best oscilloscope

Best Oscilloscope: Top 4 of 2024 Reviewed (Affordable Options)

Last updated on February 28th, 2024.

Looking for a good oscilloscope?

There are many high-quality cheap oscilloscopes on the market, you just need to know where to look.

A good oscilloscope provides fast and accurate readings, a long battery life, and has multiple channel modules.

To help you find a quality oscilloscope—we’ve reviewed the Top 4 Cheap Oscilloscopes of 2024.

Buy with the confidence that you’re not wasting your money on low-quality oscilloscopes.

Let’s get straight into the reviews.

Preview Product Key Features
Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscopes - Bandwidth: 50 MHz, Channels: 4 Serial Decode Included Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscopes - Bandwidth: 50 MHz, Channels: 4 Serial Decode Included
  • 50 MHz Digital Oscilloscope with 4 channels plus 24 Mpt memory and 1 GSa/sec sampling
  • The Number 1 Selling Oscilloscope 4 Years Running!
  • 4 Channels, 50 MHz Bandwidth
Tektronix TBS1102B Digital Storage Oscilloscope, 2 Channel, 100 MHz Bandwidth, 5 Year Warranty Tektronix TBS1102B Digital Storage Oscilloscope, 2 Channel, 100 MHz Bandwidth, 5 Year Warranty
  • TBS1000 series digital storage oscilloscope for electronics applications such as product design and debugging, repair and servicing, and electrical engineering education
  • Maximum real-time sample rate of 2GS/s and record length of 2.5kpts per channel for acquiring detailed waveforms
  • Vertical sensitivity to 2mV per division for capturing low-level signals

Top 4 Best Cheap Oscilloscopes

Rigol Digital Oscilloscope

Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscopes - Bandwidth: 50 MHz, Channels: 4 Serial Decode Included
  • 50 MHz Digital Oscilloscope with 4 channels plus 24 Mpt memory and 1 GSa/sec sampling
  • The Number 1 Selling Oscilloscope 4 Years Running!
  • 4 Channels, 50 MHz Bandwidth

Our top pick, the Rigol Digital DS1054Z, stands out as the best overall oscilloscope. It’s not just compact and lightweight; it excels in measuring voltage waves with an interface that’s both simple and intuitive, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.

Featuring some impressive traits, the Rigol oscilloscope is the perfect choice for beginners, especially due to its 7-inch display powered by ultra vision tech. You can view all channels on a single screen.  

Hobbyists will particularly appreciate the built-in calibration function, ensuring smooth operation and reliable control from the moment you power it on, removing any guesswork or manual adjustments.

The waveform capture is another great feature. It produces at 30.0 wfms/sec, which is the highest in its class in speed and efficiency. This powerful oscilloscope also has a USB Port, that you can insert through any flash drive.

Rigol oscilloscope does not have any distortion. It is also a powerful machine because it’s strong enough to resist scratching. Due to this, it’s known for its high-level durability, which helps when you’re on the job.

This device is also known for its high MHz rating and it will help you get the most data from the signals you are verifying. 

Rigol Digital oscilloscope is the perfect device for professionals and beginners alike. Offering high performance with a user-friendly interface, this is the best overall oscilloscope money can buy. 

CHECK PRICE
Advantages
  • Has one of the best displays in the industry
  • 30.000 wmfs/sec
  • 50 MhZ Digital Oscilloscope with 4 channels
  • Features upgradable memory depth, bandwidth, and frequency
Disadvantages
  • Most functions are on a trial period
  • Noisy fan

Tektronix Digital Oscilloscope

Tektronix TBS1102B Digital Storage Oscilloscope, 2 Channel, 100 MHz Bandwidth, 5 Year Warranty
  • TBS1000 series digital storage oscilloscope for electronics applications such as product design and debugging, repair and servicing, and electrical engineering education
  • Maximum real-time sample rate of 2GS/s and record length of 2.5kpts per channel for acquiring detailed waveforms
  • Vertical sensitivity to 2mV per division for capturing low-level signals

The next product we’ve reviewed is the Tektronix TBS1102B Digital Storage oscilloscope, a device packed with excellent features that make it our premium choice. 

As soon as the device captures a signal, its advanced math will accelerate analysis. You are able to determine rise-time or frequency through the 16 automated measurements available. Also, the device helps you isolate the signals you are interested in. 

Another useful feature is its Time Limit function that helps you to identify any odd issues within the signal. Due to this self-debugging process, the Tektronix oscilloscope is perfect for many electronic applications such as product design, debugging, or repair and servicing. 

Its intuitive interface makes it an excellent choice for apprentice electricians willing to get more diagnostics. This interface also includes auto-ranging, auto-setup, and dedicated per-channel controls. 

Noteworthy is its PC connectivity feature, enabling seamless transfer of waveform data and screen captures directly to your computer through the USB port, with the added convenience of printing directly from a PictBridge-compatible printer.

Lightweight and compact, the Tektronix TBS1102B oscilloscope comes with a 5-year warranty. Although the price is a little higher, its advanced features make it the best choice for an apprentice electrician. 

CHECK PRICE
Advantages
  • Advanced triggers such as pulse and line-selectable video
  • Multi-Language User Interface
  • Zoom function included
  • Built-in waveform limit
Disadvantages
  • Memory per channel is too low
  • Difficulty to input change settings

Hantek Digital Oscilloscope

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If you want a good and inexpensive oscilloscope, we recommend you the Hantek DSO4102C digital oscilloscope. This is the perfect device for hobbyists and electricians on a budget. If you want both a multimeter and an oscilloscope, this is your pick. 

Hantek oscilloscope is a lightweight and compact model with well-balanced parameters in the channel mode. When used in Dual Channel mode, this device reaches up to 35 MHz speed thus being one of the fastest tools in its range. 

Another awesome feature is its memory depth – the single band channel holds 32k memory while the dual-band channel detains 16k memory. You will be able to keep multiple data sources with no issue. 

The Hantek Digital Oscilloscope is an ideal choice for budget-conscious users, offering comfort and functionality even without a rotating knob. Its push-button control system, though different, quickly becomes intuitive, ensuring effortless operation and enhanced mobility.

With 6 hours of battery power autonomy, this oscilloscope is perfect for daily use. And it also comes with two channels with a 2GS sample rate through each of them. You will get accurate readings in no time. 

As a minor drawback, the Hantek device requires software if you want to use the DSO Analyzer through a computer. This way you will be able to save, analyze, and share your accurate readings.  

Overall, the Hantek DSO4102C oscilloscope is a great addition to your gear, especially if you are an apprentice. If you are still uncertain, you should know that the package includes all the required accessories. We say it worth checking out this oscilloscope.

CHECK PRICE
Advantages
  • Very affordable
  • 2.5k record length for all channels
  • Includes a Zoom function
  • Great battery autonomy
Disadvantages
  • Software errors
  • Lack of support response

Siglent Digital Oscilloscope

Sale
Siglent Technologies SDS1104X-E 100Mhz Digital Oscilloscope 4 channels Standard Decoder, Grey
  • Package Weight :4.0 Kg
  • Standard Decoder: Iic, Spi, Uart/Rs232, Can, Lin
  • 16 Digital Channels (Mso) (Four Channel Series Only, Option)

The last product we’ve reviewed for you is the Siglent SDS1104X-E, an oscilloscope that comes with 4 channels and 100 MHz bandwidth. 

If you are an advanced user and you need a device capable to perform different math operations, this is the best oscilloscope you can buy. It is capable to perform mathematical operations such as signal multiplication, division, subtraction, and addition. 

Siglent device includes multiple trigger mode options for signals such as SPI, UART/RS232, or CAN. It uses Phosphor Technology which eases signal accuracy. Moreover, the signals are displayed on its 7″ LCD screen and there are also web browser and WiFi controls. 

This oscilloscope is also power-efficient as it uses 25W, lower than the average 50W. You will be the proud owner of an efficient device that helps to decrease energy bills. 

What we did not like is the fact that it tends to have issues capturing frequencies under 199 kHz. However, it still has a capture rate of 40,000 waveforms a second with its Zoom Measurement/Gate features. Plus, its interface is a little too complex for beginners although they learn how to use it very quickly. 

In summary, the Siglent digital oscilloscope stands out as a top-tier instrument. Its comprehensive features tailor it perfectly to both hobbyists and apprentice electricians, making it a wise investment for anyone serious about their electrical work.

CHECK PRICE
Advantages
  • Offers a real-time sampling rate of 1GSa/s
  • Reduced Power Consumption
  • Includes serial decoding
  • Buil-in webserver
Disadvantages
  • Noisy fan

About Thomas Hawkins

I run Electrician Apprentice Headquarters, a one-stop-shop for learning how to become a licensed electrician in the USA. I'm a licensed Master Electrician with over 20 years experience working in the Mining & Construction industries. Why do I do it? Well, because even plumbers need heroes.

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