Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus vs Siglent SDS1104X-U
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Rigol
$549
Siglent
$419
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus | Siglent SDS1104X-U |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 12 Mpts | 14 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.2 kg | 3.1 kg |
| Price | $549 | $419 |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | No |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $549 | Buy on Amazon · $419 |
Pros & Cons
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
Siglent SDS1104X-U
Pros
- 4 channels with 100MHz bandwidth — best of both in Siglent's lineup
- CAN and LIN decoding included — no license fees unlike Rigol
- 14Mpt memory depth for long capture sessions
- Better probe compensation and input specs than older Siglent models
- Siglent's firmware has matured significantly with recent updates
Cons
- ~$419 for a 100MHz, non-touchscreen scope is a stiff ask
- No touchscreen — button navigation only
- 1GSa/s sample rate is adequate but not exceptional
- Rigol DHO924S offers 250MHz and a touchscreen for $30 more
Our Verdicts
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.
Siglent SDS1104X-U
The Siglent SDS1104X-U is Siglent's answer to the 4-channel mid-range market, and its CAN/LIN decoding is its killer differentiator. Rigol charges extra for CAN decoding on most models; Siglent includes it free. If you're doing automotive embedded work — car CAN bus debugging, LIN network analysis, anything that touches vehicle electronics — the SDS1104X-U at $419 is the most cost-effective path to proper protocol support. For general hobbyist use without automotive protocol requirements, the DS1054Z at $349 remains better value, and the Rigol DHO924S at $449 offers 250MHz bandwidth and a touchscreen for just $30 more. I'd buy the SDS1104X-U specifically if CAN/LIN decoding is non-negotiable.