Non-destructive detectors in liquid chromatography:
*Ultraviolet light detectors, fixed or variable wavelength, which includes diode array detectors. The ultraviolet light absorption of the effluent is continuously measured at single or multiple wavelengths. These are by far most popular detectors for liquid chromatography.
* Fluorescence detector. Irradiates the effluent with a light of set wavelength and measure the fluorescence of the effluent at a single or multiple wavelength.
* Refractive index detector. Continuously measures the refractive index of the effluent. The lowest sensitivity of all detectors. Often used in size exclusion chromatography for polymer analysis.
* Radio flow detector. Measures radioactivity of the effluent. This detector can be destructive if a scintillation cocktail is continuously added to the effluent.
* Chiral detector continuously measures the optical angle of rotation of the effluent. It is used only when chiral compounds are being analyzed.
* Conductivity monitor. Continuously measures the conductivity of the effluent. Used only when conductive eluents (water or alcohols) are used.
Non-destructive detectors in gas chromatography:
* Thermal conductivity detector: measures the thermal conductivity of the eluent.
* Electron capture detector: the most sensitive detector known. Allows for the detection of organic molecules containing halogen, nitro groups etc.
* Photoionization detector measures the increase in conductivity achieved by ionizing the effluent gas with ultraviolet light radiation.
* Olfactometric detector: assesses the odor activity of the eluent using human assessors. 
* Electronic nose detector which mimics human nose is emerging as a modern and advanced version of the olfactory detection is the electronic nose detector.