Rigol DHO914S vs Siglent SDS2104X Plus
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$549
Siglent
$1099
Verdict
It's a Tie
The Rigol DHO914S and Siglent SDS2104X Plus are evenly matched — your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO914S | Siglent SDS2104X Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 125 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 2 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 50 Mpts | 200 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 10.1" |
| Weight | 1.78 kg | 4.5 kg |
| Price | $549 | $1099 |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $549 | Buy on Amazon · $1,099 |
Pros & Cons
Rigol DHO914S
Pros
- Built-in 25MHz arbitrary waveform generator — saves buying a separate signal source
- 16 digital channels available via optional logic probe — true mixed-signal capability
- 12-bit ADC with 125MHz bandwidth is a solid all-around combination
- 50Mpt memory depth matches the DHO924S
- Same compact DHO form factor with USB-C power support
- Bode plot analysis built in — useful for filter and feedback loop characterization
Cons
- At ~$549, you're paying $100 more than the DHO924S which has 250MHz bandwidth
- 125MHz bandwidth is lower than the DHO924S's 250MHz
- Logic analyzer probe is an additional purchase — not included
- Fan noise is present, consistent with the DHO series
- The DHO924S also includes a function generator, making the price gap harder to justify
Siglent SDS2104X Plus
Pros
- 200Mpt memory depth is exceptional — capture minutes of data at full sample rate
- 10.1-inch IPS touchscreen is genuinely gorgeous to work with
- 2GSa/s sample rate handles fast signals better than 1GSa/s scopes
- Comprehensive protocol decoding including FlexRay, I2S, and MIL-STD-1553
- Built-in 25MHz AWG function generator
- Feels like a professional instrument — because it is one
Cons
- At ~$1,099, it's at the top of hobbyist budgets
- 100MHz bandwidth is surprisingly low for this price tier
- Large and heavy — needs permanent bench space
- Overkill for casual Arduino projects or simple bench work
Our Verdicts
Rigol DHO914S
The Rigol DHO914S is Rigol's Swiss Army knife oscilloscope — 4 analog channels, a 25MHz function generator, optional 16-channel logic analyzer, and Bode plot analysis in the compact DHO form factor. The mixed-signal capability is the real differentiator: if you're debugging embedded systems where you need to correlate analog and digital signals simultaneously, the logic analyzer option makes this genuinely useful in ways a pure analog scope isn't. The built-in AWG saves you $100-200 on a standalone function generator. The catch is the DHO924S at $449 — it also has a function generator and offers 250MHz bandwidth for $100 less. The DHO914S only pulls ahead if you need the logic analyzer capability or the Bode plot feature for control loop design. For pure oscilloscope work, the DHO924S remains the better value.
Siglent SDS2104X Plus
The Siglent SDS2104X Plus is a professional-grade scope that happens to be affordable enough for serious hobbyists, and using it for a long debugging session makes the price feel justified. The 200Mpt memory depth is the headline — you can capture minutes of data at full sample rate, then scroll back and zoom into any moment without re-triggering. The 10.1-inch IPS touchscreen is excellent. The comprehensive protocol decoding (including FlexRay and I2S) makes it the right tool for serious automotive or audio embedded work. The surprise is that all this comes with only 100MHz bandwidth — you're paying for depth, features, and build quality, not raw frequency response. At $1,099, this is a serious investment. It only makes sense if you do electronics work regularly enough to amortize that cost, and if you want an instrument you genuinely won't outgrow.