Rigol DHO802 vs Rigol DHO804
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO802 | Rigol DHO804 |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz | 70 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 1.25 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 25 Mpts | 25 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 1.78 kg | 3.8 kg |
| Price | $329 | $439 |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | No |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Rigol DHO802
Pros
- 12-bit ADC at $329 — the cheapest way to get modern 12-bit resolution from a major brand
- Same compact form factor and touchscreen as the rest of the DHO800 series
- 25Mpt memory depth is excellent for a scope at this price
- USB-C power means you can run it from a portable battery pack
- Protocol decoding for SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN included
- Modern Rigol UI — the same intuitive touchscreen experience as the DHO924S
Cons
- Only 2 channels — the biggest limitation for embedded debugging
- 70MHz bandwidth is adequate but not exciting
- Fan noise carries over from the DHO800 series
- For ~$120 more, the DHO804 adds 2 more channels which matters enormously
- No function generator
Rigol DHO804
Pros
- 7-inch IPS touchscreen — same display as the DHO924S
- 25Mpt memory depth is solid for extended capture sessions
- Modern, intuitive interface makes learning easy
- 4 channels with protocol decoding (SPI, I2C, UART)
- WiFi connectivity for remote viewing and data export
Cons
- 70MHz bandwidth is the real compromise — limits this scope's ceiling
- No built-in function generator unlike the DHO924S
- 25Mpts memory is half the DHO924S's 50Mpts
- Stepping up to the DHO924S now costs substantially more
Our Verdicts
Rigol DHO802
The Rigol DHO802 is the budget entry point to 12-bit oscilloscope territory, and at $329 it's genuinely compelling. You get the same modern touchscreen interface, 12-bit ADC, and compact form factor as the rest of the DHO800 series, just with 2 channels instead of 4. The 25Mpt memory and protocol decoding are both strong at this price. The honest question is whether 2 channels are enough for your work — if you're probing a single signal or doing basic Arduino debugging, absolutely. The moment you need to correlate clock and data lines on SPI, or monitor multiple signals simultaneously, you'll wish you had 4 channels. The DHO804 at ~$439 adds those extra channels, and for most users that $110 premium is worth paying upfront rather than regretting later.
Rigol DHO804
The Rigol DHO804 is the entry point to Rigol's DHO platform, offering the same 7-inch IPS touchscreen experience as the DHO924S with 70MHz bandwidth and 25Mpt memory at $439. For Arduino, basic analog work, and learning, 70MHz is genuinely sufficient — most signals you'll encounter stay well under this limit. The old objection was that the DHO924S cost almost the same; that is no longer true. With the DHO924S now priced like a premium scope, the DHO804 is the modern Rigol touchscreen pick for buyers who want a current interface without jumping near $900.