An OBDII (sometimes stylized with a space, as in OBD II) scan tool allows a user to plug into an OBDII port on a 1996 or newer vehicle and read OBDII codes and live data, depending on how advanced the scanner is.
Clearing Codes
Many scan tools posess the ability to clear codes, but be aware:
- Clearing codes does not fix the vehicle.
- Clearing codes resets readiness monitors.
- Clearing codes may hide them from a mechanic.
In regards to the readiness monitors, this may be important to anyone living in a governmental region that requires emissions testing, as incomplete readiness monitors will very likely result in an automatic failure.
Diagnostic Scanning Speed
A common frustration you will find in the reviews of various scan tools is how long some of them take to scan the vehicle. While there is certainly some speed concerns that may be present in the tool itself, some vehicles are just simply slow to communicate with any tool. Some particular tools may seem to work faster on certain vehicles relative to the tool's average speed, but it may simply come down to that particular tool not having the ability to scan something in particular that happens to be slow on that vehicle, like airbag data for example.
Using a Scan Tool to Diagnose by Cars Simplified
In this video, Steve from Cars Simplified uses a scan tool to diagnose a starting issue with a 2013 Honda Pilot.
The Best OBD2 Scanner
Getting the right OBD2 scanner for your budget and preferences can really streamline the diagnostic process for you. Here are Steve's picks for the best OBD-2 scanner for
Best Bluetooth Scanner
If you prefer to keep everything electronic in your life in one place - your smart phone - then a bluetooth scanner is probably what you have your eye out for.
Best Tablet Scanner
Professional mechanics at independent shops and dealerships alike more often than not use a tablet style scan tool. The category gives you a big screen and the processing power to handle putting active data on it. However, you do have to pay for that.
The GWSMART07 by Gearwrench/Apex Tool Group is my pick for the best tablet on the market that doesn't break the bank. You get a lot of live data features that the handhelds just can't handle. At the time of writing (Monday, June 30th, 2025) you also get three years of free updates (updates over time are pretty common for this level of scan tool) after activation of the tool. While there are likely things a dealership scan tool has that this tool doesn't, I have yet to run into a situation where I have felt under-equipped with this tool.
While I prefer a fully wired connection for most things, there's no getting around the fact that having a wireless interface doesn't shackle you to the OBD-II port, limiting you to the distance that the wire sticking through the door allows you.
The Gearwrench GWSMART07 has the features you want from a professional scan tool, but without the dealership-level tool price.
Best Budget Scanner
Years ago we were sent a free Launch Creader 3001 from a distributor to make a video showing the tool in use. With that fulfilled, I still feel like it is a great low-cost scan tool. For years before ending up with the Creader 3001, my go-to was a similar form factor tool from Actron, which is still in the family (I gave it to my brother since my scan tool collection was getting too large) but the brand has been discontinued. Plus, the price of the Creader 3001 is less than the price of the Actron plug-in scanner from over 15 years ago.
At the time of writing (Monday, June 30th, 2025) the Creader 3001 has been in my posession for over six years. It has seen periods of frequent use, infrequent use, has been stored in a poorly insulated garage (with outside temperatures reaching slightly over 100°F and below 0°F), and has been dropped on more than one occasion. Not only is it still functioning like new, it also doesn't appear to have sustained any major aesthetic damage.
While there are definitely some features missing from this level of scan tool (not just this model, but practically all the wired/plug-in scan tools of this compact size) you still get a lot of features that will more than satisfy the needs of a beginner DIY repair enthusiast. Forgoing the more advanced features allows this budget-friendly scan tool run with pretty decent speed for the price, too.
The Launch Creader 3001 has an appealing price that makes it perfect for someone just getting into DIY automotive repair and wants to diagnose instead of fire the parts cannon at their vehicle.
More OBD II Scan Tools
| Brand: Tool Name | Type | Product Number (Affiliate Link) | COO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actron: U-Scan OBD II | Bluetooth | CP9600 | ||
| Actron: AutoScanner Plus | Wired Handheld | CP9680 | ||
| Bosch: Scan Tool with CodeConnect | Wired Handheld | OBD1200 | ||
| Bosch Automotive Tools: Trilingual Scan Tool with AutoID | Wired Handheld | OBD1150 | ||
| FIXD: Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner | Bluetooth | FIXD | ||
| Gearwrench: Everyday Diagnostic Bluetooth OBDII | Bluetooth | GWSCAN | ||
| Gearwrench: Wireless Bi-Directional Diagnostic Scanner Tablet | Tablet | GWSMART07 | ||
| Gearwrench: Professional Bi-Directional Diagnostic Scan Tool | Bluetooth | GWSMARTBT | ||
| Launch: Creader OBD2 Scanner | Wired Handheld | 3001 | ||
| Launch: Creader OBD2 Scanner | Wired Handheld | CRE300 | ||
| Launch: Creader Professional | Tablet | CRP123 |