ELMCONFIG vs OBDResource BM800 Car Battery Tester with Printer: Best for DIY?

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If you’re shopping for a battery tester with a built-in printer, you’ve probably landed on two lookalikes: the ELMCONFIG Car Battery Tester with Printer and the OBDResource BM800 Car Battery Tester with Printer. Both handle 6V, 12V and 24V batteries, both cover 100-2000 CCA, and both print reports. So which one actually earns a spot in your garage?

This comparison is for DIYers and home mechanics who want real test data without paying shop prices. The trade-off comes down to ratings, build weight and a few small feature gaps. I’ll break down exactly where each one wins so you can pick with confidence.

🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations

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Best Overall: OBDResource BM800

Higher 4.4-star rating and supports all battery types including AGM, GEL and EFB — Check Price →

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Runner-Up: ELMCONFIG BM800

2.8-inch color screen with waveform playback, plus 3 rolls of thermal paper included — Check Price →

Here’s how the two BM800 testers stack up side by side on the specs that actually matter for DIY use.

Full Specs Comparison

Specification	ELMCONFIG Car Battery Tes	OBDResource BM800 Car Bat
Brand	ELMCONFIG	OBDResource
Model	✅ BM800	BM800
Voltage Range	✅ 6V 12V 24V	6V/12V/24V
CCA Range	✅ 100-2000 CCA	100-2000CCA
Power Source	Battery Powered	Battery Powered
Measurement Type	Multimeter	Digital Battery Analyzer
Style	✅ BM800	battery tester with printer
Color	Black + Grey	red with printer
Item Weight	—	✅ 3.3 pou
Printer	✅ with 3pcs Thermal Paper	with printer
Test Modes	Load, Cranking, Charging	Standard, Cranking, Charging, Load
Battery Type	✅ 6V 12V 24V	6V/12V/24V
Display Type	—	✅ Digital
Warranty	—	—

The biggest real difference I see is battery type support: the OBDResource covers flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB, while the ELMCONFIG listing doesn’t spell out AGM or GEL compatibility at all.

Individual Product Breakdown

I looked at the same core specs for each tester — testing range, standards support, screen and printer features, plus what real buyers are saying in the ratings.

Runner-Up

ELMCONFIG Car Battery Tester with Printer

6V/12V/24V | 100-2000 CCA | 2.8″ Color Screen | 3.9★ (23 reviews)

ELMCONFIG BM800 Car Battery Tester with Printer, Built-in...

Multi-Mode Battery Diagnosis：Professional 6V 12V 24V battery load tester...
Built-in Thermal Printer：One-key printing generates clear test reports...
10 Global Test Standards：Supports CCA, BCI, CA, MCA, JIS, DIN, IEC, EN...

This one runs the full 6V, 12V and 24V range and covers 100-2000 CCA, so it handles everything from a motorcycle battery to a truck. The 2.8-inch color screen is the standout feature for me — it shows real-time waveforms and stores up to 10 records you can play back or delete. You also get 3 rolls of thermal paper in the box, and the one-key print makes clean reports for your records. The catch is the 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews, which is noticeably lower than its rival.

✅ Pros

2.8-inch color screen with real-time waveform detection
Stores up to 10 waveform records with playback
Covers 10 standards including CCA, JIS, DIN, IEC and SAE
3 rolls of thermal paper included plus reverse connection protection

❌ Cons

Lower 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews
Listing doesn’t spell out AGM, GEL or EFB compatibility
Printer can give blank output if the roller isn’t pressed tight

Check Price on Amazon →

Best Overall

OBDResource BM800 Car Battery Tester with Printer

6V/12V/24V | 100-2000 CCA | Up to 32V Max | 4.4★ (14 reviews)

OBDResource Car Battery Tester with Printer, Digital Battery...

【3-in-1 Battery Tester with Printer】This professional automotive...
【Standard Test/ Cranking/ Charging/ Loading Test】 6V 12V 24V automotive...
【Wide compatibility】Compatible with all battery types (regular flooded...

This is the one I’d buy for DIY use. It matches the ELMCONFIG on range — 6V, 12V, 24V and 100-2000 CCA — but adds ripple testing on top of standard, cranking, charging and load tests. The big win is battery type support: it explicitly covers regular flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB, which matters if your car runs an AGM battery. It also stores 10 waveform records and shows real-time min and max voltage. The main trade-off is there’s no color screen listed here, just the red housing and printer.

✅ Pros

Higher 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews
Supports flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB
Adds ripple test alongside standard, cranking, charging and load tests
Real-time min/max voltage display plus 10 waveform records

❌ Cons

No color screen mentioned in the specs
Heavier at 3.3 pounds than the ELMCONFIG at 15.3 ounces
Fewer total reviews to judge long-term reliability

Check Price on Amazon →

Which One Should You Buy?

The “best” pick really comes down to what kind of batteries you’re testing and how much you value a color screen. Both testers cover 6V, 12V and 24V at 100-2000 CCA, so the decision is about the details around that core range.

ELMCONFIG Car Battery Tester with Printer is right for you if…

You want a 2.8-inch color screen that shows real-time waveforms instead of plain numbers.
You like reviewing past tests — it stores up to 10 waveform records with playback and one-click delete.
You’re testing plain 6V, 12V or 24V batteries and want 3 rolls of thermal paper included out of the box.

OBDResource BM800 Car Battery Tester with Printer is right for you if…

Your vehicles run AGM, GEL or EFB batteries — this one explicitly supports all five battery types.
You want ripple testing on top of standard, cranking, charging and load tests.
You put more weight on ratings — 4.4 stars from 14 reviews versus 3.9 stars from 23.

❌ Who Should Skip All of These?

If you only ever test one battery type and never need a printed report, a basic digital multimeter or a simple voltage tester will do the job for far less. The built-in printer and waveform records are the whole point here — skip these if you don’t need them.

For most DIYers, I’d go with the OBDResource BM800. The AGM, GEL and EFB support plus the higher 4.4-star rating make it the safer pick unless you specifically want that color waveform screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for DIY use, the ELMCONFIG or the OBDResource BM800?

For most DIYers, I’d pick the OBDResource BM800. It carries a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews versus 3.9 stars from 23 for the ELMCONFIG, and it explicitly supports regular flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB batteries. If your daily driver runs an AGM battery, that compatibility alone settles it. The ELMCONFIG only wins if you really want the color screen.

Do both testers cover the same battery range?

Yes, on the core numbers they match. Both handle 6V, 12V and 24V batteries and both cover 100-2000 CCA, so neither has an edge for standard car, truck or motorcycle batteries. The OBDResource does list a maximum operating voltage of 32V, which is a bit more headroom. Beyond that, the differences are in features, not range.

Is the OBDResource BM800 worth the extra money over the ELMCONFIG?

I think so, and here’s why. The OBDResource adds ripple testing and spells out support for AGM, GEL and EFB battery types, which the ELMCONFIG listing doesn’t mention. It also has the higher customer rating. The ELMCONFIG counters with a 2.8-inch color screen and waveform playback, so if visuals matter more to you than battery type coverage, that flips the answer.

Which one is better for testing AGM or GEL batteries?

The OBDResource BM800, without question. Its specs list regular flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB compatibility directly. The ELMCONFIG listing only says it fits cars, trucks, motorcycles and other 6/12/24V storage batteries, so I can’t confirm AGM or GEL support for it. If you own a modern car with an AGM battery, go OBDResource.

Does the ELMCONFIG tester have a better screen than the OBDResource?

Yes, that’s the ELMCONFIG’s clearest advantage. It uses a 2.8-inch color screen with real-time waveform detection, and it stores up to 10 waveform records you can play back or delete. The OBDResource specs don’t mention a color screen at all — it focuses on real-time min and max voltage values instead. So for visual diagnostics, the ELMCONFIG wins.

Do both come with printer paper and reverse polarity protection?

Both come with 3 rolls of thermal paper and both have built-in reverse connection protection, so you won’t damage the tester or battery if you clip the terminals backwards. That’s a tie. One tip from the ELMCONFIG listing: press the roller tightly against the paper before printing to avoid blank or blurry reports.

My Final Verdict

The OBDResource BM800 is my clear winner for DIY use. It matches the ELMCONFIG on the basics — 6V, 12V, 24V and 100-2000 CCA — but adds ripple testing and explicit support for regular flooded, AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB batteries. It also carries a higher 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews versus 3.9 stars from 23. The ELMCONFIG is the better pick only if you want its 2.8-inch color screen and waveform playback.

If you’re on the fence, ask one question: does your car run an AGM, GEL or EFB battery? If yes, buy the OBDResource — the ELMCONFIG doesn’t list those types. If you just want the prettier screen and don’t care about battery type coverage, the ELMCONFIG is fine.

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Winner: OBDResource BM800

OBDResource Car Battery Tester with Printer, Digital Battery...