Ancel Scanner: Top 7 Picks Review and Comparison 2023

Our editors pick the products & services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Learn more.

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 Review

Editor's PicksProductsOur Rating
Best OverallANCEL AD310 CAN OBD29.5/10
Runner UpANCEL AD410 OBD2 Scanner9.5/10
Best Budget BuyANCEL VD500 OBD28.5/10
Best ValueANCEL FX2000 Full-System OBD28.5/10
Also GreatANCEL FX4000 Full-System7.5/10

1. ANCEL AD310 CAN OBD2 Automotive Code Reader

ANCEL AD310
Ancel AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD2 Scanner
4.6
This scanner is for the casual vehicle owner that just needs the bare essentials.

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.

It shows live data, freeze frame data, and even retrieves vehicle-specific information.
It shows live data, freeze frame data, and even retrieves vehicle-specific information. 
—-

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 Amazon
A video of ANCEL AD310

2. ANCEL AD410 OBD2 Scanner With Auto Check Engine/ O2 Sensor/ Live Data

ANCEL AD410
ANCEL AD410 OBD2 Scanner With Auto Check Engine/ O2 Sensor/ Live Data
4.5
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.

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. 

Ancel AD410’s build quality is pretty great
Ancel AD410’s build quality is pretty great
—–

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 Amazon

3. ANCEL VD500 OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool

ANCEL VD500
ANCEL VD500 OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool for VW/ Audi with ABS/SRS/ Transmission Systems
4.5
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.

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. 

Ancel scan tool will provide extra functionality for owners of VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat owners
Ancel scan tool will provide extra functionality for owners of VW, Audi, Skoda, and Seat owners.
—–

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 Amazon
A video of ANCEL VD500

4. ANCEL FX2000 Full-System OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool

ANCEL FX2000
ANCEL FX2000 Full-System OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool
4.5
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.

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. 

It supports all 10 OBD2 modes
It supports all 10 OBD2 modes
—–

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 FX4000 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 Amazon
A video of ANCEL FX2000

5. ANCEL FX4000 Full-System Automotive OBD2 Scanner

FOXWELL NT510
ANCEL FX4000 Full-System Automotive OBD2 Scanner for Check Engine/ ABS/ SRS/ Transmission
3.8
This Ancel code reader is for vehicle enthusiasts that want the widest range of features without buying a professional scanner.

The Ancel FX4000 is significantly more expensive than the previous entries at $250, but it provides a ton of features that vehicle enthusiasts will love. It isn’t quite a professional grade scanner, but it’s about as advanced as a standard OBD2 scanner can be. 

It features all 10 OBD2 modes (full OBD2 functionality,) EPB service, oil light reset, emission testing, O2 sensor testing, and I/M readiness testing. Additionally, it can read and clear codes from the ABS, SRS, transmission, TPMS, and EPB. 

This Ancel scanner is compatible with 40 U.S. car brands and supports most models made after 1996. When it comes to European cars, most models made after 2001 will be compatible, and Asian vehicles made after 2003 will usually be supported. 

Plus, it supports gas engines as well as diesel engines, which is a huge plus. In addition to its incredible functionality, the Ancel FX4000 has an incredibly outstanding design and build quality. It looks unlike most scanners, so if you like a standout design, this is a great option. 

It features all 10 OBD2 modes
It features all 10 OBD2 modes
—–

Pros

  • Wide range of vehicle compatibility
  • High-quality and unusual design
  • Full OBD2 functionality (all 10 OBD2 modes) 
  • Reads and clears codes from ABS, SRS, transmission, TPMS, and EPB
  • Works with gas and diesel vehicles

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not all features will work with all vehicles

Who is it for and why?

This Ancel code reader is for vehicle enthusiasts that want the widest range of features without buying a professional scanner. It’ll work with a large number of vehicles and performs a large number of functions. However, it’s just shy of being the kind of scanner a mechanic would use. 

Check Price at Amazon

6. ANCEL FX6000 Full-System OBD2 Scanner

ANCEL FX6000
ANCEL FX6000 Full-System OBD2 Scanner with ECU Programming & Coding
3.2
This Ancel scanner is for professional mechanics and hardcore vehicle enthusiasts. It has all the features that you could want.

This Ancel scanner is by far the most expensive on this list. That’s because this is a professional grade scanner for those that want the widest variety of features at their disposal. At $480, the FX6000 has a steep price, but it’s a price that mechanics will be glad to pay. 

Besides its full OBD2 functionality, the Ancel FX6000 features SAS, and emission testing. Additionally, it even offers audio monitoring, TPMS, and oil service. The biggest upside to professional scanners like this is their inclusion of long coding.

Most scanners have a handful of preset codes that you can implement. On the other hand, with long coding, you can manually enter any code. This allows you to do basically anything that you want. 

These features are all that most mechanics will need to perform any and all OBD2-related tasks. Aesthetically-speaking, the FX6000 is a lot like the FX4000. That’s not a bad thing! This is a sleek-looking scanner. 

It’s compatible with almost all vehicles made after 1996 in the U.S. However, there are still some vehicles made after 1996 that won’t be compatible. Additionally, it’s compatible with OBD1 vehicles, but you need an adapter to use it with them. 

 With long coding, you can manually enter any code.
With long coding, you can manually enter any code.
—–

Pros

  • Full OBD2 functionality
  • Long coding
  • Unique and attractive design
  • Audio monitoring
  • Displays ABS, SAS, SRS, and transmission codes
  • Wide range of vehicle compatibility

Cons

  • Not all features work with all vehicles
  • Some post-1996 vehicles still won’t be supported.

Who is it for and why?

This Ancel scanner is for professional mechanics and hardcore vehicle enthusiasts. It has all the features that you could want. The only downside is that it isn’t compatible with a few vehicles, so check your vehicle’s compatibility before purchasing.

Check Price at Amazon

7. ANCEL AD610 Elite Full OBD2 Scanner

ANCEL AD610
ANCEL AD610 Elite Full OBD2 Scanner With ABS/ Airbag/ Live Data Systems
4.2
This Ancel code reader is for vehicle enthusiasts, but it isn’t quite advanced enough for mechanics.

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. 

this scanner can display your live data in graph form
This scanner can display your live data in graph form.
—-

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 Amazon

The 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 9 Best BMW Scan Tools HERE

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.