROPimage Pro, formerly called DROPimage Standard, covers static measurements and seven surface energy methods. DROPimage Advanced adds advancing and receding contact angle measurement, relaxation and oscillation studies, and control of the automated tilting base for the tilting plate method. On the Dropometer, the app covers static, advancing and receding angles, pendant drop and surface free energy, and the optional tilt stage adds sliding angle.
Accuracy and the numbers you can check
ramé-hart's model pages do not state a contact angle or surface tension accuracy. The Dropometer's 0.35° comes from published measurements against a KRÜSS DSA100E, which you can read in full. Whichever instrument you choose, ask for accuracy data on surfaces like yours. Our contact angle measurement guide explains what affects it.
Warranty and running cost
ramé-hart warrants its instruments for one year from delivery. The Dropometer has a 5 year warranty (phone and syringe excluded), 5 years of software updates and a lifetime licence. For a lab planning five years of use, that difference is part of the real price.
Specification and capability matrix
| Criterion | Dropometer | ramé-hart Model 90 / 90 Pro | ramé-hart Model 250 / 260 | ramé-hart Model 290 / 590 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (checked 23 October 2026) | US$4,990 base kit (phone and lifetime licence included) | Quote; range US$5,000 to US$25,000 across models | Quote | Quote |
| Contact angle | 10° to 175°; 0.35° accuracy vs a KRÜSS DSA100E (peer reviewed); 0.01° resolution | Static; accuracy not stated | Static and dynamic; accuracy not stated | Static and dynamic; accuracy not stated |
| Advancing and receding angles | Advancing and receding in the app | No | DROPimage Advanced | DROPimage Advanced |
| Sliding or roll off angle | Optional tilt stage, US$700 (0° to 60°); auto tilt US$1,500 | Manual tilting base accessory | Tilting base accessory (−90° to 90° automated) | Automated tilting base included |
| Surface tension | Pendant drop, up to 75 mN/m; 0.01 mN/m resolution | 90 Pro: DROPimage Pro includes a surface tension tool; confirm hardware with ramé-hart | Surface and interfacial tension | Surface and interfacial tension |
| Surface free energy | Equation of State, Fowkes, van Oss Chaudhury Good in the app; OWRK in our free calculator | 90 Pro: DROPimage Pro | DROPimage | DROPimage |
| Dosing | Manual Hamilton syringe; optional auto dropper, US$2,000 (from 0.05 µL) | Manual; an automated dispenser fits without software control | Manual; automated dispensing optional | Automated dispensing included |
| Camera | Pixel 7a phone camera, 10 fps, 4x zoom, manual focus; high power LED backlight | U3, 25 fps | U6, 2.3 MP at 160 fps; to 2,320 fps reduced | U6, 2.3 MP at 160 fps; to 2,320 fps reduced |
| Environment | Operates 10 to 45 °C as standard; temperature and humidity chamber available as a built to order upgrade (ask for range and lead time) | Not offered | 260: environmental chamber support | Chambers −50 to 300 °C; humidity on 590 |
| Weight and power | 5 V, battery up to 8 h; 1 kg; sets up in about 2 minutes | 2.61 kg; mains with a PC | 6.10 kg; mains with a PC | 6.10 kg; mains with a PC |
| Software | Android app on the included phone, or your own iPhone (iOS 15 or later); analysis offline; lifetime licence | DROPimage CA (90) or Pro (90 Pro) | DROPimage Advanced | DROPimage Advanced |
| Warranty | 5 years (phone and syringe excluded as consumables), plus 5 years of software updates | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Checked 23 October 2026. ramé-hart figures come from its goniometer, model, accessory and DROPimage pages and its September 2026 newsletter. ramé-hart does not publish contact angle or surface tension accuracy on its model pages, so the table says so. Dropometer figures come from the Dropometer specification.
How we built this comparison
We read ramé-hart's current model pages, accessories and software pages and compared them with the Dropometer's specification and its peer reviewed validation against a KRÜSS DSA100E. We have not measured a ramé-hart instrument. ramé-hart publishes a price range for its models, not a price per model.
Disclosure: Droplet Lab makes the Dropometer, so read this page knowing that. Every competitor figure links to the maker's own page or datasheet, and where a figure is not published we say so. The verdict changes for labs that need chambers, an automated tilting base, high speed video or wafer support: there a ramé-hart Model 250 to 590 fits better.
Expert perspective
ramé-hart offers both sessile drop and the tilting plate method. Dr. Alidad Amirfazli's point is that a true contact angle does not depend on the geometry you measure it in.
The angle belongs to the surface, not the setup
"A contact angle is a thermodynamic property: fix the liquid and the solid and the same angle appears whether the drop sits on a plate or climbs a capillary."
What this means here: sessile drop and tilting plate results should agree for the same advancing or receding state. If they do not, check the method before blaming the instrument.
Recommendations by scenario
Static contact angle only, PC based bench
Pick: ramé-hart Model 90, or the Dropometer if you may add surface tension later. See the under US$5,000 guide.
Chambers, automated tilting or wafers
Pick: ramé-hart Model 260, 290, 400 or 590. See the advanced research guide.
Contact angle, surface tension and surface energy in one kit
Pick: Dropometer, US$4,990. See the under US$5,000 guide.
Measuring on the line or at another site
Pick: Dropometer. See the field and on site guide.
Bottom line
ramé-hart is a good choice for a bench lab that wants a PC based goniometer it can grow with chambers, automated dispensing and tilting. The Dropometer is the better buy for contact angle, surface tension and surface energy at room temperature in one portable kit, with a 5 year warranty and validated accuracy, for US$4,990. Book a 15 minute demo to compare on your own samples.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ramé-hart goniometer cost?
ramé-hart says its model prices range from approximately US$5,000 to US$25,000; each model page asks you to request a quote. Checked 23 October 2026.
What is the difference between DROPimage Pro and DROPimage Advanced?
DROPimage Pro covers static measurements and seven surface energy methods. DROPimage Advanced adds advancing and receding angles, relaxation and oscillation tests, and control of the automated tilting base.
Which ramé-hart model is closest to the Dropometer?
On measurements, the Model 250: contact angle, surface energy, surface tension and dynamic studies. On price, the Model 90 and 90 Pro.
What warranty does ramé-hart offer?
One year from delivery for defects in materials and workmanship. The Dropometer has a 5 year warranty.
Can the Dropometer replace a ramé-hart Model 250?
For contact angle, advancing and receding angles, pendant drop surface tension up to 75 mN/m and surface energy at room temperature, yes. For chambers, an automated tilting base or high speed video, no.
Other instrument comparisons
How the Dropometer compares with other contact angle goniometers and surface screening tools.
Dropometer vs Ossila Contact Angle Goniometer
Entry benchtop, about US$3,000
DIY ImageJ vs Dropometer
Free software plus a rig you build
Dropometer vs KRÜSS DSA100 and DSA25
Premium benchtop, quote only
Dropometer vs DataPhysics OCA series
Premium benchtop, quote only
Dropometer vs Biolin Scientific Attension Theta
Premium optical tensiometer, quote only
Dropometer vs Brighton Science Surface Analyst
Handheld water contact angle for production
Dropometer vs dyne pens and test inks
Pass or fail surface energy screening
All contact angle goniometer buying guides
Best instrument by budget and use case
Validated measurement approach
Where the Dropometer's accuracy figure comes from.
Benchmarked against a KRÜSS DSA100E
Dropometer contact angle and pendant drop surface tension were compared with a KRÜSS DSA100E in two peer reviewed papers: Review of Scientific Instruments (2018) and Colloids and Surfaces A (2017).
Used in 52 customer publications
Customers have cited the Dropometer in 52 peer reviewed papers, theses and conference papers, listed with links.
References
1.
ramé-hart: Contact angle goniometers
Model range and the US$5,000 to US$25,000 price statement, checked 23 October 2026.
2.
ramé-hart: Model 250 standard automated goniometer and tensiometer
Model 250 measurements and software.
3.
ramé-hart: September 2026 newsletter (U6 camera)
U6 camera frame rates and SpringDrop.
4.
ramé-hart: DROPimage Pro
Surface energy methods.
5.
ramé-hart: DROPimage Advanced
Advancing and receding, relaxation and oscillation.
6.
ramé-hart: Accessories and tilting base
Dispensing, chambers and tilting base.
7.
ramé-hart: About (warranty)
One year warranty.
8.
Chen, Muros-Cobos and Amirfazli (2018). Contact angle measurement with a smartphone. Review of Scientific Instruments 89, 035117
Peer reviewed validation of the Dropometer's contact angle method against a KRÜSS DSA100E.
9.
Droplet Lab: Dropometer technical specification
Dropometer price, ranges, accuracy, add-ons and export formats, checked 23 October 2026.