Every oscilloscope gets a score from 0 to 100% built from six factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Scopes are grouped by claimed bandwidth, under 50 MHz, 50 to 99 MHz and 100 MHz and up, and use the same scale in every group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per MHz of claimed bandwidth | 30% |
| Bandwidth | claimed analog bandwidth | 20% |
| Sample rate | maximum real-time sample rate | 10% |
| Memory | maximum record length | 10% |
| Features | multimeter, generator, battery, serial decode, touchscreen, four channels and 12-bit resolution | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Specs come from the maker’s copy on the Amazon listing or the maker’s page. Bandwidth is what the maker claims, not something we measured, and no test results are used unless an independent measurement is cited on the product page. Prices are checked at Amazon, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the claimed bandwidth, in dollars per MHz, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. $8 per MHz scores zero and $0.80 per MHz full marks.
Bandwidth is the claimed analog bandwidth on a log scale: 10 MHz scores zero and 350 MHz full marks.
Sample rate is the maximum real-time rate on a log scale: 50 MSa/s scores zero and 2 GSa/s full marks.
Memory is the maximum record length on a log scale: 1 Kpts scores zero and 50 Mpts full marks. More memory keeps a high sample rate over a longer capture.
Features is 20% for a built-in multimeter, 15% for a signal generator, 15% for a built-in battery, 15% for standard serial bus decoding, 10% for a touchscreen, 15% for four channels and 10% for 12-bit vertical resolution.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Screen size, form (handheld, tablet or bench), battery capacity, multimeter counts, generator frequency, maximum input voltage and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a sample rate, memory depth or bandwidth isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. A feature the maker doesn’t mention counts as absent. Warranty is different: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated. Most listings here publish no warranty.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.