Whichever type you choose, there are several high-performance OBD-II scanners that cost less than $200. A couple are less than $30. What's important to remember is that the best OBD-II scanners provide the right mix of size, weight and the ability to read your car's fault codes and live data. The most important criteria are:

Different wire cutters have different jaw shapes. More than one type of wire cutter in your toolbox is required, and the topic will be further explored in the forthcoming content.

To test the best OBD2 scanners, I used my 2014 Audi A4 Allroad vehicle while it was in the garage or on the road over a period of several weeks. After connecting each scanner to my car's OBD-II port, I made sure they could report the car's vehicle identification number (VIN).

We found that the CarScan Mobile 1000 offered a huge range of diagnostic features, including Innova's predictive software that can identify potential problems before they go wrong. Better still it has the same part and repair suggestion features, so you know exactly what to ask your mechanic for. On top of that, if you want the scanner to turn your phone into a second set of automotive gauges, that is an option.

The Launch CR529 might well be the best value OBD-II scanner available. Not just because of its $38 price tag, but also because of the level of diagnostic features you're able to get for that price.

We found that the BD310 was one of the easiest scanners to keep around, because it's small and light enough to fit inside your glovebox. Granted this means the 2-inch display feels a little small, and we found the four-key interface to be a little awkward, but it didn't get in the way of figuring out how to diagnose your car.

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Not only is it capable of fixing lights and diagnosing problems, it also features repair help to get your car back on the road, and tools to check that used car you're interested in isn't a lemon. Plus there's lifetime warranty, which is pretty rare but always appreciated.

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The best OBD-II scanners were once expensive luxuries that were exclusive to mechanics and other professionals. Those days are long gone, and we recommend that every driver has one to help diagnose their car problems before hiring a professional. That way you know which issues actually need fixing, and what you can do at home.

If you're looking for something as little more discreet there's the Bluetooth Topdon TopScan, which is completely wireless and is deceptively useful for viewing live data and diagnosing problems inside your car. But if you're on a budget there's the Launch CR529. It costs less than $40, but it's so feature-rich that it can outpace scanners two or three times its price tag.

Ancel's BD310 is a dual-purpose scanner capable of operating as a standard handheld, and when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Better still, it's capable of turning into a secondary display displaying various key engine details inside the cabin.

OBD-II/EOBD scanners work on almost all passenger vehicles sold in the United States since 1996, in Canada since 1998, in the European Union since 2004, and in Australia, Mexico and New Zealand since 2006. If you're unsure where an OBD-II scanner plugs in, gere's how to find your car's OBD-II port on North American cars. If you're living elsewhere, here's how to find your OBD-II/EOBD port worldwide.)

There are a seemingly-infinite number of OBD-II scanners on sale right now, but they're not all made equally. Fortunately we've spent a great deal of time testing OBD-II scanners over the years, many of which cost less than $200. Long gone are the days when these devices were luxuries only professional mechanics could afford, and they're a must-have for every driver's toolbox.

After all, it's how your car dealer or repair shop would figure out what's wrong with your car when you drive (or are towed) in. Why shouldn't you have the same information?

Small and powerful, the Launch CR529 offers all the things you'd want from an OBD-II scanner — and some more high end features you won't find on like-priced rivals. Plus there's lifetime support and upgrades, making this scanner fantastic value for money

Finally, I checked the details provided by the scanner, fixed the problem, turned off the check engine light and erased the error code.

The Carly OBD Scanner offers a lot of great features for your money, and we were particularly impressed with the quality of the companion app. While some Bluetooth scanners offer a pretty basic app experience, Carly has one of the best apps we've ever used.

The Innova 6100P is the kind of OBD-II scanner that will add a professional feel to any amateur mechanic job. That's certainly how we felt during our testing, anyway. This crossover device is able to operate as a standalone handheld unit, though its connection to the Innova app offers a great many more diagnostic abilities.

As an OBD-II scanner, the AL539 is able to show a range of live data, while also offering the ability to run a comprehensive pre-inspection readiness text. Any faults that are uncovered are displayed with red, yellow and green colored lights — green obviously meaning everything is a-ok.

The downside is that not all of the myriad of features available work with every car model. So you're going to need to check just how compatible your car is before you buy. Likewise, as good as the app is, you have to maintain an active subscription if you want anything more than basic OBD features — which can get pricey if you're not careful.

This might as well be a Nintendo Switch for your car's onboard computer thanks to its rugged horizontal case. But its' more that just a sturdy device, since built for professionals as well; as amateur drivers. It's one to consider if you want a powerful scanner than can handle a beating.

Wire cutters play an important role in fields like electrical work, telecommunication, cable management, home improvement, network installation, jewelry making, and other DIY projects. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing a good wire cutter.

The Bosch OBD 1300 diagnostic scanner differentiates itself by offering cables that can connect with a range of pre-1996 cars — including those from Chrysler, Ford, GM, and Toyota. That's not to say you can't use it with newer cars. This scanner offering support for a wide range of diagnostic problems on cars from 1996 to 2013— and offers a database of over 26 million repair suggestions

Some cable cutters on the market feature a long handle to cut thick cables easily, and some also feature a ratcheting mechanism, allowing users to make multiple cuts with minimal effort.

There's more than just the ability to find faults and run I/M Readiness tests. Those may be important things to have, but the TopScan pushes the envelope further with its ability to check performance and efficiency — even going so far as to estimate your car's horsepower and torque.

The perfect OBD-II scanner to make you feel like a professional, this handheld scanner can do a lot more than read or diagnose faults. Paired with the Innova app it actually details what's wrong, parts you need, and how much it should cost. Plus predictive tools to warn you about potential problems in advance.

Look for extras that are included on some models, like an electrical multimeter, the ability to read a manufacturer's proprietary codes or export documents as Acrobat PDF files.

There's a gas tank full of criteria used to determine which OBD scanner is the best one for you. The most important is whether you want one that connects with your phone or tablet's screen over Bluetooth or a handheld unit with its own display and cable.

There are some compromises to be made for that price, like the fact it can't use manufacturer's specialty codes or that it feels pretty heavy in your hand. But it does still offer live data, an instant inspection feature and a surprisingly in-depth look at the inner-workings of your car. Better still the lifetime updates mean you should be able to keep using this scanner for quite some time.

Wire cutters can be classified into various types based on specified applications. For example, the jaw can be tapered or oval. The oval jaw is the standard jaw shape combining strong strength and good durability, and it is often used to cut solid and thick wires; the tapered jaw features less metal in the head and can be used in limited areas. Here are some several commonly used wire cutters.

Regardless of which OBD-II scanner you use, you'll need to crack its code. All fault codes have four numbers and a letter prefix:

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.

For instance, if you get a P0098 code, chances are there's something wrong with the engine's intake air temperature sensor. By contrast, a Ford that displays a P1112 specialty fault code means that the intake air temperature sensor is reporting values intermittently and should be replaced.

Our current favorite OBD-II scanner is the Innova 6100P. Not only does this have the option to diagnosis problems with the handheld scanner or through the Innova app, it can actually predict potential problems ahead of time. There's even information on the kind of repairs and parts you might need, which made us feel more professional than any other scanner we've tested.

Next, think about longevity and get one that includes lifetime warranty or software updates so the scanner will stay current with changing automotive tech.

End cutters are commonly used to cut hard wires, cut and pull nails, and make jewelry. This tool is especially suitable for repetitive hard wire cutting to save labor.

The downside is that this scanner can't draw power from the OBD port. That means you'll have to plug it into your car's cigarette lighter or have some AA batteries handy. There's also no manual or quick start guide, so we had to download a copy from the Bosch website.

Topdon's Phoenix Lite 2 scanner is a pricey bit of kit, more than several other perfectly capable OBD-II scanners, but you are getting an awful lot for your money. Least of which is a scanner than is an ideal fit for amateur diagnosticians and professional mechanics alike.

The 56-inch cable is perfect to hanging over the hood while you work, and all BD310 itself is capable of performing action like an I/M inspection-readiness test or divulging performance details — including coolant temperature, engine timing and engine speed.

If you often work with electrical tasks, you may not only need a cable cutter but also a cable stripper and crimper. At this time, an all-in-one cable cutter is your prior choice.

This cutter is ideal for daily use and suitable for circuit board work, jewelry making, and electrical work. Some flush cutters also feature a built-in spring-loaded mechanism, making it easy to open and use the cutter.

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A flush cutter, also referred to as a flush cutting plier, is a cutting tool with angled jaws that allows for a precise cut. Flush cutters are designed to make a flush cut close to the material’s surface.

A side cutter is used to cut and strip wires and cables. The offset cutting edge is designed to make a clean and smooth cut. Side cutters can be used to cut various materials, including thin metal, zip ties, plastic, and soft wires, but it should be noted they are not suitable for cutting hard materials. Side cutters come in various sizes and designs, allowing you to choose based on your needs. To ensure long-term use of a side cutter, you’d better choose those with hard steel blades.

Autel's Autolink AL539 has a feature you don't often see among OBD-II scanners: A built-in multimeter that can uncover problems in your car's electrical systems. That includes burnt-out cables, electric shorts, alternator voltage, busted fuses and so on. The only major downside is that you can't use the multimeter while the AL359 is plugged in as an OBD-II scanner.

Wire cutters are indispensable hand tools for a diverse range of individuals, including electricians, homeowners, DIY hobbyists, and professional installers. These versatile tools play a crucial role in cutting various materials that require precise material cutting. Different from conventional cutting tools, wire cutters usually feature different designs for specialized uses. We’ll delve into everything about wire cutters in this article, aiming to provide an informative guide for your diverse needs.

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Of the roughly 5,000 diagnostic fault codes available, some are generic and apply to all cars, like air temperature and throttle position. For these, the numeric section starts with a 0. Others are specific to individual carmakers and represent either a special piece of hardware or a more in-depth analysis of the problem. These start with a 1.

The ThinkCar ThinkDiag TKD01 is one of the largest Bluetooth-based OBD-II scanners around, which can make it difficult to install. In fact the 3+ inch size means some cars may need to rely on an extension cable to plug this scanner in. But the upside is that the bulk makes the oval-shaped module more or less indestructible.

The Topdon TopScan may not look like much, but there's more than meets the eye with this Bluetooth scanner. Not only can it connect to your smartphone and beam all the necessary information to your existing device, it manages to go well beyond the abilities of other OBD-II scanners in its class.

There's also live data graphing, fault information, and a bunch more advanced items that most cheaper scanners can only dream of. Just be aware that you only get 2 years of firmware updates, after which you'll have to pay an extra $495 a year.

Handheld OBD-II scanners come with their own screen and cable to plug into the car's OBD port. Wireless OBD2II scanners plug into the port, but then connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet to display their findings.

Then I hit the road to see if the scanner could display operating data such as engine speed, timing and coolant temperature. I paid attention to whether the device reported the data as numbers, graphs or auto-style gauges.

Just be aware that your profile is only free for a single year, after which you'll need to pay an annual subscription fee of at least $40 to retain access.

The design also offers a great many benefits, particularly thanks to the compact and lightweight frame. However the AL539 also has a pull-out stand, which lets it stand on its own, and a generous 58-inch cable. We also found the interface to be very easy to follow, particularly thanks to the icons for all the major functions.

Brian Nadel is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in technology reporting and reviewing. He works out of the suburban New York City area and has covered topics from nuclear power plants and Wi-Fi routers to cars and tablets. The former editor-in-chief of Mobile Computing and Communications, Nadel is the recipient of the TransPacific Writing Award.

Cable cutters are designed to cut various cables, especially electrical cables. The handle of the cable cutter is often insulated to avoid electrical shocks. This cutter features a sharp blade to cleanly cut cables without destroying the cable construction. A high-quality cable cutter features a stiff steel blade and a comfortable handle for easy use.

The best part of that The Phoenix Lite 2 is completely wireless, with the control pad connecting to a Bluetooth receiver that plugs into your car's OBD port. That allows unparalleled movement around the car. The scanner itself is bulky and heavy, but it does offer a kickstand and rugged design that should let it survive any workshop environment.

The easiest Bluetooth scanner to set up, based on our testing, while also offering a range of professional-feeling features in a into its compact design. That means you get diagnostics, repair instructions, parts lists and even predictive features to anticipate imminent problems.

While it may not be suitable for those of you with a more professionally-minded attitude to cars, everyone else could do worse than have the Launch CR529 in their toolbox.

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There are OBD-II scanners that cost 10 times more without being able to perform checks like this. So whether you want to fine-tune your car or just make sure it stays roadworthy, this is one of the best things to have in your toolbox.

As we found during testing for our Innova 6100P review, this is a scanner that has a more involved set-up than most. But once connected we found that the scanner was easy to use, and managed to complete tasks very quickly

The Innova CarScan Mobile 1000 is one of the most innovative Bluetooth OBD-II scanners we've ever tested. Not only is it the easiest wireless OBD-II module we've ever set up, it also packs in a lot of the same incredibly useful and innovative features you'd find on larger Innova scanners.

Wire cutters, or diagonal pliers, stand as indispensable hand tools applied in low-voltage projects such as electrical tasks and network installations. They are mainly used to cut various wires but can also be used to cut materials like plastic and thin metal. The wire cutter is composed of two parts: the short part is called the jaw and the longer part is known as the handle. Wire cutters are usually made of hard steel and feature sharp cutting edges.

Finally, the price for these sophisticated devices is right on par with professional-level scanners that are available for under $100. That's barely an hour's labor for a qualified mechanic, making it a win-win purchase.

The end cutter has a unique jaw shape, and the cutting edges are located at the tip of the jaws, allowing users to get close to the materials to cut. The cutting edges are parallel to each other for straight and smooth flush cutting.

If you're looking for insights into how your vehicle is working or what's wrong under the hood, there's no better way than to plug in one of the best OBD-II scanners and read the results.

It's a little pricey too, but if you're the proud owner of an older car and still need an OBD-II scanner to check out what's going on under the hood, this is worth picking up.

Then, how about screen size for a handheld scanner? Get the biggest, brightest and easiest display to read that is icon based for easy changes. If you're clumsy, look at rugged scanners with rubber bumpers to absorb the shock of being dropped.

ThinkDiag's app offers profiles fore more than 100 automakers, which makes it ideal for locating manufacturer-specific error codes. This scanner is also able to show extended fault codes and can deal with errors like the oil-change light and monitor key car systems with minimal fuss. Like Innova the scanner is also able to predict when future problems may arise, but sadly doesn't offer any advice on how to deal with the issue.

Some people call side cutters diagonal cutters, but it’s worth noting that there are some slight differences between them. The diagonal cutter is often applied in delicate cutting tasks, while the side cutter can be used in larger tasks.

While capable as an OBD-II scanner, the Ancel BD310 can also be used to augment your car's dashboard with a range of engine specs. That's on top of a simple and elegant design, smartphone compatibility, and a very reasonable price tag.

For the wireless scanners, I connected to my Apple iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface or Samsung Galaxy S9+ phone via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. The handheld scanners only needed to be plugged into the OBD-II port, which provides power.

Not all car access ports are created equally, and your pre-1996 beater may not work with the majority of scanners on sale. Thankfully the Bosch OBD 1300 comes with cables for older motors, and has a range of repair suggestions to get you back on the road.

To optimize the performance and extend the longevity of your wire cutter, regular maintenance is paramount. Consider the following guidelines for maintaining and utilizing your wire cutter effectively:

Next, I measured the cord's length on the handheld scanners and the wireless range on the others. With the car running, I monitored the engine and other vital systems, and then disconnected the engine's oil temperature sensor.

We feel that the $140 Innova 6100P has all the features any driver will need from an OBD-II scanner. Its 2.8-inch color screen displays everything from live data to fault codes to a pre-inspection I/M readiness check. It can even predict when components might fail in the near future, and what repairs and parts your car may need at any given time.

Here are the best OBD-II scanners you can buy right now, based on our own hands-on testing. You can scroll down the page to find more in-depth information about each mode, and what makes them so good at what they do.

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