OWON HDS2202S vs Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Verdict
It's a Tie
The OWON HDS2202S and Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus are evenly matched — your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | OWON HDS2202S | Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 200 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 1 GSa/s |
| Channels | 2 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 8 Mpts | 12 Mpts |
| Display Size | 3.5" | 7" |
| Weight | 0.5 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Price | $309 | $699 |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | No | No |
| Battery | Yes | No |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
OWON HDS2202S
Pros
- 200MHz bandwidth in a handheld form factor — genuinely impressive
- Built-in multimeter and function generator in the same device
- Battery powered — actual field-ready portability
- Protocol decoding for SPI, I2C, and UART out of the box
- Deep memory for a handheld — exceptional for field capture work
Cons
- 3.5-inch screen is uncomfortably small for complex waveform analysis
- Only 2 channels — limits simultaneous signal debugging
- Button interface can feel clunky after using a touchscreen scope
- Around $309, you're close to proven benchtop scope territory — consider your priorities
- OWON's documentation is sparser than Rigol or Siglent
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 ~$699, it is no longer the obvious value play next to newer touchscreen scopes
- 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
OWON HDS2202S
The OWON HDS2202S is an impressive piece of kit for field and portable work — 200MHz bandwidth, protocol decoding, a built-in multimeter and function generator, and battery power in a package that fits in a jacket pocket. Around $309, you still need to be honest with yourself about how you'll use it. A little more budget buys you a Rigol DS1054Z with 4 channels and a 7-inch display for bench work. The HDS2202S makes sense if portability is a genuine requirement — automotive diagnostics, field service, under-the-hood debugging — rather than just bench work in a small space. For primary bench use near this price, a benchtop scope is the better tool.
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 ~$699, it's the premium version of a proven platform that has a decade of community support behind it. The problem in 2026 is that newer touchscreen scopes have made the DS1000Z platform feel dated. The DHO924S costs more now, but it brings 250MHz bandwidth, a 7-inch IPS touchscreen, WiFi, 50Mpt memory, and a much more modern workflow. I'd only choose the DS1104Z-S Plus if you're buying for a teaching lab with specific software integration requirements, or if you specifically need the proven DS1000Z platform.