I’m the first person to admit that I know nothing about cars. If it requires anything more complicated than filling up the gas tank, I’m almost certainly going to be making a trip to a mechanic or dealership where I’ll be at the mercy of what they tell me my car needs. For all I know, this method has already cost me thousands of dollars! They say information is power, but it can also save you money.
A smart car health monitor can help you diagnose problems in your vehicle before you have to blindly trust a mechanic with those issues. When you dreaded “check engine” light comes on, it can give you a much more detailed description of the problem you’re facing. This way you’re not flying (or, more accurately, driving) blind.
What is a smart car health monitor?
These little devices plug directly into your car’s OBD2 port and then connect to an application on your smartphone. The app will alert you to any issues with the car, and depending on which monitor you choose will also give you other “car health” data.
Why You Need a smart car health monitor
Smart car health monitors make you a better, more knowledgeable car owner. You’ll know right away when there’s a problem with your vehicle, and how urgent the problem is. This is a huge asset when it comes to you and your family’s safety, as well as for the longevity of your vehicle.
Related: How to Use an Item Tracker as a Car Locator
How to Install a smart car health monitor
Installation for smart car health monitors is incredibly simple. All you have to do is locate your car’s OBD2 port, which is typically below or near the steering wheel, and plug the device in. Once you connect to the accompanying mobile application on your smartphone, you’ll be good to go.
How much do smart car health monitors cost?
The majority of smart car health monitors cost between $12-$99, a very reasonable amount for such a useful device.
The Best Smart OBD2 Scanners
Keep your vehicle in excellent health with one of the smart OBD2 car scanners from our list below!
8. VYNCS Pro – Best Parental Control
Knowing the health of your car is powerful information for your vehicle maintenance and your family’s safety. Especially if you have young drivers in your home, keeping apprised of your car’s location and vital stats is a major consideration.
The VYNCS Pro device can help you track your car’s location, will send alerts if the vehicle goes out of a selected range (like your daughter’s route to school), and provide important information about fuel and emissions.
Key Benefits
- Fuel economy and emission score information
- Monitor vehicle location via GPS and vital car health information
- No subscription
What Users Are Saying
This product has a great score of 4.2/5 on Amazon, with users saying that it works well and they rarely get false reports from the device.
Read reviews of the VYNCS Pro on Amazon!
7. ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX – Best Free Software
One downside to some smart car health monitors is that some of the less expensive ones require you to either purchase software to use them effectively, or they require you to research third party applications to use which can be time consuming and frustrating.
At just a slightly higher price point, the ScanTool device comes with a free software application that no only works perfectly with the device, but also helps you to integrate with third party software that will make the application even more effective.
Key Benefits
- Free software
- Wireless security
- Works on all cars made after 1996, except hybrid and electric
What Users Are Saying
This product has an excellent 4.3/5 star ranking on Amazon, with users saying they love how well the application works and that they benefit from quality information about their vehicle.
Read reviews of the ScanTool on Amazon!
6. Foseal Scanner Diagnostic Tool – Best Sensor Data
Like I said, I’m not the best when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of my car. This is bad for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I wouldn’t know about any impending problems before they become actual problems. If you’re not aware of your vehicle’s fuel system statistics, engine RPM, and oxygen levels it is hard to be a good car owner.
The Foseal monitor is a great option for learning about your car’s status with consistency over time. These sensor monitors can help you know when issues are beginning to arise, so you can fix them before they become larger problems.
Key Benefits
- Comprehensive sensor data, including fuel pressure, oxygen sensor, fuel system status, and engine RPM
- Excellent customer support
- Wi-Fi compatible for easy communications
What Users Are Saying
Amazon buyers have given this device a very strong 4.4/5 star rating, noting that using it has saved them lots of money at the mechanic.
Read reviews of the Foseal on Amazon!
5. BAFX Products 34t5 – Best Compatibility
With such a simple plug-and-go device, you might wonder how truly compatible smart car health monitors are with your specific car. While many of these products tout that they’ll work with your vehicle, there are some exceptions and limitations to the rule.
One device that’s reviews and description promise superior compatibility is the BAFX. This monitor works with any vehicle made in the USA after 1996, which is the year OBD2 ports became standard in cars.
Key Benefits
- Works on all vehicles made in the USA after 1996
- Connects with third party applications
- Real-time sensor updates sent to your smartphone
What Users Are Saying
Users who purchased this product on Amazon gave it a 4.5/5 star rating, and note that the monitor is a great value for the price and works very well.
Read reviews of the BAFX on Amazon!
4. Panlong Bluetooth Scanner – Best Value
If you’re new to car repairs or OBD2 devices, the last thing you want to do is spend a boatload of money on one. After all, the entire point of getting a smart car health monitor is to save you money!
Luckily, most of these products are quite inexpensive. The Panlong is notably cost-effective, coming in at under $15. This product does all of the standard things that car health monitors do, helping you diagnose and clear many problems without having to go into a mechanic. Not only will you save money on your smart monitor, you’ll save on visits to the shop!
Key Benefits
- Diagnose & clear trouble codes
- 1 year replacement warrenty
- Cheapest on the market
What Users Are Saying
Grabbing a strong 4.3/5 rating from Amazon users, the Panlong is said to work efficiently and save buyers money on mechanic’s bills.
Read reviews of the Panlong Scanner on Amazon!
3. ScanTool 426101 – Best Security
With cybersecurity becoming an increasingly important subject, many people worry that their smart home (and car) devices are vulnerable to potential hackers. Of course, you want your vehicle to be safe first and foremost, and you wouldn’t want to get any new device that opened up that risk.
This ScanTool smart car health monitor employs special multi-layered technology that prevents any security issues. You can monitor any alerts related to your car’s health, and leave the device plugged in at all times without worrying that someone will use it to compromise your car. It’s also designed not to drain your car’s battery, which is a common complaint with users of other OBD2 scanners.
Key Benefits
- Android-only
- Can be left plugged in without draining your car’s battery
- Hacker-proof, multi-layered security technology
What Users Are Saying
This ScanTool device garners a strong 4.3/5 rating from Amazon customers. Users note that the product not only works well, but the customer support that ScanTool provides is excellent.
Read reviews of the Scantool on Amazon!
2. BlueDriver Professional Scan Tool – Most Professional
There are thousands of potential problems your car could develop at any minute, and getting a clear picture of what that problem is isn’t always an easy guess. While there are many smart car health monitors on the market, the specificity of diagnosis is more detailed in some than others.
The BlueDriver device comes closest to a professional quality scanner than any other device on this list. Because of this, it is a bit more expensive. However, if you’re looking for a device that can give you a more complete picture of what your car’s health and current status is, it may be well worth the extra cost.
Key Benefits
- Similar capabilities to more expensive handheld scanners that professionals use
- Vehicle-specific repair reports
- Has its own dedicated app
What Users Are Saying
With over 1,000 reviews averaging 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, users have high praise for this device. Many note that the monitor prevents them from having to go in with minor car issues, and makes them feel more informed about their car’s health.
Read reviews of the BlueDriver Professional on Amazon!
1. FIXD OBDII Active Car Health Monitor – Best of the Best
Combiningng the best value with the best features is hard. However, the FIXD OBDII Active Car Health Monitor offers the best bang for the buck on the market – So much so, that the FIXD monitor was sold out for a large part of 2017, but has been available again at the start of 2018.
With check engine light diagnosis, maintenance reminders, and multiple vehicle tracking, FIXD has all the features you need. Plus, it has a price tag of just $60.
Key Benefits
- Check Engine Light Diagnosis
- Maintenance Reminders
- Multiple Vehicle Tracking
What Users Are Saying
With 4.3 stars after 640 reviews, you know this is a solid product. People love the features, how it’s easy to use, and how they can have the peace of mind with the product’s reliability. Most complaints were around the availability issues in 2017, but it’s available now.
Read reviews for FIXD OBD II Active Car Health Monitor on Amazon!
A smart car health monitor has a plethora of benefits which will save you time, money, and stress. Knowing the status of your car makes you an empowered owner who can feel confident making decisions about maintenance and repairs. You’ll rest easy knowing more about your car’s condition, and even if you’re a car novice like me you’ll feel like this little monitor gives you a new wealth of knowledge!
Can you think of a time when a smart car monitor would have saved you money? Leave us a note in the comments!
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