Last updated: October 2026
For most hobbyists in 2026, the best budget oscilloscope is a 12-bit scope from either the Rigol DHO800 series (from about $329) or the Siglent SDS800X HD series (from about $356). Both replace the long-time favorite Rigol DS1054Z with higher vertical resolution and deeper memory at a similar price. If you need something portable, Owon’s HDS242 handheld sells for about $213.
How we picked: compiled from manufacturer specifications, published prices and owner feedback patterns. We have not tested these tools ourselves. Our method.
Comparison table
Prices are list prices from the maker’s US store (Rigol North America, Siglent North America) or a major test-equipment retailer, as of October 2026.
| Model | Bandwidth | Max sample rate | Channels | Vertical resolution | Memory depth | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigol DHO802 | 70 MHz | 1.25 GSa/s | 2 | 12-bit | 25 Mpts | about $329 |
| Rigol DHO804 | 70 MHz | 1.25 GSa/s | 4 | 12-bit | 25 Mpts | about $459 |
| Rigol DHO812 | 100 MHz | 1.25 GSa/s | 2 | 12-bit | 25 Mpts | about $459 |
| Rigol DHO814 | 100 MHz | 1.25 GSa/s | 4 | 12-bit | 25 Mpts | about $549 |
| Siglent SDS802X HD | 70 MHz | 2 GSa/s | 2 | 12-bit | 50 Mpts/ch | about $356 |
| Siglent SDS804X HD | 70 MHz | 2 GSa/s | 4 | 12-bit | 50 Mpts/ch | about $461 |
| Siglent SDS812X HD | 100 MHz | 2 GSa/s | 2 | 12-bit | 50 Mpts/ch | about $461 |
| Siglent SDS814X HD | 100 MHz | 2 GSa/s | 4 | 12-bit | 50 Mpts/ch | about $587 |
| Siglent SDS1202X-E | 200 MHz | 1 GSa/s | 2 + EXT | Not listed on product page | 7 to 14 Mpts/ch | about $379 |
| Siglent SDS1104X-E | 100 MHz | 1 GSa/s | 4 | Not listed on product page | 7 to 14 Mpts/ch | about $499 |
| Rigol DS1054Z | 50 MHz | 1 GSa/s (one channel), 250 MSa/s (3 or 4 channels) | 4 | 8-bit | up to 24 Mpts | about $369 |
| Owon HDS242 (handheld) | 40 MHz | 250 MSa/s | 2 | Not listed on retailer page | Not listed on retailer page | about $213 (Test Equipment Depot) |
Siglent also makes 200 MHz versions of the SDS800X HD (SDS822X HD at about $660 and SDS824X HD at about $839) with 100 Mpts/ch memory, if you need more bandwidth.
What the specs mean for a hobby bench
Bandwidth. A common rule is to choose bandwidth several times higher than the fastest signal you want to see accurately. For Arduino and ESP32 work, UART, I2C, SPI at modest clock rates, audio and PWM, 70 MHz to 100 MHz is plenty. Pay for 200 MHz only if you know you need faster edges.
Sample rate. Higher is better, but check how it is shared. Rigol’s DS1000Z datasheet, for example, lists 1 GSa/s with one channel on but 250 MSa/s with three or four channels on. Look for the per-channel figure in the datasheet before buying any scope.
Vertical resolution. Classic budget scopes use 8-bit converters (256 levels). The Rigol DHO800 and Siglent SDS800X HD use 12-bit converters; Rigol describes this as 4096 levels of quantization. That helps when you zoom in on small details riding on a larger signal, like ripple on a supply rail.
Memory depth. Deep memory lets the scope keep a high sample rate on slow time bases, so you can capture a long burst of serial data and zoom into it afterward.
Channels. Two channels cover most beginner work (input versus output, clock versus data). Four channels help with SPI (clock, MOSI, MISO, chip select) or comparing several PWM outputs.
New to scopes? Start with how to use an oscilloscope, which walks through probe compensation and triggering on an Arduino PWM signal.
Picks by use case
Best overall budget scope: Rigol DHO800 series
Rigol North America lists four DHO800 models, from the 2-channel, 70 MHz DHO802 at about $329 up to the 4-channel, 100 MHz DHO814 at about $549. Every model has a 12-bit ADC, a 1.25 GSa/s maximum sample rate, 25 Mpts of memory, a 7-inch touchscreen, and USB, LAN and HDMI. Rigol also lists USB Type-C power support and a capture rate of up to 1,000,000 waveforms per second in its UltraAcquire mode.
Why pick it: the lowest entry price for a 12-bit scope in this list, and a 4-channel 70 MHz model (DHO804) at about $459.
Trade-off: a lower maximum sample rate and less memory than the Siglent SDS800X HD.
Best specs for the money: Siglent SDS800X HD series
Siglent North America lists the SDS800X HD from the 2-channel, 70 MHz SDS802X HD at about $356 to the 4-channel, 100 MHz SDS814X HD at about $587, all with 12-bit ADCs, up to 2 GSa/s and 50 Mpts per channel. Siglent quotes capture rates of up to 500,000 waveforms per second in sequence mode.
Why pick it: more sample rate and memory per channel than the DHO800, plus a 200 MHz option in the same family.
Trade-off: each tier costs a little more than the equivalent Rigol.
Best for bandwidth on a budget: Siglent SDS1202X-E
The SDS1202X-E gives you 200 MHz on two channels (plus an external trigger input) at about $379, with a 1 GSa/s maximum sample rate and 7 Mpts per channel (14 Mpts interleaved). Siglent’s product page does not list the ADC resolution.
Why pick it: the most bandwidth per dollar here, for faster digital edges.
Trade-off: older platform, lower memory depth and sample rate than the 12-bit SDS800X HD, and only two channels.
The old favorite: Rigol DS1054Z
Rigol still lists the DS1054Z at about $369, though its store showed “Ships in 8 weeks” when we checked. Rigol’s datasheet lists 50 MHz bandwidth, four channels, an 8-bit vertical resolution, up to 24 Mpts of memory, up to 30,000 waveforms per second, and decoding for RS232/UART, I2C and SPI. The sample rate drops to 250 MSa/s with three or four channels on.
Why it is here: it was a common hobby recommendation for years, so it shows up often on the used market and in older guides.
Why most buyers should skip it now: the DHO802 is cheaper and the DHO804 adds 12-bit resolution, more bandwidth (70 MHz) and more sample rate for about $90 more.
Best handheld: Owon HDS242
Test Equipment Depot lists the Owon HDS242 at about $213: a 2-channel, 40 MHz, 250 MS/s handheld that also works as a multimeter, with a 3.5-inch color display and USB Type-C.
Why pick it: portability, battery power, and a scope and meter in one case for field or car-trunk use.
Trade-off: much lower bandwidth and sample rate than any bench scope here, and a small screen. Owon’s own spec page could not be confirmed for this guide, so check the manual for memory depth and any safety rating before relying on it. Siglent’s handheld SHS800X and SHS1000X series add 100 MHz to 200 MHz and 1 GSa/s, but at about $979 and up they are outside a budget list.
Before you buy
- Probes: all of these ship with passive probes. Learn to switch between 1x and 10x and to compensate them.
- Power: keep your work low-voltage. Do not probe mains-connected circuits with a standard bench scope and passive probe; that work needs isolated or differential equipment and a qualified person.
- Bench supply: a current-limited bench power supply makes it safer to power the circuits you probe.
- Signal source: an Arduino or ESP32 running a simple PWM sketch is a free signal generator for learning.
FAQ
Is a 2-channel oscilloscope enough for a beginner? Yes, for most hobby work. Two channels cover input versus output and clock versus data. Choose four if you plan to debug SPI or several signals at once.
Is the Rigol DS1054Z still worth buying in 2026? For most new buyers, no. At Rigol’s own list prices, the DHO802 costs less and the DHO804 adds 12-bit resolution and higher bandwidth for a little more.
What bandwidth do I need for Arduino projects? 70 MHz to 100 MHz handles PWM, UART, I2C and typical SPI on hobby microcontrollers. Higher bandwidth helps with very fast edges.
Is 12-bit better than 8-bit? 12-bit gives 16 times more vertical levels than 8-bit (4096 versus 256), which helps when measuring small signals or ripple. For simple logic timing, 8-bit is usually fine.
Should I get a handheld scope? Only if you need portability. Bench scopes give far more bandwidth, sample rate and screen size for the money.
Sources
- Rigol North America, DHO800 series: https://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/dho800/
- Rigol North America, DS1000Z series (DS1054Z price and availability): https://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/1000z/
- Rigol DS1000Z series datasheet (copy hosted by University of South Carolina): https://cse.sc.edu/~adowney2/resources/data_sheets/Rigol_DS1054z_data_sheet.pdf
- Siglent North America, SDS800X HD: https://siglentna.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds800x-hd/
- Siglent North America, SDS1000X-E: https://siglentna.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds1000x-e-series-super-phosphor-oscilloscopes/
- Siglent North America, handheld oscilloscopes: https://siglentna.com/handheld-oscilloscopes/
- Test Equipment Depot, Owon HDS242: https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/owon-hds242-40mhz-2-channel-handheld-digital-oscilloscope.html