If your car surprised you with a check-engine light before your much-planned trip, it can be downright disconcerting. Perhaps you’ve already checked under the hood, but noticed no problem. Still, the check-engine signal remains blaring leaving you confused and frustrated – you can’t afford another trip to the mechanic just to rule out problems. Situations like this makes an OBD2 scanner a much-needed car care essential.
Making sure that the car and the tires are in good condition isn’t the only thing you need to do before going on a trip. Ensuring that the codes are working well and the system is in good condition can greatly eliminate any driving hazards that could come along the way.
If you’re looking for the best OBD2 scanner to help you get through car concerns without spending a ton on visits to the mechanic, you’ve come to the right place. In this review, we’re featuring the top 3 OBD2 scanners to buy in 2022.
What to Look for in OBD2 Scanners – 4 Things to Consider
When it comes to car care, safety is on the line. One thing you have to thoroughly avoid is buying the first OBD2 scanner you see online. An undetected car code problem can lead to thousands of dollars of car care.
As car enthusiasts ourselves, we also wondered about the best OBD2 scanners to buy. To narrow down our choices, we asked car aficionados, mechanics, and tech geeks to help us determine the best OBD2 scanners to feature here. We included a quick list here to help you make a wise choice.
Ease of Use
Not all of us are cut to understand codes and the complicated system of cars. The OBD2 scanner of your choice should be simple, and should provide information that is easy to understand – especially if you’re a first time user of OBD2 scanners.
Precision
The data you receive must be precise and reliable. It should help you catch and repair errors so you can drive in your car without risking yourself to accidents caused by errors.
Data Provided
A great OBD2 scanner should present comprehensive, complete data so you can run scans without missing any crucial problem under the hood. Some of the basics include airflow rate, temperature, car tire health, speed, emission readiness, real time parameters.
Clear Display
Through clear LCD screens and bright displays, you can be assured you won’t miss any important detail.
Out of all the OBD2 scanners we checked, here are the top 3 products that stood out.
1. Best Overall: ArvoSkan Easy-To-Use Full Car OBD2 Scanner
ArvoSkan got our attention and eventually, a seal of approval with its impressive capacity to deliver comprehensive diagnostics for all sorts of cars!
We love how such a portable, handy tool can help users tell up to 17 information about car health, battery status, and software condition. Apart from diagnostics, the device can also turn off malfunction indicator lights, search for DTC codes, and check IM readiness.
One thing users will love about the ArvoSkan is it’s not all about its topnotch features – it’s also a great pick for user-friendliness. Most of us felt intimidated by this tool because it looks so complicated. After using it, we were proven wrong – even beginners will enjoy this helpful diagnostic tool.
We also noticed that the ArvoSkan now comes with a redesigned, and recently improved readers and sensors to ensure you get the accuracy you need to hop on a safe, well-maintained ride.
The ArvoSkan comes with 7 different language settings – applicable for all cars coming from different parts of the world.
Key Features
- Our #1 Popular Choice
- Provides up to 17 diagnostic readings for a more comprehensive diagnostic test.
- Comes with new and improved readers and sensors that provide better accuracy.
- Includes an easy to use interface that makes it easy to operate even for beginners.
- Can be operated with one push of a button.
- Comes with added features that turn off fault indicator lights, and reset codes.
- Weighs less than 200 grams. Portable and easy to bring everywhere.
- Powered by long-lasting batteries - can last up to 28 hours of use.
- Includes 7 languages in its settings.
- Exclusive 50% Off Deal
Editor's Pick
2. Most Comprehensive: MechTouch
What if you get all the information you need for peace of mind in just one scan? How much difference would it make?
This thought is what we kept in mind while we were scanning for the best OBD2 scanners. This is why we were impressed with the MechTouch – it provides all the information you need to ensure your car is in pristine condition before you travel.
The MechTech OBD2 scanner can read trouble codes, check engine light(MIL), clear trouble codes, display current sensor data, calculate fuel oil consumption, and scan tire health.
The MechTech is easy to use. It comes with wire you can easily insert into your system which will automatically run the scans for you. With just one press of a button, you can see up to 12 data information you can use to assess your car.
The device comes with a DTC library to help you understand scanner jargons that might be hard to understand. The device also supports 13 languages so you won’t feel confused as to the information you are dealing with.
Key Features
- An advanced handheld tool that supports a wide range of vehicles
- A multi-language user interface supports up to 13 languages like Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, and many more
- A device that is so convenient to use even for non-English users
- Passed all the quality assurance international standards that ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of and systems of the product.
- With fully functional Mode$01~Mode$09 operation that makes the diagnosis of car problems more straightforward and faster.
- With vastly supported manufacturers, you'll be assured that your car will be scanned and diagnosed in no time
- With DTCs that are explained in easy-to-understand words rather than obscure jargon
3. Most Ideal for All Types of Vehicles - Including Vintage Ones: WorvScan Multi-Function OBD2 Code Reader for Modern and Vintage Cars
Some scanners don’t do the job well when dealing with cars that are different than what they usually test. But not the WorvScan. We were so impressed with its ability to work just as great for all kinds of vehicles.
The WorvScan rules out any problem before you embark on a trip. This compact device delivers information including 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, and information on engine speed.
Not familiar with car maintenance jargons? Not to worry. We love how the WorvScan includes a DTC library to help new users understand the terms and labels they are getting.
The WorvScan is also compatible with vintage car models and it also upports 9 protocols compatible with most 1996 US-Based, 2000 EU-Based and Asian cars, and newer OBD II & CAN domestic or import vehicles.
This reliable device includes 6 languages to help you navigate the device with ease.
Key Features
- Features multiple functions that ensure you run the right tests for your car checkup
- Supports 9 protocols compatible with most 1996 US-Based, 2000 EU-Based, and Asian cars, and newer OBD II & CAN domestic or import vehicles
- It also supports 6 languages - English, German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian.
- With a clear display LCD screen that features a white backlight and contrast adjustment
- Equipped with a 2.5 feet long cable and made of a very thick flexible insulator
- Delivers a quick answer to queries related to the VIN vehicle number& the DTC fault code.
4. Best for Checking Car Battery Health: SecuScan Car Battery Tester and Car OBDII 2-in-1 Diagnostic Tool
Is your car doing alright except for its batteries? Are you always caught off guard with your battery problems? When looking for the best OBD2 scanners, we prioritized finding battery health scanners to make sure battery problems will be out of the way.
We love SecuScan for battery health monitoring as it can work with different types of batteries including ordinary lead-acid battery, regularly flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral and gel battery.
The SecuScan functions well even if it is not charged. Even if its battery is not enough, it can still efficiently detect bad battery, predict battery health, and send signals when battery is running out of power.
This device ensures your battery is working aptly using different battery health standards which include CCA, BCI, CA, MCA, JIS, DIN, IEC, EN, SAE, GB.
With its easy-to-use interface, you can easily check information, stored data, and detect problems easily.
If you want to enjoy a problem-free trip, you definitely need to bring the SecuScan with you!
Key Features
- Can work with different types of batteries including ordinary lead-acid battery, regularly flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, and gel battery
- It can still efficiently detect bad batteries, predict battery health, and send signals when the battery is running out of power
- Offers precise and fast results on the cold start function of the battery and the aging status of the power source
- With its improved LCD display that lets the device flashes easy-to-understand, quick-to-see results
- Drivers and motorists can select different languages according to their needs
5. Best for Battery Maintenance: CurvTect 3 in 1 Battery Charger and Car Battery Tester
Do you want to ensure your battery lasts for a long time? Do you wish to detect any battery issues early on so you won’t get caught off guard? Our recommendation is the CurvTect.
CurvTect is a device dedicated to checking and ensuring that your batteries are in top notch condition.
The CurvTect ensures you won’t miss any information while you’re working with the scanner. The screen of the CurvTect comes with colored settings to help you see details clearly. CurvTect does not just detect Battery Health, but it can also conduct the Battery Cranking Test, Battery Charging Test.
This handy device can also allow you to identify your car’s battery health, battery aging, and battery errors. You get no more battery issues for your road trips.
The CurvTect is 100% easy to use – even beginners will love this device.
Key Features
- The device makes sure that it thoroughly interpreted, understood, and analyzed all the information shown on the screen
- Includes an imported STM32103VCT6 Chip that allows a more precise, and faster reading and scanning cutting waiting time by 50%
- Gives real-time access to your battery's health, status, and percentage
- Delivers up to 99% accurate data, provides information regarding the cold cranking capability of the battery and its aging extent
- Supports 8 languages
Conclusion
Getting car issues and problems out of the way is essential to making sure your trip is safe, smooth, and free from hazardous but avoidable accidents. If you are looking for additional ways to ensure that your car is working well, keeping an OBD2 scanner in your dashboard trunk is one of the wisest things you can do.
We made sure that each product here is personally tested, tried, and reviewed so you can be assured you’re only getting the best.
