Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (MSO) Review & Comparison: Best MSOs in 2026

Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes (MSOs) combine analog signal analysis with digital logic debugging, making them one of the most versatile tools for embedded systems, FPGA development, and electronics validation.

In 2026, MSOs are widely used across R&D labs, production test environments, and field debugging, offering engineers a single instrument for both analog and digital visibility.

This guide compares the best mixed signal oscilloscopes in 2026, focusing on real-world usage, strengths, limitations, and sourcing options.

Who This Review Is For

This article is written for:

• Embedded systems engineers
• FPGA and digital design teams
• Electronics R&D labs
• Production test and validation teams
• Engineers choosing between DSO vs MSO

If you are deciding whether you need an MSO and which one to choose, this guide is for you.

What Is a Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (MSO)?

An MSO combines:

• Analog channels (voltage vs time)
• Digital logic channels (logic analyzer)

This allows engineers to:

• Correlate firmware events with analog behavior
• Debug timing issues between digital and analog domains
• Analyze buses such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, and more

For many teams, an MSO replaces the need for a separate logic analyzer.

Best Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes in 2026 (Quick Comparison)

Detailed Reviews

Keysight InfiniiVision 4000X

Best balance of performance and usability

The 4000X series is widely used in embedded and electronics labs due to its fast update rate, integrated protocol decoding, and solid MSO performance.

Pros

• Fast waveform update rate
• Strong protocol analysis
• Compact bench footprint

Cons

• Premium pricing compared to entry models

Best fit: Embedded R&D, digital + analog debugging.

Tektronix MSO5 Series

Best user interface and flexibility

Tektronix’s MSO5 series is known for its modern UI and modular architecture, making it a favorite for engineers who value usability and expandability.

Pros

• Large high-resolution touchscreen
• Modular upgrades
• Excellent bus decoding

Cons

• Configuration-dependent pricing

Best fit: Complex system debugging, lab environments.

Rohde & Schwarz RTO / MXO Series

Best for precision and timing analysis

R&S MSOs excel in signal fidelity, timing accuracy, and low noise, which is critical for high-speed digital and mixed-signal designs.

Pros

• Excellent signal integrity
• High bandwidth options
• Strong trigger precision

Cons

• Higher cost
• Larger footprint

Best fit: High-speed digital design and validation labs.

Keysight InfiniiVision 6000X

Best for advanced embedded systems

The 6000X series pushes MSO performance into higher bandwidth territory, making it suitable for advanced SoC and FPGA debugging.

Pros

• High bandwidth
• Advanced triggering
• Large installed base

Cons

• Expensive when fully configured

Best fit: Advanced embedded and FPGA teams.

Rigol MSO7000

Best value MSO

Rigol’s MSO7000 series offers MSO functionality at a significantly lower price point, making it attractive for cost-sensitive labs.

Pros

• Affordable
• Adequate MSO feature set
• Good entry-level performance

Cons

• Lower bandwidth
• Slower update rates

Best fit: Small labs, startups, and cost-sensitive environments.

MSO vs DSO vs Logic Analyzer

When deciding between tools:

• DSO is best for analog-only debugging
• Logic analyzer is best for digital-only visibility
• MSO is best when timing correlation matters

If your project involves MCUs, FPGAs, or mixed analog/digital interfaces, an MSO is usually the most efficient choice.

New vs Used vs Rental — What Makes Sense?

Buy new if:

• You need the latest protocol support
• Long-term usage is expected
• Calibration traceability is required

Buy used if:

• Budget is limited
• The model is well-established
• You want higher bandwidth at lower cost

Rent if:

• Project duration is short
• You need temporary bandwidth coverage
• You want to evaluate before purchase

MSOs retain value well, making the used market very active.

How to Choose the Right MSO

Before requesting quotes, consider:

• Required analog bandwidth
• Number of digital channels
• Protocol decoding needs
• Bench vs field usage
• Budget vs future expansion

Request Quotes or Compare MSOs

On this platform you can:

• Compare mixed signal oscilloscopes
• Request quotes for new, used, or rental MSOs
• Contact multiple vendors with one inquiry

Request an MSO quote to receive options matched to your application.

Final Thoughts

A mixed signal oscilloscope is often the most efficient debugging tool for modern electronics. Choosing the right MSO can significantly reduce development time by providing synchronized analog and digital insight.