While we can’t comment on the need for flying cars, the forgetfulness of the human brain is an evergreen dilemma that inventors should start working to find a solution for. Until that day comes (and cars can fly), we can make use of Bluetooth trackers to monitor the locations of our valuables. These devices help you easily find your items, but when it comes to finding a high-quality Bluetooth tracker on the online marketplace, things can be a little more difficult. This is where our comprehensive buyer’s guide comes into play — it will give you a complete 101 to Bluetooth trackers in 2023 and equip you with some killer buying tips.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Perhaps the most important thing you need to think about when in the market for a new Bluetooth tracker is the kind of range it offers. While most options max out at a few hundred feet, others, like Apple’s AirTag, will offer a nearly limitless range.
If, however, you’re opting for a tracker with a limited range, make sure it offers some sort of location history — this will let you know the last place the Bluetooth tracker was active in case you go beyond its range.
You also have to think about the battery of your new Bluetooth tracker. Most options aren’t rechargeable, and you’ll have to swap the battery out once it dies. The frequency of these swaps is low, though, since the batteries of most Bluetooth trackers can last anywhere between 6 and 12 months.
You must consider the type of battery you’ll need when it’s time to swap them out. Make sure it’s readily available, and factor its price into your buying decision — after all, these costs will add up in the long run.
You can expect to pay around $10 to $30 for a decent Bluetooth tracker, but the most important thing that can raise its price tag will be the brand name — expect to pay more when there’s an Apple or Samsung logo on the device.
Premium brands will usually offer a more user-friendly companion app, though, so the higher price tag may be justified. Expensive Bluetooth trackers will also usually offer an enhanced range, better battery life, and superior build quality than cheaper options.
From impressive build qualities to elemental resistances, you also need to think about the durability of your new Bluetooth tracker. You can get a good idea about the overall sturdiness of your new gadget by going through some customer reviews.
Customer reviews will also help you judge how user-friendly your new Bluetooth tracker’s companion app is. The last thing you want is to have to navigate through a gazillion menus just to find your car keys, so opt for accessible companion apps that receive frequent updates and manufacturer support.
Most Bluetooth trackers are also compatible with smart assistants, meaning you can ask your home’s smart assistant to locate a certain item for you. To utilize such voice control, though, the Bluetooth tracker you’re considering must be compatible with the smart network running your home or devices.
While all Bluetooth trackers are designed to help you pinpoint the location of your missing items, the accuracy with which these devices can get the job done will vary. It’s a good idea to go through some customer reviews to get a better sense of the accuracy of the Bluetooth tracker you’re considering.
You should prioritize features like the Apple AirTag’s precision finder — with this, the Bluetooth tracker’s companion app will display a big arrow on the screen that will point toward the tracker and state the distance to your item with maximum accuracy.
You can use the “Find My” app or Siri to play sounds on the Bluetooth tracker when you need to locate it. You can use it to find lost items up to 30 feet away, but the neat thing is that its maximum range knows no bounds — as long as this Bluetooth tracker is near any Apple device connected to the “Find My” network, you can track it and locate your belongings. This amazing range has earned this Bluetooth tracker the top spot on our list.
Apple’s AirTag boasts the kind of sleek, clean design we’ve grown accustomed to when it comes to their products. Housed inside this coin-shaped Bluetooth tracker is a lithium metal battery that can last you a full year before requiring a swap, and setting this tracker up with your device is effortless — simply tap into your iPhone or iPad and you’ll find this Bluetooth tracker on the user-friendly “Find My” app.
The actual tracking of this Bluetooth tracker is done via the Tile app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Speaking of compatibility, this Bluetooth tracker also integrates amazingly with a myriad of smart home assistants — Alexa, Google Home, Xfinity, you name it, and this bad boy will almost surely be compatible with it. The app also tells you your Bluetooth tracker’s most recent location in case you’re beyond the 400-foot range, which can be pretty handy in your search.
As its name suggests, the Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker is shaped like a small tile. On the top-left-hand corner, there’s a hole that makes it easy to clip this Bluetooth tracker onto keychains, but no matter what you’re going to be attaching this tracker to, you can easily pinpoint its location over a 400-foot radius.
As far as connectivity goes, this Bluetooth tracker is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphones via the “SmartThings” app. This app allows you to track item locations and control the Bluetooth tracker with your voice, and its tracking is good for a range of around 390 feet.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Bluetooth tracker is similar to our previous pick, except its edges are just a little softer and the keychain hole is located at the top. Nestled inside this rounded square is a CR2 battery which will need to be replaced every year or so, but until then it can keep you updated on the location of your most precious belongings.
This Bluetooth tracker lets pinpoint its location over a range of 250 feet, and this is done via the “Findthing” app. The app also allows you to call the Bluetooth tracker, and when you do this the item locator will start producing a 90-decibel beep. When it comes to the battery, this one can last you 10 months, but the manufacturer includes two replacement batteries with this Bluetooth tracker for your convenience. Our favorite part? You get all this for a pretty low price!
From solid colors to celebration-themed designs, you get a lot of buying options when it comes to the Nutale Bluetooth Tracker. Regardless of what you end up choosing, though, the tracker you go for will include a built-in keyring for added convenience. This Bluetooth tracker also comes with four double-sided stickers in the package, so there’s a lot of mounting variety with this device.
A: The exact tracking range of a Bluetooth tracker will vary from product to product, but you can generally expect a tracking range of 30 to 300 feet. This range, however, can go down considerably if there are a lot of obstacles between your phone and the tracker. Some item finders, like Apple's AirTag, remove the limit on their tracking range — this specific Bluetooth tracker uses all the Apple devices in the world to transmit the location of whatever it is you’re tracking. This means that as long as your AirTag is near an iPhone or similar Apple product, you'll be able to track it with your phone.
A: Yes, you definitely can. While these Bluetooth trackers aren't made for living things, there's no harm in attaching one to your fur ball's collar. Make sure you remember, though, that you'll only be able to track your pet if it stays within the tracker's range.
A: Yes! A Bluetooth tracker can help you keep tabs on your most prized possessions, making them extremely worthwhile.
