Rigol DHO802 vs Rigol DS1054Z
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$329
Rigol
$349
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO802 | Rigol DS1054Z |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz | 50 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 25 Mpts | 12 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 1.78 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Price | $329 | $349 |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | No |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $329 | Buy on Amazon · $349 |
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 DS1054Z
Pros
- 4 channels at a mid-range price — still rare and genuinely valuable
- 12Mpt memory depth is excellent for long capture sessions
- Massive community: tutorials, hacks, and forum answers everywhere you look
- Well-documented bandwidth hack unlocks 100MHz — free upgrade
- Trigger types rival scopes twice the price
- Protocol decoding (SPI, I2C, UART) included at no extra cost
Cons
- 50MHz stock bandwidth is limiting for faster SPI clocks and RF work
- Interface feels dated compared to the newer Rigol DHO series
- No touchscreen — menu navigation requires physical button presses
- Fan is audible in quiet environments
- The DHO924S has overtaken it on almost every spec at a similar price
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 DS1054Z
The Rigol DS1054Z is the default recommendation in every electronics forum for a reason — it earned that reputation over a decade of consistent performance. Four channels, 12Mpt memory, comprehensive protocol decoding, and an absurd number of trigger types for ~$349 is a package that nothing in this price range matched for years. The 50MHz bandwidth is the only real limitation, and the well-documented hack to unlock 100MHz makes even that a manageable concern. Yes, the newer Rigol DHO924S has better specs in nearly every category — but the DS1054Z has something no spec sheet can quantify: years of solved problems, answered questions, and tutorials from the EEVblog and r/AskElectronics communities. If you're buying your first serious oscilloscope and want to minimize frustration, this is still a great choice. If you can stretch to $449, the DHO924S is the better buy in 2026.