Virtually everyone has a smartphone in their pockets that doubles as a high-tech camera, audio player, and GPS tracker, and on a daily basis, we might use laptops, tablets, wireless headphones, and tons more devices. Even when we travel, we’re likely to bring along an assortment of devices that would have seemed like alien technology to someone born just 100 years ago.
Unfortunately, carrying all that tech also comes with certain risks, especially when traveling. You have to protect your devices from thieves, airline incompetence, and everyday forgetfulness. (Has anyone else left their laptop at airport security? Just me?) The best Bluetooth trackers for travel give you an extra layer of protection, and they make sure you always know where your valuables are located.
That’s why more and more travelers are slipping Bluetooth trackers into their luggage. GPS Bluetooth trackers can be used as item finders to track specific items like keys or wallets, but you can also pack them in your suitcase to protect against worst-case scenarios.
Just look at what happened to this woman(opens in a new tab), who used Bluetooth trackers to locate her luggage when her airline couldn’t.
In this case, a $29 Apple AirTag(opens in a new tab) helped her recover her lost bag. For reasons we’ll get into, that might not have been possible with some AirTag alternatives, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good use cases for Tile Trackers or Samsung SmartTags, too.
Are Bluetooth trackers safe/secure?
Bluetooth trackers are generally safe and secure, with some important caveats. The best Bluetooth trackers are so reliable and accurate that some nervous parents have started tying them into their toddler’s shoelaces, letting them track their kiddos 24/7. Unfortunately, it’s precisely because these devices are so accurate that they can also be used against you.
If you find an unwanted AirTag, here’s how to disable it
There have been reports of stalkers and harassers using Bluetooth trackers like AirTags to track an unknowing victim. It should go without saying that you should only use these devices to track your own belongings, not another person or their possessions. (You aren’t a total creep, right?) Currently, only Apple has built-in safeguards to notify users if they’re being tracked by an unknown AirTags device, so if privacy is a major concern, then consider sticking with AirTags and Apple devices.
If you’re worried about your privacy when using Bluetooth trackers, then we have good news and bad news. The good news is that using Bluetooth trackers doesn’t put you at much greater risk than you already face. That’s because to use these devices, you’ll need a smartphone, and most smartphones (and the apps running on them) are already tracking your location and storing your data. Unfortunately, giving up some basic privacy is the devil’s bargain we all make for so much digital convenience.
We do recommend keeping your account secure when using Bluetooth trackers. Use common sense precautions such as opting into two-factor authentication and selecting a strong password whenever possible.
Are AirTags and Bluetooth trackers good for travel?
Bluetooth trackers can be extremely helpful in locating your luggage while traveling. As mentioned above, Apple AirTags have already helped travelers track and recover lost luggage. Not only can Bluetooth GPS trackers help you keep track of your luggage, but you can also use these trackers to monitor individual items such as keys, wallets, carry-on luggage, and specific gadgets.
Keep in mind that not all Bluetooth item finders are ideal for travel. You’ll want to make sure that your tracker can identify its location even if it’s out of range of your smartphone and offline. In addition, you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure you have time to set up your tracker, as some of these products require you to create an account and/or download an app.
With all this in mind, we tested the best Bluetooth trackers for travel from brands such as Apple(opens in a new tab) and Tile. All of these devices are relatively affordable (especially compared to the cost of replacing lost items) and easy to use for anyone with basic digital literacy.
Instead of risking a travel nightmare, invest in one of these GPS Bluetooth trackers instead. The next time you head to the airport, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
How we tested
When you’re using Bluetooth GPS trackers like Apple AirTags to keep track of your luggage or valuables, you need to be able to rely on them absolutely. So before selecting the best Bluetooth trackers for testing, we tried out these products for ourselves. We checked to see how they performed as both everyday item finders and GPS trackers for long-distance travel.
When evaluating the best Bluetooth trackers, we first checked to see how easily they connect to your smartphone. Products like Chipolo and Tile require downloading an app and signing up for an account, and we wanted to make sure this process is straightforward and pain-free even for users that aren’t familiar with Bluetooth technology. To test location tracking, we used our smartphones to monitor how accurately each tracker recorded its location when it was out of range of our smartphone.
What factors did we consider when testing Bluetooth trackers?
The best Bluetooth trackers for travel will be able to provide location data even if your item is lost. Fortunately, all of the products featured here were able to provide some level of GPS tracking, although Apple’s Find My network performs the best in this regard.
In addition to location tracking, we also considered ease of connection, the quality of the app, the loudness of the chime, and overall range. In our testing, Apple AirTags have the quietest chime and shortest range, but they win out overall thanks to the strength of the Find My network and ease of pairing.
