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Better than Apple? Three AirTag alternatives in comparison

Apple AirTags find your keys, backpack or case. But what AirTag alternatives are there to the expensive trackers and are they just as good? Three manufacturers and their products in comparison.

Everyone has misplaced their keys at least once in their life. This is particularly annoying when things have to happen quickly. The little beasts are usually found in the pocket from the day before or under a pile of files on the desk.

But by the time you find them, your nerves are usually burned out. Clever trackers like the AirTags from Apple want to save you this nerve-wracking search. They connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth and the users can always see where the trackers are using the smartphone app. It also works the other way around: Some trackers offer the function of playing a sound on the smartphone with a double click.

What the Apple AirTags is clear: they are as stylish as usual, offer the water protection standard IP67, meaning they are dustproof and waterproof against temporary submersion of up to one meter for a maximum of 30 minutes. You get your power from a CR2032 button cell battery. According to the manufacturer, the key finders last for a year.

AirTag Alternative: Still little competition

So far the competition for Apple has been manageable. Three manufacturers in particular are putting pressure on the iPhone, iPad and iMac company: Tile and Chipolo are two relatively unknown key finders. Long-term competitor Samsung, on the other hand, is familiar to most consumers. Tile offers the largest product range, followed by Chipolo.

1. AirTag alternatives from Tile

With its Bluetooth trackers, Tile offers the most extensive product range on the market. The keychains are available in two versions: Tile Mate and Tile Pro. The main difference is their range: According to the manufacturer, Mate finds objects up to a range of 76 meters and Pro up to 120 meters.

Of course, the trackers are not only suitable for a key chain, but can also be attached to the zipper of a sports bag. In addition to the large followers, Tile also has Stickers on offer. They are slightly smaller and can be stuck to a remote control, camera or glasses case. Its range is 45 meters and, according to the manufacturer, the battery life is up to three years.

And because both keychains and stickers are bad for your wallet, Tile also has an AirTag alternative Credit card format on offer that fits perfectly in a wallet. Nice: All Tile trackers work with iOS and Android smartphones. And they even work well with Google Home and Alexa.

But there is one big drawback: Tile’s standard search function is free via the associated app. But for premium features like the proactive search feature, you need to take out a subscription. This also includes functions such as intelligent notification if you want to go out the door without a key or free battery replacement. According to the manufacturer, the trackers are “water-resistant” with an IP67 certification. This means that the tracker is resistant to dust and water recently are protected from submersion.

Tile also offers a community search function. If you lose the tracker and are out of its range, other Tile users can locate the tracker anonymously. If another Tile device is nearby, you will receive a message on your smartphone. Of course, the other Tile user won’t see your tracker.

2. Chipolo

According to the manufacturer it is Chipolo One At 120 decibels, the loudest Bluetooth tracker on the market. Of course, the AirTag alternative works with Android and iOS via the associated app. The chips are also available in blue, white, yellow, green, red or black. There should be the right tracker for every outfit.

According to the manufacturer, one battery charge per chip lasts two years. The warning function is useful: If you lose your key and move away from it, the Chipolo app sends a warning to your smartphone. And if you’re looking for your smartphone but only have a chip from Chipolo at hand, you can make a sound from the smartphone by double-clicking on the chip, even if it’s muted.

If the smartphone is out of Bluetooth range, you can use Chipolo’s web application to locate its last active location. Chipolo also offers a Bluetooth tracker Credit card format. Ideal for your wallet. And of course Chipolo also has a community search function like Tile.

3. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag

Long-term competitor Samsung not only regularly challenges Apple in the smartphone market. The South Korean tech giant also has its own AirTag alternative. Based on its smartphones and tablets, Samsung calls its Bluetooth trackers “Galaxy SmartTag“.

However, Samsung’s AirTag alternative is only for people who have a Galaxy smartphone with Android 8 or higher. The Galaxy SmartTags don’t work with other smartphones – a shame. Compared to the other AirTag alternatives, the Samsung trackers offer a maximum connection range of 120 meters. This puts them on a par with the Tile Pro trackers.

Of course, if you are looking for a tagged item, the Galaxy SmartTags can also play a sound. The trackers can be controlled – how could it be otherwise – via the SmartThings app from Samsung. Nice: Other Galaxy devices act as a search aid if you have lost your keys or bag and are out of tracking range with your smartphone.

This function is called “Find offline” in the app’s settings menu. If this is activated, the searcher will receive a message when another Galaxy is within range of the tracker and has detected it. What the trackers all have in common: The Galaxy SmartTags also use a button battery. According to the manufacturer, it lasts a maximum of 300 days. Samsung keeps it simple in terms of color: buyers can choose between white, black, mint and pink.

Note: The article was first published in June 2021.

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