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Bidirectional Scan Tool vs OBD2 Scanner: Which One Should You Buy?

Bidirectional scan tool vs OBD2 scanner: what bidirectional control does, plus four bidirectional scan tools ranked by coverage, resets and updates.

GarageToolHQ Editorial
By GarageToolHQ Editorial · 5 min read
Bidirectional Scan Tool vs OBD2 Scanner: Which One Should You Buy?
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Top picks at a glance

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  1. 1XTOOL IP500 for BMW OBD2 ScannerXTOOL IP500 for BMW OBD2 Scanner9.8/10View on Amazon
  2. 2KINGBOLEN Ediag Elite OBD2 Scanner BluetoothKINGBOLEN Ediag Elite OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth9.7/10View on Amazon
  3. 3TOPDON AD800BT 2 OBD2 ScannerTOPDON AD800BT 2 OBD2 Scanner9.7/10View on Amazon
  4. 4ZMOON ZM201 Professional OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic ToolZMOON ZM201 Professional OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic ToolView on Amazon
  5. 5TOPDON Phoenix Plus 2 Scan Tool with ECU CodingTOPDON Phoenix Plus 2 Scan Tool with ECU CodingView on Amazon
  6. 6TOPDON ONE Bidirectional Scan ToolTOPDON ONE Bidirectional Scan ToolView on Amazon
  7. 7FOXWELL NT716 Bidirectional OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic ToolFOXWELL NT716 Bidirectional OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic ToolView on Amazon
  8. 8Thinkscan 672 All System Bidirectional Scan ToolThinkscan 672 All System Bidirectional Scan ToolView on Amazon
  9. 92026 FOXWELL NT726 OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool2026 FOXWELL NT726 OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic ToolView on Amazon

Bidirectional scan tool vs obd2 scanner: the difference is what the tool can do to the car. A basic OBD2 scanner reads and clears fault codes. A bidirectional scan tool goes further: it sends commands to the car’s modules, cycling a cooling fan, firing an injector or running an ABS bleed, so you can verify a repair instead of guessing. If you only need to read a check-engine light, a basic scanner is enough. If you want to command components and run maintenance resets, you need a bidirectional tool. All four tools below are bidirectional, ranked from the NT726’s all-system coverage down to the NT716’s 4-system set.

More options to compare

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Bidirectional scan tool vs obd2 scanner: the short answer

Buy a bidirectional scan tool if you do your own maintenance: the active commands and reset functions here cover ABS bleeding, oil and EPB resets, injector coding, throttle relearn and more. Buy a basic OBD2 scanner only if all you want is reading and clearing codes. The four tools below all state lifetime free updates with no subscription, so the choice comes down to system coverage, reset count and screen.

What bidirectional control does

Bidirectional control means the tool talks back to the car. The NT716 states active commands on fuel pumps, cooling fans, injectors and window regulators. The NT726 states it covers 99% of 3,000+ actuation commands, activating ABS, windows and injectors. The THINKSCAN 662 states 3,000+ active commands: ABS pump, A/C clutch, radiator fans, fuel injectors and more. The KINGBOLEN Ediag Elite states active commands that drive actuators, such as turning on the radiator fan, modulating the throttle or opening and closing windows. A basic OBD2 scanner cannot do any of this; it only reads.

Resets: 9, 12 or 15+

The NT716 states 9 reset functions: ABS bleeding, SAS, oil light, EPB, BMS, DPF, throttle relearn, injector coding and TPMS. The NT726 states 12, upgraded from 8; the listing warns that some old packaging still shows 8, but every unit ships with the full 12. The THINKSCAN 662 states 12 hot maintenance functions including oil reset, EPB, ABS bleeding, SAS calibration, DPF regeneration and injector coding. The Ediag Elite states 15+ resets, the most here, including oil reset, ABS bleeding, injector coding, SAS, TPMS, BMS and sunroof calibration. Note the NT716 states key programming is not supported.

Coverage and protocols

The NT726 states all-system diagnostics across 20+ systems and 100+ brands. The Ediag Elite states full-system diagnosis across 150+ brands and 22 languages. The THINKSCAN 662 states 4 systems (engine, transmission, ABS, SRS) across 140+ brands and 28 languages. The NT716 states 4 systems across 100+ brands and 24 languages. All four cover 1996+ OBD2 vehicles. For newer cars, the NT726, Ediag Elite and THINKSCAN 662 state CAN-FD and FCA AutoAuth support; the Ediag Elite notes you need your own FCA account, and the THINKSCAN 662 notes the account is not included.

The gear: four bidirectional scan tools, ranked

The FOXWELL NT726 is the coverage pick: all-system diagnostics on 20+ systems, 12 resets, 3,000+ actuation commands, CAN-FD and FCA AutoAuth, a 5.5 in HD touchscreen that works with gloves, 32 GB memory, one-click Wi-Fi printing and a hardshell case, with lifetime free updates and a 12-month warranty.

The THINKCAR THINKSCAN 662 is the screen pick: a 6.2 in 1024 by 600 touchscreen, 4-core 1.8 GHz CPU with 2 GB RAM and 32 GB ROM, 4-system diagnostics with 12 resets, 3,000+ active commands, CAN-FD and FCA support, 140+ brands, 28 languages and a 4150 mAh battery, with lifetime free updates and a 12-month warranty.

The KINGBOLEN Ediag Elite is the pocket pick: a Bluetooth dongle that runs on your phone, with full-system diagnosis, 15+ resets, active commands, CAN-FD and FCA AutoAuth, BT 5.2 with up to 33 ft of wireless range, and lifetime updates with no subscription fee. It weighs 5.92 oz and carries a 1 year warranty.

The FOXWELL NT716 is the entry pick: 4-system coverage (engine, transmission, ABS, SRS), 9 resets, active commands, AutoVIN, live data graphing, a 5.5 in HD touchscreen, 4000 mAh battery, Android 9 and 24 languages, with lifetime free Wi-Fi updates and a 12-month warranty. Key programming is stated as not supported.

Updates and subscriptions

All four state lifetime free updates: the NT716 states no subscriptions or hidden fees, the Ediag Elite states no subscription fee and no IP restrictions, and the NT726 and THINKSCAN 662 state lifetime free updates over Wi-Fi. Updates matter because coverage grows with them; a tool with expired software falls behind new models.

The build differences are in the listings. The NT716 carries a 4000 mAh battery, runs Android 9.0 and ships in a shockproof, waterproof carrying case; the listing adds lifetime technical support next to its 12-month warranty. The NT726 has a 5.5 in HD touchscreen that works with gloves, 32 GB of memory, one-click Wi-Fi printing for reports and a hardshell case, with a 12-month warranty. The THINKSCAN 662 pairs its 6.2 in touchscreen with physical buttons and a 4150 mAh battery, and carries a 12-month warranty. The Ediag Elite is the outlier: a 5.92 oz Bluetooth dongle that runs on your phone, with BT 5.2 and up to 33 ft of wireless range, and a 1 year warranty. Note two listing quirks: the NT726 warns that old packaging still shows 8 resets while every unit ships with 12, and the NT716 notes its box still lists support only up to 2020-2021 models while updates cover up to 2026.

Before buying, mind the compatibility notes. The NT716 says diagnostic and special functions may vary by model and asks you to check before purchasing. The Ediag Elite lets you access FCA gateway functions but notes you need your own FCA account; the THINKSCAN 662 likewise notes the FCA AutoAuth account is not included. On reporting, the NT726 makes one-click PDF reports over Wi-Fi, the THINKSCAN 662 merges up to 4 live data streams into one chart view, and the Ediag Elite records data for playback and analysis.

Garage safety

Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bidirectional mean on a scan tool?

It means the tool can send commands to the car’s modules, not just read them: cycling a fan, firing an injector or running an ABS bleed. A basic OBD2 scanner only reads and clears codes.

Do these need a subscription?

No. All four state lifetime free updates: the NT716 states no subscriptions or hidden fees, and the Ediag Elite states no subscription fee is required.

Will they work on my car?

All four state 1996+ OBD2 coverage across 100 to 150+ brands. Diagnostic and special functions may vary by model, so check compatibility before buying, per the listings.

Which has the most reset functions?

The KINGBOLEN Ediag Elite with 15+, then the NT726 and THINKSCAN 662 with 12 each, then the NT716 with 9.

Does the NT716 do key programming?

No. The listing states key programming is not supported.

Related: bidirectional scan tool vs code reader, the best OBD2 scanner for check engine light, WiFi vs Bluetooth OBD2 scanner and multimeter vs OBD2 scanner. Browse diagnostics and electrical for more.

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