Best buys · The car

The best OBD2 scanner worth buying

Our pick is the BlueDriver OBD2 scanner. Below: why, what actually matters when buying one, what to get for less, the step up, and whether today's price is a good one.

The code reader

BlueDriver OBD2 scanner

Plugs in under the dashboard and tells your phone why the check-engine light is on, in plain words, before a shop charges you to find out. Sometimes the answer is a loose gas cap.

Buy it for
Anyone with a car old enough to have a warning light on.
Skip it if
Your car is under warranty. The dealer reads it for free.

What actually matters when buying an OBD2 scanner

  1. Plain-language explanations and likely fixes, not just a code number.
  2. Coverage beyond engine codes, such as ABS and airbag systems, for your make.
  3. No subscription for the basic features.

Either side of the pick