Bandwidth and sample rate are two numbers, and neither replaces the other
An oscilloscope draws a voltage over time, and its specifications come in pairs that are easy to confuse. Bandwidth, in megahertz, describes the frequency at which the input attenuates a signal by a defined amount; a signal near that limit is shown smaller and softer than it is. Sample rate, in samples per second, describes how often the converter measures, and it has to be well above the frequencies of interest. The two are different figures and a high value of one does not compensate for a low value of the other. Channels are published as analog inputs, sometimes with digital logic inputs beside them. Memory depth — how many points a capture holds — decides whether a long, detailed capture is possible at a high sample rate. Triggering options decide whether a rare glitch can be caught, and protocol decoding for serial buses turns a scope into a debugging tool. Many scopes ship with features that are unlocked by a license, and the listing should say which features are included and which are paid. Then the probes in the box, with their own bandwidth rating, the screen, and connectivity for saving captures. Measuring mains-powered circuits needs the right probe and category rating, and the maker's safety instructions apply. We compare bandwidth, sample rate, channels, memory depth, triggering, decoding, licensed features and probes supplied.
Handheld 2-in-1 · 2 channels · 50 MHz · 10,000 wfms/s · 3.5-in TFT · true RMS multimeter · USB-C
A handheld 50 MHz scope with a 10,000 wfm/s refresh, a true-RMS multimeter, USB-C charging and saved waveforms.
Best for: A car or field user.
≈ $116
Tablet oscilloscope · 2 channels · 100 MHz · 1 GSa/s · 7-in touchscreen · 1 GB storage · FFT · battery
A tablet-style 100 MHz, 1 GSa/s two-channel scope with a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, FFT, and 1 GB of storage for screenshots.
Best for: A hobbyist who wants a screen without a bench scope’s bulk.
≈ $163
Bench oscilloscope · 2 channels · 110 MHz · 500 MS/s each · 7-in TFT · 30 auto measurements · 6-digit frequency meter
A low-cost bench scope with 110 MHz bandwidth, 500 MS/s per channel, a 7-inch screen and 30 automatic measurements.
Best for: A student who wants a bench scope cheaply.
≈ $180
Handheld 3-in-1 · 2 channels · 50 MHz · 250 MSa/s · 1 Kpts · 4.5-digit multimeter · 50 kHz DDS generator · 2.8-in LCD
A pocket 3-in-1: a 50 MHz, 250 MSa/s two-channel scope, a 19,999-count multimeter and a 50 kHz signal generator.
Best for: A field technician or hobbyist with a tight budget.
≈ $97
Bench oscilloscope · 2 channels · 200 MHz · 1 GSa/s · 14 Mpts · serial decode · sold by Amazon.com
Siglent’s 200 MHz two-channel scope with 1 GSa/s, 14 Mpts memory and standard decoding for I2C, SPI, UART, RS232, CAN and LIN.
Best for: An automotive or embedded hobbyist.
≈ $379
Bench oscilloscope · 2 channels · 150 MHz · 14 trigger modes · 5 serial protocols · arbitrary waveform output
A value bench scope with 150 MHz bandwidth, 14 trigger modes, 5 serial protocol decodes and a built-in arbitrary waveform output.
Best for: A hobbyist who wants a generator in the scope.
≈ $232
Bench oscilloscope · 4 channels · 50 MHz · 1 GSa/s · 24 Mpts · 30,000 wfms/s · UART, I2C, SPI decode · USB, LAN
The classic four-channel hobby scope: 50 MHz, 1 GSa/s, 24 Mpts memory, 30,000 waveforms per second, and serial decoding.
Best for: A hobbyist learning to debug embedded circuits.
≈ $369
Bench oscilloscope · 4 channels · 100 MHz · standard decoder · optional 16-channel MSO and USB AWG
A four-channel 100 MHz scope with standard decoding and options for 16 digital channels and a USB generator, with the best score here.
Best for: A serious hobbyist wanting one long-term scope.
≈ $499
Bench oscilloscope · 2 channels · 200 MHz · 1 GSa/s · 24 Mpts · 7-in WVGA · USB, LAN
A two-channel 200 MHz Rigol with 1 GSa/s and 24 Mpts memory, trading channels for bandwidth against the DS1054Z.
Best for: A user with fast signals and few channels.
≈ $389
Portable bench oscilloscope · 4 channels · 70 MHz · 1.25 GSa/s · 12-bit · 25 Mpts · 1,000,000 wfms/s · USB, LAN, HDMI
A compact four-channel scope with 12-bit vertical resolution, 1.25 GSa/s, 25 Mpts memory and an HDMI output, for ripple and noise work.
Best for: A power electronics hobbyist.
≈ $459
The frequency beyond which the instrument attenuates the signal. It is a published specification of the instrument, not of the measurement.
Recording a longer duration without lowering the sample rate. It is published in points.
Often, depending on the number of active channels. The published sample rate is read with the channels.
The stop conditions offered by the instrument, published by the manufacturer. They decide which events can be captured.
Interpreting serial protocols directly on screen. The supported protocols are published.
Capabilities present in the instrument but activated by a paid key. What the manufacturer publishes is reported as stated.
The probes supplied have their own bandwidth and attenuation factors. They bound the measurement chain.
It depends on the signals observed together. Published channels say what the instrument offers.
Memory depth and decoding usually matter more than bandwidth for hobby work. Buy a bench scope if debugging is the goal.
Four machines in five must publish the value before a column is raised. Below that, it would be comparing absences.
| Model | Price | Bandwidth | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNIRSI 2C53T | $97 | 50 MHz | 2 |
| HANMATEK HO52 | $116 | 50 MHz | 2 |
| FNIRSI 1013D Plus | $163 | 100 MHz | 2 |
| HANMATEK DOS1102 | $180 | 110 MHz | 2 |
| Hantek DSO2D15 | $232 | 150 MHz | 2 |
| RIGOL DS1054Z | $369 | 50 MHz | 4 |
| Siglent SDS1202X-E | $379 | 200 MHz | 2 |
| RIGOL DS1202Z-E | $389 | 200 MHz | 2 |
| RIGOL DHO804 | $459 | 70 MHz | 4 |
| Siglent SDS1104X-E | $499 | 100 MHz | 4 |
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for maker machines and tools and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.
Most recent revision in this category: November 1, 2026.
A price quoted in the text of a MakerVerdict page dates from the day that page was written; the live figure beside each product is fetched while you read and replaces it.
