The Best FPLC Systems of 2026

In the landscape of biopharmaceutical research and protein engineering, the selection of a Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) system is a significant factor in operational workflows. Laboratory professionals require equipment that balances purification resolution with automation, reproducibility, and data integrity. The FPLC systems of 2026 reflect a shift toward modularity and AI-driven method development, addressing the diverse needs of academic labs and industrial production facilities. This guide evaluates five industry-leading models, analyzing their specifications, application suitability, and investment value to assist procurement teams in making data-driven acquisition decisions.

Quick Summary Box

• Best Overall: Cytiva ÄKTA pure — A widely established system known for flexibility and modularity in research-scale purification.

• Best On A Budget: Knauer Azura Bio Compact AC — A cost-effective, compact solution designed for routine affinity chromatography.

• Best For Speed / Throughput: Cytiva ÄKTA avant 25 — Engineered for process development with integrated Design of Experiments (DoE) capabilities.

• Most Versatile: Bio-Rad NGC Quest 10 Plus — Features a configurable modular design that scales from basic to complex workflows.

• Best High-End Option: Shimadzu Nexera Prep — An AI-assisted platform delivering high precision and automated method optimization.

Shimadzu Nexera Prep – Shimadzu

Price Range: $65,000 – $95,000 (Estimated)

Best For: Best High-End Option

Updated with a platform release in August 2024, the Shimadzu Nexera Prep represents the newest generation of preparative purification systems. While technically a Preparative HPLC, it is utilized for high-end protein purification due to its capability to integrate analytical functions into the workflow, connecting analytical precision with preparative scale operations.

Key Specs

• Flow Rate: Up to 150 mL/min (configurable)

• Pressure Limit: High-pressure tolerance (suitable for polishing and peptides)

• Detection: Multi-wavelength UV-Vis with optional Mass Spectrometry (MS) integration

• Software: LabSolutions MD with AI-driven peak integration

• Release Date: August 2024 (Platform Update)

Performance & Applications The Nexera Prep is suitable for environments where precision and automation are priorities. Its primary feature is the "Analytical Quality by Design" (AQbD) approach, which uses simulation to determine separation parameters before sample consumption. This system is relevant for labs working with therapeutic proteins, peptides, or complex biosimilars where sample conservation is necessary. The integration of the LH-40 liquid handler and Open Solution software supports scale-up from analytical to preparative runs, making it a functional tool for pharmaceutical discovery labs requiring regulatory compliance.

Knauer Azura Bio Compact AC – Knauer

Price Range: $20,000 – $35,000

Best For: Best On A Budget

Reconfigured for the biotech market in 2023, the Knauer Azura Bio Compact AC offers an alternative to larger FPLC units. This dedicated bio-chromatography configuration allows smaller laboratories and academic teams to access automated purification capabilities at a lower price point than enterprise systems.

Key Specs

• Flow Rate: 0.01 – 50 mL/min

• Pressure Limit: 50 bar (725 psi)

• Detection: Variable single wavelength UV detector

• Footprint: Compact design (benchtop friendly)

• Material: Full biocompatible (metal-free) flow path

Performance & Applications The Azura Bio Compact AC addresses the essential requirements for affinity chromatography. It is engineered for the purification of tagged proteins and antibodies, handling tasks such as His-tag or Protein A purification. The system's "isocratic plus" pump technology allows for simple gradient formation, sufficient for many routine cleanup steps. Its operational focus is on simplicity and robustness; the system is designed to minimize downtime and maintenance, making it suitable for educational institutions or start-ups focused on specific, repetitive purification protocols rather than complex method development.

Cytiva ÄKTA pure – Cytiva

Price Range: $60,000 – $110,000

Best For: Best Overall

The Cytiva ÄKTA pure is a widely established system in protein purification, utilized extensively due to its modularity and reliability. Continuous software updates and hardware accessories maintain its position in the industry in 2026.

Key Specs

• Flow Rate: Up to 25 mL/min (Pure 25) or 150 mL/min (Pure 150)

• Pressure Limit: Up to 20 MPa (2900 psi)

• Detection: Advanced UV monitoring (up to 3 wavelengths), conductivity, and pH

• Modularity: Over 20 hardware options (valves, fraction collectors, detectors)

Performance & Applications The ÄKTA pure is designed for research flexibility. Its modular architecture allows scientists to customize the flow path to suit specific proteins, from enzymes requiring low shear forces to antibodies needing higher flow rates. The integration with UNICORN software provides control over method creation, allowing for complex multi-step purification protocols to be automated. It is relevant across various sectors, from basic academic research to pre-clinical drug development, capable of handling affinity, size exclusion (SEC), and ion exchange (IEX) chromatography.

Bio-Rad NGC Quest 10 Plus – Bio-Rad

Price Range: $75,000 – $90,000

Best For: Most Versatile

The Bio-Rad NGC Quest 10 Plus is engineered for scalability, featuring a "Tier Rotate" design that allows users to physically reconfigure the modules. This system is suitable for facilities that need a single instrument to adapt to varying project requirements.

Key Specs

• Flow Rate: 0.001 – 10 mL/min (expandable in other NGC models)

• Pressure Limit: 25 MPa (3,650 psi)

• Detection: Multi-wavelength UV-Vis

• Interface: ChromLab software with touch-screen compatibility

• Automation: Automated buffer blending and sample injection

Performance & Applications Versatility is a primary characteristic of the NGC Quest 10 Plus. The system’s Point-to-Plumb lighting feature guides users through tubing connections, reducing setup errors—a benefit in shared laboratory spaces with users of varying experience levels. Suited for method scouting and optimization, the NGC platform supports automated column switching and buffer preparation. It is used in structural biology and biochemistry labs where the purification conditions for proteins must be tested and optimized before scale-up.

Cytiva ÄKTA avant 25 – Cytiva

Price Range: $100,000 – $140,000

Best For: Best For Speed / Throughput

For laboratories focused on process development and throughput, the ÄKTA avant 25 offers specific functional capabilities. It is designed to facilitate the transition from bench-scale research to manufacturing by prioritizing speed and process security.

Key Specs

• Flow Rate: Up to 25 mL/min

• Pressure Limit: 20 MPa (2900 psi)

• Cooling: Built-in fraction collector with temperature control

• Methodology: Integrated Design of Experiments (DoE) software

• Security: BufferPro automatic buffer preparation

Performance & Applications The ÄKTA avant 25 is built for data quality and efficiency. Its notable feature is the integrated DoE capability within the UNICORN software, which allows researchers to vary parameters systematically to identify robust purification conditions with fewer experiments. The system also features a cooled fraction collector to preserve the integrity of heat-sensitive proteins during long runs. This model is often selected by industrial bioprocessing groups and core facilities where maximizing throughput and establishing scalable manufacturing protocols are the primary objectives.

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Selecting the Best FPLC System for 2026

Selecting an FPLC system for 2026 requires an assessment of a laboratory’s specific throughput demands, budget constraints, and long-term research goals. While established platforms like the Cytiva ÄKTA pure continue to offer proven reliability for general applications, recent entrants like the Shimadzu Nexera Prep (2024 update) and the reconfigured Knauer Azura Bio Compact AC demonstrate a shift toward AI-integration and compact design. By aligning equipment capabilities with the complexity of the target proteins—whether for simple tag removal or complex structural analysis—laboratories can ensure they invest in appropriate FPLC systems to support their scientific objectives.

_{This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.}