The problem is, lost items don't always cooperate. Even seasoned travelers know that once luggage disappears onto an airport conveyor belt, all you can do is hope. That's why Bluetooth trackers are essential. Yes, there are legitimate privacy concerns around tracking devices and misuse. But without Bluetooth and GPS trackers, I'd spend considerably more of my life wandering around my apartment wondering, “Where did I put that?”
These are the best Bluetooth trackers WIRED has tested and vetted. Still confused about how these devices work? We have more information on how to find your phone, how to track your luggage, and the best trackable luggage.
Best Bluetooth Tracker Overall
In the competition between Tile and Chipolo for the most ubiquitous tracker, I would not have guessed that Chipolo would be the one to land exclusive collaborations with both Apple and Google (cough, antitrust congressional hearings, cough). Yet here we are. Chipolo has three separate product lines: the Chipolo Pop, Loop, and Card, plus bundles that work with the Chipolo app; all products are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu and I have tested several of these lines. They're at a similar price point to Tile's and come in a variety of colors. Setup is simple, especially if you use your phone's native app. I currently have a Card in my wallet. It's about the same size as one credit card and about as thick as two of them. It's also loud enough for me to hear even when it's in my wallet, inside my purse, and in another room. Like with the Tile, you can choose to get alerts if you leave the house without your keys. As with many trackers, the connection can get wonky—I sometimes have to walk around a bit—but it's usually able to find an accurate last location. —Adrienne So
Best for Apple Devices
Apple's long-awaited Tile competitor debuted in 2021; AirTags use Bluetooth connectivity and Apple's special U1 location-finding chip to help you pinpoint location via the Find My app. The second-gen improves the ability to find the tracker's location when using Apple's Precision Finding feature, with up to 1.5 times greater range. With a new chime, it's also 50 percent louder than its predecessor, and Apple says it can be heard from twice as far away as before.
AirTags are about the size of a quarter, and you can attach them to almost anything with an AirTag case or key clip. You can throw one into your luggage when you travel, or hide it in your bike. Apple's Find My network is giant, anonymous, and encrypted end-to-end. Through the app, you'll receive visual, audio, and haptic feedback as your iPhone guides you to your AirTag.
The obvious downside here is that the ubiquity and ease of use of the Apple AirTag means that evil people can use it to find you as well. Here's how to check if you're being tracked. It also doesn't work with Android phones, and it's not rechargeable, so you will have to replace the battery in about a year.
Pebblebee Clip 5 for $35: Although the Pebblebee battery only lasts around eight months, it is rechargeable. WIRED former editor Adrienne So says the Clip 5 is larger but lighter than the AirTag; it also comes with a built-in key ring. She also has the Pebblebee Card 5 ($35), the company's wallet tracker, which she says is noticeably louder and more shrill than the AirTag. Both trackers work with both iOS and Android, either via Find My or the Pebblebee app.
Life360 Tile Sticker for $24: Tile's Bluetooth finders were once ubiquitous. Even as AirTags and other trackers become more popular, Tiles are still everywhere and come in an even wider variety of forms. After years of being in circulation, the latest models are even more durable and waterproof, and the batteries are replaceable. However, I still think the most useful form factor is the Tile stickers, which are great for remotes and the back of my Kindle Paperwhite. Each sticker is waterproof, has a three-year battery life, and offers a 150-foot range, which is pretty impressive for a tool that’s so small. After a year, the small bump did get knocked off my much-abused Kindle; however, I still think this is a fair price to pay for being able to read my requisite soothing 10 to 15 pages of Naomi Novik before going to bed every night. —Adrienne So
Fi Smart Collar Series 3+ for $189: I’ve tested several dog trackers on my patient pups, but the Fi is my favorite, if only for the long battery life. While other trackers need to be recharged every week or so, the Fi only needs to be charged every three months. It comes with its own collar, and the unit is IP68-rated and waterproof. It also uses a combo of Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular connectivity to keep 24/7 tabs on your dog. Use the app to designate a safe zone around your house and alert you if your dog wanders off the property. It also includes a dog activity tracker and a collar light for walks at night. Because it does use a data plan, the Fi requires a $4 per week membership. You can save up to $70 by prepaying for one or two years in advance. —Adrienne So
Groove Smart Wallet Trace for $125: According to the company, the Groove Wallet is the first wallet with built-in Find My capabilities and a built-in battery. It blocks RFID transmission—although I feel obligated to remind you that there has never been a real-world case of RFID skimming—and is made from attractive aerospace-grade anodized aluminum. It fits up to six cards and snaps up for access with a flick of the thumb. There's also a money clip on the back for your cash. I don't particularly like a hard wallet; it doesn't conform to your body, so it's uncomfortable to have it clank around in your pocket. It also doesn't have a zipper, so you can't stuff random receipts inside. Still, it's much more protective than a leather wallet. It only uses the Apple Find My app, so it's not Android-compatible. It has a warranty of 94 years but a battery life of around two years, after which point you need to contact Groove customer service for a $10 replacement. —Adrienne So
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