Verdict: Best luggage trackers
At the moment, Apple users have a much easier time when it comes to item tracking. The Apple AirTag is by far the best option for most of us because it offers highly accurate location tracking, quick and useful “left behind” alerts, precision finding with its ultrawideband chip, a loud siren and water resistance in a highly compact form factor. It also doesn’t require you to be near an object to track it or to pay for a subscription for the extra features.
Alternatively, the other options we tried that work on Apple’s Find My network deliver a similarly reliable experience with almost all the same features as the AirTag except the “precision finding” with stepbystep directions to find your tracker. We like the Chipolo One Spot and the Eufy SmartLink Track as compact options on the Find My network, and the Chipolo has a slightly louder alarm than an AirTag. Otherwise, the slightly chunkier Groove My Tag is a great pick for those on a budget.
The rival Bluetooth tracker models from Tile are ideal as a crossplatform solution that works on either Android or iPhone. These devices have long ranges for finding objects that are relatively nearby, and you can make them emit a loud alarm – the Tile Pro is the loudest we’ve tested. However, “left behind” alerts and device sharing aren’t available without subscribing for at least £2.99 a month. Other Android options are a bit lagging but a new Google Find My network has just launched so we are expecting to see improved models soon.
Are you allowed to put a tracker in your luggage?
While the bigger batteries in electronics like smartphones and laptops mean they need to be deactivated, put in hand luggage and carryon bags and included in preflight checks, small trackers comply with regulations for carryon bags and checked luggage like the best suitcases and best cheap suitcases.
This is because larger devices exceed the limit of two grams of lithium, while the tiny battery inside an AirTag or similar tracker only has around 0.2 grams of lithium, comparable to the battery in a standard watch. That should be no problem to pack, no matter what type of suitcase you’re using.
Unsurprisingly, the replaceable CR2032 coin cell batteries in these devices are designed for tiny devices like batterypowered watches, garage door openers, kitchen scales and calculators. However, while the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reaffirmed that trackers are allowed and the battery size is below the amount deemed concerning to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), each airline can set its own restrictions, so it is worth doublechecking before you fly.
How to pick the best luggage trackers
What features do you need to consider when picking your luggage tracker or key finder? Below we’ve listed and explained a few of the most essential specifications we’d keep in mind:
Battery
Most trackers that we’ve encountered use a replaceable coin cell battery, the same ultracompact kind you might find in a watch or car keys. Some trackers, however, do use a nonreplaceable battery that will require you to get a whole new device when it’s exhausted.
Rechargeable batteries on trackers exist but are rare, and will have the shortest life, requiring you to charge them up potentially every few weeks or months.In general, the replaceable battery models look like the best option to use, especially as they offer a year of life before you need to buy new ones, and the batteries are affordable, costing about £5 for a twopack from a reliable brand like Duracell.
Compatibility
Item trackers use a range of technologies to help you locate them, including Bluetooth, wifi and GPS, but they will work on specific platforms that you may find more or less compatible with your other devices.
If you pick a model that works on Apple’s Find My network, you’ll need to use an iPhone and Apple’s companion app for locating and tracking the device. Tile trackers only work in the Tile app and are not compatible with Apple Find My.
There are some newer trackers that will soon be released, and these will be compatible with a Google Find My Device network, exclusively on Android devices. We expect this to rival the functionality of the Apple network.
Subscriptions
Tile models and some other pet trackers are notable for keeping some features locked behind a monthly or yearly subscription, which adds to the cost. With Tile, you need the Premium plan to access the ability to share your tracker’s location with friends and family or to get “left behind” alerts.
However, with most other trackers, there isn’t a subscription to sign up for, and you’ll get all the advertised features free of charge. This is the case with Apple AirTags and other devices that use the Apple Find My network.
Size and weight
Luggage trackers aren’t large devices, but it’s worth knowing that they do come in a range of sizes and weights.
If you’re looking for the smallest and lightest option to keep with your keys, for instance, this will be important. If you’re only going to use the tracker within a pocket inside your luggage, this isn’t as important, but may still matter if you’re tight on space.
It’s also worth knowing that while we’ve focused on luggage tag designs for this article, there are walletshaped trackers that we’ll look at for a future update.
Waterproofing
Durability may not matter for some users, especially if you know the tracker will always be safely stored inside your pocket or bag, but it is essential if you use the tracker on the outside of a backpack or need it to keep working after a fall in a puddle or a particularly torrential downpour.
IP ratings are simple to understand; you just look at the last two numbers in any rating. The first relates to dust/solids protection (a scale of 06) and the second relates to water/liquid protection (a scale of 09), an X in either position means it hasn’t had specific testing for that.
For example, “IP67” indicates a device has excellent protection from dust and water, including surviving being submerged in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes; “IP45” would mean it’s reasonably well protected from dust and some splashes but is an overall lower level of protection than “IP67”. Alternatively, a rating of “IPX5” would indicate no testing against dust but sufficient splash protection for general everyday use.