The Rigol DHO800 is a four-model oscilloscope family, not one instrument. The DHO802 and DHO804 provide 70 MHz bandwidth; the DHO812 and DHO814 provide 100 MHz. Choose the DHO804 when four channels matter more than extra bandwidth, the DHO812 when you need 100 MHz with two channels, and the DHO814 when you need both upgrades. The DHO802 is the lowest-cost two-channel option.
All four use a nominal 12-bit vertical ADC, but that does not guarantee 12 effective bits in every measurement. Probe quality, front-end noise, grounding, signal amplitude, bandwidth, and acquisition mode determine how much detail you actually see.
DHO800 models compared
| Model | Bandwidth | Analog channels | External trigger | Rigol North America price snapshot | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHO802 | 70 MHz | 2 | Yes | $329 | Low-cost hobby, audio, and embedded work |
| DHO804 | 70 MHz | 4 | No separate external trigger listed | $459, displayed discounted to $413 | Embedded, repair, education, and multi-rail debugging |
| DHO812 | 100 MHz | 2 | Yes | $459 | Two-channel work needing more bandwidth |
| DHO814 | 100 MHz | 4 | No separate external trigger listed | $549 | Four-channel power, motor-control, and general bench work |
Prices are U.S. listings observed on Rigol’s North American page and can change with promotions, tax, shipping, and stock: Rigol DHO800 North America.
What the DHO800 includes
The family is a compact digital storage oscilloscope platform with a 7-inch, 1024×600 capacitive touchscreen, USB host/device, LAN, HDMI, and USB Type-C power support. Rigol lists waveform search and navigation, hardware recording and playback of up to 500,000 frames, peak detection for glitches as short as 1.6 ns, a selectable 20 MHz bandwidth limit, and serial triggering/decoding for RS232/UART, I²C, SPI, and CAN. Specifications and options are documented in the DHO800 data sheet.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Key Specs】Digital oscilloscope with 100 MHz bandwidth, 4 analog channels, 1.25 GSa/s sampling, 12-bit vertical resolution and up to 25 Mpts memory depth for long records and clearer small-signal detail.
- 【UltraAcquire & Search】UltraAcquire Mode up to 1,000,000 wfms/s with 256-level intensity grading; waveform search and navigation help locate intermittent glitches faster and review results via event/time/frame navigation.
- 【Trigger Decode Analysis】Peak detect captures glitches down to 1.6 ns; 41 auto measurements and math including FFT up to 1 Mpts plus filters. Standard serial trigger/decode supports CAN, RS232/UART, I2C, SPI and 4-bit parallel decode using analog channels.
- 【Remote Control & SCPI】LAN supports LXI‑C and browser Web Control; standard SCPI commands support automation. USB Host/Device and HDMI simplify saving waveforms/screenshots and presenting on external displays.
- 【Applications】Digital oscilloscope for SMPS ripple/noise, multi-rail timing correlation, embedded bring-up and protocol troubleshooting; 7" 1024×600 touch display and Flex Knob improve daily bench workflow.
Type-C support is an external power option, not an integrated battery. Confirm the required voltage, current, cable, and grounding arrangement in the current user guide before treating it as a portable setup.
What “12-bit” really means
A 12-bit ADC divides the nominal vertical input range into 4,096 codes, compared with 256 codes for an 8-bit ADC. That extra quantization detail is valuable when a small ripple rides on a larger DC voltage, when you need fine analog measurements, or when averaging a repetitive waveform reduces noise.
It is not the same as guaranteed voltage accuracy, effective number of bits (ENOB), dynamic range, or a noise-free display. Probe noise, compensation, ground-lead inductance, front-end distortion, selected volts/division, and the signal’s position within the input range can erase much of the theoretical advantage. A 12-bit scope also cannot recover edge information blocked by a 70 or 100 MHz analog front end.
Bandwidth, sample rate, and memory in actual use
Bandwidth and rise time
The 70 MHz models have a typical rise time of no more than 5 ns; the 100 MHz models specify no more than 3.5 ns. Bandwidth should be chosen from the fastest transition you need to reproduce, not only the repetition frequency. A 10 MHz digital clock can contain harmonics far above 10 MHz, so a 70 MHz scope may show its timing while rounding its edges.
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- 【Key Specs】70 MHz digital oscilloscope with 2 analog channels + EXT TRIG input, 1.25 GSa/s sampling, 12-bit resolution and up to 25 Mpts memory depth—useful for long acquisitions and small ripple/noise inspection.
- 【UltraAcquire & Visibility】UltraAcquire up to 1,000,000 wfms/s with 256-level intensity grading; waveform search/navigation and event table reduce time spent scanning long captures for intermittent glitches.
- 【Trigger & Decode】Peak detect captures glitches down to 1.6 ns; 41 auto measurements and FFT up to 1 Mpts with filters. Standard serial trigger/decode supports CAN, RS232/UART, I2C, SPI and 4-bit parallel decode using analog channels.
- 【Remote Control SCPI】LAN offers Web Control and LXI‑C; standard SCPI command set supports automation. USB Host/Device and HDMI help save data and connect external displays for documentation and training.
- 【Applications】Digital oscilloscope for SMPS ripple/noise, embedded bring-up and CAN/UART/I2C/SPI bus troubleshooting; EXT TRIG supports flexible triggering, and 7" touch display improves daily bench use.
Sample rate changes with active channels
| Active channels | Two-channel models | Four-channel models |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.25 GSa/s | 1.25 GSa/s |
| 2 | 625 MSa/s | 625 MSa/s |
| 4 | Not applicable | 312.5 MSa/s |
On the DHO804 and DHO814, using all four inputs therefore reduces the published per-channel rate to 312.5 MSa/s.
Memory also depends on channel count
| Active channels | Maximum memory |
|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Mpts |
| 2 | 10 Mpts |
| 4 | 5 Mpts |
A useful estimate is capture time ≈ memory points ÷ sample rate. At 312.5 MSa/s and 5 Mpts, four-channel acquisition spans roughly 16 ms before instrument-specific record settings and behavior are considered.
Waveform update rate
Rigol specifies 30,000 waveforms per second in Vector mode and up to 1,000,000 waveforms per second in UltraAcquire mode. The million-waveform figure is therefore a mode-specific maximum, useful for exposing intermittent events, not a universal refresh rate with every feature enabled.
Which model fits your work?
DHO802: lowest-cost general-purpose choice
Choose it for two-signal microcontroller debugging, UART/I²C/SPI work, audio, sensors, and a first bench scope. Its limits are two analog channels and 70 MHz bandwidth; an external trigger input does not provide a third analog measurement.
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Rank #3
- 【Key Specs】70 MHz digital oscilloscope with 4 analog channels, 1.25 GSa/s sampling, 12-bit vertical resolution and up to 25 Mpts memory depth—helps correlate multiple rails and timing signals with fine vertical detail.
- 【UltraAcquire & Search】UltraAcquire up to 1,000,000 wfms/s; 256-level intensity grading plus waveform search/navigation helps find intermittent glitches and review anomalies quickly using event/time/frame navigation.
- 【FFT & Decode】Peak detect captures glitches down to 1.6 ns; math includes FFT up to 1 Mpts, filters, and 41 automatic measurements. Standard serial trigger/decode supports CAN, RS232/UART, I2C, SPI and 4-bit parallel decode using analog channels.
- 【Connectivity & SCPI】LAN supports LXI‑C, browser Web Control and standard SCPI commands. USB Host/Device and HDMI improve documentation, data export and external display for lab or teaching use.
- 【Applications】Digital oscilloscope for switching power ripple/noise checks, embedded bring-up, sensor interface validation and protocol troubleshooting; 7" 1024×600 touch screen and Flex Knob support fast daily measurements.
DHO804: four-channel value choice
This is the practical default for comparing clock, data, reset, enable, and a power rail, or for education and repair. It gives four channels and 12-bit resolution at less cost than the 100 MHz DHO814. Select the DHO812 instead if you normally need only two channels but genuinely need the extra bandwidth.
DHO812: two channels with 100 MHz
It suits faster sensor, control, audio, and embedded signals when two analog inputs are enough. Its 100 MHz rating still does not make it suitable for high-speed memory, USB, Ethernet, RF, or other signals whose useful harmonics extend well beyond that range.
DHO814: maximum DHO800 capability
Choose it when both four channels and 100 MHz are required, particularly for power electronics and motor-control correlation. It remains a 100 MHz instrument, and four-channel operation brings the 312.5 MSa/s and 5 Mpts limits shown above.
Typical applications
- Embedded systems: observe clocks, buses, reset, enables, and supply rails together; serial decoding does not add dedicated logic-analyzer channels.
- Power supplies: inspect ripple and switching edges, but use suitable differential or current probes for floating or high-side nodes.
- Motor control: correlate gate/control signals and rails; common-mode safety and probe bandwidth are as important as the scope rating.
- Audio and sensors: 12-bit vertical detail can help with small signals, offsets, and low-frequency noise.
- Repair and education: touchscreen operation, recording/playback, search, and LAN/USB file transfer are useful for documenting faults and demonstrations.
Safe setup and measurement workflow
- Connect the probe and set its attenuation in the channel configuration to match the probe.
- Compensate a passive probe using the instrument’s calibration output, then attach its ground to a safe circuit reference.
- Select the channel and choose DC, AC, or GND coupling deliberately.
- Set volts/division and vertical position so the signal uses the display without clipping.
- Set time/division, choose Edge trigger, select the active channel as the source, and place the level near the waveform midpoint.
- Use Auto for a quick view, Normal for a stable repeating event, or Single for one-shot capture.
- Add automatic measurements only after the waveform is stable; use averaging for repetitive, phase-stable signals.
- For intermittent faults, use search/navigation or recording and playback, then save a screenshot or waveform through USB or LAN.
Safety limits you must not overlook
The data sheet specifies 1 MΩ ±1% input impedance, 15 pF ±3 pF input capacitance, and CAT I 300 Vrms (400 Vpk) maximum input voltage. That rating does not apply to CAT II, CAT III, or CAT IV measurements, and the instrument must be properly grounded for specifications to apply: Rigol DHO800 data sheet.
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- 【Key Specs】100 MHz digital oscilloscope with 2 analog channels + EXT TRIG input, 1.25 GSa/s sampling, 12-bit resolution and up to 25 Mpts memory depth—captures long waveforms with clear detail for ripple and fast edges.
- 【UltraAcquire & Review】UltraAcquire up to 1,000,000 wfms/s; 256-level intensity grading plus waveform search/navigation helps surface rare events and review results in an event table with time/event/frame navigation.
- 【Trigger Decode Tools】Peak detect down to 1.6 ns; 41 auto measurements and math including FFT up to 1 Mpts and filters. Standard serial trigger/decode supports CAN, RS232/UART, I2C, SPI and 4-bit parallel decode using analog channels.
- 【LAN Web Control SCPI】LAN supports LXI‑C and browser Web Control; standard SCPI commands for automation. USB Host/Device and HDMI support saving data/screenshots and external display.
- 【Applications】Digital oscilloscope for SMPS ripple/noise, clock/reset validation and embedded bus debug; EXT TRIG supports flexible triggering setups, while 7" touch screen and Flex Knob improve bench efficiency.
A standard passive probe’s ground clip is normally tied to instrument ground. Clipping it to a mains conductor or another live floating node can short the circuit and create a shock or fire hazard. Do not defeat protective earth. For floating, high-side, or utility-connected measurements, use a properly rated differential or isolated method and consider the category rating of the complete measurement system, not just the probe label.
What the DHO800 does not replace
- It has no published built-in arbitrary waveform generator in the listed DHO800 materials.
- It is not a full mixed-signal oscilloscope with a dedicated logic-analyzer pod; serial decoding is different from having many digital channels.
- Its 70/100 MHz bandwidth and channel-dependent memory are limiting for high-speed serial, RF, and long deep-memory captures.
- Advanced power analysis, Bode plotting, broader protocol coverage, segmented/history functions, or higher CAT ratings may require another instrument or accessory.
DHO800 versus Siglent alternatives
| Instrument | Published highlights | Why consider it | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigol DHO800 | 70/100 MHz, 2 or 4 channels, 12-bit, 1.25 GSa/s, 25 Mpts maximum | Compact interface and low U.S. entry prices | Per-channel resources fall with more active inputs |
| Siglent SDS804X HD | 70 MHz, 4 channels, 12-bit, up to 2 GSa/s and 100 Mpts; optional 16 digital channels; Bode and power analysis | More memory, higher sample rate, and mixed-signal expansion | €409 listing was on Siglent’s European store; regional price and options vary |
| Siglent SDS800X HD family | 70, 100, and 200 MHz variants with 12-bit resolution and mixed-signal expansion | Upgrade path when memory, logic channels, or 200 MHz bandwidth matter | Compare local availability and accessory costs |
| Siglent SDS3000X HD | 350 MHz to 1 GHz, 12-bit, up to 400 Mpts/channel | High-speed design and substantially deeper analysis | Premium class, not a budget DHO800 substitute |
See the SDS804X HD product page, SDS800X HD data sheet, and SDS3000X HD overview.
Buying checklist
- Count the analog signals you must view simultaneously before paying for bandwidth.
- Choose bandwidth from edge speed and probe performance, not clock frequency alone.
- Budget for short ground springs, differential or current probes, and safe accessories where required.
- Check whether you need logic channels, arbitrary-waveform generation, Bode plotting, power analysis, or deeper memory.
- Verify current firmware, manuals, regional pricing, warranty, and accessory availability; Rigol lists firmware v00.01.05.00.02 dated May 22, 2026 on its product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rigol DHO800 an MSO?
No. It offers serial triggering and decoding, but the published DHO800 materials do not describe a built-in bank of dedicated logic-analyzer channels.
Which DHO800 is the best value?
For four-channel work, the DHO804 is the conditional value pick. For two-channel work needing 100 MHz, choose the DHO812; the DHO802 is the lowest-cost option.
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