Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS w/ Acquity I Class Front End

Insights by AMPTIUS | AMP Tech Instruments

Price and cost of ownership of Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS w/ Acquity I Class Front End

Investing in a Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS with Acquity I-Class Front End provides laboratories with a state-of-the-art solution for ultra-sensitive quantitative analysis. With a new system priced around $365,000 and a refurbished unit available for approximately $100,000, the cost savings of choosing certified pre-owned equipment can be substantial—particularly for labs looking to expand capabilities while managing capital expenditure. The Xevo TQ-S Micro is designed for high-throughput LC-MS/MS workflows, offering exceptional sensitivity, robustness, and speed. Paired with the Acquity I-Class UPLC, it ensures fast separations, low dispersion, and precise quantitation—making it ideal for pharmaceutical bioanalysis, food safety, environmental testing, and clinical research. The system’s compact footprint, low maintenance design, and compatibility with MassLynx software add to its operational efficiency. Long-term ownership costs include mobile phases, columns, nitrogen and argon gas supplies, LC consumables (e.g., seals, tubing, filters), ion source cleaning kits, and scheduled preventative maintenance. Service contracts and software upgrades can add to annual costs but are important for uptime and compliance. A certified refurbished Xevo TQ-S Micro system undergoes rigorous testing, typically includes a warranty, and provides the same analytical performance as a new system at a fraction of the cost. For labs demanding high sensitivity and speed without the full capital burden, this setup is a strategic investment in advanced mass spectrometry.

Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro: Precision Testing for PFAS, Drugs, and Pollutants

The Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS with ACQUITY I-Class UPLC is a powerful analytical platform used in many laboratories to measure trace-level compounds in complex samples. It’s commonly employed in pharmaceutical testing to quantify drug levels in biological fluids, and in food safety labs to detect pesticides, antibiotics, and toxins in produce and meats. Environmental laboratories use it to analyze pollutants in water or soil, while clinical and forensic labs depend on it for the quantification of hormones, vitamins, or drugs in biological matrices. Its speed, sensitivity, and ability to detect analytes at parts-per-trillion concentrations make it a trusted choice for high-precision applications across industries. The Waters Xevo TQ-S Micro LC-MS/MS system with ACQUITY I-Class UPLC is commonly used and aligned with the performance requirements outlined in U.S. EPA methods for PFAS analysis. EPA Method 533, which targets short-chain PFAS in drinking water, and EPA Method 537.1, which includes both short- and long-chain PFAS, recommend the use of a triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS system capable of exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. The Xevo TQ-S Micro delivers consistent results in high-throughput environments with stable retention times and excellent reproducibility, making it a strong fit for these protocols. EPA Draft Method 1633—developed for comprehensive PFAS analysis across diverse matrices including water, soil, sediment, and biosolids—also specifies a triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS platform that meets stringent quantification demands. With its inert flow path, low carryover autosampler, and UPLC integration, the Xevo TQ-S Micro meets or exceeds the sensitivity and robustness required by these methods. Its proven performance and reliability make it a recommended solution for regulated PFAS monitoring programs and environmental compliance initiatives.