8 Best Luggage Trackers and Smart Tags in 2022, Tested by Travel Experts - Men's Health
Courtesy of Retailer
AIT TRAVEL has always been challenging, and it hasn’t gotten any easier since COVID. But most of us have found ways to make it more tolerable. Thanks to sky-high baggage fees and the hassle of lost luggage, most of us have honed our packing skills to master the art of traveling with only carry-on luggage. The fact that luggage “mishandling” (including theft) is on the rise only complicates things. But if you’re a habitual heavy packer and can’t seem to travel without checking a bag, there’s still hope for you. The answer: a luggage tracker.
Luggage trackers are an inexpensive way to keep tabs on your travel bags while en route. In the last decade, the technology has gotten more compact, more affordable, and more accurate. Now, the best luggage trackers are smaller than a traditional paper luggage tag and allow you to track your bags in real-time, anywhere in the world. Using Bluetooth, a cellular connection (the same one your smartphone uses), or both, you can monitor your bag’s progress from almost any mobile device. While the most premium, featured-packed models run north of $100, you can land a budget luggage tracker for under $30. So, there’s no reason not to buy one.
If you’re ready to upgrade your travels and safeguard your luggage with a legit tracker, there’s never been a better time. The long list of available features can make shopping for these little devices a little confusing. So, we did the legwork to test and compare the best-selling models. Here are our top eight picks for the best luggage trackers worth buying in 2022.
About the Expert: I’ve spent most of my life hiking, kayaking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors. For more than a decade, I’ve traveled the world, including all seven continents, and covered outdoor and adventure travel, sharing my advice on Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. These days, I personally evaluate travel gear (like the best luggage trackers) and tech gadgets for Men’s Health from my home base south of Boston. So, you might say I’m a little gear-obsessed.
Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker (with 2-year subscription)
Now 16% off
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Technology
Bluetooth, 4G, LTE-M
Subscription required?
Yes
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion (included)
Best Value Luggage Tracker
Tracki
Tracki GPS Tracker for Luggage
Now 28% off
Compatibility
Android, iOS, and web browsers
Technology
GPS, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G
Subscription required?
Yes
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion (included)
Best Global Coverage Luggage Tracker
LandAirSea
LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker
Compatibility
Android, iOS, and web browsers
Technology
GPS, 4G LTE
Subscription required?
Yes
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion (included)
Best Midrange Luggage Tracker
GEGO
GPS Real Time Luggage Tracker
Compatibility
Android, iOS
Technology
4G and Assisted GPS (AGPS)
Subscription required?
Yes
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion (included)
Best Luggage Tracker for Apple iOS
Apple
Apple AirTag
Compatibility
iOS only
Technology
Bluetooth 5.0
Subscription required?
No
Battery
Replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery (included)
Best Passive Luggage Tracker
Dynotag
Web Enabled Brushed Stainless Steel Smart Luggage ID Tag+
Technology
None
Subscription required?
No
Battery
None required
Best Luggage Tracker for Samsung Galaxy
Samsung
Galaxy SmartTag+ Plus Bluetooth Smart Home Accessory Tracker
Now 12% off
Compatibility
Galaxy smartphones with Android 11 or higher
Technology
Bluetooth 5.0
Subscription required?
No
Battery
Replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery (included)
How to Find the Best Luggage Tracker for You
For all their fancy gadgetry “under the hood,” luggage trackers are surprisingly simple devices. But there are a few things to consider before dropping your money on the first bargain-priced model you find.
Compatibility
Most luggage trackers are designed to work with any smartphone, and most brands offer free Android and iOS versions of their companion apps. Still, it pays to make sure that any luggage trackers you’re shopping works with the device you own.
Consider Your Travel Style
How you travel can determine which luggage tracker is best for you. If you’re a frequent domestic traveler, a simple Bluetooth tracker may do the trick. But, if you’re often exploring international countries for weeks at a time, you may want a more full-featured model with GPS capability. That way, you can keep tabs on your luggage anywhere in the world.
Battery Life
Battery life for luggage trackers can vary widely. In our experience, the manufacturer’s claimed (ideal) battery life is often very different when their trackers are used in the real world. Look at other reviewers’ personal experiences with how long their batteries lasted. In low-power mode, the best luggage trackers can typically last for months—even years in the case of Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTag—before needing to be replaced or recharged. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll likely want more frequent updates from your tracker when you're traveling. That can substantially decrease its battery life to only a few days. So for longer trips, you’ll likely need to recharge your luggage tracker along the way.
Price
Bluetooth trackers like Tile and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag typically cost less than $50. For basic yet effective tracking, this may be all that most travelers ever need. Long-term and international travelers may want to invest in more feature-rich GPS-enabled trackers that often run north of $100 plus the cost of an ongoing monthly subscription.
How We Selected the Best Luggage Trackers
Among the dozens of available models, we researched and personally tested the most popular luggage trackers on the market today. We racked up thousands of miles to compare every feature and spec, including durability, user-friendliness, accuracy, reliability, battery life, and price. We also included several models with excellent reviews from the etailers we trust most, like Amazon and Walmart. The list above represents our honest picks for the best luggage trackers worth shopping for in 2022.
Mike RichardMike Richard has traveled the world since 2008.
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