Foxwell vs. Autel: Which Brand is Better?

When choosing between two brands, there are important factors to consider beyond reputation and targeted customers.

In this post, we’ll explore Autel and Foxwell in-depth, including their product performance, aftersales service, and other crucial aspects. I’ll also provide recommendations based on diagnostic levels and specific purposes of use.

Foxwell vs. Autel: Head-to-head Comparison

1. Brand Reputation

• Autel is the go-to brand for professionals and mechanics in the diagnostic field. As a mechanic myself, I trust Autel for all my garage tool needs. Their scanners are highly popular, with many of them ranking in the top 100 best-selling scan tools on Amazon.

• Now, let’s discuss Foxwell. Although not as renowned as Autel, they are a reliable and trusted brand. Foxwell is popular among car enthusiasts on forums and has received high ratings on Amazon’s top 100 automotive scan tool list as well.

2. Products’ Performance

If you want a tool that provides fast and strong performance, Autel products are the way to go. Autel is a trusted brand in the diagnostic field, known for its reliable and high-quality products that professionals rely on.

To have a clearer picture, I will compare two popular scanners from each brand that are at the same level:

	Foxwell NT809 Check Price	Autel MX808 Check Price
Processor	Quad-Core, 1.3Ghz	Quad-Core 1.8GHz
Android OS	Android 9.0	Android 11
Storage	1G+32G	4G+64G
Battery	4,000mAh	5,000 mAh

3. Price

The price of scanners can vary depending on their level of features and capabilities. However, there isn’t a significant price gap between these two brands.

For instance, both the Autel MX808 and Foxwell NT809 fall within the price range of $450 – $500. Now, considering which one provides better value for the money, my recommendation would be the Autel MX808.

4. Design

Well, it’s all about personal preference here. In my opinion, Autel scanners have a more modern and stylish look, particularly the ones designed for DIYers or professionals.

5. Warranty

• Autel offers a 1-year warranty for all their scanners.
• Foxwell provides a warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years, depending on the specific scanner.

6. Free updates: 

• For lower-priced scanners, both Autel and Foxwell offer free lifetime updates.
• For more expensive and higher-level scanners:
  • Autel provides 1-2 years of free updates.
  • Foxwell offers 1-3 years of free updates.

7. Customer support: 

• In terms of tech support, I would choose Autel. They are known for responding quickly and providing effective solutions to problems.
• On the other hand, Foxwell’s tech support is often slow to respond and sometimes does not respond at all.

Foxwell vs. Autel: Which is the Best Choice for Different Skill Levels?

1. For home mechanics/ DIYers

Scanner for specific car brand:

Foxwell specializes in brand-specific scanners, making it the preferred choice for home mechanics seeking scanners tailored to their car brand.

[Note: The scanner on this table is the one designed for BMW. To find one for your car, simply search “Scanner name + car brand name” on Amazon.]

	Key feature	For
FOXWELL NT510 (BMW ver)	• Active tests • 18+ service functions	BMW, GM, Ford, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, Porsche, Chrysler, etc.
FOXWELL NT530 (BMW ver)	• Full-system diagnostics • 10+ service functions	BMW, GM, Mercedes, Honda, Porsche, Volvo, etc.
FOXWELL NT710 (BMW ver)	• Active tests • 30 service functions	BMW, Honda, Toyota, etc.

Scanner for all car brands (Universal scanners)

Both Autel and Foxwell offer reliable universal choices, and there isn’t a significant difference between their products for home mechanics. You can choose either brand based on your personal preference.

• Code Readers:

Foxwell NT201 and Autel AL319 are compact and user-friendly tools for identifying engine system issues and performing smog tests.

	FOXWELL NT201 Check Price	Autel AL319 Check Price
FUNCTIONS
Full OBD2 functions	✅	–
Engine codes	✅	✅
Live data	✅	✅
Smog check	✅	✅
EVAP test	✅	–
OTHER ASPECTS
Screen size	2.4”	2.4”
Free updates	Lifetime	Lifetime
Warranty	1 year	1 year
	Check Price	Check price

• 4-system Scanners:

Foxwell NT604 and Autel ML629 cater to home mechanics wanting to address transmission, ABS, and SRS systems, in addition to the engine system.

	FOXWELL NT604 Check Price	Autel ML629 Check Price
FUNCTIONS
Full OBD2 functions	✅	✅
4-system codes	✅	✅
Live data	✅	✅
Smog check	✅	✅
OTHER ASPECTS
Screen size	4.3”	2.8”
Free updates	Lifetime	Lifetime
Warranty	1 year	1 year
	Check Price	Check Price

• Full-system Scanners:

Foxwell NT624 and Autel MD806 are ideal for comprehensive vehicle diagnostics.

	FOXWELL NT624 Check Price	Autel MD806 Check Price
FUNCTIONS
Full OBD2 functions	✅	✅
Full-system codes	✅	✅
Live data	✅	✅
Service functions	8	7
OTHER ASPECTS
Screen size	4.3”	4”
Free updates	Lifetime	Lifetime
Warranty	1 year	1 year
	Check Price	Check price

2. For Advanced DIYers/ Professionals

At those levels, in my experience testing both Autel and Foxwell products, Autel products are better than Foxwell products in many ways, including

• Superior hardware quality.
• More reliable performance and connectivity.
• Advanced features and capabilities.
• Broader compatibility with various vehicle models.
• Higher customer ratings and positive feedback.
• Ability to perform key programming, which Foxwell lacks.

In summary, Autel provides DIYers and professionals with a superior diagnostic experience, making it the recommended choice in this comparison.

To be clearer, just look at specific product comparisons between Autel and Foxwell.

• Foxwell NT809 vs. Autel MX808

	Foxwell NT809 Check Price	Autel MX808 Check Price
DIAGNOSTICS
Full-system diagnostic	✅	✅
Live data	✅	✅
Active tests	✅	✅
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Service functions	30+	28+
Key Programming	–	✅
DESIGN & HARDWARE
Screen size	7”	7”
Processor	Quad-Core, 1.3Ghz	Quad-Core 1.8GHz
Android OS	Android 9.0	Android 11
Storage	1G+32G	4G+64G
Battery	4,000mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging adapter	–	✅
AFTER-SALES SERVICE
Free updates	3 years	1 year
Warranty	3 years	1 year
Yearly update fee	$150	$150
Customer support	8.5/10	9.5/10
Where to buy	Amazon ➝ Foxwelldiag ➝	Amazon ➝

• Foxwell NT909 vs Autel MaxiPRO MP808BT PRO

	FOXWELL NT909 Check Price	Autel MP808BT Check Price
DIAGNOSTICS
Full-system diagnostic	✅	✅
Live data	✅	✅
Active tests	✅	✅
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Service functions	30+	30+
ECU Coding	✅	✅
VAG Guided	✅	✅
Key Programming	–	✅
DESIGN & HARDWARE
Screen size	8”	7”
Processor	4-Core, 2.0Ghz	4-Core 2.4GHz
Android OS	Android 9.0	Android 11
Storage	2G+32G	4G+64G
Battery	8,000mAh	5,000 mAh
AFTER-SALES SERVICE
Free updates	3 years	1 year
Warranty	3 years	1 year
Yearly update fee	$360	$349.5
Customer support	8.5/10	9.5/10
Where to buy	Amazon ➝ Foxwelldiag ➝	Check Price ➝

3. For Automotive Shop/ Specialized Tasks

Foxwell doesn’t have scanners specifically tailored for automotive shops, making Autel the clear winner in this category. Autel understands the unique needs of automotive shops and offers a wide range of scanners designed to meet those requirements.

In addition, Autel stands out in specialized tasks like ECU programming and key programming. They provide a variety of scanners dedicated to performing these functions efficiently and effectively.

Products	Fit for	Type
Autel Elite II Pro	Professionals	ECU Programmer	Check Price
Autel MS Ultra	Automotive shop	ECU Programmer	Check Price
Autel MK Ultra Lite	Automotive shop	ECU Programmer	Check Price
Autel IM508	Locksmiths	Key programmer	Check Price
Autel IM608 Pro II	Locksmiths	Key programmer	Check Price

Conclusion

I have finished comparing the two brands: Foxwell vs. Autel. I hope that after reading this post, you have found answers to all your questions.

Now you can choose the scanner brand that suits you best.