10 Best OBD II Scanners 2026 in the United States

The ANCEL AD310 OBD-II Scanner is a popular and well-regarded tool for diagnosing vehicle issues, making it a solid choice for car owners who want to understand and clear check engine codes without visiting a mechanic. Its compatibility is extensive, supporting all OBD-II protocols and working with a wide range of vehicles from 1996 onwards, including US, European, and Asian models. This makes it versatile for most car owners.

Connectivity is straightforward as it powers directly from the vehicle's OBD-II port, eliminating the need for batteries or charging. Functionality is robust, with the ability to read and clear error codes, view live data, and check I/M readiness, making it useful for both diagnosing issues and ensuring your vehicle is ready for emissions testing. The user interface is user-friendly, with a large, clear display and well-labeled buttons, ensuring ease of use even for those unfamiliar with car diagnostics.

The ANCEL AD310 provides accurate, fast results and is a sturdy, compact device that is easy to transport and handle, making it a great tool for everyday car diagnostics.

The FOXWELL NT604 Elite is a user-friendly OBD2 scanner designed for car owners who want to diagnose common issues before visiting a mechanic. It supports a wide range of vehicles from over 60 global brands, making it quite versatile in terms of compatibility. You can quickly scan essential systems like ABS, SRS (airbags), engine, and transmission without needing to install software — it’s ready to use right out of the box. The 4.3-inch screen is clear and easy to read, and features like AUTOVIN help you identify your vehicle quickly, avoiding manual input.

This tool offers more than basic code reading by including live data streaming, a built-in code library, and the ability to playback and print data. It does not support advanced service functions such as oil reset, battery registration, or ABS bleeding, so it’s best suited for users who primarily want to identify problems rather than perform repairs or maintenance. The scanner connects via a corded setup, which is standard for most OBD2 tools, but lacks wireless options.

The device comes with a sturdy protective case rather than a flimsy bag, which adds to its durability and portability. It also includes lifetime free updates, ensuring the scanner stays current with new vehicle data. Data logging and storage are supported, allowing you to review live data and diagnostic history. While the scanner provides reliable detection and code clearing after repairs, it cannot fix issues itself. Vehicle compatibility varies, so it's important to check your car’s make, model, and year before purchasing. With an average user rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, it’s a solid choice for drivers who want a dependable and straightforward scanner to monitor their vehicle’s health without extra costs or complex features.

The Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808S is a sophisticated OBD-II scanner designed for a wide range of vehicles. One of its standout features is the bidirectional control, allowing users to perform active tests on various car components such as windows, mirrors, sunroofs, and wipers. This can be extremely useful for both professional mechanics and car enthusiasts. It supports over 150 car brands globally and comes equipped with 28 popular reset services, including oil reset, SAS calibration, ABS bleeding, and injector coding, making it versatile and comprehensive in functionality.

The device runs on Android 11 and features a 1024x600 resolution display, which should provide a user-friendly interface for navigating its features. The inclusion of AutoVIN and AutoScan technologies significantly boosts efficiency by enabling quick vehicle identification and fault code detection with just a few clicks. Additionally, the MK808S is designed to save on subscription costs and provides a year of free software updates, along with constant technical support, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.

However, users should be aware that the compatibility of certain functions may vary by vehicle model, so it's advisable to check compatibility beforehand. The device's support for data logging and detailed reporting is beneficial but may be seen as overkill for casual users seeking simple diagnostics. Despite these minor considerations, the MK808S offers a powerful and user-friendly solution for comprehensive car diagnostics and maintenance.