FIXD vs. Nonda

For the best OBD2 scanner under $60, only FIXD lets drivers monitor multiple vehicles from one phone and sends automatic maintenance alerts to prevent $1000s in costly repairs.

In this article, we break down two popular OBD2 readers, FIXD vs. Nonda, so you can make an informed decision and better care for your car! Read on to learn about OBD2 readers and find out which scan tool under $60 is right for you.

What Should I Know Before Buying An OBD2 Scanner?

Onboard Diagnostics II (OBD2) is a diagnostic system that is part of every gas-powered vehicle engine built in 1996 or later. Before this time, there wasn’t a computer system that could communicate with the engine to tell the mechanic what was going on with it. Since 1996, these systems have become quite advanced and come standard with all makes and models of newer vehicles. 

OBD2 scan tools, or car code readers, make it easier for technicians and everyday drivers alike to quickly detect and diagnose engine problems. An OBD2 scanner can read any engine fault code from the OBD2 system with a compatible vehicle. Use our compatibility test to ensure your vehicle is compatible before buying an OBD2 scanner.

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the $2000+ OBD2 scan tools mechanics have in their shop, you’re in the right place. Both the FIXD Sensor and the ZUS Nonda Smart Car Health Monitor are priced affordably under $60. However, before making a purchase, it’s important to know what features to look for in an OBD2 scan tool.

Key Features To Look For In An OBD2 Scan Tool

Plug-&-Play Installation

Forget complicated wires and setups. Look for an OBD2 car scanner that can be installed in minutes, regardless of skill level or experience, and a scanner that connects wirelessly for easy on-the-road access.

Easy Check Engine Diagnostics

Many cheap code readers can give you an engine code (i.e. P0420). But unless your car scanner also tells you what that code means in plain, simple terms and how severe the problem is, then you’ll end up wasting time searching for more answers online.

Issue Severity Warnings

Not only is it important to know what your check engine light means, but also what the possible consequences are if you continue to drive with it illuminated. Look for a scan tool that also describes the impact of this warning light so you know if it’s safe to keep driving.

Quickly & Easily Clear Codes

After doing any sort of DIY repairs to resolve a check engine light, it’s important to clear the code from your OBD system and complete a few driving cycles to see if the same warning light returns. Some OBD2 scanners have this feature built in; otherwise, you’ll have to do a hard reset which can cost $100+ at a repair shop.

Live Data Feed

To get the most value from your OBD scan tool, look for devices that you can leave plugged in to the OBD2 port for real-time car health monitoring. This lets you view live OBD2 data, including fuel trims, oxygen sensor voltage, battery voltage, & more so you can better understand and enhance the performance of your car. You can even see how long it takes your car to get from 0 to 60!

DIY Repair Guidance

One of the main promises of modern car scanners is that they can save you money at the repair shop. But this is only true if they deliver accurate information and offer a list of possible solutions to your car problem, along with detailed guidance and videos on how to do repairs yourself.

Automatic Maintenance Alerts

Something very few OBD2 scanners offer is maintenance alerts for factory-recommended service (like oil changes). Find one that offers this feature based on your specific make, model, and mileage so you don’t end up with a costly breakdown.

Multi-Vehicle Monitoring

On average, there are 1.88 vehicles per U.S. household. If you have multiple vehicles (or family members such as an elderly parent or child away at college), it can be helpful to have a car scanner for each car connected to one centralized app. This allows you to monitor the health of all your vehicles from anywhere, all on your phone.

Wireless Bluetooth Connection

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s critical to have a wireless OBD2 scanner that connects via Bluetooth to your iOS or Android device. This allows drivers to instantly translate car problems into plain English from anywhere without stopping the vehicle to plug in a bulky handheld device and without making a stressful trip to the repair shop or dealership.

FIXD Overview

With more than 2 million units sold and 10,000+ 5-star reviews, the FIXD Sensor and app comes highly recommended by thousands.

The FIXD OBD2 scanner and free app for Android & iOS are extremely easy to use and designed for the average driver to better understand and control their vehicle. Along with detailed engine diagnostics in plain English, it gives users detailed information about their engine code in plain English, a list of possible fixes, and links to in-depth OBD2 code descriptions and videos that can help diagnose your specific error code. 

The FIXD Team is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and takes pride in being an American-owned small business that offers outstanding customer service and support.

Pros & Cons of FIXD:

FIXD PROS	FIXD CONS
Comprehensive OBD2 scanner that’s a great value at $59	Doesn’t read non-CEL codes (i.e. ABS, transmission, etc.)
App is designed for anyone to easily use, even if you know nothing about cars	There is a low annual fee for optional advanced features like Emissions Pre-Check, Mechanic Hotline, & Issue Forecast (uses predictive analysis across millions of vehicles to keep you informed about possible future problems to avoid). However, these features are well worth it in the money saved every year.
Sends automatic maintenance reminders so you never miss an oil change or other important service
Offers users the ability to connect up to 5 FIXD Sensors to one phone, so they can remotely monitor the whole family’s fleet of vehicles and know when it’s time to schedule service – even if the car is hundreds of miles away
Designed in the U.S.
Backed by 1-year warranty, plus no-risk money back guarantee

Best for:

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

Nonda Overview

The ZUS Nonda Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is an OBD2 car scanner with over 1 million units sold. Like FIXD, it offers detailed engine diagnostics and continuous vehicle health monitoring for under $60.

Unlike FIXD, you cannot create multiple car profiles under the same account and add devices to each of them as this will create connectivity issues within the ZUS app. However, Nonda does offer some additional handy features, such as a free Mileage Log and Automatic Car Finder.

Pros & Cons of Nonda:

Nonda PROS	Nonda CONS
Designed for any driver, not just DIYers and gear-heads	Doesn’t read non-CEL codes (i.e. ABS, transmission, etc.)
Includes additional features for free that can come in handy (i.e. Automatic Car Finder for when lost in parking lot and Driving Behavior Analysis that may help improve fuel efficiency)	Doesn’t read non-CEL codes (i.e. ABS, transmission, etc.)
	Cannot connect multiple devices to the ZUS app to easily keep the whole family safe and connected
	Customer complaints about connectivity issues and having to unplug and plug back in every time
	User complaints about in-app displays for car data being too small to read and make useful while driving

Best for:

Beginners and everyday drivers who want to easily diagnose OBD2-related check engine light codes.

FIXD vs. Nonda Key Features at a Glance

	FIXD	Nonda
Price	$59, Free Shipping	$59.99, Free Shipping
Amazon Rating	4.1/5 Stars	3.8/5 Stars
Technology Designed in U.S.	✔
Plug-&-Play Installation	✔	✔
Easy Engine Diagnostics	✔	✔
Issue Severity Warnings	✔
Quickly & Easily Clear Codes	✔	✔
Live Data Feed	✔	✔
DIY Repair Guidance	✔	✔
Automatic Maintenance Alerts	✔
Multi-Vehicle Monitoring	✔
Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity	✔	✔
Android & iOS Compatible	✔	✔
Car Compatibility	Works with all gas-powered vehicles 1996 or newer and all diesel vehicles made in 2008 or newer >> Compatibility Checker	NOT Compatible With: IOS: Skoda Octavia, Nissa Tiida, Nissan Bluebird, Porsche 911, Lexus LS430, VW Lavida. Android: Nissa Tiida, Nissan Bluebird, Acura MDX

FIXD vs. Nonda: Which Is Better?

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

Budget Shopper	Forgetful Driver	Amateur DIYer	Pro Weekend Warrior
🏆 Tie	🏆 Tie	🏆 FIXD	🏆 FIXD
Always on the hunt for the best deal? It’s hard to beat the value you’ll get from FIXD and Nonda. Both companies are known for running special deals on their already affordable car scanners that can help you save at the mechanic. Plus, they’re both easy to use regardless of previous skill or experience.	If you’re the kind of person who tends to lose your car in the parking lot (who hasn’t??), you’ll love Nonda’s Automatic Car Finder feature. On the other hand, if you struggle to keep up with car maintenance, FIXD sends you helpful reminders that could prevent $1000s in repairs!	While both Nonda and FIXD offer drivers the ability to read engine codes in plain English and DIY repair guides, FIXD is built with the more hands-on car owner in mind. Online articles and video tutorials help you complete repairs yourself and save. FIXD Premium even lets you talk directly with a certified mechanic to walk you through at-home repairs!	If you love getting your hands dirty in the garage every weekend, FIXD can offer the more advanced features and in-depth engine diagnostics you need to succeed with your project. Along with automated maintenance alerts for your make, model, & mileage, the FIXD Sensor gives the finer details of your OBD system, including real-time data regarding fuel trims, battery voltage, & more that many budget code readers leave out.

Overall Winner: FIXD

For best overall value and features, FIXD takes the win.