The Best OBD2 Scanner

0:56 - What is OBD
1:59 - Smartphone/bluetooth scanners
3:19 - How did we test
4:20 - Bluedriver
6:01 - Launch v+
7:09 - Carista

Not everyone should work on their own car, but if you want to take a peek behind the dashboard an OBD2 scanner can help you find out just how bad a problem is before you pull out the wrenches.

We spent a month testing engine, braking and airbag systems with 13 scanners. We looked for a scanner that can give information in a usable format and help you get to the bottom of what’s making your car unhappy.

We focused on scanners with essential functions and capped our budget at $100 per scanner, which eliminates the upper tier of scan tools with built-in oscilloscopes and security system programming. However, we still found some impressive features that will help you complete a fix without investing in features most car owners won’t ever need.

Our picks for the best OBD2 scanners:

When purchasing an OBD scanner, the top features to consider are:
• Wired scanners vs smartphone adapters
• Scanning generic engine lights vs extended modes like ABS
• Real-time graphing options
• Connection to a database of "verified" fixes for common problems

[YourBestDigs]

Our picks for the best OBD2 scanners:

[CtrlZ]

This is how you do a review video. Dont drag it out for 10hours with random crap. Straight to the point and then some more info.

[TBoy]

Thumbs up for telling us the result at the beginning of the video. Will watch the rest of it just for that.

[sehajpreetsingh]

It's how videos should be done. I appreciate the fact that the conclusion was disclosed at the beginning along with a "no sponsor" disclaimer. People like me who are interested in the test variables would like to continue watching, others can just save their time.

[vanteal]

I love how the blue driver also takes your codes and gives you a list of what the problem likely is, and how to fix it.

[GregSr]

I have the Blue Driver. I've used it three times. It has consistently pointed me in the right direction after the Check Engine Light came on in my 96 Impala SS.

[johnrayremonde]

if only all product reviews are like this. Thanks for giving this slice of heaven

[tyleratchley]

I've been watching OBD reviews all day and learned more in 2 1/2 minutes from you guys than all t others combined. Thanks!

[pidrummer]

I’m in awe of how transparent these reviews are. Thank you!

[SuperStoploss]

“The best OBD2 scanner of 2021” published in 2019...

[karenallen]

By far this is the best overview on these devices! Thanks for making it concise and clear! Be blessed, today and always!

[gordinistanopolis]

I bought the Launch creader and am really happy with its simple and quick performance Highly recommended as low cost scan tool

[yveskc]

I bought the Foxwell NT301 and it payed for itself the first time I plugged it in my car. A must have tool in this modern electronic world.

[slowcitydon]

I just got in the Blue Driver today. Gonna hook it up to my 2012 Silverado tomorrow and see what I can come up with.

[ahmedzohaibzia]

So you mentioned that the Carista OBD2 scanner is more of a hidden feature unlocker where you can tune or set different options for the car. Does the BlueDriver also have all the options to change the hidden features that the Carista can do or does it lack in that area?

[patrickstenson]

i bought a Bluedriver and used it on my truck. The thing lit up like a christmas tree. When I cleared all the codes out, the engine light has not returned. Everything SEEMS to read normally now. It may have just been old codes that were not cleared. If this is true, Bluedriver cleared codes that 2 or 3 other scanners could not do. That is worth the $ right there. However, I'm not sure if I may have damaged my ECU doing this. I know the truck still has issues, so be careful. This scanner is awesome and powerful. If you leave it on it will update once per week for that particular vehicle, so something not there last week may show up next week. It also can read the drive train and transmission, but not the trans. temp unfortunately. The only drawbacks: 1. Does not connect or diagnose in run with key on but not running. 2. Takes like 2-3 minutes to run the diagnostic. But well worth the $99 @ Walmart online or Amazon (Hate Jeff Bezos tho)

[charlesmcgehee]

I could not agree more. I tried 3 different low cost units and the Blue Driver is by far the best.

[whatfreedom]

So you could hook the bluedriver up to a tablet and have a large screen?

[RadioJonophone]

That lovely Lemur BlueDriver has problems reading non-North American vehicles. The review should have pointed this out as that includes most of the world.

[erichandyauto]

I want to mention that there are new kids on the block. The Innova 5610 and the Zurich ZR15. I downloaded the owner's manual for both units. It's interesting to see that both manuals look almost identical. Same font, headings, and formatting. Also, the button controls on both units basically do the same thing. Does that mean both are from the same manufacturer? Table of Contents' say that the Innova 5610 offers bluetooth functionality and a 1 year warranty while the ZR15 does not have bluetooth and only carries a 90 day warranty. Any ideas or thoughts?