Aug 5, 2026 6:00 AM
The Best Tracking Devices So You Never Lose Your Stuff Again
Whether you’re prone to losing your keys or want peace of mind while traveling, these are the best Bluetooth finders to help you track the belongings you can’t afford to lose.
Courtesy of Apple; Chipolo; UAG
I'd like to believe I'm organized. Reality suggests otherwise. I've left my smartphone in the refrigerator and spent hours searching for it. I've misplaced my AirPods and Oura Ring for days at a time. I once lost my house key for three months, only to find it in one of my hoodies. My typical strategy isn't to look harder; it's to assume whatever's missing will eventually reappear someday.
The problem is, lost items don't always cooperate. Even seasoned travelers know that once luggage disappears onto an airport conveyor belt, all you can do is hope. That's why Bluetooth trackers are essential. Yes, there are legitimate privacy concerns around tracking devices and misuse. But without Bluetooth and GPS trackers, I'd spend considerably more of my life wandering around my apartment wondering, “Where did I put that?”
These are the best Bluetooth trackers WIRED has tested and vetted. Still confused about how these devices work? We have more information on how to find your phone, how to track your luggage, and the best trackable luggage.
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Featured in This Guide
Best Bluetooth Tracker Overall
Chipolo Bluetooth Trackers
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Best for Apple Devices
Apple AirTag (2nd Generation)
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Best Wallet Tracker
Urban Armor Gear Metropolis Dual Tracker Card
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Jump To
- How I Test Tracking Devices
- What Am I Testing Next?
- Honorable Mentions
- Are Bluetooth Trackers Safe?
Updated August 2026: I've added the UAG Metropolis Card and the Peak Design Beacon Finder Card. I've retested the Pebblebee Clip 5 and Card 5. Prices and links were also updated.
How I Test Tracking Devices
To find the best Bluetooth trackers, I use them as part of my daily routine, attaching them to the things I often misplace.
- Design and build: I tend to favor compact, lightweight trackers that are simple to stash or attach to a keychain or everyday items.
- Setup: I evaluate how easy trackers are to pair, whether apps are intuitive, and whether privacy features work as advertised.
- Bluetooth range: A longer range means you can be farther from your tracker and still find what you've misplaced. I test how far trackers remain connected in open outdoor spaces, dense cities, and buildings with interference. I also test them during air travel, monitoring how often locator notifications come through when they're separated from my phone for longer periods.
- Battery performance: I note how long replaceable batteries actually last and how easy they are to swap when they die. For rechargeable trackers, I test battery life and charging speed against manufacturer claims.
- Compatibility: Some trackers work best for iPhone users, some are better for Android users, while others support both platforms equally well.
- Privacy and security: I look for trackers with end-to-end encrypted detection networks to protect location data from being easily accessed or misused. Ideally, they should also mask their identity so third parties can't use them to follow you.
What Am I Testing Next?
Best Bluetooth Tracker Overall
Courtesy of Chipolo
Courtesy of Chipolo
Courtesy of Amazon
Chipolo
Bluetooth Trackers
In the competition between Tile and Chipolo for the most ubiquitous tracker, I would not have guessed that Chipolo would be the one to land exclusive collaborations with both Apple and Google (cough, antitrust congressional hearings, cough). Yet here we are.
Why WIRED recommends: Chipolo has three separate product lines: the Chipolo Pop, Loop, and Card, plus bundles that work with the Chipolo app; all products are compatible with iOS and Android devices (and their respective tracking apps, Apple Find My and Android Find Hub) , and they have an IP67 rating against dust and water. WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu and I have tested several of these lines. They're at a similar price point to Tile's and come in a variety of colors. Setup is simple, especially if you use your phone's native app. I currently have a Card in my wallet. It's about the same size as one credit card and about as thick as two of them. It's also loud enough for me to hear even when it's in my wallet, inside my purse, and in another room. Like with the Tile, you can choose to get left-behind alerts if you leave the house without your keys.
The trade-offs: As with many trackers, the connection can get wonky—I sometimes have to walk around a bit—but it's usually able to find an accurate last location. —Adrienne So
Photograph: Alamy
Photograph: James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Apple
AirTag (2nd Generation)
Apple's long-awaited Tile competitor debuted in 2021; AirTags use Bluetooth connectivity and the company's special U1 location-finding chip to help you pinpoint location via the Apple Find My app.
Why WIRED recommends: AirTags are about the size of a quarter, and you can attach them to almost anything with an AirTag case or key clip. You can slip one into your luggage when you travel, or hide it in your bike. The Find My network is giant, anonymous, and encrypted end-to-end. Through the app, you'll receive visual, audio, and haptic feedback as your iPhone guides you to your lost item. The Apple AirTag (2nd generation) improves the ability to find the tracker's location when using Apple's Precision Finding feature, with up to 1.5 times greater range. With a new chime, it's also 50 percent louder than its predecessor, and Apple says it can be heard from twice as far away as before.
The trade-offs: The obvious downside here is that the ubiquity and ease of use of the Apple AirTag means that evil people can use it to find you as well. Here's how to check if you're being tracked. It also doesn't work with Android phones, and it's not rechargeable, so you will have to replace the battery in about a year.
Best Wallet Tracker
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Urban Armor Gear
Metropolis Dual Tracker Card
If you’re looking for a slim tracker card for your wallet, passport case, or laptop sleeve, the UAG Metropolis Dual Tracker Card is one that's compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.
Why WIRED recommends: This is one of the few wallet trackers that works with both iOS and Android. Its 95-decibel speaker is loud enough to help you locate a misplaced wallet from another room, and it maintains a Bluetooth connection from up to 65 feet away. After its initial charge, setup took just a few seconds, and the rechargeable battery lasts five to six months between charges. Plus, it charges with any Qi or MagSafe wireless charger, so you won’t need to store another cable.
The trade-offs: At 3 millimeters thick, it’s noticeably bulkier than some other tracker cards I’ve tested, so it may feel too thick for slim wallets or card holders. While the polycarbonate design feels durable, its IPX4 water-resistant rating only protects against splashes and light rain. That’s probably enough for everyday use, but I’ve tested trackers with more robust water and dust protection. Finally, though it’s compatible with an iPhone or Android, the tracker card can’t switch between both.
Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Adrienne So
Pebblebee Clip 5 for $35: The Pebblebee Clip 5 feels sturdier than the AirTag, but it’s also slightly thicker and bulkier. The included carabiner makes it easy to clip onto keys, a backpack, or luggage, and it maintains a Bluetooth connection up to about 500 feet in open space. It doubles as a phone finder; double-press the button to make your phone ring and vibrate, even if it's on silent. If someone finds your last tracker, they can scan the built-in QR code to reach you (granted they’re a Good Samaritan). Best of all, it acts as a 97-decibel personal safety alarm with a flashing strobe and optional location sharing with your approved “Safety Circle” via SMS. Its rechargeable battery lasts up to a year between charges via USB-C, but it doesn’t come with a cable. It works with both iOS and Android, and Pebblebee says location history is protected with end-to-end encryption. It’s also IP66-rated, meaning it’s protected against dust and powerful water jets.
Pebblebee Card 5 for $40: Pebblebee also makes the Card 5, a Bluetooth finder designed to slip into a wallet, passport holder, or laptop sleeve. It offers many of the same features as the Clip 5, including compatibility with both iOS and Android (either via Find My or the Pebblebee app) and a rechargeable battery that’s rated to last up to 18 months on a single charge. Initial pairing was super finicky, though; I had to factory-reset my card multiple times before it finally connected, so I’m continuing to test it to see if the connectivity issues continue.
Peak Design Beacon Finder Card for $40: At just 1.8 millimeters thick, this is one of the slimmest wallet trackers I’ve tested. It slid into my card holder without adding noticeable bulk, which is more than I can say for every tracker card. It’s also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, making it one of the more durable cards. Setup took only a few seconds after its initial charge, and the rechargeable battery lasts about five months between charges. Unfortunately, it only works with Apple’s Find My network, so it’s not for Android users. If you own an Android, I’d recommend the Chipolo Card or the UAG Metropolis Dual Tracker Card instead.
Photograph: Adrienne So
Groove Smart Wallet Trace for $125: According to the company, the Groove Wallet is the first wallet with built-in Find My capabilities and a built-in battery. It blocks RFID transmission—although I feel obligated to remind you that there has never been a real-world case of RFID skimming—and is made from attractive aerospace-grade anodized aluminum. It fits up to six cards, which you can push out easily with a flick of the thumb. There's also a money clip on the back for your cash. I don't particularly like a hard wallet; it doesn't conform to your body, so it's uncomfortable to have it clank around in your pocket. It also doesn't have a zipper, so you can't stuff random receipts inside. Still, it's much more protective than a leather wallet. It's also only compatible with iOS, not Android. It has a 94-year warranty but a battery life of around two years, after which you need to contact Groove customer service for a $10 replacement. —Adrienne So
Life360 Tile Sticker for $25: Even as AirTags and other Bluetooth finders have become more popular, Tile trackers remain ubiquitous and come in a wider variety of forms. The latest models are even more durable and waterproof, and the batteries are replaceable. However, I still think the most useful form is the Tile stickers, which are great for remotes and the back of my Kindle Paperwhite. Each sticker is waterproof, has a three-year battery life, and offers a 150-foot range, which is pretty impressive for a tool so small. After a year, the small bump did get knocked off my much-abused Kindle; however, I still think this is a fair price to pay for being able to read my requisite soothing 10 to 15 pages of Naomi Novik before going to bed every night. —Adrienne So
Fi Smart Collar Series 3+ for $189: I’ve tested several dog trackers on my pups, but the Fi is my favorite, if only for the long battery life. While other trackers need to be recharged every week or so, the Fi only needs to be charged every three months. It comes with its own collar, and the unit is IP68-rated and waterproof. It also uses a combo of Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular connectivity to keep 24/7 tabs on your dog. Use the app to designate a safe zone around your house and be alerted if your dog wanders off the property. It also includes a dog activity tracker and a collar light for walks at night. Because it does use a data plan, the Fi requires a $4 per week membership. You can save up to $70 by prepaying for one or two years in advance. —Adrienne So
Are Bluetooth Trackers Safe?
Bluetooth finders that don't require a data plan use a low-power, crowdsourced alternative to requesting GPS coordinates. They have their own Wi-Fi-based positioning systems (WPS) that use ultra-wideband technology (UWB) to ping other devices in their finding network and determine your location in relation to them, sort of like locating where a rock is by throwing a bunch of other rocks in a pool and trying to determine where the ripples meet.
Unfortunately, Find My networks also ping Wi-Fi access points, such as your own personal router. Two security researchers at the University of Maryland discovered that they were able to determine the location and movement of individual Starlink terminals by plotting out the locations returned by Apple's WPS. In 2024, Apple noted that you can opt out of having your address shared by appending “_nomap” to the end of your Wi-Fi access point’s name (SSID) (instructions on how to do so here). This is a good first step, but hopefully we'll see Apple roll out more anti-stalking features in the near future.
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