My husband Barry loses track of … everything. That is, until I AirTagged his life — or at least his wallet, keys and bag. Now, thanks to those little trackers, we can get out the door fast.
That’s where Bluetooth trackers come in. These tiny devices attach to what you don’t want to lose, like a keyring or bag, and sync to your phone. Then, the tracker shares the device’s location when you can’t find it.
Bluetooth is limited to the distance it can pair with your device. Today’s trackers tap into a network created by nearby phones and devices so you can track something whether it’s in the next room or around the globe.
🍎Team Apple
Apple AirTags are small, coin-sized tracking devices designed to help you locate lost items through Apple’s Find My network. It taps into hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world to anonymously detect and report the location of a tagged item.
Each AirTag has a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts over a year. AirTags only works with iOS devices. They cost $29 for one, $99 for four.
🤖 Team Android
You have way more options than just AirTags. My top picks below work with most models — Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, whatever.
Chipolo ONE: These powerful little dots have a loud notification sound. The coolest thing is the separation alert — a phone notification that you’ve walked away from your valuables (350 feet). Think: You left your bag behind at a coffee shop.
- Price: Snag a 3-pack for a price cut, $64 versus $25/each.
- Use it for: The essentials you want to keep nearby. The alert that you, or your valuables, are walking away is a game-changer.
Tile Mate: You’ve lost your phone and it’s on silent? No problem. Double pressing the Tile will do what your partner calling your phone for the third time will not — actually make a sound. If it’s really lost, the good Samaritan who scans the QR code on your Tile can contact you.
- Price: 3-pack for $59.99 or just under $25 each.
- Use it for: Saying, “Hey Alexa, find my keys.” Besides connecting to your smartphone, it can connect with your smart home and virtual personal assistants like Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa.
Pebblebee Clip: If you want to find your lost item outside your house, this is your best Apple AirTag alternative that doesn’t require an iPhone. It has an impressive 500-foot range for Bluetooth tracking, and after that, crowd GPS (Android) and the Apple Find My app is activated.
Translation? Other people’s phones will help track down where your lost item is versus when your device last “saw” it.
- Price: $29.99 for one.
- Use it for: Luggage or flight-risk pets.
🌊 These are water resistant, but I wouldn’t test it if you can help it. Underwater is the wrong kind of syncing. I know, I know … sorry.
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