Top 10 Best Automotive Code Reader Scanner : Reviews & Buying Guide

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Automotive Code Reader Scanner Purchasing is not an easy task to do. Different manufacturers are introducing hundreds of Automotive Code Reader Scanner in the market which can make you puzzled. In terms of performance, quality, longevity, and overall user experience that you may find it difficult to make a final purchasing decision. At that point, all you need is a good buying guide to help you find the best Automotive Code Reader Scanner for your needs.

In this useful article, we will discuss a few important factors to consider before purchasing a Automotive Code Reader Scanner. You can think of it as a proper review guideline for you, covering the pros and cons of your desired product, such as its sustainability, affordability, functions, and practical benefits. Another feature will be a thorough comparison of a few similar products. As a result, you can easily pick the best one for your demands. Let’s take a look at it from the inside.

Best Automotive Code Reader Scanner : Top 10 Picks

Last update on 2023-12-06 at 13:20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


10 Best Automotive Code Reader Scanner’s – Expert Recommended

We tried to determine the top ten Automotive Code Reader Scanner from hundreds of products in this section. This list will make you feel assured that you will be able to acquire your desired Automotive Code Reader Scanner in a matter of minutes. We emphasized their usefulness, performance, durability, outlook, affordability, and previous user experiences. We are sure that this top 10 Automotive Code Reader Scanner list will help you in finding the perfect one that matches your requirements.

Bestseller No. 1
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black
  • CEL Doctor: The ANCEL AD310 is one of the best-selling OBD II scanners on the market and is recommended by Scotty Kilmer, a YouTuber and auto mechanic. It can easily determine the cause of the check engine light coming on, quickly read and clear diagnostic trouble codes, read live data & hard memory data, view freeze frame, I/M monitor readiness and collect vehicle information. Instead of taking car to mechanic shop, you can use it to check the trouble code and show code definition by yourself.
  • Sturdy and Compact: Equipped with a 2.5 foot cable made of very thick, flexible insulation. It is important to have a sturdy scanner as it can easily fall to the ground when working in a car. The AD310 OBD2 scanner is a well-constructed device with a sleek design. It weighs 12 ounces and measures 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches. Thanks to its compact design and light weight, transporting the device is not a problem. The buttons are clearly labelled and the screen is large and displays results clearly.
  • Accurate Fast and Easy to Use: The AD310 scanner can help you or your mechanic understand if your car is in good condition, provides exceptionally accurate and fast results, reads and clears engine trouble codes in seconds. If you want to find out the cause of the check engine light, this device will let you know immediately and fix the problem right away without any car knowledge. No need for batteries or a charger, get power directly from the OBDII Data Link Connector in your vehicle.
  • OBDII Protocols and Car Compatibility: Many cheap scan tools do not really support all OBD2 protocols. This is not the case with the AD310 scanner as it can support all OBDII protocols such as KWP2000, J1850 VPW, ISO9141, J1850 PWM and CAN. This device also has extensive vehicle compatibility with 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and Asian cars, light trucks, SUVs, as well as newer OBD2 and CAN vehicles both domestic and foreign. Check compatibility with your vehicle model before purchasing.
  • Home Necessity and Worthy to Own: This is an excellent code reader to travel or home with as it weighs less and it is compact in design. You can easily slide it in your backpack as you head to the garage, or put it on the dashboard, this will be a great fit for you. The AD310 is not only portable, but also accurate and fast in performance. Moreover, it covers various car brands and is suitable for people who just need a code reader to check their car.
SaleBestseller No. 2
ANCEL AD410 Enhanced OBD II Vehicle Code Reader Automotive OBD2 Scanner Auto Check Engine Light Scan Tool (Black/Yellow)
  • WIDE COMPATIBILITY - Recommended by YouTube star Scotty Kilmer on his channel. Works on most vehicles sold in the U.S. with a model year of 1996 or newer; Supports all OBDII protocols: KWP2000, ISO9141, J1850 VPW, J1850 PWM and CAN (Controller Area Network); Displays in English, German, French, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch, Russian and Portuguese; Requires no battery or charger as the unit is powered directly from the OBDII Data Link Connector in the vehicle.
  • CRITICAL FUNCTIONALITY - Quickly reads and clears stored emissions-related codes, pending codes, and displays code definitions. Turns off the MIL (check engine light), helps reset the monitor before you take the car to smog, and lets you know what's going on before you take the car in for repairs.
  • ENHANCED OBDII DIAGNOSTICS - Supports O2 sensor and EVAP (evaporative control) system test. The AD410 code scanner can be used to initiate a leak test of a vehicle's EVAP system by monitoring the integrity of the fuel tank system. The O2 sensor test is used to monitor and adjust the air/fuel mixture, which can identify and correct problems related to fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions.
  • QVGA DISPLAY & NEW UI - The AD410 code reader is a greatly improved upgrade from simpler diagnostic tools. It features a 2. 4" TFT true color display (262K) LCD for clear viewing of test results. With the clear design UI, users can easily access setup, OBDII diagnostics, I/M readiness and DTC search and check. No need to read the manual to know what to do, even for a beginner.
  • DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS & UPDATE - The Review & Print option allows you to save or print diagnostic reports as needed. The ANCEL brand offers lifetime free software updates for this unit to fix the latest bugs or add new parameters. Simply download the software from the ANCEL website and then follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
SaleBestseller No. 3
MOTOPOWER MP69033 Car OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Engine Fault Scanner CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for All OBD II Protocol Cars Since 1996, Yellow
  • Multi-Functions - Practical Multi-Functions OBD2 code reader features built-in OBD2 DTC lookup library, which help you to determine the cause of the engine light, read code, erase code, view freeze frame, I/M ready, vehicle information, data flow, real-time curve, get vehicle speed information, calculate load value, engine coolant temperature, get engine speed.
  • Wide Capability - Supports 9 protocols compatible with most 1996 US-Based, 2000 EU-Based and Asian cars, and newer OBD II & CAN domestic or import vehicles. Supports 6 languages - English,German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian.
  • LCD Display - Designed with a clear display LCD screen (128 x 64 pixels) - white backlight and contrast adjustment. No need any battery or charger, OBD reader gets the power directly from your vehicle through the OBDII Data Link Connector.
  • Compact Design - Car diagnostic scanner is equipped with a 2.5 feet long cable and made of a very thick flexible insulator.There are 6 buttons on OBD2 Scanner:scroll up/down,enter/exit and buttons that quick query VIN vehicle number& the DTC fault code.
  • ABS / Airbag codes NOT Supported - It is able to read and clear check engine information which is part of OBDII system, but it cannot work with non-OBDII systems, including ABS / Airbag / Oil Service Light, etc.
Bestseller No. 4
ZMOON ZM201 Professional OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool, Enhanced Check Engine Code Reader with Reset OBDII/EOBD Car Diagnostic Scan Tools for All Vehicles After 1996, 2023 Upgraded
  • ✔Full OBDII Modes Scanner for Car: As professional car scanner, ZM201 has all the OBD2 functions you need.🔎Read & clear codes, 💡turn off engine light or MIL, ❄view freeze frame, 📋read I/M readiness, 🚕retrieve vehicle VIN, 🔋battery voltage test, 📈live data stream (with graphing display), ✅built-in 35901 DTCs, O2 sensor test, onboard monitoring mode, and perform component testing etc.
  • ✔Enhanced OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool: Live data and DTC replay combined with printing function, you can connect it to a computer for fault data printing, prevent auto repair shops from charging randomly, save money and time. ZM201 obd scanner also comes with free-lifetime software updates, ensuring you always have the latest features and improvements.
  • ✔35,901 DTC Lookup: ZM201 car code reader built-in 35,901 DTCs, the old model obd2 usually only have 3,000-10,000. So the ZM201 car scanner has a huge advantage, which means that this obd2 scanner can better help diagnose and solve your vehicle faults. This is a great option if you want to replace or upgrade an existing car scanner.
  • ✔Compatible with 98% Vehicles: ZM201 OBD2 scanner for car is compatible with most cars after 1996(USA)/2002(EU)/2008(Asia). If your car has an OBD2 port (16Pin), and the production time meets the above timeline, then your vehicle is compatible. But it is not compatible with new energy vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and models that do not comply with the OBD2 protocol.
  • ✔Convenient Shortcut Functions: The addition of shortcut keys enhances the user experience. Pressing F1 enables you to quickly retrieve trouble codes, while F2 provides instant access to I/M readiness information. We've also introduced left and right navigation buttons (the previous model had only up and down buttons), making operation even more convenient.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Anyongora OBD2 Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader, Automotive CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for Check Engine Light, V309
  • [ ACCURATE & RELIABLE ] - With built-in OBD2 DTC lookup database with over 3000 definitions of generic codes. Helps to quickly identify the cause of your vehicle's check engine light, allowing you to troubleshoot basic problems or determine the cause before seeking professional repair.
  • [ COMPREHENSIVE FUNCTIONALITY ] - Clear trouble codes from your car once repairs are complete. It can also read I/M readiness status, retrieve vehicle VIN and display sensor data, allowing you to diagnose and maintain the health of your vehicle.
  • [ WIDE COMPATIBILITY ] - Plug and play, no batteries or chargers required. Supports 9 protocols and works with all OBD II compliant vehicles, including most US vehicles manufactured since 1996 and most EU and Asian vehicles manufactured since 2000. Does not support hybrid or electric vehicles.
  • [ SIMPLE & EFFICIENT ] - Equipped with an efficient 4-button operating system for simple and fast navigation. Features a bright LCD display (128 x 64 pixels) for clear visualisation of information. Supports 5 languages for ease of use.
  • [ RELIABLE QUALITY ] - Boasts an aesthetically pleasing design, with a high-strength resin material and anti-slip side design for durability and visual appeal. Its compact size allows for easy storage in a backpack or car tool box, ensuring portability when and where needed.
Bestseller No. 6
Zmoon OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool, Vehicle Check Engine Code Readers with Reset & I/M Readiness & More, Car OBDII/EOBD Diagnostic Scan Tool for All Vehicles After 1996
  • 🔍Car Diagnostic Scanner with Full OBD/EOBD Function — ✅Read codes and clear codes, ✅10000+ error codes available for query, ✅viewe freeze frame, ✅I/M readiness and historical I/M Data, ✅live data stream and live curve (car speed, battery voltage etc. ), ✅car information reading, ✅oxygen sensor test, ✅EVAP test, ✅calculate load value, ✅engine coolant temperature, ✅get engine speed. It has all the OBD functions you need.
  • đŸ“±2.8'' HD Color Screen — Compared with traditional OBD scanners, Zmoon 2.8'' HD color check engine code reader displays more and richer content, which will not cause eye fatigue after long-term use. And the body design is very suitable for one-handed holding.
  • 🚗Compatible with Most Vehicles & 7 Languages Available — OBDII/EOBD car scanner diagnostic for all American cars after 1996, European cars after 2002, Asian cars after 2008. Supports English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Dutch.
  • 🔌Plug and play: Directly powered by the car, even beginners can quickly master and use the car code scanner proficiently. No need to download APP, it is more accurate and stable than the wireless bluetooth code reader! And there are 3 statu lights on the device to remind you if your car is faulty, which is very friendly to beginners.
  • 📧Worry-Free After-Sales Service: Zmoon OBD car scanner diagnostic tool has 30 days return policy and extended 3 years warranty! 7*24 hours customer service, if you have any dissatisfaction or questions, you can send us a message in the background, we will reply quickly within 24 hours.
SaleBestseller No. 7
BLCKTEC 440 Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool - Car Code Reader and Scanner for Car - Comes with Live Data - Battery/Charging System Test - Works for All OBD Compliant Cars 1996 & Newer
  • MADE FOR HOME MECHANICS - This is more than an OBD2 code reader. It offers professional-level functions like car battery reset, hybrid diagnostics, module scanning, and supports English, Spanish, and French.
  • PASS YOUR EMISSIONS TEST - With our OBD2 scanner, you can understand your vehicle's emissions status before the state does. It helps ensure you're ready to pass your smog check, making the whole process hassle-free.
  • REAL-TIME LIVE DATA - View essential car data like RPM, speed, and oil temperature in real-time. Test your battery and alternator to assess whether professional help is needed.
  • WIDE RANGE COMPATIBILITY - Our car code reader and reset tool works with all OBD2 compliant domestic and foreign vehicles sold in the USA made after 1996. This includes cars like sedans, trucks, and SUVs, making it a versatile tool for any DIYer.
  • USA DESIGNED & SUPPORTED - We are a Southern California based company and take pride by offering products that are designed and supported by ASE Certified Technicians right here in sunny California. Have questions? Need help? Never hesitate to reach out, our friendly automotive techs are ready to help.
SaleBestseller No. 8
ANCEL FX2000 OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool, ABS SRS Transmission Airbag Car Scanner, Check Engine Car Code Reader, Automotive Scan Tool for All Cars
  • 🔧【PLUG AND PLAY - EASY TO USE】 : ANCEL FX2000 car scanner only takes 3 steps to connect to the car for diagnosis without cumbersome operations. The latest FX2000 scan tool is equipped with a one-key diagnosis function, which can automatically identify the model and year of your car, and automatically diagnose the car. Even beginners can use it to read the data and find out what the fault codes mean.
  • 🚗【FULL OBD-LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS TOOL】: Quickly determines the cause of engine system faults, reads current, permanent and pending codes. After the repair, clears the codes and turns off the warning light. In addition, the FX2000 engine code reader also displays important OBD II advanced data such as fuel, live data and other manufacturer-specific parameters in real time to ensure that the engine ECU is operating correctly and safely, saving vehicle owners a lot of time and money in maintenance.
  • 🚙【TRANSMISSION FAULT DIAGNOSTIC TOOL】: Some noises come from the transmission? Ancel obd2 scanner will read fault codes, display live transmission system data (fluid temperature, fluid pump, clutch actuation, pressure, etc.), and ensures transmission performance is optimal for vehicle speed and load. It provides detailed TCM data of the vehicle, so you can quickly and accurately find existing or potential problems.
  • 🚐【FIND OUT SRS WRONG】: ANCEL FX2000 automotive scanner is able to read and clear fault codes in the SRS (airbag) and turn off the warning light to make sure the system is working correctly and safely. This odb2 scanner also displays a live graphical data stream of the supplemental restraint system (air bag), which allows you to analyze and verify that the air bag system is working properly.
  • 🚌【ABS OBD2 SCANNER】:The FX2000 diagnostic scanner for all vehicles can read and clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) data stream transmitted from the ABS. By retrieving the ABS code data, the obd scanner can check the various brake components and accurately diagnose problems.
Bestseller No. 9
OBD2 Scanner Clear Reset Engine Alert Code - Plug and Play Easy to Setup Use Professional Code Reader Scan Diagnostic for Cars Since 1996 with Freeze Frame/I/M Readiness - LeeKooLuu LK11
  • 【Auto OBDII Scanner Diagnostic Tool】This plug-and-play car code reader and clears codes with ease. It retrieves generic code and displays DTC definitions to quickly identify engine related fault code, easily find out what caused.
  • 【Broad Compatibility】OBD2 scanner diagnostic tool is compatible with all OBD II and CAN Compliant vehicles, including passenger cars and light trucks dating back to post-1996 in the US, post-2000 for EU-based and Asian cars. Please note that it is not suitable for new energy or hybrid vehicles.Supports multilingual - including English,German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian etc.
  • [I/M Ready Function] Car diagnostic scanner is used to check whether the status of the I/M function is ready.
  • 【Freeze Frame Date For Accurate Fault Diagnosis】OBD2 scanner features a viewing freeze frame function, which retrieves data recorded in the ECU of the condition under which the fault occurs. This feature quickly determines why the check engine light is on, reducing test drive verification time.
  • 【Retrieval of Vehicle Info】Vehicle code reader can retrieve the Vehicle Identification No. (VIN), Calibration ID(s), Calibration Verification Nos. (CVNs), and more, ensuring that the ECU matches your car.
Bestseller No. 10
Obd2 scanner Code reader For all vehicles LOG: vehicles LOG code to help find problems ,Automotive book for obd2 scanner Record all faults vehicle
  • diesel, diagnostic (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 110 Pages - 07/03/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

Last update on 2023-12-06 at 13:20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API




What To Consider Before Buying Automotive Code Reader Scanner

As a human being you can guess some well but it is quite impossible to know everything well. Being the jack of all trade is not a matter of joke. After go through the byuing the guide this time you may being a less fool from more than purchasing Automotive Code Reader Scanner without knowing anything.

Not necessarily you have to be a master on that particular product for purchasing only. Just focus on a few key points that we’ll go over later. Taking those simple considerations into account may make your buying experience more pleasant and straightforward. Let’s jump to the main topic

Be aware of your requirements.

The very first thing you should know is your needs or requirement. If you aren’t aware of your needs, there’s a big chance you’ll spend a lot of money on the wrong things at the wrong time. So, first of all and probably most important, we suggest that you take time to consider your necessities for a Automotive Code Reader Scanner. Make a short list of your requirements. This simple task will lead you to simplifying your purchasing process. Only after that you can be assure about your priorities.

Budget Vs Price

Budget is that one issue which you can’t ignore before you decide to purchase anything else. Any amount can be set on the price tag of your desired product. That mainly depends on their brand value and different expences like purchasing raw materials, manufacturing, logistics and other operational costs. The higher quality you demand, the higher amount of money you may have to spend for that. It’s vice versa. And your enlisted Automotive Code Reader Scanner couldn’t bypass this universal truth too.

“Cut your coat, according to your cloth”- one of the most popular proverb goes in our society. Fristly, take your wishlist on your hand and search those products on the internet. Check the features and costs carefully.Make a comparison between them and choose one. Now ask yourself that you are capable enough to buy that particular Automotive Code Reader Scanner or not? If yes, then you don’t need to think twice. Just Go for it. You may think about the second best option if your answer is no.

Choosing the Best Brand

Most of the time, we are biased toward certain brands due to emotional attachments. But not everytime this practice results get good. However, there’s no denying that depending on well-known brands is a good idea. When you have enough money in your pocket you can easily make yoiur decesion. But remember, not every brand is good for everything. As a result, you must exercise extreme caution when determining whether or not you are selecting the appropriate brand for your specific product.

There are two categories of people in the world. One is completely reliant on a specific brand, while the other is unconcerned. All he requires is the proper product for the price he is paying. May be we are not aware of the category that you belong to.However, there are a few guidelines that may be useful to the both of you when it comes to choosing the right brand for the right product.


  • Be sure, you know well about the Brand.

  • What others have to say about this brand.

  • And what’s the average rating for that brand’s particular product?

  • Contrast the features with those of competitors.

  • Are you satisfied with the features?


Take a look on the Features Part

Whether you buy it online or offline, the first thing you should check is while buying is the features of Automotive Code Reader Scanner. If you want to know about the product clearly, then this is the best way. You will be able to understand, this product is going to meet your demands or not.

This part will help you to identify the differences with others. Then, by using features, you can compare this to similar products. One will gain a better understanding of quality as a result of this work, which will make it easier for us to reach a final decision.

Check the Advantages and Risks

Each product has benefits and drawbacks. It is our duties to carefully examine them out first before buying them. Hence, remain cool because you need to figure out the drawbacks which you demanded from the Automotive Code Reader Scanner that you are looking forward to buy. Perhaps another manufacturer created the ideal one for you. Just don’t be too lazy to compare yourself to them before making a final decision.

The part of Pros and Cons can be found on most websites. Read that part with care. If you have any further questions, you can contact them via email or phone.

Quality and Endurance

Color, Style, Performance, Materials, and, most importantly, Durability are all factors that contribute to quality. Before you buy anything, you must check those quality related issues carefully. Don’t you think that you are paying for it? Do you think this Automotive Code Reader Scanner is worthy enough against the investment you did? It completely depends on the quality that you are going to experience.

Warranty and Return Policy Are Important

Lots of companies are making products. Good quality products are being maintained by some of them. After then they are letting us know those products through making creative advertisements. Nothing found wrong yet. But here comes the “After Sales Service”. This thing is capable enough to make huge difference and for many, it’s a big deal yeah.

Warranty, gurantee and return policies are those facts which you should never ignore even by mistake. Anything can happen even after purchasing the highest quality product. We know that nothing lasts forever. Still a minimum return of value you deserve from the Automotive Code Reader Scanner you will pay for. That’s why don’t forget to be careful at the time of checking policies. Sometimes, there may be some hidden issues which they won’t make you clear with words. One simple thing you can do is to ask their representative about those unintelligible facts and be clear before you buy.

Checking FAQ & Customer Reviews make your task easy

Checking customer reviews and FAQ answers are so savior of time that you can’t understand unless you try it. FAQs are few common questions that were asked frequently by mass people like you and they have been answered as well. On the other hand, you will get a real life experience through the customer reviews in which they share their sotries about the product.

So, checking out these two things, you will get the idea of both. You may find so many answers which might not come to your mind before. You will be able to decide whether this Automotive Code Reader Scanner will come handy or not without any hesitaton.

Finally

Afterwards, You should consider the value that the Automotive Code Reader Scanner providing you is viable enough against the price you paying for it. Is it enough to make you pleased? Does your demands be fullfilled with that? We guess, that is the fact of great importance.

We hope that you enjoyed the article in which we tried to provide you a proper guideline to help you to buy the best Automotive Code Reader Scanner. If this article come useful to you, then nobody can be more happy than us. End of the day, your satisfaction makes us feel happy.

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