This article will help you evaluate the OBDLink® adapter products and decide which one is best for your particular requirements. 

First, we recommend that you confirm that your vehicle is OBD-II compliant by reading the Is my vehicle supported? article.

Next, evaluate your requirements. Do you plan to use an iOS device, an Android device, or a Windows device with your OBDLink adapter? Do you want to connect your adapter to your vehicle using Bluetooth or USB? We separated the requirements into these categories:

Learn more about the categories in the next sections or jump directly to the Summary table


OBD-II protocol support



ISO 15765-4ISO 14230-4ISO 9141-2J1850 PWM (Ford)J1850 VPW (GM)MS-CAN (Ford)SW-CAN (GM)
OBDLink MX+
OBDLink EX
OBDLink CX



OBDLink LX

OBDLink SX


Note: OBDLink CX is optimized for BMW vehicles. It will not work on GM, Ford, and certain FCA vehicles built before model year 2008.



Connection type

This category describes the connection between your OBDLink adapter and your device (phone, computer, or tablet).



USBBluetooth v5.0 Low Energy (BLE)Bluetooth v3.0
OBDLink MX+

OBDLink EX

OBDLink CX

OBDLink LX

OBDLink SX



Voltage rating



12 V Automotive Systems
(8-18 V operating range)
24 Volt compatible
(operates at 24 V)

24 Volt tolerant 

(safely shuts down at 24 V)

OBDLink MX+
OBDLink EX
OBDLink CX

OBDLink LX

OBDLink SX



Device operating system

This category describes the operating system for your device (phone, computer, or tablet). 



AndroidiOSWindows
(Vista and newer)
OBDLink MX+
OBDLink EX
See Note 1

OBDLink CX
See Note 2
OBDLink LX
OBDLink SX
See Note 1

Notes:
1. A USB On-the-Go (OTG) cable is required to connect OBDLink EX and OBDLink SX to an Android device. (OTG cable is not included with purchase.)
2. A BLE adapter is required to connect OBDLink CX to a Windows device. (BLE adapter is not included with purchase.)



Wireless security



Wireless connection: 

128-bit data encryption

OBDLink MX+
OBDLink EXNo wireless connection
OBDLink CX
OBDLink LX
OBDLink SXNo wireless connection



Summary table

Use the table below to help select the OBDLink adapter that best fits your requirements.



Image of a black OBD adapter with the label OBDLink MX+ on the front.OBDLink MX+ BluetoothImage of a wired OBD adapter that is all black.

OBDLink EX 

USB

Image of a black OBD adapter with the label OBDLink CX on the front.OBDLink CX
BLE
Image of a light green OBD adapter with the label OBDLink LX on the front. The back of the adapter is black.OBDLink LX
Bluetooth
Image of a red OBD adapter with a red cable coming out of the back. The connector is black. OBDLink SX
USB
OBD-II protocol support
Supports all OBD-II protocols
See Note 1
Supports GM SW-CAN



Supports Ford MS-CAN


Connection type
Bluetooth v3.0


Bluetooth v5.1 LE (BLE)



USB interface


Voltage rating
12 Volt automotive systems
24 Volt compatible



24 Volt tolerant



Device operating system
All Android devices
See Note 2

See Note 2
All iOS devices


All Windows devices
See Note 3
Wireless security
Hacker-proof wireless connectionN/AN/A


Notes: 

  1. OBDLink CX is optimized for BMW vehicles. It will not work on GM, Ford, and certain FCA vehicles built before model year 2008. If you have questions that aren’t answered by this article, please submit a support ticket. 
  2. A USB On-the-Go (OTG) cable is required to connect OBDLink EX and OBDLink SX to an Android device. (OTG cable is not included with purchase.)
  3. A BLE adapter is required to connect OBDLink CX to a Windows device. (BLE adapter is not included with purchase.)


Learn more

  • We recommend you read these articles before you purchase an OBDLink adapter:
    • Is my vehicle supported? This article helps you determine if you can use OBDLink adapters with your vehicle.
    • Are enhanced diagnostics available for my vehicle? This article helps you confirm if enhanced diagnostics are available for your vehicle.
      Note: OBDLink adapters support all OBD-II compliant vehicles. You can read OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) using the free OBDLink app (Android and iOS) or OBDwiz (Windows). You need enhanced diagnostics to read additional manufacturer-specific DTCs and Parameter IDs (PIDs). For example, if you have a Ford vehicle, you may want to read and clear Ford-specific DTCs for the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
  • See this Wikipedia article on PIDs that are supported by the SAE OBD-II standard.  
  • For descriptions of terms used in this article, see the Glossary of Acronyms and Terms.


Need more help?

OBDLink Support Forum 

Submit a Support Ticket



OBDLink® is a registered trademark of OBD Solutions, LLC.