This article presents an overview of the design and application of coupled solid-phase extraction-capillary electrophoresis (SPE-CE) systems that have been reported in the literature between January 2009 and July 2011. The present paper is an update of two previous review papers covering the years 2000-2009 (Electrophoresis 2008, 29, 108-128; Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 4454). Both in-line and on-line SPE-CE approaches are treated and outlined. Attention is paid to emerging technological developments, such as the use of carbon nanotubes and magnetic particles for on-line extraction of sample components prior to CE analysis. Selected examples illustrate the applicability of SPE-CE in biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food analysis. A full overview of recent SPE-CE studies is given in table format, providing information about sample type, SPE sorbent, coupling mode, detection mode and limit of detection. Finally, some general conclusions and future perspectives are given.