Depending on the material used, test tubes are of two types; disposable and reusable.

     Disposable test tubes are crafted from a range of plastics, including nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polytetrafluoroethylene. These plastic tubes exhibit remarkable resistance to UV light, similar to neoprene tubes, and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. For instance, test tubes made of nitrile can operate between -30℉ and 275℉. Polyethylene-based plastic tubes are also highly resistant to high pressure.

     In contrast, reusable test tubes are primarily made of glass, specifically types like borosilicate, fused silica, or quartz. These glass tubes offer excellent resistance to temperature, making them autoclavable and compatible with various chemicals. While they are transparent, reusable test tubes are typically more expensive than disposable ones.

     Other materials used for test tube construction include metal and ceramic. However, these are relatively uncommon choices.