With spring fast approaching, you may want to enhance protection around your home or keep track of your keys while you venture outside more often. Whether you want to quickly find your wallet or just keep an eye on your yard décor, Bluetooth trackers can give you extra peace of mind. The question is, which Bluetooth tracker should you buy? With dozens of brands, sizes, and price points available, finding the ideal tracker requires a bit of… information tracking. Fortunately, I’ve compared the very best Bluetooth-enabled offerings on the market and rounded up my favorites below. Also: The best tablets for kids The Apple AirTag hit the market in 2021 and has kept its foot on the pedal since. The coin-sized tracker only works with Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, but it does so seamlessly and effectively. By making use of its built-in U1 ultra wideband chip (for Precision Finding) and Apple’s extensive Find My network, the AirTag can track down keys, wallets, bags, and anything else the trinket can fit into. The AirTag’s battery is rated to last one year and can be replaced with another CR2032 unit afterward. One AirTag sells for $29, and a four-pack is priced at $99. Read the review: Apple AirTag full review It’s easy to get carried away with the “Pro” moniker. What exactly does that entail? For the Tile Pro (2022), it means a greater tracking range (400 feet), loud alarm, and IP67 rating to keep the tag safe from splashes and rain. For reference, competing trackers like the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag can be detected within 200 feet via Bluetooth – and the Tile doubles that. The Tile Pro looks a lot like a key fob, and you might be okay with that. The size is warranted as it’s equipped with a larger-than-average speaker for a more discernible alarm and a replaceable CR2032 battery. A tag sells for $35, which isn’t cheap but well worth the money if you’re an iOS or Android user who wants the farthest tracking range. It’s among the best Tile trackers available. Chipolo’s just-released Card Spot is shaped like a credit card, connects to Apple’s Find My network, and gets my pick for best Bluetooth wallet tracker. While traditional, coin-shaped finders can also keep your wallet in check, they often create a bulge that makes stashing the accessory cumbersome. The Card Spot is designed to live in your wallet, measuring a thickness of 0.09 inches – about the same as two credit cards stacked together. The other key feature is Apple’s Find My network integration. By dialing into the expansive, crowdsourced ecosystem, the Chipolo can be tracked within a 200-foot range via Bluetooth, and virtually anywhere else via nearby Apple devices. A card sells for $35 and fits in most wallet types. Read the review: Chipolo Card Spot full review Besides locating keys and wallets, Bluetooth trackers make for handy-dandy gadgets to keep your child or pet under surveillance. If you’re able to spend a little more for added safety and security features, look to the Jiobit Smart Tag. The Jiobit can be clipped onto a belt, collar, or backpack, and provides always-on connectivity and real-time location tracking. This is all done via Jiobit’s dedicated cloud subscription, which does require a monthly fee. At the basic level ($8.99 a month), you’ll gain access to the standard, real-time tracking features. But by paying more – especially for the Protect plan ($14.99 a month for the no-contract option), Jiobit gives you access to location histories, phone alerts, and unlimited location-sharing with other users. Protect plan users can also take advantage of the tracker’s built-in emergency button. When pressed, your phone will receive a ping and be given the option to call 911. Like the AirTag and iPhone, the SmartTag is at its best when paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Unlike the aforementioned picks, the SmartTag doubles as a trigger for smart home automation. You can press the tag to turn on lights, kickstart air conditioning, or even open the garage door. However, it’s only compatible with appliances that fall under the SmartThings ecosystem, which is more limited than what Alexa and the Apple Home Kit can work with. Also: The best Samsung phones Still, the Galaxy SmartTag is a formidable Bluetooth tracker with a loudspeaker, a replaceable battery, and a rugged build that can handle a bump or two. The tracker sells for $29, but we’ve seen it go for much less, making it a great value buy for Samsung users. We chose other great options to fit a variety of needs. If you want a long-distance tracker, the Tile Pro’s 400-foot range is fantastic. Meanwhile, if you need real-time location tracking, the JioBit Smart Tag is a wise choice for parents. This table can help you compare the best Bluetooth trackers based on pricing and special features: It also helps to know what you’re tracking. For keys and smaller items, coin-shaped trackers will do the trick. For larger belongings such as wallets and passports, consider card-shaped options. Many batteries can last between one and two years. Your manufacturer will have this information available in the owner’s manual and on the website, so you can plan when to replace it.
