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Unlike most automotive scanners, the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool for iPhone and Android can remain attached to your car’s OBD2 port while you drive. The device works by pairing with your smartphone to provide diagnostics and live data.

We’ve reviewed the best OBD2 scanners and listed the BlueDriver as one of our top picks. See what we like about the BlueDriver, how customers rate the device, and some things we learned during our testing process below.

The BlueDriver’s primary appeal is that it operates wirelessly, and it’s a simple plugin device that pairs with your smartphone to read error codes and pull live engine data. The BlueDriver is also a robust diagnostic code reader for a device priced at just over $100.

Bottom line: A simple wireless diagnostic scan tool with advanced abilities for the price.

A charging cable is the only accessory that comes with the BlueDriver. You will need a smartphone with Bluetooth to use this device through the free BlueDriver app.

To test the BlueDriver, we connected it to a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid and downloaded the app to our phone. After reading through the user manual, we tried each of the scanner’s car diagnostic functions.

With a price tag of around $120, the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro is relatively cheap when considering all the tasks it performs. You can find a more affordable OBD2 scanner if all you need is a device to read error codes when you see a check engine light. However, if you’re interested in advanced features such as freeze frame data and live data, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a tool like the BlueDriver at a lower cost.

The BlueDriver is one of the easiest-to-use OBD2 scan tools we tested. Interfacing through the touchscreen on your smartphone is simple, and the app has an instruction manual that includes videos that walk you through each of the device’s features. Simply plug in the included adapter and load the app.

BlueDriver automatically detects the make and model of many vehicles, but you can input your vehicle identification number (VIN) if the automatic detection fails. The device quickly paired with our Ford Fusion. Once paired, the BlueDriver performs numerous functions, including:

This tool offers plenty of functions for its low cost, and more could be on the way since the BlueDriver app gets regular updates.

The BlueDriver is extremely easy to use, and its user interface is one of the sleekest we’ve tested. You can read a fault code, look up the probable cause, find the solution, and order the replacement part.

Unlike many OBD2 scanners, the BlueDriver can stay connected to your vehicle as you drive, allowing it to monitor system status in real-time.

The BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII scan tool lacks some of the features found in a professional scan tool, and it requires downloading a companion app to your smartphone. Otherwise, there’s little if anything not to like about the device.

More than 31,600 Amazon reviews are available for the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro, yielding an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. About 93 percent of reviews give the product a rating of 4.0 stars or higher.

Like us, many who’ve used the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool for iPhone and Android are impressed with its straightforward interface and breadth of features for just about $120. So, overall customer satisfaction is high.

“No joke, I work on cars all the time. I’ve had cheap scanners and snap-on scanners. For the price of this, you can not go wrong. This little scanner reads not only engine codes, but also reads codes from transmission codes, and BCM codes.”

– Keith S. via Amazon Reviews

“This app is awesome. I am a used car dealer, [and] I need a fast OBDII that is accurate and that can do a basic scan of all vehicles to make sure the car can pass emissions and check for trouble codes or pending codes when a check engine [light] is on. This does it, plus so much more.”

– Alina M. via Amazon Reviews

Some users say the BlueDriver isn’t compatible with specific European models. Other people familiar with the product have complained that its live data mode works too slowly.

“Bought it for my 2007 535d (EU). Device is not compatible, unable to read any codes, and reads only the basic live data. Says it’s compatible with EU cars after 2004. Clearly, it’s not.”

“The main problem I have is that in ‘Live Data’ mode, the data refresh rate is only five seconds. This is a long time to wait for changes of overall engine stats when on the go or even when in the bay.”

– Ron D. via Amazon Reviews

The BlueDriver is hard to beat for its relatively low cost. The device is robust enough for the typical backyard mechanic, and it’s simple enough for the mechanical novice. The feature that reveals potential issues and suggests specific repairs is especially beneficial if you aren’t a professional mechanic and simply want to maintain a personal vehicle.

Just keep in mind that some high-end scan tools are compatible with more vehicles than the BlueDriver works with. Also, many users mentioned concerns about live data features not updating quickly enough to be helpful.

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To use the BlueDriver scan tool, you’ll need first to download the BlueDriver app and connect the device to a phone or iPad. Next, plug the BlueDriver sensor into your OBD2 code reader port and control it from your phone. The BlueDriver app includes an instruction manual with videos that show users how to navigate the scan tool’s functions.

Many reviewers, including our review team, believe the BlueDriver is worth the money. Few scan tools in the $120 price range can perform more functions, but if you need a professional-grade scan tool, you may find the BlueDriver disappointing.

The BlueDriver typically costs around $120.

You can leave the BlueDriver plugged in as you drive, and the device even features a live data mode that allows you to monitor specific systems (depending on your vehicle). Some users have complained the data refresh rate for this feature is somewhat slow, however.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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