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Illumina sequencing platforms

Our innovative next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms deliver exceptional data quality and accuracy, at a massive scale. View benchtop and production-scale sequencer comparison tables, and find tools designed to help you choose the right platform for your needs.

Sequencing Platforms

 
iSeq 100 System
MiniSeq System
MiSeq Series
NextSeq Series
Popular Applications & Methods
 Key Application Key Application Key Application Key Application
Large Whole-Genome Sequencing (human, plant, animal)        
Small Whole-Genome Sequencing (microbe, virus)        
Exome Sequencing        
Targeted Gene Sequencing (amplicon, gene panel)        
Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing        
Gene Expression Profiling with mRNA-Seq        
Targeted Gene Expression Profiling        
Long-Range Amplicon Sequencing*        
miRNA & Small RNA Analysis        
DNA-Protein Interaction Analysis        
Methylation Sequencing        
16S Metagenomic Sequencing        
How to Choose a Benchtop Sequencer

This Benchtop Sequencing Buyer’s Guide has tips to help you make a smooth transition to next-generation sequencing and select the best benchtop sequencing platform to achieve your research objectives.
Run Time 9–17.5 hrs 4–24 hours 4–55 hours 12–30 hours
Maximum Output 1.2 Gb 7.5 Gb 15 Gb 120 Gb
Maximum Reads Per Run 4 million 25 million 25 million † 400 million
Maximum Read Length 2 × 150 bp 2 × 150 bp 2 × 300 bp 2 × 150 bp
  Explore iSeq Order Explore MiniSeq Request Pricing Compare MiSeq Request Pricing Compare NextSeq Request Pricing
 
NextSeq Series
HiSeq 4000 System
HiSeq X Series‡
NovaSeq 6000
System
Popular Applications & Methods
 Key Application Key Application Key Application Key Application
Large Whole-Genome Sequencing (human, plant, animal)        
Small Whole-Genome Sequencing (microbe, virus)        
Exome Sequencing        
Targeted Gene Sequencing (amplicon, gene panel)        
Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing        
Gene Expression Profiling with mRNA-Seq        
miRNA & Small RNA Analysis        
DNA-Protein Interaction Analysis        
Methylation Sequencing        
Shotgun Metagenomics        
Optimized NGS Sample Tracking and Workflows

See how a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) enabled this large genomics lab to standardize lab procedures and cope with increasing sample volumes from diverse clients.

Read Case Study
Run Time 12–30 hours < 1–3.5 days < 3 days ~13 - 38 hours (dual SP flow cells)
~13–25 hours (dual S1 flow cells)
~16–36 hours (dual S2 flow cells)
~44 hours (dual S4 flow cells)
Maximum Output 120 Gb 1500 Gb 1800 Gb 6000 Gb
Maximum Reads Per Run 400 million 5 billion 6 billion 20 billion
Maximum Read Length 2 × 150 bp 2 × 150 bp 2 × 150 bp 2 x 250**
  Compare NextSeq Request Pricing Explore HiSeq 4000 Request Pricing Explore HiSeq X Request Pricing Explore NovaSeq Request Pricing

* Involves performing long-range PCR and sequencing the resulting amplicons (≥ 1 kb). Useful for analyzing long, continuous gene regions. Ideal for viral and mitochondrial sequencing, HLA analysis, or sequencing only a few targets at a time.
** Specification based on dual flow cell run of SP flow cells.
† For MiSeq V3 kits only.
‡ Specifications shown for an individual HiSeq X Sequencing System. HiSeq X is only available as part of the HiSeq X Five or HiSeq X Ten.

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Find the Right NGS Platform

Use our interactive comparison tool to identify the best sequencing instrument for your lab and applications.

Launch Comparison Tool

See all product selection and experiment planning tools

Next-Generation Sequencing Platform Innovation is in our DNA

Illumina has pioneered major advances in sequencing simplicity, flexibility, and platform performance. Sequencing output has grown over a thousand-fold, from less than 1 gigabase to 6 terabases per run, while the number of reads has increased from millions to billions. Experiments that once required complex workflows now use simple push-button sequencing.

Learn More About NGS
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NGS Platforms with Proven Performance

Illumina NGS instruments have been adopted by leading institutions around the globe, both big and small, and are the production platform for many genome centers. More than 90% of the world’s sequencing data is generated using Illumina instruments.*

Each sequencing platform delivers exceptional data quality and performance, with flexible throughput and simple, streamlined workflows—for every kind of researcher, for every scale of study.

*Data calculations on file, Illumina, Inc. 2015.

How to Choose a Sequencer

Determine the best benchtop or production-scale sequencing platform to transform your lab. Ask the right questions to evaluate your needs.

  • What applications will you use most frequently?
  • Which instrumentation options best enable these applications?
  • What are the ongoing costs beyond the initial instrument purchase?

For further guidance about key factors to consider when making your decision, download the NGS System Buyer’s Guide.

Download Buyer's Guide