Meridiano

Add Article

No Image Available

Article Details

Title

Article: The best Bluetooth trackers for Apple and Android phones

Impact Score

4 / 10

AI Summary (Processed Content)

The article contrasts people who rarely lose items with those who frequently do, for whom Bluetooth trackers are a solution. It explains that modern trackers offer advanced features like ultra-wideband for precision finding and access to large networks (like Apple's Find My) to locate items far from home.

The piece highlights that these useful features have also been misused for stalking, leading companies to develop anti-tracking alerts and cross-platform standards. It concludes by recommending the latest Apple AirTag for iPhone users, praising its precision and network range while acknowledging its need for accessory holders and past stalking concerns.

The main topics covered are the purpose of Bluetooth trackers, their advanced features, privacy and stalking concerns, and a product recommendation for iPhone users.

Original URL

https://www.theverge.com/23769840/best-bluetooth-trackers

Source Feed

The Verge

Published Date

2026-03-12 22:30

Fetched Date

2026-03-12 20:30

Processed Date

2026-03-12 20:31

Embedding Status

Present

Cluster ID

Not Clustered

Raw Extracted Content

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.
The best Bluetooth trackers for Apple and Android phones
For those of us who don’t ever seem to know where our keys or wallets have gone.
For those of us who don’t ever seem to know where our keys or wallets have gone.
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.
Featured Products
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’s latest AirTags features an upgraded ultra-wideband chip for more precise location tracking, a noticeably louder speaker, and an expanded Bluetooth range.
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 mailroom key hidden in a closet. None of the other Bluetooth trackers we tested — including those from Tile and other third-party, Find My-compatible offerings — worked quite as well. The extended range on the latest AirTags also makes it much easier to reliably locate items in multi-story homes, while a series of iOS updates has made it possible to share a temporary map with a host of airlines (including Delta and United), which can help if your luggage should ever go missing.
There are downsides, though. Although their replaceable CR2032 battery helps you save money in the long run, AirTags aren’t truly $29, since you’ll likely need to buy a separate holder to attach one to your keys or luggage. They’ve also faced criticism for being misused for unwanted tracking purposes (you can read our original testing in full here). That being said, Apple is aware of the issue and has since improved unwanted tracking alerts by shortening the time before you’re notified an unknown AirTag is in your vicinity, making chimes louder, and creating a separate app that lets Android users scan for unknown AirTags.
The best tracker for Android users
Tile Pro
The Tile Pro is the company’s loudest Bluetooth tracker and has the widest range at 400 feet. It also has a user-replaceable battery, unlike other Tiles.
More and more trackers now support both Google’s and Apple’s Find My networks, but Tile’s trackers remain our top recommendation for both Android users and those in mixed iOS / Android households. What’s more, Tile currently offers four form factors to suit different needs: the card-shaped Tile Slim ($29.99), the square-ish Tile Mate ($24.99), the self-adhesive Tile Sticker ($24.99), and the Tile Pro ($34.99). The keyfob-shaped Tile Pro is our personal favorite; it’s larger than the Mate, offers the longest Bluetooth range at 500 feet, and has the loudest ring. Of the four, it’s also the only one that has a replaceable one-year CR2032 battery.
A note about Google’s Find Hub network
In 2024, Google finally launched its Find My Device network, which was later renamed Find Hub. It works similarly to Apple’s Find My network: you’ll be able to share trackers with family members, and there are also unwanted tracking alerts.
Initially, the network lagged behind Apple’s, but it’s starting to catch up. After several weeks of testing Find Hub-compatible trackers — specifically the Chipolo Pop, Pebblebee Clip 5, and Motorola’s Moto Tag — in April, we found the network had improved significantly, especially in busy areas. Still, it’s clear Google prioritized privacy over precision.
Google is making some progress, though. In 2024, it also rolled out satellite connectivity to Pixel 9 phones and newer devices, followed by UWB support for more precise tracking with Moto Tags and other compatible phones and trackers. More recently, the company added support for an iPhone-like feature that lets you share tracker locations with a growing number of airlines. So far, the list doesn’t include any US-based carriers, but it does include Lufthansa, Air India, China Airlines, Saudia, and more.
All Tile trackers work similarly to AirTags. Like Apple’s, Tile’s platform-agnostic trackers can tap into a larger network — in this case, the Tile Network and Amazon Sidewalk, neither of which is as expansive as Apple’s or Google’s. However, when we tested Google’s Find Hub-compatible trackers, including the Chipolo Pop and Moto Tag, we found that Tile still did better at tracking items outside the home. The biggest downside is that Tile trackers lack ultra wideband support, which means they can’t guide you to a nearby item using distance and directional cues like an AirTag. The company did announce a tracker that supports UWB in 2021, but it’s yet to ship, likely because Apple is effectively blocking UWB compatibility for third parties in iOS and Tile’s priorities shifted after it was acquired by Life360.
That being said, Tile trackers do have an edge over AirTags when it comes to recovering stolen items and safety features. That’s largely due to Tile’s anti-theft feature, which makes trackers invisible to tracking detection if your item is stolen. Using it requires identity verification and carries strict penalties, including a $1 million fine for misuse. Tile also offers a “Scan and Secure” tool for detecting unknown Tile devices nearby, though potential victims still have to proactively scan their surroundings.
To round things out, Tile users can manage their trackers directly within the Life360 app and send SOS alerts to emergency contacts with the push of a button (or several). New Tile users are also eligible for up to $100 in reimbursement for lost items and free replacements for damaged trackers, as well as access to 30 days of location history and unlimited sharing within their first year. After that, Tile owners will have to pay the $29.99 annual premium subscription fee to continue enjoying those perks, though every Tile user gets two days of location history for free.
The best AirTag and Tile alternative
The Pebblebee Clip 5 supports Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, but also has a 500-foot Bluetooth range, LEDs that flash to help you locate it, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 months on a single charge.
If you’re looking for an AirTag or Tile alternative, the $34.99 Pebblebee Clip 5 is an excellent choice. It’s one of a growing number of trackers that support both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, which is a major improvement over its predecessor. Setup is seamless for iOS and Android users, but because Pebblebee’s app doesn’t handle tracking, features like geofencing and safe locations depend on which network you choose. Apple’s Find My, for instance, supports “left behind” alerts and safe locations; Google’s Find Hub still lacks an equivalent.
The thing we like best about the Pebblebee Clip 5 is its rechargeable battery. It can last up to a year on a single charge, though you may get longer than that depending on your usage. It features a USB-C port, and Pebblebee advertises a Bluetooth range of up to 500 feet, which is 100 feet more than the Tile Pro, our pick for Android users. Additionally, the Clip 5 features a blinking LED strip that’s noticeably brighter than prior models and a significantly louder ringtone, making lost items easier to find, even in dark or noisy environments.
You can still use Pebblebee’s app to set voice tags, ask Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for help, or double-tap the tracker to ring your phone. While the Clip 5 is larger than an AirTag, it also includes a snap-on key ring, so you don’t need to pay for an extra accessory just to attach it to your belongings. It’s also rated IP66 for dust and water resistance, making it slightly more durable than earlier Pebblebee trackers.
The best AirTag alternative for wallets
The Pebblebee Card 5 has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 18 months and supports wireless charging. It works with Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub, but you can also use the Pebblebee app for voice tagging.
You could try stuffing an AirTag into a bifold wallet and hope it stays put — or opt for a Find My–compatible alternative that’s actually designed for wallets, like the $34.99 Pebblebee Card 5. It plays nicely with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, giving you cross-platform flexibility and the benefits of each, all with a super loud ringtone. It doesn’t offer precision tracking because it lacks UWB, but it makes up for it with said ringtones. It also supports unwanted tracking alerts as part of the Find My network.
The Card 5 stands out for its sleek design and wireless charging. At just 1.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest trackers you can buy and measures about the size of a credit card, meaning you can easily slip it into an overstuffed wallet packed to the brim with receipts, gift cards, and cash. The same can’t always be said of Tile’s wallet tracker, which is nearly twice as thick. What’s more, the Card 5 lasts up to 18 months on a single charge and supports wireless charging, so you don’t have to worry about replacing any batteries.
Unsurprisingly, the Card 5 shares many of the same strengths as the Pebblebee Clip 5, including support for the Pebblebee app and voice tagging. You also get a range of up to 500 feet, an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance, and a built-in button you can press to help locate your phone.
Other Bluetooth trackers to consider
Chipolo Pop and Chipolo Loop
The $29 Chipolo Pop offers a similar form factor to Apple’s AirTag in a lighter, more colorful package with a hole for a keychain or lanyard, a louder beep, and compatibility with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks (though only one at a time). You can even use the Pop as a remote camera shutter and press the built-in button twice to find your lost phone. Unlike Chipolo’s other trackers, it boasts a wider 300-foot Bluetooth range, a more robust IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, and includes a user-replaceable battery that can last up to a year.
In our testing, tracking was accurate on both Apple’s and Google’s networks in most cases, Google’s struggled to track items outside of the home as reliably as the Tile. And without UWB, the Pop couldn’t match the AirTag’s pinpoint precision. Still, the Chipolo app provides Android users with reliable out-of-range alerts and left-behind notifications — something Pebblebee and Moto Tag’s trackers lack —which, in our experience, trigger even faster than the Tile.
If you’re willing to spend an extra $10, the $39 Chipolo Loop is very similar to the Chipolo Pop, with many of the same strengths and weaknesses. However, it charges via USB-C and includes a built-in silicone ring that’s easy to attach to keys, bags, and other items. You also get a more durable IP67 rating and an extra 100 feet of Bluetooth range — up to 400 feet total. Just note you’ll have to supply your own USB-C cable.
If you’re a Samsung Galaxy phone user, the $29.99 Samsung SmartTag2 gets you UWB tracking and can tap into the Galaxy Find network, which operates similarly to Apple’s Find My network. It’s a great AirTag alternative, but it isn’t our overall pick for Android because it’s limited to Samsung Galaxy users. That said, the latest SmartTag2 includes an improved Compass View, longer battery life, and a better app experience. It also has a newer, oblong design with a larger key ring than the original SmartTag.
Motorola’s $29.99 Moto Tag is the first tracker on Google’s Find Hub network to offer ultra wideband for locating lost items on phones equipped with a UWB chip, which is a feature Google enabled via a firmware update after releasing the device. Like Apple’s AirTag, it can guide you directly to your missing item via directional cues in the Find Hub app. It worked well in our testing, though Apple’s AirTag was occasionally more precise when tracking objects farther away or through walls. The Moto Tag was also less effective than Tile’s trackers at locating items outside of the home.
Still, if you want a tracker to find things around the house, the Moto Tag is a solid pick. It also fits most AirTag accessories, carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and uses a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts up to a year. It can ring your misplaced phone, too, and doubles as a remote shutter for Motorola phones. Just know that Motorola recently announced the Moto Tag 2, which can last more than 500 days on a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery and offers improved dust and water resistance. The company hasn’t specified an exact US release date (yet), though it should be available sometime in Q2 2026.
The rechargeable Chipolo Card is also a good tracker for wallets. Priced at $39, it works with either Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find Hub network and carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It supports Qi wireless charging, unlike the Chipolo Loop, and features a slim design that slips neatly into your wallet. It also offers a 400-foot Bluetooth range — a bit less than the Pebblebee Card 5 — and lasts about six months per charge. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want something simple, even if it lacks the QR code found on some competing trackers.
Eufy’s rechargeable $34.99 SmartTrack Card E30 is another good option for wallets, one that can also tap into Apple’s Find My network like the aforementioned Pebblebee Card 5. On the back, there’s also a QR code — similar to the ones Tile uses — that helps good Samaritans return your item to you. Like the Pebblebee’s newest offerings, you can also share it with multiple people if you set it up via the Eufy Security app.
The bummer here is that the E30 doesn’t work with Android and lacks UWB. However, the upcoming Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 will add support for Google’s Find Hub network while continuing to support Apple’s aforementioned Find My feature. It can also recharge via any Qi-compatible wireless charger and features a louder, 100dB alarm. The company says it will be available sometime in Q1 2026.
What we’re looking for
Bluetooth trackers are meant to find lost items. To test that, we lose items — both organically (some of us really do misplace wallets and keys daily) and in more controlled test environments. For the latter, one example is testing how these trackers perform in office environments or in multi-story houses. Sometimes, we also enlist the help of family and friends to “hide” objects to evaluate precision finding features. We’ll also enlist help to simulate and evaluate unwanted tracking alerts. In our testing, we’re also looking to assess factors like Bluetooth and network (i.e., Find My, Tile, etc.) range, battery life, and how loud chimes / alerts are.
Are you limited to Bluetooth range, or can you make use of wider networks like Apple’s Find My, Google’s Find Hub network, or Amazon Sidewalk? Is it hard to hear the tracker when you ring it?
A technology that lets you track small objects can be abused to track people without their consent. Tracker companies know this, and an increasing number now come with anti-stalking features. These features may never prevent abuse 100 percent of the time, but we investigate whether these features were crafted with care, how well the company educates users about them, and if the company is proactive about updating them according to feedback from experts.
Do you need to pay a subscription fee to get all available features? If so, is it worth the moolah?
Most Bluetooth trackers last at least a year, but not all of them allow you to replace the battery. That means you have to buy a whole new tracker when the battery dies. We prefer the ability to replace batteries whenever possible.
Update, March 12th: Adjusted pricing / availability and swapped in Apple’s second-gen AirTag as our No. 1 pick for iPhone users.