Travel should be about enjoying new experiences, not worrying about lost bags and misplaced essentials. Bluetooth trackers can attach to almost anything, easing the worry of misplacing your stuff. These devices make it quick and easy to get a location on your keys, wallets, and phones.
While Apple’s AirTag, a Bluetooth-enabled tracker, has largely become the go-to solution for iPhone users, many travelers seek AirTag alternatives since not everyone carries an iPhone. Airlines worldwide mishandled 33.4 million bags in 2024, according to new data from global aviation tech firm SITA. Technically, Android users can use an AirTag, but the experience is clunky and limited. Key features such as real-time tracking and step-by-step directions to a lost item simply aren’t available.
The expansion of Google’s Find Hub network has paved the way for a wave of new trackers designed specifically for Android users. Google’s network works much like Apple’s “Find My” ecosystem, using a vast encrypted web of Android devices to locate lost items, even when they’re offline.
Top AirTag Alternatives for Samsung Users
We tested the top models on iOS and Android to find the most reliable trackers with the strongest signals and longest battery life at reasonable prices. Here are some of the best alternatives to AirTag for Samsung device users:
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
For Samsung device users, the Galaxy SmartTag2 is a strong option. The Galaxy SmartTag2 is a formidable Bluetooth tracker with a loud speaker, a replaceable battery, and a rugged build. You can track lost items using the Samsung SmartThings app. The replaceable battery lasts up to 500 days in normal mode (longer in power-saving mode).
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Beyond its new design, the SmartTag 2 increases its battery life to 500 days. It also has features like the Power Saving Mode, Lost Mode, and an improved Compass View over its prior iteration. Customer reviews are mixed on battery life, but the SmartTag has a replaceable CR2032 battery.
Unlike other trackers, the SmartTag2 can also trigger smart home automation. Press the tag to turn on lights, kickstart air conditioning, or even open the garage door. However, it's only compatible with appliances in the SmartThings ecosystem.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
Chipolo One Point
If you're not an Apple user, Chipolo One Point is our top tracker pick for Android users. Chipolo makes lightweight, colorful trackers designed to keep things simple. The device offers real-time tracking, a replaceable battery, and Google's Find My Device compatibility. Most newer Chipolo models work with both iPhone and Android.
The water-resistant Chipolo Bluetooth tracker alerts you to missing items through its app, emitting a 120-decibel sound. The device also digitally nudges you if you leave something behind, so you find your stuff before you lose it. If your Chipolo is out of range, you can check the app's map for its last known location.
You can also set up voice commands for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple's Siri. The tracker is compatible with both Apple and Google phones. Chipolo has a two-year replacement coin battery and a 200-foot connection range.
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Tile Pro
The Tile Pro's tracking range extends to 500 feet, double the range of Apple's AirTag and the Samsung SmartTag. It also outreaches its sibling, the Tile Mate. Its elongated form houses a larger-than-average speaker for a more discernible alarm, which is particularly convenient for its tracking range.
The device also has an IP67 to protect it from dust and rain, as well as a replaceable CR2032 battery. It also has a hole at the top of the tile, so you can easily attach the tag to your keychain. That said, unreliable charging remains one of Tile Pro users' biggest complaints.
Other Bluetooth Trackers to Consider
- Tile Mate: Attaches to your items and can be easily activated through the app. It has an impressive 350-foot range and an IP68 water-resistance rating.
- Tile Slim: Credit card-style design is perfect to slide in your wallet.
- Pebblebee Clip Tracker: Works with both Google's Find My Device and Apple's Find My network.
Comparison Table of Bluetooth Trackers
This table can help you compare the best Bluetooth trackers based on pricing and special features:
| Bluetooth Trackers | ZDNET's Take | Price | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirTag | Best overall | $29 | Precision Finding, one-year battery life |
| Chipolo One Point | Best for Android users | $23 | Google Find My Device, splashproof |
| SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card | Best for wallets | $25 | Compact size fits in most wallets, up to three-year battery |
| Tile Pro | Best for long-distance tracking | $25 | Always-on connectivity, 400-foot range |
| Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 | Best for Samsung users | $19 | Compatible with smart home devices, scratch-resistant design |
Key Factors to Consider
When selecting the best Bluetooth trackers, we considered the following key factors:
- Precision: How accurate and consistent the device is at finding our items, from close and far distances.
- Battery life: Consider battery life and noted each device's durability so you can confidently make your pick. Many batteries last between one and two years.
- Speaker volume: If a tracker has a loud volume, you can at least hear it beeping so you can follow the sound.
- Tracking range: Bluetooth devices like these trackers rely on signal strength (RSSI) to estimate the device's locations or items. Both the Tile Pro and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 claim a maximum range of around 400 feet.
The main factor to consider when shopping for a Bluetooth tracker is compatibility, as the AirTag and SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card only function with Apple devices. For more versatility, we'd recommend looking into Tile's Bluetooth offerings.
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It also helps to know what you're tracking. Coin-shaped trackers will work for keys and smaller items, but we recommend card-shaped options for belongings like wallets and passports.
ZDNET Recommendations
Choose this Bluetooth tracker...
- Apple AirTag: Best overall for precise location tracking and a battery that'll last a year.
- Chipolo One Point: The perfect tracker for Android devices with a replaceable battery.
- SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card: A thin Apple-integrated tracker for your wallet.
- Tile Pro: Long-distance tracking with a range of 500 feet and a loud alarm.
- Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2: A Samsung-compatible tracker that can double as a smart home button.
Our best picks tick all four boxes and then some, but all are distinguished by unique selling points that make each ideal for specific uses. If you want a Bluetooth tracker on your pet's collar or need one that works with your Samsung ecosystem, look for models that best support these features.
Xiaomi Smart Tag за УНИЧТОЖАЕТ AirTag? - Обзор Xiaomi Smart Tag
Latest News on Bluetooth Trackers
- Researchers have identified a design flaw in Tile tracker tags that cybercriminals could exploit to access users' location data, according to Wired.
- Pebblebee's Clip just got a safety boost with a new Alert Live tool that lets you share your real-time location in an emergency.
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