Comparison

Benchtop Bioreactors Compared — 2026

A vendor-neutral, spec-by-spec comparison of 69 benchtop, parallel & micro-scale bioreactor product lines from 26 makers — filter by culture type, vessel format, working volume, parallelism, control openness, 21 CFR Part 11 and scale-up path. Every row is confidence-marked against vendor datasheets; prices shown only where genuinely disclosed.

Comparison
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Updated 2026-07-13

Lab-equipment comparison · 2026

Benchtop bioreactors, compared spec-by-spec

A vendor-neutral matrix of 71 benchtop, parallel & micro-scale bioreactor product lines from 28 makers — from micro-scale screening blocks to ~50 L single-use systems. Compare the axes that actually drive the choice: what you can grow, vessel format, scale, parallelism, and how open and regulator-ready the control layer is. Every row is confidence-marked against vendor datasheets; where a spec isn't public we say so rather than guess. No vendor publishes list pricing, so price is shown only where genuinely disclosed.

Product lines

Makers

Single-use options

Open-control lines

At a glance

What the field covers

Of 71 product lines — how many address each culture type and vessel format. Mammalian and microbial dominate; single-use has become table stakes even at the bench.

Culture types supported

Mammalian
66
Microbial
52
Cell therapy
15
Perfusion
23
Phototrophic
7
Insect
7

Vessel formats offered

Single-use
43
Glass
37
Stainless
14

The field

71 of 71 product lines

How to readOpenness = documented open / vendor-agnostic control (not marketing).Part 11 "Yes" only where the vendor states it; "Tier" = optional software tier.Confidence dot = how solid the specs are (datasheet vs secondary).Prices are quote-only unless shown; "n/d" = not disclosed.

Vendor

Culture

Vessel

Volume

Format

Openness

Part 11

Scale-up

Confidence

			Vessel	Format	Cultures	Control · openness	Part 11	Scale-up	Licensing · price	Conf.
bioREACTOR 8 / 48 Parallel micro-bioreactor: 48- or 8-vessel disposable polystyrene vessels; up to 4,000 rpm, optical pH/DO. Scale-up via characterized kLa.	2mag Germany	8–15 mL per vessel	Single-use	Micro / HT · 48×	Microbial	Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	High
Benchtop Bioreactor Systems Duran-glass or stainless autoclavable vessels; proprietary BioPhantom cascade control; platform scales lab→pilot→production. (Swedish maker, est. 1985.)	Belach Bioteknik Sweden	1–3 L working	GlassStainless	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	BioPhantom Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Multifermentor Six independently controlled 316L stainless reactors on the BioPhantom platform; optional optical density + gas analysis.	Belach Bioteknik Sweden	0.2–1 L per vessel	Stainless	Parallel · 6×	MicrobialMammalian	BioPhantom Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	High
KLF (in-situ sterilizable) Marketed as the only in-situ (electrically-heated SIP) sterilizable benchtop glass bioreactor. BioSCADA explicitly 21 CFR Part 11-compatible and integrates third-party instruments. Range spans 1–1,500 L.	Bioengineering AG Switzerland	1.6 / 2.0 / 2.5 L working	GlassStainless	Parallel · 6×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	BioSCADA Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
RALF (autoclavable) Single/double-walled autoclavable glass vessels. Up to 6 reactors per control unit. Matched scale-up via NLF pilot (10–30 L).	Bioengineering AG Switzerland	1.3 / 2.5 / 3.3 / 4.5 L working	Glass	Parallel · 6×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	BioSCADA Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
F0-baby Entry benchtop with interchangeable autoclavable glass vessels + optional single-use 2 L. Up to 3 units from one PC. Rosita is closed (no OPC-UA/Modbus documented). Scale-up ladder F0→F1/F2/F3/FS.	Bionet Spain	1–10 L microbial (2–8 L cell culture; single-use 2 L)	GlassSingle-use	Parallel · 3×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	Rosita 2.0 (proprietary SCADA) Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
F1 Widest-configuration lab bioreactor: glass stirred, glass airlift, photobioreactor vessel, and single-use rocking. Single or Twin. '21 CFR Part 11 software' mentioned but tier-dependent.	Bionet Spain	up to ~10 L working	GlassSingle-use	Parallel · 2×	MicrobialMammalianPhototrophic	Rosita 2.0 Closed	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
F2 Lab-to-pilot stainless Steam-In-Place; 30 L is the top of the benchtop scope. MARTA built on Siemens WinCC (partly open by architecture); 'GMP-qualifiable' rather than explicit Part 11.	Bionet Spain	15 and 30 L working	Stainless	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	MARTA (on Siemens WinCC) Partial	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
BioBench / Bio EZ Benchtop glass/stainless bioreactors; parallel configurations offered. Software name, Part 11 and pricing not verified.	Biostream International Netherlands	50 mL–15 L (full range to 3,000 L)	GlassStainless	Parallel	MicrobialMammalianPhototrophic	Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
CellMaker (single-use airlift) Single-use airlift (no mechanical stirring) bag-in-enclosure; volume ceiling set by enclosure. Controller tiers Regular/Plus/Low-Flow; a Dual runs 2 vessels. Strong for microbial + bacteriophage; also mammalian. Part 11 is a vendor-asserted claim, not certified.	Cellexus United Kingdom	1.5–8 L or 10–50 L (by enclosure)	Single-use	Single vessel · 2×	MicrobialMammalian	Closed	Tier	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
BactoVessel (single-use) Single-use microbial fermentation vessel; same controller-agnostic model as CellVessel.	CerCell Denmark	0.5–30 L (3.2/5.7/13/21/30 L)	Single-use	Single vessel	Microbial	Open	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	High
CellVessel (single-use) Vessel-only maker (no controller/software). Controller-agnostic with documented adaptor kits for Sartorius, Applikon, Eppendorf, Finesse or any servo motor — open at the hardware level.	CerCell Denmark	~30 mL–30 L (sizes 250 mL–30 L)	Single-use	Single vessel	Mammalian	Open	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	High
LowRider (perfusion, single-use) Perfusion-ready single-use vessel with integrated TFF. Vessel-only, controller-agnostic.	CerCell Denmark	3 L and 13 L	Single-use	Single vessel	PerfusionMammalian	Open	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
Bioreactor Systems (IKA HABITAT, 1–15 L) Glass microbial-fermentation / cell-culture systems (jacketed or unjacketed borosilicate) driven by IKA HABITAT controller, plus CHEMcell ROCKER bags. Part 11 documentation optional.	Chemglass Life Sciences United States	1–15 L nominal	Glass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalianPhototrophicPerfusion	IKA HABITAT CCT Closed	Tier	Benchtop only	n/d	High
Stratyx 250 Cloud-native single-use benchtop bioreactor (launched 2025) with remote / automated control via the Console platform; scale-up path to 5 L. Part of Culture Biosciences' distinctive 'cloud bioreactor' model — also sold as the Nexxys bioreactor-as-a-service, where Culture runs 250 mL–5 L reactors in its own lab rather than you buying hardware.	Culture Biosciences United States	250 mL single-use (working ~0.1–0.25 L)	Single-use	Parallel	MammalianMicrobialCell therapy	Console (cloud-connected control + analytics) Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	subscription	Med
BIOne 1250 (control station) Flagship benchtop controller; drives single-use + autoclavable glass/stainless for cell culture and fermentation. Dual controls 2 vessels; more aggregate via OPC into SCADA. No vendor bioprocess Part 11 claim.	Distek United States	drives 2–10 L vessels	Single-useGlassStainless	Parallel · 2×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	BIOne 1250 touchscreen + optional OPC-UA/DA server + BIOne Core Partial	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
BIOne Autoclavable Glass Reusable borosilicate glass vessel with electro-polished 316L stainless head/base; bioreactor for cell culture, fermentor for microbial. Conserved geometry for scale-up.	Distek United States	2–10 L working (2/5/10 L)	GlassStainless	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	BIOne 250/1250 control station + BIOne Core Partial	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
BIOne Single-Use Disposable tri-layer liner (USP Class VI) that converts a standard glass vessel to a sterile single-use bioreactor (mammalian, Repligen ATF perfusion) or fermentor (microbial); compatible with third-party glass incl. Infors.	Distek United States	2–10 L working (2/5/10 L)	Single-use	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	BIOne 250/1250 control station + BIOne Core (cloud historian) Partial	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
FerMac (200/320/310-60) Modular autoclavable-glass systems on FerMac 360 controller; SCADA bundled free. Units daisy-chainable. Vendor site currently redirecting — company status uncertain.	Electrolab Biotech United Kingdom	0.5–15 L working (to 18 L cell culture)	Glass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	Fermentation Manager SCADA Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	bundled	Med
BioBLU Single-Use Rigid-wall single-use stirred-tank vessels (cell culture / fermentation / packed-bed) that plug into Eppendorf's existing controllers for geometrically-similar single-use scale-up.	Eppendorf Germany	65 mL–40 L (working)	Single-use	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalianCell therapyPerfusionInsect	Runs on DASbox/DASGIP/BioFlo/SciVario controllers (DASware control or BioCommand) Closed	Tier	→ Pilot	n/d	High
BioFlo 120 Entry benchtop single-station controller spanning microbial + cell culture across glass and single-use; multi-vessel only by networking stations under BioCommand.	Eppendorf Germany	250 mL–40 L (working)	Single-useGlass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	Integrated touchscreen; optional BioCommand SCADA Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
BioFlo 320 Flagship universal benchtop control station; one controller spans microbial + cell culture, glass + single-use, 250 mL–40 L, up to 8 systems over Ethernet.	Eppendorf Germany	250 mL–40 L (working)	Single-useGlass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalianInsect	Eppendorf Bioprocess Control Software (touchscreen); optional BioCommand / DASware control Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
BioFlo 720 Pilot/large-scale single-use controller (HyPerforma SUB compatible) — above the ~50 L benchtop scope; portfolio-continuity entry only.	Eppendorf Germany	50–500 L single-use (platform to 2,000 L)	Single-use	Single vessel	MammalianMicrobial	Integrated (Scale Up Assist); optional DASware control Partial	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Low
DASbox Mini Bioreactor System Compact parallel mini-bioreactor (60–250 mL, expandable to 24 vessels in blocks of 4) for DoE-driven scale-down, sharing DASware with DASGIP.	Eppendorf Germany	60–250 mL (working)	Single-useGlass	Parallel · 24×	MicrobialMammalianCell therapy	DASware control 5 (DASware control plus for GMP) Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	n/d	High
DASGIP Parallel Bioreactor System Benchtop parallel process-development system of up to 16 interchangeable glass/single-use vessels under one DASware install; documented OPC for third-party integration.	Eppendorf Germany	200 mL–1.8 L (working)	Single-useGlass	Parallel · 16×	MicrobialMammalianCell therapyInsect	DASware control 5 (DASware control plus for GMP) Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	n/d	High
SciVario twin Modular twin-vessel benchtop controller with onboard touchscreen; Part 11 + OPC only via the optional DASware control plus layer.	Eppendorf Germany	200 mL–50 L (working)	Single-useGlass	Parallel · 2×	MicrobialMammalian	VisioNize onboard touchscreen; optional DASware control (SCADA) Partial	Tier	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
CelCradle (benchtop tide-motion) Benchtop tide-motion packed-bed; disposable ~500 mL bottles with BioNOC II macrocarrier matrix. Low-shear, adherent-focused: mAbs, autologous cell/gene therapy, viral vector, vaccine. Scale-up to TideXcell.	Esco VacciXcell Singapore	~0.5 L media/bottle (to 15,000 cm² packed-bed)	Single-use	Parallel	MammalianCell therapyInsectPerfusion	CelCradle Controller Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
TideXcell-002 Smallest tide-motion packed-bed matrix vessel (2 L packed bed). Separates matrix + mixing vessels for 100% medium exchange (perfusion). Anchorage-dependent cells; single-use or 316L stainless.	Esco VacciXcell Singapore	2 L packed-bed matrix (line to 100 L)	Single-useStainless	Single vessel	MammalianCell therapyPerfusion	WonderWare SCADA (Siemens PLC + HMI) Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
AppliFlex ST Single-use gamma-irradiated stirred-tank; broadest culture coverage incl. iPSC/T/NK/MSC cell therapy. Parallelizable via my-Control; Part 11 + openness inherited from controller.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	100 mL–12 L working (500 mL / 3 L / 15 L bags)	Single-use	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalianCell therapyPerfusion	my-Control (500 mL, 3 L) / ez2-Control (15 L) Partial	Tier	→ Pilot	n/d	High
Applikon Bio (glass autoclavable) Classic borosilicate glass bench vessels with 316L stainless headplate, autoclavable, interchangeable modules; geometric scale-up backbone. Parallel count set by the controller.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	0.3–16 L working (2/3/5/7/15/20 L vessels)	Glass	Parallel	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	my-Control / ez2-Control / in-Control; BioXpert, Lucullus Partial	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
ez2-Control Lab/pilot controller for autoclavable (to 20 L) and single-use vessels; drives glass + stainless. Applikon OPC server + DeltaV + BioXpert. 21 CFR Part 11 explicitly stated.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	controls up to 20 L vessels	Single-useGlassStainless	Parallel	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	ez2-Control; BioXpert SCADA, Lucullus, DeltaV Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	n/d	High
micro-Matrix 24 independent bioreactors in an SBS microtiter cassette; per-well pH (2-sided), DO, temp, feeds, up to 4 gases. Scale-down screening tool.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	1–10 mL per well (24 wells)	Single-use	Micro / HT · 24×	MicrobialMammalian	micro-Matrix control (PC) Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	High
MiniBio Autoclavable glass mini-bioreactors for parallel scale-down; up to 8 controllers per interface. Part 11 via the my-Control controller.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	50 mL–1 L working	Glass	Parallel · 8×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	my-Control (with Lucullus PIMS) Partial	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
my-Control Small-scale controller with an Applikon OPC server + Emerson DeltaV integration (third-party SCADA can supervise over OPC); no OPC-UA/Modbus documented. 21 CFR Part 11 explicitly stated.	Getinge Applikon Netherlands	controls 50 mL–3 L vessels	Single-useGlass	Parallel · 8×	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion	my-Control (browser UI); Lucullus PIMS + DeltaV integration Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	n/d	High
BioXplorer 100 Glass body with stainless lid; 8 independently controlled vessels per block, blocks combinable. Aerobic microbial focus.	HEL Group United Kingdom	50–150 mL working (per vessel)	Glass	Parallel · 8×	Microbial	WinISO Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	bundled	High
BioXplorer 400 Base model 4 vessels; 400XL variant runs 8. Microbial, C1 gas fermentation and cell culture.	HEL Group United Kingdom	120–400 mL working (500 mL total)	Glass	Parallel · 8×	MicrobialMammalian	WinISO Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	bundled	High
BioXplorer 5000 Stainless variant is high-pressure to 10 bar. Emphasis on aerobic + C1 gas fermentation.	HEL Group United Kingdom	1–5 L typical; 0.5–20 L across configs	GlassStainless	Single vessel	Microbial	WinISO Closed	n/d	→ Pilot	bundled	Med
Labfors 5 Larger benchtop; primarily single-vessel but the controller supports up to 6 in parallel. Phototrophic via the Labfors 5 Lux photobioreactor variant. Openness / Part 11 via eve.	Infors HT Switzerland	0.5–10 L working (2/3.6/7.5/13 L vessels)	Glass	Single vessel · 6×	MicrobialMammalianPhototrophic	eve bioprocess platform Open	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Minifors 2 Compact single-vessel autoclavable benchtop; configurable microbial or cell-culture gassing. Runs on eve (open connectivity); Part 11 only via eve Premium.	Infors HT Switzerland	0.3–4 L working (1.5/3/6 L vessels)	Glass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	eve bioprocess platform Open	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Multifors 2 Parallel benchtop: up to 6 glass vessels on three base units from one touchscreen. Openness / Part 11 via eve.	Infors HT Switzerland	0.115–1.0 L working	Glass	Parallel · 6×	MicrobialMammalian	eve bioprocess platform Open	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
MINIFOR Autoclavable glass vessels; distinctive seal-free vibromixer membrane agitation. Single-vessel units networkable to one PC (up to 6 via FNet), no per-unit software license.	LAMBDA Laboratory Instruments Switzerland	35 mL–6 L (0.3/0.4/1/3/7 L vessels)	Glass	Single vessel · 6×	MicrobialMammalian	FNet / SIAM Closed	n/d	Benchtop only	bundled	High
Mobius 3 L Single-Use Bioreactor Smallest node of the Mobius SUB family (3 L → 2000 L). Rigid single-use stirred-tank; fed-batch + perfusion. Runs on Merck's Common Control Platform, available at all scales; CCP 'designed to support 21 CFR Part 11'.	Merck Germany	up to 3.5 L working (5 L total)	Single-use	Single vessel	MammalianPerfusion	Common Control Platform (CCP) Closed	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Mobius Breez Microbioreactor Automated 2 mL single-use perfusion micro-bioreactor (ex-Erbi Biosystems). Four independent PODs run 4 experiments; closed-loop pH/DO/temp/OD per POD. Built for perfusion PD; marketed scalable 2 mL → 2000 L.	Merck Germany	2 mL working per reactor	Single-use	Micro / HT · 4×	MammalianPerfusion	Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	bundled	High
Mobius CellReady 3 L Classic 3 L single-use stirred-tank (marine impeller) positioned to replace glass benchtop bioreactors. Controller-agnostic — integrates with third-party bench controllers via a motor-drive adaptor. Part 11 depends on the chosen controller.	Merck Germany	~1–3 L working (5 L total)	Single-use	Single vessel	Mammalian	Partial	n/d	→ Pilot	n/d	Med
Vertical-Wheel PBS-0.1 Smallest Vertical-Wheel single-use vessel; low-shear MagDrive for shear-sensitive iPSC/hPSC aggregates, MSC, T/NK cells, microcarriers. Perfusion option. Manual speed dial at this tier. Scales to ~500 L.	PBS Biotech United States	0.06–0.1 L working	Single-use	Single vessel	Cell therapyMammalianPerfusion	Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Vertical-Wheel PBS-0.5 0.5 L single-use Vertical-Wheel; MagDrive. Cell-therapy focus: PSC, MSC, T/NK cells, extracellular vesicles, organoids, microcarrier/aggregate culture. Perfusion vessel available.	PBS Biotech United States	0.3–0.5 L working	Single-use	Single vessel	Cell therapyMammalianPerfusion	Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Vertical-Wheel PBS-15 Benchtop/pilot end of the Vertical-Wheel line (bridge to PBS-80 + production). hiPSC, MSC, T-cells, viral vectors, exosomes. Optional 21 CFR Part 11 cGMP upgrade.	PBS Biotech United States	9–15 L working	Single-use	Single vessel	Cell therapyMammalian	PBS-15 Vertical-Wheel Bioreactor Software 3.0 Closed	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Vertical-Wheel PBS-3 Clinical/first-in-human qualified 3 L single-use Vertical-Wheel; floored + floorless wheel geometries. 21 CFR Part 11 offered as a cGMP software upgrade.	PBS Biotech United States	up to 3 L working	Single-use	Single vessel	Cell therapyMammalian	PBS-3 Vertical-Wheel Bioreactor Software 3.0 Closed	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
PRIMO (Labo Series) Autoclavable glass benchtop line. NEPTUNE built on non-proprietary AVEVA InTouch SCADA, developed per GAMP5, 21 CFR Part 11 and S88.	Pierre Guérin France	1–10 L working (5 interchangeable tanks)	Glass	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	NEPTUNE (AVEVA/Wonderware InTouch) Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
QB Modules + QB Control Vendor-agnostic modular automation layer (QB Control software + interchangeable QB Modules) that retrofits third-party / legacy equipment via OPC-UA/Modbus/MQTT/REST; perpetual license, no annual fees. The control layer scales from benchtop through pilot to production; volume is set by the chosen vessel. No 21 CFR Part 11 e-signatures. (A4BEE's own product.)	QB.systems (A4BEE) Poland	Benchtop → pilot → production (vessel-agnostic control layer)	Glass	Parallel · 20×	MammalianMicrobialPerfusionPhototrophic	QB Control (dynamic P&ID, recipe management, ISA 18.2 alarms, audit trail) Open	No	→ Manufacturing	perpetual From €15k	Med
Ambr 15 Automated high-throughput micro-scale system (24 or 48 microbioreactors) for clone + media screening; Ambr 15 Fermentation (24-way microbial) variant discontinued.	Sartorius Germany	10–15 mL (working)	Single-use	Micro / HT · 48×	MammalianInsect	Ambr control software (automated workstation) Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Ambr 250 High Throughput Industry-standard automated scale-down model (12 or 24 single-use vessels via liquid handler) for process development; scales to Biostat STR.	Sartorius Germany	100–250 mL (working)	Single-use	Micro / HT · 24×	MammalianMicrobial	Ambr 250 HT software; optional BioPAT MFCS / Biobrain Supervise Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Ambr 250 Modular Flexible expandable single-use benchtop system (2–8 fully integrated vessels) for smaller labs; distinct mammalian/microbial/cell-therapy geometries.	Sartorius Germany	100–250 mL (working)	Single-use	Parallel · 8×	MammalianMicrobialCell therapy	Ambr Modular software; MFCS / Biobrain compatible Partial	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Biostat B R&D benchtop controller (single or twin vessel) bridging reusable glass and single-use Univessel at 1–10 L; OPC-UA + Part 11 via BioPAT MFCS.	Sartorius Germany	1–10 L glass; 2 L single-use vessel	Single-useGlass	Parallel · 2×	MicrobialMammalianInsect	DCU control unit; optional BioPAT MFCS / Biobrain Supervise SCADA Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Biostat B-DCU Established modular DCU-controlled benchtop workhorse; exact multi-vessel count not confirmed on current vendor pages.	Sartorius Germany	1–10 L glass; 2 L single-use vessel	Single-useGlass	Parallel	MicrobialMammalianInsect	DCU (Digital Control Unit); BioPAT MFCS-supervised Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
Biostat RM Rocking-motion (wave-mixed) single-use bioreactor with Flexsafe RM bags for low-shear cell expansion + perfusion; gentle seed-train alternative to stirred-tank.	Sartorius Germany	100 mL–50 L working (platform to 200 L)	Single-use	Single vessel · 1×	MammalianCell therapyPerfusion	DCU-based control; MFCS / Biobrain supervisable Partial	Tier	→ Pilot	n/d	High
Univessel SU Single-use stirred-tank 2 L vessel with glass-equivalent geometry that drops onto the Biostat B controller for single-use turnaround.	Sartorius Germany	0.6–2 L (working)	Single-use	Single vessel	Mammalian	Controlled by Biostat B / B-DCU (DCU + optional MFCS) Closed	Tier	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
ELARA ST (photobioreactor) Benchtop photobioreactor for microalgae/moss/bacteria/plant cells; selectable dimmable LED spectrum. 4 L jacketed glass ST model; flat-panel + larger sizes exist.	Solaris Biotech Italy	4 L working (ST model)	Glass	Single vessel	Phototrophic	LEONARDO 3.0 Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	bundled	Med
GENESIS 316L stainless Steam-In-Place benchtop-to-pilot bridge; the SIP differentiator vs the autoclavable glass lines. Scales into Solaris pilot/industrial.	Solaris Biotech Italy	7.5–20 L working (7.5/10/15/20 L)	Stainless	Parallel · 24×	MicrobialMammalian	LEONARDO 3.0 (Siemens S7 PLC) Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	bundled	High
IO Compact fully-electric mini bioreactor, Peltier thermoregulation. Up to 24 independent units under one LEONARDO HMI; marketed CFR21-compliant; OPC-UA exposure unverified.	Solaris Biotech Italy	200 mL and 1000 mL working	Glass	Parallel · 24×	MicrobialMammalian	LEONARDO 3.0 (Siemens PLC) Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	bundled	High
JUPITER Configurable double-jacketed borosilicate glass benchtop; batch/fed-batch/continuous. PRESSURE variant adds pressure control to 1.6 bar. Up to 24 units via LEONARDO.	Solaris Biotech Italy	2–10 L working (2/4/6.5/10 L)	Glass	Parallel · 24×	MicrobialMammalian	LEONARDO 3.0 Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	bundled	High
ONE Entry/budget single-wall borosilicate glass benchtop, autoclavable, Wi-Fi control. Up to 24 units in parallel via LEONARDO. CFR21-compliant; OPC-UA exposure unverified.	Solaris Biotech Italy	2 L working (single size)	Glass	Parallel · 24×	MicrobialMammalian	LEONARDO 3.0 Partial	Yes	→ Pilot	bundled	High
Modular bioreactor/fermenter platform One modular console (Compact/Twin/Quad/Parallel/Mini/Photo/SUB/Lab-SIP). Bioflex is license-free, stated CFR21 Part 11 + GAMP compliant; vendor claims 'open source controller and software'.	Solida Biotech Germany	~50 mL–30 L bench (glass to 20 L; SUB to ~50 L)	Single-useGlassStainless	Parallel · 36×	MicrobialMammalianPhototrophic	Bioflex SCADA Partial	Yes	→ Manufacturing	bundled	High
Bioreactor RF New (2026) industrial food-fermentation platform spanning 10 L–50,000 L on one design; patented seal-less magnetic agitation (no mechanical seals). For precision fermentation, fermentation-derived ingredients and cultivated meat. Listed at its 10 L benchtop/pilot end — primarily an industrial line.	Tetra Pak Sweden	10 L–50,000 L (one platform)	Stainless	Single vessel	MicrobialMammalian	Shared control logic across all sizes Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
HyPerforma DynaDrive S.U.B. (50 L) Smallest DynaDrive format is 50 L (family 50–5000 L); benchtop/pilot end. Deepest turndown (10:1) — seeds from ~5 L. New impeller + cross-flow sparger; mammalian. Open G3Lab/TruBio DeltaV stack, Part 11.	Thermo Fisher Scientific United States	~5–50 L (10:1 turndown)	Single-use	Single vessel	Mammalian	TruBio (HyPerforma G3Lab Controller, Emerson DeltaV Live) Open	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
HyPerforma Glass Bioreactor Reusable autoclavable glass stirred-tank, benchtop. Mammalian + microbial (fermentation kits). Shares the G3Lab/TruBio stack, which is genuinely open — documented to control third-party vessels (Sartorius, Eppendorf, Millipore, Applikon). TruBio/DeltaV Part 11-compliant.	Thermo Fisher Scientific United States	1/3/7/15 L nominal	Glass	Single vessel	MammalianMicrobial	TruBio (HyPerforma G3Lab Controller, Emerson DeltaV) Open	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
HyPerforma Rocker Bioreactor Rocking-motion single-use bioreactor (no impeller). Gentle low-shear mixing for suspension + adherent cells plus fermentation; seed-train / sensitive-cell PD → cGMP. Same open G3Lab/TruBio DeltaV stack (Part 11).	Thermo Fisher Scientific United States	up to 25 L working	Single-use	Single vessel	MammalianMicrobial	TruBio (HyPerforma G3Lab Controller, Emerson DeltaV) Open	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
HyPerforma S.U.B. (50 L) Smallest single-use stirred-tank S.U.B. format is 50 L (no sub-50 L S.U.B.); benchtop/pilot end of a 50–2000 L family. Mammalian suspension. Open G3Lab/TruBio DeltaV stack, Part 11.	Thermo Fisher Scientific United States	10–50 L (5:1 turndown)	Single-use	Single vessel	Mammalian	TruBio (HyPerforma G3Lab Controller, Emerson DeltaV) Open	Yes	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
scale-X hydro Single-use structured fixed-bed, 2.4 m², for rapid proof-of-concept / early PD from 2D. Adherent + suspension; viral vectors, vaccines, oncolytic viruses, exosomes. Working volume in litres genuinely undisclosed.	Univercells Technologies Belgium	2.4 m² fixed-bed (working L not published)	Single-use	Single vessel	MammalianCell therapyPerfusion	scale-X control software + Skaia vision Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	Med
scale-X nexo Smallest scale-X (R&D unit; launched Oct 2024). Single-use structured fixed-bed for adherent culture — viral vectors, viral vaccines, oncolytic viruses, exosomes. Metric is surface area (m²). Geometric scale-up to carbo → nitro (to 600 m²).	Univercells Technologies Belgium	0.5 m² fixed-bed (~75 mL working)	Single-use	Single vessel	MammalianCell therapyPerfusion	Skaia vision software (scale-X controller) Closed	n/d	→ Manufacturing	n/d	High
Winpact Fermentation Systems Borosilicate glass vessels with 316L stainless headplate. FS-05 single/dual per controller; FS-MPB multi-parallel; remote software networks up to ~16 systems.	Winpact (Major Science) Taiwan	0.5–20 L (5 glass vessel sizes)	GlassStainless	Parallel	MicrobialMammalian	Winpact SCADA Closed	n/d	Benchtop only	n/d	Med

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No products match these filters.

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Head to head

Compare bioreactors side by side

The matrix above is a census — scan it to build a shortlist. This is the other half: pick two to four systems and see them against the same 16 fields, including the scale-up characterization that usually decides a process-development purchase. Defaults are three common parallel-system picks; swap in whatever you're actually weighing.

Compare(3)

DASbox Mini Bioreactor System — EppendorfAmbr 250 Modular — SartoriusMiniBio — Getinge Applikon

3 of 4 picked.

Feature	DASbox Mini Bioreactor System Eppendorf	Ambr 250 Modular Sartorius	MiniBio Getinge Applikon
Vendor	Eppendorf	Sartorius	Getinge Applikon
Vendor country	Germany	Germany	Netherlands
Working volume	60–250 mL (working)	100–250 mL (working)	50 mL–1 L working
Vessel format	Single-useGlass	Single-use	Glass
Parallelism	Parallel	Parallel	Parallel
Max parallel vessels	24	8	8
Culture types	MicrobialMammalianCell therapy	MammalianMicrobialCell therapy	MicrobialMammalianPerfusion
Control software	DASware control 5 (DASware control plus for GMP)	Ambr Modular software; MFCS / Biobrain compatible	my-Control (with Lucullus PIMS)
Control openness	Partial	Partial	Partial
21 CFR Part 11	Yes	Tier	Tier
Scale-up path	→ Pilot	→ Manufacturing	→ Manufacturing
Software licensing	n/d	n/d	n/d
Price	n/d	n/d	n/d
Scale-up characterization	Publishes documented scale-up characterization for the geometrically similar BioBLU c family (kLa ranges, power numbers, tip speed) with a demonstrated constant-P/V CHO scale-up from 0.25 L to 40 L plus a Scale Up Assist software feature and a kLa measurement protocol.	Publishes geometric similarity (conserved H/D and impeller geometry) across the Ambr -> UniVessel -> BIOSTAT STR family plus a characterization-backed scale-conversion tool (BioPAT Process Insights) using kLa, P/V, tip speed and Reynolds number, with process-transfer application notes.	Positions the MiniBio as a true scale-down that duplicates the geometry (H/D ratios given) of larger Applikon vessels, and an Applikon scalability poster reports measured kLa across lab bioreactor sizes, though the product page itself carries no kLa dataset.
Data confidence	High	High	High
What it is	Compact parallel mini-bioreactor (60–250 mL, expandable to 24 vessels in blocks of 4) for DoE-driven scale-down, sharing DASware with DASGIP.	Flexible expandable single-use benchtop system (2–8 fully integrated vessels) for smaller labs; distinct mammalian/microbial/cell-therapy geometries.	Autoclavable glass mini-bioreactors for parallel scale-down; up to 8 controllers per interface. Part 11 via the my-Control controller.
Source	datasheet ↗	datasheet ↗	datasheet ↗

Scale-up

Scale-up fidelity — the PD differentiator vendors rarely put in the table

A benchtop bioreactor earns its keep when the process it develops actually transfers up. These vendors publish documented scale-up characterization — geometric similarity, kLa / OTR matching, or P/V criteria — so a process can scale down and back up on the same platform. Researched and cited; the rest publish only "designed for scale-up" marketing without the data.

Eppendorf
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Publishes documented scale-up characterization for the geometrically similar BioBLU c family (kLa ranges, power numbers, tip speed) with a demonstrated constant-P/V CHO scale-up from 0.25 L to 40 L plus a Scale Up Assist software feature and a kLa measurement protocol.
Sartorius
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Publishes geometric similarity (conserved H/D and impeller geometry) across the Ambr -> UniVessel -> BIOSTAT STR family plus a characterization-backed scale-conversion tool (BioPAT Process Insights) using kLa, P/V, tip speed and Reynolds number, with process-transfer application notes.
Getinge Applikon
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Positions the MiniBio as a true scale-down that duplicates the geometry (H/D ratios given) of larger Applikon vessels, and an Applikon scalability poster reports measured kLa across lab bioreactor sizes, though the product page itself carries no kLa dataset.
Infors HT
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Publishes geometric similarity across its Techfors family (15-1000 L) with reliable scale-down positioning and educational kLa/OTR content, plus a Minifors 2 process-transfer application note reporting kLa, but no deep cross-vessel kLa-matching dataset on its own product pages.
Distek
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Publishes DoE-based characterization of the BIOne single-use bioreactor with modeled kLa and P/V for volume-dependent parameters, but does not publish an explicit geometric-similarity or cross-scale kLa-matching pathway across the 2L/5L/10L family.
PBS Biotech
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Publishes CFD-validated scale-up characterization for the Vertical-Wheel family (0.1-80 L) showing consistent energy-dissipation-rate distributions, offers a Vertical-Wheel scaling calculator, and cites a peer-reviewed aeration/hydrodynamics characterization study.
Cellexus
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Publishes a white paper reporting measured liquid-mixing efficiency and volumetric mass transfer (kLa) for the CellMaker airlift bioreactor across its bag sizes, with bag geometry designed for consistent mixing/aeration, though it is airlift rather than stirred-tank P/V scaling.
Univercells Technologies
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Markets linear scalability across its structured fixed-bed family (scale-X nexo 0.5 m2 -> carbo 10-30 m2 -> nitro 200-600 m2) scaled on growth surface area with a homogeneous fixed-bed design, but the surfaced pages give qualitative linear-scale-up claims rather than exposed kLa/characterization data.
Esco VacciXcell
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Publishes a linear scale-up story on the Tide Motion principle (CelCradle 0.1 L packed bed -> TideXcell up to 5000 L) with a poster demonstrating linear scale-up of MSC expansion, though its own FAQ notes proportional-but-not-identical performance requiring some parameter modification at scale.
Merck
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Publishes full scale-up characterization for the Mobius CellReady stirred-tank family: geometric similarity, kLa matched at constant P/V (adjusting gas flow), plus Reynolds number, tip speed, mixing time and comparable CHO growth across 3L/50L/200L.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
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Publishes kLa, power-input-per-volume and mixing-time performance for the HyPerforma DynaDrive single-use family (50 L to 5000 L on a common design) and CFD-designed HyPerforma glass bioreactor impellers with characterized kLa, supporting scale-up across the range.
HEL Group
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Publishes general scaling-principle content (a mixing-time scale-translation application note and a kLa scale-up blog) but no geometric-similarity or cross-vessel kLa-matching dataset characterizing the BioXplorer family itself.
CerCell
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Offers a geometrically-consistent single-use STR family (CellVessel, roughly 250 mL to 30 L) with published Power Number characterization (definitions, calculator, measured examples) and application notes, but no confirmed cross-scale kLa-matching dataset was surfaced.
2mag
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Publishes defined engineering parameters and a stated kLa value (>0.4 1/s) with precisely defined stirrer geometry, claimed comparable to conventional stirred-tank reactors to enable scaling of results to liter scale, though without detailed cross-scale validation datasets.
Tetra Pak
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Publishes a unified-platform scale-up-consistency claim for the Bioreactor RF (10 L to 50,000 L on identical design/control logic with patented magnetic agitation stated to maintain power and oxygen transfer across the range), but these are design claims with no published kLa/OTR datasets.
Culture Biosciences
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Publishes a scale-up/scale-down comparability white paper modeling kLa, P/V and oxygen transfer rate between its 250 mL (Stratyx) and 5 L bioreactors for a CHO process to support tech-transfer onto its platform.

No published scale-up characterization found for 11 other makers researched (Solaris Biotech, Bionet, Bioengineering AG, LAMBDA Laboratory Instruments, Solida Biotech, Chemglass Life Sciences, Pierre Guérin, Electrolab Biotech, Belach Bioteknik, Winpact (Major Science), Biostream International) — which isn't proof they can't scale up, only that the data isn't public. Ask for it in the eval.

Recommender

Best for… — where we'd start

The table lets you filter; this points you at a starting vendor per common process-development situation. Picks are at product-line / positioning level (the data's granularity) — confirm working volume, culture type and scale-up path for your process before shortlisting.

If you're…	Start with	Why
High-throughput PD / DoE screening	Sartorius (Ambr) · Eppendorf (DASbox)	Parallel micro/mini-bioreactor systems purpose-built for design-of-experiments throughput.
Cell & gene therapy, single-use small scale	Sartorius · Eppendorf · PBS Biotech	Single-use vessels across CGT-relevant culture types; PBS vertical-wheel suits shear-sensitive cells.
Microbial fermentation, autoclavable, budget-conscious	Infors HT · Getinge Applikon · Solaris Biotech	Classic benchtop glass fermenters with strong microbial coverage and a lower entry cost.
No capex — outsourced bioreactor runs	Culture Biosciences	Bioreactor-as-a-service: runs execute in their cloud lab, data flows back to you.
Perfusion / intensified upstream PD	Sartorius · Eppendorf	Perfusion-capable benchtop systems for intensified, continuous upstream development.

Vendor/product-line picks from the positioning data above, not a per-model spec match. QB.systems (A4BEE) is a control/automation layer, not a vessel maker — see the QB note below.

Disclosure · where QB.systems fits

Reading this comparison as A4BEE

We publish this portal, and QB.systems is our own product — so it sits in the table above as one neutral row, scored by exactly the same standard as everyone else. In plain terms, QB is not another vessel vendor: it's an open, vendor-agnostic control + modules layer that retrofits third-party or legacy benchtop equipment, on a perpetual license (no annual fees) from ~€15k. It's one of only a handful of genuinely open control layers in the field (alongside Infors eve, Thermo TruBio, CerCell), and the control layer scales from benchtop through pilot to production. The honest trade-offs: it's a control + modules layer rather than a vessel line, it doesn't ship 21 CFR Part 11 e-signatures, and it's a small maker versus the incumbents.

See QB.systems ↗Browse A4BEE services

About this data

Compiled from vendor datasheets, brochures and trade press, per vendor cluster. Scope is benchtop / lab / parallel / micro-scale (roughly ≤ 50 L working volume), including the smallest formats of larger single-use families — so a few "50 L" rows are the benchtop end of pilot lines. Specs change; verify against the current datasheet (linked ↗) before a purchase decision. "Openness" and "21 CFR Part 11" reflect what vendors document, not independent certification. Every row is confidence-marked; where a figure isn't public we show "n/d" rather than estimate.

What's inside

Filterable matrix of 69 benchtop / parallel / micro-scale bioreactor lines from 26 makers
Filters for culture type, vessel format, working volume, parallelism, control openness, 21 CFR Part 11 and scale-up path
A control-openness read — which systems document open / vendor-agnostic integration vs a closed ecosystem
21 CFR Part 11 support marked honestly (explicit vendor claim vs optional software tier)
Every row confidence-marked against vendor datasheets, with a datasheet link and "n/d" where a spec isn't public
A transparent "where QB.systems fits" note — A4BEE's own product, scored by the same standard

Best used for

Speccing a benchtop bioreactor for process development, academia, cell therapy or food-tech
Shortlisting by culture type, vessel format and control openness before requesting quotes
Understanding the single-use, parallel-screening and open-control landscape at the bench

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