Well that depends on the car(s) you'll be working on. Yea, can be a pretty big difference re: this.  Since you are learning, ya did good so far imo, $20 to learn clones work iffy (but do work a bit and helpful at times depending on issue/car).  I'd get a non clone ELM for your pc/phone (prefer pc personally).  And a handheld that reads the other buses on the cars your working on (most cheap ones only read the pcm bus).  I won't recommend one specific due to not knowing the car and you need to spend considerable money to get one that reads everything(claims) on every vehicle. 

Tell us to what extend you intend to do with your shade tree mechanicing trade ,and, … just perhaps, we can help. I, for example, am quite happy with Launch CRP 129, … but it is not a $10 tool. [Btw, … good read here to start: https://www.obdadvisor.com ]

Best,

F.S.

I used to own a very basic autel code Reader, it would just pop me the code then I would do my research upon the web with the code i had for the car I had. Searching results online can be fun.

If you want a more advanced one, Innova has a whole line of decent easy to learn setup that won't break the bank.

Knowledge is power. The more that a reader can tell you, the easier and faster you can correct a given issue. Read and research all you can, get the best one you can afford.

I have an expensive one and I've never been sorry. It gives me more info and capability than some dealers have.

But check around, they're getting cheaper and more powerful every day.