Rigol DHO802 vs Siglent SDS804X HD
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$329
Siglent
$438
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO802 | Siglent SDS804X HD |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz | 70 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 2 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 25 Mpts | 50 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 1.78 kg | 2.6 kg |
| Price | $329 | $438 |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | No |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $329 | Buy on Amazon · $438 |
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
Siglent SDS804X HD
Pros
- 12-bit ADC with what Reddit considers a cleaner analog front-end than Rigol — LeCroy heritage shows
- 2GSa/s sample rate is genuinely faster than the DHO804's 1.25GSa/s
- 50Mpt memory depth matches the DHO924S and doubles the DHO804
- CAN and LIN decoding included free — Siglent's standard generosity on protocols
- 70MHz bandwidth is unlockable to 200MHz via software license — massive upgrade path
- 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with responsive multi-touch gestures
Cons
- 70MHz stock bandwidth is limiting — you're paying for the upgrade path, not the base spec
- No built-in function generator (optional add-on)
- Siglent's community is smaller than Rigol's — fewer tutorials and forum answers
- At ~$438, you're close to the DHO924S at $449 which has 250MHz stock bandwidth
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.
Siglent SDS804X HD
The Siglent SDS804X HD is THE competitor to the Rigol DHO804 that Reddit can't stop debating. On paper, 70MHz for $438 looks underwhelming — but the real story is Siglent's 12-bit ADC implementation, which the community consistently praises as having a cleaner noise floor than Rigol's, thanks to Siglent's LeCroy heritage in analog front-end design. The 2GSa/s sample rate and 50Mpt memory depth are both better than the DHO804. The bandwidth unlock to 200MHz via software license is the ace up its sleeve — it turns a $438 scope into a legitimate 200MHz instrument for an additional fee. If you value measurement quality over raw bandwidth numbers, this is the 12-bit scope to buy. If you just want the most bandwidth per dollar, the DHO924S at $449 with 250MHz is hard to argue against.