An easy-to-use benchtop flow cytometer designed for multicolor analysis, capable of detecting up to eight colors with two or three lasers. It features a fixed alignment flow cell for minimal startup time and improved reproducibility, and an optical system that maximizes signal detection, sensitivity, and resolution. The fluidics system ensures single-file flow and hydrodynamic focusing for precise particle analysis. It supports various applications including immunophenotyping, cell cycle analysis, and rare event detection. The system can handle samples via single tubes or microtiter plates using the High Throughput Sampler (HTS) option.