If you’re always losing your things, it’s about time that you buy Bluetooth trackers. You can attach these devices to any item so that you’ll no longer get frustrated when you’re already running late for work and you can’t find your keys, for example. You’ll be able to locate them with a single tap, so you won’t have to rummage through all of your drawers and check every corner of your home. Even if you’re a pretty organized person, Bluetooth trackers will be very helpful in making sure that your stuff are where they’re supposed to be.
While some mobile devices come with features that will help you find them when they’re lost, you can get Bluetooth trackers for everything else. They come in various shapes and sizes, with some of the more popular models made by Tile, Samsung, and Apple. They have different characteristics and purposes, so to help you determine what to buy, we’ve rounded up this list of the best Bluetooth trackers.
The latest version of the Tile Mate is our top choice as an all-around Bluetooth tracker, as it’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices, it offers a Bluetooth range of up to 250 feet, and it offers an IP67 rating for water resistance. The hole on the device lets you attach it to keys and backpacks, among other things, and you can use the Tile app to make it ring when it’s within range or to look at its most recent location when it’s out of range. You can also use the Tile Mate when you’re looking for your phone — just double press its button to make your phone ring, even when it’s in silent mode. It’s powered by a non-replaceable battery, so you’ll need to buy a new Tile Mate once it’s out of charge, but it can last up to three years before you need to do so.
If you’re using an iPhone, there’s no better choice than the Apple AirTag. The Bluetooth tracker offers a one-tap setup to link it to your iPhone or iPad, and it’s powered by a replaceable battery that can last for more than a year before it needs a new one. You’ll use the Find My app to look for any misplaced items, and you can play a sound on the built-in speaker to help you. The Apple AirTag uses Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology to lead you right to it, but if it’s out of Bluetooth range of 30 feet, you can tap into the millions of Apple devices within the Find My network to help you locate it.
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2, which offers an amazing range of about 400 feet, is compatible with devices running on Android 11 or later, and it’s powered by a replaceable battery that can last up to 500 days — and even longer if you activate Power Saving Mode that limits it to basic functions, if that’s all you need. Its design is very different from its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, to make it easier to attach to your things. After registering your Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2, you can use SmartThings Find to look for it. Search Nearby will give you guided instructions to the Bluetooth tracker using Compass View, and you can also make it ring to help your search. When Lost Mode is activated, NFC technology will display your contact information on the finder’s smartphone, no matter the operating system.
If you prefer a rechargeable Bluetooth tracker so it won’t be disposable and you don’t need to tinker with replacing batteries, go for the Pebblebee Clip. It lasts up to 12 months before you need to recharge it through a USB-C cable, and it works with both iOS and Android devices through its companion app — it’s even compatible with Apple’s Find My network like the Apple AirTag. It offers a long Bluetooth range of 500 feet, you can make it play a loud sound through the app if you need help locating the item it’s attached to, and it also has a bright LED strip to make it easier to find it in the dark and in low-light conditions.
If you want a Bluetooth tracker on small things, or if you don’t think you can easily attach traditional Bluetooth trackers on the items you want to track, the Tile Sticker could be the solution that you need. You can simply stick it on, and follow the same setup process as the Tile Mate. You’ll get the same range of 250 feet and a non-replaceable battery that can last up to three years, and its IP67 rating for water resistance means it’s suitable for stuff that’s always outside like bicycles.
First and foremost, we chose Bluetooth trackers made by reputable brands and that have been tried and tested by lots of people to ensure the quality of the devices that you’ll be buying. Beyond that, you’ll have to select Bluetooth trackers based on what you need from them. While these devices generally work the same, some features cater to different sets of people, so you’ll have to figure out how you’ll be using them to make sure that you get the right ones.
You don’t want to buy Bluetooth trackers that are too complicated to use — they should seamlessly link to your mobile devices with apps that are simple enough for everyone to understand. If the Bluetooth tracker is too hard to set up, chances are it will also be difficult to use them when you need to find the item that they’re attached to.
For items that will never leave your home, such as remote controls, you won’t need much range. However, if you’re thinking about using Bluetooth trackers for keys that you may drop outside, pets that may run off, and wallets that may get stolen, you’ll want as much range as you can afford.
The Bluetooth tracker that you purchase should be compatible with the platform of your mobile device, and ideally also with the mobile devices of most people in your household. You just need to double check with the Bluetooth tracker’s specifications before you finalize your purchase, as it will be a waste of money if you run into compatibility issues.
Bluetooth trackers are generally inexpensive, but you also need to consider if the one that you want to buy comes with a non-replaceable battery. Since they’re technically disposable compared to Bluetooth trackers with batteries that you can replace, you may be able to get them for cheaper. You can also consider how much you’ll spend on batteries when buying Bluetooth trackers, but since they’re going to last for a long time, the cost may be considered negligible.
This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.
Jackie is an obsessive, insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app fanatic, her specialties include cross-platform hardware and software, art, design, photography, video, and a wide range of creative and productivity apps and systems. Formerly senior editor at Macworld and creativity editor at The Next Web, Jackie now writes for a variety of consumer tech publications.
Freelance technology journalist and writer living in (somewhat) sunny Scotland. Gamer, tea addict, never without a good book.
Aaron received an NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was four years old, and he has been fascinated with tech ever since. A gamer at heart, Aaron believes that while the tech industry is often dealing with side quests, it always remains on track with the mission to save the world.
Aaron has been writing tech deals since 2020, covering not just gaming, but also every other type of electronic device out there -- everything's important for the boss fight that we call life.
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