Automotive · Head-to-head
OBDLink MX+ vs BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best OBD2 Scanners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The OBDLink MX+ is the best all-round buy: a genuine, secure dongle that reads far beyond generic codes and works with the widest range of apps. The BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro is the pick for beginners who'd rather be handed likely fixes than raw data.
OBDLink MX+
Buy itThe most capable phone-paired dongle: a genuine, secure chip that reads far more than generic codes.
- Reads and clears enhanced, manufacturer-specific codes (ABS, airbag/SRS, TPMS and more on many makes), not just generic engine codes
- Fast, reliable hardware that plays nicely with the free OBDLink app plus a huge range of third-party apps (FORScan, BimmerCode, Car Scanner and others)
- Very low standby battery draw and a security lock so it can be left plugged in without inviting trouble
- Needs a phone, tablet or laptop plus an app - there's no built-in screen
- The deepest enhanced-diagnostic and coding features often live behind one-time in-app purchases in third-party apps
BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool
Buy itThe friendliest way to go from trouble code to "here's what's probably wrong and how to fix it."
- Best-in-class guided Repair Reports that pair your code and vehicle with verified likely fixes in plain English - with no subscription
- Handles enhanced diagnostics on many makes (ABS, airbag/SRS, transmission) plus smog/emissions readiness, freeze frame and mode 6
- Genuinely beginner-proof app and a solidly built dongle owners report lasting for years
- Locked to BlueDriver's own app - it will not pair with third-party apps like the OBDLink MX+ does
- Live-data logging and advanced tinkering are shallower than a power user's toolkit; enhanced coverage varies by make
Side by side
| OBDLink MX+ | BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | DIYers and enthusiasts who want the most data and OEM-level access for the money and don't mind using their phone. | First-time DIYers who want clear repair guidance rather than a wall of raw data. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the OBDLink MX+ - The most capable phone-paired dongle: a genuine, secure chip that reads far more than generic codes. Choose the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool instead if first-time DIYers who want clear repair guidance rather than a wall of raw data.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best OBD2 Scanners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).