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The 7 Best Luggage Trackers and Tags of 2024
Reliable GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi trackers to ensure your luggage always reaches your destination. These advanced devices provide peace of mind by allowing you to track your bags in real-time, no matter where you are in the world.
Many travelers are familiar with the anxiety that comes after checking their luggage, fearing it might get lost on the way to their destination. In 2022, about 6 out of every 1,000 checked bags in the U.S. were mishandled, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Although the Department of Transportation reported a slight improvement in mishandling rates from 0.58% in March 2023 to 0.55% in April 2023, using a luggage tracker can help ease these worries and provide peace of mind.
1
Apple AirTag
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The Apple AirTag is known for its reliability and accuracy. Compact and lightweight, it can help you keep track of various items you frequently misplace, such as keys, backpacks, and luggage. Our experts appreciate the easily replaceable battery. Setup is simple: just pair the AirTag with your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth with a single tap, then use the built-in speaker to locate your belongings by following the pinging sound. However, it's designed specifically for Apple users and isn't ideal for Android or other devices.
While Apple hasn't specified the exact Bluetooth range, it is believed that the AirTag supports Bluetooth 5.0, offering a range of up to 800 feet. You can also monitor the device in real-time using the Find My network. Activating "Lost Mode" will send notifications when the AirTag is within range or detected by the Find My network. The AirTag can ping off nearby Apple devices to determine its location, allowing you to track your bag even if it's miles away. Additionally, you can input your phone number and email so that if someone finds your lost AirTag, they can tap it with their iPhone to see your contact information.
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Features:
Battery type: Replaceable
Compatibility: Bluetooth networks
Subscription: None
Size: 3.27 in. x 0.47 in. x 4.09 in.
2
Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker
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Tile's classic Bluetooth tracker excelled in our best key finder tests, securing the top spot for its ability to track personal items up to 400 feet away. For items that are nearby, it emits an 80-decibel sound, ensuring you can hear it, according to our Lab tests. It integrates with Google Assistant, allowing you to ask your smart speaker to locate your Tile. Similar to the AirTag, it has a one-year battery life before needing a replacement. Additionally, its water resistance offers peace of mind, reducing worries about damage from liquids.
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Features:
Battery type: Replaceable
Compatibility: Bluetooth networks
Subscription: Optional Tile Premium and Protect
Size: 2.32 in x 0.3 in x 1.32 in.
3
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag
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Designed for Galaxy users, the Samsung SmartTag offers a tracking range of up to 390 feet. If your item goes out of range, the SmartThings app's offline Galaxy Find Network can locate it using nearby scanned data. The app also logs the tag's recent locations, allowing you to retrace its steps. Although we haven't yet tested this tracker in our Lab, we plan to do so soon.
In the meantime, we appreciate its replaceable battery and the familiar technology it shares with other trackers we've evaluated. With a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and over 5,500 five-star reviews, users frequently praise its accuracy and reliability. One reviewer mentioned that the SmartTag helped her find lost luggage by showing the tracking data to a baggage claim attendant.
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Features:
Battery type: Replaceable
Compatibility: Bluetooth networks
Subscription: Not listed
Size: 1.54 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
4
Tile Slim
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This tracker lives up to its name with a slim, credit card-like design that's perfect for slipping into your purse, wallet, or pocket. It was named the best key finder for a purse by our experts during testing. We appreciate its waterproof construction and versatility—it can be used to track items beyond just luggage. For example, you can place it inside a notebook or tablet case.
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The Tile is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, and its app is available for both iOS and Android. We recommend downloading the app because it allows you to track your luggage even when the Tile is out of Bluetooth range, which extends up to 250 feet. Additionally, adding your contact information to the Tile Network provides added security. This secure and anonymous platform helps return your lost Tile to you when its QR code is scanned.
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Features:
Battery type: 3-year non-replaceable
Compatibility: Bluetooth networks
Subscription: Optional (Tile Premium or Protect)
Size: 4.53 in x 0.41 in x 4.53 in
5
Salind GPS
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Salind GPS introduces the SALIND 20 4G, a versatile magnetic GPS tracker tailored for cars and various vehicles. It delivers reliable real-time tracking capabilities both in the UK and globally, equipped with features such as a safe area alert system, route memory functionality, and comprehensive alarm options. With a robust battery life lasting up to 180 days, this tracker ensures prolonged monitoring and security, making it an ideal choice for fleet management, personal vehicle tracking, and ensuring peace of mind for vehicle owners worldwide.
6
Tracki GPS Tracker
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Keep this compact GPS luggage tracker with your valuables on your next international trip. It features real-time tracking capabilities and includes an international SIM card, making it suitable for unlimited distances, especially handy during layovers between connecting flights abroad. With over 26,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, users commend its live tracking via Google Street View and app alerts that notify you about crossing set Geo boundaries, low battery levels, and more.
Although we haven't conducted hands-on testing with this device, we value its dual functionality with WiFi indoors and GPS satellites outdoors. When actively tracking your bag, Tracki provides approximately five days of continuous real-time tracking before requiring a recharge. In battery-saving mode without real-time tracking, the manufacturer claims a lifespan of 30 to 75 days, allowing occasional location checks of your bag.
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Features:
Battery type: Rechargeable
Compatibility: GPS and WiFi
Subscription: Required
Size: 1.81 in. x 1.5 in. x 0.6 in.
7
Tracki GPS Tracker
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Alright, it's not a traditional GPS tracker, but Dynotag's smart ID represents a significant upgrade from standard luggage tags. The tag features a customizable QR code that allows owners to register their contact information, including name, phone number, and address, in case someone finds it during travel. Concerned about privacy? Each scan of the QR code triggers an automatic email notification to the owner, including the scanner's IP address.
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The website also prompts the scanner to provide their location information for easier communication. While we haven't yet tested this product in our lab, we appreciate that numerous Amazon reviewers have praised its straightforward setup and durability. Its robust stainless-steel construction ensures it remains securely attached even during rough handling, such as when stowed underneath an airplane seat.
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Features:
Battery type: N/A
Compatibility: QR code
Subscription: None
Size: 3.15 in. x 1.73 in.
What to Consider When Choosing a Luggage Tracker
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Battery Type: When selecting a luggage tracker, consider the battery type. Some trackers use rechargeable batteries that need frequent charging, typically lasting only a few days. In contrast, others come with replaceable batteries that can last over a year. Opting for a longer battery life is crucial for extended trips.
Compatibilities: It's advantageous to choose a tracker that supports multiple technologies, advises Rachel. This ensures you can track your luggage regardless of its location worldwide. Bluetooth-only trackers require proximity and are more suited for finding items within your home, like keys. Trackers that combine Bluetooth with WiFi or tap into broader Bluetooth device networks, such as AirTag and Tile, offer wider coverage. GPS-enabled trackers provide extensive coverage and greater accuracy but may struggle indoors.
Subscription Fees: Many tracking devices offer basic features for free, but others require a monthly subscription for advanced features like GPS tracking or real-time location services. Ensure the device meets your needs before committing to a subscription plan.
Size: Luggage trackers are typically compact, similar in size to a credit card in terms of length and width. Some are even smaller and can double as keychain attachments or fit discreetly into a pocket. Choose a size based on versatility: Larger trackers may be sufficient if solely used for luggage, whereas smaller ones are ideal for keys and wallets as well.
These considerations will help you choose the best luggage tracker based on your travel needs and tracking preferences.
Are Luggage Trackers Worth It?
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Luggage trackers aren't essential for every traveler, but they can be invaluable for many. Consider how frequently you travel, your destinations, and the value of the items you transport. For frequent business travelers, a tracker can ensure critical work-related items are always accounted for. Similarly, international travelers navigating multiple flights can benefit from knowing their luggage's exact location at all times.
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"The ideal scenario is having a tracker that you never have to use, yet provides immense peace of mind when you do," suggests Rachel. Additionally, many trackers are versatile enough to be used for items beyond luggage, such as wallets.
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These devices offer reassurance and convenience, making them worthwhile investments for travelers seeking to safeguard their belongings and streamline their journeys.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Luggage Trackers
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The effectiveness of a luggage tracker varies based on its technology. For instance, trackers utilizing Bluetooth networks typically have a tracking range of around 200 feet or more. Advanced trackers may offer extended ranges or include smart features like integration with the Find My Network or Apple AirTag, enhancing their ability to monitor and locate your luggage effectively.