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The Best Cheap Code Reader of 2023 – Reviewed and Top Rated

After hours researching and comparing all models on the market, we find out the Best Cheap Code Reader of 2023. Check our ranking below.

2,270 Reviews Scanned

Rank No. #1

OBD2 Scanner Ease Setup Plug-Play: Clear Reset Engine Error Code Professional Code Reader Diagnostic Scan Tools with Freeze Frame/I/M Readiness for All Cars Since 1996 & Newer - LK11

EASY TO USE & PLUG AND PLAY DESIGN: This OBD2 scanner is designed for ease of use. Simply plug it into your car’s OBDII port for instant diagnostics, no technical knowledge required. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, mechanics, and anyone who wants quick, reliable engine code checks
COMPREHENSIVE CAR DIAGNOSTICS: Retrieve and clear engine fault codes, view live data, and analyze freeze frame information to monitor your car’s health. This diagnostic tool saves you the hassle and expense of mechanic visits, providing accurate insights into your vehicle’s condition
KEEPS YOUR ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY: Maintain your engine’s performance by quickly detecting issues with engine fault codes. This tool helps prevent major repairs by resolving problems early, saving both time and money. Ideal for preventative maintenance and efficient troubleshooting
FIRST CHOICE FOR DIY & PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS: No automotive knowledge required! Easily use this scanner to identify and clear check engine light issues, empowering both DIYers and mechanics to resolve problems instantly. Ideal for those seeking fast, effective diagnostics
ADVANCED MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY: Retrieve detailed vehicle information like VIN, Calibration ID, and CVN. Supports I/M readiness, engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, and more, giving you complete control over your car’s diagnostics. Perfect for professional-level checks

SaleRank No. #2

ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool, Read and Clear Error Codes for 1996 or Newer OBD2 Protocol Vehicle (Black)

CEL Doctor: The ANCEL AD310 is one of the best-selling OBD II scanners on the market and is recommended by Scotty Kilmer, a YouTuber and auto mechanic. It can easily determine the cause of the check engine light coming on, quickly read and clear diagnostic trouble codes, read live data & hard memory data, view freeze frame, I/M monitor readiness and collect vehicle information. Instead of taking car to mechanic shop, you can use it to check the trouble code and show code definition by yourself.
Sturdy and Compact: Equipped with a 2.5 foot cable made of very thick, flexible insulation. It is important to have a sturdy scanner as it can easily fall to the ground when working in a car. The AD310 OBD2 scanner is a well-constructed mechanic tool with a sleek design. It weighs 12 ounces and measures 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches. Thanks to its compact design and light weight, transporting the device is not a problem. The buttons are clearly labelled and the screen is large and displays results clearly.
Accurate Fast and Easy to Use: The AD310 scanner can help you or your mechanic understand if your car is in good condition, provides exceptionally accurate and fast results, reads and clears engine trouble codes in seconds. If you want to find out the cause of the check engine light, this device will let you know immediately and fix the problem right away without any car knowledge. No need for batteries or a charger, get power directly from the OBDII Data Link Connector in your vehicle.
OBDII Protocols and Car Compatibility: Many cheap scan tools do not really support all OBD2 protocols. This is not the case with the AD310 scanner as it can support all OBDII protocols such as KWP2000, J1850 VPW, ISO9141, J1850 PWM and CAN. This device also has extensive vehicle compatibility with 1996 US-based, 2000 EU-based and Asian cars, light trucks, SUVs, as well as newer OBD2 and CAN vehicles both domestic and foreign. Check compatibility with your vehicle model before purchasing.
Home Necessity and Worthy to Own: This is an excellent code reader to travel or home with as it weighs less and it is compact in design. You can easily slide it in your backpack as you head to the garage, or put it on the dashboard, this will be a great fit for you. The AD310 is not only portable, but also accurate and fast in performance. Moreover, it covers various car brands and is suitable for people who just need a code reader to check their car.

Rank No. #3

XpertAuto C303 OBD2 Scanner Live Data Professional Mechanic Universal OBDII Diagnostic Code Reader Tool for Clearing Fault Code Check Engine Light, Freeze Fram,I/M Readiness, Data Printing

USER-FRIENDLY - Designed with car owners in mind, our OBDII scanner offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience, making it ideal for individuals with varying levels of automotive knowledge. With this scanner, you can effortlessly identify the reasons behind your vehicle's check engine light, read and clear engine fault codes, deactivate the check engine light (MIL), and reset important monitors.
PLUG AND PLAY - Lighthearted operation with no need for batteries or a charger; the unit draws power directly from the OBDII Data Link Connector in your vehicle. Compatible with most vehicles dating from 1996 and newer. Supports a comprehensive range of OBDII protocols: KWP2000, ISO9141, J1850 VPW, J1850 PWM, and CAN (Controller Area Network). Multilingual display options include English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Russian, and Portuguese.
FULL OBD2 FUNCTIONALITY - Read Codes, Erase Fault Codes, MIL Fault Indicator Light, Live Data, EVAP System Test, View Freeze-Frame, Vehicle Info, I/M Readiness, DTCs Look-up Compatible with all OBD2-compliant vehicles, ensuring accurate diagnostics and peace of mind
UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY & PROTOCOL SUPPORT - The XpertAuto C303 automotive scanner is compatible with a wide variety of vehicles, including OBDII/EOBD compliant cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and hybrids sold worldwide. It supports multiple protocols, including J1859-41.6, J1850-10.4, ISO9141, KWP2000 (ISO14230), and CAN (Control Area Network ISO11898). The user-friendly interface offers multilingual menu options
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE - We are a USA company, we strive to provide customers with high-quality products and excellent service. If you have any questions, please contact us. We will reply you within 24 hours

Rank No. #4

VDIAGTOOL VD10 OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Car Diagnostic Tool Engine Fault Code Reader for Turn Off CEL with Freeze Frame/I/M Readiness for All OBDII Protocol Cars, OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool

【A MUST-HAVE TOOL FOR DIYERS】 - VDIAGTOOL VD10 car code reader is an incredibly useful obd scanner for each car owner or hobbyist, even for those with little to no experience when it comes to vehicle mechanics! Similar to a fixd car diagnostic tool, using this car diagnostic scanner is extremely easy. All you have to do is attach it to your car OBDII port and you can diagnose car problems in seconds! Read Codes (DTCs); Clear Codes; Live Data; View Freeze Frame; I/M Readiness; Vehicle Information.
【KEEP ENGINE IN GOOD STATUS】 - VDIAGTOOL check engine code reader brings a fast access to scan, read the car fault code, show its definition on the screen instantly, troubleshooting to find the root causes of problems, erase the engine fault code and turn off the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light). Similar to a fixd car diagnostic tool, this car code reader helps ensure your engine stays in top condition.
【READ/CLEAR CODES & DTC LOOKUP】- No search online & saving your time, this vehicle car code reader retrieves generic (P0, P2, P3, and U0), manufacturer specific (P1, P3, and U1) codes, pending codes and displays DTC definitions based on the built-in database(more than 3000 codes) on the TFT screen, find out the root causes and clear the codes after fixed.
【LIVE DATA & RETRIEVE FREEZE FRAME】 - This diagnostic scan tool for accurate diagnosis enables you to retrieve data from vehicle sensors, such as Engine RPM, Intake air temperature, Short/Long term fuel, Misfire data and etc. The freeze frame is stored in the PCM together with the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the fault. Comparable to a fixd car diagnostic tool, the VD10 car code reader car scanner can be a valuable & practical diagnostic aid and also greatly help when diagnosing intermittent problems.
【I/M READINESS for THE S-nn-0-g CHECK】- OBDII vehicle may not pass the annual inspection unless the required monitors since reset are complete. So you should at least read the readiness monitors and make sure they are ready. This car obd2 scanner diagnostic tool is equipped with I/M readiness function to check the operations of the e-m-issi0n system on OBD2 compliant vehicles, run I/M monitor readiness test, checking if the pass vehicle s-m-0-g inspection.

Rank No. #5

Autel OBD2 Scanner MS309 Universal Car Engine Fault Code Reader, Check Engine Light and Emission Monitor Status, OBDII CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool

🔥【On-Screen DTC Definition, Save Time & Easy To Use】Autel MS309 OBD2 code reader with UPGRADED CHIP to retrive and clear generic(P0, P2, P3 and U0), manufacturer-specific(P1, P3 and U1) and pending codes, and display DTCs(Diagnostic Trouble Codes) meanings under the codes based on the built-in database(more than 3000 codes). Don't need to spend much time to search meanings on the internet. This advanced plug-and-play MS309 scanner saves you time - a must-have obd2 scanner for each car owner.
🔥【Retrieve Freeze Frame Data &Vehicle info】The more specific the information available, the clearer the problem. The OBD2 scanner MS309 can retrieve freeze frame data, including important engine parameters like RPM, fuel pressure, fuel trim, engine coolant temperature, etc. Also it can retrieve Vehicle Information such as VIN number, Calibration ID(s), Calibration Verification Nos. (CVNs), etc, which is useful to check whether the ECU matches when you are buying a used car.
🔥【Read Codes & Clear Codes】Knowing the codes in advance will brace you for the repair cost estimate so that you won't be fooled and get overcharged by the repair shop.This Autel MaxiScan MS309 obd2 scanner scans OBD2-compliant vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) in seconds to pinpoint emission-related issues. The little guy can do many basic but necessary works: read/clear codes, view DTC definition, turn off check engine light, check I/M Readiness status, retrieve freeze frame data and vehicle info.
🔥【Turn Off Check Engine Light】When your car detects an emission related problem, Check Engine Light will be turned on. Do you want to spend hundreds of dollars to turn off this light every time, maybe it's just a gas cap that's not tightened or needs to change bad parts like spark plugs and ignition coils? With Autel MS309 scan tool, you can read code to quickly find out why the check engine light is on and reset it.
🔥【Ready For Annual Smog Check】If the OBD II Readiness Monitors on your car are not “Ready”, your car may fail the smog check. MS309 OBD2 scanner can retrieve I/M Readiness status to check the monitors like misfire monitor, fuel system monitor, comprehensive components monitor, catalyst monitor, O2 sensors, EVAP, etc, to help your car ready pass the annual smog check. That way you won't waste time and money on a failed smoke check.

Last update on 2025-07-03 / Affiliate links / Product Titles, Images, Descriptions from Amazon Product Advertising API

How Do You Buy The Best Cheap Code Reader?

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We’ve done the best we can with our thoughts and recommendations, but it’s still crucial that you do thorough research on your own for Cheap Code Reader that you consider buying. Your questions might include the following:

Is it worth buying an Cheap Code Reader?
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We provide an Cheap Code Reader buying guide, and the information is totally objective and authentic. We employ both AI and big data in proofreading the collected information. How did we create this buying guide? We did it using a custom-created selection of algorithms that lets us manifest a top-10 list of the best available Cheap Code Reader currently available on the market.

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Brand Value: Every brand of Cheap Code Reader has a value all its own. Most brands offer some sort of unique selling proposition that’s supposed to bring something different to the table than their competitors.
Features: What bells and whistles matter for an Cheap Code Reader?
Specifications: How powerful they are can be measured.
Product Value: This simply is how much bang for the buck you get from your Cheap Code Reader.
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Customer Reviews: Closely related to ratings, these paragraphs give you first-hand and detailed information from real-world users about their Cheap Code Reader.
Product Quality: You don’t always get what you pay for with an Cheap Code Reader, sometimes less, and sometimes more.
Product Reliability: How sturdy and durable an Cheap Code Reader is should be an indication of how long it will work out for you.

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FAQ:

Q: What is the best code reader?

A: QR&Barcode Scanner One of the most stand-out QR code reader apps for those that have an unquenchable thirst for shopping. … QR Code Reader This app is built for those that love simplicity when it comes to reading QR codes for them but also packs some really nice features that … Avira QR Scanner

Q: What is a QR app?

A: A (QR code app) is really the way a user can read a QR code and what information is embedded in it. These apps give your smartphone the capability to scan and decifer the QR code you are wondering about. You can buy QR code apps through your smartphone’s app market.

Q: What is a vehicle code reader?

A: A car code reader is one of the simplest car diagnostic tools that you’ll find. These devices are designed to interface with a car’s computer and report trouble codes in a very no-frills sort of way.

Cheap Code Reader