Rigol DHO924S vs Siglent SDS1204X-E
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DHO924S | Siglent SDS1204X-E |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 250 MHz | 200 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1.25 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 50 Mpts | 14 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.8 kg | 3.3 kg |
| Price | $899 | $775 |
| Rating | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | No |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Rigol DHO924S
Pros
- 250MHz bandwidth with 4 channels and a modern touchscreen workflow
- 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
Siglent SDS1204X-E
Pros
- 200MHz bandwidth with 4 channels — strong spec combination
- CAN and LIN decoding included at no extra cost
- 14Mpt memory depth for long serial transaction captures
- Proven, reliable platform with a solid firmware update history
- Good long-term track record from Siglent
Cons
- At ~$775, it sits close enough to premium touchscreen scopes that the use case needs to be clear
- 7-inch non-touch display feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- No function generator
- Hard to justify the $356 premium over the SDS1104X-U at $419
Our Verdicts
Rigol DHO924S
The Rigol DHO924S is no longer the default hobbyist oscilloscope recommendation now that Amazon pricing is around $899. The 7-inch IPS touchscreen is still excellent — pinch to zoom, tap to place cursors, swipe to scroll through captures — and the spec stack is serious: 250MHz bandwidth, 4 channels, 50Mpt memory, a function generator, WiFi, and CAN/LIN protocol decoding. But at this price it belongs in the premium-upgrade tier, not the beginner tier. Buy it if you need the bandwidth, mixed-signal-ready feature set, and modern Rigol workflow. Most first-time buyers should start with the DS1054Z or DHO804 instead.
Siglent SDS1204X-E
The Siglent SDS1204X-E is a solid, proven instrument — but at ~$775, it's a specialized buy in 2026. The 200MHz bandwidth with 4 channels and free CAN/LIN decoding is still a good spec combination, and Siglent's reliability and firmware update track record are real advantages. The competition is clearer now: the SDS1104X-U is much cheaper if 100MHz is enough, the DHO804 is the modern touchscreen pick under $500, and the DHO924S costs more but gives you 250MHz plus Rigol's touchscreen workflow. To justify the SDS1204X-E today, you need to specifically need 200MHz bandwidth, 4 channels, CAN/LIN, and Siglent's platform advantages.