Many oscilloscopes cost less than $500, but finding a budget option that works well takes a lot of work. We’ve researched and tested several cheap digital oscilloscope options available on the market and shortlisted some decent models.
You can choose the best oscilloscope under $500 with added features like high quality, ease of use, and an affordable price range. Digital models are easier to use and have wider displays.
Choosing the right oscilloscope is essential to measuring electrical phenomena and quickly testing. From easy graphical displays to electrical signals, analyzing the waveform, and debugging circuit designs, the best oscilloscope under 500 can help you meet your goals.
In 2001, when I was 15 years old, I started to use oscilloscopes to convey test results, and it’s been a carrier of mine ever since. I still remember the first time I captured graphically displayed electrical signals and waveforms of signals to debug customer circuit designs.
Over the years, I’ve used a ton of digital oscilloscopes. It would help if you considered a few crucial factors when choosing an oscilloscope under 500. I will discuss that in the last buying guide section.
Let’s first talk about these tools and get started exploring how to use them to fix issues.
What is the best oscilloscope under 500?
The best oscilloscope under $500 on the market is the Rigol DS1054Z. They are the best because they are well within your budget, are easy to use, and offer decent functionalities. But it’s also useful for testing, verifying, and debugging the circuit board.
Here are my top picks for the best oscilloscope under 500 this year to help you display complex signal waveforms to test and verify electronic circuits.
1. Siglent best oscilloscope (SDS1202X-E)
The second digital oscilloscope I have for you is Siglent SDS1204X-E. This new-generation oscilloscope is the best oscilloscope for beginners. It has a decent price tag in an affordable range.
I found that it provides strong technical support. A huge number of people are satisfied with their easy-to-use signal display options. I love its Impressive sampling rate of 1 GSa/s for a single channel.
Its amazing features will allow you to make it worth the extra money. You will not get powerful 256-level intensity grading display oscilloscopes in this class.
The best oscilloscope on the market for beginners is the Siglent SDS1204X-E. It is the best because it provides excellent signal fidelity, is easy to use, has a high-resolution screen, and has a decent price tag in this class.
Siglent SDS1204X-E is a high-quality oscilloscope with Great accuracy. I found that it is featured with a new generation of SPO technology makes troubleshooting easier.
What I Like/Dislike About Siglent:
Like:
- Compact scope as compared to others.
- Employ innovative digital trigger systems.
- Perfectly suitable for a range of applications.
- 7” LCD screen (800×480 resolution)
- Low Power Consumption (Only 25W is very low in this class)
Dislike:
- Only 2 channels But these are sufficient for normal analysis.
2. Rigol oscilloscope (DS1054Z)
My #1 recommendation for an excellent oscilloscope is Rigol DS1054Z. I think Rigol is fine without any introduction. If you want a simply amazing tool, go for it. It has almost all the features required in a professional quality microscope. I love the model DS1054Z from Rigol.
You should try it because It is a high-quality electronics testing instrument. Talking the Rigol, It has four channels and 50 MHz bandwidth.
The Rigol oscilloscope also features USB and LAN ports, enabling connectivity and remote control from a computer.
It is the best because it provides the highest waveform capture rate, is easy to use, and has a decent affordable price in this segment. DS1054Z offers a clear and vibrant screen for waveform visualization and measurement readings
What I Like/Dislike About Rigol:
Like:
- Great option as an upgrade.
- Operates over 4 channels
- 3-year warranty period.
- Best-graded intensity displays on the market.
Dislike:
- Fan noise can be disruptive.
- Not a suitable choice for first-time owners.
3. best engineering oscilloscope from Hantek (DSO5102P)
The best oscilloscope under 1000 on the market is the Hantek DSO5102P. It is the best option engineers use to measure electrical phenomena to quickly identify, test, verify, and fix circuit issues.
It features best-in-class dedicated onboard storage for storing several waveforms for analysis.
The Hantek DSO5102P is compact and lightweight, definitely the right choice for hobbyists, beginners, and home users. The DSO5102P offers a bandwidth of 100 MHz, which allows for measuring a wide range of signals.
It has two analog channels and a maximum sample rate of 1 GSa/s. It offers multiple triggering modes, including edge, pulse, and video triggering,
The DSO5102P can be connected to a computer via a USB interface, allowing for remote control and data transfer.
What I Like/Dislike About Siglent:
Like:
- Easy and portable Digital oscilloscope.
- 3-year long warranty period.
- Perfectly suitable for a range of applications.
- Capable of storing up to 1000 waveforms.
Dislike:
- Comparatively compact display in this class.
4. SainSmart DSO203 best oscilloscope under $500
The SainSmart DSO203 is a handheld digital Oscilloscope that offers a user-friendly interface. I love this device because it is easy to use and an advanced device in an affordable package.
The best part of this Oscilloscope is that it is durable and lightweight. It is a sturdy and compact device made of a plastic casing. I like the SainSmart DSO203 device because it is built with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
I checked that for a single charge, you can use it for up to 8 hours. I also like the 3.2-inch TFT LCD, which has a great resolution that helps make easy-to-read waveforms. SainSmart DSO203 offers four channels, and a built-in function generator is ideal for testing.
Overall, it is an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable price range. Its compact size, good battery life, and affordable package make it a great choice for hobbyists.
What I Like/Dislike About SainSmart DSO203:
Like:
- Easy and portable Digital oscilloscope.
- Featured with a user-friendly interface.
- Perfectly suitable for a range of applications.
- DSO203 is relatively affordable in Price.
Dislike:
- Comparatively compact display in this class.
- Limited features compared to other advanced models.
Buying Guide 2024
An Oscilloscope is used for analyzing electronic signals. This equipment displays the electronic signals as a wave on the screen, making it easier for a technician to determine the voltage function and its effect.
On the other hand, The device is very important as it shows the instant change in voltage in real-time, so choosing or buying it is a big challenge. Choosing the wrong one for yourself can create a blunder for you while working on electronic equipment.
So, how can you choose the best oscilloscope under 500 for use? Its simple answer is you can easily buy the best oscilloscope for your use by keeping some basic factors in mind, which are given below.
Factors that determine the best Oscilloscope in 2024
Here are some of the basic factors based on which you can easily choose the best oscilloscope for yourself.
Digital or Analog
You can find various oscilloscopes that are best for your use and fit your budget. Mostly, the oscilloscopes that are lying under the range of 500 are likely to be digital ones.
The digital oscilloscope is more accurate and reliable than the analog one and has additional features that can provide great convenience and reliability. It is also more portable than analog scopes, which are generally heavier than digital scopes.
Sample Rate
The number of samples of the reading taken by the oscilloscope per second is known as the sample rate. Must keep in mind that as the sample rate goes
Higher you will get a great resolution of the waveform of electronic signals which will help you to get more accurate faster signals. Generally, the sample rate displays the wave formed in Digital Scopes.
Bandwidth
Checking the range of the Oscilloscope’s frequencies is considered one of the most important features that help you get accurate measurements and readings. Getting those readings all depends on the bandwidth of an oscilloscope.
If you want to get a more accurate representation of the electronic signals’ waveform, then your Oscilloscope’s bandwidth should be five times higher than the signal’s frequency. The higher the frequency more costly the bandwidth.
Matching Probes
An oscilloscope consists of two parts: a scope and a probe. Many people consider the scope important and ignore the probe, which is a very wrong way to buy an oscilloscope.
Various types of probes are available. The probes fit only with certain scopes, some mentioned below.
- Passive probes: Most suitable for ground-referenced measurements.
- Logic probes: Used for delivery of digital signals.
- High voltage differential probes: Good for taking safe, accurate differential and floating measurements.
- Current probes: Good for measuring current as well as power change.
Ease of Use
It would help if you bought those oscilloscopes which are convenient for your use. You must check its built-in help menu, display, ability to zoom waveform, and how to control it easily.
Number of Inputs
One of the most important factors in choosing the best oscilloscope is the number of channels in it. It lets you understand how many signals you can view and analyze simultaneously.
Price
Many often invest a great amount and buy very high-spec equipment not for use. Money is one of the most important factors in buying anything, so before you buy or choose an oscilloscope, check your needs and requirements and then invest money in it.
Rise time
The time taken by a signal to move 10 to 90% in the form of a rising wave is termed rice time which is also a factor that cannot be ignored while buying an oscilloscope.
Length of records
An oscilloscope’s sample rate or record length feature is the last but not the least factor that cannot be ignored. The record length is the thing that helps you analyze the number of points in a way considered by an oscilloscope that is used in creating a record of a signal.
You may also like: How to Use An Oscilloscope
In the below Video, tutorial. Learn tips & tricks and hear from industry experts—everything you need to know How to Use an Oscilloscope.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy the article. It will help you choose an oscilloscope under 500 available in the marketplace. If you have any further questions, you can check my buying guide. It will help you get your winning product.
We need to have the best oscilloscope under 500 in our homes to tackle circuit board testing-related issues. As a reminder, you must carefully select your best oscilloscope’s preferred budget range. For that, you need to focus on determining factors as given in the buying guide section.
So that is all about it. That is all I want to share about some of the best oscilloscopes under 500. I hope I was helpful to you and that you enjoyed it.
Sources
- Tektronix (www.tek.com)
- Keysight Technologies (www.keysight.com)
- Rigol Technologies (www.rigolna.com)
- Siglent Technologies (www.siglentamerica.com)
- Fluke Corporation (www.fluke.com)
- Rohde & Schwarz (www.rohde-schwarz.com)
- Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com)
- Yokogawa Electric Corporation (www.yokogawa.com)
- Anritsu Corporation (www.anritsu.com)
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