Best Bluetooth Trackers 2024: Never lose your keys again

If you’ve got an iPhone and are in the market for a Bluetooth tracker, the Apple AirTag is your best option. 

It seamlessly integrates with your iPhone with a simple pairing process and utilises the two billion iOS devices worldwide to help locate your stuff once you’re out of Bluetooth range. Tile also provides a similar network, but only works on phones with the Tile app installed, limiting its reach compared to Apple’s system. 

There’s also the functionality of the AirTag itself; as well as boasting a fairly loud chime to help you find your lost items, it uses Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology to direct you towards your item with pinpoint accuracy – far more useful than the generic ‘nearby’ readings you’ll find from competitors. It’s limited to more recent iPhones (iPhone 11 or newer) but is a game-changer for those who can take advantage of it. 

There are also helpful anti-stalking measures built in, including alerting you if an unregistered AirTag is constantly in your vicinity, and an audible chime will go off regularly to alert those without an iOS device that a tracker is nearby. 

That’s not to say it’s perfect, however; the design requires the use of an accessory (in the form of a keyring holder, bag strap, etc) to attach it to most items and, in typical fashion, the accessories are expensive – some more than the AirTag itself. It’s also exclusive to iPhone owners, with no kind of app support for Android users. 

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple AirTag review

Before Apple came onto the scene to tempt iPhone users, Tile was the dominant force in the Bluetooth tracker market and it’s easy to see why with the company’s most recent Tile Mate (2022).

The compact tracker is the perfect size for slipping onto a keyring or a dog’s collar and, unlike the AirTag, comes with a small hole in the corner to allow it to loop directly onto a keyring. This negates the need for additional accessories and helps keep the whole experience affordable.

In fact, despite the Mate being one of the cheapest trackers in Tile’s collection, it doesn’t really lose out on much compared to the more premium Tile Pro or Tile Slim. It boasts the same 76-meter Bluetooth range, compatibility with iOS and Android devices alike, and IP67 water and dust resistance to keep your stuff safe even in treacherous conditions.  

Like the AirTag, it’ll rely on other phones to track its location when out of range of your device, though this requires phones nearby to have the Tile app installed – and that’ll only really include existing Tile owners. However, Tile does claim that it has the largest location network in the world. 

There are also handy little features not present on other trackers, like the ability to double-tap the Tile logo button to make your connected smartphone chirp. 

The only real annoyance about the Mate is that its battery isn’t replaceable, meaning you’ll have to bin it (or take it to a recycling centre, preferably) after three years and replace it. 

Reviewer: Ian Evenden
Full review: Tile Mate (2022) review

The Tile Slim is the ideal Bluetooth tracker if you want to keep track of your wallet or purse, boasting a credit card-style look designed to slip in unnoticed. At just 2.5mm thick, it certainly does the job better than an AirTag would. 

Despite the slimline dimensions of the tracker, it boasts key Tile features like IP67 dust and water resistance, a handy reverse-search button to find your phone and connectivity with the wider Tile network when you’re out of range, making it a solid option for keeping your wallet safe. 

While Tile claims that the Slim offers the same 76-meter range as other devices in the Tile collection, we found that the signal would completely drop as little as 25m away – and that’s not even when placed in a wallet, but a car seat with the windows wide open. 

That’ll still suffice if you’re trying to find your wallet in the same room, but it becomes a little more difficult when covering more ground.  

Like the Tile Mate and Sticker, the Slim doesn’t offer a replaceable battery, which means you’ll have to completely replace the tracker once it dies (after around two or three years, apparently). 

Reviewer: Ian Evenden
Full review: Tile Slim (2022) review

If you want a discreet tracker that’ll stick to almost anything, the aptly-named Tile Sticker should be one for consideration. It’s not only tiny at just 27 x 7.8mm, but the strong adhesive ensures it stays securely in place once it’s cured, a process that takes around 24-hours. 

Size aside, it performs in the exact same way as other Tile trackers in this list, complete with the same staple IP67 water resistance, a built-in button for reverse phone tracking and compatibility with the wider Tile network to find your stuff when you’re out of Bluetooth range.

There’s even a speaker to help you locate your items when nearby, but it’s notably quieter than others options on our list. It’s fine in quiet environments, but you’ll struggle to hear it in louder outdoor areas. 

It also doesn’t offer a replaceable battery system, so you’ll have to bin the tracker once it finally runs out of juice – around two to three years, according to Tile. 

Reviewer: Sean Cameron
Full review: Tile Sticker (2022) review

Slightly cheaper than Apple’s AirTag, the Chipolo One Spot is a great alternative if you want a Bluetooth tracker that still works with the Find My app but doesn’t require extra costly accessories to attach it to keys and other items.

At just under 38mm wide and 7.65g, the One Spot is not just small and lightweight but durable too, with an IPX5 rating which means it’s water resistant and can survive the odd drop or two. 

Capable of precise tracking, the One Spot seamlessly integrates with the Find My app which makes setting up and tracking incredibly easy, only taking a matter of seconds.

To quickly locate your tracker, say if you’re rushing out of the house and need to find your keys, your One Spot will produce a loud and easy to hear sound which you can then follow. For items left further afield, simply tap the One Spot on your list of devices in the Find My app.

It’s worth noting that unlike the AirTag, the One Spot does not have Ultra Wide Band (UWB) support. UWB support allows an iPhone user to track an AirTag using an on-screen arrow to point and direct you towards it. Even so, the Find My app is perfectly capable of showing you where you need to go. 

Many Bluetooth trackers don’t have replaceable batteries, which means once the tracker runs out of juice then the whole device needs to be thrown away. Not only is this incredibly wasteful but it’s also expensive. Luckily, the One Spot battery not only lasts for up to a year but can easily be replaced once it runs out.

Remember, if you’re on the Android ecosystem then the Chipolo One Spot won’t be compatible with your devices.

Review: Chipolo One Spot

Full review: Sean Cameron