It’s a horrible feeling, isn’t it? That despair as you realise you have lost something valuable or personal. After an airline lost my luggage recently, I decided I needed to get the best smart tag that I could find. I made my choice after asking myself these questions.
Should I buy a GPS tracker or smart tag?
A GPS tracker provides real-time location tracking up to thousands of miles while a smart tag uses Bluetooth tracking up to a few hundred metres. GPS trackers are generally larger than smart tags but suffer from shorter battery life; some smart trackers on this list can last years on a single charge.
I would recommend a GPS tracker for luggage or your vehicle when you travel, and for pet collars. You could also use it as a homing beacon, for example, at a campsite to help you find your way back when hiking in unfamiliar territory.
Bluetooth smart tags are more discreet and better suited to bags and wallets. Some even come with a hole so they can function as both a keychain and tracker. In this list, I focus only on Bluetooth smart tags.
What is the best tracker for lost items?
The trade-off with smart trackers and things you lose is relative size and weight. So, a bulky location tracker is fine to put inside your luggage but it won’t work on your wallet. And, yes, there are specially designed Bluetooth trackers specifically for wallets on this list, too.
So, the best tracker for a lost wallet may be different from the best tracker for a lost remote control. And, yes, we have that on the list, too!
What is the best smart tag on the market?
‘Best’ is subjective – it all depends on what you want from your location tracker and how much you are willing to spend. Our list of the best smart trackers gives you the information you need to decide. You will also be able to find the best tracking device for Android and Apple devices.
The best smart tag to buy in 2024
Here is our list of the best smart tags to buy in 2024. The first few are on the list for being the best in a specific use case, while the others are useful generally.
1. Tile Pro
Dual compatibility with Android and iOS is good but the Tile Pro also delivers huge range with detection going up to 120 metres, as well as IP67 protection to make it our best smart tracker overall.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Size (mm): 58 x 32 x 7.5
- Weight (g): 14
- Range (m): 120
- Max battery life (years): ~1
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Buy from S$43 on Lazada Shopee
2. Baseus T2 Pro
An extremely lightweight smart tag that’s shockingly affordable, the Baseus T2 Pro is the best budget smart tag on our list as well as the lightest smart tag.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Size (mm): 32 x 35 x 8
- Weight (g): 5
- Range (m): 30
- Max battery life (years): ~1
Buy from S$12 on Lazada Shopee
3. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
The best smart tag for Samsung Galaxy devices is the updated SmartTag2. It boasts up to 2 years of operation and a useful AR feature, all in a stylish package similar to a car key fob with a range of up to 120 metres.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth BLE v5.3
- Compatibility: Web & Android
- Size (mm): 28.8 x 52.44 x 8.0
- Weight (g): 13.75
- Range (m): 120
- Max battery life (years): ~2
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Buy from S$38 on Samsung Lazada
4. Apple AirTag
The best smart tag for Apple users is undoubtedly the AirTag. Lasting up to a year on a single battery and able to hop onto that vast network of Apple users, it can be tracked worldwide.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Compatibility: Web & iOS
- Size (mm): 31.9 x 31.9 x 8.0
- Weight (g): 11
- Range (m): 10
- Max battery life (years): ~1
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Buy from S$35 on Lazada Shopee
5. Tile Slim
The best smart tracker for wallets and passports is easily the Tile Slim. Specially designed to slide into any slim credit card-sized space, it can also be programmed to ring when it comes within range.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Size (mm): 85.5 x 54.0 x 2.5
- Weight (g): 9.3
- Range (m): 76
- Max battery life (years): 3 (non-replaceable)
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Buy from S$50 on Lazada Shopee
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6. Chipolo CARD Spot
Another smart tag designed in the wallet-friendly form factor, the Chipolo CARD Spot is made specially for Apple users hankering for this useful version of the smart tag.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: iOS
- Size (mm): 85.1 x 53.6 x 2.4
- Weight (g): 8.7
- Range (m): 60
- Max battery life (years): ~2
- Ingress Protection: IPX5
Buy from S$53 on Lazada Shopee
7. Anker eufy Smart Tracker
A slimmer and more affordable version of Apple’s Airtag, the Anker eufy gets the job done while also piggybacking on Apple’s suite of geolocation apps.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: iOS
- Size (mm): 37 x 37 x 65
- Weight (g): 9
- Range (m): 80
- Max battery life (years): ~1
- Ingress Protection: IPX4
Buy from S$28 on Lazada Shopee
8. iTag Smart Finder
The iTag Smart Finder is an affordable alternative for Apple users if you are okay with the slightly larger, squircle-shaped frame.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: iOS
- Size (mm): 36 x 36 x 7.8
- Weight (g): 11
- Range (m): 50
- Max battery life (years): ~1
Buy from S$20 on Lazada Shopee
9. Solum Smart Tag
Another very light smart tracker, the Solum Smart Tag boasts a 2-year battery life and an accuracy of up to 10cm using UWB.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: Android
- Size (mm): 39.4 x 25 x 7.4
- Weight (g): 8
- Range (m): 70
- Max battery life (years): ~2
- Ingress Protection: IP53
Buy from S$18 on Lazada Shopee
10. Tuya Smart Tag
A super-light, super-cheap buy, the Tuya Smart Tag covers the basics if you want an unintrusive Bluetooth tracker that works with both Apple and Android.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Size (mm): 36 x 36 x 4
- Weight (g): 8
- Range (m): 10
- Max battery life (years): ~1
Buy from S$15 on Lazada Shopee
11. Tile Sticker
Tired of hunting for your remote all day? The adhesive Tile Sticker stays attached to those pesky things in your home that seem to grow legs and hide when you’re not watching!
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Size (mm): 27 x 28 x 8
- Weight (g): 6.5
- Range (m): 76
- Max battery life (days): ~3
- Ingress Protection: IP67
Buy from S$40 on Lazada Shopee
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