Rigol DHO804 vs Siglent SDS814X HD
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO804 | Siglent SDS814X HD |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 70 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 2 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 25 Mpts | 50 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.8 kg | 2.6 kg |
| Price | $439 | $587 |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | No |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
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
Siglent SDS814X HD
Pros
- 12-bit ADC with Siglent's clean analog front-end — LeCroy lineage in the signal path
- 100MHz bandwidth with the option to unlock higher via software license
- 2GSa/s sample rate outperforms the competing Rigol DHO814's 1.25GSa/s
- 50Mpt memory depth for extended capture sessions
- CAN and LIN decoding included free — Siglent's consistent protocol advantage
- 16 digital channels available with optional logic probe for mixed-signal work
Cons
- At ~$587, it needs a clear reason over the cheaper SDS804X HD
- Siglent's smaller community means fewer tutorials and troubleshooting resources
- No built-in function generator without the optional add-on
- The SDS804X HD around $461 offers 70MHz (unlockable to 200MHz) for about $126 less
Our Verdicts
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.
Siglent SDS814X HD
The Siglent SDS814X HD steps up to 100MHz from the SDS804X HD's 70MHz, keeping the same excellent 12-bit ADC, 2GSa/s sample rate, and 50Mpt memory. It competes directly with the Rigol DHO814 at a similar price point, and wins on sample rate and memory depth. The free CAN/LIN decoding is Siglent's consistent advantage over Rigol for automotive work. At ~$587 though, the value proposition gets complicated: the SDS804X HD below it is cheaper and unlockable, while the DHO924S sits higher as a premium 250MHz touchscreen upgrade. The SDS814X HD makes the most sense if you need that clean 12-bit Siglent ADC at 100MHz and want CAN/LIN decoding without additional license fees, particularly for automotive or precision analog work.