Some people rarely lose things. Wallets are always exactly where they’re supposed to be, keys never go missing, and remotes never slip between the couch cushions. But for the rest of us—those who can’t ever seem to find what was right there just moments ago—Bluetooth trackers have become an essential tool.
Bluetooth trackers have been on the market for years, functioning in a fairly standard way: you attach a tracker to an item, pair it with your smartphone, and when the item disappears, you can ring the tracker through an app. However, modern devices have evolved, featuring ultra-wideband chips for precision tracking and taking advantage of large networks like Apple’s and Google’s, ensuring that lost items can be found even beyond your home. Some even notify you if you’ve left the item behind or offer QR codes linking to your contact details for easier return.
What I’m looking for
How I test trackers
To assess a tracker’s effectiveness, we make a point to purposely lose items, mimicking day-to-day forgetfulness. For instance, we might test in environments like offices or multi-story homes. Sometimes, friends and family help hide objects, allowing us to evaluate precision finding features. Our focus areas include Bluetooth and network ranges, battery life, and the volume of alerts.
Range and sound
Are you limited to Bluetooth’s range, or can you utilize broader networks like Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find Hub? How easily can you hear the tracker when ringing it?
Anti-stalking features
While the potential to track items is beneficial, it can also lead to misuse in tracking people without consent. Consequently, many tracker companies are implementing anti-stalking measures. We evaluate how these features are crafted, the educational efforts made for users, and how proactive companies are in updating these features based on expert feedback.
Subscriptions
Are there additional subscription fees required for complete access to features? If so, is it worth the cost?
Battery
Most Bluetooth trackers last at least a year, but not all allow for battery replacement. Trackers that do typically save you from the cost of new purchases when batteries die, making them a preferred choice.
Many modern trackers have fantastic features but also face the risk of misuse. Take Apple’s AirTags, for instance. Initially, Apple did not anticipate that they could be used for stalking. Since their launch, they have enhanced their anti-stalking features, while competitors like Tile have followed suit. Apple and Google have initiated a standard to provide unwanted tracking alerts across Android and iOS devices, which major players like Tile and Samsung support. Until this standard fully rolls out, it’s crucial to understand each tracker’s approach to safety when choosing your best option.
Drawing from personal experience as someone who frequently misplaces items, I’ve tried numerous Bluetooth trackers for wallets, keys, and luggage. Here’s what I would recommend for fellow “Losers of Things.”
The best tracker for iPhone users
$25
Apple’s AirTags leverage ultra-wideband technology for precise item location tracking. They offer optimal compatibility with iPhones; however, an Android app does exist for tracking AirTags.
Read More
Launched in 2021, AirTags transformed the Bluetooth tracker landscape. Equipped with an Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, they integrate with Apple’s vast Find My network, making them a leading option in the market. This technology facilitates precision tracking; simply open the Find My app, tap “Find,” and an arrow will guide you to your lost item’s exact location. Furthermore, with the Find My network, if a lost AirTag encounters any Apple device, it can ping its location to iCloud without alerting the device owner. This capability is major, considering the existence of over a billion Apple products.
In one instance, my keys fell out during a run. My phone notified me of their absence shortly after, showing the last recorded location in the Find My app. Despite twenty minutes passing, I successfully located my keys, a feat I haven’t achieved with other trackers.
AirTags come with UWB-powered precision tracking. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
However, this level of accuracy also presents challenges. I conducted a test in 2022, where I tracked a friend and my spouse (with their consent) in real-time, revealing potential pitfalls. While Apple’s unwanted tracking safeguards were effective, inherent flaws existed. Since then, Apple has enhanced unwanted tracking alerts and shortened the notification times when unknown AirTags are nearby. They’ve also introduced a dedicated app for Android users to scan for unknown AirTags, informing users during setup that stalking is illegal and that AirTags are intended solely for tracking personal belongings.
Moreover, Apple has expanded AirTag sharing capabilities in iOS 17, allowing trusted individuals to view your lost item’s location, including a feature designed for situations like airline lost luggage. This partnership with over 15 airlines enhances utility.
However, it’s worth noting that while AirTags are priced at $29 each, they can often require accessories for attachment, making the overall cost higher. Luckily, there’s a vibrant third-party accessory market to mitigate those costs. The ability to easily replace the battery with a standard CR2032 coin cell also adds long-term cost efficiency.
Read our original AirTags review.
The best Bluetooth tracker for Android users
$35
The Tile Pro stands out as the company’s loudest Bluetooth tracker and boasts a remarkable 400 feet range. It also features a user-replaceable battery, unlike many other Tile models.
Read More
As more trackers incorporate support for both Google’s and Apple’s Find My networks, Tile’s trackers, especially the $34.99 Tile Pro, remain a top recommendation for Android users or mixed-device households. Functionally, these trackers perform similarly to AirTags. They can tap into the Tile Network and Amazon Sidewalk for locating devices beyond Bluetooth range. Although this network doesn’t match the expanse of Apple’s or Google’s, Amazon Sidewalk’s coverage has been improving. In testing conducted in April 2025, Tile demonstrated superior performance in tracking items outside the home compared to newer Google-enabled options.
Unfortunately, Tile still lacks true real-time tracking and does not have a UWB option, missing out on the precision that AirTags offer. The company had previously announced such a device in 2021, but it has yet to materialize—partly due to Apple’s restrictions on UWB compatibility for third parties, as well as Tile’s shifting priorities following its acquisition by Life360.
A note about Google’s Find Hub network
While initially lagging behind Apple’s network, Google’s Find Hub network is catching up. Testing conducted over several weeks—specifically with devices compatible with Find Hub—reveals that performance has significantly improved in busy areas. Despite this, it’s evident that Google has favored privacy over precision in its approach.
Google has recently added UWB support for enhanced tracking with Motorola’s Moto Tag and plans to roll out satellite connectivity later in 2025, further refining its offerings.
However, Life360’s acquisition has brought meaningful changes. For instance, users can push a Tile button three times to send an SOS alert to emergency contacts through Life360. You can also share your Tile devices with others on a Life360 map. More recently, Tile has integrated fully into Life360, unlocking several premium features for free, including two-day location history and push alerts for forgotten items.
Still, many useful features, such as 30-day location history and unlimited sharing with family, require a subscription fee of $29.99 per year. Fortunately, Tile offers a one-year free trial for new members, allowing one subscription to cover all devices. You still retain core functionalities without extra fees, such as locating your Tile via Bluetooth and viewing its last known location on a map.
Tile excels in its versatility. Whereas AirTags offer a single design, Tile provides four distinct form factors to meet various needs. For instance, the card-shaped Tile Slim is ideal for those frequently misplacing their wallets, while the square Tile Mate is versatile with a hole for keyrings or carabiners. The Tile Sticker, a small disc with a sticky backing, is perfect for attaching to remotes or pet collars.
Choosing the best Tile depends on what you need to track. Personally, I recommend the $34.99 Tile Pro. It’s designed like a key fob, larger than the Mate, with the longest Bluetooth range at 500 feet and loudest ring, plus a one-year CR2032 battery.
The back of the Tile Pro now has a QR code. If you find a Tile, you can scan the code to see the owner’s contact information so you can return it. Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge
Additionally, Tile has introduced an anti-theft feature, rendering devices invisible to unwanted tracking detection if an item is stolen. However, to utilize this function, users must submit a government ID for verification and agree to cooperate with law enforcement. Tile’s “Scan and Secure” feature allows proactive scanning for unknown devices, although this still places the onus on individuals.
The best AirTag and Tile alternative
$35
The Pebblebee Clip Universal is a standout choice, supporting both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks. It boasts a 500-foot Bluetooth range and LED lights to help in locating it, all while having a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 months.
Read More
If you seek an alternative to AirTags or Tiles, the Pebblebee Clip Universal proves to be an excellent choice. It stands out by supporting Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, significantly enhancing usability for both iOS and Android users. Additionally, it features a USB-C charging port, thus alleviating concerns over lost chargers.
The LED feature in Pebblebee’s design has proven advantageous, illuminating when you ring it, thereby helping locate lost items in dark spaces. The 500-foot Bluetooth range surpasses that of the Tile Pro, and while slightly larger than an AirTag, it includes a snap-on key ring for easy attachment. It’s designed with an IPX6 rating for water resistance.
Pebblebee provides functionalities that extend beyond what’s considered conventional. The device allows integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice tags, while its “Find Phone” feature can ring your phone with a simple double-tap. A bonus safety feature, called “panic alarm,” alerts trusted contacts by sending texts of your location in case of emergencies.
However, it’s important to note that options regarding tracking and geofencing are limited for Clip Universal users, particularly compared to last-gen models. The ability to define safe zones and receive specific notifications for tracked devices is absent, leaving users relying more heavily on the capabilities of Apple’s Find My service and Google’s offerings.
The best AirTag alternatives for wallets
$35
For those who frequently misplace their wallets, the $34.99 Pebblebee Card Universal is an optimal alternative. It integrates smoothly with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, offering cross-platform benefits and an exceptionally loud ringtone.
Read More
The Pebblebee Card Universal not only supports handy features like voice tagging but is also built with a rechargeable battery lasting up to 18 months on a full charge. The ability to easily locate your phone or activate tracking alarms adds substantial value.
While the functional capabilities are solid, different models of Bluetooth trackers exist in a variety of styles, and recent advancements further improve the competitive landscape. Other noteworthy alternatives include:
Eufy Security SmartTrack Card
Similarly priced at $29.99, the Eufy Security SmartTrack Card designed for wallets features a clip attachment and allows an optional Find My network integration. However, it is less advanced and strictly iOS-centric.
Chipolo Card Spot and Card Point
Both the Chipolo Card Spot and Card Point are solid alternatives at $35 but lack QR codes and come with batteries that last only two years. Prospective buyers should check compatibility with either the Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find Hub networks.
Ultimately, whether you are considering an AirTag, Tile, or another alternative, the decision will depend on individual needs and how much you value precision, battery life, and compatibility with your devices. Read more about specific options and their unique features by visiting this link: Here.
Image Credit: www.theverge.com
