The best Bluetooth trackers you can buy: Expert tested
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If you've ever lost your phone, keys, wallet, or even your dog (and really, who hasn't?), you'll know that a Bluetooth tracker is a must. These small devices attach to almost anything -- a keychain, remote, your pet's collar, or even your child's backpack -- so you can track their location on your phone at all times.
With so many options on the market, choosing the right tracker can be tricky. That's why we've tracked down (pun intended) the best Bluetooth trackers for you.
What is the best Bluetooth tracker right now?
At ZDNET, we've reviewed and compared many of the best Bluetooth tracker offerings on the market and rounded up our favorites below. Our pick for the best Bluetooth tracker overall is the Apple AirTag, thanks to its UWB-powered precision tracking, replaceable battery, and access to Apple's widely supported Find My network. Read on to learn more about other top Bluetooth trackers you can buy.
Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you
The best Bluetooth trackers of 2025
The Apple AirTag only works with Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, but it does so seamlessly and effectively. Using its built-in U1 ultra-wideband chip for Precision Finding and Apple's extensive Find My network, this coin-sized tracker can find anything it's attached to, including keys, wallets, and bags. It's hands-down our top pick for the best Bluetooth tracker overall.
Review: Apple AirTag
When locating an item, open the Find My app on any Apple device and select the appropriate tag. The AirTag will then beep, which helps you find a missing item if it's nearby. Though slim enough to fit in pockets and bags, the AirTag lacks a built-in loop, so you can't attach it easily to keychains or other items. This is a common complaint among buyers since the lack of a loop necessitates buying a separate AirTag holder for some use cases. However, the holders come in many shapes for a myriad of uses, as I've bought wristbands for my kids to wear their AirTags at the park and keychain holders for my car keys.
Also: The best AirTag accessories you can buy
The AirTag's battery is rated to last one year and can be replaced with another CR2032 unit afterward. One
Apple AirTag Features: Price: $29 Battery life: Over a year | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: Free | Connectivity: Bluetooth, UWB, NFC, Find My Network
Apple AirTag had a lead in the Bluetooth tracker market for a few years, but Google is finally catching up to the AirTag system by launching the Find My Device network for the Android ecosystem.
The Chipolo One Point is hands-down the best Android version of an AirTag money can buy. This tracker is a keyfob-sized device similar to a Tile that costs $26 and features a user-replaceable CR2032 battery that, like the comparable AirTag, can last up to one year.
Review: Chipolo One Point
"If you're an Android user who's been jealous of iPhone users having AirTags, this is your chance to bring that feeling to an end," ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley Hughes said after testing the Chipolo One. "I've tested the finding capability of these Chipolo finders and they are super accurate, with the ability to locate the tags when at a distance -- such as hidden in a plant pot on a street or when stuffed down the back of a couch."
Chipolo One Point Features: Price: $22 (limited time deal) | Battery life: Up to one year | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: None | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Google Find My Device
The SwitchBot Wallet Tracker is a card-shaped Bluetooth tracker that works exclusively with the Apple Find My network. It's the best wallet tracker I've tested thus far, comparable in reliability to the AirTag but with the bonus of being flat so it can easily fit in more places.
This wallet tracker has an up to three-year battery life, is priced at a reasonable $20, and is slightly thicker than a coin. It also has an IP67 waterproof rating and a customizable loud alarm, so you can change how it sounds from the SwitchBot app on your phone.
Review: SwitchBot Wallet Tracker
Like an AirTag, the SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card lets you know when you've left it behind to prevent loss, and you can use the Find My app on your iPhone to quickly search for it in your surroundings or see a map for its location. You can also use the Tracker Card to ring your iPhone when you can't find it, even if it's on silent mode.
SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card Features: Price: $20 | Battery life: Up to three years | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: Free | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple Find My network
The Tile Pro has a greater tracking range (400 feet) than its competitors -- including its sibling, the Tile Mate. This tracker has a loud alarm that makes it easy to locate and an IP67 to protect it from dust, splashes, and rain. For reference, competing trackers like the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag have a range of 200 feet via Bluetooth (half the range of the Tile Pro).
It has an elongated design, and looks more like a key fob than a coin to best suit its larger-than-average speaker for a more discernible alarm and 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.
A Tile Pro tag costs $35, which is well worth the money if you want the most extended tracking range. That said, unreliable charging remains one of Tile Pro users' biggest complaints. The Tile Pro works with the Tile app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home.
Tile Pro Features: Price: $35 | Battery life: Up to one year | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: $8.33 to $16.99 per month | Connectivity: Bluetooth
The Samsung SmartTag2 is at its best when paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The Galaxy SmartTag2 is a formidable Bluetooth tracker with a loud speaker, a replaceable battery, and a rugged build that can handle a bump or two.
Also: The best Samsung phones
The SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker is thinner and slicker than its predecessor, with a bigger keyring and a metal insert inside that provides greater durability. Beyond its new design, the SmartTag 2 increases its battery life to 700 days. It also has a new Power Saving Mode, a new 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 the picks above, 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, which is more limited than the Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home Kit ecosystems.
This tracker sells for $30, but we've seen it go for much less, making it a great value buy for Samsung users if you keep your eye out for sales.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 features: Price: $30 | Battery life: Up to two years | Real-time tracking: Yes | Monthly cost: Free | Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
What are the tariffs in the U.S.?
The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what's next. Here's what we know
Accessories like Bluetooth trackers, which are predominantly manufactured in these regions, are now subject to tariffs as high as 54% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers may see price increases of approximately 20% on these items.
Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for accessories due to these trade policies.
What is the best Bluetooth tracker?
The Apple AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker for its Precision Finding, long battery life, and access to the dependable Apple's Find My Network feature.
We chose other great options to fit a variety of needs. The Tile Pro's 500-foot range is fantastic if you want a long-distance tracker, while the Chipolo One is perfect if you're an Android user looking for a reliable tracker.
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 | $24 | Google Find My Device, splashproof |
| SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card | Best for wallets | $20 | Compact size fits in most wallets, up to three-year battery |
| Tile Pro | Best for long-distance tracking | $35 | Always-on connectivity, 500 foot range |
| Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 | Best for Samsung users | $30 | Compatible with smart home devices, scratch-resistant design |
*Price at time of writing. Please note that prices vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Which Bluetooth tracker is right for you?
The main factor you should consider when shopping for a Bluetooth tracker is compatibility—the AirTag and SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card, for example, only function with Apple devices. For more versatility, we'd recommend looking into Tile's Bluetooth offerings.
It also helps to know what you're tracking. Coin-shaped trackers will work for keys and smaller items. For larger belongings such as wallets and passports, consider card-shaped options.
| Choose this Bluetooth tracker... | If you want… |
| 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. |
Factors to consider when choosing a Bluetooth tracker
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. When selecting the best Bluetooth trackers, we considered the following key factors.
- Precision: Consider how accurate and consistent the device is at finding our items, whether they were close by or far away.
- Battery life: What's the point in investing in a Bluetooth tracker when it can die on you during an essential time? Within the list, we considered battery life and noted each device's durability so you can confidently make your pick.
- Speaker volume: Nothing is worse than knowing an object is nearby, but you can't locate it. This is where the speaker volume comes in: If a tracker's volume is too low, you won't be able to find your device. 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. We considered the range to determine how reliable these devices can be in a time of need.
How we test Bluetooth trackers
At ZDNET, we follow a comprehensive testing method to evaluate Bluetooth trackers and provide insights into their performance and reliability to help buyers choose the best one for their circumstances.
We test Bluetooth trackers by noting the entire experience, from unboxing and setup to features and performance. This involves evaluating whether the location tracking for a Bluetooth tracker is accurate when compared to its actual location, monitoring signal strength when trying to find a tracker, and assessing how reliably it connects and reconnects to your main device, which is commonly a smartphone.
During testing, we also evaluate the maximum signal range, the app experience, and the effectiveness of proximity alerts, measure the battery life, perform drop tests, and test how each Bluetooth tracker performs in areas with a lot of Bluetooth interference.
FAQs on Bluetooth trackers
What if my Bluetooth tracker runs out of battery?
Most Bluetooth trackers have batteries you can swap or recharge. If a tracker lacks a replaceable battery, its manufacturer often incentivizes trade-ins with discounts.
Many batteries last between one and two years. Your manufacturer will provide this information in the owner's manual and on its website so you can plan when to replace it.
How do Bluetooth trackers work?
A Bluetooth tracker either attaches to a personal item (think wallet, backpack, even belt) or can simply reside inside that item. Next, you enable location tracking by connecting the tracker via the manufacturer's app. This way you can have a visual of your item's location. Bluetooth trackers have a limited range, with an average of 200 to 300 feet, and you must be within the signal range to receive accurate information. Some items, such as Wi-Fi speakers, might interfere with the signal, so use the devices in an area with less potential interference so you can receive the strongest signal.
What Bluetooth tracker has the longest range?
Both the Tile Pro and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 claim a maximum range of around 400 feett, which is longer than Chipolo's tag which claims 200 feet.