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The best OBD2 scanners of 2026 according to the tests

This ranking brings together tests of OBD2 diagnostic readers for private owners: handheld readers with a screen and Bluetooth adaptors (dongles) that are operated with a phone. It includes five motoring magazine tests: AUTO BILD (December 2024), AUTO ZEITUNG (August 2026, and another with prices from November 2021 whose article is dated February 2025), Auto Express (February 2026) and Haynes (published in 2025, with tests from 2022). Each magazine uses its own cars, criteria and scales (points out of 75 or 100, stars, awards), so the placings in one test cannot be compared with those in another.

According to 5 tests independent tests from AUTO ZEITUNG, Auto Express, AUTO BILD and Haynes, the best OBD2 scanners are the Carly Universal Scanner (9.2/10), the Motopower MP69033 (7.5/10) and the TOPDON ArtiDiag500 (7.5/10). The score summarises the position each one achieved in those tests; it is not our own test.

How we work

Ranking of OBD2 scanners

Based on the tests published since 2024. Each product shows its position and the rating from each test, with a link to the original publication. To enter the ranking, a product must appear in at least 2 tests. How it is calculated

  1. Carly Universal Scanner
    Photo: Carly

    No. 1 · 2 tests

    Carly Universal Scanner

    • Auto Express · 2026: #2 of 7 · «4.0 stars»Reads and clears codes and allows car functions to be adapted, with an app that is easier to understand than those of other Bluetooth readers; the purchase options are confusing. In the verdict it comes second.
    • AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #1 of 9 · «Testsieger»Winner of the test: broad and reliable diagnosis at a good price, with understandable fault descriptions and extra functions (coding, maintenance, used-car inspection); it is sold only on the manufacturer's website, and printing the data requires sending it by post.
    9.2/10

    according to its position in the tests

  2. No. 2 · 2 tests

    Motopower MP69033

    • Auto Express · 2026: #4 of 7 · «3.5 stars»Simple monochrome screen and VIN check at the push of a button; the magazine considers it outdated and expensive compared with rivals, although it previously received its Recommended badge.
    • Haynes · 2025: #1 of 8 · «Best Buy»Best Buy award for its low price, good functions (freeze frame data, real-time graph, VIN check) and a well-sized screen; Haynes finds very few faults with it at this price.
    7.5/10

    according to its position in the tests

  3. TOPDON ArtiDiag500
    Photo: TOPDON

    No. 3 · 2 tests

    TOPDON ArtiDiag500

    • AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #1 of 7 · «80/100 Punkte, Gut (Testsieger)»Also reads the gearbox, brakes and other control units, with very good brand coverage and reset and adaptation functions; it loses marks for access to codes by post, translation errors, free updates for only one year, and because it allows the odometer to be tampered with.
    • AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #5 of 9Solid unit with a quality touchscreen and very complete tests; in this test it had no reset function, and the connector does not light up. The magazine gives it no verdict or score: it shares its placing with the other models without a verdict.
    7.5/10

    according to its position in the tests

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Tested in only one test

They do not enter the ranking until they appear in more tests: a single result is not enough to compare them.

  • BGS Fehlercode-Diagnosegerät 6648 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #1 of 8 («62/75 Punkte, gut (1,9)»)
  • Temu Professional OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Tool · Auto Express · 2026: #1 of 7 («4.5 stars»)
  • Ancel VD700 y BM700 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #2 of 9 («sehr empfehlenswert»)
  • Launch Creader Elite 200 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #2 of 9 («sehr empfehlenswert»)
  • Draper Fault Code Reader 81163 · Haynes · 2025: #2 of 8 («Haynes Recommended»)
  • iCAR Pro Scan · Haynes · 2025: #2 of 8 («Haynes Recommended»)
  • Konnwei KW850 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #2 of 8 («54/75 Punkte, befriedigend»)
  • Nexzcheck K89 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #2 of 7 («64/100 Punkte, Befriedigend»)
  • TOPDON Topscan · Auto Express · 2026: #2 of 7 («4.0 stars»)
  • Ancel EU410 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #3 of 8 («52/75 Punkte, befriedigend»)
  • Foxwell NT201 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #3 of 7 («62/100 Punkte, Befriedigend»)
  • TOPDON ArtiLink500 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #4 of 9 («gutes Gerät für Hobby-Schrauber»)
  • Autophix OM126P · AUTO BILD · 2024: #4 of 8 («48/75 Punkte, befriedigend»)
  • Clarke CEOBDS Engine Fault Code Reader · Haynes · 2025: #4 of 8
  • Draper Fault Code Reader and Oil Reset Tool 12045 · Haynes · 2025: #4 of 8
  • Laser Fault Code Reader 7728 · Haynes · 2025: #4 of 8
  • Nexpeak NX501 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #4 of 8 («48/75 Punkte, befriedigend»)
  • Sealey VS8812 EOBD Code Reader · Haynes · 2025: #4 of 8
  • Streetwize Multilingual Large Screen OBDII Code Reader · Haynes · 2025: #4 of 8
  • Ancel AD310 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #4 of 7 («61/100 Punkte, Befriedigend»)
  • JDiag JD908B · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #5 of 9
  • OBDeleven Bluetooth Diagnostic Scanner · Auto Express · 2026: #4 of 7 («3.5 stars»)
  • Veepeak OBDCheck VP11 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #5 of 9
  • Veepeak OBDCheck BLE · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #5 of 7 («60/100 Punkte, Befriedigend»)
  • iCarsoft i820 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #6 of 8 («46/75 Punkte, befriedigend»)
  • Porfoyo V529 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #6 of 7 («59/100 Punkte, Ausreichend»)
  • Simply OBDII Reader with Digital Screen · Auto Express · 2026: #6 of 7 («3.0 stars»)
  • Kungfuren VP590 · AUTO BILD · 2024: #7 of 8 («43/75 Punkte, ausreichend»)
  • Lescars OD-440.uni · AUTO BILD · 2024: #8 of 8 («39/75 Punkte, ausreichend»)
  • Naviemobi OBD II · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2025: #9 of 9
  • Simply OBDII Engine Fault Code Scan Tool · Auto Express · 2026: #7 of 7 («2.5 stars»)
  • XTOOL AD20 · AUTO ZEITUNG · 2026: #7 of 7 («34/100 Punkte, Mangelhaft»)

What to look for when buying

  • Before buying, check which control units the device reads. In AUTO ZEITUNG (2026), the budget readers and the Veepeak dongle with its free app only monitored the engine control unit and had no reset or adaptation functions; the TOPDON ArtiDiag500 (€179.99) also read the gearbox and brakes and allowed, for example, the service reminder to be reset. AUTO BILD saw something similar: the cheap models read two or three control units, while the Launch 129 Evo, tested outside the competition, read many more.
  • Look at your car's make, because no cheap reader reads everything. In AUTO BILD, all the budget units had problems with the control units of a 2020 Audi RS4, and none found a disconnected ABS sensor on a VW T-Cross or an airbag fault on a 2007 Mercedes E-Class. Auto Express notes that the OBDeleven gives a lot of detail on cars from the VW Group, BMW/MINI, Toyota/Lexus and Ford, and that deeper functions require a Bluetooth reader with an app.
  • Check how the device describes the fault codes. AUTO BILD found very uneven translations between models (only those of the BGS 6648 seemed genuinely understandable to a layperson), and in AUTO ZEITUNG several menus contain translation errors. If the texts and the manual are not in a language you understand, you will have to look up each code yourself.
  • Check how much updates and extra functions cost. According to AUTO ZEITUNG, data for newer models on the TOPDON ArtiDiag500 is free for only one year from registration and then has to be paid for, while the Foxwell NT201 is updated free for life but needs a Windows computer. Auto Express notes that the TOPDON Topscan and OBDeleven charge separately for unlocking functions.
  • With a Bluetooth dongle, check the app and the compatibility with your phone before relying on it. In AUTO ZEITUNG, the app that Veepeak recommends was not available during the test (another free one was used), the dongle caused false fault warnings on a Kia that disappeared when it was unplugged, and the unit bought of the XTOOL AD20 seemed faulty. It is worth trying it promptly, while it can still be returned.
  • Check whether the device is for one brand only or works only with certain phones. In AUTO ZEITUNG (test with 2021 prices), the Ancel VD700 and BM700 performed a quick and complete diagnosis, but each is tied to a group of brands (BMW/Mini blue, VAG red) and they do not recognise cars older than 2002; the Veepeak OBDCheck VP11 dongle was not compatible with Apple and its performance varied greatly depending on the third-party app.
  • Be wary of “fuel savers” that plug into the OBD socket. According to c't (issue 15/2022), four such modules analysed in its laboratory did not communicate with the car's control units, one did not even contain a chip, and they only made an LED flash.

The tests we use

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an OBD2 reader with a screen and a Bluetooth dongle?

The reader with a screen plugs in and works on its own, without a phone; in AUTO ZEITUNG (2026), the four budget readers with a screen only monitored the engine, while the more expensive TOPDON ArtiDiag500 reached more control units. The Bluetooth dongle is smaller, can be left plugged in and, with third-party apps, shows live data, but it depends on the app and the phone; Auto Express notes that deeper functions require a Bluetooth reader with an app.

Can I clear the warning light with a reader and forget about it?

The devices tested can clear codes, but AUTO ZEITUNG advises reading the fault memory again a few days later: if the code does not come back quickly, it is usually a false system warning; if it returns again and again, there is a real fault in the car that a workshop should check.

Does a cheap reader detect all faults?

No. In AUTO BILD, the eight budget readers (between €30 and €84) generally recognised about two thirds of the faults set up on three cars, and only the Launch 129 Evo, a semi-professional unit considerably more expensive and tested outside the competition, found them all. According to the magazine, the difference lies in the depth of reading: the cheap ones usually read only two or three control units.

From what year can an OBD2 reader read my car?

AUTO ZEITUNG and AUTO BILD state that in Europe petrol cars from 2001 and diesels from 2004 have the standard OBD2 socket. The device connecting does not mean it reads every function: according to AUTO ZEITUNG, many manufacturer-specific functions require the manufacturer's own equipment or software.

Is it a good idea to code my car with an OBD2 reader?

AUTO BILD, which tested a semi-professional unit capable of coding control units, warns that this should be done by a professional: in the worst case, an error can leave the car unable to run.

How it is calculated

We do not test products or give our own scores: we collect the results published by independent tests (motoring clubs, consumer associations and magazines with their own measurements). In each test, the first product scores 10 and the last scores 0, in proportion to its position; a product’s score is the average of its tests from the last 7 years. A test repeated by several organisations counts only once. No brand pays to appear, and shop commissions do not change the order. Full methodology