Stop Guessing: The No-Nonsense Guide to Picking the Right Autel Scanner

If you’ve ever looked for an Autel scanner online, you probably got lost in the alphabet soup.
MX, MK, MP, MS… BT, TS, Pro, Ultra. It’s a lot.

Here’s the good news:
Once you understand how Autel organizes their scanners, picking the right one becomes easy.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every current Autel scanner series from basic code readers to professional diagnostic workstations.

First, a Quick Overview

Autel scanners split into two big groups:

• Handheld series (wired, simpler, budget-friendly)

• Tablet-based scanners (more powerful, more features)

Inside the tablet family, you have:

• MaxiCheck (MX) – entry level

• MaxiCOM (MK) – Almost same funtions as MX

• MaxiPRO (MP) – pro-level coding & hidden functions

• MaxiSys (MS) – full workshop diagnostics

• Ultra series – flagship product with the most complete functions

• Specialty tools – TPMS, IMMO, battery testing

Let’s break down what actually matters.

Do All Autel Tablets Do the Same Basic Stuff?

Yes — every tablet scanner can:

• Read & clear codes

• Show live data

• Run service functions (oil reset, EPB, SAS, etc.)

• Run special functions

• Do active tests/ bi-directional control

The difference is how deep they go, and which advanced features you get.

MX vs MK – Same Thing, Different Name

Here’s a secret that saves you money:
MX808S = MK808S = MK808Z in terms of function.

The only real differences are:

• different distributor, so there is no core features difference

• supported languages

So don’t stress over MX vs MK. Focus on the model number instead.

Current Models at a Glance

808 series (basic diagnostic):

• MX808S / MK808S /  MK808Z: wired connection with main cable

• MK808BT Pro: upgrade version of MX808S, it equipped with Bluetooth VCI for wireless connection, and can work with BT506 battery tester

• MX808S-TS / MK808S-TS / MK808Z-TS : diagnostic same as MK808BT PRO but with TPMS functions

900 series (upgraded 808):

• MX900 / MK900-BT / MK900-TS

• Adds: Scan VIN, Scan License, Pre & Post Scan

• Supports DoIP and CAN FD (important for newer BMW, Mercedes, GM)

906 & 908 series (advanced scanners):

• MS906 Pro / MK906S Pro / MK906S Pro-TS / MS906 Pro-TS/ MK908 II

• Add: Online ECU coding for BMW, Porsche, VW

• Reflash hidden functions (VW/Audi/Skoda)

• Guided functions for VAG and Bentley

• MK908 II adds McLaren diagnostics

• MS906 Pro and MS906 Pro-TS models support Remote Expert

MP Series – The Real Pro Starting Point

If you run a small repair shop or work on German cars regularly, start here.

MaxiPRO (MP) sits right between basic scanners and full factory-level tools.

Current MP models:

• MP808S KIT

• MP900 / MP900E / MP900E kit

• MP900-TS

• MP808BT Pro / Pro Kit

• MP900-BT / Kit

What makes MP special?

• Online ECU coding for BMW, Porsche, VW

• Reflash hidden functions (VW/Audi/Skoda)

• Better hardware + more stable Bluetooth

👉 Bottom line: If you swap control modules or activate hidden features on German cars, get an MP.

MS Elite II Pro & MS908S Pro II – Serious Shop Tools

Once you hit this level, you get:

• Online ECU programming for Benz & BMW

• Audi online ECU coding

• Support for McLaren & Tesla diagnostic

The MS Elite II Pro is basically the modern version of the MS908S Pro II. It originally comes with 2 years of free updates and supports both D-PDU / RP1210 protocol.

MS909, MS919, Ultra Lite S, Ultra – The Flagships Models

This is where Autel stops holding back.

All of these support:

• Topology mapping – see how every module talks to each other

• Remote Expert – get help from a remote technician

• VCMI (on MS919 & Ultra) – built-in oscilloscope, signal generator, multimeter, and bus test

Want to test EVs?
MS909, MS919 and Ultra can pair with an EV box to become MS909EV / MS919EV / Ultra EV.

Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Here’s my no-BS advice: