Find a Code Reader and Scan Tool that perfectly fits your needs and pocket in 2020 from the reviews below.
The products listed in the reviews were tested and reviewed by Tim Miller, an automotive mechanic, and blogger in Denver, Colorado.
FOR CAR BRANDS:
* BY FUNCTIONALITY:
– Best OBD1 SCANNERS
– Best OBD2 Scanners
– Best OBD2 BLUETOOTH Scanners
– Best OBD2 Scanners with ABS SRS
– Best BI-DIRECTIONAL Scan Tools
– Best ELM327 Adapters
– Best Heavy-Duty TRUCK Scanners
– Best Transmission Code Readers/Scanners
– Best PROFESSIONAL Automotive Diagnostic Scanners
SCAN TOOL BRANDS:
Cannot find what you want? Send an email to timmiller.obdscanner@gmail.com, tell us about your needs and we will recommend the best choice for you.
That is a hard question to answer, as good scanners come in a variety of prices, with some being more affordable than others. A good scanner can cost less than $100, but it can also cost well over a thousand dollars.
There are certain things that will affect how much a scan tool costs – for example, whether the scan tool has Bluetooth functionality, how many vehicles it can be used on, as well as how many additional features it has.
A scan tool is a car diagnostic device that has a number of features. It usually includes a code reader, has the ability to read and sort live data, and contains some kind of knowledge base.
A professional scan tool includes more or less the same things, the difference being that the knowledge base is a lot more extensive, and they often include some other diagnostics tool, such as a built-in scope or milimeter.
Scan tools perform a variety of tasks, with their main function being reading and clearing codes. You can plug a scan tool into an OBD1 or OBD2 socket.
Some of the things they do include storing and playing back live data, presenting data in a graph form, reading both generic and specific for a manufacturer code, providing definitions of trouble codes, as well as providing you with troubleshooting procedures and tips.
A good can help you identify issues with your vehicle by providing you with data from different sensors. Once you test drive your vehicle, you will be able to go back to a recording from it and focus on the one you need to find out what the problem is.
There isn’t one answer to that, as what scan tool will be the best for a person depends on several factors, with the most important one being the brand of your vehicle and what you need your scan tool to do.
There are also some other things that you need to take into consideration – for example, if you want it to have Bluetooth functionality or if you want your scan tool to be more versatile and work on a variety of vehicles manufactured in different years.
Every mechanic will have a scan tool that they like to use, so picking out just one or two would be hard. However, there are a few that we consider to be the best for professional use. Those are:
In the end, however, which scan tools a professional will use depends solely on their personal preferences.
That depends. If you do your own mechanic work, then it is definitely worth it, as it makes it easier to know what is wrong with your vehicle. Keep in mind, though, that the basic scan tools usually display only the engine codes, while the more advanced models show issues with all the systems in your car.
Yes, all OBD2 scanners can both read and clear codes. It is very easy to do, and here is how you can do it:
With so many scanners on the market today, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the proper automotive diagnostic tool for your vehicle. To make the buying process even easier, OBD Station has compiled a list of the best Toyota scan tools for your vehicle. Read on for the key benefits and drawbacks of the top …
The best professional OBD2 scanners will save you time, money, and energy. With an OBD2 scanner, you can quickly and easily read the codes generated by your car’s onboard computer, giving you valuable insight into any problems that may be affecting your vehicle’s performance. There are plenty of OBD2 scanners on the market, but not …
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When you buy from a vehicle manufacturer such as Audi or Volkswagen, you expect a premium-quality product. However, merely owning an Audi or Volkswagen isn’t enough to ensure you have a car for life. Nowadays, the mechanics and operating systems of most Audi or Volkswagen are controlled digitally by the car’s computer. While this makes …
There are a lot of auto scan tools on the market today, but more often than not, they are not suitable for diagnosing heavy-duty trucks. Lucky for you, we have done our research and found the Top 7 Truck Scan Tools that will help with all your diagnostic needs on your bulkier engines. How We …
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It doesn’t have to be difficult to find and resolve the car-related problems at home. All you need is a proper Actron scanner. Buying a car comes with a long list of potential troubles. Sometimes, mechanical failures can lead to a lot of stress or a dangerous situation. I still recall the fear I felt …
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All car owners need to be aware that diagnosing an engine error code cannot be achieved with just any scan tool. Moreover, if you are using the wrong device, you risk doing your car more harm than good. The story is no different for BMW cars, which have specialized software that can benefit from a …
Do you have a vehicle manufactured before 1996? Chances are that your vehicle is an OBD1 compliant vehicle. But what exactly is one of the best OBD1 scanners? To put it in the simplest way possible, an OBD1 scanner often works for one specific make of car. Unlike the OBD2 scanners, OBD1 scanners are not …
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If you’re looking to find the best bidirectional scan tool for your workshop, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’m going to take you through some of the finest options available on the market today, and explain how they can revolutionize your workflow. Picking up a great OBD2 scan tool is …
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Innova diagnostic tools are among the best on the market today. The company makes a wide range of them, from entry-level devices to high-end ones that cost thousands of dollars, from OBD1 scanners to OBD2 scanners and diagnostic code readers. What Exactly is OBD? Important side notes if you are new to OBD: OBD is …
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It’s no secret that visiting the mechanic could end up being quite an expensive trip. So wouldn’t it be better to just perform the repair yourself? Well, it definitely would. And even if you don’t think that you will be able to fix your car or another vehicle yourself, it still makes things easier for …