Siglent SDS1204X-E vs Siglent SDS804X HD
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Siglent
$775
Siglent
$438
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Siglent SDS1204X-E | Siglent SDS804X HD |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 200 MHz | 70 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 2 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 14 Mpts | 50 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.3 kg | 2.6 kg |
| Price | $775 | $438 |
| Rating | 6.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | No | No |
| WiFi | No | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon · $775 | Buy on Amazon · $438 |
Pros & Cons
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, the DHO924S offers 250MHz and a touchscreen for $326 less
- 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
Siglent SDS804X HD
Pros
- 12-bit ADC with what Reddit considers a cleaner analog front-end than Rigol — LeCroy heritage shows
- 2GSa/s sample rate is genuinely faster than the DHO804's 1.25GSa/s
- 50Mpt memory depth matches the DHO924S and doubles the DHO804
- CAN and LIN decoding included free — Siglent's standard generosity on protocols
- 70MHz bandwidth is unlockable to 200MHz via software license — massive upgrade path
- 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with responsive multi-touch gestures
Cons
- 70MHz stock bandwidth is limiting — you're paying for the upgrade path, not the base spec
- No built-in function generator (optional add-on)
- Siglent's community is smaller than Rigol's — fewer tutorials and forum answers
- At ~$438, you're close to the DHO924S at $449 which has 250MHz stock bandwidth
Our Verdicts
Siglent SDS1204X-E
The Siglent SDS1204X-E is a solid, proven instrument — but at ~$775, it's a genuinely hard sell 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 problem is the competition. The Rigol DHO924S at $449 gives you 250MHz and a touchscreen for $326 less. The Siglent SDS1104X-U at $419 gives you 4 channels with CAN/LIN decoding for $356 less (at 100MHz). To justify the SDS1204X-E today, you'd need to specifically need 200MHz bandwidth, 4 channels, and CAN/LIN — and be unwilling to use either of those alternatives. That's a narrow use case at this price.
Siglent SDS804X HD
The Siglent SDS804X HD is THE competitor to the Rigol DHO804 that Reddit can't stop debating. On paper, 70MHz for $438 looks underwhelming — but the real story is Siglent's 12-bit ADC implementation, which the community consistently praises as having a cleaner noise floor than Rigol's, thanks to Siglent's LeCroy heritage in analog front-end design. The 2GSa/s sample rate and 50Mpt memory depth are both better than the DHO804. The bandwidth unlock to 200MHz via software license is the ace up its sleeve — it turns a $438 scope into a legitimate 200MHz instrument for an additional fee. If you value measurement quality over raw bandwidth numbers, this is the 12-bit scope to buy. If you just want the most bandwidth per dollar, the DHO924S at $449 with 250MHz is hard to argue against.