Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus vs Siglent SDS804X HD
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right scope for your bench.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Rigol DS1104Z-S Plus | Siglent SDS804X HD |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 70 MHz |
| Sample Rate | 1 GSa/s | 2 GSa/s |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Depth | 12 Mpts | 50 Mpts |
| Display Size | 7" | 7" |
| Weight | 3.2 kg | 2.6 kg |
| Price | $699 | $461 |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Protocol Decoder | Yes | Yes |
| Function Gen | Yes | No |
| WiFi | No | Yes |
| Battery | No | No |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
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 ~$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
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
- The DHO804 is the closest Rigol rival near this price
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 ~$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.
Siglent SDS804X HD
The Siglent SDS804X HD is THE competitor to the Rigol DHO804 that Reddit can't stop debating. On paper, 70MHz around $461 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 mid-$400s scope into a legitimate 200MHz instrument for an additional fee. If you value measurement quality over Rigol's UI, this is the 12-bit scope to buy. If you want the simplest modern first scope, compare it directly against the DHO804.