The Verge Mar 12, 10:30 PM
The best Bluetooth trackers for Apple and Android phones Bluetooth trackers come in all shapes and sizes. | Illustration: Cath Virginia / The Verge
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. And then there’s the rest of us — the folks who can’t ever seem to find the thing that was right there a few seconds ago. For us, there are Bluetooth trackers.
Bluetooth trackers have been around for a long time, and they all generally work the same way. You stick the tracker onto an object, pair it with your phone, and then, when you lose said object, you can go into an app and ring the tracker. But these days, Bluetooth trackers can do a lot more. Some have ultra-wideband chips that enable precision tracking, so you can find exactly where in a room your item is. Increasingly, trackers also tap into large networks — like Apple’s and Google’s — making it easier to locate lost items outside the home. Many will notify you if they detect you’ve left the device behind or come with QR codes that link to your contact information so people can easily return lost devices.
These features are incredibly handy but also have the potential for misuse. Take AirTags. When Apple launched the trackers, it hadn’t anticipated they’d be used to track people or stolen items — but that’s exactly what happened. It’s since beefed up its anti-stalking features, and companies like Tile have also followed suit. Apple and Google have launched a standard that enables unwanted tracking alerts across both Android and iOS devices — and major players like Tile, Samsung, and Chipolo are on board. But until this standard is up and running, it pays to be aware of each tracker’s current approach when you’re deciding the best option for you.
As consummate Losers of Things, we have tested a fair share of Bluetooth trackers on wallets, keys, and luggage. Here’s what we’d recommend if you, too, have a hard time finding things.
The best tracker for iPhone users
Apple AirTag (second-gen)
Apple’s latest AirTags features an upgraded ultra-wideband chip for more precise location tracking, a noticeably louder speaker, and an expanded Bluetooth range.
Where to Buy:
$29 at Amazon
$29 at Best Buy
$29 at Walmart
If you’re an iPhone owner, Apple’s second-gen AirTag offers a level of precision that rival trackers simply cannot match. The updated model leverages the company’s latest ultra wideband (UWB) chip for its nifty Precision Finding feature, which, in turn, can lead you to your lost item with an on-screen arrow in the Find My app. Plus, because AirTags can tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, a lost tracker can anonymously ping its location to Apple’s iCloud servers whenever it’s near another Apple device, extending its range beyond Bluetooth’s limitations.
That level of precision proved incredibly useful during testing. Apple’s newest coin-shaped tracker consistently guided us to our misplaced items, including a spare mailroo