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Short answer: the Rigol DHO800 is a family of compact 12-bit digital oscilloscopes, not one model. Choose the DHO802 for the lowest-cost two-channel work, the DHO804 for the best four-channel value at 70 MHz, the DHO812 for two channels with 100 MHz bandwidth, or the DHO814 when you need both four channels and 100 MHz. All provide 1.25 GSa/s maximum real-time sampling and up to 25 Mpts memory, but those limits fall when multiple channels are active.
Rigol DHO800 models compared
| Model | Analog channels | Bandwidth | Best fit | U.S. price checked Aug. 18, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHO802 | 2 | 70 MHz | Lowest-cost general-purpose scope | $329 |
| DHO804 | 4 | 70 MHz | Multi-rail, motor-control and embedded debugging | $459 list; $413 promotion displayed |
| DHO812 | 2 | 100 MHz | Two-channel work with faster edges | $459 |
| DHO814 | 4 | 100 MHz | Most capable standard DHO800 model | $549 |
Prices are North American observations and can change; they do not establish pricing in other regions. See the RIGOL North America DHO800 page. RIGOL’s international page also displays a DHO824 entry, while the English datasheet documents only the four models above, so availability and specifications for a DHO824 should be confirmed locally.
What “12-bit” means in practice
A 12-bit ADC divides the selected vertical range into 4,096 quantization levels—16 times as many levels as an 8-bit converter. That extra quantization detail can make power-rail ripple, sensor outputs, audio, control-loop behavior and other small changes easier to see on a larger signal.
It is not 16 times more accurate, and it is not a guarantee of 12 effective bits under every setting. Probe noise, oscilloscope noise, grounding, bandwidth, vertical scale and signal amplitude determine whether the additional levels are useful. Resolution also does not increase bandwidth or replace a low-noise probe and sound measurement technique. RIGOL describes the 12-bit specification on its DHO800 product page.
#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.
Core specifications and the channel-sharing catch
- 12-bit vertical resolution.
- 70 MHz bandwidth on DHO802/DHO804; 100 MHz on DHO812/DHO814.
- Up to 1.25 GSa/s real-time sampling.
- Up to 25 Mpts memory.
- 30,000 wfms/s in Vector mode and up to 1,000,000 wfms/s in UltraAcquire mode.
- Hardware recording and playback of up to 500,000 frames.
- Peak detection specified for glitches down to 1.6 ns.
- 7-inch, 1024×600 capacitive multi-touch display.
- USB, LAN and HDMI output; USB Type-C power input.
These headline limits are not available on every channel combination. The official datasheet specifies:
| Active channels | Two-channel models: sample rate / memory | Four-channel models: sample rate / memory |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.25 GSa/s / 25 Mpts | 1.25 GSa/s / 25 Mpts |
| 2 | 625 MSa/s / 10 Mpts | 625 MSa/s / 10 Mpts |
| 4 | Not applicable | 312.5 MSa/s / 5 Mpts |
Therefore, four analog inputs do not mean four channels always receive the single-channel maximum. This affects simultaneous rail captures, phase comparisons, motor-control timing, long records and narrow-glitch searches.
What the DHO800 handles well
Embedded and digital debugging
Two or four analog channels are useful for clocks, resets, buses, power rails and PWM. UART, I²C, SPI and similar work also depends on trigger quality, thresholds, rise time, probe loading, sample rate and whether the installed firmware provides the required decoding. Do not assume a protocol is supported solely because the hardware is modern.
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Power, analog and control circuits
The 12-bit vertical quantization suits startup behavior, ripple, sensor signals, audio and control loops. PWM and motor-control measurements are practical within the bandwidth, voltage and isolation limits of the instrument and probes.
Rank #2
- 【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.
Education and field service
The compact case, HDMI output and USB Type-C input can suit small benches, classrooms and field troubleshooting. Type-C power enables a suitable external source; it does not make the scope independently battery-powered. Verify the source’s voltage and current capability.
Bandwidth: 70 MHz versus 100 MHz
Choose bandwidth for the fastest significant content, not just the nominal clock frequency. A digital signal with a modest repetition rate can contain much faster harmonics because of sharp edges. A 70 MHz scope is not automatically suitable for a 70 MHz waveform, and a 100 MHz rating is not a promise of perfect accuracy at the limit. Probe bandwidth and compensation matter too.
The datasheet lists typical instrument rise times of ≤5 ns for 70 MHz models and ≤3.5 ns for 100 MHz models. Those are scope specifications, not the rise time of your signal or the complete probe-and-scope system. Leave practical margin when measuring edge timing or amplitude.
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DHO802: lowest-cost two-channel option
Buy it when two analog signals are enough, the budget is the priority and your fastest signals are comfortably below 70 MHz. It is a poor long-term choice if you routinely need three or four simultaneous nodes.
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: likely value pick
The DHO804 is the strongest general-purpose choice when four channels matter and 70 MHz is sufficient. It suits microcontroller boards, multi-rail power systems, converters and motor control. This is a specification-and-price judgment, not an independent laboratory test.
DHO812: two channels with more margin
Select it when two channels are sufficient but faster edges or signals approaching the practical limit of a 70 MHz instrument justify 100 MHz bandwidth.
DHO814: maximum standard DHO800 capability
Choose it when you need four channels and 100 MHz. Its higher price can be worthwhile if replacing the scope later would be difficult or your work is likely to become faster.
Where the DHO800 is the wrong tool
- Signals requiring more than 100 MHz analog bandwidth.
- Integrated logic-analyzer channels: RIGOL does not list digital channels for the DHO800.
- Long, high-speed captures where 25 Mpts is restrictive.
- High-speed serial validation, formal production measurements or advanced power and automotive analysis.
- Applications requiring a built-in arbitrary waveform generator, unless a specific regional configuration confirms one.
- Users who need a larger display and predominantly physical, knob-based operation.
RIGOL’s oscilloscope comparison places the DHO900 at up to 250 MHz and 50 Mpts with 16 digital channels, the DHO1000 at up to 200 MHz and 50 Mpts, and the DHO4000 at up to 800 MHz with substantially deeper memory. The 1000Z family offers up to 200 MHz and 16 logic channels.
Rank #4
- 【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.
Alternatives within RIGOL
| Family | When to consider it | North American range shown |
|---|---|---|
| DHO900 | Up to 250 MHz, 50 Mpts, four analog plus 16 digital channels | $659–$809 |
| DHO1000 | Up to 200 MHz, 2 GSa/s, 50 Mpts and 10.1-inch display | $799–$1,399 |
| 1000Z | When 16 logic channels matter more than 12-bit positioning | $319–$769 |
| DHO4000 | High bandwidth, deep memory and advanced laboratory work | $2,829–$5,079 |
Measurement and safety checklist
- Set the probe attenuation correctly in the scope and compensate the probe.
- Use the shortest practical ground connection; a long ground lead can add inductance and ringing to fast-edge measurements.
- Check probe loading on high-impedance nodes and use a suitable differential or isolated probe when the point is not ground-referenced.
- Confirm the probe’s voltage, CAT and bandwidth ratings for the circuit. Never rely on the oscilloscope’s rating alone.
- Choose bandwidth and sample rate with edge speed and the number of active channels in mind.
- For hazardous voltages, follow the probe manufacturer’s isolation, grounding and clearance requirements; do not defeat protective earth.
Firmware and unsupported modifications
RIGOL’s North American firmware page lists DHO800 firmware v1.05 and says the older firmware page stopped updating after May 25, 2026. Check the instrument’s version, compare it with the current RIGOL support page, read release notes, and save important setups and waveforms before updating.
Forum discussions about unlocking bandwidth or converting one model into another are anecdotal, unsupported and potentially affected by firmware changes. Such modifications can compromise calibration, warranty and measurement confidence; they are not an upgrade path endorsed by RIGOL.
Ownership, warranty and regional buying details
RIGOL North America lists optional two-year extended warranties with prices of $30 for DHO802, $40 for DHO804 and DHO812, and $50 for DHO814 when presented with a new product. These terms are regional and should be confirmed at checkout. Required accessories vary by seller; verify included probes, power accessories, warranty coverage and return terms before ordering. Additional passive, differential or high-voltage probes should be selected by verified electrical and safety specifications, not connector fit alone.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
