Rigol DS1054Z vs Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$349
Rigol
$549
Verdict
It's a Tie
The Rigol DS1054Z and Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus are evenly matched — your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DS1054Z | Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 50 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 12 Mpts | 12 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.2 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Price | $349 | $549 |
| Rating | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | Yes |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $349 | Buy on Amazon · $549 |
Pros & Cons
Rigol DS1054Z
Pros
- 4 channels at a mid-range price — still rare and genuinely valuable
- 12Mpt memory depth is excellent for long capture sessions
- Massive community: tutorials, hacks, and forum answers everywhere you look
- Well-documented bandwidth hack unlocks 100MHz — free upgrade
- Trigger types rival scopes twice the price
- Protocol decoding (SPI, I2C, UART) included at no extra cost
Cons
- 50MHz stock bandwidth is limiting for faster SPI clocks and RF work
- Interface feels dated compared to the newer Rigol DHO series
- No touchscreen — menu navigation requires physical button presses
- Fan is audible in quiet environments
- The DHO924S has overtaken it on almost every spec at a similar price
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 DS1054Z
The Rigol DS1054Z is the default recommendation in every electronics forum for a reason — it earned that reputation over a decade of consistent performance. Four channels, 12Mpt memory, comprehensive protocol decoding, and an absurd number of trigger types for ~$349 is a package that nothing in this price range matched for years. The 50MHz bandwidth is the only real limitation, and the well-documented hack to unlock 100MHz makes even that a manageable concern. Yes, the newer Rigol DHO924S has better specs in nearly every category — but the DS1054Z has something no spec sheet can quantify: years of solved problems, answered questions, and tutorials from the EEVblog and r/AskElectronics communities. If you're buying your first serious oscilloscope and want to minimize frustration, this is still a great choice. If you can stretch to $449, the DHO924S is the better buy in 2026.
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.