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Keeping one of the best OBD2 scanners in your glove box or trunk could be the answer to saving money on auto maintenance and repairs.
On-board diagnostics (OBD) scanners connect to your car’s computer system through an access port near the driver’s seat. It can tell you whether your car’s check engine light is caused by something as simple as a faulty gas cap or problematic issues like a faulty catalytic converter that would set you back thousands of dollars to swap out.
OBD2 scanners, also known as OBDII scanners, show you what’s going on with your car’s engine, transmission, and other important systems. Usually, only your mechanic has access to this information.
So, it’s always helpful to have this important information on hand, whether taking your vehicle in for a routine inspection or a major, expensive repair. It will, at the very least, prevent you from being duped into paying for unnecessary repairs. What are the best OBD2 scanners?
Our top 8 best scanners are as follows:
LAUNCH CRP129E
Autel MaxiCOM MK808
FOXWELL NT604 Elite
BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool for iPhone & Android
Ancel FX9000
INNOVA 6200P All System
TOPDON ArtiDiag800
MUCAR VO6 Car Diagnostic Scanner
Read on to learn more about the 8 best OBD2 scanners, including the specs and features for each.
OBD2 Scanners [8 Best Picks]
1. LAUNCH CRP129E
First on our list of the best OBDII scanner is the LAUNCH CRP129E OBD2 Scanner:
Because of its diagnostic capabilities and comprehensive features for the price, the LAUNCH CRP129E OBD2 Scanner is our top pick for the best scanner. You don’t have to keep the car running to utilize its 5.0-inch touchscreen because it has an internal battery. In addition, you can graph live data, reset diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), and run emissions tests with this device.
One advantage is that Launch provides free lifetime upgrades if purchased from an authorized dealer. With data coding protocols from roughly 60 carmakers and over 1,000 models included in the Launch CRP129E, this scanner is sure to know something about your vehicle.
The Launch has a long connection cord and an easy-to-use touchscreen user interface. Shorter wires on some OBD2 scanners make it harder to hold them in your lap after they’re attached.
While the Launch has a lot of useful capabilities and can do a lot of diagnostic work, it does need to be connected to the internet. This connection is required to set up the device, but it does not always have to be.
Because the Launch may not be compatible with all vehicles, make sure to double-check if it’s okay for your make and model. The Launch CRP129E is still a solid choice for the backyard mechanic on a tight budget.
The Autel MaxiCOM MK808 Scanner will appeal to professional mechanics on a budget since it balances advanced scanning features with business-friendly applications. Buyers won’t be bound to the vehicle for work with this 7.0-inch HD touchscreen’s seven-hour battery life.
This tablet scan tool is accessible and affordable, allowing you to perform simple and advanced repairs on modern vehicles, as well as deal with virtually any auto repair scenario.
The diagnostic tool is cleverly built to troubleshoot all systems for the majority of today’s leading vehicles. It can retrieve information on the tested control units’ ECUs, such as their type, version numbers, and other specifications. To discover problematic areas and clear the codes, it reads and erases DTCs.
Each parameter item’s live data can also be viewed. It allows you to work on all aspects of a vehicle’s systems to improve performance, conserve energy, reduce emissions, and so on. Also, this tool saves you the time and effort of diagnosing any unidentified automotive problems you’d encounter.
The device comes with plenty of information about American, European, and Asian automobile brands, and Autel will update it for free for the first year of ownership. An app that records vehicle and customer data is also included, so you get an OBD2 scanner and a logbook in one.
One-step TPMS check
Automatic VIN lookup
Capacitive touchscreen
Supports up to 32 GB microSD cards
Multilingual data support system
Customizable graph data
Comes with a rugged carrying case
3. FOXWELL NT604 Elite
Another excellent OBDII scanner is the FOXWELL NT604 Elite:
The FOXWELL NT604 Elite comes with the latest software and can be used right away. You won’t waste time downloading the software or installing the batteries first. It will scan and test your car quickly, then fix your problem in seconds.
It is intended for owners who want to figure out what’s wrong with their car before scanning the most common systems like the ABS, SRS, engine, and transmission to fix it. The NT604 Elite provides all popular OBD2 scanning capabilities, as well as ABS/SRS/engine/driveline diagnostics with superb AutoVIN functionality.
In addition to reading ECU information and reading/clearing fault codes, the NT604 Elite has a separate menu for the live data stream, which displays transmission temperature in a graph.
The NT604 elite code readers and scan tools will provide real-time data in text and graphs, such as engine speed, coolant temperature, fuel system status, short-term fuel trim, and so on.
Additionally, the definitions of fault codes will be displayed on the diagnostic scanner using the DTC Lookup feature, saving you time and energy from having to look them up online.
The BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scanner for iPhone & Android, unlike most automotive scanners, can stay connected to your car’s OBDII port while you drive. The device simply connects to your smartphone and provides diagnostics and real-time data.
The BlueDriver’s main selling point is that it’s a wireless device that pairs with your smartphone to read code errors and retrieve real-time engine data. For a device that costs just over $100, the BlueDriver is a capable diagnostic code scanner.
The BlueDriver is quite simple to use, with one of the sleekest user interfaces we’ve seen. You can easily read an error code, research the likely reason, identify a remedy, and place an order for a replacement item.
And when you consider all of the functions it performs, the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro is a bargain at roughly $120. If all you need is a device to read error codes when the check engine light comes on, you can buy a relatively affordable OBD2 scanner. However, if you want advanced features like freeze frame data and live data, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that costs less than the BlueDriver.
Easy and quick Bluetooth connectivity
App works with iOS and Android devices
Reads error codes and suggests repairs
Reads enhanced diagnostic codes (ABS/SRS/TPMS, and airbag errors)
A “set it and forget it” tool to record vehicle information
The Ancel FX9000 OBD2 Scanner is an Android 7.1 tablet scanner with a 7-inch IPS touchscreen and an additional keyboard for sensitive input. The built-in 60,000 mAh long-life battery lasts for more than 8 hours, which is just enough for you to use all throughout the day.
With all of its features, it offers system-wide diagnosis and testing. It also features 15 different reset service functions, all of which are extensive and varied. The Ancel FX9000 is a freshly improved Android smart solution for 12V passenger cars, light trucks, pickuptrucks, and other vehicles, with support for over 57 vehicle brands.
This in-vehicle smart scanner is ideal for garages, technicians, and DIY auto owners alike.
The INNOVA 6200P All System can quickly read engine codes, indicate the abnormality, and sometimes correct the problem. ABS and Airbag light codes that often indicate a problem, for example, are immediately read, analyzed, and erased.
The INNOVA 6200P OBD2 Scanner also performs battery and alternator tests to assess the charging system’s performance. It does so by determining whether the batteries and alternators meet the vehicle’s recommended voltage specs. When troubleshooting a no start/hard start problem, running this test will help you figure out where to look, saving you time.
The scan tool displays real-time sensor data and provides data graphing for intuitive diagnostics, including vehicle performance monitoring, allowing users to understand anomalous parameters better. Plus, the data logging feature allows you to save live data and review it later or show it to the mechanic.
This Android-based diagnostic tool contains all of the standard functionality you’d expect from a scanner/code reader, as well as a slew of extra features that come in handy if you run a shop.
The TOPDON ArtiDiag800 Scanner is an all-in-one car scanner that can do in-depth diagnostics on all accessible systems and electronics. To determine the exact source of car trouble, you can pull codes, clear codes, review freeze frame data, view live data, and plot PIDs of major vehicle makes and models on the market.
Also, the upgraded version of this scan tool has increased the number of maintenance reset services from 15 to 26.
The MUCAR VO6 auto scanner can read almost every diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that an automobile can produce. It can scan practically every individual control module in the car – not just standard universal systems, such as the engine and emissions controls, but also more recent advancements like tire-pressure monitors in newer vehicles.
The MUCAR VO6 is also faster when refreshing live data. The monitor can be used to gather data on horsepower, fluid temperature, and fuel status. The scanner displays data like load value, pressure intake, airflow rate, and battery voltage, among other things.
28 maintenance services
Enhanced full system diagnosis with Android 10.0 IC chip
4-in-1 live data stream
Special bidirectional and ECD coding
One-click WiFi Update and Bluetooth connection
Easy-to-print report
OBD2 Scanners [8 Best Picks]
So to recap, our top 8 best OBD2 scanners are as follows:
LAUNCH CRP129E
Autel MaxiCOM MK808
FOXWELL NT604 Elite
BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool for iPhone & Android
