If you’ve been in search of a great OBD2 scanner, you will understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect one. There’s an abundance of products out there on the market, making big claims, leaving you confused as to which product to invest in.
When it comes to OBD2 scanners, it is always better to buy a brand-specific model. As the years go by, Ford designs keep getting more sophisticated and smarter, which calls for smart diagnostic tools to allow your car’s best performance.
Here we have some of the best Ford OBD2 scanners on the market. Furthermore, we have also discussed all there is to know about these scanners in detail to deal with any confusion you might have.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for OBD2 Scanners Ford
- OUR TOP PICK: BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBDII
- FOXWELL NT301
- ELM327 FORScan
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Veepeak Mini WiFi OBD2
- Innova 3100i
Comparison Chart of the Best Ford OBD2 Scanners
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Our Top Pick
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Best Budget Option
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How Does an OBD2 Scanner Work?
If you’re unfamiliar with the terminology, this section will prove to be useful for you. OBD2 is the short form for the on-board diagnostic system, which is a standard system that is found in cars, Jeeps, SUVs, trucks, etc. It performs the function of self-diagnosis and makes you aware of any error or abnormality in your car system.
Innova 3100i
It functions similar to what a human nervous system works like but just for your car. Here, it maintains homeostasis by sending and receiving commands to different systems of your car to keep it running smoothly without any errors.
An OBD2 scanner is used to decipher all the gathered information sent by the OBD2 system. A scanner can work to present understandable information to you about your car battery, engine, coolant, throttle, RPM, etc.
Can Any OBD2 Scanner Be Used on a Ford?
Not all OBD2 scanners will work for your car. The reason behind this is their compatibility. This is solely the reason why it is better to opt for a brand-specific product. Many brands make models that are compatible with Ford cars; however, some don’t. There is a compatibility list that every brand features on its website and urges the consumer to check the compatibility of their car model with the product to avoid any inconvenience, which is a good practice. Fortunately, Ford is a company that is compatible with most OBD2 scanners, given that a huge mass drives Ford cars; thus, you won’t have any trouble finding a compatible product for your liking.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Models
You may wonder what exactly about an OBD2 makes it special? How do you tell if you’ve finally stumbled upon the product that is perfect for your needs? Well, there are certain factors that need to be considered, prior to investing in a scanner. Let’s take a look at them:
Brand
It is important to invest in a good quality unit made by a renowned brand. The reason behind this is that this way, you will know what to expect from the product as the quality is consistent. Plus, you won’t have to worry about it being compatible with your car as renowned brands ensure reliability.
User-Convenience
Make sure there are built-in features in the scanner that allow you to use the product with ease and convenience, such as on-screen info and live feed. They allow easy monitoring and diagnostics of any problem. Furthermore, many scanners will have an app that will work in conjunction with them to allow you to monitor your vehicle or even more than one vehicle at a time, which can be useful if you’re a mechanic.
Data Storage
The method of data storage your OBD2 scanner employs is a very important factor to consider. You might want to buy a scanner featuring organized data storage if you are someone who deals with a lot of vehicles at a time.
Quick Take - Best Ford OBD2 Scanners
In a hurry? Here's a snapshot of the best Ford OBD2 scanners:
Review of the Best Ford OBD2 Scanners
Here is a list of some great recommendations of the best OBD2 Scanners on the market. We have categorized them to make the selection easier for you. These products are worthy of investment and come from great manufacturers.
Best Overall:
BlueDriver LSB2 Bluetooth Pro OBDII
PROS
- Provides free unlimited vehicle repair reports
- Easy-to-use app with an excellent user interface
- Comes with the Bluedriver app to easily monitor your vehicle
- Can display data as a graph, gauge or Digital display, ensuring convenience
- Portable design comes with all the capabilities of an expensive handheld scanner
CONS
- Needs expanded live monitoring
- Bluetooth loses connection at times
- Does not monitor the temperature differences between coolant and engine oil in a diesel vehicle
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are incredibly impressed with the working of this unit. It isn’t just engineered by an incredible brand that is renowned globally for making excellent quality products but also lives up to the standards it claims. The ease of use and easy-to-understand nature of this product makes it a consumer favorite.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for having an incredible design. It is portable and showcases features that would be expected from a much higher-end product. It works in conjunction with an app that has an incredible user-interface and is free to download. Furthermore, it is incredibly easy to decipher and get a good understanding.
Who Will Use This Most
It works for many models, and Ford happens to be one of them. It is incredibly easy and basic to decipher; thus, it would be great for someone using a scanner for the first time. It doesn’t break the bank, is easy to handle and user-friendly, making it perfect for a beginner.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a great unit. It comes from a reputable brand, functions well, and is of excellent quality. You can’t go wrong with this product. It is engineered with great features to be highly user-convenient. The quality and the convenience it provides its users to make it a great investment for everyone.
Runner-up:
FOXWELL NT301
PROS
- Has a hand held design which makes it portable and easy to store
- Can display live data in both digital and graph to make it easy to read
- Easy to access keyboard with clear labeling and easy-to-view, big screen
- Built-in DTC library allows it to diagnose the cause of the check engine light accurately
- Displays on-screen DTC definitions to make the problem easy to understand for the user
CONS
- Doesn’t work for all cars
- Instructional manual is hard to understand
- Software isn’t the most intuitive and needs some warming up to
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are thoroughly impressed with the working of this unit. It is highly functional yet easy to understand and use. The overall design is incredibly user-friendly as well, which leaves the consumers impressed. The excellent quality is what was expected by the brand, which is what they delivered.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for being a product that has such a complex functionality but somehow manages to break it to the bare basics to make it understandable to its users. The incredibly convenient external build and easy-to-use design makes it better, compared to many of its counterparts.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit would be perfect for anyone who wants a basic tool for diagnosis or troubleshooting problems. It makes it very easy to understand the error or the cause behind the check engine light and offers simple explanations that help in fixing the problem. It would be perfect for anyone who has trouble understanding technical terminologies.
Bottom Line
All in all, this scanner is an incredible investment for multiple reasons. It breaks down a complex problem to the bare bones to make it easy to understand, which is what makes it truly exceptional. There aren’t many products of such sort out on the market, making it a great investment.
Best for the Money:
ELM327 FORScan
PROS
- Comes with installation instructions which are easy to follow
- Consistent performance and speed make it incredibly reliable
- Works in conjunction with an app, making it incredibly convenient
- Comes with a money-back guarantee and has incredible customer service
- Specially constructed and best for Ford yet works for other models such as Mazda, Lincoln, and Mercury cars
CONS
- USB cable isn’t of the best quality or durable
- Has a labeling error which makes the installation process difficult
- Installation of adapter and drivers is a long and laborious process
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are incredibly impressed with the performance and overall construction of this unit, as it seems to be of great quality. From the installation to the diagnostic properties, this unit excels in it all. The great price point makes it a great value for money and has the consumers thoroughly impressed by its working.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for multiple reasons, one of them being the excellent price point it gives without compromising on the quality of the product. The instructions are easy to follow, even though the process is extensive. You can easily do it yourself without being on the phone for hours with customer service.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great for anyone who is on a budget and has been struggling to find a good product to fit their range. It functions perfectly without compromising on the quality yet is affordable and doesn’t break the bank. The instructions it comes with are easy to follow; thus, installation is easy as well.
Bottom Line
The Elm327 is a great unit overall. You can’t go wrong with it, given that it comes from a great brand that is known to engineer some excellent products. Plus, it is a very affordable product; thus, it would fit many people’s budget, making it an incredible investment and worthy of consideration.
PROS
- Works with an array of cars, trucks, SUVs, etc.
- Customer service is easy to reach and very helpful
- A budget-friendly option and is easy to carry due to the size
- Works on a third-party app for easy access to your car health diagnostics
- Has a hassle-free 12 month replacement guarantee, ensuring easy fixes
CONS
- App interface isn’t the greatest
- Doesn’t have a Bluetooth option
- Difficult to remove as the product itself is small, and the plug is deep
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are incredibly happy with this purchase. It seems to really impress the masses with its simple design and superior functionality. This product works wonderfully as a diagnostic tool, yet it isn’t hard to configure and set up. The instruction manual that comes with it turned out to be very useful for consumers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for multiple reasons. Firstly, this product has the perfect shape, size, and design. It is well made, and the hardware could not be better. Furthermore, it works to make the user aware of all errors in the easiest way to understand.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great for anyone who needs a no-hassle, easy to work with, affordable car scanning tool. It is truly remarkable, given the fact that it is compact yet well-designed, allowing it to be easy to travel with. It is compatible with an array of cars and SUV models, which makes it great.
Bottom Line
All in all, it is an incredible product that features an excellent design, is highly functional, and is made from superior quality materials. It is durable and convenient for an average user. It comes from a renowned brand that ensures reliability and stands true to its claims.
5. Innova 3100i
PROS
- Excellent customer service which is a great help
- Convenient for the user as it features an ergonomic design
- Effective and efficient in diagnosing car health due to the advanced software
- Array of features allow diagnosing various errors that cause the check engine light to turn on
- Web-based service created to work in conjunction with the product to help solve the issues after diagnosis of the problem
CONS
- Does not work for all GM vehicles
- Has an associated subscription fee to access the website
- Instructions are not specific enough and cause confusion
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were impressed with the practical design and high functionality of this product. They did find the instructions to be vague, but the website contains all the relevant information for the product, which is convenient. Furthermore, users especially commended its efficiency as the unit diagnoses errors within minutes thanks to the updated software it features.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for being of great quality and having a very high functionality. It features multiple elements that make the diagnosis of any problem very easy. The customer service is of great help as well, making this product reliable and overall pretty convenient for everyone.
Who Will Use This Most
It is an excellent product for entry-level mechanics. It has all your basics in one place. The design is simply phenomenal and works incredibly well. The product itself has an array of features that would work for an average consumer well. It is well-engineered and functions perfectly.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is an incredible product that is worthy of investment as the construction, functionality, and quality performance make it a must-have. It might just become your favorite tool once you get used to using it.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality OBD2 Scanner For Your Ford
Are you still unsure about which product to invest in? If you still can’t make up your mind and all the technical terminologies are simply getting you even more confused, then perhaps, considering the benefits of investing in an OBD2 scanner for Ford will give you a better perspective of the entire situation. Let’s take a look at them:
Compatibility
As much as having many options can be confusing, it also gives you a variety to consider. There are multiple great quality brands nowadays, which are acclaimed for creating Ford-compatible scanners that function very well. You are bound to find one compatible with your model upon minor research without any hassle.
Price Point
You don’t have to worry about an OBD2 Scanner breaking the bank. The versatility also ensures there are products in every price range. You can surely find one that fits your budget upon considering multiple products without compromising on the quality of the unit.
Effective and Efficient
There are multiple features built-in that make a scanner’s functionality feasible, effective, and efficient. One such feature is the on-screen info that allows you to clearly view all the design codes with their respective definitions on the screen for better diagnostics. Live feed also aids in understanding the root of the problem.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that you can only find the best product for yourself if you take the time to research your product, your car, the products you’re eyeing, and take time to compare their prices, features, etc.
Never rush into buying something as important as an OBD2 scanner; otherwise, you’ll end up investing in a product that isn’t compatible with your car or simply doesn’t perform up to the mark, especially given the abundance of products on the market.
