Trending in analytical chemistry: 6 HPLC systems rated by you

Scientists are increasingly turning to trusted user reviews to identify the HPLC systems that deliver the strongest performance, reliability, and value. With more laboratories prioritizing high‑throughput workflows, robust separations, and consistent data quality, real‑world feedback has become a critical resource for comparing modern HPLC and UHPLC platforms.

In this SelectScience^® article, we highlight the top user‑rated systems shaping today’s analytical landscape. Showcasing the instruments that excel in precision, ease of use, uptime, and overall workflow efficiency, to help researchers make confident, data‑driven decisions when selecting the right chromatography system for their applications.

1. Gilson VERITY 271 HPLC System

The Gilson VERITY 271 HPLC system has been designed with mid-size capacity and throughput to provide hundreds of configurations for semi-preparative and preparative purifications. All system configurations accommodate novel injection and fraction collection capabilities within a single platform, with multiple detection options.

Our scientists say:

• “Great result with great support.”
• "After sales service is also very good and system is good value for money."

Read all reviews for the Gilson VERITY 271 HPLC System here >>

2. Thermo Scientific Vanquish Duo UHPLC System for Dual LC

The Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ Duo UHPLC System for Dual LC has been designed to improve your productivity, double your throughput, and deepen your sample knowledge for a faster return on investment. This system uses a separate second flow path in one integrated system, so that you can run the same method on both flow paths or two different methods simultaneously on one instrument to improve lab productivity and bench space usage.

Our scientists say:

• “These workflows improve your productivity by saving time, reducing cost per sample, increasing capacity without added bench, and using your resources more efficiently."
• “Full compliance, precise, dependable results and cost & time savings.”
• “The best UHPLC system I have ever used. The precision of retention time is guaranteed. Best specificity and accuracy.”

Read all reviews for the Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ Duo UHPLC System for Dual LC here >>

3. Nexera 40 Series UHPLC

Shimadzu's Nexera UHPLC series has been designed to maximize reliability and uptime with fully unattended workflows that span from start up to shut down. Interestingly, operators can set the Nexera to start up at a specified time, so that it can complete auto-purge, equilibration, baseline checks and system suitability in advance, and even be ready for analysis before they arrive at the lab. Plus, the Nexera also has auto-diagnostics and auto-recovery capabilities that allow it to monitor pressure fluctuations to check for anomalies.

Our scientists say:

• “A valuable asset for our analytical lab.”
• “The UHPLC by Shimadzu is an excellent analytical system for quantitative estimation of chemical constituents in the food, plant and animal samples.”
• “Great results and high performance.”

Read all reviews for the Nexera 40 Series UHPLC >>

4. Altus HPLC

The Altus™ HPLC platform from PerkinElmer delivers exceptional results on what you need most, which is quick and easy analytical workflows without the hassle. This easy-to-use HPLC platform offers trouble-free operation that is ideal for daily analysis, while also delivering a large sample capacity, automated fluid handling, and temperature control with built-in forced-air recirculation for a stable environment.

Our scientists say:

• “Great new version of tried and tested HPLC system.”
• “Perfect instrument for all biochemists.”

Read all reviews for the Altus HPLC >>

5. Hitachi LaChrom Elite HPLC System

Designed to meet the challenges of today's laboratory environment, fast results and demanding workload, the LaChrom Elite^® couples automated tasks with an innovative design. This system is controlled by Empower™ 2 software to facilitate regulatory compliance. The system also features a built-in degasser, programmable wavelength switching, and solvent pre-heating and cooling.

Our scientists say:

• “I love Elite LaChrom HPLC.”
• “The Hitachi LaChrom Elite is a truly robust system. It requires very little maintenance compared to other HPLC systems.”
• “Very reliable apparatus and user friendly. Good balance between quality and cost.”

Read all reviews for the Hitachi LaChrom Elite^® HPLC System >>

6. Waters Alliance HPLC System

The Alliance™ HPLC System from Waters is the flexible and reliable system that has been developed to meet your fundamental HPLC separation requirements. Overtime, this system has been continually perfected to accommodate the range of real-world analytical challenges. Whether your lab analyzes samples in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food safety, or quality control arenas, the Alliance HPLC system offers a field-proven solution.

Our scientists say:

• “Amazing results in the QC tests like assay and related substances.”
• “Results are very reproducible for qualitative and quantitative analysis.”
• "Very robust, powerful, flexible, and reliable equipment. Aligned with Waters system's robustness allowing good and flexible applications.”

Read all review for the Waters Alliance^™ HPLC System here >>

HPLC accessories we love

• Raptor Polar X LC Columns

Restek have developed the Raptor Polar X LC Columns, designed to reliably analyze a wide variety of polar analytes (acidic, basic, and neutral) without the need for time-consuming derivatization or complex ion pairing. In addition, these columns can switch between HILIC and ion-exchange retention modes with simple mobile phase changes and short equilibration times, and are ideal for those wanting to increase sensitivity and selectivity in their LC-MS analyses.

Plus, these columns are combined with 2.7 μm Raptor core-shell particles to provide UHPLC-like speed and efficiency on all makes and models of LC systems.

Our scientists say:

• "Much better laboratory routine, better method reproducibility, better result in less time."
• "Restek polar X column are the most suitable LC columns for amino acid analysis. It has balanced selectivity with HILIC and ion exchanges and analysis of polar compounds."
• "These columns are well worth the price. They hardly ever give any problems. They are easy to change also. I would recommend them to anyone wanting precise results for LC-MS sampling."

Read all reviews for the Raptor Polar X LC Columns here >>

• SecurityGuard Standard HPLC

The SecurityGuard Standard HPLC from Phenomenex is designed to fit any manufacturers’ standard HPLC column, making it an ultimate HPLC Guard Column. This system can extend the lifetime of your 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.6 mm, and 7.8mm ID column by effectively capturing sample contaminants, that can cause an increase in backpressure and effect baseline noise. The instrument is compatible with most other HPLC columns, easy to use, and won’t alter chromatography.

Our scientists say:

• “An essential product in our lab.”
• “These filters have probably saved our columns from going bad very quickly. Easy to use.”
• “These Securityguard cartridges are an essential in our lab. They extend the life of our columns and are easy to install.”

Read all reviews for the SecurityGuard Standard HPLC here >>

FAQs

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Where can I see HPLC product reviews from scientists?

You can find independent, peer-reviewed product reviews from scientists on the UHPLC & HPLC Product Reviews Directory. These reviews provide real-world insights into instrument performance and usability.

Where can I get more information on these products?

Explore the full range of instruments in our UHPLC & HPLC Product Reviews Directory and download our How to Buy HPLC Guide for expert advice on selecting the right system for your workflow.