FIXD vs. Foxwell

Looking For an Easy-To-Use OBD2 Scanner That Won’t Break the Bank? If You’re a DIY Mechanic, the FIXD Vehicle Health Monitor and Mobile App Is What You Want.

What Should I Know Before Buying An OBD2 Scanner?

Since 1996, every gas-powered passenger vehicle in the U.S. has come equipped with an OBD2 port that is located somewhere under the dash… usually on the driver’s side of the vehicle. By accessing this port, you can read your vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostics (OBD2) System and understand the check engine light without paying repair shop diagnostic fees, which can sometimes cost more than $100.

So, if you’re looking to perform DIY repairs on a 1996 or newer gas-powered vehicle (or diesel-powered vehicle from 2008 and newer), you can save time and money by diagnosing car problems at home. All you need is an OBD2 scan tool that is compatible with your car. 

>> Use the FIXD Compatibility Checker to see if it works with your car!

Like all technology these days, no two OBD2 scanners are the same, and a quick Google search shows there are hundreds of options with different features, functionality, and especially price. In this article, we compare the FIXD vs. Foxwell NT301 OBD2 scanners, so that you can make an informed decision as to which scan tool works better for you.

Key Features To Look For In An OBD2 Scan Tool

Diagnose and Reset CEL

If nothing else, an OBD2 scanner needs to be able to read most engine fault codes and reset the check engine light. This feature alone can save you the time and money of having to go to a repair shop to have the issue diagnosed. Most scanner tools (including FIXD and the Foxwell NT301) are not able to read trouble codes for systems such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), tire pressure monitoring (TPMS), and airbags.

Know Issue Severity

Ever been scared to drive with a check engine light? Some OBD2 scanners not only tell you what your check engine light means in simple terms, but also how severe the issue is so you know if it’s safe to drive.

Real-Time Vehicle Health Monitoring

To get the most value from your car scanner, look for a device that you can leave plugged in to monitor vehicle health 24/7. Even better if your scan tool gives you the option to view live vehicle data, such as oxygen sensor voltage, fuel trims, vehicle speed, and more while you drive. This makes it easy to troubleshoot issues like a mechanic would and check car performance on the go.

DIY Repair Guidance

If you’re a hands-on driver interested in saving money with at-home repairs, you’ll need a scan tool that accurately diagnoses engine problems and suggests possible fixes with helpful blogs and videos to walk you through repairs.

Automated Maintenance Alerts

This is a rare feature with OBD2 scanners, but extremely helpful in extending the lifespan of your vehicle. Look for a scan tool that sends automated maintenance alerts based on your specific make, model, and mileage so you never miss an important oil change or other service.

Connect Wirelessly via Bluetooth

When you’re stuck on the side of the road, the last thing you want is to be searching through your glove compartment and untangling messy wires. Make sure your OBD2 scanner is wireless and connects to your iOS or Android smartphone using Bluetooth technology for the fastest possible engine diagnostics.

Transparent Pricing

OBD2 scanners range in price from under $50 to $2000+. Unless you’re a professional automotive technician or specialist, there’s no need to fork out thousands for a scanner. Just be sure to find a tool that offers transparent pricing so you know exactly what you’re getting and don’t end up paying for a subscription you may or may not need.

FIXD Overview

More than 2 million FIXD Sensors have been sold, and the free FIXD app has more than 10,000 5-star reviews. It’s priced affordably at just $59 and delivers massive value at that price point. Plus, it’s easy for anyone to pick up and use right away, even if you’ve never used a scan tool before.

The data display inside the free FIXD app is much more user-friendly than other scan tools.

FIXD features a mix of text and visual data, including charts and graphs that make it easy to understand what’s going on inside your vehicle.

This OBD reader not only reads most engine codes, but it also translates them into simple terms so you don’t have to be a mechanic to understand what they mean. The FIXD Sensor and free app also gives you a list of possible fixes for your specific error code and links to in-depth OBD2 code descriptions and DIY repair articles and videos to help you fix simple issues yourself. 

Plus, it comes with added features that other scan tools don’t have, such as Automated Maintenance Alerts so you never forget an oil change and Multi-Vehicle Health Monitoring. This feature allows you to connect multiple FIXD Sensors to any car you own and monitor their health in real time from your smartphone – even if you’re 500 miles away! This makes it a great choice for parents who want to keep track of the whole family’s fleet of vehicles.

FIXD is an American-owned company based in Atlanta, Georgia that stands behind its quality products with a 100% risk-free money back guarantee.

Pros & Cons of FIXD:

Best for:

Everyday drivers to amateur DIYers and car enthusiasts with a “hands-on” approach to caring for their cars and saving money with at-home repairs and maintenance.

Foxwell NT301 Overview

Foxwell offers a variety of OBD2 diagnostic scanners that range in price and size. All of these scanners allow users to read trouble codes and clear the check engine light as well as display real-time vehicle data. The Foxwell NT301 starts at $69.99, which does not include a case or any type of protection. 

The large size makes the Foxwell NT301 easy to hold, while the 2.8-inch digital screen provides a clear readout for all data. This versatile scan tool allows users to read trouble codes, clear check engine lights, retrieve VIN information, and perform emissions tests. It can even be hooked up to a printer to print out data and information, but Foxwell does not have an app for its scan tool. 

Foxwell is based in China, and while the company provides an assortment of scanner tools, it would appear that the biggest complaints about the Foxwell NT301 have to do with customer support, according to the Amazon reviews. Another downside of the Foxwell NT301 is that most DIY mechanics tend to have limited tool box space, and this scanner will definitely take up a lot of that space. This size also means that you won’t be able to keep the scanner in the car to address potential check engine lights that might pop up when you aren’t near your tools.

Overall, this all-in-one scanner design is ideal for professional mechanics or repair shops, but it is less practical and more complex for a DIYer. Even the top positive review for the NT301 on Amazon points out the added complexity as well as the lack of a protective case.

Pros & Cons of Foxwell:

Best For:

Start-up repair shop or DIYer with an abundance of tool space due to the size and necessary cord.

FIXD vs. Foxwell Key Features at a Glance

FIXD vs. Foxwell: Which Is Better?

Whether FIXD or Foxwell is the best OBD2 scanner depends on who you are and why you need a scan tool. We’ve ranked each scan tool on the following categories to give you a better idea of which to buy:

Best Overall Winner: FIXD

For the best overall value with transparent pricing and an easy-to-use smartphone app, it’s easy to see that FIXD takes the win over the Foxwell NT301 for DIY mechanics.