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Aug 09, 2023

Best OBD2 Scanners for 2023, Tested

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. Did your vehicle's Check Engine light just pop on? An OBD-II scanner can point you in the right

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

Did your vehicle's Check Engine light just pop on? An OBD-II scanner can point you in the right direction—and potentially save you a bundle.

The check-engine light appearing on your dashboard is enough to dampen any excitement. For many, the initial reaction may be to catastrophize the worst-case scenario. However, slightly more prepared people can turn to an OBDII scanner. The OBDII scanner provides valuable information about the warning light, which systems might be at risk, and the level of urgency.

OBD-II scanners vary greatly in price, ranging from tens of dollars to thousands. During our testing, we came up with two unofficial categories: display and diagnostic OBD-II scanners.

Display OBD-II Scanners

On the simpler end, we’ve dubbed these units “display OBII scanners.” The OBD-II scanner will display error codes that your vehicle's computer detects. Reading a code will give you limited information but is a solid starting point. After pulling the code, you must do additional research and diagnostics to determine its meaning and plan for the next steps. Display scanners are affordable, with fewer bells and whistles, but they lack the additional function that diagnostic scanners provide.

Diagnostic OBD-II Scanners

For those who are a bit more serious about their auto repair tools, we recommend a diagnostic OBD-II. Diagnostic OBD-II scanners provide more information on the car's inner workings, such as engine coolant temperature and air-fuel ratio. Other features in diagnostic scanners include technical service bulletins (TSBs), technical advice, module testing, and graphing. Consider using a diagnostic scanner if you find yourself disassembling cars and confidently putting them back together.

Other Considerations

Vehicles with an OBD-II typically feature a port beneath the dashboard on the driver's side. While it may take some effort to locate, typically on the left side of the driver's column, sometimes to the right, its accessibility is mandated. To access the information, connect the diagnostic scanner and turn the vehicle to the ‘on’ position without turning on the engine. It is important to note you CAN start an engine while scanning, but it does carry a risk of further damage, depending on the reason for the check engine light.

The OBDII system represents vehicle error codes as five-digit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). These codes are accompanied by brief descriptions that may not always be immediately clear about the exact issue, similar to someone reporting a stomach ache when they have food poisoning. The DTC provides a general direction for troubleshooting, but the user is responsible for identifying the specific issue. Some DTCs, particularly those related to the powertrain, are common across all vehicles and can be read by any scanner. However, certain DTCs may be specific to particular manufacturers. Some advanced scanners can perform extensive functions, almost on par with dealer-level capabilities, including programming and bidirectional controlling of the vehicle.

We also conducted tests on both coded and Bluetooth OBD-II scanners. We found that Bluetooth scanners and their associated smartphone apps offered a more user-friendly interface and experience. Additionally, the apps can be updated as new information comes to light, so we appreciated this new face of scanners and their potential for long-term use. On the other hand, corded scanners are known for their speed and simplicity, providing distinct advantages. The choice between them ultimately depends on the user and their preferences.

We wanted to use a common vehicle for this test to evaluate compatibility best, so we pulled in a 2005 Toyota Corolla owned by Gear Team tester Collin Morgan and set to work. The old beater had just rolled over 250,000 miles, so we were excited (and slightly nervous) to see what the scan tools would uncover.

Knowing that there are different OBD-II scanners for different situations, we avoided pitting them against one another. Instead, we decided which scanner was best for each situation and rated them on that metric. We took detailed notes on the capabilities of each and started our testing.

To manufacture a check engine light, we unplugged the mass-airflow sensor on our Toyota Corolla, started the car, and verified that the light was on. Then we plugged each scanner in and evaluated the following parameters:

Comparing our notes from this test helped us choose which OBD-II scanner is best for various applications and which scanners don't quite meet expectations. Here are our top picks for the best OBD-II scanners.

The Ancel BD310 is our choice as the Best Display OBD-II Scanner for Home Use. We loved the scanner's happy medium between corded and Bluetooth capabilities and felt the app's interface was excellent.

It's a unique scanner, as you can use it with just the corded interface or connect it via Bluetooth and use the free app to access more data, diagnostic resources, and performance testing.

The BD310 was quick to connect and display codes, and it provided many of the perks of expensive scanners while staying affordable.

For an OBD-II scanner with a wider range of diagnostic capabilities, we were impressed by the testing functions, bidirectional control, and additional diagnostic suggestions of the Innova 5610. No other scanner in our test offered this many features.

It's a hefty scanner with a price to match. But with that price comes a plethora of functions inaccessible by other, cheaper OBD-II scanners. We were able to access five system and actuator tests, a hybrid/EV battery test function, an ABS bleeding procedure, and much more.

So while the price is steep, it's worth the investment if you work on cars more than the average person.

There are definitely perks to Bluetooth OBD-II scanners, and the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro is our pick for the best. Featuring an intuitive, easy-to-use app and some helpful diagnostic direction, we applaud this tiny little scanner.

It took a bit longer to set up the BlueDriver initially, but once we were in, it was a gold mine. The tile-style interface was exceptionally easy to use, and we had no issues finding codes, tests, and other data.

Features accessible through the app include model-specific features, TSBs, a battery reset procedure, and more, along with the expected DTCs. Another benefit to the Bluetooth scanner is the consistent updates, meaning the info is always current.

For those just looking for a no-frills code reader, the Motopower MP69033 is a great choice. It simply reads and displays codes quickly, with a neat graphing function for certain live data PIDs—all while not breaking the bank.

We liked the separate up and down buttons, which is a nice perk compared to the interfaces of other budget OBD-II scanners. The screen is old-school and pixelated, but it didn't bother us.

The MP69033 read our codes quicker than all of our hardwired scanners, displaying them in just over 17 seconds. A neat graphing function is also available for Car Speed, Coolant Temp, Load Value, and Engine RPM. It's not incredibly useful, but more of a neat little added touch.

We gave the Innova 1000 an Honorable Mention for its inclusion of diagnostic resources such as recalls, TSBs, and predicted repairs.

It just falls short of the BlueDriver in a few areas. The Innova provided less information and data, is more expensive, and the app is less intuitive than our winner's. All that said, it worked just fine and it's a solid OBD-II scanner for most consumers.

The Foxwell NT301 struck us as a middle-of-the-road entry in our OBD-II scanner test. The screen is crisp and easily navigable, but it seemed a bit high-cost to justify a Best Of award.

Along with the screen and UI, some tests were available to run, including an EVAP leak test and O2 monitor tests. There's also a print function via Micro-USB that could come in handy. But the price point didn't seem right for the functionality.

The Autel AL319 OBD-II scanner was slow to boot up, slow to read codes, and difficult to navigate. Thanks to a single directional button, churning through the menus takes some practice (and patience). We recommend you look elsewhere for a simple code-reading scanner.

The Fixd Bluetooth Scanner lays excellent groundwork; it's just behind a paywall. While we could read and clear codes with just the base scanner, everything else requires a subscription to access. While there are some cool features once you pay (I/M readiness monitors, tips from mechanics, repair cost calculator), other OBD-II scanners provide access to similar functions without the monthly subscription.

Don't let the cheap price fool you—it reflects the quality of the Akface Bluetooth OBD-II scanner. The Akface doesn't use its own app, but rather piggybacks onto a selection of third-party apps. This makes connectivity a bear, and once you're in, you get simple code-reading capabilities and nothing else. Yes, it's cheap, but the Akface is not worth the hassle.

To test OBD-II scanners, we pulled a 2005 Toyota Corolla into the Car and Driver garage. We then set to work manufacturing a check-engine light (CEL) by unplugging the mass-air-flow sensor. Once the CEL was verified, we plugged in each OBD-II scanner and ran them through our testing parameters.

The corded scanners were simple plug-and-play, but the Bluetooth scanners required a bit more time to set up. This included installing the app, connecting the scanner to our iPhone 11, and setting up accounts.

We took detailed notes during our testing about the parameters we established. Overall, we found the corded scanners were quicker to use, while the Bluetooth scanners were more accessible and user-friendly once setup was complete.

For each scanner, we ran through a list of testing parameters:

An On-Board Diagnostics version two (OBD-II) port is a standardized diagnostic interface included in nearly all vehicles made in or after 1996, which is when the OBD-II specification was made mandatory for all cars sold in the United States.

OBD-II ports communicate with the vehicle's on-board computer system to retrieve data, including engine speed, fuel consumption, cylinder performance, intake air temperature, and much more. Included in this data can be fault codes, known as DTCs, which are set by the vehicle's computer system when a fault is detected with a particular component.

DTC stands for Diagnostic Trouble Code. It is a code generated by a vehicle's on-board diagnostic (OBD) system when it detects a malfunction or problem within a specific system or subsystem of a vehicle. DTCs are standardized across various makes and models of vehicles, and while all vehicles produced must support a specific subset of these codes if they use an OBD-II port, manufacturers also have additional codes, including some that may be specific to their vehicles.

Each DTC fault 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:

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.)

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

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 look-up function that will further explain what the fault code is referring to and what might be causing it.

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

Although the exact location of the OBD-II port can vary from vehicle to vehicle, the port is typically located around the footwell on the driver's side, beneath the steering wheel and above the pedals.

This test was conducted in an environment that provided equal testing procedures for each product: the Car and Driver garage. We tested each OBD-II scanner equally to compare them based on time to display code, cord length, user interface, and more. Upon tallying our findings, we agreed that our test provided enough information to recommend picks to our readers.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. We don't need to game SEO algorithms for traffic, or promote lousy products to make a sale. We're far more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest evaluations and expert opinions.

Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.

Collin Morgan is an Associate Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

Katherine Keeler is an Assistant Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.

Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.

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