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2026-05-26
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When choosing an environmental test chamber, one of the first major decisions is whether to select a walk-in or a reach-in design. Both serve reliability testing, but they fit very different applications. Selecting the wrong type can waste floor space, increase operating costs, and compromise test results.
Based on TEMAK’s decades of engineering experience, this guide provides a focused comparison to help you make the right choice for 2026.
Reach-in Chamber
A reach-in chamber is a floor standing unit with an internal volume typically from 100 to 1,000 liters. The operator remains outside and reaches through a front door to place or retrieve test samples. These units are ideal for smaller components, electronic parts, and material coupons. Note that “reach-in” only describes the size and access mode; it does not specify the chamber type (e.g., constant climate vs. fast temperature change).
Walk-in Chamber
A walk-in chamber is a large, often modular enclosure with internal volumes starting at 8 m³ and commonly ranging from 10 to 100 m³ or more. Because each customer’s site and test requirements differ, walk-in chambers are always custom-engineered – no “standard” model exists. The operator can walk inside to arrange large test articles such as EV battery packs, complete dashboards, or even vehicle subsystems.
TEMAK offers reach-in chambers from 50L to 1000L (standard sizes) and fully customized walk-in chambers from 8 m³ to 200 m³.
| Feature | Reach-in | Walk-in (custom) |
| Typical interior (W×D×H) | 0.5×0.5×0.5 m up to 1.0×1.0×1.0 m | Custom: typically 2.0×2.0×2.0 m to 5.0×4.0×2.5 m |
| Floor load requirement | ≥350 kg/m² (standard lab floor) | ≥800–1200 kg/m² under full load, requires reinforcement |
| Installation | Roll into place with pallet jack | On-site assembly; requires access path and lifting equipment |
| Utilities | Standard plug/terminal near rear | Dedicated electrical cabinet, water supply (water-cooled) |
TEMAK tip: For walk-in chambers, always provide detailed site drawings (door dimensions, ceiling height, access route) before ordering.
Reach-in chambers are best for:
Electronic components (IC, PCB, relays, capacitors)
Small mechanical parts, seals, plastic specimens
Pharmaceutical stability testing (ICH Q1A)
Material aging and coating evaluation
R&D labs with frequent test profile changes
Walk-in chambers are best for:
EV battery packs / modules (with charge/discharge equipment)
Large automotive assemblies (dashboards, seats, engines, lamps)
Complete equipment racks (servers, telecom cabinets)
Military / aerospace parts requiring internal wiring or adjustment
High throughput batch testing with multiple sample racks
TEMAK has delivered walk-in chambers to major testing labs and automotive manufacturers worldwide, supporting multi channel data acquisition and remote monitoring.
Performance depends on the test standard and the specific chamber design, not simply on whether it is a reach in or walk in. TEMAK designs both types to meet the same stringent requirements when needed.
| Parameter | Reach-in | Walk-in (custom) |
| Temperature range | -70°C to +150°C (optional -90°C to +180°C) | Customer-specified, typically -70°C to +150°C |
| Humidity range | 10%–98% RH (5%–98% optional) | 10%–98% RH (low humidity options available) |
| Ramp rate | Depends on chamber type: 1–3°C/min for standard; 5–15°C/min or higher for fast-change models | Same principle: can be designed for standard or fast-change rates, but high ramp rates require significantly more refrigeration capacity and cost |
Key point: Choosing a reach-in or walk-in is not primarily about ramp rate. Both can be built as fast-change chambers. The real difference is that achieving a 5°C/min ramp in a walk-in costs much more than in a reach-in.
Both chamber types must comply with core standards such as IEC 60068 3 5, IEC 60068-3-6, GB/T 10586, GB/T 10592, and JJF 1101.
Walk-in chambers require additional safety features:
Internal door release (emergency escape handle)
Interior lighting ≥ 200 Lux and service outlets
Audible/visual alarms for overtemperature, water shortage, refrigeration faults
Compliance with EN 60068-3-11 for large chambers
All TEMAK chambers carry CE, UL, or CCC certification and come with third-party calibration certificates.
Reach-in:
Move into place, level casters, allow 2 hours before power-on
Monthly: clean condenser fins
Every 3 months: replace wet-bulb wick
Every 6 months: check water filter and float valve
Annual: calibrate sensors
Walk-in:
Requires floor leveling/strengthening, professional on-site assembly
Quarterly: check panel seals
Semi-annual: clean drain pan and drain lines
Annual: 9-point or 15-point temperature uniformity test under load
TEMAK offers full-coverage maintenance contracts including two deep cleanings, one calibration, one refrigeration system check, and 24-hour emergency response.
The decision between reach-in and walk-in is driven primarily by your test sample, not just budget or development phase.
| Decision factor | Recommendation |
| Sample size ≤ 0.8 m in any dimension, no internal access needed | Reach-in |
| Sample length > 1.5 m, or cannot fit through a standard door | Walk-in |
| Requires operator inside for wiring, adjustment, or sample setup | Walk-in |
| High heat dissipation (>500W) from active samples | Walk-in (better cooling capacity) |
| High-volume batch testing of many small samples (LEDs, connectors) | Reach-in (more cost effective per unit) |
| Very heavy sample (hundreds of kg) requiring fork-lift access | Walk-in (with ramp or flush floor) |
| Limited lab space or frequent relocation | Reach-in |
Important: Ramp rate (e.g., ≥5°C/min) is not the deciding factor. Both types can be built as fast-change chambers. If you truly need a large volume with fast ramp, TEMAK can engineer a walk-in to meet it – but expect a higher investment.
Many labs combine both: a reach-in for component-level screening and a walk-in for final system validation. TEMAK offers a unified remote monitoring platform that manages both.
There is no universally “better” choice – only the right fit for your samples, site, and test requirements.
Choose a reach-in chamber if:
Your samples are small enough to fit through a standard door and require no internal operator access.
Choose a walk-in chamber if:
Your samples are large, require internal operator work, or need high throughput batch testing in a single enclosure.
TEMAK provides full support from pre-sales sizing and site survey to installation, commissioning, and annual maintenance. Contact us with your sample dimensions, test standards, and facility layout – we will help you select the right chamber for 2026 and beyond.
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