Updated October 15, 2026 · By Alex Mercer
OBD2 Scanners: Code Reader, Bluetooth or Scan Tablet, and Which One to Buy
OBD2 Scanners: Code Reader, Bluetooth or Scan Tablet, and Which One to Buy
An OBD2 scanner plugs into the port under your dashboard and tells you why the check engine light is on. The right one depends on what you need to read. For check engine codes alone, the corded ANCEL AD310 does the job with no phone. For ABS, airbag and transmission codes through your phone, the BlueDriver is the pick. Enthusiasts who want apps like FORScan or BimmerCode should get the OBDLink MX+, and the LAUNCH CRP123I V3.0 adds service resets on its own screen.
The Short Version
Every car and light truck sold in the US since 1996 has an OBD2 port, and every scanner here reads check engine codes. The difference is everything beyond that: ABS (brakes), SRS (airbags), transmission and TPMS (tire pressure) codes, and service resets like oil life or the electronic parking brake. Cheap scanners read only the engine and emissions codes. The picks below are based on manufacturer specs, current Amazon prices and what owners report in their reviews, not on our own testing.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCEL AD310 | Check engine codes, no phone | Corded, engine codes and live data | 4.6/5 ★★★★½ | $29.99 |
| BlueDriver | ABS and airbag codes by phone | Bluetooth, own app, ABS SRS TPMS | 4.5/5 ★★★★½ | $139.95 |
| OBDLink MX+ | Enthusiast apps | Bluetooth, iOS Android Windows | 4.6/5 ★★★★½ | $139.95 |
| LAUNCH CRP123I V3.0 | Service resets | 5 inch touchscreen, 7 resets | 4.4/5 ★★★★½ | $209.00 |
| Veepeak OBDCheck BLE | Cheapest Bluetooth reader | Bluetooth, third-party apps | 4.5/5 ★★★★½ | $31.98 |
What Each Scanner Can Read
This is what each maker lists. "App" means it depends on the app you pair it with and on your car.
| Scanner | Engine codes | ABS and airbag | Resets | Needs a phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCEL AD310 | Yes | No | No | No |
| Veepeak OBDCheck BLE | Yes | App | No | Yes |
| BlueDriver | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| OBDLink MX+ | Yes | Yes | App | Yes |
| LAUNCH CRP123I V3.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
- Corded code readers like the AD310 plug in and show codes on their own screen. Nothing to pair or install.
- Bluetooth adapters stay small and use your phone as the screen. A basic one like the Veepeak needs a third-party app. Veepeak says it is not a dedicated service tool and does not do resets, ABS bleeding or parking brake service; ABS and airbag codes may work through some apps on some cars.
- Scan tablets like the LAUNCH have their own touchscreen and add the service functions a shop tool has.
What a Code Tells You
A trouble code is a letter and four digits. P codes are the engine and transmission (powertrain), C codes the chassis such as ABS, B codes the body such as airbags, and U codes the network between modules. P0301, for example, means the engine computer saw a misfire in cylinder 1; the code points to where to look (a spark plug, ignition coil or injector on that cylinder), not to the part that failed. This is why ABS and airbag support matters: a cheap reader that sees only P codes cannot tell you why the ABS light is on.
Bluetooth OBD2 Scanners: Which Kind?
If you want a Bluetooth scanner, there are two types. Adapters like the Veepeak and the OBDLink MX+ work with apps you choose (Car Scanner, OBD Fusion, Torque, FORScan, BimmerCode), so what they read depends on that app. The BlueDriver comes with its own app and adds repair reports matched to your VIN, with no subscription. Choose the BlueDriver for the simplest route to ABS and airbag codes, or the OBDLink MX+ if you already know which app you want.
Detailed Picks
1. ANCEL AD310: Best for Check Engine Codes
A corded code reader that reads and clears check engine and emissions codes, and shows live data, freeze frame data and I/M readiness (the smog check status). It has a 2.5 foot cable, weighs 12 ounces and needs no phone or app.
What owners say: owners find it easy to read and operate, and say it saves them time and money by telling them exactly what is wrong. Some say it works on every vehicle they tried, while others report it did not work with their car.
Skip it if: you need ABS, airbag or transmission codes; it reads the engine and emissions system only.
2. BlueDriver: Best for ABS and Airbag Codes by Phone
A Bluetooth sensor that pairs with the BlueDriver app on your phone. It reads and clears enhanced codes for check engine, ABS, SRS (airbag), TPMS and transmission, shows live data, freeze frames, smog readiness and Mode 6 results, and gives repair reports matched to your VIN. There is no subscription. BlueDriver lists a 1-year limited warranty.
What owners say: one owner reports three years of use with it left plugged into a truck, and says it saved more than its cost in shop diagnostic fees for minor problems.
Skip it if: you only need to read a check engine code now and then; the AD310 does that for far less.
3. OBDLink MX+: Best for Enthusiast Apps
A Bluetooth adapter that OBDLink says works with all 1996 and newer cars and light trucks sold in the US, on iOS, Android and Windows. It is the recommended adapter for FORScan, Torque, BimmerCode, Carista and other apps, and reaches advanced Ford and GM networks (MS-CAN and SW-CAN). It has battery drain protection and free firmware updates.
What owners say: owners say it works right out of the box, is simple to use and works with apps like Torque Pro and FORScan. Connection is mixed, with some reporting quick pairing and others connection issues.
Skip it if: you want one app that does everything for you; the MX+ is at its best with the app you pick.
4. LAUNCH CRP123I V3.0: Best for Service Resets
A handheld scan tablet with a 5 inch touchscreen and its own battery. It checks engine, ABS, SRS and transmission systems and adds 7 service functions: oil reset, steering angle (SAS) reset, ABS bleeding, battery (BMS) reset, electronic parking brake (EPB) reset, DPF regeneration and throttle adaptation. LAUNCH lists lifetime free updates.
What owners say: owners find it a great code reader that works on vehicles from a Ford F350 to BMW models, and value the airbag and ABS codes. Wi-Fi connection, automatic VIN detection and battery life get mixed reports.
Skip it if: you do not do your own brake or battery work; the resets are what you pay extra for.
5. Veepeak OBDCheck BLE: Cheapest Bluetooth Reader
A small Bluetooth LE adapter for iOS and Android that reads and clears check engine codes and shows freeze frame data, I/M readiness and live sensor data through a third-party app such as Car Scanner ELM OBD2 or OBD Fusion. Veepeak notes Android car head units may not be supported.
What owners say: owners say it works well with BimmerCode and Torque Pro and is good value, with one saying it saved them hundreds of dollars. Connection and accuracy are mixed, with some reporting regular disconnections.
Skip it if: you want ABS and airbag codes without hunting for the right app.
How We Chose
We looked at OBD2 scanners on Amazon with a current price and thousands of owner ratings, read each maker's list of supported systems, and compared the owner review summaries. See how we review products.
Using an iPhone? Our OBD2 scanner apps for iPhone guide covers which apps pair with which adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an OBD2 scanner work on my car?
Every car and light truck sold in the US since 1996 has an OBD2 port, and all five scanners read its engine codes. ABS, airbag and other system codes vary by make, so check the maker's vehicle coverage before you buy. The BlueDriver works with gas vehicles only, so diesel owners should look at the other picks.
Can an OBD2 scanner turn off the check engine light?
Yes, all of these can clear the code. If the fault is still there, the light comes back.
Do Bluetooth OBD2 scanners drain the battery?
An adapter left plugged in draws a little power. The OBDLink MX+ lists battery drain protection and automatic sleep; unplug other adapters if the car sits for long.
Do I need a subscription?
Not for these five. BlueDriver advertises no subscription, and LAUNCH lists lifetime free updates. Some third-party apps for adapters like the Veepeak charge for advanced features.
The Verdict
Buy the ANCEL AD310 to read a check engine light without a phone, the BlueDriver for ABS and airbag codes through a simple app, the OBDLink MX+ if you use FORScan or BimmerCode, or the LAUNCH CRP123I V3.0 if you do your own service resets.
Products Mentioned
Corded OBD2 code reader for check engine and emissions codes with live data.
Bluetooth OBD2 scanner with its own app; ABS SRS TPMS and transmission codes.
Bluetooth OBD2 adapter for iOS Android and Windows apps such as FORScan.
5 inch scan tablet for engine ABS SRS and transmission with 7 service resets.
Low cost Bluetooth LE OBD2 reader that works through third-party apps.