Top 8 Best USB Oscilloscope In 2023 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Are you looking for the best USB oscilloscope? Well, living in the world of digital signal processing, oscilloscopes are vital tools. The USB oscilloscope is a device that is used to measure the voltage and current of electronic signals. You can use the scope to see the waveform of electrical impulses that are generated by a device.
In order to measure a signal, you need a way to amplify it and this is where the oscilloscope comes into play. Consequently, the USB oscilloscope is a device that is equipped with a probe to measure signals.
Though there are different types of oscilloscopes, however, people nowadays prefer using a USB oscilloscope because it’s compact, lightweight, can be easily carried in your pockets, and is compatible with computers, mobile phones, and tablets.
We have compiled our top 8 best USB Oscilloscopes that are affordable, lightweight, and offer amazing features that can meet your needs and requirements.
Best USB Oscilloscope – Our Top 8 Picks!
We have researched the top 8 best USB Oscilloscopes with their features, reviews, pros, and cons. Let’s take a look at each product one by one:
1. Hantek HT6022BE20Mhz USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
Hantek USB Oscilloscope is an amazing product that is not only affordable but also easy to use. It has a simple user interface that allows the user to set the range of measurements they need and the frequency of measurement. It also features a built-in digital signal generator that can generate a series of waveforms with up to 20MHz bandwidth.
The DDS 25MHz Waveform Generator provides a wide range of digital waveforms that can be used for measuring analog voltages, digital pulses as well as in synchronization of data lines. This device is also compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7/NT/XP/Vista. The oscilloscope also has two channels that allow you to view both analog and digital signals at the same time and it comes with a USB cable, two oscilloscope probes, and an instruction manual on a disc.
After using this device, we found out that this is a great gadget, especially for beginners, it’s very lightweight, easy to use, and compact that can be used for a wide range of measurements and applications. However, there are some limitations to this device and one is that sometimes it may not be compatible with windows 10, so you need to make sure that you check this device thoroughly before buying.
Overall, this is a great device for hobbyists, beginners, professionals, and anyone who is looking for a USB oscilloscope that is affordable, easy to use, and offers amazing features then Hantek USB Oscilloscope is the best option for you.
Check Price on Amazon2. PICO TECHNOLOGY PICOSCOPE 2406B USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The PICO TECHNOLOGY PICOSCOPE 2406B USB Oscilloscope is a great product and is an easy-to-use oscilloscope that is perfect for anyone who is interested in learning about electronics. It is also one of the most popular digital oscilloscopes and is widely used by engineers, students, professionals, and hobbyists, It comes with 4 analog input channel oscilloscopes with a bandwidth of 50MHz.
This versatile oscilloscope can be used as a spectrum analyzer, function generator, arbitrary waveform generator, serial bus analyzer, and logic analyzer. It has a fast sampling rate which is 1GSPS, has high signal integrity, and is easy to operate. It is an all-around product, with no need for costly upgrades to unlock the hardware.
Other advanced features of this oscilloscope include automatic measurements, resolution enhancement, serial decoding, mask limit testing, math channels, XY mode, and segmented memory. It also has a memory depth of 32 Mpts for recording up to 32,000 samples per channel.
After using this device, we can easily conclude that it is a great oscilloscope for hobbyists and engineers. It is user-friendly and can be easily operated without any hindrances and it provides a compact and portable design with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for anyone to use.
Another best feature of this product is that it can be easily controlled by a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen, which is a huge advantage for anyone who uses this device. However, while testing this product we found out that this oscilloscope is only capable of measuring up to 20 voltages.
Overall, if you are looking for a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of applications then we would highly recommend you to buy the PICO TECHNOLOGY PICOSCOPE 2406B USB Oscilloscope.
Check Price on Amazon3. Digilent Analog Discovery 2 USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
Digilent Analog Discovery 2 USB Oscilloscope is the best 2 channel digital oscilloscope available in the market today. It is a powerful digital oscilloscope that will help you measure the waveforms of digital signals in real-time.
This device comes with 2-channel USB digital oscilloscope that is fully compatible with Windows operating systems and is powered via a USB port and 2-channel arbitrary function generator (AFG) that will let you generate complex waveforms, such as triangle, square, and ramp waveforms, to help you analyze the signals.
The device is compact and lightweight which is 8.5 pounds, that is easy to carry around, and this device is equipped with an audio amplifier that can drive external speakers or headphones.
It also has a 16-channel digital logic analyzer, and a 16-channel pattern generator that can generate the most advanced test patterns for testing as they are great for measuring signals and waveforms and they provide high accuracy, resolution, ease of use, and high-quality results.
After using this product we liked the fact that it provides a lot of features that is worth buying. But, one main downside of this oscilloscope is that it can be too pricey so you need to make sure that you have enough budget to purchase this product before you buy it.
Overall, the Digilent Analog Discovery 2 USB Oscilloscope is one of the best oscilloscopes in the digital category and an all-inclusive tool that covers all kinds of applications.
Check Price on Amazon4. Aiteme Tablet Ultra-Thin Portable USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The Aitime Tablet Ultra-Thin Portable USB Oscilloscope is a great digital oscilloscope for all your test and measurement needs. It is a portable USB oscilloscope designed for measuring digital waveforms, analog voltages, digital pulses as well as in synchronization of data lines.
The device comes with a 7-inch digital touch screen so you can see the results and makes it very easy to use even for a beginner. The LCD display also allows you to view your data at a clear and bright resolution.
There is a powerful built-in 6000mAh high-performance lithium battery that helps save up to 4 hours of battery life on full power. It also features a USB interface that makes it very easy to connect to a computer so that you can view the data on the computer as well as download it to your computer.
The oscilloscope also has a built-in data logging function that allows you to view the data on the oscilloscope in real-time and to view it in the waveform view.
The best thing about this oscilloscope is that with One-button automatic adjustment it means that all the settings are already set and ready for measurement. All you need to do is to press the measurement button once, and the oscilloscope will automatically capture a signal.
Built-in 2 channels of the oscilloscope are very easy to use and give you the freedom to make the measurement without the need for any cables.
By using this device we can say that it is one of the best portable USB oscilloscopes in the market and with 1GB storage it can save up to 1000 sets of waveform data and screenshots. However, despite its plentiful features, this device takes 5 hours to charge the battery.
If you are looking for an amazing digital oscilloscope that won’t disappoint you, then look no further than the Aiteme Tablet Ultra-Thin Portable USB Oscilloscope.
Check Price on Amazon5. Velleman PCSU1000 USB PC Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The Velleman PCSU1000 USB PC Oscilloscope is an affordable digital oscilloscope that is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. With its easy-to-use interface, it is evident that it is ideal for beginners, professionals, and electronic enthusiasts who want to explore the world of oscilloscopes. This instrument provides 4 kb of 8-bit digital storage which means that you can save 4,096 data points per channel.
The screen of this oscilloscope is fully adjustable to suit your preferences. With its full-screen mode, you can easily monitor multiple windows and display multiple waveforms simultaneously without any hindrances. In addition, they have a wide range of adjustable parameters such as the timebase, trigger source, amplitude, frequency, and much more.
This scope has a 60 MHz bandwidth that can measure the frequency and time of the signals that come from a computer or any other external device and it has a sampling rate of 1 GHz and can record the data to its internal memory to capture and store digital data.
We were impressed by the quality of this oscilloscope and the multiple features it offers. It is a great product that is suitable for use at home, in the office, or in any other place. One thing that we observed while testing this product is that sometimes it cannot be compatible with windows 10 so you need to make sure that you have the correct version of the windows 10 operating system installed on your computer. All in all, this oscilloscope is a great and affordable product that you can rely on.
Check Price on Amazon6. EspoTek Labrador All-in-One USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The EspoTek Labrador All-in-One USB Oscilloscope is one of the best oscilloscopes you can get for the price. It’s an excellent and cheap product for hobbyists who want to measure digital waveforms, analog voltages, digital pulses as well as in synchronization of data lines.
This device is a great option for those who are just getting started with electronics and want to measure voltages and other waveforms. It has a 2-channel oscilloscope that provides you with a real-time display of a digital waveform and can measure up to 12 samples per channel.
This oscilloscope has an arbitrary waveform generator that allows you to generate various waveforms such as square waves, triangle waves, sawtooth waves, etc. You can also use this oscilloscope as a logic analyzer by using its serial decoding feature.
Another great feature of this product is that it is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Raspberry Pi which is ideal for hobbyists and it is a very reliable and user-friendly oscilloscope that offers a high resolution (12 bit) and sampling rate (1 MSPS). This oscilloscope has a maximum input voltage of 15V and a maximum output current of 0.75W.
By testing this product we found out that this oscilloscope is a great choice for those who are just starting out or are eager to explore electronics. One main drawback of this oscilloscope is that sometimes it does not support voltage which is an issue for many people who are just new to electronics.
Overall, if you’re looking for a very basic oscilloscope that’s not going to cost you a fortune, then this is the oscilloscope for you. It’s easy to use and provides you with the functionality you need. It’s a great option for the hobbyist and even for the students who want to measure digital signals and digital pulses in science labs.
Check Price on Amazon7. UNI-T UTD2152CEX USB Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The UNI-T UTD2152CEX USB Oscilloscope is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a versatile and affordable oscilloscope. It comes with a 7-inch screen and provides you with great visibility and accuracy in analyzing analog and digital signals. The best feature that we liked about this oscilloscope is its ability to reduce the noise of signals. It also has a 150MHz bandwidth which is ideal to analyze digital signals.
It has a memory depth of 64kpts which means that you can store the data collected from previous measurements and it has a 2 channel 2CH+1CH that allows you to analyze signals from two sources at the same time. The oscilloscope also offers vertical sensitivity that ranges from 1mV/div to 20V/div and can be set up to measure digital and analog signals simultaneously.
The oscilloscope comes with a USB cable to connect to your computer for easy data transfer. You can also save your measurement data into a memory card or hard disk drive. The sample rate of this device is 1Gsa which means that it can detect 100,000 waveforms per second. Moreover, it also comes with USA Plug Adapter Power Cord, which is an added benefit while purchasing this oscilloscope.
After using this product we were able to identify all the details in the signal without the need for any additional software and we were satisfied with its ease of use and the features it offers. However, the lack of a touch screen is a bit disappointing. You may also feel that it is a bit heavy and might not be an ideal choice for running on the road.
All in all, this oscilloscope is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a versatile and cheap USB oscilloscope with a variety of features it offers then, the UNI-T UTD2152CEX USB Oscilloscope is the right product for you.
Check Price on Amazon8. Owon VDS1022I USB PC Virtual Oscilloscope
Our Review:
The Owon VDS1022I USB PC Virtual Oscilloscope is a great product for analyzing the voltage, current, and frequency of various circuits. It has 5K memory depth, which is a great number of data points that can be stored and analyzed, and 5MV input sensitivity which is very high.
This oscilloscope has a dual-channel oscilloscope and an extremely portable unit that can be easily transported anywhere, and it also offers a maximum sampling rate of 100 MS/s and has a bandwidth of 25 MHz bandwidth which is highly capable of displaying all-analog waveforms, digital pulses, as well as voltage and current measurements. Apart from that, it also offers motor isolation functionality which protects your computer and equipment from transient shocks and its USB interface reduces the interference of other signals.
By using this oscilloscope you can use it for various types of testing such as circuit functional testing, electronic circuit testing, and manufacturing testing. Moreover, besides digital and analog waveforms, the XY and FFT waveforms are displayed on the same screen.
After testing this oscilloscope we found out that it has a very user-friendly interface. The sensitivity is very high and you can get accurate measurements from it. Furthermore, it is also very portable and is very easy to carry around. The only drawback of this oscilloscope is that the software might be a bit complicated to operate.
Overall, the Owon VDS1022I USB PC Virtual Oscilloscope is a very good value for money. It comes with everything that you need to analyze digital circuits and get the desired results. It’s also very easy to use and requires no special technical skills to use. So if you are looking for a very affordable yet versatile oscilloscope then this is your best bet.
Check Price on AmazonHow to choose the best USB Oscilloscope- Buying Guide
We all know that the use of USB oscilloscopes has become a necessity for every electronics enthusiast. However, with so many oscilloscopes available on the market, how can you decide which one is the best one for you? So to find out one we’ve created a guide for you.
There are a few things that you need to consider before purchasing a USB oscilloscope. Let’s have a look at them:
Amplitude
The first thing you need to look for is the amplitude. This is the voltage range that the oscilloscope is capable of. You should choose one that has a range of 1mV to 10V, which is the voltage range of mostly digital circuits.
Bandwidth
The bandwidth of the oscilloscope is the maximum frequency that the oscilloscope is capable of. The higher the bandwidth, the more information you will be able to see on the oscilloscope. You should look for a bandwidth of 25MHz to 500MHz.
Cost
The cost of an oscilloscope is an important factor to consider before purchasing one. It is very important to know how much you are willing to spend on an oscilloscope. However, you need to know that not all oscilloscopes are created equal.
Portability
This is one of the most important factors that you need to consider. Do you need to carry your oscilloscope around with you everywhere? If the answer is yes then the portable oscilloscope is the best choice for you. You can easily carry it with you, and it will be easier for you to test your circuit wherever you go.
Multimeters
Multimeters are a very important part of any electronic enthusiast’s toolkit. They are used to measure voltage, current, resistance, and capacitance.
Sample Rate
The sample rate is the number of times the oscilloscope can sample a signal in a second. It is very important that you get a sample rate that is 3 to 5 times the bandwidth, in this way, it will offer better results and capture the signals.
Compatible with Windows Operating System
Since most USB oscilloscopes work best with Windows operating systems so you need to make sure that whatever USB oscilloscope you purchase should be compatible with Windows Operating System.
Memory Depth
The memory depth is the number of samples that the oscilloscope can store in memory. It is very important that you choose one that has a memory depth of at least 10,000 samples.
Conclusion
As technology advances, the features of USB oscilloscopes have become more and more powerful and it has become an essential product in our daily life, especially in the science lab, engineering laboratory, or education field, as it helps the users to observe the voltage and time duration of signals such as pulses, waveforms, square waves, sine waves, square sine waves, triangular waves, etc in real-time.
Our most recommended USB oscilloscope is the Digilent Analog Discovery 2 USB Oscilloscope, it is an excellent choice for students, hobbyists, and professionals because it can be used in many different applications, and it has a wide range of features that meets all your requirements.
We hope this article has helped you in finding the best USB Oscilloscope if you have any questions regarding the best oscilloscopes. Please share it in the comments section below.
FAQ’s
Why do we need an oscilloscope?
An oscilloscope is used to measure the voltage and frequency of an electrical signal. An oscilloscope can be used to check if your circuit is working properly or not. It is also used to test the voltage of your circuit, and it can also be used to check the frequency of your circuit.
What is the best USB oscilloscope for beginners?
The best oscilloscope for beginners is the one that is easy to use and has the most features. If you are a beginner then you should go for the Hantek HT6022BE20Mhz USB Oscilloscope.
What effect does the bandwidth of the signal have on the performance of an oscilloscope?
As the frequency of a signal increases, the accuracy of an oscilloscope gradually decreases. In other words, if you are using a 50MHz oscilloscope and the signal is of 60MHz, the oscilloscope will not be able to show you an accurate representation. So Using a 100MHz oscilloscope will be the best option.