OBDLink MX+ vs. MX vs. LX [Honest review and best option to choose from]

If you’ve noticed your vehicle behaving just a little bit strange, if your interior has a faint orange glow from a light on the dashboard or if you just want to be prepared for all occasions, it’s a system scanner (known as an OBD reader) that needs to be in your toolkit.

Instead of sticking your head under the hood for hours at a time attempting to self diagnose a ticking coming from the internals, an OBD reader saves you both time and effort identifying problem areas of your vehicle.

Modern cars and trucks come with a standardized Onboard Diagnostic system used by technicians to diagnose issues with the vehicle. The system regulates and monitors vehicle main functions, working to maintain mechanical and electrical health.

All US sold cars and light trucks from 1996 (except hybrid or electric vehicles) are covered with the products compared in this article with simplistic iOS and Android compatibility. The products are simple to use, requiring users to quickly plug the reader into the vehicle before supplying fault codes that correspond to potential issues.

Introduction to OBDlink products

When looking for a scan tool for your vehicle, whether that be a code reader, OBD scanner, or OBD interface, it’s difficult to find a better product outside of the OBDLink lineup.

There’s everything you could ever need from the OBDLink MX+, MX, and LX trio, from Android and iOS compatibility to extensive fault code capabilities – the only question that remains is which is the best fit for you!

When comparing the OBDLink products, a visual approach is often recognized as the most effective, allowing customers to see exactly which package is the best for them.

Below is a full comparison chart of features from the three products can be seen highlighting a number of similarities and differences between the three products.

OBDLink MX+ vs. MX vs. LX: Comparison chart

OBDLink MX+ vs. MX vs. LX: Detailed comparison

At first glance, all three of the OBD2 scan tools appear to be very similar in their appearance, functions, and customer reviews – but delve a little deeper and the subtle differences between the three are seen.

Key things in common

To begin with the similarities between the three OBDLink car diagnostic tools, customers will find plenty of characteristics in common.

Design and specifications

Moving on to the design and specifications of the OBDLink readers and you’ll find that all three are incredibly similar in both dimensions and weight.

With an average weight of just over 1.1oz and average dimensions of approximately 2 x 1 x 2 inches, the readers are super small and incredibly easy to store and use. That means that there are no problems when accessing tight OBD2 ports in awkward vehicles.

Overall features and functions

The overall features and functions are very much the same throughout all three of the OBD2 readers with the following features and functions available across the board:

• Bluetooth c3.0 Interface
• battery saver sleep mode
• Works with all Android devices
• Works with all Windows devices
• Free OBDLink mobile app
• Free OBDwiz PC software
• Hacker-proof security mechanism
• 3-year manufacturer warranty

Supported protocols

As with the overall features and functions, all three of the OBD2 readers produced by OBDLink support all OBD-II protocols.

Supported vehicles makes

Perhaps the most salient of features found in the OBDLink scan tools comes in the supported vehicles available.

Googling around and trying to find the answer to whether a particular OBD2 scanner will work with “insert specific manufacturer and model here” never yields a good response, but that’s something users won’t have to worry about with the OBDLink scanners.

All three of the OBDLink scanners work with all 1996 & newer model year cars and light trucks sold in the US with all American, European, and Asian vehicles catered for. If you currently reside outside of the US, it’s a relief to know that most newer non-US vehicles are compliant with the OBDII standards.

To verify if the scanner will work with your non-US vehicle, click here.

Key differences

Although the three OBDLink products are relatively similar, there are a number of differences, namely with the OBDLink MX+ outperforming the alternative models.

Extra features/functions

The main extra feature/function of additional iOS support is arguably the biggest benefit of opting for an OBDLink MX+ over the other models.

However, the OBDLink LX is highlighted as the weakest of the three models not allowing for the following features seen in both the MX and MX+:

• Supports Single-Wire CAN (GMLAN)
• Ford Medium-Speed CAN (MS-CAN)

Although this isn’t something that all users may need, it’s always better to be looking at additional features than for them.

Software and updates

Finally, when looking at the software and updates available, it’s the OBDLink MX+ that stands head and shoulders above the MX and LX with free Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Add-Ons offered.

With free OEM Add-Ons offered, this OBD2 reader allows for an incredible range of features including the ability to reset the ABS/SRS lights.

If you’re looking for the ultimate answer of the battle between the OBDLink MX+ vs. MX vs. LX, it’s the MX+ that wins every time.

Pros and cons of MX+ vs. MX vs. LX

All three of the OBDLink OBD2 products are similar in the way that they are designed and the way that they function, but a small list of pros and cons can be created for each option.

OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth scanner

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OBDLink MX OBD-II Bluetooth scan tool

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OBDLink LX OBDII Bluetooth scanner

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Recommendation

For the majority of users, it’s the OBDLink MX+ that stands as the best of the three OBDLink readers thanks to a number of additional benefits that the other products cannot compete with.

It’s this OBD2 reader that’s the only product supplying Free OEM Add-Ons and is one of the two allowing for support for Single-Wire CAN (GMLAN). But the cherry on top of the cake for the OBDLink MX+ is the compatibility with iOS, allowing for those using Apple products to connect to the reader.

If you’re looking for an incredibly capable Bluetooth OBD2 reader that works with iPhone and iPad, it’s the OBDLink MX+ that’s the answer to the question.

FAQs

❓ Do any of these OBD2 scanners work with Apple products? If so what app are you downloading and using it with?

💡 Only the OBDLink MX+ will work with Apple products, the other two will not. Users are required to use the OBDLink Wifi version for all Apple products. The Bluetooth LX and MX are designed to work with Android and Windows-based devices.

❓ Will these OBD2 readers work for resetting ABS/SRS lights?

💡 The ABS/SRS lights are able to be reset when using the OBDLink MX+ model. However, unfortunately, the ABS/SRS lights are manufacturer specific codes and do not come as part of the OBDII system for the OBDLink MX and OBDLink LX models.

It may be possible to find third party software to work with your particular vehicle (manufacturer and generation), which can interface to ELM327, allowing the scan tool to be used to reset the codes.

❓ Do the OBD2 readers show fuel level in real-time?

💡 The ability to display fuel level in real-time is dependent on the vehicle and, unfortunately, a definitive answer cannot be given for all vehicles.

❓ How can the Android application be downloaded to my device?

💡 The Android application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store in the same way all other applications can be downloaded. It’s easy to use and understand so there’s minimal chance of confusion.

❓ How can the software be downloaded for PC?

💡 For those users opting for a PC to run the software, they will find everything that they need to be supplied with purchase. There’s no need to worry about missing out on software, everything you’ll need can be found in the box.

Bottom line

We believe you now know all the common features and differences of the three OBDLink diagnostic scan tools: OBDLink MX+, MX, and LX. Your last job is to choose wisely the OBDLink scan tool that is the most suitable for you. Good luck!