Unless you somehow happen to be the most organized person on earth (which, in that case, congratulations), misplacing items is pretty much inevitable. Whether it be your keys, headphones or even your luggage, if you're constantly worried about your things getting lost or stolen, it might be time to consider investing in a tracker.
Life360's Tile Tracker and Apple's AirTag are two of the most popular options. So for anyone curious to see which one is worth investing in, I tried both.
How I tested:
I tried both devices in multiple settings, including at home and in the office. I tested out their key features, noting things like their tracking capabilities, sound, ease of use and the compatible apps to see how they compare.
Most versatile: Tile Pro by Life360 Mate Bluetooth Tracker
- Loud chime
- Built-in spot for keyring
- Range of only 500 feet
Colors: Black, white | Weight: 0.53 oz | Battery life: 1 year
Let's start with the design. The Tile tracker is pretty sleek and the Pro — which I tried — version is more of a rectangular shape, while the regular Tile is a square. You can also choose from black or white. I like how the black hides scratches and dirt that it might pick up from being tossed in the bottom of my tote bag with my keys or hooked to the outside of my backpack. It also has a slot on the top corner, which makes it easy to attach to key rings, carabiners and the like.
While there's a map on the Tile app, the device also connects with the Life360, a safety app that also allows you to see the locations of family and friends, so you can have everything in one place. However, in all of my testing, I only did via the Tile app, since some people might be reluctant to download not just one but two apps in order to use the device.
To check the tracker's close-range abilities, I asked one of my coworkers to hide each of the devices somewhere on our floor to see how easy they would be to find. Because we work on a busy floor with other teams, playing the sound was a last-resort option. I struggled using the Tile map, because while it gave me an address for where it was located and showed it on the map (which is super helpful when you're trying to figure out where you may have accidentally dropped your keys or where your lost luggage might be), my exact location on the map didn't seem to be totally accurate and would move to a completely different area each time I took a few steps. So once I confirmed with her that I was in the general vicinity, I played the sound and was able to find it pretty immediately.
The sound on the Tile is pretty loud, which makes it easy to find if it's hidden under a pillow or buried beneath a pile of clothes. I could hear it pretty clearly, even when I placed it under my couch cushion and stood about seven feet away.
The Tile Pro has a Bluetooth range of about 500 feet, but if you're beyond that you can check the device's last known location. Also, on the device, there is a QR code. If you leave your item behind or accidentally drop it, someone can scan the code and it will send them to a page where they can share their location or send a message to the owner.
There's also an emergency SOS button — if you hit it three times, it will send an alert to those in your Life360 Circle and they'll get a notification with your location. While there's only one model of the Apple AirTag, there are multiple Tiles, including the classic Tile, wallet-sized Tile Slim and the smaller Tile Sticker.
Best for iPhone users: Apple AirTag
- Over 20,000 ratings
- Trusted brand
- Easy to set up
- Mixed reviews on battery
Colors: One | Weight: 0.39 oz | Battery life: 1 year
First of all, if you don't have an iPhone, this is not the device for you. The AirTag works with Apple's Find My app, which is already downloaded on iPhones, so no additional apps are required. (It can also be connected to other devices from the brand, like iPads and Apple Watches.) Plus, setup is a breeze, all you have to do is remove the attached tag, make sure your Bluetooth is on and you should be able to connect.
The design is pretty sleek, although it’s prone to fingerprints, which can make it look dirty if you attach it to an item that you hold a lot, like your keys.
Apple's AirTag works by sending out a Bluetooth signal to Apple's Find My network, which the brand says includes "hundreds of millions" of iPhone, iPad and Mac devices all around the world. (According to Apple, the process is anonymous and encrypted to help protect your privacy.) Because of the brand's huge customer base, you can locate your items even if they're halfway around the world from you — as long as there's an Apple device nearby.
On my office treasure hunt, I was pretty impressed by the Precision Finding tool, which is available with select iPhone models. When you turn it on, it will guide you right to your AirTag, showing you how far away it is and the direction that it's in, in relation to your phone. This makes finding nearby items a lot easier.
The AirTag also has a built-in speaker, but its chime is a bit more muted than the Tile and when placed under my couch cushions, it sounded pretty faint from about seven feet away.
If you lose your AirTag, say it falls out of your pocket or is attached to a stolen item, you can put it in lost mode, and you'll be automatically notified when it's detected in Apple's Find My network.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the AirTag is that its design doesn't make it easy to attach to things like your keys or a dog's collar. While Apple has its own keyring cases, I just bought the below option on Amazon for a few additional dollars.
Molosleeve Airtag Holder
Best overall: Apple AirTag
Both options are great tools to help you keep track of your most valuable items. However, given that I'm an iPhone user, I loved how seamless the AirTag user experience is with other Apple devices. It's great for tracking down items that are both near and far — and the Precision Finding tool that directs you straight to your AirTag is a standout feature. Plus, given Apple's large Find My network, you're able to locate your device around the world.
The Tile's design and range of models make it a versatile option for people who want to track different kinds of items and a great choice for those without an Apple device.
Frequently asked questions
In the past, there has been some concern about Apple's AirTags being used to track belongings or people by strangers. For those with an iPhone or iPad with iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 or later, Apple will send you an alert letting you know that an unrecognized AirTag is traveling with you.
According to the brand, your location data and history are not stored on the device itself, so if someone finds your AirTag, they will not be able to locate you.
Tile has a Scan and Secure feature, which allows people with the Tile app to scan for and find Tile devices that may be traveling with them. However, it will not allow you to see Tiles that are in Anti-Theft Mode. If you suspect that one of those is nearby, you should get in contact with the brand.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for nearly five years, and in that time she has reviewed countless items, including plenty of tech gadgets. At Shop TODAY she covers a range of topics, from sneakers to expert-approved beauty trends. She has previously compared Apple's AirPods 4 and JLab Go, the Oura Ring and Apple Watch and more.
