Diagnose the Issue with the Best OBD-II Scanners, Picked By Experts (2024)

An OBD-II scanner is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and repair. Even for those less mechanically inclined, a scanner can be just as useful as many of the other tools and accessories car or truck owners think of as mandatory. Here are some of its uses:

Troubleshooting Issues: An OBD-II scanner's main purpose is to read diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from your car's onboard computer. These codes pinpoint specific problems in your vehicle, simplifying the diagnosis process.

Monitoring Vehicle Health: Advanced OBD-II scanners offer real-time information on various aspects of your vehicle's performance, including engine temperature, fuel efficiency, and emissions. This helps you monitor and assess your vehicle's health and performance.

Resetting Warning Lights: Numerous OBD-II scanners enable you to clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and reset warning lights once an issue is resolved. This is especially helpful for removing noncritical codes and maintaining smooth vehicle operation.

Saving Money: By identifying issues early, you can address minor problems before they escalate into costly repairs, saving you significant money on mechanic bills.

Preventing Depreciation: Regularly diagnosing and fixing issues also helps keep your vehicle in good condition, helping to maintain its resale value.

The Best OBD-II Scanners

For broader diagnostic capabilities, the Innova 5610 stands out with impressive testing features, bidirectional control, and added diagnostic suggestions. The 5610 comes with a substantial price tag, which Gear Team testers felt was justified by an array of functions.

Five system tests, actuator tests, hybrid/EV battery testing, and ABS bleeding procedures are among its features. Despite the cost, it's a valuable investment for those extensively involved in car maintenance.

With its balanced blend of corded and Bluetooth capabilities and an excellent app interface, the Ancel BD310 garnered the Gear Team's tag for Best Display.

The BD310 offers both corded and Bluetooth options, granting access to extensive data, diagnostics, and performance testing through the app. Connecting swiftly and displaying codes effectively, it delivers advanced features at an affordable price.

The MX+ from OBDLink is one of the most popular Bluetooth scanners available. It supports several operating systems including Android, iOS, and Windows, and can be used either with its own app or one of many third-party apps. Of course, it can read codes for a variety of makes and models, and it can access some systems that other scanners cannot, like ABS, SRS, TPMS, and more.

The feature that stands out most is its over-voltage and battery-drain protection, which means it won't kill your battery or itself in the event of an electrical surge.

The OBD 1200 offers all of the features you'd expect from a renowned leader in automotive technology. It can read and clear codes, live stream and graph data, and it can do advanced diagnostics and software updates.

With its color screen and multidirectional buttons, it's designed to be user-friendly. It can also perform a few special tests for certain Ford and GM models.

The Fixd Bluetooth Scanner offers a solid foundation but restricts most features behind a subscription. Basic code reading and clearing are available, but advanced functions require a monthly fee.

While paid features like I/M (inspection and maintenance), readiness monitors, and repair tips are valuable, its most interesting feature is the ability to monitor multiple vehicles from a single account, making it ideal for fleet vehicles.

With its user-friendly app and insightful diagnostic guidance, the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro earned the Gear Team's nod as the Best Overall Bluetooth OBD-II scanner.

While the initial setup of the BlueDriver took a bit longer than others, the resulting experience was invaluable. The tile-style interface proved highly intuitive, facilitating easy access to codes, tests, and data. The app offers model-specific features, TSBs, battery reset procedures, and more, alongside standard DTCs. The Bluetooth scanner also benefits from consistent updates, ensuring up-to-date information.

The Foxwell NT301 offers a clear, legible screen and is easy to navigate thanks to its read/erase and I/M readiness buttons. It can perform EVAP leak and O2 monitor tests and offers a neat print function via Micro-USB.

If you're simply looking to read and clear codes and not much else, this highly rated scanner is a solid choice.

The NT604 stands out from the pack thanks to its relatively large color-coded display, which offers clear and easy-to-read information, allowing users to navigate through diagnostic functions easily.

Its user-friendly interface guides users step by step through diagnostic procedures. This is especially helpful for individuals who may not be automotive experts but still want to perform basic diagnostics on their vehicles.

Gear Team testers found the Motopower MP69033 to be one of the most straightforward scanners they tested. It quickly displays codes and includes a graphing feature that displays car speed, coolant temp, load value, and engine rpm, all at an affordable price.

It features distinct up and down buttons that set it apart from other budget scanners. While the screen may be pixelated, it serves its intended function well. The MP69033 outperformed hardwired scanners, reading codes in just over 17 seconds.

One of the higher-end scanners on our list, the FX2000 from Ancel is more geared toward experienced DIYers and mechanics. However, this doesn't mean it is difficult to use thanks to its 4.0-inch TFT screen, an intuitive multilingual interface, and multifunctional keys.

What makes it stand out is its ability to carry out diagnoses and display data for four systems for a wide variety of vehicles. It also offers free lifetime updates on Ancel's official website.

By understanding what your OBD-II scanner is telling you, you can read and interpret codes in order to diagnose and address vehicle issues.

How do I know what problem a DTC has detected?

Each DTC (diagnostic trouble code) is made up of five characters: A single letter followed by four numbers. The letter denotes which of the four main systems the fault has been detected in:

P: Powertrain

B: Body

C: Chassis

N: Network

The second character is a number that specifies whether it's a generic OBD-II code or a manufacturer code. (Manufacturers reserve the right to generate their own codes if there isn't a generic code for a specific problem they'd like drivers/techs to be able to diagnose.):

0: Standardized (SAE) fault codes

1: Manufacturer-specific code

The third character is either a letter or number that specifies which of the vehicle systems is throwing a fault:

0: Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emissions controls

1: Fuel and air metering

2: Fuel and air metering (specific injector circuit)

3: Ignition systems or misfires

4: Auxiliary emission controls

5: Vehicle speed control and idle control systems

7, 8, 9: Transmission and gearbox faults

A, B, C: Hybrid propulsion systems

The fourth and fifth numbers denote the specific fault being detected. It can be any number between zero and 99.

Nearly all modern OBD-II scanners will summarize what the error code is alongside the five-character alphanumeric code. For some of the more advanced models, there's even a code lookup function that will further explain what the fault code is referring to and what might be causing it.

In the case of bluetooth OBD-II scanners, some of their apps will also include links to video explainers pulled from YouTube that will show you how to further diagnose and even repair the faulty components responsible for the code.

Do OBD-II scanners work with hybrid and electric vehicles?

Yes, OBD-II scanners work with hybrid and electric vehicles as they also have OBD-II systems. However, some specialized scanners might offer additional features specific to these vehicle types.

Are OBD-II scanners user-friendly?

Most OBD-II scanners are designed to be user-friendly, with simple interfaces and clear instructions. However, some advanced features might require a basic understanding of vehicle diagnostics.

Can OBD-II scanners fix issues in my vehicle?

OBD-II scanners are diagnostic tools and not repair devices. They help identify problems by providing error codes and data that mechanics can use to diagnose and fix issues accurately.

Are OBD-II scanners compatible with all vehicles?

OBD-II scanners are compatible with most vehicles manufactured after 1996 (in the United States) and 2001 (in Europe) that adhere to OBD-II standards. However, some specialized scanners may be required for specific vehicle makes and models.

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