6 AirTag Alternatives for Tracking Your Stuff or Loved Ones
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For many iPhone users, Apple’s AirTags have changed the way we keep track of our things and the people we care about.
While Apple wasn’t the first to invent a tracking device, it’s still one of the best accessories you can use with your iPhone, thanks to its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. There are no apps to install, which means that, unlike many of Apple’s competitors, nearly any iPhone on the planet can report the location of an AirTag.
With an AirTag you can keep track of just about anything, from your pets to your backpack and even your car. While some of these use cases aren’t recommended by Apple, they’re still doable as long as you understand the limitations.
Still, as you can expect from any first-generation Apple product, the AirTag is far from perfect. The small device still has a few things that make it rather inconvenient. For starters, its size makes it great to carry in your bag, but it’s still too thick to add to your wallet.
Likewise, it doesn’t have a hole for your keychain, so you’ll need to buy an extra accessory if you want to keep track of your keys.
Needless to say, it still needs a few improvements. The good news is that there are already a bunch of alternatives that do everything the AirTag does, plus a few other cool things.
Tile Pro
If you’ve been looking for tracking devices, you’ve probably heard of Tile. It’s the company that made tracking devices important and accessible for everyone.
The company has a lot of tracking devices to choose from, but one of the best is the Tile Pro.
Like any other Tile, the Tile Pro works great with any iPhone or even an Android device. However, you’ll need to install Tile’s own app if you want to use it, as it’s not compatible with Apple’s Find My network.
This also means that, while Tile offers a community of other Tile users whose phones can help you locate your stuff when it’s too far away, you wont’t get nearly the coverage that an AirTag provides, since a Tile’s location can only be reported by another iPhone or Android device that has the Tile app installed and running in the background. That’s about 30 million potential devices, compared to two billion for the AirTag.
However, Tile does tie into Amazon’s Sidewalk network, which gives it a slight edge over other non-Find-My-compatible trackers. The Tile Pro also offers up to 400 feet of range, which is one of the best in the market, so you’ll be able to find it yourself as long as it’s not too far away.
Another cool feature is that it’s water-resistant, so you can take it with you anywhere, and its batteries should last around a year, just like the AirTag.
Spytec GPS GL300 Mini
The Spytec GPS GL300 Mini is a different kind of tracker, but it’s one that’ll keep your stuff and your loved ones in check.
Primarily, this is a tracker to use in your car or another large vehicle. You can leave it there, and thanks to its 4G coverage, you’ll be able to locate it pretty much anywhere. Moreover, it comes with a rugged case that makes the device waterproof, so it’s a great way to keep track of your boat too.
It also comes with some cool and unique features you won’t find on many other trackers. For instance, you can mark specific areas on the map, and the tracker will immediately notify you when your things reach those locations.
Moreover, it also has a time machine feature that will let you retrace all the places your tracker went. You can check things like the speed it was going and the stops it made along the way.
Unfortunately, all of this isn’t free. Since it’s a traditional GPS tracker that requires its own data plan to do its thing, the Spytec GPS GL300 Mini requires a monthly or yearly subscription. That will cost you $29.95 per month or the equivalent of $22.95 per month, respectively.
Still, if you need all of these features, the subscription could be worth it, and the best is that it can report its location from nearly anywhere on the planet, even when there are no iPhones around to pick up on it.
Brickhouse Car Trackers
Another different type of tracker that will help you keep track of your car is the Brickhouse Car Tracker.
What’s great about this tracker is that it works internationally. Besides being able to track your car in the US, you can also locate it in other places like Canada and Mexico.
Just like other options on the list, this tracker also comes with a special case to protect it against any weather condition, which is more than any Apple AirTag case can do.
However, just like the Spytec, you’ll have to pay a subscription in order to use all of this tracker’s features. You can choose to pay for it monthly, quarterly, or annually, making it more accessible than other options on the list.
Chipolo One Spot
Chipolo might not be as well-known as an AirTag or Tile, but its tracking devices work just as well, if not better, since they tie into the same Find My network that AirTags use.
For starters, the Chipolo One Spot is a water-resistant tracker with a range of over 200 feet. It can report its location using any nearby iPhone or iPad without the need for special apps, and you can view it in your iPhone’s Find My app just like an AirTag or any other Apple device. It also has a feature that lets it ring, so it’s easier to find when you’re nearby.
Eufy SmartTrack Link
Starting at $19.99, the Eufy SmartTrack Link tracker is one of the most affordable options on our list.
Despite the lower price, the Eufy SmartTrack Link works just as well as an AirTag, since it also does its thing through Apple’s Find My network. However, not only can you use it in the Find My app, but its design makes it feel more durable than a regular AirTag.
Despite that extra durability, it’s still small enough to carry around with you at all times. Plus, it comes with a hole to easily attach it your keys. Eufy also makes a SmartTrack Card that’s designed specifically for your wallet.
Another thing that makes this tracker stand out is its alarm. It’s a really loud sound that will alert you if you ever leave your stuff behind.
Cube Shadow
The Cube Shadow is the perfect tracking device for people who don’t want to change batteries every year or so.
Why? Because the Cube Shadow is the only device on the list that you can recharge whenever you want. Granted, this means that it won’t last nearly as long as the AirTag or other trackers — most reviews say you’ll probably have to top it up every 2–4 weeks — but it’s still a solid option if you just want to keep track of your stuff on the go.
Besides that, the Cube Shadow is extremely thin. It’s basically as thick as a coin, making it the best option to put in your wallet or even in with some important papers or books. Despite its thinner size, it still gives you enough power to track your stuff when it’s 200 feet away.
The catch? In addition to having to recharge it frequently, like the Tile Pro, the Cube Shadow doesn’t use Apple’s Find My network. That means you’ll have to install the Cube app on your iPhone to use it, and it can only be found by others running the same app. That’s already challenging with Tile, even with its tens of millions of customers; Cube likely has a much smaller installed base, so the chances of a Cube user wandering by your lost item are much slimmer.
Never Lose Your Stuff Again
Whether you want to keep track of your stuff on the go or you want to make sure that your kids or significant other are in a safe place, these trackers will help you with everything you need.
The best part is that all of these trackers can be used for different things. If you want something to track your everyday carry and simply let you know if you’ve left it behind, the Cube Shadow or the Tile Pro are great for the job. Meanwhile, the Chipolo One Spot and Eufy SmartTrack work just like AirTags to help you locate lost items from far away while offering unique designs with more versatility and durability.
But if you want to track your car whenever it goes, the Spytec GPS GL300 Mini and the Brickhouse Car Trackers are solid choices despite their subscription plans. Find the best tracker for you and never lose your things ever again.