Active Probes & Differential Probes

Active and differential probes contain amplifier electronics, which lets them present a very light load to the circuit and measure across two points where neither is at ground.

Teledyne LeCroy, Tektronix, Keysight, RIGOL and Siglent cover this range. Active single-ended probes suit high-frequency work because their low capacitance barely disturbs the signal. Differential probes are what you need for measuring across a shunt, a gate drive or a floating node, and their common mode rejection ratio is the specification that determines how much of the unwanted common signal leaks into your reading. Confirm probe interface compatibility with your oscilloscope, as these do not interchange freely between makes.