Orbitrap LC-MS Comparison Chart

Choose from an extensive portfolio of Thermo Scientific high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap mass analyzers. Our Orbitrap-based MS systems connect to liquid chromatography instruments to enhance separation of unknown and known compounds and enable high-throughput workflows. Compare products below to find the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap LC-MS instruments that best meet your analysis needs.

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Performance Hybrid Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Choose a high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap mass spectrometer that offers reliable screening performance with quantitative capability to take on more of your testing requirements that require confident, reportable results.
 Q Exactive PlusOrbitrap Exploris 120
 Q Exactive
Plus MS
Orbitrap
Exploris 120 MS
Ideal ApplicationsForensic Toxicology, Clinical Research, Food & Environmental Safety Research, Basic Academic Research, Sport Anti-Doping, Biopharma development, Metabolomics, LipidomicsForensic Toxicology, Clinical Research, Food & Environmental Safety Testing, Basic Academic Research, Targeted/semi-targeted Metabolomics, Pharmaceuticals
AnalysesUnknown identification & confirmation, non-targeted and targeted screening and targeted quantitation
Next-generation ion source interface N/AYes
Quick start methods for various applicationsN/AYes
Drag-n-drop method setup user interfaceN/AYes
AcquireX Intelligent data acquisitionN/A
Standard Features
Resolving Power @ m/z 200140,000
(up to 280,000 with BioPharma option)
120,000
Mass Accuracy
(Internal Calibration)
<1 ppm with internal calibration<1 ppm for at least 5 days with EASY-IC ion source
Calibration proceduresTraditional CalmixOne-click calibration with FlexMix calibration solution
Mass Rangem/z 50 - 6,000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 40 - 3,000
Scan Speed12 Hz22 Hz
Dynamic RangeUp to 5 orders
Ion Source interfaceIonMax with H-ESI II probeOptaMax NG ion source
Polarity Switching1 Hz1.4 Hz
Multiplexing1020
Scan FunctionsFull-MS, AIF, SIM, PRM, (t-MS2 for Orbitrap Exploris 120), DIA
DissociationIn-source CID, HCD
Optional Upgrades
Intact Protein ModeYesN/A
Enhanced Resolution ModeYesN/A
SourcesAPCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
High Perfomance Hybrid Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer
Choose the high performance, high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap mass spectrometer that's right for your translational research lab
 Orbitrap Exploris 240Orbitrap Exploris 480Q Exactive UHMR
 Orbitrap Exploris 240Orbitrap Exploris 480Q Exactive
UHMR
Ideal ApplicationsForensic Toxicology, Sport Anti-Doping, Food & Environmental Safety research and emerging contaminant testing, Extractables & Leachables, Academic Research, Biopharma development, Semi-targeted Metabolomics, Lipidomics, Clinical & Translational ResearchQuantitative Proteomics, Protein Identification, Biopharma R&D, Clinical & Translational ResearchProteomics, Structural Biology, Protein Characterization
AnalysesMS and MS/MS, Qual/Quan, Screening & ConfirmationMS and MS/MS, Screening & Confirmation
Advanced Data-Dependent ExperimentsPrecursor FitSureQuant, Precursor Fit, Boxcar ScanningN/A
Next-generation ion source interfaceYesN/A
Quick start methods for various applications YesN/A
Drag-and-drop method setup user interfaceYesN/A
AcquireX intelligent data acquisitionYesN/A
Standard Features
Resolving Power @ m/z 200240,000480,000200,000 at m/z 400
Mass Accuracy
(Internal Calibration)
<1 ppm for up to 5 days with EASY-IC ion source<1 ppm internal calibration
Calibration proceduresOne-click calibration with FlexMix calibration solutionTraditional Calmix
EASY-IC Ion Source<1 ppm for up to 5 daysN/A
Dynamic RangeUp to 5 orders
Mass Rangem/z 40 - 6000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 40 - 6000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 350 - 80,000
Scan SpeedUp to 22 HzUp to 40 HzUp to 12 Hz (at resolution setting of 12,500 @ m/z 400
Polarity Switching1.4 Hz(1 full cycle <1 sec)
Ion SourceOptaMax NG ion sourceIonMax with H-ESI II probe
MultiplexingUp to 20 precursors/scanN/A
Scan FunctionsFS, AIF, SIM, t-MS2, DIA, ddHCDFS, AIF, MS/MS, pseudo-MS3
DissociationIn-source CID, HCDIn-source trapping, HCD
Optional Upgrades
Intact Protein ModeYes
High Mass Rangen(HMRn, up to 8000 m/z)YesN/A
SourcesFAIMS Pro Duo interface
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
VeriSpray PaperSpray Ion Source
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
Boost selectivity and enhance your proteomics workflow with FAIMS Pro Interface

High-Field Asymmetric waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) can be used to optimize ion selectivity and reduce chemical backgrounds during mass spectrometry assays. FAIMS selectivity successfully prevents interferences from co-eluting compounds and increases signal to noise ratios by 100-fold or higher.

Learn more  Watch free webinar

Go beyond with Orbitrap Tribrid MS for large and small molecule analysis

Choose the maximum performance Tribrid Orbitrap mass spectrometer that's right for your discovery lab

 

 Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid MSOrbitrap Fusion LumosOrbitrap EclipseOrbitrap Ascend
 Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid MSOrbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid MSOrbitrap Eclipse Tribrid MSOrbitrap Ascend Tribrid MS
Ideal ApplicationsSmall molecule characterization and elucidation research for applications such as Metabolomics, Drug development Met ID, Extactables and Leachables, Industrial Environmental Health and moreMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein CrosslinkingMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein Crosslinking, NativeOmics, LC-top-down mass spectrometry, BiotherapeuticsMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein Crosslinking, NativeOmics, LC-top-down mass spectrometry, Biotherapeutics, and new modalities
AnalysesMS and MSn, Qualitative and Quantitative, Profiling, screening, and targeted consistently cap or uncap
Advanced Data-Dependent ExperimentsUniversal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Intelligent MSn with Real-Time Library Search and Library builderSPS MS3, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuantReal-Time Search SPS MS3, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuant, Precursor Fit FilterReal-Time Search & Real-Time Library Search for small molecules & peptides, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuant, Precursor Fit Filter
AcquireX Acquisition ToolRequires Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Tribrid Series 4.2 SP1QF1, 3.1 or greater
Optional Upgrades
EASY-ETD HDNoYesYes
UVPD LaserYesYesYes
High Mass Rangen (HMRn, up to 8,000 m/z)Noup to m/z 8000up to m/z 16000
Proton Transfer Charge Reduction (PTCR)NoYesYes
EASY-IC Ion SourceYesYes
1M ResolutionYesYesNo
FAIMS Pro Duo InterfaceYes
Performance and Value
Comprehensive solutions
Pesticide Explorer
Learn about this comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) solution designed to enhance productivity and efficiency using start-to-finish workflows for routine quantitation and pesticide residue screening of food matrices.
VetDrugs Explorer Collection
Learn about this comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) solution that includes all the essential components for accurate and efficient routine screening or sensitive quantitation of veterinary drugs and antibiotics in food matrices.
Automated workflows with uSPE for GC and LC and the TriPlus RSH autosampler
Learn about this reliable and high-throughput workflow that automates clean-up of QuEChERS extracts using the cartridge based Thermo Scientific micro-Solid Phase Extraction (µSPE) with subsequent analysis by GC-MS or LC-MS. This µSPE capability, is available for the Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH Autosampler and LC systems.

For more information

Performance Hybrid Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Choose a high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap mass spectrometer that offers reliable screening performance with quantitative capability to take on more of your testing requirements that require confident, reportable results.
 Q Exactive PlusOrbitrap Exploris 120
 Q Exactive
Plus MS
Orbitrap
Exploris 120 MS
Ideal ApplicationsForensic Toxicology, Clinical Research, Food & Environmental Safety Research, Basic Academic Research, Sport Anti-Doping, Biopharma development, Metabolomics, LipidomicsForensic Toxicology, Clinical Research, Food & Environmental Safety Testing, Basic Academic Research, Targeted/semi-targeted Metabolomics, Pharmaceuticals
AnalysesUnknown identification & confirmation, non-targeted and targeted screening and targeted quantitation
Next-generation ion source interface N/AYes
Quick start methods for various applicationsN/AYes
Drag-n-drop method setup user interfaceN/AYes
AcquireX Intelligent data acquisitionN/A
Standard Features
Resolving Power @ m/z 200140,000
(up to 280,000 with BioPharma option)
120,000
Mass Accuracy
(Internal Calibration)
<1 ppm with internal calibration<1 ppm for at least 5 days with EASY-IC ion source
Calibration proceduresTraditional CalmixOne-click calibration with FlexMix calibration solution
Mass Rangem/z 50 - 6,000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 40 - 3,000
Scan Speed12 Hz22 Hz
Dynamic RangeUp to 5 orders
Ion Source interfaceIonMax with H-ESI II probeOptaMax NG ion source
Polarity Switching1 Hz1.4 Hz
Multiplexing1020
Scan FunctionsFull-MS, AIF, SIM, PRM, (t-MS2 for Orbitrap Exploris 120), DIA
DissociationIn-source CID, HCD
Optional Upgrades
Intact Protein ModeYesN/A
Enhanced Resolution ModeYesN/A
SourcesAPCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
High Perfomance Hybrid Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer
Choose the high performance, high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) Orbitrap mass spectrometer that's right for your translational research lab
 Orbitrap Exploris 240Orbitrap Exploris 480Q Exactive UHMR
 Orbitrap Exploris 240Orbitrap Exploris 480Q Exactive
UHMR
Ideal ApplicationsForensic Toxicology, Sport Anti-Doping, Food & Environmental Safety research and emerging contaminant testing, Extractables & Leachables, Academic Research, Biopharma development, Semi-targeted Metabolomics, Lipidomics, Clinical & Translational ResearchQuantitative Proteomics, Protein Identification, Biopharma R&D, Clinical & Translational ResearchProteomics, Structural Biology, Protein Characterization
AnalysesMS and MS/MS, Qual/Quan, Screening & ConfirmationMS and MS/MS, Screening & Confirmation
Advanced Data-Dependent ExperimentsPrecursor FitSureQuant, Precursor Fit, Boxcar ScanningN/A
Next-generation ion source interfaceYesN/A
Quick start methods for various applications YesN/A
Drag-and-drop method setup user interfaceYesN/A
AcquireX intelligent data acquisitionYesN/A
Standard Features
Resolving Power @ m/z 200240,000480,000200,000 at m/z 400
Mass Accuracy
(Internal Calibration)
<1 ppm for up to 5 days with EASY-IC ion source<1 ppm internal calibration
Calibration proceduresOne-click calibration with FlexMix calibration solutionTraditional Calmix
EASY-IC Ion Source<1 ppm for up to 5 daysN/A
Dynamic RangeUp to 5 orders
Mass Rangem/z 40 - 6000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 40 - 6000
(up to 8000 with BioPharma option)
m/z 350 - 80,000
Scan SpeedUp to 22 HzUp to 40 HzUp to 12 Hz (at resolution setting of 12,500 @ m/z 400
Polarity Switching1.4 Hz(1 full cycle <1 sec)
Ion SourceOptaMax NG ion sourceIonMax with H-ESI II probe
MultiplexingUp to 20 precursors/scanN/A
Scan FunctionsFS, AIF, SIM, t-MS2, DIA, ddHCDFS, AIF, MS/MS, pseudo-MS3
DissociationIn-source CID, HCDIn-source trapping, HCD
Optional Upgrades
Intact Protein ModeYes
High Mass Rangen(HMRn, up to 8000 m/z)YesN/A
SourcesFAIMS Pro Duo interface
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
VeriSpray PaperSpray Ion Source
APCI/APPI Combination Ion Source
EASY-Spray Sources
Nanospray Flex Ion Sources
Boost selectivity and enhance your proteomics workflow with FAIMS Pro Interface

High-Field Asymmetric waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) can be used to optimize ion selectivity and reduce chemical backgrounds during mass spectrometry assays. FAIMS selectivity successfully prevents interferences from co-eluting compounds and increases signal to noise ratios by 100-fold or higher.

Learn more  Watch free webinar

Go beyond with Orbitrap Tribrid MS for large and small molecule analysis

Choose the maximum performance Tribrid Orbitrap mass spectrometer that's right for your discovery lab

 

 Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid MSOrbitrap Fusion LumosOrbitrap EclipseOrbitrap Ascend
 Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid MSOrbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid MSOrbitrap Eclipse Tribrid MSOrbitrap Ascend Tribrid MS
Ideal ApplicationsSmall molecule characterization and elucidation research for applications such as Metabolomics, Drug development Met ID, Extactables and Leachables, Industrial Environmental Health and moreMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein CrosslinkingMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein Crosslinking, NativeOmics, LC-top-down mass spectrometry, BiotherapeuticsMulti-omics, TMT, Intact/top-down proteomics, Targeted Quantification, Protein-Protein Crosslinking, NativeOmics, LC-top-down mass spectrometry, Biotherapeutics, and new modalities
AnalysesMS and MSn, Qualitative and Quantitative, Profiling, screening, and targeted consistently cap or uncap
Advanced Data-Dependent ExperimentsUniversal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Intelligent MSn with Real-Time Library Search and Library builderSPS MS3, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuantReal-Time Search SPS MS3, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuant, Precursor Fit FilterReal-Time Search & Real-Time Library Search for small molecules & peptides, Universal Method, Product Ion & Neutral Loss Triggered-MSn, Isolation offset, Quantitation/Confirmation Acquisition, SureQuant, Precursor Fit Filter
AcquireX Acquisition ToolRequires Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Tribrid Series 4.2 SP1QF1, 3.1 or greater
Optional Upgrades
EASY-ETD HDNoYesYes
UVPD LaserYesYesYes
High Mass Rangen (HMRn, up to 8,000 m/z)Noup to m/z 8000up to m/z 16000
Proton Transfer Charge Reduction (PTCR)NoYesYes
EASY-IC Ion SourceYesYes
1M ResolutionYesYesNo
FAIMS Pro Duo InterfaceYes
Performance and Value
Comprehensive solutions
Pesticide Explorer
Learn about this comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) solution designed to enhance productivity and efficiency using start-to-finish workflows for routine quantitation and pesticide residue screening of food matrices.
VetDrugs Explorer Collection
Learn about this comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) solution that includes all the essential components for accurate and efficient routine screening or sensitive quantitation of veterinary drugs and antibiotics in food matrices.
Automated workflows with uSPE for GC and LC and the TriPlus RSH autosampler
Learn about this reliable and high-throughput workflow that automates clean-up of QuEChERS extracts using the cartridge based Thermo Scientific micro-Solid Phase Extraction (µSPE) with subsequent analysis by GC-MS or LC-MS. This µSPE capability, is available for the Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH Autosampler and LC systems.

For more information


Definition of terms

Resolution: Frequently reported in full width at half maximum (FWHM), resolution is the separation of two mass spectrometry peaks and is calculated as the mass of a peak (M) divided by resolving power (∆M).

Mass accuracy: Expressed in parts per million, this value indicates how much an instrument deviates from a known standard or calibrant.

Scan rate: Measured in hertz, the scan rate of an MS indicates how quickly it scans a mass spectrum.

Polarity switch: The collection of both positive and negative sample ionization data (spectra) by the ion trap during a single MS analysis. Polarity switching is applied to the study of drugs, drug metabolites, pesticides, etc.

PRM: Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) is a targeted method of high resolution MS quantification in which a full scan of each precursor ion transition is monitored; i.e., all fragments derived from the precursor ion are monitored. In contrast, single reaction monitoring (SRM) performs one transition monitoring at a time.

Multiplex: The ability of a mass analyzer to acquire data from multiple precursor ions in the same scan without compromising high signal-to-noise ratio.

MSn: Also termed tandem MS, the use of multiple stage MS to capture product ion spectra of a defined m/z, where n is the number of recorded product ion stages.

ETD: Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) results in the fragmentation of the peptide backbone of MS samples, simplifying identification of peptide modification sites.

Synchronous MS3: A method of quantitation that involves simultaneous selection of several MS2 precursors for MS3 analysis and is often used during TMT and iTRAQ experiments.