I’d like to believe I’m organized. Reality suggests otherwise. I’ve left my smartphone in the refrigerator and spent hours searching for it. I’ve misplaced my AirPods and Oura Ring for days at a time. I once lost my house key for three months, only to find it in one of my hoodies. My typical strategy isn’t to look harder; it’s to assume whatever’s missing will eventually reappear someday.
The problem is, lost items don’t always cooperate. Even seasoned travelers know that once luggage disappears onto an airport conveyor belt, all you can do is hope. That’s why Bluetooth trackers are essential. Yes, there are legitimate privacy concerns around tracking devices and misuse. But without Bluetooth and GPS trackers, I’d spend considerably more of my life wandering around my apartment wondering, “Where did I put that?”
These are the best Bluetooth trackers WIRED has tested and vetted. Still confused about how these devices work? We have more information on how to find your phone, how to track your luggage, and the best trackable luggage.
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Best Bluetooth Tracker Overall
In the competition between Tile and Chipolo for the most ubiquitous tracker, I would not have guessed that Chipolo would be the one to land exclusive collaborations with both Apple and Google (cough, antitrust congressional hearings, cough). Yet here we are. Chipolo has three separate product lines: the Chipolo Pop, Loop, and Card, plus bundles that work with the Chipolo app; all products are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu and I have tested several of these lines. They’re at a similar price point to Tile’s and come in a variety of colors. Setup is simple, especially if you use your phone’s native app. I currently have a Card in my wallet. It’s about the same size as one credit card and about as thick as two of them. It’s also loud enough for me to hear even when it’s in my wallet, inside my purse, and in another room. Like with the Tile, you can choose to get alerts if you leave the house without your keys. As with many trackers, the connection can get wonky—I sometimes have to walk around a bit—but it’s usually able to find an accurate last location. —Adrienne So
Best for Apple Devices
Apple’s long-awaited Tile competitor debuted in 2021; AirTags use Bluetooth connectivity and Apple’s special U1 location-finding chip to help you pinpoint location via the Find My app. The second-gen improves the ability to find the tracker’s location when using Apple’s Precision Finding feature, with up to 1.5 times greater range. With a new chime, it’s also 50 percent louder than its predecessor, and Apple says it can be heard from twice as far away as before.
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