Finding the best Ancel scanner can be tough. Ancel scanners are among the best OBD2 scanners on the market. That being said, not every scanner will be perfect for every user.
More features typically mean a higher price tag, but most users won’t use every feature included in the top-tier scanners. Check out this list to find an OBD2 live data scanner with all of the features that you need. This way, you won’t be paying for features you won’t use.
Now, let’s rock with Ancel OBD2 Scanners!
Best Ancel Scanners Comparison Chart
Editor's Picks | Products | Our Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | ANCEL FX2000 | 9.5/10 |
Runner Up | ANCEL AD610 Plus | 9.2/10 |
Best Cheap | ANCEL AD310 | 9.0/10 |
Also Great | ANCEL AD410 | 8.8/10 |
Best Value | ANCEL VD500 | 8.5/10 |
Table of Contents
Best Ancel Scanners Review
1. ANCEL AD310
This Ancel Scanner doesn’t have the most features on this list, but it offers one of the best overall values. For a $35 OBD2 scanner, it does quite a lot, and it looks and feels very high-quality.
The build quality is solid, and this OBD2 live data scanner features a large, bright LED display that’s a real pleasure to use. It does just about everything you’d expect an entry-level scanner to do. It shows live data, freeze frame data, and even retrieves vehicle-specific information.
Additionally, it can perform EVAP tests, and you can easily use this scanner to look up the meanings of your error codes.
It works on vehicles with 12V batteries and standard OBD2 protocols. This includes most U.S. vehicles made after 1996 and most cars made after 2000 in the EU and Asia.
Pros
- Great-looking display
- Great build quality
- Inexpensive
- Features definition-lookup
- Wide range of compatibility
Cons
- Doesn’t read ABS/SRS test codes
- Doesn’t store data automatically
Who is it for and why?
This scanner is for the casual vehicle owner that just needs the bare essentials. It’ll save you a lot of money compared to most other scanners, and it provides basic users with all of the features that they’re likely to need.
Check Price at Amazon2. ANCEL AD410
This Ancel Scanner is a small step up from the last entry on our list. The Ancel AD410 is a lot like the Ancel AD310, but it comes with some extra functionality that some users will want. At $45, it’s about $10 more expensive than the Ancel AD310.
Like the AD310, the Ancel AD410’s build quality is pretty great, and its display is very bright and attractive. Similarly, these two scanners are the same in terms of vehicle compatibility. However, the Ancel AD410 features an O2 sensor test that the AD310 lacks.
Pros
- Great-looking display
- Great build quality
- Inexpensive
- Features definition-lookup
- Great vehicle compatibility
- Features an O2 sensor test
Cons
- Doesn’t read ABS/SRS test codes
- Doesn’t store data automatically
Who is it for and why?
Like the Ancel AD310, the Ancel AD410 is for casual vehicle owners that don’t need a ton of features. The only significant difference between the two is the AD410’s inclusion of an O2 sensor test.
If that’s a test mode you need, the AD410’s $10 price increase will be money well spent. If not, you’ll be fine with the AD310, and you’ll save $10.
Check Price at Amazon3. ANCEL VD500
One more step up, we have the VD500. It’s about $10 more than the VD410 at $55, and for that extra $10 you get a few extra features. This won’t be the case for all users. While it provides extra features, these extra features will only work on a few select vehicles.
Specifically, this Ancel scan tool will provide extra functionality for owners of VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat owners. If you have one of these vehicles, the Ancel VD500 will be able to read codes from the transmission, ABS, SAS, ESP, and TPMS.
Most scanners in this price range won’t read codes from many systems. If you’re using one of the vehicles mentioned above, this scanner is a great deal that you shouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Compact design
- Wide range of vehicle compatibility
- Extra functionality with select vehicles
- Supports EPB service
Cons
- Not all features work with all vehicles
- Only worth the price for VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat owners
Who is it for and why?
This Ancel scanner is for owners of VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat owners. For owners of these vehicles, this scanner provides a lot of features at a much lower price than similar scanners. If you don’t own one of these vehicles, cheaper scanners will provide the same functionality.
Check Price at Amazon4. ANCEL FX2000
This Ancel code reader has a lot of the same features as the AD510, but the more advanced features are supported by a much a wider range of vehicles. Keep in mind, all features still won’t work on all vehicles.
Older models won’t support the same number of features as newer models, and that’ll be true no matter what scanner you’re using. The limitations, in this case, lie with the vehicle as opposed to the scanner. That being said, this scanner provides a ton of features for only $160.
Additionally, this is one of the slickest-looking scanners on this list, and the build quality is superb. Its horizontal design and high-quality LCD display make for a very satisfying user experience. If aesthetic appeal matters to you, this scanner is a good choice.
It supports all 10 OBD2 modes (full OBD2 functionality). Additionally, it features live data, performance evaluations, I/M readiness, airbag testing, ABS testing, and transmission testing. You can even view this data in graph form if you wish.
Pros
- High-quality, durable build
- LCD display
- Full OBD2 functionality (all 10 OBD2 modes)
- Tests airbags, ABS, and transmission
- Graphs data
Cons
- Can’t reset oil light
- Not all features are supported by older vehicles
Who is it for and why?
This FX2000 is perfect for vehicle enthusiasts that want a scanner with a lot of features. It isn’t quite advanced enough to make professional mechanics happy, but it comes close.
If you aren’t using this professionally, it’ll likely provide you with more features than you’ll use. Still, it’s nice to have those features at your disposal.
Check Price at Amazon5. ANCEL AD610 Plus
This Ancel scan tool is a massive upgrade compared to the previous entries, but the extra functionality comes at a steep price. The Ancel VD610 is $135, but it has a ton of features that vehicle enthusiasts will really appreciate.
In addition to everything that the previous two entries do, this scanner can display your live data in graph form. Plus it can scan ABS, SRS, and SAS engine codes.
That’s a lot of additional functionality, and if these are features you’ll use, this scanner is worth the extra cost. It has the same near-universal compatibility as the last two scanners. If your vehicle is made after 1996 and uses standard OBD2 protocols, it’ll likely be compatible.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Bright, crisp display
- Graphs live data
- Reads codes from ABS, SRS, and SAS
- Wide range of vehicle compatibility
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t test all systems
Who is it for and why?
This Ancel code reader is for vehicle enthusiasts, but it isn’t quite advanced enough for mechanics. While it is absolutely loaded with features, it won’t test all of a vehicle’s systems. If you’re a professional or want a scanner that tests all systems, you’ll need a more advanced scanner.
Check Price at AmazonThe Bottom Line
Here, we’ve included a wide range of Ancel scanners that should meet the needs of a wide variety of users. If you need to, check which features you’ll need, and go through this list again.
You’ll find a scanner that includes everything you need. There’s no need to pay more for a scanner with a lot of features you’ll never use. Most average users can get away with spending $30-$60 on a scanner, while more advanced users may want something closer to $200.
Mechanics, on the other hand, will be spending close to $500 for a scanner that offers all of the features that they’ll need for day to day vehicle repairs. Whichever category you fall into, you’ll find an OBD2 live data scanner on this list that perfectly suits your needs.
Bonus: Read more information about the Best BMW Scan Tools HERE