The Best Bluetooth Tracker 2023
By Linus Tan
Published Feb 2023
Picture this: you're all dressed up and ready to go, but your keys are nowhere to be found. You're not alone in this – we all have that person in our lives (or maybe ourselves) who misplace their wallet or can never remember where they left their phone.
To put an end to the hunt for personal belongings, we've gathered the best Bluetooth trackers.
Best Overall: Tile Mate
✓ Crowd-finding network
✓ Two-way tracking
✓ IP67 water rating
✓ 3-year battery life
Best for Apple Users: Apple AirTag
✓ Apple Find My network
✓ 60 decibels alarm
✓ Dust and water-resistant
✓ Replaceable battery
Best for Samsung Users: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
✓ SmartThings Find network
✓ Ultra-wideband
✓ Control devices with SmartThings
✓ Replaceable battery
Best Apple Alternative: Chipolo ONE Spot
✓ Apple Find My network
✓ Two-way tracking
✓ 120 decibels alarm
✓ Keyring hole
#1 Best Overall: Tile Mate
Tile Mate (2022)
Bluetooth tracking game for many years. Tile offers four different trackers depending on your needs. You can choose between the Tile Pro (shaped like a key fob), Tile Mate (which has a small hole to make it easier to attach keys), Tile Sticker (an adhesive back so you can put it on anything) and Tile Slim (credit card shaped to slip into wallets). However, the Tile Mate remains the best key finder among the bunch and tops other brands.
The Tile Mate may be made of plastic but its build holds up against elements. The IP67 rating attached to it means it's safe from accidental drops into puddles or the sink.
Some may baulk at how the Tile Mate runs on a non-replaceable battery. Though this should last three years, it's still a step backwards when it comes to tech longevity. If it's any comfort, Tile will recycle your Mate once it runs out. On the flip side, you get to explore newer models in the reTile program.
When it comes to sound quality, it's loud enough that you can hear the Tile Mate stashed in a coat pocket inside a wardrobe. The Tile Mate's alarm is still audible up to 30 metres away even in a public area with ample ambient noise away.
Tile Mate
The Tile Mate is a great choice for those looking for two-way tracking, a feature not available in the Apple AirTag. Not only can you use your phone to find your lost item with a double-tap of the Mate's button, but you can also locate your phone too. Even better, this two-way tracking works even when your phone is on silent.
What happens if you lose both your Tile Mate and phone? Rest assured, the search can still be conducted via a smart speaker or an Xfinity Voice Remote (that's only if you've set it up in advance).
Overall, we're still levitating towards the Tile Mate despite an expiration date attached to the battery. The Mate is still superior in terms of its weatherproof build and reliable two-way tracking.
Tile Mate
Best Overall
✓ Crowd-finding network
✓ Two-way tracking
✓ IP67 water rating
✓ 3-year battery life
#2 Best for Apple Users: Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
For Apple users, the Apple AirTag is undoubtedly a cut above the rest to help keep an eye on your stuff. The AirTag is about the size of a button and comes with a simple design so you don't have to worry about it not matching your bags or outfit! Unfortunately, it doesn't have a hole built-in to attach to other accessories. However, Apple does have a range of keyrings, especially for the AirTag that can be used to remedy this problem.
For its small build, the Apple AirTag sure is sturdy. It's both dust and water-resistant and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes in 1 metre of water.
The Apple AirTag boasts a battery life of up to 1 year with everyday use. You'll also be pleased to know it has a replaceable battery. If you find the battery petering out, simply find the CR2032 battery at any supermarket, pop off the back of your AirTag, swap out the two, and you're good to go.
One trade-off is that Apple AirTag's volume pales at about 60 decibels or roughly the volume of a typical conversation, a decent volume nonetheless.
Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag has a range of about 9 to 14 metres with a Precision Finding feature. This means that the Apple AirTag offers turn-by-turn directions towards your lost object, down to the tens of centimetres! Forget about frantic and chaotic searches because the AirTag will point you the right way.
Even if you're out of range, Apple's Find My network leverages the Bluetooth signals broadcasted by other Apple devices to update the AirTag's location - you'll be reunited with your items in no time. Moreover, an extra app is not needed as your AirTag's information will be automatically displayed.
Apple has also considered that Bluetooth trackers may be used erroneously by stalkers and implemented features to combat this. If a foreign AirTag is found attached to you, you'll receive an alert on your phone. From there, you can swiftly locate the suspicious AirTag and either dispose of it, disable it, or scan its serial number to submit to the authorities.
Overall, we hardly have much to complain about the Apple AirTag with its impressive range of features.
Apple AirTag
Best for Apple Users
✓ Apple Find My network
✓ 60 decibels alarm
✓ Dust and water-resistant
✓ Replaceable battery
#3 Best for Samsung Users: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ is the Bluetooth tracker to get if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem.
Design-wise, the SmartTag+ largely resembles the Tile Mate in that it's perfect for slipping onto key rings or clipping it onto your bag. One thing to note is its centre is slightly bulbous so you wouldn't want it in your wallet. It carries IP53 water resistance so it'll survive the rain or beach trips but forget about bringing it with you as you swim.
The SmartTag+ operates on a replaceable battery and you can get an estimated five months before you have to switch it to another CR2032 battery. It also makes use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to reduce power consumption.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
Where the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ shines is the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) used for tracking. For those who remember the boom of Pokemon Go, this means that the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ adopts similar augmented reality (AR) tracking capabilities. This means that you can observe, real-time directions to your device on your phone's camera. Pretty neat, huh?
Furthermore, the combination of BLE and UWB means that the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ has a wider range of detection, and is more accurate than your average Bluetooth device. Just like the Galaxy SmartTag, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ has a similar crowdsourcing strategy where it connects to the SmartThings Find network to use other Samsung Galaxy devices to detect your device.
The Samsung SmartTag+ stands out from other Bluetooth trackers thanks to its integration with Samsung's SmartThings app and is what makes it the best for Samsung users. This integration allows users to press the tracker's button to automate certain smart home features. With this integration, users can easily use the SmartTag+ to control a wide range of smart home features with a single press, enabling them to customise their home environment with ease.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ is definitely the best Bluetooth tracker for Samsung users with its ultra-wideband and exclusive features.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
Best for Samsung Users
✓ SmartThings Find network
✓ Ultra-wideband
✓ Control devices with SmartThings
✓ Replaceable battery
#4 Best Apple Alternative: Chipolo ONE Spot
Chipolo ONE Spot
At the outset, the Chipolo One Spot looks unassuming but it already has an integrated hole so you're able to clip it on anything without a hassle. However, the Chipolo One Spot has an IPX5 rating. This means it'll stay safe in the rain. Best to keep it out of puddles or sinks as it's unlikely to survive submersion.
The Chipolo One Spot also features a user-replaceable battery that should last a year. Need to replace the battery? Just pry open the case!
This tracker makes finding things easy. When activated, the Chipolo One Spot emits a loud pattern of beeps at a whooping 120 decibels. With a louder volume, you have no problem hearing it within your home or nearby like your neighbour's.
Chipolo ONE Spot
The Chipolo One Spot works with the Apple Find My network which is a huge deal as it summons millions of iOS users to help you locate your device. A completely anonymous feature, it utilises advanced encryption that ensures a secure way of locating lost items. This means no one else (Apple and Chipolo included) can view your Chipolo One Spot's location.
If the sound on your tracker doesn't work, enable Lost Mode in the Find My app. You'll be notified of the location whenever the Chipolo One Spot comes into any Bluetooth range of Apple products that are part of the network.
The Chipolo ONE Spot also boasts an extra convenience that the Apple AirTag does not provide: two-way tracking. This allows you to locate not only your misplaced items but also your phone with just a double tap of the Chipolo’s button.
Overall, the Chipolo One Spot is a reliable and functional option that does what you'd want a Bluetooth tracker to do.
Chipolo ONE Spot
Best Apple Alternative
✓ Apple Find My network
✓ Two-way tracking
✓ 120 decibels alarm
✓ Keyring hole
Compare Bluetooth Trackers
Final Thoughts
No matter how careful you are, losing our essential items happens to all of us. What are you waiting for? Avoid those frantic searchers every time before you leave the house with a Bluetooth tracker!
Check out the full Bluetooth Tracker collection on Synced.
If you like to read more on Bluetooth Trackers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Apple AirTag vs Tile Mate
Apple AirTag vs Chipolo ONE Spot
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag vs Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+
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