There are many Bluetooth Tracker options on the market, but the best one of 2022 is the Garmin Fenix 5X. This tracker has a lot of features that make it a great choice for those who want to keep track of their activities and movements. It also has a sleek design that will make it easy to find and use. The Fenix 5X is also very affordable, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to keep track of their activities and movements without spending a lot of money.
A Bluetooth tracker is a small device that you can attach to things that you don’t want to lose. They connect to your smartphone over Bluetooth and have other sensors so that you can see the location of the item on a map.
That’s just part of the magic, though. When you buy an Apple AirTag or a Tile tracker, you’re joining a large network with other users. When the tracker is out of Bluetooth range, you can mark it as “lost” and utilize use those users to help find the device. Not all trackers have this capability, so it’s a big thing to consider.
In short, you can think of Bluetooth trackers as “homing beacons” from sci-fi movies. Simply attach yours to something and you can track its whereabouts. If it gets too far away, hopefully, you can lean on the network of other users to find it.
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Best Bluetooth Tracker: Tile Mate
The best Bluetooth tracker for most people is the Tile Mate. (If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, however, check out the Apple AirTag.) You’ve probably heard the Tile name before, which is part of the reason why we recommend this tracker. There are several Tile models available at different price points, but the Mate hits the sweet spot.
✓ Supports Android, iPhone, and iPad✓ Userbase second only to Apple
✗ Paid subscription for all features✗ Smaller network compared to Apple’s AirTags
On the technical side, Tile claims that the Mate has 200 feet of range. You should expect to get slightly less than that in the real world, but it’s still very good. One of Tile’s biggest advantages is what happens after you exit that range.
When you disconnect from the Tile Mate, you’ll see its last known location in the Tile app. If that’s not enough to find it, you can mark it as “Lost” and tap into Tile’s large userbase to help you find it. This ability is only possible because of Tile’s popularity, which makes it hard to match.
Best Budget Bluetooth Tracker: Tile Sticker
If you’re looking for something smaller or slightly cheaper, Tile offers the Tile Sticker. This model is different from the Tile Mate in a number of ways.
✓ Small and easy to stick✓ Waterproof✓ A less expensive Tile
✗ Smaller range✗ No user-replaceable battery✗ Same Tile downsides
First and foremost, it’s very small. The Sticker is only 27mm wide and 7.3mm thick. It’s called the “Sticker” because you attach it to things via an adhesive backing and it’s small enough to go unnoticed.
Due to its size, the Sticker has a smaller connectivity range of 150 feet. The speaker that emits a sound when you’re trying to locate it is also slightly quieter. The Sticker lasts about three years on a single battery, but it’s not user-replaceable. One benefit of that is that it’s waterproof.
Other than those differences, you’re getting the same features as the Tile Mate, just in a smaller package. A single Sticker costs $30, while a two-pack costs $55.
Best Bluetooth Tracker for iPhone: Apple AirTag
While the Tile Mate does support the iPhone and iPad, there are some compelling reasons to go with the Apple AirTag instead.
✓ Huge network✓ Lots of accessories✓ Precision guidance
✗ No Android support✗ More expensive than a Tile
The biggest reason is the crowdsourcing feature that we previously mentioned. Before the AirTag was announced, Tile controlled about 80% of the Bluetooth tracker market. That meant that if you needed to rely on other users for help, Tile was the obvious choice.
Apple’s AirTags are integrated with the company’s Find My network, so now there are millions of iPhones and iPads around the world that can help you find your stuff. They don’t even have to own an AirTag or install anything to do it. That’s tough for even Tile to compete with.
On the technical side of things, the AirTag works very similarly to Tile products. It’s a similar size and price and has a replaceable battery. Apple offers a lot more in the accessory department, plus if you have a newer iPhone, it can use Ultra-Wideband technology to more accurately find the tracker with the “Precision Finding” feature.
In general, if you’re an Apple user and you plan on staying one, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t opt for an AirTag. It’s going to do all the same things as the Tile and work more seamlessly with your devices. AirTags cost $29 or $99 for a pack of four.
Best Tile Alternative Bluetooth Tracker: Chipolo ONE
Since both Tile trackers and Apple AirTags boast such large networks for finding your lost stuff, it’s hard to recommend anything else. However, popularity might not matter to you, in which case, the Chipolo ONE is a solid option.
✓ Supports Android and iPhone✓ Free out-of-range alerts
✗ No crowdsourced network
Chipolo’s big advantage over any of the Tile trackers is free alerts for when the tracker is out of range. You need the $3 Premium subscription to get that with Tile. The one big disadvantage is the aforementioned crowdsourcing features. You won’t be able to get help locating your stuff from other Chipolo users.
A single Chipolo ONE will cost you $25. The company also offers a slim credit card sized tracker for $30.
Best Premium Bluetooth Tracker: Tile Pro
All of the trackers we’ve mentioned so far have been relatively cost-efficient, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get some upgrades with the Tile Pro.
✓ Extra range✓ Louder speaker✓ Water-resistant
✗ Paid subscription for all features✗ Smaller network compared to Apple’s AirTags
The Tile Pro is slightly bigger and thicker than the Mate, but they have the same shape and design. The main reason why you might want to go with the Pro is the longer connectivity range.
The Pro is advertised to have 400 feet of range. Even taking into account that real-world usage is likely less than that, you’re looking at quite a bit more than 200 feet. Tile also says that the audible locating ring is louder than the Mate.
Other than that, it has essentially the same features. The replaceable battery is the same as the Apple AirTag (CR2032), and it’s water-resistant. It also comes in black, red, and blue if you want something other than white.
