The best OBD-II scanners in 2022
Stashing 1 of the best OBD-II scanners in your glove box or trunk may be the magic bullet you need to salve money on car upkeep or repairs. Because the last thing you demand is your automobile's bank check engine light to flicker on when y'all're out in the sticks, or a few days away from a routine inspection
On-board diagnostics (OBD) scanners plug directly into the access port by the driver's seat, and can tap into your car'due south computer system. It tin tell you whether that light is acquired past something as unproblematic as an easy-to-supplant gas cap or a faulty catalytic converter that'south going to toll you thousands of dollars to bandy out.
OBD-II scanners, sometimes written as OBD2 scanners, or EOBD scanners in Europe, likewise allow you see what'due south going on with your car's engine, transmission and other disquisitional systems. That's information that normally only your mechanic has access to.
Whether you're taking your motorcar in for a routine inspection, or for some sort og major repair, information technology always helps to have this vital information to manus. At the very least information technology'due south stop you getting tricked into paying for unnecessary repairs.
In fact, once you know everything that'due south going on with your wheels, you can end up doing a lot of the smaller stuff yourself. That makes the best OBD-II scanners — which range in cost from $25 to $200 — pay for themselves.
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We've tried out and tested more than than a dozen OBD-2 scanners, and nosotros've rated them based on features, size, warranty, setup, ease of use and — above all — value. The best OBD-II scanners can diagnose thousands of automotive problems.
OBD-II/EOBD scanners work on almost all rider vehicles sold in the United states since 1996, in Canada since 1998, in the European Union since 2004, and in Australia, United mexican states and New Zealand since 2006. (Here's how to detect your auto's OBD-2 port on North American cars, and hither's how to find your OBD-Ii/EOBD port worldwide.)
Not all the all-time OBD-II scanners are created equal. There are two general types of devices.
- Handheld OBD-II scanners come up with their own screen and cable to plug into the automobile's OBD port.
- Wireless OBD2II scanners plug into the port, just then connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet to display their findings.
Whichever type you lot cull, in that location are several high-performance OBD-Two scanners that cost less than $200. A couple are less than $30. I of the best OBD-II scanners is no longer an unaffordable luxury, but something you need to have in your motorcar.
What are the best OBD-II scanners?
The all-time OBD-II scanner we used and tested is the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310. Information technology has a color brandish, delivers a ton of useful data, shuts off the oil-modify light and tin can run your car through a pre-inspection test. Different virtually scanners, it has both a handheld screen and the ability to connect to an app on your phone via Bluetooth.
The Innova provides code definitions to help you easily identify car issues and the Repair Solutions2 app helps you get verified fixes and volition give yous the exact parts yous need, recall info and more.
The Topdon ArtiDiag500 is our second Editor's Choice. It has an unusual horizontal screen, has a full complement of functions and abilities, and is one of the few scanners that tin can connect to Wi-Fi.
The BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is our top selection among Bluetooth-just scanners. It'south a thick stubby plug that y'all tin go out connected to your OBD-II port, but the app is elegant and well designed.
If yous have a GM, Ford, Chrysler or Toyota car from the '80s or early '90s in your driveway, Bosch's OBD 1300 might be a godsend. Information technology comes with specialized cables to connect to those pre-1996 "OBD-I" models.
Ancel's BD310 is another great OBD-2 scanner. It does double duty by providing a small merely efficient cabled handheld scanner for nosing around nether the hood, and it can also wirelessly receive OBD information to serve as an auxiliary gauge inside the motel to brandish key engine parameters. It'south quite affordable.
See all of our picks for the best OBD-II scanners below.
The best OBD-2 scanners you tin buy today
The Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 beats its predecessor, the Innova CarScan Advisor 5210, by adding the power to reset the oil-maintenance lite. Similar the 5210, the 5310 has the ability to provide readouts via Bluetooth as well equally through a cablevision.
At $140, the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 has all the features you would want from an amateur mechanic'due south OBD-Ii scanner. Its 2.eight-inch color screen displays everything from live data to fault codes to a pre-inspection I/M readiness check.
If you'd rather apply your telephone, the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 can connect via Bluetooth to the Innova RepairSolutions 2 app on an iPhone or Android phone. The app adds maintenance schedules, service bulletins and predictive-failure warnings.
The Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 may not have information technology all, only information technology should satisfy most weekend mechanics short on time. It'due south one of our two Editor's Choices.
Read our full Innova CarScan Inspector 5310 review .
The Topdon ArtiDiag500 straddles the line between amateur and professional users with a large colour touchscreen, Wi-Fi and an automotive wellness report.
It looks like a rugged portable gaming console, feels similar a brick and has a 47-inch cablevision that won't quite reach the engine bay (and won't fit into the conveying case when attached to the unit).
Despite that, the Topdon ArtiDiag500 is ane of the well-nigh capable consumer-course OBD-2 scanners we've seen. Information technology can monitor the brakes, airbags and battery, run an I/K pre-inspection test and also display and graph alive car data. The Android-based unit has its ain rechargeable battery and tin update its own software, ii things you don't often meet on handheld scanners.
Information technology may be big and heavy, but the Topdon ArtiDiag500 might exist the best $170 a car owner can spend on an OBD-2 diagnostic scanner.
Read our full Topdon ArtiDiag500 review .
The BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool is ane of the most thorough Bluetooth-based automotive scanners, combining access to both basic and manufacturer-specific faulty codes and providing advice on how to fix problems.
The physical device is rather large, but that makes information technology easy to plug it into or yank out of an OBD-II port. An LED on the device lets you know whether it's in operation or in fault manner.
The BlueDriver mobile app is convenient and well laid-out, displaying data in automotive-style gauges and letting you export information to a spreadsheet. At that place'due south an I/K readiness test chosen a Smog Cheque, diagnostic tests for anti-lock brakes and engine timing, and Manner half dozen in-depth diagnostic testing, although the amount of data collection may depend on your car's model and year.
Read our total BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool review .
The Bosch OBD 1300 diagnostic scanner stands out by including cables to connect with pre-1996 Chrysler, Ford, GM and Toyota cars. Information technology can become heavy once the six-foot extension cablevision is fastened, merely the OBD 1300'south small size hides its powerful range of abilities.
Dissimilar many handheld diagnostic scanners, the Bosch OBD 1300 doesn't get power from your car'south OBD-II port. Instead, it uses AA batteries or your machine's cigarette lighter to power its large color screen, which shows graphing data clearly.
The scanner's database holds details on 26 million repair suggestions. It can bank check the anti-lock brakes and air bags on most cars released from 1996 to 2013, monitor the charging arrangement and battery and run a pre-inspection emissions test. You'll need to get the instruction manual from Bosch's website.
With a list price of nearly $200, the Bosch OBD 1300 may seem expensive until you lot see how many cars it can piece of work with. Information technology's the diagnostic scanner to get if you lot take an '80s or early-'90s auto.
Read our full Bosch OBD 1300 review .
Foxwell's NT614 Elite diagnostic scanner squeezes a big color screen into a small-scale, rugged horizontal case. Information technology's powerful and tin can probe many car problems, just we wish information technology had a touchscreen and could run on battery power.
Like the similar-looking but bulkier Topdon ArtiDiag500, the Foxwell NT614 is aimed at professional mechanics likewise equally car owners. It tin can graph data, cancel the oil-change light, and monitor the charging arrangement, air bags, brakes and transmission.
2 unique features stand out. Similar a gaming keyboard, the Topdon ArtiDiag500 has programmable keys that can be gear up to do different things with dissimilar makes of cars. It too has a microSD card slot for data storage. Information technology may be the OBD-Ii scanner to take if you do a lot of piece of work on cars from different manufacturers.
Read our full Foxwell NT614 Aristocracy review .
The ThinkCar ThinkDiag TKD01 is amongst the largest Bluetooth-based OBD-Two automotive diagnostic scanners. It can bear witness you lot extended fault codes or turn off the oil-modify calorie-free, but be wary of the annual app-subscription programme.
At more than three inches across, the ThinkDiag is and then big it won't fit into some OBD-Two ports. Yous may need an extension cable to connect to your car'southward systems. On the upside, the rugged oval-shaped unit is practically indestructible.
The ThinkDiag app offers profiles for more than 100 automakers, letting you dig deep into manufacturer-specific codes. Y'all become i profile for free for the beginning yr, merely afterwards that each contour is $40 per year (and even more for Teslas). If you take multiple cars of unlike makes, you lot'll pay for each contour.
The app can turn off the oil-change lite, bank check tire pressure, airbags and brakes, and predict which systems volition go due south soon. However, it doesn't tell y'all which replacement parts or repairs might be needed.
Read our full ThinkCar ThinkDiag TKD01 review .
The Innova's CarScan Pro 5210'southward tin can tell you lot more about your car than many of its competitors, which is why it deserves to be among the all-time OBD-II scanners.
The Pro 5210 scanner'due south 2.8-inch color screen is bright and its narrow and long aspect ratio means information technology can squeeze in lots of automotive details, from fault codes to live information to a pre-inspection check. Its LED lights glow blood-red for a permanent fault, yellow for an intermittent fault and light-green for no problems.
The CarScan Pro 5210 goes beyond displaying the expected error codes with a Bluetooth connectedness to a phone or tablet and Innova's Repair Solutions2 free app. The software explains the repairs and even the parts needed to fix the car.
With a ix-key interface, the Pro 5210 is one of the easiest of the best OBD-Ii scanners to navigate. Information technology found the fault I introduced to my 2014 Audi AllRoad and turned off the car'due south check engine calorie-free.
On the downside, the CarScan Pro 5210 has a 27-inch cable, which is brusk, and its overall dimensions feel beefy, particularly compared to the smaller and lighter EDIAG YA-201. While pricey, the Innova CarScan Pro 5210 Pro 5210 is a must-take for those who want to know what's wrong with their cars.
Ancel's BD310 is simply as skillful every bit a handheld scanner with a screen equally information technology is when continued to a phone or tablet via Bluetooth. It tin can also broaden the car's cockpit with a supplemental display of key engine parameters. Think of it as freedom-of-scanning choice.
Small and lightweight, the BD310 tin live in your car'due south glove box. Its icon-based, 2.0-inch colour display is a little skimpy merely easy to figure out, regardless of whether y'all want an I/M inspection-readiness test or performance details, similar coolant temperature, engine timing and engine speed. They can be shown as numbers or graphs.
It has a 56-inch cable that makes it just as practiced for hanging over the hood looking for an engine problem as monitoring the engine while driving. On the other mitt, the BD310's rudimentary four-key interface can make navigation awkward. In that location'due south too a mode button on the side for selecting Bluetooth and cable performance.
Read our full Ancel BD310 review .
Unlike most OBD-Ii scanners, Autel's AutoLink AL539 tin can check electrical connections with a built-in multimeter to uncover electric shorts or burned-out cables. The device'due south lithium-ion battery powers information technology for checking fuses, the alternator'due south voltage or the gas guess. Only notation that the multimeter doesn't work when the AL539 is connected equally an OBD scanner.
The AL539 non only shows live data, like engine speed, coolant temperature and other items but too can run a comprehensive pre-inspection readiness test. It shows results every bit three lights for faults: cherry-red (permanent fault), yellow (temporary fault) or green (no faults).
Despite its soft condom bumpers, the AL539 is fairly compact and low-cal at 6.7 x iii.6 x 1.4 inches and 10.6 ounces. It has a unique pull-out leg so the device can stand up on its own, as well as a generous 58-inch cablevision. Its brilliant, 2.8-inch color brandish has icons for major functions and an easy-to-follow, viii-fundamental interface.
Read our full Autel AutoLink AL539 review .
Its big color screen, range of tasks, lifetime warranty and ease of use make the SeekOne SK860 a winner.
The price for this is a handheld scanner that can feel bulky and heavy. Its soft safe bumpers and rugged blueprint mean you lot don't accept to babe the SK860, and information technology comes with a 58-inch cord and bright, 2.8-inch color brandish.
Its eight-button navigation scheme and icon-based interface are easier to use than upkeep scanners. The SK850 has a one-button I/Grand pre-inspection readiness check along with a dark-green (no-fault codes), yellow (intermittent problems) and scarlet (permanent-problem codes) LED scheme.
The SK860 does much more than typical handheld scanners and comes with a padded case, but its lifetime warranty makes it stand out from the crowd.
Read our full SeekOne SK860 review .
Small and inexpensive, the 5.6-ounce ThinkOBD 100 scanner is perfect for a quickie diagnosis, roadside repairs and running a pre-inspection exam. Nevertheless, it lacks the depth to explain deeper automotive problems.
The ThinkOBD 100 can disappear in a glove box and includes a USB cablevision for updating its firmware. On the downside, the scanner'south one.8-inch screen is an inch smaller than many competitors and feels cramped.
Its four-quadrant home screen is unproblematic with entries for Diagnose, Lookup, Setup and Help, only the four yellow circles above do cipher. That leaves the rudimentary four-button keypad as the only fashion to collaborate with the scanner.
In improver to displaying current mistake codes, the ThinkOBD 100 shows live automobile data, like spark accelerate and engine speed, but it spreads the data over 38 pages. After I introduced a error in my 2014 Audi AllRoad, this OBD-Two scanner diagnosed the problem and I was able to turn off the Check Engine calorie-free. Unfortunately, I had to manually type the lawmaking into the Lookup section to discover its meaning.
The device offered no explanation or repair options, making it 2d all-time to more advanced (and expensive) handheld scanners, like the Innova CarScan Pro 5210.
One of the easiest OBD-II scanners to install, utilise and remove, Jethax's OBD-2 Scanner stands lone with a built-in LED flashlight to illuminate the car'south diagnostic port. Its ribbed sides make it a snap to pull out.
The 1.8 ten 1.7 x 0.8-inch unit of measurement is slightly bigger than Autel's MaxiAP AP200 but at just 0.vii-ounces, it's significantly lighter. Information technology has a unmarried LED but it was always red.
The Jethax scanner uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to an iPhone, iPad or Android phone but lacks its own app. The QR code on the unit of measurement'south box points to several free diagnostic apps, including Torque Lite, which I used with my Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus phone.
Later plugging the Jethax OBD2 Scanner into my Audi AllRoad's OBD port and connecting the scanner to my phone, the app started showing live information. In addition to a series of automotive gauges and fault codes, the system tin can run acceleration tests.
The Jethax has a 28-foot Bluetooth range, which was on a par with other Bluetooth scanners. Information technology found my introduced error and turned off the check engine light.
Don't allow its size or $35 cost tag fool y'all. Jethax'due south OBD-II Scanner not only tells what'south going on inside your car merely lights the manner to plug it in.
With many of the abilities of a professional OBD scanner, Topdon's ArtiLink 500 does a lot for its $59 cost tag.
Large and bulky, the ArtiLink 500 weighs 10.two ounces and its 54-inch cable has a lighted connector at the cease that helps with plugging the scanner in. The scanner can be updated using its included USB cable.
The ArtiLink 500's vivid 2.viii-inch color screen shows fault codes, a pre-inspection readiness report and definitions of what its fault codes mean. The 8-key interface is efficient and lets yous pick from the major categories. This OBD-2 scanner shows live motorcar information, can graph information technology and lets you print it.
ArtiLink 500's OBD database has many of the manufacturer specific codes that widens its scope compared to those that only use only generic codes. After I introduced a problem with my 2014 Audi AllRoad, the scanner showed the fault and zeroed in on the problem. I was able to turn off the bank check engine light just the scanner stopped short of providing repair advice that the CarScan Pro 5210 does.
At $59, the Topdon ArtiLink 500 provides many of the abilities of a scanner costing much more but is on the big and heavy side.
Easy to employ, the ThinkDriver Bluetooth OBD-Ii Scanner ironically is a slow starter. Information technology not only requires an business relationship, an email verification and hardware activation but you'll need to update the app and firmware. The showtime time yous utilize it, figure on spending 20 minutes before you get any automotive data.
It's worth the await because the ThinkDriver app is more thorough than its competitors. Its night interface shows all the information needed, including fault codes, live car data, a pre-inspection I/M readiness test and a comprehensive Health Report. It's one of the rare apps that tin reset the maintenance light on your automobile for things like changing the oil or replacing the EGR valve.
The ThinkDriver Bluetooth OBD-II Scanner'due south soft grips make it piece of cake to install and remove and it connected rapidly with my iPad Pro and had a 30-pes range; there's too an Android app. It rapidly institute my introduced fault and allowed me to turn off the Cheque Engine light.
Unlike those that supply free software, the ThinkDriver app expires subsequently a year and costs $fifteen a twelvemonth for i motorcar after that. Still, at $70, the ThinkDriver Bluetooth OBD-Two Scanner is worth it for those who prefer to change their own oil.
The EDiag YA-101 is small and light, and its inexpensive cost belies its broad assortment of diagnostic functions that include a battery-test sequence and an I/M inspection-readiness exam. It has a lifetime warranty that includes countless firmware updates.
What you lot won't become are the manufacturer-specific codes and routines available on OBD-Two scanners that costs many times more than the EDiag YA-101. This scanner has a color screen and a fairly intuitive interface, but information technology doesn't graph data and can't plow off the oil-modify light. Nor can it suggest repairs or replacement parts.
The EDiag YA-101's 32-inch cablevision isn't enough to attain the engine bay. If you want to get nether the hood while the scanner is plugged in, you'll need an extension cable. Nonetheless, this is a bang-up way to go started with using OBD-Two devices, and you'll get a lot of bang for the buck with this cheap but reliable scanner.
Read our full EDiag YA-101 review .
With a rugged design, easy-to-apply interface and lifetime software updates, Launch's CR529 comes close to beingness a professional OBD scanner at a bargain toll. On the downside, at x.5 ounces and half dozen.5 10 3.8 x 1.2-inches, it's bigger and heavier than Innova's CarScan Pro 5210 and can be a lot to hold during repairs.
Solidly congenital, the CR529'south ribbed instance can protect it if dropped. Its 2.eight-inch color screen shows everything from engine misfires and oxygen sensor status to live automotive data and fault codes. Anything tin can be printed via its USB port but the CR529'south explanations of the problems it finds stake compared to the in-depth repair details of Innova's 5210.
The scanner's eight-key format has a defended pre-inspection readiness test key, and the scanner'due south LEDs light up red for a permanent fault, xanthous for an intermittent fault and green for a make clean sweep.
The Launch'south CR529's 43-inch cable quickly connected to my Audi AllRoad, picked up my added fault and let me plough off the bank check engine light. Unfortunately, it took upwards of fifteen seconds for the scanner to reply at times.
The CR-529's two-year warranty is combined with lifetime software updates. At less than $l, information technology'due south priced similar a DIY unit but has the abilities of a professional scanner.
The Nexpeak NX501 may be big and heavy, but it goes beyond the expected machine checks with a long 5-foot OBD cable and lifetime software updates.
With soft rubber bumpers, the NX501 is ruggedly built and comfy to use. Its 3 LEDs for the I/M preinspection examination show light-green for no faults, yellowish for a temporary problem or cerise to show a permanent fault.
In addition to examinations of the battery and oxygen sensor, the NX501 interprets generic and many manufacturer-specific fault codes. The device rapidly noticed the introduced error on my car and turned off the car'southward check engine light.
At ii.eight inches, the NX501's display is bright with colorful icons for dissimilar features, and it can show everything from engine speed to coolant temperature along with colorful fever graphs. The tool's eight-central navigation makes it easy to move betwixt scanning tasks. With its padded case, lifetime software upgrades and one of the longest OBD cables, the NX501 is i of the best OBD2 scanners for the money.
How to choose the best OBD-II scanner for yous
If you're looking for insights into how your vehicle is working or what'south wrong under the hood, there's no meliorate way than to plug in i of the all-time OBD-Ii scanners and read the results.
After all, information technology'south how your automobile dealer or repair shop would effigy out what's wrong with your machine when you drive (or are towed) in. Why shouldn't you have the same information?
The best OBD-Two scanners provide the right mix of size, weight and the power to read your motorcar'southward fault codes and live data. The nigh important criteria are:
- Easy setup. If it takes forever to set up the scanner, you probably won't use it to diagnose a trouble early.
- Faults and explanations. The best OBD-II scanners not only tell y'all the faults your auto has but likewise can explicate the pregnant then you can either fix it yourself or tell a mechanic.
- I/M Readiness cheque. A practiced scanner will run the major engine and emissions tests to see if you'll laissez passer your state's inspection.
- Accuracy. A scanner is worthless if its results aren't accurate, because the only thing worse than no information is incorrect information.
- Size and weight. If the scanner is heavy and bulky, chances are it'll stay in your toolbox and not in the car to help you on the road.
- Live information. Past tapping into the car's engine speed, timing and other parameters, the right scanner can help track down an intermittent problem.
- Graphs. Numbers are expert, only a visual representation of it is much better, particularly if you're comparing before and after.
- Warranty. Yous expect your car to last at to the lowest degree eight or x years, then why shouldn't your OBD-Ii scanner? That said, the best offer a lifetime warranty that should outlast your ride.
There's a gas tank full of criteria used to determine which OBD scanner is the best ane for you. The most important is whether you desire i that connects with your phone or tablet'southward screen over Bluetooth or a handheld unit with its own display and cable.
Next, recollect most longevity and get one that includes lifetime warranty or software updates so the scanner will stay current with changing automotive tech.
Then, how about screen size for a handheld scanner? Go the biggest, brightest and easiest display to read that is icon based for like shooting fish in a barrel changes. If you lot're clumsy, expect at rugged scanners with safe bumpers to absorb the daze of existence dropped.
Look for extras that are included on some models, similar an electrical multimeter, the ability to read a manufacturer's proprietary codes or consign documents as Acrobat PDF files.
Finally, the toll for these sophisticated devices is right on par with professional-level scanners that are bachelor for under $100. That'southward barely an hour's labor for a qualified mechanic, making it a win-win purchase.
How we exam OBD-II scanners
To examination the best OBD2 scanners, I used my 2014 Audi A4 Allroad vehicle while it was in the garage or on the road over a menses of several weeks. After connecting each scanner to my car's OBD-Ii port, I made sure they could written report the machine's vehicle identification number (VIN).
For the wireless scanners, I continued to my Apple iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface or Samsung Galaxy S9+ phone via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. The handheld scanners just needed to exist plugged into the OBD-II port, which provides power.
Next, I measured the string'due south length on the handheld scanners and the wireless range on the others. With the car running, I monitored the engine and other vital systems, and so asunder the engine's oil temperature sensor.
Finally, I checked the details provided past the scanner, stock-still the problem, turned off the check engine low-cal and erased the error code.
And then I hitting the road to see if the scanner could brandish operating data such as engine speed, timing and coolant temperature. I paid attention to whether the device reported the information equally numbers, graphs or motorcar-fashion gauges.
Regardless of which OBD-II scanner y'all use, you lot'll need to crack its code. All error codes have four numbers and a letter prefix:
- Powertrain (P)
- Body (B)
- Chassis (C)
- Undefined (U)
Of the roughly 5,000 diagnostic error codes available, some are generic and utilise to all cars, like air temperature and throttle position. For these, the numeric section starts with a 0. Others are specific to individual carmakers and represent either a special piece of hardware or a more than in-depth assay of the problem. These start with a ane.
For instance, if you become a P0098 code, chances are there's something incorrect with the engine'due south intake air temperature sensor. By contrast, a Ford that displays a P1112 specialty mistake code ways that the intake air temperature sensor is reporting values intermittently and should be replaced.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-obd2-scanners
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