A check engine light can be very annoying, especially if it appears out of the blue without a fair warning. While it’s an indication to run a test or an onboard diagnostic on your vehicle to find out the root cause, that flashing light can ruin your planned trip. And the problem even gets worse when you don’t have the resources – both time and money – to get your car to the repair shop and resolve the check engine light right away. This is where the OBD2 readers come in. More popularly known as OBD2 scanners, these are small, often handheld devices that you can use at home to thoroughly diagnose your car.
With these amazing devices, you can easily interact with the computer in your car to quickly access the vehicle data to know about the error that has triggered the check engine light. Once you have diagnosed the issue, you can repair the car on your own or schedule a meeting with the mechanic. Buying an OBD2 reader isn’t as simple as it sounds, so we’ve rated and reviewed some of the top OBD2 readers of 2025 to help you choose the right option.
If you’re looking for an OBD2 reader to review DTC codes, the FOXWELL NT301 OBD2 reader won’t disappoint you. This device has a compact design and sets a high bar for handheld devices in terms of reliability and accuracy. With this scanner, you can efficiently carry out instant vehicle diagnosis and locate bad sensors. It features a 2.8-inch LCD color screen and delivers data reports without lagging on the loading time.
It also features an I/M readiness button right in the center, allowing you to carry out a reasonably quick emissions test. The easy-to-use machine is compatible with Windows and can be used with a USB cable to upload and transfer data from the scanner to their computer device.
Whether you’re a regular car owner or a professional mechanic, you will surely appreciate the MOTOPOWER OBD2 Reader for towing efficient applications and advanced scanning features together. It has a built-in DTC lookup library that will help you find out the problem with the engine light. The device is suitable for finding information like read and erase code, I/M ready, data flow, calculating load value, engine speed, and much more.
This amazing device supports nine protocols and six languages, allowing you to run a diagnosis and decode the error instantly. The scanner has six buttons that help you scroll and navigate through the system and a quick button for VIN vehicle number and DTC fault code. It also comes with a back light, making it extremely easy to read the information on the screen.
The Autel OBD2 Reader doesn’t need any tools to use and you can operate it easily with its user-friendly mobile app without having to deal with any cords. This compact device supports reading DTCs, freeze frame, and I/M Readiness, and displays live data to help you diagnose the root cause of the check engine light without wasting any time.
Another great feature of this device is that it supports seven languages, including Spanish and French. It’s also compatible with some protocol vehicles to provide a fast and accurate diagnosis. You don’t have to be a mechanic or a professional to use this device because the interface is pretty easy to understand and use.
The BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBD2 Reader has improved the old car diagnostics technology and runs on a smartphone-based app to diagnose the problem in your vehicles. This is one of the most efficient Bluetooth scanners as it gets an automatic software update for mobile apps, ensuring you get accurate results every time.
The app is compatible with both Android and iOS, and its relatively simpler user-interface design makes it easy to use even for beginners. All you need to do is plug the scanner into your car’s OBD port, run the diagnostics, and connect this scan tool to your smartphone app where you can access live data reports. Bluetooth connectivity also makes it extremely easy to transmit the information wirelessly, making it an excellent choice for cars with hard-to-reach OBD ports.
Whether you’re a car mechanic or prefer repairing your vehicle at home, modern OBD2 readers can save you a lot of time and effort. These diagnostic devices act as a translator between you and your vehicle’s self-diagnostic systems. Also, having this amazing device at hand can also save you a lot in the long run because you can avoid costly repairs by keeping your vehicle’s health in check. You just need to have a high-quality OBD2 reader to ensure your car’s safety. But can you find a high-quality device? Let’s find out.
How to Use an OBD2 Reader?
The first step is to plug an OBD2 reader into your car’s OBD port, which is a 16-pin scanner port found under your vehicle’s steering wheel. If you can’t find this connector, you can search online with your vehicle’s model. After finding the port, turn the car’s ignition on and plug in the device. When you connect the device for the first time, it’ll ask you to go through the set-up process to read the data of your car’s engine. When you run a thorough diagnosis of your car’s engine, you can read the error code on the display of your device to get rid of the check engine light.
Beginners will find it a bit hard to read these error codes, but you can learn about them via the instructional booklet or the companion app. After knowing the root cause of the problem, you can either repair it yourself or take it to the mechanic, depending on the severity of the issue.
Considerations for an OBD2 Reader
Accuracy
Having an inaccurate OBD2 reader is of no use because it won’t be of any help in diagnosing the problem. The main purpose of purchasing an OBD2 reader is that you’ll want it to produce accurate error codes every single time with no ambiguities or mistakes. Even a single wrong code created by a scanner can waste your time and money, especially if you’re a professional mechanic.
There isn’t any set procedure to assess the reliability and accuracy of an OBD2 scanner and you have to judge it by yourself after using it for a long time. So, the only option is to read customer reviews about the quality of results and accuracy, and always purchase the device from a reputable manufacturer.
Speed
While the device’s speed might not be an important attribute for some, you end up wasting a lot of time when it takes over 30 minutes to send the command and read the error codes. It’s better to choose a device that’s known for its interactive interface and quick code access.
Power
Most diagnostic devices draw power directly from your car’s connection, so you don’t need to get a separate battery to charge them up. And you shouldn’t consider a wired scanner that doesn’t offer the convenience of running the diagnosis test on the go.
Quality
The durability of your OBD2 scanning gadget is another critical aspect to think about. To avoid damage from accidental drops, wired gadgets should be made using durable plastic and coated with rubber to offer better shock absorption. Modern OBD2 scanners can get away with a simple plastic casing because of their lightweight construction and wireless design. The screen of the device must be legible in both bright and dim lighting, and the buttons must provide tactile feedback to indicate when they have been pressed.
Compatibility
Make sure your vehicle is supported by the OBD2 scanner before proceeding. Even though these ports are now standard in most cars made after 1996, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Check the product page and user reviews of any OBD2 scanner you’re thinking about buying to ensure it’s compatible with your car.
User-friendliness
Your new OBD2 scanner should be simple to use in every aspect, from initial setup to connecting with apps and reading error codes. The last thing you need is to be stranded on the side of the road trying to figure out how to use your scanner.
Some OBD2 scanners get frequent upgrades that fix any flaws and clean up any bugs automatically. Customer feedback is a great way to assess the user-friendliness of a scanner.
Absolutely! Driving your car with a diagnostic device plugged into the port is completely safe. You can find many wireless scanners that connect via Bluetooth and use the information processed to keep you posted about the potential maintenance tasks of your vehicle.
If you purchase a poorly designed and low-quality device with shotty wiring, it may deplete the car's battery. But this isn’t the case with high-end and premium-quality OBD2 readers.
No, this device can’t damage your car’s engine and you just need to ensure that you have your car’s ignition on while plugging in the device so that it won’t get damaged.