The Best Handheld Obd2 Scanner For 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Best Handheld Obd2 Scanner
Best Handheld Obd2 Scanner

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: ANCEL FX2000 Car Scanner

The ANCEL FX2000 Car Scanner is the perfect tool for any auto repair shop or DIY mechanic. It’s an advanced diagnostic tool that can accurately monitor and diagnose problems on over 60 different makes of cars. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: FOXWELL NT604 Car Scanner

The FOXWELL NT604 Elite Car Scanner is perfect for any car owner or mechanic. With its AUTOVIN menu and ability to quickly get your V-IN and vehicle info, you can quickly diagnose any problem and get your car running again. Read Review

3. Best Compatible: LAUNCH CRP123 OBD2 Scanner

The Launch CRP123 OBD2 Scanner is a powerful and affordable diagnostic solution for any car enthusiast or mechanic. This scanner can view preset or user-defined live data streams for engine, AT, ABS, and SRS data. Read Review

4. Best Precise: KONNWEI KW850 Professional OBD2 Scanner

The KONNWEI KW850 Professional OBD2 Scanner is ideal for car owners or mechanics. With a user-friendly diagnostic interface and optimized software algorithm, this scanner can help you identify faulty readings in seconds. Read Review

5. Best Convenient: AUTOPHIX 7910 Elite OBD2 Scanner

The AUTOPHIX 7910 Elite OBD2 Scanner is the perfect tool for diagnosing and troubleshooting BMW/MINI/Rolls Royce cars from 1987 to now. You can easily view the test results with a 2.8" TFT 262K true color LCD screen. Read Review

The modern world of automotive repair and maintenance has come a long way in the last two decades. Introducing the On-Board Diagnostics II system was one of the most significant changes. This system was designed to help technicians diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles with increased accuracy and efficiency. One of the most important tools for OBD-II is the handheld OBD-II scanner. These scanners are easy to use and allow anyone, from a beginner to an experienced technician, to quickly and accurately diagnose issues with their vehicle.

With so many options on the market, choosing the best handheld OBD-II scanner for your needs cannot be easy. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best handheld OBD-II scanners available. We’ll go over their features, pros, and cons and provide our overall recommendation for the best handheld OBD-II scanner for you to purchase.

Following extensive study and analysis, We think the best handheld obd2 scanner of 2024 is ANCEL FX2000 Car Scanner, which delivers comprehensive data from the vehicle's TCM, allowing you to locate present or future issues with the vehicle promptly and accurately. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a complete buyer’s guide; many options are available to help you find the most suitable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 ANCEL FX2000 Car Scanner
Our Score:
9.9
ANCEL

In real-time, this scanner displays vital OBD II advanced data, such as fuel, live data, and other manufacturer-specific information. This helps car owners save time and money on vehicle maintenance by ensuring the engine ECU runs correctly and safely. In addition, this transmission scanner can detect problem codes, display current data from the transmission system (such as fluid temperature, fluid pump, clutch actuation, pressure, and so on), and check if the transmission is performing at its best, given the speed and load of the vehicle.

This product delivers comprehensive data from the vehicle's TCM, allowing you to locate present or future issues with the vehicle promptly and accurately. It also provides a live graphical data stream of the supplemental restraint system (airbag), enabling you to study and verify that the airbag system is functioning appropriately. Even though this product is a bit hard to use initially, you will get used to it after several usages.

TOP Choice #2 FOXWELL NT604 Car Scanner
Our Score:
9.7
FOXWELL

By scanning the most common systems, such as the engine, gearbox, and anti-lock brakes (ABS), this scanner helps you determine the root cause of the problem before attempting to repair the vehicle. It will offer comprehensive scanning and detection for your excellent autos and spot the problem, saving you time and money. In addition, this product will turn off the warning light once the problem has been fixed, encouraging you to learn more about your vehicles and repair them yourself.

This OBD2 scanner supports more than 60 car brands worldwide, including those from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Through the I/M readiness option, you can use it to determine whether or not your vehicle is prepared for its yearly inspection. This car scanner lets you quickly obtain your V-IN and vehicle information using the AUTOVIN menu. Therefore, you don't need to locate your V-IN and input it individually. Unfortunately, this device sometimes runs a bit slowly, but it works effectively overall.

TOP Choice #3 LAUNCH CRP123 OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
9.6
LAUNCH

This scanner has an OBD-II built-in DTC look-up library, which allows you to click directly on the error code for its definition, saving you time that would have been spent searching the internet for the meaning of DTC. It can support multiple languages, including French Japanese Japanese English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, and Polish, which helps you overcome the language barrier. Moreover, this product shows live data on a chart based on time to assist you in more thoroughly analyzing the unknown parameter.

This device is compatible with approximately 10000 vehicles, primarily Asian, European, and American automobiles manufactured after 2006. In addition, if there are any error codes or problems with your ECU or ABS/SRS/TCM, you can view the performance information for your engine, ABS, SRS, and TCM using this function. This diagnostic tool can help determine the engine ignition, fuel injection, air-to-fuel ratio, and exhaust emission conditions in the Engine system to improve vehicle performance, save energy, and lower exhaust emission levels. The only drawback of this scanner is that its cord is not very good.

The KONNWEI scanner provides FULL OBD2 Diagnostic features for examining engine or emission-related issues, making it simple to find the causes behind the warning light and turn it off. It reads freeze frame data that displays the engine conditions when the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) was activated, such as fuel trim, engine coolant temperature, etc. This device can reveal the status of a vehicle's various emissions-related System data, indicating whether the vehicle's monitors have run and finished their testing.

This OBD2 scanner can also show whether or not the monitors are functioning properly. This scanner's 2.8-inch large-size LCD color screen features a one-click I/M readiness status design, allowing for a quick scan of the vehicle's engine's healthy state. In addition, you can precisely diagnose the source of your CHECK ENGINE light by using the look-up library that comes built-in to this scanner. Even though this device doesn't support scanning ABS, it is still an excellent choice for every vehicle. 

5 AUTOPHIX 7910 Elite OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
9.3
AUTOPHIX

This diagnostic scanner offers exclusive diagnostics, as well as an analysis of all car systems that is more accurate and in-depth than any other device now available on the market. This product can support the powertrain module/ suspension module/ body module/ electrical module. Moreover, it can read data streams, determine the readiness of MIL and I/M, read error codes, and erase error codes.

This vehicle diagnostic scanner is equipped with the most cutting-edge industrial chip available in 2023, making its scanning speed three times as quick as an average code reader. It will also show you the defect reasons and potential solutions. The most astonishing aspect of its diagnostic accuracy is that it can approach 100%. In addition, the car scanner displays real data from the vehicle's sensors in text and graph form, allowing for a more natural viewing experience. However, this scanner may be a bit hard to update; hence you should watch instructional videos on Youtube to learn how to do it.

6 MOTOPOWER MP69035 OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
9.1
MOTOPOWER

This scanner has a color TFT display with 240 by 320 pixels, enabling you to view the issues with the vehicle quickly. Because it obtains its power through the OBDII Data Link Connector, it does not require a battery or a charger. Also, this product can get information on the speed of the vehicle, the value of the load, the temperature of the engine coolant, and the speed of the engine.

This OBD scanner is an excellent choice for every vehicle because it can assist you in determining why the Check Engine Light (CEL) is illuminated and turned off; it can also assist you in identifying any potential issues and prevent excessive costs associated with unneeded repairs. After that, it will address the problem when you find the error codes and clear them from memory. Nonetheless, it would be best if this scanner's manual was clearer to help you learn how to use it quickly.

7 AMTIFO OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
8.9
AMTIFO

The AMTIFO OBD2 scan tool can collect a variety of vehicle-related details, including but not limited to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the Calibration ID (CID), and the Calibration Verification Number (CVN), amongst other things. The O2 Sensor Test on this scanner can quickly and easily tell you whether the car's various emissions-related systems are functioning correctly and whether or not they are ready for inspection and maintenance testing. This makes it much easier to determine the state of the vehicle. As a result, you may be able to pass SMOG TEST by using this function.

Thanks to this product's DTC LOOKUP, you can view the comprehensive definition of the retrieved DTC. It determines which system component for controlling emissions fails to function correctly and deletes the stored data from the vehicle's computer after specific repairs. With the aid of the I/M readiness function, you can easily determine whether or not the various emissions-related systems are prepared for the Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance testing and whether or not the repairs have been correctly carried out. It is a pity that this OBD scanner's screen is a bit difficult to see in the daylight.

More To Consider

8 VDIAGTOOL OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
8.8
VDIAGTOOL
9 LAUNCH X431 CRP919E OBD2 Scanner
Our Score:
8.7
LAUNCH

Our Tips to decide which one among best handheld obd2 scanner is the best

Researchers all know how difficult it is to make a decision when there are so many options. It's something that originally stood out, and you want to get the most bang for your buck, but our advice will help you make good decisions.

Before making a purchase, please read the following key factors to save oneself time and prevent trouble later.

Live Data Scanning

With the advancement of onboard computers, modern vehicles can now monitor a large number of their subsystems simultaneously. You can check on the performance of your vehicle using live scanning. The technology has significantly advanced since 1996, so you can monitor your vehicle's operations in real time. You can, for instance, find out why your vehicle is losing gas mileage.

Scanner

An OBD-II scanner's most important capability is not the actual scanning process but rather the data transmission abilities. Because the scanner itself doesn't monitor the vehicle, this phrase is somewhat misleading. Instead, the scanner communicates with the onboard computer through various sensors to assess problems. This, however, doesn't mean that the data the scanner receives is the same from vehicle to vehicle. Some scanners can read only basic trouble codes, whereas others can gather a wider array of information.

Types Of OBD2 Scanners

A OBD-II scanner plugged into the OBD port is a quick and simple engine monitoring setup. However, it doesn't enable you to move around the vehicle while working on the engine bay. Battery-powered machines are also non-operational. The advantage of wired scanners is that they offer a link to a computer to translate codes. Because vehicles can be driven without wire, this option is more popular. Wireless scanner linkages are more difficult to establish at first, but the mobility advantage makes it hard to resist when working on an engine.

Information Processing

Commonly, an OBD-II scanner provides plain English with a nice resolution, rather than the underlying trouble codes. Even high-grade scanners that provide almost exactly the same data as those at the low end are rare. Whenever you look up the code or use a scanner that translates it, you will comprehend the code. Higher-end scanners that offer repair solutions are the best investment.

Code Reading

To get the check engine light code on an OBD2 scanner, the primary purpose is to provide you with the numbers. You can find the engine light code on a simple scanner, but some of them may also provide you with additional information about what the code means. If you have a small screen and can’t read the definitions clearly on your scanner, you might want to get a model with a larger screen.

Connectivity

The majority of OBD-II scanners can be connected directly to an OBD-II port on the car with a cable. These scanners do not require batteries to function. They draw power directly from your battery. Wireless scanners with separate display units/app and a plug allow for easy mobility.

Compatibility

All of the car manufacturers have their own unique codes. Because the OBD2 system is standardized, the codes are not. To select the best scan tool, you must know whether your vehicle is included. These devices will have most of the major domestic businesses, including Toyota, Ford, and Honda. If you have a foreign or special vehicle, you must look for a scanner that is compatible with it.

FAQs

What is a handheld OBD2 scanner?

A handheld OBD2 scanner is a device used to diagnose and troubleshoot engine problems. It connects to the vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port and reads trouble codes stored in the car's computer. This allows the user to identify problems and take corrective action before more serious damage occurs.

What are some of the benefits of using a handheld OBD2 scanner?

Handheld OBD2 scanners are easy to use and provide quick access to trouble codes and diagnostic information. They are also relatively inexpensive, making them a great choice for the budget-conscious car owner. Additionally, these scanners are portable, so you can take them with you in case of an emergency.

What types of vehicles are compatible with handheld OBD2 scanners?

Most cars and light trucks manufactured after 1996 are OBD2 compliant, meaning they use the same OBD2 port for connecting a scanner. However, some older vehicles may require an adapter to be used in order to connect the scanner.

What types of problems can a handheld OBD2 scanner detect?

Handheld OBD2 scanners can detect a variety of problems, including the Check Engine Light, misfires, oxygen sensor problems, fuel injector problems, and more. They can also provide diagnostic information, such as engine temperatures, fuel pressure, and other readings.

Do I need any special tools or software to use a handheld OBD2 scanner?

Most handheld OBD2 scanners come with a basic user interface, so no additional software or tools are required. However, some scanners may require a separate adapter, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Follow these guidelines to ensure that you purchase best handheld obd2 scanner in 2024. Take into account what characteristics are most essential for your topmost issue right now, and then look into different products that meet those requirements. If you are unable to choose a product, please see Acum MS309 Pro Auto OBD2 Scanner for another option.

With this advice, you should be able to find a great new product with much less difficulty! Do you have any inquiries? Please notify us as soon as possible.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

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