5 Android Bluetooth trackers you should buy instead of the Apple AirTag 2nd gen

Apple introduced its second-generation AirTag this week, with guarantees of improved vary, a louder ringer, extra safety, and the similar design and kind issue as the unique tag. The chief function, although, is the new U1 UWB chip that’s stated to enhance precision discovering and propel the AirTag (2nd gen) far forward of most of its opponents, many of which nonetheless don’t also have a UWB chip.

Nevertheless, in true Apple trend, there are nonetheless heaps of lacking and probably old-school options in the new tag, together with the lack of cross-platform compatibility (as a result of Apple, duh). This leaves the discipline of Bluetooth tracker opponents very a lot alive and blooming, and since I’ve been testing many of these trackers for the final 18 months, I’ll let you in on a secret: There are higher trackers on the market that work each on Android and iOS, and you should buy them instead.

Whereas it’s costlier than the Apple AirTag (2nd gen), the Chipolo LOOP is one of the two trackers I might go buy proper now, no questions requested. For starters, it’s appropriate with each Google Discover Hub and Apple Discover My (you can solely use separately and must reset the tracker to change networks), and supplies ease of thoughts in case you determine to change telephones or give it to a member of the family who makes use of one other cell OS. It additionally comes with a built-in loop, so you don’t have to buy any additional equipment to connect it to a keyring.

Extra importantly, although, it fees over USB-C, and as somebody who by no means has sufficient CR2032 batteries and hates rummaging for them last-minute, I like that I can simply plug it into my cellphone charger to maintain it topped off. The battery lasts round six months between fees.

The LOOP gives a slew of attention-grabbing additional options, all accessible from the Chipolo Android or iOS apps (on prime of what you discover in Google’s or Apple’s apps). You possibly can ring your cellphone from it if you lose it, get notification alerts if you depart your cellphone behind, use it as a digital camera shutter distant, and select totally different ringtones and ringing volumes. Oh, and it’s very, very, very loud.

There’s no Ultrawide Band right here, however the LOOP already packs Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding, and since Android already helps Channel Sounding, I’m hoping Google will introduce it to the Discover Hub API so Bluetooth 6.0 trackers like the LOOP can use it even when they don’t pack in UWB.

The Pebblebee Clip 5 is the second tracker I’d personally choose instead of an AirTag, and it has already saved my baggage and plenty of different baggage from neglect in the Athens airport. It has a really comparable featureset to the LOOP: Google Discover Hub and Apple Discover compatibility, built-in hook, USB-C charging, very lengthy vary, a loud siren, and it could actually ring your cellphone, however there are some minor variations right here and there.

On the professionals checklist, the battery lasts 12 months instead of six, and it contains a very vivid LED gentle that may flash and assist you discover the tracker in the depths of your couch cushions. Pebblebee additionally has a Security Circle emergency alert function that lets you use the tracker when you’re in peril to alert your family members. Plus, there’s a QR code on the again to provide your particulars to anybody who finds the tracker if you lose it.

On the cons checklist, the Clip 5 solely packs in Bluetooth 5.4, so there’s no futureproofing for Channel Sounding. It’s IP66 rated in comparison with Chipolo’s sturdier IP67, so it’s not resistant to finish immersion. It doesn’t have customizable ringtones or volumes and doesn’t supply left-behind alerts on Android (it does on iOS). It’s additionally fairly chunky at 9.5mm thickness versus Chipolo’s 8mm.

Choosing between this and the Chipolo LOOP is a matter of desire. I like the Pebblebee’s vivid LED and its longer battery life, in addition to its neat QR code function, however I’d slightly have Bluetooth 6.0 and the peace of thoughts of figuring out my tracker will alert me if I stroll away from it by mistake.

If you’re on the lookout for a flatter tracker to place in your pockets, skip the thick spherical pucks and go for a thinner, credit-card sized tracker. There are two wonderful choices now, one of which lives in my pockets and is the new Chipolo CARD.

Like the LOOP, this tracker is appropriate with each Google’s and Apple’s Discover networks, has a really loud siren, is IP67-rated, is future-proof with Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding, and contains all the additional options reminiscent of left-behind alerts, cellphone ringing, customizable ringtones and volumes, and a digital camera distant.

The CARD’s battery lasts six months on a cost, however instead of USB-C, it simply makes use of wi-fi Qi charging. I like that I can simply put it on my desk charger or nightstand charger and it fills up, with out having to fret about any proprietary pin chargers, battery replacements, or worse, having to throw it away when the battery is lifeless.

Your second choice for a card-sized cross-platform tracker is the Pebblebee Card 5, which at present sits in my husband’s pockets. This one makes use of wi-fi Qi charging as properly to fill its battery, however the longevity is rated at an insane 18 months. Sturdiness can also be increased on this case, with an IP68 ranking in comparison with the Chipolo CARD’s IP67, which makes it immune to immersion for as much as three meters deep for prolonged durations of time.

In any other case, you’re taking a look at an analogous checklist of professionals and cons in comparison with Chipolo’s card-sized tracker. Bluetooth 5.4, cellphone ringing, an LED flashing gentle, a QR code for identification, and left-behind alerts solely with Apple’s Discover My. There are not any customizable ringtones and volumes, no digital camera shutter, and this one lacks the Security Circle Alert function of the Clip 5.

Total, if you’re on the lookout for fewer fees and a thinner tracker before everything, that is the one you should go for. But when you favor having left-behind alerts to inform you when you stroll away out of your pockets, you should go for Chipolo’s CARD.

Not like the 4 earlier trackers, the Moto Tag solely works with Google’s Discover Hub. But it surely’s the solely Android-compatible tracker at present accessible with UWB for precision discovering close by. If you typically lose your objects at dwelling and don’t wish to ring them and get up the whole family, or if you’re monitoring down a thief and don’t wish to alert them to your close by presence, UWB is an superior perk to have. Having examined it, although, I didn’t discover it too essential for my private use, however your mileage could range.

Specs-wise, the Moto Tag has fallen behind all the different trackers on this checklist. It runs on a user-replaceable CR2032 battery, and you’ll must maintain a stash accessible as a result of it runs by way of its battery in a couple of months — a lot quicker than the one 12 months Motorola claims. It has a really tame siren (75 dB in comparison with greater than 100 dB on the different trackers), a shorter vary regardless of its Bluetooth 5.4 assist, and solely gives cellphone ringing and digital camera shutter performance as additional perks. No left-behind alerts, no customizable ringtones and volumes.

On the upside, it’s a bit cheaper than the different trackers and sports activities the very same dimensions as Apple’s AirTags, so it could actually use the similar equipment. That turns out to be useful as a result of it doesn’t have an built-in keyring holder. Total, I wouldn’t go for this tracker as a primary alternative, however I perceive its enchantment for individuals who really want UWB for his or her misplaced objects.

If you’re not in a rush, although, you may wish to await Q2 2026 when the Moto Tag 2 is meant to launch. The newer model brings longer battery life on the similar CR2032 coin cell, an IP68 ranking versus IP67, and Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding. All the things else should keep the similar, together with the kind issue, dimensions, and value.

The tracker market has many extra choices to select from, so let me run down a couple of of these:

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 ($30, all the way down to $22): Excellent for Samsung customers, it gives all the options and extra, together with a button to regulate your good dwelling and site historical past to see the place your tracker has been. Nevertheless, it doesn’t use Google’s or Apple’s networks and can work greatest in areas with heaps of Samsung customers. In my expertise, it’s tremendous dependable, and there was a time once I stated I’d choose it over any Google Discover Hub tracker, however with Google bettering its community reliability, that is now not the case right now. Additionally, take into account it makes use of a CR2032 battery and the older Bluetooth 5.3.
• Tile trackers: They’re the solely choice for individuals who need a tracker that works throughout each iPhones and Android telephones with out having to reset to change. That makes them good if you carry two totally different telephones or you wish to share the tracker with a member of the family on a unique cell platform. The Tile Professional ($35, all the way down to $27), Mate ($25 all the way down to $20), and Slim ($30 all the way down to $24) run on Tile’s and Life360’s networks, that are very dependable in the US and different Western nations usually, however you could discover that the pace of discovering misplaced objects dwindles as soon as you transfer outdoors these areas. Your tracker will nonetheless be discovered, however it could take longer for a Tile person to come back close to it. Tile packs a bunch of additional options in its app, however many of them, like location historical past and sharing with multiple person, are locked behind a Premium subscription.
• KeySmart SmartCard Gen 3 ($40): A brand new entrant in the cross-platform tracker recreation, the SmartCard (Gen3) is a skinny 1.7mm credit-card-sized tracker appropriate with each Apple and Google’s Discover networks with Qi wi-fi charging, IPX8 ranking, and a battery that lasts 11 months on a cost.
• MiTag Duo ($20): The most cost effective dual-network Apple and Google tracker you can discover packs a coin cell CR2032 battery, Bluetooth 5.2, an IP67 ranking, left-behind alerts, and a built-in keyring gap.
• Rolling Sq.’s twin trackers: These higher-end trackers additionally supply each Apple and Google community compatibility. The AirCard Professional ($40) is 2.2mm thick, has a 12-month battery that may be wirelessly charged, a really loud siren, an IP67 ranking, and a QR code so as to add a digital enterprise card so anybody who finds it could actually contact you to let you know the place to choose it up. The AirNotch Professional ($40) is an rectangular tracker with a built-in hook, two CR2032 batteries for 20 months of battery life. It has a loud siren, an IP68 ranking, and even glows in the darkish!

If you’re prepared to attend a bit longer, Anker has the new credit-card type Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 in the pipeline, Nimble is making cross-platform trackers with cellulose-based batteries instead of lithium-ion that may be wirelessly recharged, and Xiaomi is rumored to be working by itself trackers, too.

With all of these choices accessible, I might discover it a bit unhappy if you simply restrict your self to the AirTag, even when you’re an iOS person. There are such a lot of trackers to choose from, all with tons of additional performance and comfort, so I hope this checklist will assist you choose correctly.