Recently, I stumbled upon my stock of always-adding OBD II code readers and scanners. Naturally, I smiled at them (and half expected them to smile back). But, as I made to leave, something struck me deep: what’s the best car code reader there is today?
As simple as this question is, many years ago, when I was only starting out, this very question kept me up all night!
Today, with the advantage of hindsight and the experience that the years have brought, I want to help you with an answer to the question directly – if this is where you stand at the moment.
But, why does it even matter in the first place? Why bother yourself with the best OBD II car code reader when all of them appear to do the same thing, and generally all appear to be siblings from the same mother?
Affiliate Disclosure
I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.
Article Outline
Why the Answer to the Question of the Best Car Code Reader Matters
There are several compelling reasons why an honest and authoritative response to this question is crucial. However, as it’s customary with me, I’ll focus on the three most important reasons.
First, an impressive 96% of adult Americans own a car and drive periodically (or at least, wish to). Since all US vehicles post 1996 are equipped with the OBD II system of vehicle fault detection, reporting, and retrieval, it makes sense that you know, first hand, as a vehicle owner or driver, what the best car code reader for the bucks is (seeing that you’ll be needing a code reader sooner rather than later).
Second, flowing from the above, there are many code readers available on the market today, and most simply aren’t worth it. It’s important to separate the chaff from the real deal, OBD II code reader-wise. Why bother with something simply because it’s touted to be the ‘real deal’ when the whole time it’s only but marketing hype?
Finally, it’s important that this ‘separation’ comes from an authority, a person who’s very conversant with code readers, has used a bunch of them, and importantly, is honest enough to share with the world what he genuinely thinks. Fortunately, I’m that authority, and today, I’m willing to share all I know about code readers and, importantly, what I believe is the best.
Why Most Cheap Code Readers Don’t Cut It
If you check on a retail platform such as Amazon, you’ll see a plethora of code readers there from options retailing around the $20 mark to premium options that cost thousands of dollars.
While most of the expensive units do what they say they’d do (and more), the cheaper ones are usually a sorry waste of money, and here’s why.
First, these scanners and code readers are cheaply made, meaning their manufacturers cut out on quality and durability to be able to offer the units at the price they are offered. There’s nothing like something for nothing (or, in this case, something good for cheap). This ultimately affects long-term use, making repurchase happen sooner rather than it’s reasonable.
Second, most of the cheap code readers are Bluetooth-powered and have a lot of challenges that accompany them; broken connections, account login issues, the requirement of the internet before use, and, if you’re unlucky enough, the eventual discontinuation of the apps powering them (without notice). Not cool, if you ask me.
Finally, most cheap car code readers have limited functionality, and often, most of the functions that make a code reader worth it are usually missing. For example, most cheap OBD II code readers do not have a code library, nor do they have such a basic feature as live data. They simply read codes, and a handful may also delete. This isn’t the type of code readers you should invest in, even if they’re offered for free.
Best Car Code Reader
The best car code reader is the Ancel AD410. Below, I’ll share why I selected it and, importantly, why it beats others to clinch the title.
If you’d love to check it out right away, click here. However, if you’re interested in why the Ancel AD410 has retained the title of the best code reader for cars through the years, continue reading, and I’ll gladly show you why.
How I Selected the Ancel AD410 as the Best Car Code Reader
I own a plethora of OBD II scanners and code readers that have come to me in the course of my work as an auto DIY mechanic. Many, unfortunately, are just beautiful nonsense, and I discover this just after the first use.
Fortunately, the Ancel AD410 ticked ALL the important boxes (through the years) and not just that, has proceeded to become my glovebox code reader of choice. This is part of the reason why the code reader made it to my coveted list of the best DIY friendly code readers/scanners of the year.
Essentially, thus, the Ancel AD410 is a tried and tested code reader; one I have used for more than six years running now and which, curiously, I’ve not been able to find something better in that category, despite the sea of code readers I’ve been exposed to since buying and first using it.
Here’s the review of the Ancel AD410 I wrote some time back – still very relevant today.
But, how exactly does the Ancel AD410 compare (and beat) other code readers to emerge as the best?
Below, I’ll explain it all and my logic for giving it the ultimate crown.
Why the Ancel AD410 Beats Other Basic OBD II Code Readers
It isn’t enough to simply take a look at some code reader and profess that they’re the best money can buy. For such an assertion to be valid, you need to have reasons beyond your love of the product in question.
In essence, it’s always logic over emotions, cold reason over warm love. Here are the five most compelling reasons that helped decide.
1. Right Price
Many times over, the only reason why I don’t buy something is because the price isn’t quite right: the product quality, design, and need from my own end are right, but the product’s pricing remains somewhat off.
This has happened to me several times, and if you’re to reflect back on your life, it has also happened with you several times (with different items you considered for purchase).
This is where the Ancel AD410 gets it right to clinch the ticket as the best car code reader money can buy at the moment…Ancel consistently retails this code reader for a few bucks and usually, less than the $50 mark, which makes it one of the most affordable OBD II code readers in the market today.
What’s not to love, pricewise (when for the price of about two pizzas, you can afford the code reader)?
2. Rugged Construction
However, it’s not always about the price: sometimes, deciding on something as central as a portable code reader has to do with build quality too.
Take a look at it this way: most of the time, your OBD II code reader would be in the glove box, and there, it’s very likely to have an extremely hard life, experiencing all the road imperfections that you come into contact with daily.
After more than six (solid) years of running the AD410 as a glove box code reader, I was impressed with how it took it all in: no scratches, no cracks – just awesomeness – like the first day I bought the unit and took it home.
I was also impressed that the code reader handled all the sweaty, greasy hands, occasioned by several unplanned DIY escapades, coming out like a champ every time. Importantly, my kids, helping out during the weekend, have also (unintentionally) let the scanner fall off a few times.
The result?
Nothing. It soaked it all up and continued to do its job as designed. To date, I remain in awe of the unit and can’t reasonably imagine any other better built at its price and purpose point.
3. Superior Display
If you frequently use a scanner or code reader on the road, then you know this: the sun isn’t your friend. The glare is usually more powerful than your determination to read what the code reader’s saying.
This is why it makes sense to invest in a scanner (or in this case, a code reader) that has a superior display and will lend itself to easy reading under the sun.
This is where the Ancel AD410 beats other code readers to the game: the portable little code reader comes standard with LED display that works beautifully in the hot sun, as it works perfectly during the dark.
In my experience with the Ancel AD410, I always marvel at how the unit effortlessly serves both during the day and at night with equal ease to the eyes.
4. Super Portable/Ergonomic Design
When I first came across the Konnwei KW850 OBD II code reader, I marveled at its gigantic size. It was a basic code reader that needed both hands to effectively operate, which I found strange. To this day, I wonder why its designers needed to make it that huge when it was nothing more than a mere code reader (with a battery tester attached).
Needless to say, it took the entire glove box space of the 2002 Toyota Camry I was using at the time. Factoring the user manual, it was a challenge closing the box, and I suspect that I had ‘officially’ overloaded things at that point.
The Ancel AD410 is none of that, and compared to the hugeness that is the Konnwei KW850 (and other similar code readers), it’s a breath of fresh air that hits and cools at the same time.
The unit is super portable and gets right to the glove box without any challenge, even with the presence of the ever voluminous owner’s manual. This reality cuts across makes and models, including compacts.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg: the Ancel AD410, taken from the glove box and in the hands, is super ergonomic and can be easily operated with a hand, irrespective of one’s palm span.
Great storage size + a portable ergonomic design = awesomeness that is best felt directly rather than explained.
5. Timeless Modern Design
Finally, there’s the timelessness of the design, which many folks who mention or discuss the code reader conveniently ignore.
Come to think of it: imagine the Ancel AD410 twenty years from now, in your hand doing its duties…it’s easy to say that most folks looking at it won’t be able to guess if it’s more than two decades old.
The reason: the design is simply modern and completely timeless…it’s for all intents and purposes a code reader that was designed to last through the years, ageless.
By comparison, the KW850 mentioned above already looks old and in a few years to come, will look truly dated.
The Ancel Ad410?
It’s timeless and is designed in a forever modern language.
Honorable Mention
The Ancel AD410 is (and remains) the best code reader money can buy at the moment. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t mind losing some of its attributes (like a superior LED color display and a timeless modern design), there’s an honorable mention worth taking a look at.
It’s the Ancel AD310.
Designed by the same guys responsible for the legendary AD410, the AD310 is essentially a slightly stripped-down version of the 410.
Or, put in another way: the Ancel AD410 is an upgrade over the ‘base’ Ancel AD310.
Here’s the direct link to check out the AD310 on Amazon if you’re curious to see what it looks like.
Final Words
The task of selecting the best car code reader can be daunting, especially for a beginner. However, for a seasoned DIY mechanic like myself, it’s easier, especially after playing with a legion of scanners and code readers.
The best option?
The Ancel AD410 – and I’ve decided on it based on cold facts and calculated logic, not warm, cozy emotions.
It’s superior in:
- Price.
- Construction.
- Display.
- Portability and
- Timelessness.
What is there not to love? Here’s the link to check out the Ancel AD410 on Amazon directly.
Love the Above? Subscribe for More
Throttle Lan
DIY Mechanic and Freelance Auto Writer