Rigol DHO924S vs Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$449
Rigol
$549
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO924S | Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 250 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 50 Mpts | 12 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.8 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Price | $449 | $549 |
| Rating | 9.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $449 | Buy on Amazon · $549 |
Pros & Cons
Rigol DHO924S
Pros
- 250MHz bandwidth with 4 channels for under $500 — exceptional value
- 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
Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus
Pros
- 100MHz bandwidth with 4 channels — no bandwidth hack needed
- Built-in 25MHz function generator saves desk space and cost
- Same excellent trigger set as the DS1054Z
- Protocol decoding (SPI, I2C, UART) included
- Proven platform for teaching labs that need scope plus signal generator
Cons
- At ~$549, the DHO924S delivers more for $100 less
- Same dated interface as the DS1054Z — no touchscreen
- No WiFi or CAN/LIN decoding at this price
- The DS1000Z platform is aging compared to the DHO series
Our Verdicts
Rigol DHO924S
The Rigol DHO924S is the best hobbyist oscilloscope under $500 in 2026, and I say that having used the DS1054Z for years before switching. The 7-inch IPS touchscreen transforms the experience — pinch to zoom, tap to place cursors, swipe to scroll through captures — in a way that button-based scopes simply can't match. Add 250MHz bandwidth, 4 channels, 50Mpt memory, a function generator, WiFi, and CAN/LIN protocol decoding at $449, and it obsoletes the DS1054Z in every spec column except community documentation and proven long-term reliability. If you're buying a scope in 2026 and can spend $449, this is the one to get. The only reasons to look elsewhere: you need deeper memory (Siglent SDS2104X Plus), you want proven track record over specs (DS1054Z), or you need CAN/LIN included free and can save $30 (Siglent SDS1104X-U at $419).
Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus
The DS1104Z-S Plus is the DS1054Z with the limitations officially removed: full 100MHz bandwidth and a built-in 25MHz function generator. At ~$549, it's the premium version of a proven platform that has a decade of community support behind it. The problem in 2026 is the Rigol DHO924S — it costs $100 less, has 250MHz bandwidth, a 7-inch IPS touchscreen, WiFi, 50Mpt memory, and is generally a better scope in almost every way. The DS1104Z-S Plus's advantage is its established reliability and the integrated function generator, which the base DHO924S also includes. I'd only choose this over the DHO924S if you're buying for a teaching lab with specific software integration requirements, or if you specifically need the proven DS1000Z platform.