Rigol DHO802 vs Rigol DHO924S
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO802 | Rigol DHO924S |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz | 250 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 1.25 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 25 Mpts | 50 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 1.78 kg | 3.8 kg |
| Price | $329 | $899 |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | Yes |
| 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 DHO924S
Pros
- 250MHz bandwidth with 4 channels and a modern touchscreen workflow
- 7-inch IPS touchscreen with 1024x600 resolution — sharp and responsive
- 50Mpt memory depth for extended captures
- Built-in function generator and WiFi connectivity included
- Modern phone-like interface has almost no learning curve
- Protocol decoding for SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and LIN
Cons
- 1.25GSa/s sample rate could be higher given the 250MHz bandwidth
- Newer platform means less community documentation than the DS1054Z
- Some early firmware bugs have been reported — check version before updating
- Fan can be audible in a quiet room
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 DHO924S
The Rigol DHO924S is no longer the default hobbyist oscilloscope recommendation now that Amazon pricing is around $899. The 7-inch IPS touchscreen is still excellent — pinch to zoom, tap to place cursors, swipe to scroll through captures — and the spec stack is serious: 250MHz bandwidth, 4 channels, 50Mpt memory, a function generator, WiFi, and CAN/LIN protocol decoding. But at this price it belongs in the premium-upgrade tier, not the beginner tier. Buy it if you need the bandwidth, mixed-signal-ready feature set, and modern Rigol workflow. Most first-time buyers should start with the DS1054Z or DHO804 instead.