UNLABELLED: Current laboratory protocols for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) involve a standard 10- to 14-day incubation period. However, recent evidence indicates considerable variability in the time to diagnosis (TTD) between acute and chronic PJIs. TTD is also influenced by the employed culture media and sample types. Enriched liquid media, such as broths and blood culture bottles, along with sonication fluid culture, are commonly used, though their incremental benefit for PJI diagnosis remains debated. We retrospectively analyzed 187 confirmed hip and knee PJIs, each with at least three intraoperative samples. Comparison of TTD among early acute ( IMPORTANCE: While molecular techniques are becoming increasingly employed, culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections. However, guidance for laboratory protocols is limited and highly variable. This article aims to increase diagnostic efficiency by providing concrete recommendations for medical microbiology laboratories.