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Buying guide

Best OBD2 Scanners: From Code Readers to Bidirectional Scan Tools

The short answer

An OBD2 scanner tells you why the check-engine light is on before a shop quotes you for it. A basic code reader answers that question and nothing else; a full-system tool reads ABS, airbag and transmission; and only a bidirectional tool can command a module and watch it respond.

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See the overall pick

The shortlist

The three picks that answer most of the reasons people land on this page. The full list, with the specialist cases, is below.

How this list was built

Nothing on this list was in our hands. Each tool was read against what it can actually reach — which systems, which service functions, whether it can send a command as well as read one, which vehicle generations it speaks to — and then against what owners report once the free update year is over. Where the two disagree, the owners win.

  • Published specifications, taken from the manufacturer’s own listing and compared column for column.
  • Verified buyer reviews on Amazon, weighted by how many there are rather than by the average alone.
  • One product per job. A second pick for the same buyer makes the list longer and the decision harder.
  • The commission is identical whichever of these you buy, so it cannot decide the order.

The specifications, side by side

Published specifications for every pick, as the manufacturer states them. Prices are checked on Amazon, which is where the current one always is.
ProductSystemsBidirectionalService functionsCAN FDDoIPFCA gatewayUpdatesScreen or appUS coverage
ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD2 Code ReaderBest entry code readerEngine / emissions onlyNo0NoNoNoN/A (standalone)2.8in built-in screen, cordedGeneric OBD-II, all 1996+
Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth ScannerBest budget dongleGeneric OBD-II (engine); ABS/SRS app-dependentApp-dependentApp-dependentNoNoNoFree (via app)Uses your phone (iOS/Android, BLE)Most 1996+ US cars for generic OBD-II
XTOOL AD20 Pro Full-System OBD2 ScannerBest budget full-systemAll systems (full)LimitedBasic resetsModel-dependentNoNoFree, no subscription, unlimited vehiclesHandheld with screenBroad 1996+
XTOOL A30M V2.0 Bidirectional Scanner (26 Resets)Best value bidirectionalAll systemsFull active test26 resetsModel-dependentNoNoLifetime freeBluetooth to phone/tabletBroad 1996+
FOXWELL NT716 Bidirectional Scanner (9 Resets)Best dedicated handheldCore 4-system + broader coverageYes (active tests via WiFi upgrade)9 resetsModel-dependentNoNoFree WiFi updatesDedicated handheldBroad
Innova 5160RS OE-Level Bidirectional Scan ToolBest for US domesticsAll-system network scanYesOil, Battery, EPB, SAS, DPF + dealership relearnsModel-dependentNoNoFreeHandheld + RepairSolutions2 app (verified fixes, TSBs)Strong (US brand, domestic focus)
Autel MaxiCOM MK808Z Bidirectional Scanner (FCA AutoAuth)Best for FCA/StellantisAll systemsFull active test28+Model-dependentModel-dependentYes (FCA AutoAuth)1 year freeAndroid 11 tablet (RK3566, 4GB/64GB)Broad incl. FCA/Stellantis
TOPDON X800BT Bidirectional Scan Tool (34 Resets)Best reset count for the moneyFull (Engine, Trans, ABS, TPMS, BMS, EPB, Chassis)Yes34 resetsModel-dependentModel-dependentModel-dependentFree updates (advertised)Dedicated tabletBroad, incl. BMS/EV-adjacent resets
Autel MaxiCOM MK900BT (CAN-FD & DoIP, 40+ Service)Best future-proof / pro pickAll systems3000+ active tests40+YesYesYes (FCA)1 year free (features persist after)Flagship Android tablet, VCI150 wirelessBroad incl. 2020+ GM/Ford (CAN FD)

Every pick, and who each one is for

ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD2 Code Reader
Budget$23.99Amazon price when checked
Pick 1 of 9Best entry code reader

ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD2 Code Reader

The check-engine translator almost everyone starts with.

Best for Basic engine code reader (entry)

4.6 out of 5 on Amazon66,392 ratings

8.8 / 10 our score, based on published specifications and buyer reviews

Systems
Engine / emissions only
Bidirectional
No
Service functions
0
CAN FD
No

What it does well

  • Reads/clears codes, live data, freeze frame, I/M readiness
  • No app, no battery, no fuss - just plug in
  • One of the best-reviewed car tools anywhere (66,000+ ratings)

What to know

  • Engine/emissions only - no ABS, airbag or resets
  • Not bidirectional
  • Small screen

Our take

For a reader who just wants to know why the light is on and whether it's serious, nothing beats the AD310 on price and trust. It is the honest 'start here' recommendation - and the upsell path to the full-system tools below is obvious once they hit its limits.

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Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth Scanner
Budget$31.98Amazon price when checked
Pick 2 of 9Best budget dongle

Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth Scanner

Turns your phone into a code reader for the price of lunch.

Best for Bluetooth dongle + phone app

4.5 out of 5 on Amazon24,087 ratings

8.3 / 10 our score, based on published specifications and buyer reviews

Systems
Generic OBD-II (engine); ABS/SRS app-dependent
Bidirectional
App-dependent
Service functions
App-dependent
CAN FD
No

What it does well

  • Cheap, tiny, works with iOS and Android over BLE
  • Huge install base (24,000+ ratings)
  • Pick your app for the interface you like

What to know

  • Needs a compatible third-party app; some charge subscriptions
  • Generic OBD-II only unless the app adds more
  • No standalone screen

Our take

The mainstream 'app scanner' pick for drivers who live on their phone and want live data plus code reading without a dedicated device. Just steer readers to a reputable free app - the cheap-dongle experience lives or dies on the software.

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XTOOL AD20 Pro Full-System OBD2 Scanner
Budget$40.99Amazon price when checked
Pick 3 of 9Best budget full-system

XTOOL AD20 Pro Full-System OBD2 Scanner

Full-system access without the yearly fee.

Best for Budget full-system (no subscription)

4.2 out of 5 on Amazon715 ratings

7.9 / 10 our score, based on published specifications

Systems
All systems (full)
Bidirectional
Limited
Service functions
Basic resets
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • All-system read/clear at a budget price
  • No subscription, unlimited vehicles, free updates
  • AI-assisted repair guidance

What to know

  • Only limited bidirectional control
  • Smaller review base than the code readers
  • Not for FCA gateway or newest CAN FD cars

Our take

The value jump from a code reader to real all-system coverage. For a DIYer who wants ABS and airbag codes plus basic resets without an app subscription, the AD20 Pro is the most affordable honest option.

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XTOOL A30M V2.0 Bidirectional Scanner (26 Resets)
Mid-range$135.12Amazon price when checked
Pick 4 of 9Best value bidirectional

XTOOL A30M V2.0 Bidirectional Scanner (26 Resets)

Full bidirectional control for the price of a nice dinner out.

Best for All-systems bidirectional value

4.3 out of 5 on Amazon1,621 ratings

8.4 / 10 our score, based on published specifications and buyer reviews

Systems
All systems
Bidirectional
Full active test
Service functions
26 resets
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • True bidirectional active tests (fuel pump, injectors, A/C, windows)
  • 26 reset functions, lifetime free updates
  • Wireless to phone/tablet - big screen, no extra hardware

What to know

  • App-based rather than a dedicated pro tablet
  • No CAN FD/DoIP for the newest vehicles
  • Average rating a touch below the leaders

Our take

The sweet spot where a hobbyist gets genuine bidirectional control and 26 resets without four-figure spend. This is the pick we'd flag as 'the one most DIYers should actually buy' once they're past code readers.

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FOXWELL NT716 Bidirectional Scanner (9 Resets)
Mid-range$254.99Amazon price when checked
Pick 5 of 9Best dedicated handheld

FOXWELL NT716 Bidirectional Scanner (9 Resets)

A dedicated handheld that punches into pro-tool territory.

Best for All-systems bidirectional mid-tier

4.3 out of 5 on Amazon210 ratings

8 / 10 our score, based on published specifications

Systems
Core 4-system + broader coverage
Bidirectional
Yes (active tests via WiFi upgrade)
Service functions
9 resets
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • Bidirectional active tests on a self-contained device (no phone)
  • 9 useful resets - more than typical at the price
  • Trusted FOXWELL diagnostics lineage

What to know

  • Newer NT716 listing has a modest review base
  • Active tests need the free WiFi upgrade step
  • Coverage narrower than the flagship Autel

Our take

For readers who dislike phone-tethered tools, the NT716 delivers dedicated-device bidirectional diagnostics at a mid price. We rate it partly on spec given the newer listing's smaller review count, and say so.

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Innova 5160RS OE-Level Bidirectional Scan Tool
Mid-range$316.99Amazon price when checked
Pick 6 of 9Best for US domestics

Innova 5160RS OE-Level Bidirectional Scan Tool

The US-brand pick with verified fixes and TSBs built in.

Best for Domestic / US-brand OE-level

4.1 out of 5 on Amazon302 ratings

8.1 / 10 our score, based on published specifications

Systems
All-system network scan
Bidirectional
Yes
Service functions
Oil, Battery, EPB, SAS, DPF + dealership relearns
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • OE-level all-system bidirectional with dealership relearns
  • RepairSolutions2 gives verified fixes, parts and TSBs
  • US brand with strong domestic-vehicle support

What to know

  • Average rating trails the flagship
  • App-linked features are central to the value
  • Newer-vehicle deep access still model-dependent

Our take

Innova's RepairSolutions2 ecosystem is the differentiator: it doesn't just show a code, it shows the verified fix and parts. For a US audience heavy on Ford/GM/RAM, this is the credible domestic-focused recommendation.

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Autel MaxiCOM MK808Z Bidirectional Scanner (FCA AutoAuth)
Premium$449Amazon price when checked
Pick 7 of 9Best for FCA/Stellantis

Autel MaxiCOM MK808Z Bidirectional Scanner (FCA AutoAuth)

The gateway to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM work.

Best for Bidirectional + coding + FCA gateway

4.2 out of 5 on Amazon82 ratings

8.2 / 10 our score, based on published specifications

Systems
All systems
Bidirectional
Full active test
Service functions
28+
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • Full bidirectional + injector coding on a fast Android 11 tablet
  • FCA AutoAuth gateway access - can actually work on 2018+ Stellantis
  • 28+ service functions

What to know

  • Only 1 year of free updates
  • Listing review base is small (newer SKU)
  • FCA gateway still needs an AutoAuth account

Our take

The reason to step to Autel is the FCA security gateway. If a reader touches Jeep/RAM/Dodge, cheaper tools are blocked from resets and active tests - the MK808Z is the affordable entry that isn't. Rated partly on spec given the young listing.

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TOPDON X800BT Bidirectional Scan Tool (34 Resets)
Premium$429.99Amazon price when checked
Pick 8 of 9Best reset count for the money

TOPDON X800BT Bidirectional Scan Tool (34 Resets)

34 resets and OE-level coverage on a dedicated tablet.

Best for Full-system value bidirectional (34 resets)

4.4 out of 5 on Amazon46 ratings

7.8 / 10 our score, based on published specifications

Systems
Full (Engine, Trans, ABS, TPMS, BMS, EPB, Chassis)
Bidirectional
Yes
Service functions
34 resets
CAN FD
Model-dependent

What it does well

  • 34 reset services - among the most at this price
  • Full-system incl. BMS (battery/EV-adjacent) diagnostics
  • Dedicated tablet, all 10 OBD2 modes

What to know

  • Very new listing, thin review base
  • Long-term update terms to verify
  • Brand less established than Autel for pro work

Our take

A lot of reset capability per dollar, and the BMS coverage nods toward hybrid/EV-adjacent work. We flag the young review base openly and rate it on published capability; it's the value challenger to the Autel tier.

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Autel MaxiCOM MK900BT (CAN-FD & DoIP, 40+ Service)
Premium$619Amazon price when checked
Pick 9 of 9Best future-proof / pro pick

Autel MaxiCOM MK900BT (CAN-FD & DoIP, 40+ Service)

The one that reads the newest cars others can't.

Best for Flagship - CAN FD & DoIP, advanced

4.6 out of 5 on Amazon801 ratings

9.1 / 10 our score, based on published specifications and buyer reviews

Systems
All systems
Bidirectional
3000+ active tests
Service functions
40+
CAN FD
Yes

What it does well

  • CAN FD and DoIP - genuine 2020+ GM/Ford and newest-vehicle access
  • 40+ services, 3000+ active tests, coding, FCA gateway
  • Highest rating on a solid base (4.6 / 800+) among the pro tools

What to know

  • Most expensive here
  • 1 year free updates then paid renewal for new coverage
  • Overkill for a single-car owner

Our take

The future-proofing pick: CAN FD and DoIP are what separate a tool that works on the newest GM from one that doesn't. For a serious DIYer, side-hustle mechanic or shop, the MK900BT is the most complete option on this list and the strongest ticket in the range.

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What to decide before you buy

Do you need bidirectional control, or only the code?

Reading a code answers “what is wrong”. Bidirectional control is what lets you tell a module to do something — cycle an ABS pump to bleed the brakes, fire an injector, retract a caliper, relearn a steering-angle sensor — and watch whether it obeys. If you are diagnosing rather than repairing, you do not need it, and the tools that have it cost several times more.

Full-system access is the real dividing line

A generic reader sees the engine and emissions modules, because that is all the OBD-II standard obliges a car to expose. ABS, airbag, transmission, body and the rest are manufacturer-defined, and reaching them is what separates a reader from a scan tool. A light that is not the check-engine light almost always needs full-system access.

The gateway on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM

Vehicles from 2018+ in that family carry a Secure Gateway Module that refuses write and bidirectional commands unless the tool is authenticated. A tool without gateway support will read codes on those cars and will not perform a single reset on them, which is a limitation that never appears in the feature list — only in the review of the owner who found out.

CAN FD and DoIP decide when the tool becomes obsolete

CAN FD and DoIP are the newer in-vehicle networks, and a tool that speaks neither is progressively locked out of newer vehicles as they arrive — first from full-system access, then from anything beyond generic codes. On a tool meant to last, they are the two acronyms worth paying for; on a tool for one older car, they are irrelevant.

What happens when the free updates stop

Most of these ship with a year of updates included. What matters is what the tool does afterwards: the good ones keep every function and every vehicle they already supported and simply stop adding new ones, while a subscription tool can lose capability at renewal. Check which of the two you are buying before the year is out, not after.

What buyers ask

What's the difference between a code reader and a scan tool?

A basic code reader (like the ANCEL AD310) reads and clears engine/emissions trouble codes only. A full scan tool reads every module - ABS, airbag, transmission, body - performs service resets, and a bidirectional tool can also command components (run the fuel pump, cycle the ABS) to test them. Price tracks capability.

Do I need a bidirectional scanner?

If you only want to know why the check-engine light is on, no - a code reader or Bluetooth dongle is enough. Bidirectional control matters when you actually repair: bleeding ABS, relearning a steering angle sensor, testing an injector, or resetting an electronic parking brake. That is where the mid and pro tools here earn their price.

Will it work on my newer Ford?

Generic OBD-II codes work on any 1996+ US vehicle. Full-system access on newer models can require CAN FD (on many 2020+ GM and Ford vehicles) and sometimes DoIP - check those two lines in the table. The Autel MK900BT explicitly supports CAN FD and DoIP; cheaper tools may read generic codes but miss deep module access on the newest cars.

What is the FCA security gateway and why does it block my scanner?

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles from 2018+ carry a Secure Gateway Module (SGW) that blocks write/bidirectional commands unless the tool is authenticated through AutoAuth. If you work on FCA/Stellantis vehicles, you need a tool with FCA gateway access (the Autel units here list FCA AutoAuth) plus an AutoAuth account - otherwise resets and active tests are blocked.

Are lifetime free updates real?

Sometimes. Several value tools (XTOOL, some Topdon) genuinely include lifetime software updates. Pro tools (Autel) typically bundle one year free, after which most existing functions keep working but new-vehicle coverage needs a paid renewal. Read the update terms per model - it is a real cost-of-ownership difference, not a footnote.

Can it read ABS and airbag codes?

Only if it does full-system diagnostics. A basic code reader and most plain Bluetooth dongles read engine codes only. To pull ABS and SRS/airbag codes you need an all-system tool - every product here from the XTOOL A30M upward does this.

When a tool is not the answer

A scanner names the fault. It does not restart a car that has already stopped, and some codes mean the engine must not be run at all — which is a reason to call rather than to keep driving to the next exit.

roadside assistance

Estimates only. The local operator confirms the final price before dispatch.