The dominant players in the market are Tile andApples AirTag, but which is best?
We put both to the test to find out.
Apple makes one tracker, and its the AirTag.
Amazon
The latter model is the one we tested for this review.
I weighed each unit using a home kitchen scale.
Tile trackers have a built-in clip, making it easy to attach to a keyring or paracord.
The AirTag requires aseparate accessoryto clip it to something, which can more than double its cost.
That said, AirTag batteries are replaceable, using commonly found CR2302 batteries.
The Tile Pro battery, also a CR2302, can be replaced by the user.
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Still, Tile cant compete with over a billion iPhone users.
Both devices can emit a sound if lost nearby.
Here, Tile has the edge.
I tested both using a basic online decibel meter tool.
Tile also has a physical button that, when pressed twice, will ring your phone.
Its a handy feature for anyone who frequently misplaces their phone.
This feature is available on iPhones newer than the iPhone 11 and excludes SE models.
Tile also has a feature called Anti-Theft mode, which makes Tile trackers undetectable using Scan and Secure.
To deter potential misuse, using Anti-Theft mode requires uploading a picture ID and selfie.
With an iPhone, the AirTag will automatically pop up on your iPhone when you unpackage it.
Tile requires downloading its app and agreeing to various permissions.
Its pretty painless, but not as completely seamless as setting up an AirTag.
It gives users nearly real-time tracking, which Tile cant compete with.
However, Tile has some features that come in handy, particularly for items that are misplaced nearby.
Brands like Chipolo and Pebblebee tap into this internet, making them a good Tile alternative for Android users.
Samsung also has its own tracker, which is integrated with Samsungs SmartThings app.
Like the AirTag, it features UWB compatibility to guide you to a nearby misplaced item.
